Into the Archives 54-Cliff Dwellings

Today is Ranger Report day at Philmont and I'm missing New Mexico like nothing else. So I'm going back to my very first memory of New Mexico.
Sometime in 2004, we were on a road trip in the southwest and stopped at Bandelier National Monument (at least we are pretty sure that's what it was but it's been so long we're not sure). There, we hiked a short distance to the long-abandoned cave dwellings of the Pueblo people.

I only have wispy memories but I do remember climbing up into the little caves and being in awe that people had actually lived there and imagined what it might have been like had I lived there.

With a quick glance, this canyon almost looks like the scenery you see from the back country camp "Indian Writings" (appropriately enough). I had no idea back then how important this kind of landscape would become to me. The park is just a 3 hour drive from Philmont. *commence nostalgic whimpering*

Into the Archives 53-Baptism

It's been a few days short of 11 years since I was baptized. One of the best decisions I've made but a hard one because the process leading up to it was terrifying. I had a really bad case of stage fright when I was younger so having a spotlight on me in any form petrified me. I knew baptism was important and I wanted to do it but I didn't want anyone to come to watch. I just wanted to get it over with. I honestly don't know what I was afraid of. I wasn't afraid of water, I didn't think I was going to embarrass myself and I wouldn't have to do any talking if I didn't want to and yet anything that involved preparing for that day was very hard. It was a struggle because I wanted a say in how the program would go but whenever I was asked to give my input, I froze up and ran away. Somehow everything was coordinated and the day came.

My birthday happened to fall on a Sunday so I was baptized a few hours after church. I dressed in my little white jumpsuit so I felt like a karate kid as I did a few air drop kicks in the hall while no one was looking. Then people started showing up. I was really hoping everyone would forget to come but apparently pretty much the whole ward decided to show up. Wonderful. I sat there just trying to keep myself calm as my bishop gave a talk and my mom sang a song. Then it was time for the baptism. I stepped into the font. Everyone has horror stories about the water being to hot or cold but this water was perfect. As soon as it was done, a rush of relief swept over me. My mom helped me dry my hair and get dressed in my new white dress. I felt like a princess. I sat through the rest of the program, way more at ease now. The next talk was given after which I was confirmed by my dad. It was done and I felt great.

Into the Archives 40-Powell Garden

12/1/2011

On the outskirts of our city there is a large and beautiful garden called Powell Gardens. I haven't been there in a long time because of the cost but I remember the few times that I have gone. This particular time was when our friend Kim, aka our "adopted aunt", took us. She is a garden and outdoorsy kind of person and she enjoys sharing her knowledge with us. 

This is one of those childhood memories that has especially stuck with me for some reason.

There are lots of kid-friendly places scattered throughout the garden. Why are kids so attracted to sand boxes I wonder? 

The little stuffed animal I am holding is a frog that I named Diving Boy. It was given to me for my birthday by my best friend and I took him everywhere for a while. I thought it would be especially appropriate because we were going to a garden and even though I was worried that I might loose him I still insisted on bringing my blue frog. I love the thought processes of children especially when I can remember thinking that way.

Into the Archives 39-Thanksgiving 2004

11/24/2011

Happy Thanksgiving from the Webster kids in 2004!

Into the Archives-30

9/22/2011

Just another normal breakfast in the Webster household. (2004)

 

While peacefully eating my breakfast my little brother decides that it is much too peaceful for his taste. He then proceeds to blow a whistle in my ear. Who knows what happens after that.*

“They say that not matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood."      ~Karen White

*This is just my interpretation. This might not be exactly what occurred.

Into the Archives-24

8/11/2011

Summer of 2004 my dad was working on a show in Dallas Texas so we spent some time there. Here are the few pictures from the trip.

We went to a restaurant called Big Texan. And hey! There might have been a few big thing! Like this rocking chair that can hold a whole family.

Yup that's me right there in the middle! (I added the red arrow.)

We visited my moms friend a lot and sometimes stayed over night. I don't remember much of this trip but this is actually what I remember the most. I remember playing upstairs in the play room and swimming in the pool in the back yard. Here we are sitting on the stairs ready for church! (Or maybe it was after church. I don't know.)

But then there was a lot of driving. Thankfully we had a nice roomy van. (Faithful Van R.I.P 2001-2009. It died on a road trip. I'll tell that story later.)

Into the Archives-23

8/4/2011

My mom used to give piano and/or violin lessons every week to a few kids (and I always wondered why I had to be one of them). About once a year she would have a recital so we could show off what we had learned. I personally like just listening to everybody else but I would always nervously get up and play my simple little song on the piano. It's funny because I still hate to play in front of anyone. But I haven't had lessons since I was about 12. And to tell you the truth I'm kind of glad that my mom had me stick with it that long because now I can play a lot of things if I put my mind to it.

Into the Archives-18

6/30/2011

This was the bunny Caramel. We had the great opportunity to take care of her for a few weeks while her owners were out of town. I was about 7 and I was so excited to have a real pet even for just a little bit. KEW and I made little obstacle courses for her to go through. (I'm pretty sure it didn't work so well.) Besides fish, she was the only domestic pet we have ever had in our care. Sure we've caught toads, frogs, turtles, snakes etc...but this was the real thing! Unfortunately there is a sad ending. Only a few weeks after taking care of her she had to be put down. Her front teeth had grown too long because she hadn't gnawed on her wood block that was supposed to keep her front teeth filed. With them too long she couldn't eat. It broke my heart. But at least I had those few weeks to learn about rabbits. Since then I had to go through loosing 2 more rabbits. I only saw them once a month but Hans and Grettel were my rabbit friends at the nature center. They were the sweetest things. You could hold them for a long time and they would just sit there.
OK that's enough sad stories for today. I promise I'll have a happy story next week!