MY FAVORITE PEEPS - AND A NAUGHTY DOG

MY SIS, GLORI, AND MY NIECE, KELSEY

(NEPHW MIKE SKIPPED OUT BEFORE THE PHOTOS)

I was taking pictures at graduation recently, when I happened to look at the writing on the paper sleeve of the instant camera. It said, use by (xxx month) 2007. 2007?? Gaah - I freaked out. I had not realized the camera was that old. Thankfully, I had known there were only a few shots left on this film, so I had brought along another camera and was able to finished my picture taking.

I was aware that I might not get any good pictures at all from film that old, but I had them developed anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to get what I did.

I apologize for the quality of these pictures. Some are dark, and in some, I had to crop out a lot of red (see upper left corner of first picture). So, consequently, they are not the best, but they do at least give some glimpses of my favorite people! (All the pictures look better enlarged, so just click on the photo to enlarge it.)

As I indicated, the first picture is of my wonderful sister and her sweet daughter. Kelsey, by the way, is one of the VALEDICTORIANS of the BHS class of 2009. Kelsey, we are extremely proud of you. Yeah - we're a little club - two smart sisters and their two smart daughters. All four of us were either valedictorians or graduates of highest distinction in high school, college and/or graduate school. My mom would have been so proud!

KRISTEN AND DAN

Then, a photo of my dear daughter and my beloved husband. When I saw this picture I knew exactly how old the camera was. These shots were taken after Dan drove Kristen's new (used) car out to Washington, DC in March 2007!! (Yeah, you wouldn't see them sitting outside in shirt sleeves in March in ND!)

And finally, my wonderful (ahem) dog, Gracie, in a series of three photos that tell a little story:

ME: "Hi, Gracie, whatcha got?"

GRACIE: "Just an ol' stick I found."

ME: (Sternly) "I don't think that's an ordinary old stick. That's one of the slats from the baby gate that was meant to keep you in the kitchen.

GRACIE: (Looking very guilty) "I sorry, Mom!"

GRACIE: "But not so sorry that I'm gonna quit chewing on it!!"

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NOTE: Fifteen minutes after I posted this, Gracie overturned a full bowl of au jus on the table (I thought it was out of her reach.) Dan had a bunch of letters and papers on the table, and they all got soaked. Gracie is dis-graced. There's never a dull moment around here.