The Parish Bunch

Jonas Brothers

2009-08-10T18:45:00.002-05:00

Okay, we made this video when we went to Connecticut last month to visit Hannah and Chris. Aislinn is Joe Jonas, Janelle is Nick Jonas, and Hannah's friend Sarah is Kevin Jonas. It was really late when we made this, so...ya.

2009-08-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

2009-08-03T08:39:00.002-05:00

We just got back from the Olympic Weightlifting National School Age Championship in Gainsville, Georgia a few weeks ago. It was a blast, and Wes and Aislinn took home metals. Here's a list of who came in what place in their catagory.

Janelle- 5th

Aislinn- 3rd

John- 10th

Wes- 2nd

Laura- 4th

Shannon- 5th

Riley- 6th

Qualifying Meet

2009-06-25T15:43:00.002-05:00

Yet another weightlifting video.

Pet-ty Cash

2009-04-16T20:26:00.000-05:00

Riley and Wesley entered a film contest last weekend. The goal was to make a 3 minute short film in 36 hours, and the prize was $500 dollars. Around 70 videos were entered, including many professional production companies, and Riley and Wesley's video came in fifth place. Here it is:

Cheers,
McKenna.

PS: This doesn't mean I'm regularly updating again. Sorry.

Random and Funny Things Part XII

2009-04-16T20:07:00.005-05:00

She looked like a pregnant old lady wearing heels for the first time!
Elizabeth

Wait... ears can go blind??
Riley

Remember that one time with Chris and Hannah, and we were sleeping in the pop up, and hannah told a scary story and we had to go back inside?
Shannon

*SCREAM* ... Sorry.
Wesley

When I sit down, it looks like I'm sitting down.
Shannon

McKenna: No, George Lucas said that Anakin was the chosen one.
Wesley: Yeah, well, George Lucas was wrong!

Cheers,
McKenna

Weightlifting Video III

2009-04-02T16:12:00.001-05:00

Cheers,
McKenna

An ANNOUNCEMENT.

2009-03-22T21:17:00.001-05:00

McKenna is not going to be posting on the blog until further notice.

Deal.

Cheers.

Last Day

2009-02-19T16:02:00.002-06:00

Last Day....

Florida Trip 2009: Day Nine

2009-02-19T09:59:00.007-06:00

So what happened was this:

I didn't take any pictures yesterday.

We didn't really do anything that interesting.

So, at dinner, I said something like,

"Hey, I didn't take any pictures today.

I'll get my camera and we'll take a few,

becase of course we can't have a day of vacation with no pictures."

And that's what we did-

played a quick game of Pass the Whatever.

But instead of using a small child, or Shannon,

which is how the game is usually played,

we just tossed (figuratively, not literally) my camera around.

Yep.

[this image has been removed at Shannon's request]

Wes and Shan.

Wes and Nell.

Ais.

Elvis and Elvis jr.

Cheers,

McKenna

Florida Trip 2009: Day Eight

2009-02-19T09:23:00.005-06:00

Shopping day!

Riley and Janelle cleaning up the shells they've collected.
Trying on Riley's hat.

Riley trying on my sunglasses.

Looks like he's about six, doesn't he?

Nellie.

Ri, Wes and Nell.

Shannon, Dad and Wes.

Tubby.

Mmhmm.

People with icecream.

Wow, I took a lot of pictures of Shannon stuffing her face.

Cheers,

McKenna

More Vacation Stuff

2009-02-19T08:36:00.003-06:00

Florida Trip 2009: Day Seven

2009-02-17T09:06:00.007-06:00

Shannon, Wesley and I went out fishing. Shannon did okay, I did better, and Wesley became an expert in hooking fish in the stomach.

On the way out.

Wesley, Shannon and some sky.
"I'm king of the world!"

Lil' Wez

Driving the boat should totally count toward my license.

I'm reasonably certain that I didn't take this picture. Sooo I don't know what this is exactly.

Shannon.

Me.

HAHAHAHAHAHa sorry. This is just rather amusing. Wesley was told to look annoyed about not catching anything we could actually keep.

Shannon looked like she was dead or something, so I took a picture.

Me again.

Comedy and Tragedy.

Self portrait! Still amazed I got everyone in there.

Wes, Shan and Riley showing their feelings about the fish Papa was gutting two feet away.

On the way back in.

Shannon looking distraught. Her phone has been malfunctioning.

Cheers,

McKenna

Florida Trip 2009: Day Six

2009-02-16T19:01:00.003-06:00

While Mom, Susy and most of my siblings went to the Ft Myers beach, Dad, Mr Horn, Riley and I went to the Edison House and museum, home of :

The world's biggest banyan tree (I think.)
And a statue of Henry Ford, who lived next door for two weeks every February.

Riley.

More Riley.

Janelle, looking pained for some reason.

Cheers,

McKenna

Florida Trip 2009: Days Four and Five

2009-02-16T17:48:00.006-06:00

The sunburn looks worse in person. Believe it or not.Ais, Nell and Riley crammed into the car.

Riley, Wesley and I went down to the beach. There was a bit of fog (the thing you can't see in the background is the ocean).
Wesley being Wesley.

Riley went to look for good shells.

Cheers,

McKenna

Florida Trip 2009: Day Three

2009-02-16T17:37:00.003-06:00

This would be the fishing day of the video Riley already posted.

Shannon and her braids.

Janelle, her attitude, and her hair wrap.
^ Wesley, as Jasper Scissorhands. I mean Jasper Cullen. v

Cheers,

McKenna.

Florida Trip 2009: Day Two

2009-02-13T11:56:00.004-06:00

Beach and pool day! And some shopping too.

Ais and Nell in the pool.
Wesley, showing off his ability to stand up with his head above water in the deep end- five feet deep! WOAH! He would like me to note that Shannon does not share this ability.

Ri, Ais and Nell hanging at the beach.
Shannon, asked to smile for the camera.

Wesley, asked to smile for the camera.

Self portrait!

Riley, in the car on the way to go shopping for sunglasses and other such necessities.

Cheers,

McKenna

Weightlifting Video

2009-02-13T11:41:00.001-06:00

From the IL State Weightlifting Meet, 7 February 2009.

Edited by Riley, music by Coldplay. Enjoy.

Cheers,
McKenna

Fishing with Wes, Ri, and Ais

2009-02-12T16:45:00.004-06:00

Greetings from Marco

2009-02-11T17:20:00.006-06:00

Hello everybody. I (Riley) hope to put a lot of video on the blog from our vacation in Marco Island. Guess what? We went swimming today. Ok, that was mean, sorry. Anyway, I'll try to put up some video at the end of each day.

Florida Trip 2009: Day One

2009-02-11T16:24:00.004-06:00

Yeah, yeah, I know Day One was yesterday, but in my defense I didn't go on the computer at all yesterday. Riley has a video ready, but I think she wants to put it up herself.

Everyone watching American Idol.

Dinner!

Riley and a massive slice of pizza.

Aislinn and Janelle being their usual delightful selves.

Riley, with her bed in the background.

My bed.

Video and more pics to follow.

Cheers,

McKenna

Pictures! :

An Announcement

2009-02-09T01:46:00.002-06:00

We are leaving for Florida tomorrow evening. I'm going to bring my camera and stuff so I'll be able to post pics. Maybe.

Cheers,
McKenna

Christmas With The Keefes

2009-02-09T01:45:00.001-06:00

Cheers,

McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part XI

2009-01-25T23:09:00.002-06:00

Riley: (sung) Feed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence, tuppence, da da da da ...
McKenna: It's "tuppence a bag! Not that difficult to remember!"
(a little later)
Riley: (sung) Feed the birds, tuppence a-
Shannon: SHUT UP OR I WILL MURDER YOU!

Don't pick my nose for me!
Shannon

Say goodbye to your brother and sister in case we die.
Mom

Do we have to go to bed now? Cause I'm really tired.
Janelle

Shannon: I had to go through, like, two hundred pictures!
Mom: I had to go through, like, thirteen!

He likes to [...] read books with his eyes closed.
Mom

My nail looks like a fairy threw up on it.
Shannon

Memory like a steel trap. That's why I forgot.
Shannon

Makes me feel like a vampire hisssss.
Wesley

Do you know what you have ahead of you? The future!
Mom

Janelle: Why do they call it Martin King Luther Junior Day?
Riley: That's a good one for the blog.

Cheers,
McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part X

2009-01-15T00:38:00.002-06:00

Yeah. That was the guy who died.
Riley

When we sell all our money ...
Wesley

I'm being inconspicuous.
Shannon, rather loudly.

Wait! Scabs are good!
Shannon

Sometimes, we're loud and stretched out.
Mom

Who's napalm?
Shannon

Wesley, on Scarlet O'Hara: Another day, another man. That's my motto.
Shannon: That's your motto?!

Laura: Beth is ... not Andy.
McKenna: And neither is Tim.
Laura: Right!

Cheers,
McKenna

Another Video

2009-01-03T10:59:00.003-06:00

This bit of film was shot by John, in January of 2007. Enjoy!

Cheers,
McKenna

The Nativity Scene Play

2009-01-02T20:05:00.002-06:00

Made on Christmas Eve.

Cheers,
McKenna

Happy New Year, part II

2008-12-31T23:54:00.003-06:00

I lied. I'll do the pics, etc., tomorrow. I decided
I just had to get to 10,000 words tonight. It's
a NaNo thing ... which normally I wouldn't explain, but since
I have to get 142 (or rather one hundred forty
two) words in a fairly short amount of time, I
will. NaNo is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, or
November, which is basically a self-challenge to write a work
of fiction in 30 days. At least fifty thousand words
long. I won, wrote a stunningly horrible novel. But at
least now I know I can do it, and things

can only go up from here. That's another thing I
accomplished in 2008. Two minutes to go. Um. To celebrate
the New Year, we all went over to Aunt Amy's,
but we're home now. Young kids and all. One minute.

Cheers,
McKenna

There. 10,000 words. Cross that off the to-do list. And up the goal for next year. 25,000? Okay. Sounds good.

Happy 2009.

In case you're wondering, this is oddly spaced because that's just the easiest way to count the words.

Cheers,
McKenna.

Which I only said twice because the first time they were the 9,999 and 10,000 words, and I couldn't not say it the second time. Forgive the randomness of this post. I'm tired and should be sleeping.

Bye.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T14:10:00.003-06:00

Exactly one year ago I started this blog. Doesn't seem like so long ago. Lot's happened this year- trips to Florida, Ohio, Chicago, North Carolina ... I wrote a cantata, learned to play 2 instruments (started to, anyway), gained two cousins, lost a grandparent, read a book or two ;).

Anyway. Out of idle curiousity, I went through the old posts and gathered a few stats. And later tonight I'm posting the "Best of 2008" things ... best pictures, videos, comments. So-

Total word count: 9858 (I guess my next post will be 142 words, then)
Number of comments: 1146 (and I've deleted a fair few)
Number of pictures: 206 (or 207, but one picture has been posted twice)
Number of videos: 40
Number of Random and Funny Things: 62
Number of posts not made by me: 3 (of 101)

If anyone has any opinions on what the best pictures, comments, videos, posts, quotes, whatever, are, leave a comment.

Oh. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!

Cheers,
McKenna

Christmas Pics

2008-12-27T01:19:00.017-06:00

I'll caption these later. 100th post of 2008!

Cheers,

McKenna

Quote of the Day

2008-12-27T01:13:00.001-06:00

Whenever he sings too high, he's flat.
~Shannon

Cheers,
McKenna

2008-12-22T20:20:00.002-06:00

Forgot to put this in the last news post.

Mimi (the dog) died last Tuesday. Hit by a car; her leg was hurt really badly, and so the vet put her down.

Thought you'd want to know.

Cheers,
McKenna

Christmas Musical & Cantata Pics

2008-12-21T20:39:00.004-06:00

Look at our shapely bodies. Cause rectangles are shapes, right?

Tubby. I mean Shannon.

Elizabeth, Riley, Laura and Kaley, hiding during a rehearsal.
Laura and I at the dress rehesarsal yesterday.

Kaley, Laura and Riley.

Laura and I. Again. This was today.
The Greedy Girls.

Cheers,

McKenna

Thanksgiving

2008-12-21T20:20:00.007-06:00

We had a bit of trouble on the way out.
At the beach.

The short little people in the background are Aislinn and Janelle. And that's Shannon cartwheeling, but that seems a little obvious.

Moi.

Shan, Mom, Nell and Riley.

Ais, Shan, Riley, Wes and Jonathan.

Our last night in NC. I think.

Cause they can't take a picture with a straight face. Or, heaven forbid, a smile.

What did I tell you?

On the ferry.

Still on the ferry.

At the Aquarium.

No, of course I'm not related to these people.

Riley.

Washing dishes on Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

McKenna

I didn't decide not to update.

2008-12-21T20:12:00.003-06:00

I just didn't feel like it.

Anyway. Review of the month of December

Riley and I found out we're going to Peoria to play in the All State Orchestra.
Performance of my cantata.
Final concert of 2008 with the orchestra- selections from the Nutcracker.
Shannon and Wesley went to another weightlifting meet.
Recitals. For all of us.
Christmas musical at church.

And I can't think of anything else. When I do, I'll edit it in. Or something.

Going to post pictures now.

Cheers,
McKenna

The Christmas Present

2008-12-21T18:51:00.001-06:00

Well, since McKenna has decided not to update, I took some action. Here is a Christmas video me, Janelle, and Aislinn made a few days ago. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Rilizzo

The Doll

2008-12-01T13:25:00.000-06:00

Cheers,

McKenna

Video Scavenger Hunt!

2008-11-24T10:40:00.004-06:00

At youth group last night.

Fitting everyone in a confined space. Or something like that. There's Kaley's arm!

"Find someone with an instrument and hum along while they play something." Fortunately, we found Wesley with an instrument. Unfortunately, it was Wesley with the instrument.

Cheers,

McKenna

Christmas Decorating

2008-11-24T10:19:00.007-06:00

Surprise! ...... oh right. This was me trying out the timer on my camera.
Of course they didn't pose for this.

This is like Shannon's favorite.

"Now, children..."

Oh look! It's McKenna!

And a tree!

Shannon is so greedy! In a pseudo German accent!

See?

Bowling for Wise Men!

Wes was told to put the three wise men in his room because they scared mom.

While Riley also wants the cool emo wisemen.

Guys, stop fighting!

Snowflake Antlers!

Super Rilizzo!

This picture was merely taken so all of you wonderful people could see this lovely ornament.

I'm not that scary. Really.

Um. Yeah.

Riley was here too. My arm wasn't long enough to get everyone in here.

Wow they look short.

Cheers,

McKenna

Upon editing this post to fix the annoying spacing between the pictures, I noticed how many !'s I used. Probably because Shannon thought of several of the captions.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T10:00:00.002-06:00

We'll be going to North Carolina tonight, to see other Parish cousins. I may or may not be updating while we're out there. Don't expect it. I do plan on having pictures ... wait. I have a few, I'll put some up now.

On a separate post. Because I feel like being organized right now.

Cheers,

McKenna

Makin' Frankin'

2008-11-24T09:59:00.001-06:00

Cheers,

McKenna

Weightlifting Pictures

2008-11-14T12:21:00.002-06:00

Cheers,

McKenna

weightlifting video

2008-11-11T16:52:00.004-06:00

Edited by Riley; from the meet in Naperville, 11/1/08. I wasn't there. Pictures coming soon.

Cheers,

Mckenna

Another Funny Conversation

2008-10-28T22:06:00.001-05:00

Janelle: McKenna, can you say something in French?
McKenna: Mais oui.
Janelle: What can you say?
McKenna: Well, I can say "The kitchen is yellow."
Janelle: What does that mean?
McKenna: . . .

Pictures!

2008-10-28T21:56:00.004-05:00

Sorry about the terrible quality. Photobucket kinda hates me right now, and I can't upload them directly because I don't have the files.

^Liz in a hood.^

^Elizabeth, Shannon and Anna trying to keep warm after the concert Sunday, which incidentally went extremely well.^

^"E.T. phone home." Yes, that's what she was thinking.^

More later. I'm too annoyed with pictures at the moment to bother.

Cheers,
McKenna

Ummm ... hi.

2008-10-26T11:37:00.002-05:00

Yes, I've read the comments. Sorry. I've been a bit busy lately, and November's going to be worse. I'll try to update a bit more often than I have been, but no promises.

I finally uploaded those videos to YouTube. Here they are.

^Wesley drinking the sour juice. I think this was August.^

^My lovely family singing Happy Birthday to me. Woo hoo. Sorry, Southards, you'll have to come over and watch this.^

^Aislinn and Janelle stole my camera. Again.^

So. There you go. I'll try to have more pictures soon, and possibly video. I'm going to repeat it. NO PROMISES. If you want more, feel free to pester my siblings. They are perfectly able to post on here.

For those of you who come on here not to pester me with "UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE I'M DYING HERE MCKENNA" comments, but to find out how things are going here in the middle of nowhere ... Everybody has been very busy lately, what with weightlifting (big meet next Saturday) (Yes, I'll take pictures); a church musical, featuring Shannon in a Christmas-ized version of "Time Marches On" and Riley and I as Greedy Girls; a church cantata featuring ... most of us in various roles, such as composer and soprano soloist; tonight we have our first concert in the new building, Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture. Yeah, that's about it. Music and weightlifting. Actually, since I am not an Olympic Weightlifter it's just music for me.

... Yeah.

Anyway. I'll try to post again soon.

Cheers,

McKenna

2008-09-28T12:55:00.002-05:00

The Jello Room.
At the world premiere of "Superheroes 2."

And Aislinn and Janelle playing with my camera.

Going mini golfing in a couple hours, I'll try to remember my camera so I can take more pictures for you guys.

Cheers,
McKenna

2008-09-28T00:48:00.006-05:00

The reason the Parishes are valued members of the church choirs.

I think that's the last time I'm using Photobucket for video, it's kinda a pain. Here's another one, from about a month ago, I think, of Wesley.

I have one more bit of video, but I haven't loaded it yet and I have lots to do before church in ... less than an hour, so as you see I don't have time to get it up before then.

We're finally in the new building for orchestra, and in some opinions, well, when the directions to the room for the viola sectional are "Across the bridge, past the mirrored wall and into the pit of darkness", you know you're in for some interesting architecture. Last week (or was it the week before ...?) Shannon had some fun with my camera during break.

^Actually, I think I was supposed to delete this one ... oops.^

^ Shannon and Laura v

I have a few more - none from weightlifting, they're on the other computer and that one doesn't like people right now, and I've already deleted them off my camera - but that will have to wait until this afternoon. And before you come after me with pitchforks and torches, look over to the left of the screen. See all the names under "About Us"? How many are there? That's right, five. Which tells us what? That there are four other people who are perfectly able to post things for you guys to come look at.

Gotta go, twenty minutes until we leave for church ... drat.

Cheers,
McKenna

Movie Quote #6

2008-09-11T20:09:00.002-05:00

"Simmer Down," from Edward Scissorhands, a movie about a guy named Edward who has scissor hands, believe it or not. Starring Wesley as Ed and Shannon as ... just watch.

Cheers,

McKenna

2008-09-10T14:37:00.002-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!

Since you're one of the three best commentors on here, I figured we might as well mention it.

So. Happy belated birthday. Hope you had a good one.

Cheers,
McKenna and the rest of them.

One Of Those "You Had To be There" Stories.

2008-09-10T14:22:00.003-05:00

So on Monday Shannon, Wesley and I made milkshakes. Kind and caring older siblings that we are, we decided to hide that fact from Aislinn and Janelle, simply so that we wouldn't have to clean up the mess. And have some older sibling "bonding time". Right after we put everything away, just as we were beginning to enjoy our tall glasses of fudgy yumness, we heard Aislinn and Janelle coming down the stairs.

There was only one course of action we could possibly take.

We hid.

In the bathroom.

Those of you who have been to our house have probably seen the bathroom off the kitchen. The red one. The really really small one.

There we were, Wesley, Shannon, three milkshakes and myself, hiding in a small bathroom. We decided that in the case anyone should knock on the door, Wesley would be the one in the bathroom.

It couldn't possibly get any worse.

"Hey, Aislinn," we heard Janelle call from the other side of the door. "I set your cards up, come on and play!"

Which of course meant that we couldn't sneak out. They were playing rummy three feet away.

It couldn't possibly get any worse.

Wesley had an idea. "Hey, Janelle, did you put my laptop away?"

Shannon had a 'better' idea. "Hey, Janelle, can you ... Oh."

Dense as Ais and Nell can sometimes be, they suspected that something was not quite right.

That would be the point when Mom walked in the door, wondering why there was an alarming amount of laughter coming from the bathroom. Realizing that we couldn't hide any longer, we walked out to the sound of complaints regarding the fact we were holding milkshakes.

You really did have to be there. But it's funny anyway, right? Right?

Humph.

Cheers,
McKenna

A Funny Conversation

2008-09-10T14:19:00.003-05:00

Shannon: Missa never had to wear a wrist wrap.
Wesley: Had? You make it seem like she died.
Riley: Missa was really good at weightlifting.
Wesley: May she rest in peace!

Cheers,
McKenna

McKenna and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2008-09-05T11:51:00.005-05:00

This morning I woke up at seven o'clock.

Nope, that's inaccurate. Let me start again.

This morning I was awakened by Aislinn handing me the phone so I could read a text Shannon sent me reminding me to do something I was going to do anyway. Then I decided it was far too early to be awake, and set the alarm for eight o'clock.

Unfortunately, the alarm failed to go off, so I didn't wake up until nine o'clock. I practised a bit, because I have lessons in about an hour (although I wasn't actually practising anything I need for my lesson, I was practising this really awesome Irish fiddling song. I was relearning what I learned yesterday because my fingers decided to forget the notes.), then went to find some food. I tried a bowl of Rice Krispies, but they were simply unappetizing. I then remembered that I had to collect the library books that were due today, only then to find out that one of them is missing, and that they were in fact due last Friday.

I also get to pay the fines myself. Should come to something around five dollars.

After I collected the books, I went to grab a poptart to bring with me, because I won't get lunch until after two o'clock, but apparently my younger siblings ate them all, because there were none left. There weren't very many other options, but I thought I would have a hot dog, because that sounded vaguely appetizing, but when I went to get a hot dog bun, I noticed that they were slightly greener than they ought to be. We'd been eating the new buns, and let the old buns sit in the drawer for a bit too long.

So I had a hot dog without a bun. I went upstairs to get my stuff together and got mascara in my eye, couldn't find my enormous silver earrings so I had to wear the enormous white ones instead, had to pack up Shannon's violin, couldn't find my library card, and tipped my stand over. The stand that has - well, had - all of my quartet music on it.

I also had a sore throat, which doesn't work well for starting voice lessons.

Clearly, these are not fun times.

Which reminds me. Orchestra started Wednesday night. I switched sections, so I'm now a violist. Found out I can't really sightread alto clef. Choir started last night, which was fun because we finally got Riley to come, and we read through the first half of my cantata. It looks like the performance will be December 7.

I will be posting pictures from the weightlifting meet in Springfield later today, as well as video of some sort. Maybe.

Oh, and Riley and WESLEY's video didn't win anything.

Cheers,
McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part IX

2008-09-05T11:49:00.006-05:00

It's so much more funner.
Riley

Are you really seriously having doubting?
Riley

Shannon: What is that?! Is that a cow?
Wesley: That would be a dog.

They're scared of the bed under ... the monster.
Wesley

Aw, I'm so cute, just look at me!
Aislinn

I'm so cute it's not even funny.
Wesley (talking about himself as a three year old. Except he was in the present tense. Which is even funny.)

Cheers,
McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part VIII

2008-08-19T19:23:00.003-05:00

He has a funny countenance.
Wesley

Shannon: If life is like a ladybug, then fruitsnacks are goldfish.
Riley: Why does everything come back to goldfish?!

Wesley: Who died and made you Jim?
Shannon: Me!

It wasn't his owner, it was . . . the guy who owned him
Wesley

Janelle: Aislinn, I figured out why McKenna is so tan even though she doesn't go outside.
McKenna: Genetics?
Janelle: No, it's because you're on the computer so much, and the light from the screen makes you tan!
McKenna: . . .

Cheers,
McKenna

"I'm Not Lame"

2008-08-14T19:29:00.002-05:00

"I'm Not Lame"

Written and performed by: Aislinn Parish

I'm the baby of the club

And stylish you can see

And everybody thinks

They can make a fool of me

I'm not that shabby

They all think I'm a joke

So I slap them in the head

And tell them they are blokes

I can do a little magic

See, I'm not lame

I think I'm pretty cool

But I'm not the same.......as others.

Peace Out.

2008-08-05T15:38:00.003-05:00

Just letting you all know that Riley and Wesley's movie made it into the top 20 entries, which means that they will be going to the award dinner in a couple of weeks. That also means that they're in the running for Best Director and Best Film. (There's also a "Best Actor", but I don't think Aislinn's performance is going to be quite enough).

Cheers,
McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part VII

2008-08-04T19:00:00.004-05:00

I'm feeling merry, it's a fine day.
Wesley (you really had to be there for that ...)

I think we could all use a trip to the Philippines.
Riley

Mom got hit on the head with a trampoline.
McKenna

Elizabeth Noelle Facebook ... I mean Southards ...
Shannon

No, he's not a bad person, he's just a sally.

Riley

Cheers,
McKenna

I'm bored

2008-08-04T18:47:00.002-05:00

So I decided to write something for the blog.

I was bored yesterday, too, but I mowed the lawn instead of coming on here.

Shannon is bored as well, but she went to bed. Yes, the "Good night, I'll see you in the morning" (I very nearly wrote "Good night, I'll most likely kill you in morning") kind of went to bed.

Not much new here. We're all done with 4-H, except for the State Fair next week, where my younger siblings will be attending an olympic weightlifting meet. All of our projects did pretty well (yes, even Shannon in that dress), which is a good thing.

Dad and Wesley are going to Oregon for a business trip/Dad's high school reunion tomorrow.

Oh, and as it turns out, Roger is, in fact, a Mimi.

Who knew?

Well, Shannon did, if you ask her; apparently, she's been saying it since we acquired her.

So ... yeah. I think that's it for today. I was going to post a video, but I don't feel like finding the file.

Cheers,
McKenna

Movie Quote #5

2008-08-03T08:14:00.003-05:00

From Ocean's 12-

"That's too oxblood."

Cheers,

McKenna

Pictures of Shannon and Laura

2008-07-31T09:10:00.004-05:00

I thought I had more pictures than this to put up ... but it turns out that I just have a lot of video. Let me know (leave a comment, or hire a blimp, or something) if you want me to post those.

Shannon and Laura on Sunday, after jumping into the Southard's pool in their clothes.

Shannon and Laura on Monday, with Skittles stuck to their foreheads.

Shannon making a sour face.

Cheers,

McKenna

Toys

2008-07-31T09:01:00.004-05:00

Riley (and Wesley!) entered a movie making contest, and Riley actually agreed to let you all see what they made. They found out about the contest about a month ago ... and made this yesterday. It's due today.

Presenting: Toys.

Cheers,
McKenna

Popular! again

2008-07-30T10:21:00.002-05:00

This isn't the one I was supposed to either, but because of reasons I don't feel like explaining at the moment, I can't tell which file is which unless I remember the name- and would you remember that you're supposed to use "MOV00E" rather than "MOV009"?

I think not.

So, here it is. The whole thing.

Pictures and more video coming soon.

Cheers,
McKenna

Popular!

2008-07-29T00:07:00.005-05:00

Here it is, what you've (fine, just Shannon and Anna) have been waiting so impatiently for!

Popular, as performed by Shannon and Laura.

This is, just to let you know, the wrong version. This one, you see, only has the first half of the song. I'm working on getting the rest of it, but I thought I'd post this anyways.

Enjoy.

Cheers,
McKenna

2008-07-26T20:14:00.003-05:00

This afternoon, I babysat for Jackson, Ellie & Maggie and shot this lovely bit of video:

They thought I was just taking pictures, not taking video. Entertaining, isn't, when that happens?

Cheers,
McKenna

More Pictures

2008-07-19T18:37:00.004-05:00

Roger, our new dog.

And Shannon, in a dress she made for 4H.

Cheers,

McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part VI

2008-07-19T17:59:00.004-05:00

Her teeth are unnaturally white, and her lips are unnaturally ... rainbow.
Shannon

Ah! It's frozen!
Kathryn, right after taking the ice cream out of the freezer

Then she got died!
Shannon

I wonder if bald people scalp people because they're jealous.
Wesley

I think I'm mentally challenged- I can't open the grapes!
Shannon

Honking with a smile makes friends!
Mom

He goes to bed at three and sleeps in til ... kingdom come!
Shannon

Cheers,
McKenna

Movie Quote #4

2008-07-17T10:18:00.004-05:00

From Napoleon Dynamite,
"Do you want to look like this?

Cheers,

McKenna

Part of Your World

2008-07-11T12:48:00.001-05:00

Cheers,
McKenna

So Janelle "borrowed" my camera while I was sleeping ...

2008-07-10T12:15:00.006-05:00

And took this:

I told her I'd be posting it on the blog for the world to see because she's not supposed to be messing with my camera. For some reason she didn't seem to mind ...

Cheers,

McKenna

A Terrible Tragedy Has Occurred!

2008-07-09T19:26:00.006-05:00

Last night, Shannon, Wesley, Janelle and I came home from Summer Strings to learn about two horrible things that had happened while we were gone.

1. Mom took Riley, Aislinn and Kathryn out for dinner WITHOUT US.

and

2. ... Just look at the pictures.

Yes, the popup camper we've had for who knows how long is no more. Also, if you'll notice in the top picture, the slide blew off the play house. The basketball hoop tipped over as well.

And we lost power for several hours- Dad managed to get a hold of a generator, so we were able to do the really important things (run the fridge, charge cell phones, watch TV). Luckily, everything came back on around 2am.

Here's a random video for you all:

Cheers,

McKenna

My New Philosophy

2008-07-06T12:29:00.003-05:00

We never actually got around to making a movie quote this week. Sorry. We made (fine, Shan, Wes and Ri made) this instead. Enjoy.

Cheers,
McKenna

2008-07-03T11:51:00.001-05:00

Maggie at the annual homeschool cook out thing. We hung out while I was waiting for Elizabeth, and then she'd have nothing to do with me.

The joys of a three year old.

Elizabeth and Shannon sharing a slushie after Summer Strings Tuesday.

I'd meant to post this last night ... this morning ... whatever ... but I couldn't get this video uploaded, and then Janelle closed the window. Still can't figure out why the video isn't working.

Cheers,

McKenna

End of Driver's Ed Party

2008-07-03T02:45:00.003-05:00

Elizabeth, taking pictures of the yellow jello cello and the red jello viola.
Elizabeth taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.
Riley taking a picture of herself.
And ... yeah.
The three of us and our balloon.
Us again.
Elizabeth and I before we decorated our balloons.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth and I

Trying out the timer on my camera.

Elizabeth and ... was it Cecily?
Riley and Ed.
Daphne and I.

Click on the title for the other 50 pictures.

Cheers,

McKenna

Memorial Day

2008-07-03T01:56:00.006-05:00

Yes, I do realize that Memorial day was over a month ago. Sorry. There are some more pictures, just click on the title of this post to get them.

Not sure exactly what Ais was doing there ...
Janelle and Sydney
Shannon and Alyssa.
Alyssa, Wesley, Shannon and Riley.

And here are a some videos from the party. They kinda speak for themselves, so I'll just let you watch them now.

And another one ...

I'm uploading the pictures from the End of Driver's Ed Party last Friday night, so as soon as I finish this I'll go post those.

And another video.

Cheers,

McKenna

Ask A Ninja

2008-07-01T12:35:00.004-05:00

So, a couple of weeks ago Riley made this movie. Enjoy. Or I'll be very angry, because it took about four hours to upload.

Cheers,

McKenna

Insomnia, Part III

2008-06-29T19:43:00.005-05:00

Yes. I know. You saw the title and thought "Oh no, not another one!" But Insomnia seems to be the title of choice for these journal type posts (and in my defense, I haven't posted an Insomnia since March), and to be completely accurate, I can't sleep, but not for the usual reason - stay up so late that by the time I decide to go to bed I'm no longer tired.

Nope, tonight I'm hyper. I had thought that I'd already had my day of hyperactiveness this year - I've managed to block out most of the memory, but I'm inclined to think it was a Thursday - but apparently this year is a bit different. And this year, or rather, this time, it was diet related.

Last night I had too much sugar at the all you can eat Chinese buffet over by WalMart as well as too much yellow jello cello and red jello viola, and I didn't get nearly enough sleep. Pictures will be posted.

Today we all (excluding Her Nonnieness, of course) went up to went up to visit grandparents and sundry cousins while Mom went to a high school reunion thingy. Right now I'm sitting on a couch, listening to Lily, my iPod (for the two of you that didn't know about my habit of naming inanimate objects), and writing this with a black ink Bic pen on one of the yellow notepads I bought yesterday. I'll type this out when we get home tomorrow (provided I can make out my handwriting) and post it so you lucky people can read it. It's currently 11:54 pm on Saturday the Twenty Eighth of June. I will be seventeen in two months, four weeks and three days, give or take a couple hours.

So, as I was saying (or ... whatever), I'm hyper. I think the sugar is starting to wear off, but then again, I thought that after the two and a half hour car ride up here, but alas, I was wrong. Now I'm just hoping that I won't wake up in a state of hyperactivity.

Oh look, it has been tomorrow - or today - for three minutes. Alright, what else do I want to say? Oh, yes. Some of you may remember me commenting on the fact that I am only half of the people that aren't either at camp, waiting for camp to start or have already been to camp this summer. Today I realized that, had I gone through Driver's Ed last summer like I was supposed to, I would have probably gone to camp this summer, leaving Elizabeth by herself in the non-camp group, but she doesn't even care. Gah.

I'm tired now. Goodnight.

Cheers,
McKe

Oh, and to Anonymous (not you, the one who left the Star Wars for the next quote comment):

We are not amused.

Cheers,
McKenna

I left this in a completely unedited form (except for this one sentence I forgot to finish), just so you could see how insane I was last night. I'm much saner now. Maybe. Ta.
~Me

So ... yeah

2008-06-22T08:53:00.002-05:00

After weeks of polling you (I mean, honestly, the final two tied), trying to get you to actually get you to make suggestions, and various other annoyances, you finally picked a caption for this picture.

His very first pair of big boy shoes!!!!

from Mr Knuth

So. A bit more effort than it's worth, in my perhaps not that humble opinion, but there it is. I feel like there ought to be some sort of prize for winning ... but I can't think of anything. Oh, right, eternal fame and glory, that was it.

We need something for the next poll, so if you've got any ideas, post them here.

Cheers,

McKenna

Movie Quote #3

2008-06-20T11:39:00.005-05:00

Sorry this is so late, things have been a bit hectic lately, between Driver's Ed (ONE WEEK LEFT!!!) and the show finishing up, and with Shannon leaving for the next 10 (or something like that) days.

So. Here it is. From Pride & Prejudice, "I thought I might read to you all for an hour or two."

Cheers,
McKenna

Stage Punch

2008-06-13T08:23:00.006-05:00

Hi, this is Riley! I've never posted on our blog before, that is usually McKenna's thing, but I thought I would try it. :)

McKenna and Shannon are in a musical and it is pretty sweet. Well, in one scene, McKenna has to get punched and so they did this cool, stage punch thing. Now, Shannon goes around punching (stage punching) everyone, and I got Aislinn getting "kapowed" (ha, I'm such a nerd) in the face on tape. It's pretty hilarious.

Riley

Movie Quote #2

2008-06-11T17:08:00.003-05:00

From "That Thing You Do!"

You should see it. Good movie. Really.

Cheers,

McKenna

Oh, and there was a tie for the caption, so vote again.

And we got Wesley to do it. In case you couldn't tell. Thanks for petitioning :p

Movie Quote #1

2008-06-03T23:25:00.006-05:00

"My peanut!"

Captain Jack Sparrow,
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Cheers,
McKenna

Petition for Wesley

2008-06-03T23:22:00.002-05:00

This is the post where you (most definitely) should leave a comment telling Wesley how much you want him to help out with the Movie Quote of the Week.

And any comments that aren't signed (it's a petition, you do actually need to let us know who you are) or aren't actually something along the lines of "Come on, Wesley, you HAVE to do it!!!" will be deleted. And I had to delete my own comment as well, so don't feel too bad if yours is deleted.

Cheers,
McKenna.

A Little Addition to the Blog

2008-06-03T22:56:00.002-05:00

So, Riley and I have decided to add a new feature to the blog: Movie Quote of the Week. Every week (probably), you'll be getting a video of one of my younger siblings (or, you know, more than one) acting out a quote froma movie (or a TV show.)

Unfortunately, Wesley doesn't really want to participate, and therein lies the problem. I mean, really, this won't work out too well without him, right?

So what I'm going to do is start a petition. Leave a comment on my next post (maybe, you'll know which one) and tell Wesley that he needs to do this.

No, not this post. Leave comments on here saying how cool you think the Movie Quote of the Week idea is.

Cheers,
McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part V

2008-05-28T21:24:00.003-05:00

Goldfish are my anti-drug.
Shannon

I'm made of everything nice ... and rattlesnake venom. Gives me an edge- rawr!
Wesley

That's what it smells! It smells fantasticalicious!
Shannon

Everyone's taller than Wesley.
Alyssa
[Editor's note: except for Shannon]

I mean, who needs brakes?!
Riley

You know what I hate about my life? Everything I do goes on the blog!
Shannon

Cheers,
McKenna

Chicago Trip

2008-05-26T15:12:00.003-05:00

Shannon was a bit too attached to Anna's pillow.

Can this really be explained?

Shannon describes this as "Allie and Missa being Allie and Missa."

Nathan ... thinking. Scary, I know.

The best group (of the three), minus Alexis, waiting way too long for an elevator at the Water Tower Place.

Shannon and Missa. Boy, are they enthusiastic.

Umm. Wow.

Yup.

Austin with the Lego Man outside of the Lego store.

On the end of Navy Pier.

Cause we're just that cool.

A really awesome picture of the ferris wheel.

Peter, wearing most of the Indiana Jones-promoting free hats.

The view off the ferris wheel.

Riley, hanging out at the hotel.

Peter, Shannon and Nathan laughing at Mr Knuth.

Looks like Laura likes this dress as much as Allie does.

An iPod vending machine- schweet!

Peter trying stuffs on.

Kaley, Laura and Allie having the time of their lives.

The Bean.

I can see it now: you, sitting in front of your computer, tilting your head so you can figure out what, exactly, this is a picture of.

It's Spider-Austin! (Sorry, Nathan)

Feel free to caption this one yourself.

Hanging out at the Millenium Park "Giant Puddle."

Missa.

Don't you love the fact that Nathan's the only one looking at my camera? Shannon did survive that, in case you were wondering. (Bet you weren't.)

And the reason we were in Chicago anyway ... WICKED!!! Which rocked. Except for the seats- which weren't that bad after all.

Cheers,

McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part IV

2008-05-26T14:09:00.007-05:00

Infect me with what?! Giddiness and ... unicorns?
Nathan

Shannon: I look short and stubby in that funhouse mirror.
Peter: You look short and stubby in a regular mirror.

I enjoy shopping for men's clothing!
Shannon

Shannon, the bed smells like you.
Missa

Missa has a ghost!
Allie

Nathan, your hair is soft and delicious!
Missa

I'm such a good friend, it's horrible!
Allie

Anna: That service reeked.
Missa: You reek.
Riley: ...You reek - a!

We're not in America ... we're in Chicago!
Missa (or maybe Laura)

I hate the smell of lower classmen in the morning.

Allie.

Keep watching this post, it will be updated.

Cheers,
McKenna

Click here!

2008-05-26T13:51:00.005-05:00

Guess what!

I started a YouTube vlog; so far it only has videos that are already on here, but I'll probably be posting stuff there instead of here.

The link is the title (you should have clicked on it already.)

Cheers,
McKenna

WICKED!!!

2008-05-25T20:18:00.002-05:00

Yeah, we saw it. It was ... mostly fun. (Too many sopranos- it was the church choir that went, and out of ten girls, I am not only the only [official] alto, but I'm also the only tenor, and the only girl that didn't sing along with everything and then some.) Here are the pictures- I'm too lazy to upload (some of) them again.

Happy Memorial Day.

I'm looking forward to spending the holiday with several younger cousins.

I can barely contain my glee.

(Doesn't that line rock? Sorry, off topic.)

And ... um ... ... .... yeah. I guess that's all for now.

Cheers,
McKenna

A bit of help?

2008-05-25T20:04:00.003-05:00

I need a hilarious caption for this picture:

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

McKenna

Another Coupla Videos

2008-05-16T18:38:00.007-05:00

Sorry for the wait, but our computer was having trouble uploading video. (Actually, the computer got confused when I clicked on 'start', so...)

Shannon being weird . . . again.

Riley made a slingshot and was testing it out on Aislinn.

I babysat for Ellie and Maggie the other night, and they were being cute, so I pulled out my camera.

Quote of the Day:

"I'm not a potato type of fan."

~Riley

Going to see Prince Caspian tonight! And next weekend is WICKED!!!

Cheers,

McKenna

Another Video II

2008-05-15T19:06:00.002-05:00

So, Shannon and Wesley decided to have a screaming contest. New poll- go and vote for who you think should win.

Wow, that sounded cheesy.

Cheers,

McKenna

Random and Funny Things, Part III

2008-05-12T20:53:00.003-05:00

Shannon: I don't get those numbers on that sign- 3-9-7-3-2-4-4 ?
McKenna: It's a phone number.

It's okay to be jealous of me. Everyone goes through that phase.

Shannon

You guys . . . are . . . here?!
Shannon

Don't pick the obvious one. It's so unfair.
Shannon

And I don't think the flavourless cheese helped at all any.

Wesley

Pale-skinned warriors! . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sorry.
Wesley

That curtain looks pregnant!
Kathryn

Videos coming soon. Promise.

Cheers,
McKenna

Comments

2008-05-07T17:07:00.002-05:00

Please, stop posting super long comments. They're annoying and pointless, and I will delete them.

Sorry I'm not saying anything else right now. I'm just a wee bit irratated.

Cheers,
McKenna

About the Poll

2008-04-30T16:43:00.006-05:00

Wesley was responsible for this poll as well. Go figure. I meant to post this last night, when I put the poll up, but the computer was being idiotic and wouldn't let me sign in. Just to let you know, I'm voting for Robert *squee*, Shannon's split between David and Derek, and Ri and Wes would rather be alone. I know, their loss.

So, the news: Mom's in Florida, helping our neighbors move, ergo I am once again in charge; Shannon and I are in Ella Enchanted: The Musical; we all have recitals coming up; Riley and I are taking driver's ed in June; Shannon still hates chickens; Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough have been kicked off Dancing with the Stars, and you can't imagine how Shannon Parish feels about that. Our last orchestra concert was last Sunday (the 20th) which means that our Wednesday evenings are now FREE, so now we get to watch American Idol (go David A.!).

I think that's it. Maybe.

Cheers,

McKenna

Just a quick note

2008-04-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

Wesley came up with the poll.

Give credit where credit is due, right?

And ironically enough, no one knows who originally said that.

Cheers,
McKenna

2008-04-06T16:40:00.003-05:00

So. It's been a while. Yes, I've read the comments begging me to do something. Sorry.

Before you view this video, Shannon would like you to know something. She had just lost her voice and, though she could talk just fine, she was having some trouble singing. Oh, and this was a couple weeks ago, March 17.

I don't really feel like writing anything else right now. Enjoy.

Cheers,
McKenna

Insomnia, Part II

2008-03-29T19:31:00.003-05:00

Not technically insomnia, because staying up all night was my choice.

Insomnia is what I'm looking forward to tonight. I didn't mean to sleep all day, it just sort of happened.

So tonight I won't be able to sleep.

I think I got more sleep today than I get most nights. Depressing.

Ugh.

Cheers
McKenna

Another Video

2008-03-25T16:23:00.003-05:00

Proof that six hours is far too long for eight people to spend together in such a small space as our van.

Cheers,

McKenna