Beattytopia exists

It's that time again - Beatty Christmas List 2011

2011-11-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

Well kids, it's that time again. Please everyone post your lists! Including kids & significant others! It makes it soooooo much easier for us all I think :)

2011-09-11T08:04:00.001-07:00

Well, it finally happened. I wrote a blog intended for my personal blog and it ended up in the Beatty blog. Ahh well.

Sorry for the typos

2011-09-11T00:17:00.000-07:00

The smell of the ocean and the ancients overwhelms my senses

What was this life once lived by a previously reincarnated Me

This clean sweet sewer of nostalgia, you who flood my ears
Why does this parking lot make me so terribly sad,

Too refined and belittled
Wasted

What have I become but a disembodied embroidery belaying
The breast of barely baked busts in the cold, unsettling afternoon.

It's time for me to be Me
I miss the great white
The serious and free
Give me this ocean breeze again
But promise me eternity
And I will bleed what years you
Need for drink
So drink
My tears
And let me be free
Again

Mikie

southern Utah itinerary!

2011-07-29T01:19:00.000-07:00

Everyone: What follows is an itinerary. Let me know if you agree, disagree, want changes, etc. We also might want to put together a don't-forget list and a to-do list. Happy excitement.

[Tuesday, 08/09/2011]

Drive to Utah from California (or from within Utah). Adie and Mandy will be meeting up with us from Great Basin National Park. Jealous.

Camping: Snow Canyon State Park. We have sites SC28 and SC29 reserved, with primary occupants listed as Matthew Beatty in one and Heather Beatty in another. This campground has flush toilets, water, and showers.
Costs: entrance cost to the state park is $6 per car. Camping costs $24 per site, per night ($16 for the site + $8 reservation fee, per site).

--- ---

[Wednesday, 08/10/2011]

Eat breakfast and pack up camp.

Explore Snow Canyon State Park (check out the park brochure PDF for more info). Snow Canyon is right by, almost part of, the wonderful Red Cliffs Desert Reserve -- an interesting Washington County conservation area. Pretty beautiful over here.

Recommended activities:
--Pioneer Names Trail: really short, where you can see pioneer names graffiti written on the sandstone using wagon wheel grease, from the 1800s
--Jenny's Canyon: a cool little box canyon right at the beginning of the park
--Sand dunes: there is a large natural sand dune area right at the beginning of the park
--Petrified Dunes Trail: a very cool trail that leads up these frozen sand dunes to a beautiful view
--Lava Flow Overlook & Trail: this one looks pretty cool (we haven't done it)

Here is our blog from when we came before (also Zion). If we have extra time, there are other great nearby attractions that we would all love:

Santa Clara River Reserve / Land Hill / Ivins Petroglyphs -- An awesome, easy walk along cliffs atop the Santa Clara River, where there are tons of petroglyphs etched into the rocks (and carved into the cliffs if you're daring). Easy to find, just take the first left at a dirt road after you drive through the little town of Santa Clara (outside St. George, on the way in to Snow Canyon), right after the Jacob Hamblin home, and it'll take you straight there. We've been there twice (once and twice). Below is some extra info on it:
--BLM PDF document
--BLM area of critical concern
--BLM public use site
--map and info
--someone's Flickr photos

Kayenta -- An artists enclave, known for its Coyote Gulch Art Village. We haven't been there, but I've heard a lot about it.

Jacob Hamblin pioneer home -- An easy free tour that is interesting. Cotton grows out front. It's right off the main road on the way into Snow Canyon, after Santa Clara.

Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm -- In Washington, north St. George area. They have tons of dinosaur footprints here, lying right where they were discovered in situ. They had to get special building permits to build the building overtop the footprints so close to the roadway, so that they wouldn't be destroyed. Cool dinosaur displays too, pretty cheap, an easy stop.

The Narrows -- A slot canyon that is literally in St. George. I have never been here, but I want to. Easy to get to, virtually in downtown St. George. You can wander a nice little slot canyon.

We might want to stop at the DI on the way out of town? It's easily accessible. I realize this is a lot to do in a short day. Just some ideas. If we were up to it, we could possibly eat in Springdale on the way into Zion. Springdale is right outside the park entrance. The drive from Snow Canyon to Zion is at most 1 hour 15 minutes.

Camping: Watchman campground in Zion. We have sites BO17 and D025 reserved, with primary occupants listed as Adrienne Beatty in one and Matthew Beatty in another. We will congregate around one site, whichever one is closest to the Virgin River, probably. There are no showers here, but that should be okay, since we will be swimming the next day.
Costs: Zion National Park costs $25 per vehicle. Lasts for 7 days. Whichever car Dad is in will be free (he has a senior pass). And the America the Beautiful federal lands pass will cover it too. Watchman Campground is $16 per site, per night. According to Adie there were no reservation fees for these sites (but we might want to doublecheck this).

--- ---

[Thursday, 08/11/2011]

We will want to get up at a good time and pack up camp, because today is the day with the most limited time for the whole trip (so that we can fit in the swimming hole and still drive the almost two hours to Bryce Canyon area). We will stop and park our cars at the visitor center, spend a little time there probably. From there we will take the shuttles, which are required up Zion Canyon this time of year, and explore Zion National Park. I think we should do a smattering of the shorter trails.

Recommended activities:
--Emerald Pools Trail: We should have time to do all three of the pools if we like. If there's been water lately we may see a waterfall.
--Weeping Rock: Very short (.25 miles), but a definite staple of the park.
--Zion Lodge: We can get out at almost every shuttle stop to check out the short walks and views and the lodge.
--Riverside Walk: The easier walk that talks you to the beginning of The Narrows. Along the Virgin River. At the very upper-north end of Zion Canyon.
--I wish we could do Angels Landing--another staple, necessity--but it's longer and difficult and there won't be much time.
--Canyon Overlook Trail: An easy trail just east of the tunnel. Great views from the top.
--check out Checkerboard Mesa on the east side of the park

You can see some of what our friends the Roots did on their recent trip there. They camped in Watchman too (you can get a good idea of what the river's like there). We were down here briefly in April, also in 2009 (+ Snow Canyon), and our first time in 2008.

I plan to have us done, at our cars, around 3:15 pm, so we can make it to park at the swimming hole by 3:30 pm. This gives us 1 hour to swim there, to leave the park at 4:30 pm. We will drive through the tunnel, through east Zion, and it should be about 1 hour 45 minutes to Red Canyon, where we'll camp for the night. This US Forest Service campground is first come, first served, so there's a chance we can't get anything (in which case we can head out toward King Creek Campground, a little further out of the way but it never fills). However, this is a Thursday, and their chances of filling are pretty slim, so I've been told. They also have a tent camping overflow area, so even if it does fill, we will have a place to be. This area is really beautiful, where redrock meets forest.

Camping: Red Canyon Campground (US Forest Service campground west of Bryce Canyon, campsites are first come, first served). There are showers, flush toilets, and water here.
Costs: Single campsites are $15.00 per night. If we can, we will get a multiple site (like a double campsite) to hold all of us, for only $24 per night. There's a day use fee of $4 here, but it shouldn't apply to us since we're camping.

--- ---

[Friday, 08/12/2011]

We will want to get up at a good time again and pack up camp. We can stop in at the small Red Canyon visitor center (Forest Service) if we want, then head east over to Bryce Canyon National Park. We have only been here once before (in November with some snow), so we haven't done many of the hikes. First stop would probably be the visitor center. Then we can drive to the end of the road (where we did the Bristlecone Loop Trail before). Views are amazing the whole way. We can stop to see Natural Bridge (right off the road). But I would really like us to actually hike among the hoodoos, on the Rim Trail around Sunset, Sunrise, and Inspiration Points. I think we can spend a LOT of time in there. Some good photos too.

Just today, our piano teacher (who is sick and in the hospital--Amy and the kids visited him) recommended that we check out the Fairyland Loop Trail. You can drive out to Fairyland Point (1 mile off the main road), and then hike down Fairyland Canyon on that loop trail. We could do it all or just a portion of it. I think this must also be a must-do. Check out the Bryce map on the NPS website.

We should plan to leave Bryce by around 6:00 pm. I think we should do the short Mossy Cave Trail as we leave the park, on the east side of it on Highway 12 (it's like maybe 1 mile roundtrip and leads a mossy grotto cave). We will head over to our next campsite in Kodachrome Basin State Park, where we will be for the next two nights. It should take a little less than an hour to get there, even though it's only about 27 miles. Now we're in the high desert, Grand Staircase-Escalante country. We should make sure we have firewood on this trip. Kodachrome sells it there, and the nights get cooler, so we will probably want a fire each night. The other campgrounds should have firerings too.

Camping: Kodachrome Basin State Park. We have site KO21, a double site, where we can all fit. This campsite has flush toilets and water, but no showers.
Costs: Bryce Canyon National Park costs $25 per vehicle, but the same thing will apply here as it did at Zion (as far as passes go). The double site at Kodachrome is $32 a night, plus an $8 reservation fee. So the total for the double site for two nights is $72. Not bad for all of us. We may have to pay extra for additional cars ($6 per car). I think we are technically allowed two.

--- ---

[Saturday, 08/13/2011]

We should plan to get up as early as we can today--no need to pack up camp--so we can get a good start on the Lower Calf Creek Falls hike, before it gets too hot, AND while there's parking left. This will be a little bit of a pain, because it's about 1 hour 15 minutes just to drive to the trailhead from Kodachrome. (For the record, camping at Calf Creek Campground, where we'll be later today, could've worked, but it's first come, first served, plus a small campground, and a weekend, so it would've been hard to guarantee sites.) The hike is a good one--3 miles each way--and can get very hot. We should bring plenty of water. Also swimsuits because you can swim at the falls at the end. A lot of this hike is in the sand.

If we get a chance, I would really like to see the gorgeous Hundred Hands Pictograph panel, which is kind of hard to find, at least a close-up way to see it. I am hoping to ask a ranger about it. It is supposed to be very near the parking area for Lower Calf Creek Falls, and there may or may not be a climbable trail leading up to it.

If we're up for it, we can try to get to Upper Calf Creek Falls, FAR more unknown and seldom visited, and there appears to be a rad swimming hole. I think we should be up for it.

After these falls--part of the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, I think it'd be fun to do some short rockhounding. By Escalante State Park there are some petrified wood fragments you can find. And if you head south a little on one of the desert roads (Spencer Flat) there are moqui marbles--awesome iron ore balls that are almost perfect spheres. I think it would be cool to try and collect some.

We can also stop in the small town of Escalante, potentially for dinner or winding down. We will have another 1 hour 15 minutes drive back to Kodachrome at the end of the day, so we need to plan for that accordingly.

Head back to camp, make dinner. Relax. Today we will most likely be parting ways with Adie and Mandy as they up Highway 12 and through Hanksville over towards Moab.

Camping: Kodachrome Basin State Park again.
Costs: Everything today should be FREE.

--- ---

[Sunday, 08/14/2011]

This morning we need to get up and pack up camp. No rush. We can finally explore Kodachrome Basin State Park and its pipes and chimney formations. There are lots of trails here.

Before we leave, we will drive out further into the monument to see Grosvenor Arch. It's a pretty amazing double arch with a short walk to visit it. It requires about a 10 mile drive from the Kodachrome turnoff.

I recommend everyone coming back to Provo this night, to crash and sleep and shower. Then you can leave in the morning, drive across the Bonneville Salt Flats (and Amy may accompany you guys). This way you also don't need to book another campsite for Sunday night. Let me know what you think. The drive from this point back to Provo is about 5 hours.

--- ---

[Monday, 08/15/2011]

drive back to California

Tremendous Love

2011-07-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

In order to re-enliven the family blog, and to celebrate love everywhere, I am hereby posting a blog.

As most of you know, May was a pretty hard month for me and joey, and for me in general. Faith was lost, my soul was longing for change and renewal, Mercury was in retrograde. But I am happy to report that with June came fresh blooms and fresh love and fresh life. I have discovered the reason for life: creation. It is the purpose of the world. Art, memories, babies, photographs, love, poems, gardens, wrinkly pages of expression and confession. Create them all. Life becomes clear and love becomes clear. June was a haven of light.

First, awareness. And appreciating and drooling over all our tiny trinkets, the little humble details that make our home simply...OURS.

Our tea cabinet, our mexican glasses, our mug collection, our fruit. These are a few of my favorite things.

Next, Our bedroom. The mosquito net that Joey always makes fun of and the kittens always tear down, Our thrifted duvet cover, our little home.

And My altar. Where I light candles and say prayers for souls that come knocking on my heart.

And then there was FERN

She found us just in the nick of time. When, above all, we cherished new life and things that need love.

Our perfect threesome:

Life is short and colorful and full of opportunity to express love and appreciation, along with sorrow and longing. Embrace it all and cherish every tiny detail. The world is so bright and so are each of us.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.

Its Time...

2011-06-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

OK Beatty's, it's TIME:

1 - To renovate this blog

2 - To figure out the camping trip

3 - To ring in the first day of Summertime

SO, to celebrate the solstice from my end (Los Angeles, as the sun has set) I just wanted to let you know that I love you all and I think we should get this Beattyball thing rolling again.

Let's see some responses, yo

Mikie

Date of Birth

2011-02-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

Hello kids,

As you may remember, I breached the womb on February 22nd a few years back. Well in celebration of my continued existence, another annual life-anniversary is coming along...

and I have a request:

I DESPERATELY NEED

A dresser for my clothes.
A box spring.
A mattress, to put on top of the box spring.
A mouse for my desktop.
A new bicycle, or money for the one I want to buy ($200)
A valentine :)
A birthday party..?

Ok. These things are -

1 - all optional IF you feel inclined to celebrate with a gift
2 - would all be so massively appreciated, I'd pee.

I'm not really asking for gifts, I just wanted to update you guys on the things completely lacking in my life. I am aware of my inadequacy as a friend lately because I'm never around.. but don't think I don't wake up thinking about all of you every morning of my life, checking my Words With Friends, and wishing I could be involved in all of the projects, scriptwritings, acting, readings, shooting B-roll, joking, drinking good beers and staring at the stars that I know y'all do so regular. So the least I could do is say hello via blog and ask for stuff.

I love you all. I hope you're well. My new house/room needs help, especially from a girl...

I'm gonna go snowboarding/hiking/biking/working/driving/playing/reading/singing. Peace fools

Love Mikie

TETON TRIP!!!

2011-01-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

mikie thank you for posting this morning and reminding me to get on the ball...i've been wanting to do this for days. okay guy, i have a suggestion of dates for our Teton Trip this summer. I have pulled this week out of the hat so to speak just because it is the week of the full moon in July. I think it will be an excellent time to travel and i want everyone to be able to agree upon dates early so we can take time off and plan for this NOW!

so my proposed dates are: JULY 8- 17.

if anyone has problems with these dates or has another suggestion, please write back as soon as possible! i am just putting something random out there to get this discussion started.

i think it's going to be really good for our family to do a big trip again this year. let's start talking!

matt you're in charge of info about the 3 campgrounds you are suggesting and the different parts of wyoming that we are planning to see. let us know whenever you get a chance, k? i would love to buy a book or get one from the library if you have any recommendations.

anyone have comments, ideas, thoughts, hopes, dreams, please write them! i love you all. let's make crazy memories together!!!

2011-01-11T02:11:00.000-08:00

Happy new year everyone, let's write blogs again. shall we?
I miss our musings. Beatty's, unite.

Beyond that, hello and goodbye. I love our family.

Mikie

Beattyites PLEASE post your Christmas needs and wants!

2010-12-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hi friends.

I know we all have been away from this blog, which makes me a bit sad. We all are so into our OWN thing lately but we should try to reconnect here at least sometimes! Anyways, this time it's inevitable, because we need an interface/web-place where we can all see each other's Christmas lists! So PLEASE....leave a comment with your wishes! Include big stuff, little stuff, pricey or cheap.....I know none of us has much money this Christmas, but this list will inspire ideas!

Amy and Matt please include the kids!

My two cents.....the teacher and most-kind Jesus is the reason for the season. He was the tiny baby that came from the sweetest love of all. If you aren't a believer, at least remember at this time of year how lovely it would be if the world had unconditional love, and maybe think of something kind you could do that's out of the ordinary. I like the Winter Solstice celebrations too, but I really mostly love how Christmas inspires people to be kind to each other. Even if in parking lots in the shopping madness not everyone heeds the call.....:) In the end, according to Jewel, only kindness matters. It's the true meaning.

Thanks all

Adrie

Down to the Lodge

2010-12-02T11:31:00.001-08:00

Can you remember where and when this was. Take a look at Matt's pics on Flickr for the full (so beautiful) view of the scene. So memorable

Flickrtime

2010-11-18T19:10:00.000-08:00

Hey dudes mikie again.

Just wanted to let you know I've been putting my pictures of late on Flickr, so if you have any desire to scope some of my ventures have a looksee. Can't wait to see y'all next week!

Mikie

Hey guysos

2010-11-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know that Beattyland is back up!

http://beattyland.blogspot.com

Little 3 week old Joey

2010-10-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well here is the little tyke after about 3 weeks from momma's womb. Ain't he the cutest. Don't ya just love his little voice/cry that you barely hear when his little body is uncovered. The video could be better (the captured video was better and so was the sound sync before loading on You Tube) and the sound is out of sync but I'm working on that. The important thing is the little lovin-spoonful JOEY. Now he's is a big ole stout of a man, but we still love him just like back then.

Don't ever grow up, but he did--sigh!!

2010-10-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Like Mikie has said before, there isn't much activity on our Beatty blog, so I figured I'd add to it more ofter. Here is Joey at 1.6 yrs old talking up a storm, well so we thought. He did get help from an active/talkative family. His mom has to take him away for a car ride for a nap(little audio sync problems, but nothing could be cuter).

Mikie singing alma mater

2010-10-10T21:37:00.000-07:00

Here is Mikie at 5 yrs old singing the Carriage School alma mater. What a squirt.

Addie in bed

2010-10-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here Addie is just laying around checking out a camping book, looking forward to our upcoming campout at Ice House. Woops, got Mikie in at the end

Matt's 8th grade graduation and friends

2010-10-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Matt has received his graduation certificate and a savings bond (lucky) Joey shakes his hand. Heather and Kim congratulate Matt and some of his classmates are included in the final few video seconds. Matt has always been up there in humility!

Joey's Kindergarden Christmas party 1992

2010-09-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

This video features Joey's class doing the 'chicken dance'--Joey has a cute little partner that maybe only he remembers the name. Anyway cute kids, esp. Joseph

the buffalo bus

2010-09-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

thebuffalobus.blogspot.com

check it out...joey and emily's new blog for their own musical projects together.

matt, could you link it to the sidebar of our beatty blog please?

thanks and i love you all!

somewhere sandy beach maybe

2010-08-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

This picture kills me. There better be an afterlife where my families can be together, dang it.

2010-07-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

I heart the Beatty's.

That is all

2010-07-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

There's a whole lot more where this came from.

Summer Blog - you asked for it Adie

2010-07-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

Make SURE to read Adie's blog before you look at these, since this is a response to hers!! It's the one before mine :)

OH NO! We can't let the Beatty Blog die.

2010-07-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

Dearest darlings.

Feelings of nostalgia have overcome me on this beautiful, warm, sweet July night. I can't say how strange and sad it feels to not have gone on the hike with you all. And currently, with Dad and Matt and Amy and the kids at Yosemite, I feel far away. Of course I am not, I am here, in the region of the Beattys...and just saw Mom and Heather in the last hour. But I feel faintly wistful of something....perhaps it is that yearly something we have made so much of for so many annuals now....this year it didn't really happen the way we have made it happen before. I know little sections of us did, and as far as the hike goes you brave folks ALL DID except me, but for so many years EVERY LAST ONE of us has gone up to Twin Lakes, or Rock Creek, or Mono Pass, or Fallen Leaf Lake, or Havasu, or Glacier.......and needless to say, I terribly miss the freedom and drama and fun-ness of a true wilderness adventure for days on end with the Beatty gang. We can't let the tradition fade guys. NEXT YEAR LET'S DO SOMETHING BIG FOR SUMMER.

Let's all pick the dates at Christmas and we will tell our jobs "look you dumb work. Either I get to camp with my family for these specific dates this summer or you have ONE LESS EMPLOYEE." Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it. And let's make it caravan-style again. Wild and horribly timed with hour long stops at gas stations and pull-overs to wait for the so and so car. Let's go to Wyoming! Or Havasu again! Or Four Corners! I don't know.....but somewhere GRAND. And let's Beattify the road along the way, complete with laugh attacks, horrendous group photo sessions, diddly-daddling, grouch shenanigans, the whole bit. It's that stuff itself that is the stuff of greatness in our family. And I want some of it again, soon.

And also, I really miss Mikie. I miss his loud announcements and his fierce ideas and his absolutely insane driving that leaves me gripping the edge of my seat (MIKIE DO NOT TAKE THAT IN A BAD WAY!!!!) I miss his undying and infamous love of the Beatty's altogether , his tales of river raft guiding, his wistful dreams and absolutely determined dissatisfactions, I miss his girl problems or lack of them maybe at the moment, I miss his singing loudly in public down ocean piers, I miss his lack of fear, his instantaneous temper, his pure infatuation and love with certain sceneries and moments, his extreme opinions, his danged HEARTY smile. I really MISS MIKIE. I get pieces of everyone else lately....fractions of Joey, fifths of Heather, shards of Matt and Amy, edges of Mom and Dad.....but where there was once a full-beating heart and an ocean of emotion and wonderment there is now a big void.....MIKIE, when can you come home for a long time? Or even a weekend or two more? I didn't get to see you! I didn't mean to not answer your call on the 4th of July...I was beside myself with worry for my cat-kid. I wish I would have seen the fireworks with you, but instead I saw a fox.

CAN WE PLEASE make sure that for our next summer adventure we are all in contact about the plans continuously, each of us verifying with all five siblings and their significants (or not) that we are all in touch with the knowledge about dates and places. I might even have to verify it to my new tiny baby! JUST KIDDING!

And OH HEY, as a last ditch effort to SAVE THE BEATTY BLOG can we all maybe post some photos, totally random ones, from past summer trips that are from 2003-08? On the blog, not flickr? We have so many Havasu and Glacier ones up for grabs on blogs and on Flickr...but I for one would love to see some oldies but goodies and it might be a nice way to re-ignite Big Beatty excitement. I know we all have our branching-out Beatty blogs, but this big one is really quite important. This is the stump on the family tree, this is the trunk and bark for all our heritage to know. I for one have been quite bad at writing any blog in the first place, much less keeping up the whole fam damily one but I AM GOING TO TRY to post more bits and pieces. Anyways, my late night thoughts. How dearly I love you all. Mom, that includes you (because you are always sort of left out of these summer adventure entries)....and oh hey, when are YOU gonna go on the family HIKE/ August-camping mania trip ??? :) Seems it might be SOON I hope, what with you canoeing and all as of late!

And we're off.

Camping

2010-06-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hey guys - First read dad's amazing post below

and then check out my question:

There's been some news that family camping trip is going to now take place on the 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately that means that myself (and Adrienne?) cannot make it.. so is this finalized and in stone? Should I plan that?

Let's discuss. Those sequoias have been waiting hundreds of years for us and I don't really wanna miss this

Beautiful--Spring has sprung

2010-06-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Addie planted the tomato plants right off my back porch and also a pepper plant and an oregano plant and until just the last few days they have been stymied somewhat, but seem to be taking off now. So I have been noticing many other wild and not so wild plants enjoying the limited sunshine, but are also now doing well. Adrienne also somehow started (last year I think)some orange/red poppies out at the front of my place along with the already yellow poppies that came up. She also planted a little artichoke plant last year and it is flourishing over in the Depello property. Anyway these are pictures of some of those plants and I tossed in a picture of Eddy sleeping as I load stuff on top of him as he carries on with his nap (I tease him relentlessly). Oh and I picked up a decent Kelty backpack yesterday on sale. I guess I just was loving the beauty of spring (never have paid much attention in the past) and all of the miracle of life all around (even Edd---in the last few days he has brought in 2 baby snakes, 2 lizards, and a bat--only the bat didn't survive; the rest I snuck away from him and put back outside).

Poppies and Iriss are beautiful (poppies close up tightly at night and then open up when the sun shines)

Addie planted this artichoke plant at the Depello's last year
(6" high then) 8 artichokes
on this one now

I'll wake up one morning with hops taking over

Hops working up back window

Eddy sleeping anyhow

Hops vines starting to cover the window

And My new Kelty backpac

2010-05-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

Birthday gal with pink feather and all.

The kids are having so much fun RIGHT NOW!!! Bella came home from school and asked when she is going to have a real party? I said - I don't know? She came up with a brilliant plan. WE should have the party today, with the slip and slide and invite everyone I know!!!!! I said, OK. Go across the street and get Briannie. So EVERYONE is here. I have heard Bella say- this is the best party ever.

Little miss is a little afraid of all the fun to be had

Oey has made his claim on the little spiderman pool at the end

Jumping over how cool it is

Getting brave

Jarom has been the leader of course. Our hose doesn't fit the slip in slide so jarom has been master of the flow. Likes to surprise them - high water, low water, oey does not like this. It has been good though. They have had to use team work to have fun and hold the hose in for each other.

This is for Adie. Jarom has been over the moon for his little plants. He was so worried about them the whole time we were gone. Who's going to water them? The very first thing he does when he gets home from school is go straight to his plants. He is so in love with them. It's really cute.

Thanks again for the awesome gifts. I can tell this is what we are going to be doing all summer. I can hear them now. They have made up several games already. Jumping off tables to slip and slide. Rolling a huge ball down the slip and slide- like bowling. Jarom has got grand prizes for the winners. A nice glimpse of my summer to come. One week and counting!

la face

2010-05-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

She had already started to wash it off, jarom told her it was too crazy.

Jumping for JOY

2010-05-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

Perfect timing ladies. Bella had been pouting that she didn't get a birthday party. I have to remind her SHE WANTED Disneyland and she got it.

Look Mom, a pink feather for my hair!! I like how she thinks!!

Wait, studddyyyyyyy it.

YES!!! SPIDERMAN!!!

Just jumping some more while Bella opens the rest of her gifts.

Wish I could have gotten a picture of her face when she first saw it. So cute. She doesn't understand why it's called a ugly doll. The whole thing is just weird to her, why make an ugly doll?

Mom????? Can I paint my face now??? She is in the bathroom doing just that. Hopefully not too much she does have t-ball tonight. But- it would be cute. She is the only girl on the team.

Oey still as pleased as pleased can be. He had to run and jump on my lap to give me some happy hugs. Tried to get a picture of the moment but it was just that and he is off again.

Love you Nana and Heather xoxo Thank you for the thoughtful gifts.

Moving that pic DOWN

2010-05-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. Some random photos....so that Dollycakes one of me can be pushed down. Not the best pic of me pops. I know you think it's cute, but I think you might be the only one in the world.

SO......

Some pics from last November when Arth and I stayed at the Carson Valley Inn and Casino! There was a rich, classic country theme there, with old french posters and antique signs and dark wood. Unfortunately, they are remodeling to make it just like all the other cheesy casinos. Oh well. And the one furthest down was taken after our classy Thanksgiving dinner at Del Taco.

Addie the dollycakes

2010-05-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Little guessing game. Where was this picture taken. Exactly where and when. See who guesses the exact where and when. (It's blown up as you probably can tell) It'll probably be easy. Dad

WILDFLOWER WINDS AND WORDS OF JOY

2010-04-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Just a quick few happy thoughts for us all!

The sun is finally shining in Placerville today, and I have woken up with tears of joy in my throat. Everything I see is choking me up. We are all so lucky and so beautiful and so free and so healthy and so FULL, like the pink moon over our heads right now. Our lives revolve around the perfect things: love and compassion, wind and the world turning, flowers and tree bark, photographs and memories, secrets and honesty, fireplaces and big chunky ceramic mugs, kitties and their paws, renewal and inspiration, EACH OTHER!

Thank you for all of you and for all that we have together. Just look around you today. Isn't life perfect in its chaos and in its blooming? Spring is here. We are together at heart, always.

Summer Trip Okay?

2010-04-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

hello everybody.
so i was thinking, we have not had anybody plan a trip of any kind yet for this summer. so i am just going to throw something out there. last year mikie suggested going to sequoia and kings canyon national parks. i think that would be a really good idea, considering their not-so-far distance from placerville and the fact that they seem totally amazing. also i (and a few others ive talked to) was thinking that instead of doing something for a week or two, we should revert to our old school 3 night family camping trip like we always used to do at places like green creek or twin lakes. what do you guys think of that? i figured it would really make things easier and more doable since everyone seems to really kind of have a lot on their plate these days. i know i sort of do.
maybe a sunday through wednesday in late july? there are lots of regions of the park so we are going to have to buckle down and pick one to spend a few days in. im sure they are all splendid. everyone check out their website: http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm
do some research and we will put something together.

here is a neat picture.

while I'm at it..

2010-04-23T13:14:00.001-07:00

Check this out. From work last night. Look closely

365

2010-04-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, here's a show I did recently that never really came on until now. If you haven't seen it already, here ya go. I don't know why it shows up only halfway, so maybe click the video to go the actual page for it.

Mikie

:)

Papa sees Delicate Arch

2010-04-14T15:52:00.001-07:00

He had just come around the bend.
Now read Pop's blog below!

A Day at the Arches

2010-04-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Balanced Rock--I left the folks in picture to show size to object relationship

This was taken by Matt and shows me under the arch—mammoth, huh

Delicate Arch from another view as sun was about to set, giving the arch a more colorful look

We had a fabulous time with our visit with Matt and Amy and their fine family this last weekend. Thought before Heather or Addie post pictures etc, I would mention an incident that stands out to me emotionally....On our trip the first day, Saturday, we visited 2 particular rock formations that left me pondering how nature had formed them, as well as the beauty all around, and there was beauty everywhere. Well the first sight that was particularly special was called Balanced Rock. A huge rock or bolder that sat seemingly precariously on its mount and I had to see it from every angle. So I did. I took many pictures. It wasn't just beautiful, it was awe-inspiring as was our next visit that day, Delicate Arch. Getting to that point to was a little bit of a hike (one and half miles I think) It was a pretty easy hike. Anyway, the incident that I was referring to was when I was just coming up on the view. The hike itself was interesting with many cites to view along the way. As I recall, I wasn’t the last to get to the point of viewing and as we were nearing, which meant traversing a kind of narrow path around what I will call a mountain but is really another gigantic rock formation among the many is that area, I saw Adrienne up ahead looking at me intently as I was approaching. She had been there once before so she just wanted to see the look on my face as the view opened up. Well, her expression as I approached will stand out to me in my memory as much as the great Delicate Arch itself. She was excited to see me take in that enormous and amazing rock formation that was before me. Well that was a very memorable moment and day and I just wanted to comment on it, though there were many, many others that weekend.

Dark River - Snapshots

2010-04-06T01:22:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, I made a music video called Snapshots to one of Joey's songs. I don't know the name of the song, but the video is a series of "slides" of my last month here in LA. Hope you enjoy it, it wouldn't exist without Joey's brilliant composing. Soon I'll be hiring him to write soundtracks!

Here it is:

Where to, kids?

2010-03-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

Beloved Beats! I know we are pretty crazy busy- hence no further much discussion on our Annual Beatty Wildernessfest thus far. I want to help change that. Heather and Dad and I are gonna try to make some real life contact with our loved ones this upcoming week (when we go and see Mikie in LA!)...and in April (when we go and see the Rampant Beattys in their new house in Provo!)....but nevertheless, I miss the heck out of ALL OF US TOGETHER!!!!! Don't you remember my apology blog for being such a ROYAL BRAT at Glacier last summer....see "Planning in Advance" below. I really am starting to crave some togetherness. We can't forget about SOME kind of family camping extravaganza this year!!!? C'mon, someone get us excited! Give me a lead and I will!!! I realize perhaps it's an off-year as far as traveling far, far away :( (though you could convince me otherwise!)....but where to then?

I have heard rumours of:
Sequoia/ Kings Canyon
Twin Lakes
Lost Coast

and in my veins I myself long for
Moab
Havasu
Havasu

ANYONE?
Also, please don't forsake our family blog forever!!! It makes for selflessness and family connection.......

Some inspiration.

Sundezvous

2010-02-16T11:52:00.001-08:00

It's the winter. And the weird, inevitable occurrences that come with the cold months every year, but every year I find myself wondering whether or not I will make it through all of this; the summer remains an impossible glint only flickering around the edges of our imaginations.

and summer is a long way off.. but there is sunshine now.
and so I have a proposal:

I know not all of you are working all that often.
I also know that each of us struggles financially every day.
Third, I know you all miss summertime and the weightless cares of it as much as I.

With those things planted firmly in mind, here's my suggested idea:

Let's have a family rendezvous.

I mean, a gathering of all the powers of Us, in one location, where we can spend a day or two hashing out the realities of beauty and life, replenishing our withering winter spirits.

Let's start with Who,
Who's Included:
Those who know who they are. I avoid listing names, because I trust that chances are if you're reading this then you're already invited. Particularly, I'd like this not to be limited only to the Beatty Family, since there are so many more wonderful people in Placerville and Santa Cruz, etc, that I would like to attend. Our family is no longer bound by name.

When:
March or April. The dates are up for discussion, but there would be adequate time for us all to gather a couple days off from work (and $5-10 in gas).

Where:
Sunny Southern California. I know it seems biased, since I am living here, but you guys don't really know how many cool things there are to do and see. So much art and movie-making and love. And it's my birthday next week, so I thought it would be nice if you guys came to visit my part of the world for once.

How:
7 hours of driving. 2 days. 15 bucks a piece. 2 cars.
1 house to stay at. As many people as can fit.

What say you guys? Who's with me? Let's hearken the summer back, help whip the world faster towards the Sun in its annual journey around the Solar System?

-Migs

It's a BOX!!!!-Oey

2010-02-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

She is soooooooo loving this dress. It's the perfect princess dress!! And as you can see she is already wearing her Valentine Party dress. Today was the last day of school ( for four days) So it was a real party day and we all wore our red clothes. The package was most def the cherry on top!!

Even jarom thought his shirt was "awesome" in his own word.

Ogie, just diggin in. And I made sure to follow him around and eat the trail he left behind while my pictures were up loading. Never a wasted moment or candy here.

Bella digging in her box. She first had to line them up and say that saying - my mom says... your the best one! So, she did get the best one.

There was no name on this little beauty, but I REALLY see my name all over it!! no lie. Thanks so much for the thoughtful sweet gifts. We miss you but our hearts are soooo full of LOVE xoxo

"Is it a big box Oey?"-Jarom
"Yeah, B I G!"-Oey
Bella and I waited all day to open this sweet package. It called my name all day. As I did dishes or sat next to it, so lovingly. And it seemed to follow me with it label-The beatty family( Way better than just to the kiddos).

Jarom would like to know "why is there so much craft stuff?"
I have a feeling as soon as this candy is gone-thanks to me, oey and bella( I don't know where Jarom came from) they will be busy!!! Thanks again. I really can't put into the words how loved we feel. We are off to a great FOUR day weekend!!

2010-02-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

Begenndings!

2010-02-02T21:26:00.000-08:00

Hi my dear family.
I know you all probably know already but...........after much debate and some tears on my part....we are moving back to Peeves. And since no one's put a blog on here for days I thought I would at least make mention of that. I know I am a giant complainer in many ways, at least I have been around all of my dear family who puts up with it....but..........(wait for it........) I also know I can be one of the more optimistic folks on the planet as well! And what I have figured out is that I tend to have alot more optimism in my soul when I am surrounded with the people I love. Even if I get dramatic at times, my soul is generally far more stoked when I don't spend every day alone or watching movies with Art wishing that I could go drink coffee during morningtimes at 905 Darlington, or wishing I could drive through Em's work and get some town gossip, or go get a pizza at Heyday and wink at Stan and Joey, or meet some of the Pville sisters for Brewer's Night at the Brick Oven, or convince the gang to meet at Poor Red's and then head back to our house for poker, or stop by Dad's house and visit the ragtaggle crew of animals and help tidy the place up and tend to a garden, or go to Mel's with mom and hear about her latest plans for outfits, or stop by Emily's mom's new thrift store, or go swinging at midnight with the friends or watch the sun rise with the friends, or have Jocelyn and Dan come over and record their music, or have Scott Sowa stop by and visit us at 2am, or make random plans for new backpacking trips, or have everyone come to our living room and taste our new batch of beer, or have dance parties on any given moment, or have craft days with Heather, or go visit Beana and Cleeclee and C Piff and Abigail, and have someone who lives close by able to take care of our darlings so that we can go on a little trip.....I really don't mean to be a baby but I just don't have any of this where I am. And it's not like I am fresh new to this town. I have been living here on and off for 5 1/2 years.....so you would think by now I would be comfortable and have close friends. The thing is, our family is so close, so funny, so fun, so amazing.....it's hard to convince those who have never gone swinging and singing at midnight that it just might be something they WANT to do and not something that makes them embarrassed or feel weird.

Hope that covers it. I promise I will be a better sport, all the TIME, even stuck with Dad and Mikie fighting in a car. Even at Glacier if its 34 degrees at night and pouring unrelenting rain, even if Heather and I get into a drunken scuffle. See.....if I hadn't given this another shot..moving back to Grass Valley that is....I would always have taken all that stuff I listed a minute ago for granted, for the most part. But the good ol' Lord likes to remind you what's important. And he/she did alright. Or the universe did...or the Great Spirit did....or whatever you want to call it. No matter what anyone else thinks, I believe I have found my destiny, and I believe there is a God who helps out with that sort of thing, if you really want it and ask for it. And I believe my destiny is..... perhaps oddly if I were speaking to my 20 year old self, to live in El Dorado County as my homebase til I am an old lady. But not just that!!!!......To travel the WORLD from there.....!!! To visit all the National Parks with Placerville as my home base.....! To open a restaurant there! To be in more movies and participate in the community there! To help Placerville become a town that values creativity and art and kindness more and more! To learn how to make awesome websites there! To play shows and nurture my own music and anyone else's music that I can there! To not be caught up in stupid, petty, unrealistic, snobby stuff like who's cool and who's kind of famous and who's dad is who etc etc etc....... But to live from my soul and grow gardens and be with the family I love and the friends I love and plan great parties and galas and sing together and camp together and fall in love with the wilderness together and be thankful to the Universe/ God together, to have babies together and raise families together, swim in rivers together, go on road trips together, work hard together, laugh crazily together, cry with beauty together.....forever and forever......and for sure for the REST OF THIS LIFE.

And on that note, a video I started a long time ago...................... for you all!

Reign Of Love from Adrienne Beatty on Vimeo.

it's peevish

2010-01-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

Introducing...

2010-01-19T15:47:00.000-08:00

More stupid photos for your viewing pleasure!

Some are just plain hilarious set ups.

abby chillin:

darin says this one is almost too awkward to look upon:

and some, it's harder to tell what's going on (jarom spraying himself in the face with perfume):

joey's poses are always true classics:

and i think bella's taking lessons:

although the situations can get quite dangerous sometimes...

we shall rise above:
this one requires no words:

mikie, ever the charmer:

oh, and art gets REALLY into it:

and i pee my pants a lot:

that's it for now folks.

there's a lot more where those came from.

from my rainy day to yours.

Planning in Advance........(ohwhatagooseI'vebeen)

2010-01-12T22:42:00.000-08:00

So.....I really want to start a dialogue here (I HATE THAT PHRASE!!!!) :) I want to get honest opinions from ALL of the Beattys about our summer camping extravaganza. I know that there is a plan, somewhat loose at the moment, to go to the Lost Coast and do a long hike there. I believe that loose plan is set for sometime in August. If anyone knows more, please fill me in. I am not sure how many days that hike will take etc etc etc.
Secondly.....how does everyone feel about a desert hiking soul-search circa the end of May beginning of June? If we get on it fast, we may be able to reserve camping down at Havasu. Or perhaps we want to get a house at the Lazy Lizard Hostel in Moab for a couple of nights (a whole house rents for about 130-180 for a night and sleeps about 17 people!!! or more!!!) and then doing an overnight hike out in Canyonlands one other night and a couple of day hikes at Arches???
Any ideas kids??? How many of us want to go on both? Any friends?? (nick, ryann, stan, les, phil...etc) What weddings might fall during what dates??? (Martin's, Ruebi's, etc.....)

Do you even want to take on TWO camping ordeals? I certainly do. Despite my full blown BRAThood last August at Glacier I am left with only beautiful memories now and not the icy cold shivery senses that made me so upset back then. Sorry, I know it took a while for me to not be a jerk about it. I think my main "beef" was with the weather and how it didn't give me the warmth I craved. But I think of our overnight hike....rainy as it was on the way back...and I am in love with it. Dad TOTALLY should have come!! I loved playing cards in the late night starry cold. I loved that funny video that the guys made and also cooking meals together in that little square. I know I am owning up to my own true Beattyhood when I say " I AM SO SORRY FOR BEING MEAN, PLEASE FORGIVE ME".....I even think back to the grouchiest moments for me and I laugh now, like seeing Mikie and Dad fight like cats and dogs, like hurrying to the payphone with a dollar in change to sob to Art for the 4 whole minutes it bought me. Even at the top of Logan Pass (on the way home) when it was icing sleet down on the car and I stayed inside the fogged windows and thought about how I'd rather be AT WORK then in Montana.... OH HOW WRONG and very dramatic I WAS and am!!! I love being with my family, and I also love that we (i.e. "I") have our drama and our livelyness and our loudness and our indecisiveness and our sentiments. We are so NOT a boring family..we all are extremely strong characters and that is what makes our vacations so fun! I promise, to myself and to everyone in our family, that I will be MUCH MUCH nicer and more peaceful this year. I PROMISE!

Please post any ideas other than these two as well!!! and soon!! I want to help get this trip organized and well thought out....enough to at least eliminate some of the little issues that traveling can create.....I want us to be super communicative with each other and make sure we all get the right dates off work, figure out some kind of car pool plan, have a meeting to fig it out right prior to the trip.....

Do you like this idea???

Or this idea???

Or might you have some other ideas????

But no matter what......thank you so much, all of you amazing favorite people of mine ever.....for this idea.

Saying Good-Bye to the Great Horned Owl

2010-01-05T10:11:00.001-08:00

New Year's Eve day, we had Stormy's funeral in the backyard. 905 Darlington, site of many sweet souls who have gone to rest. Bella took it very seriously, wearing this flower garland for the procession and during the slideshow I made she turned to me and solemnly said, "that almost made me cry." She is a wise and sensitive little spirit, that's for sure. Jarom also helped a lot, wanting to do a lot of digging (it was so cute how he'd place his foot on the edge of the shovel and kick kick kick rapidly with great vigor) and telling how much he loved Stormy and would miss him, and even throwing in some kitty treats for the afterlife.

Good-bye to Stormy, as Emily has so lovingly described him, our gracious and good big boy full of love. I can't believe we have had to say good-bye to him, and that I only have four cats now. It breaks my heart that Cleo will never snuggle again.

The helpers.

Bird, bone, pine needle, light.

The forever cycle.

Thanks for being here with us, Utahn Beattys, and for keeping the energy high and the spirit jolly. That's how Stormy would have wanted it....love and happiness all around.

Matt

2010-01-04T23:11:00.000-08:00

My special brother

The Wisest

2009-12-30T15:14:00.000-08:00

To our Stormy. Our wise owl, our loyal shadow. Thank you for the years we have known you, thank you for the love you constantly reminded us to share with the world. Thank you for your gentle and giant heart.

Now you are free and the universe can be at peace. You are floating above flowing rivers, drinking them as you please, and swimming next to your sister Star as reflections of your friends pass you by in the water, and yes, that includes our faces too. Thank you for your final gift to us: passing on so peacefully.

We love you, and support you on your journey.

Oh what a guy

2009-12-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

oh there's no place like somewhere entirely new for the Holidays

2009-12-12T15:04:00.000-08:00

Guys.
Hey. It's Mikie. What is up.

Rain, as of right now. I just turned the 5-minute walk between my house and downtown into a 15-minute slippery-car fest of mish-mashed left turns and a full parking structure. It's bloody pouring.

I have to say, it's beautiful. There's something that feels quite good about smothering rain and millions of people.

Amy and Heather told me to post pictures of my journeys of late - of which there have been many, and all passed-by unphotographed; I have no working camera.

So instead I will recount as much as I can in a list-like fashion, in no particular order:

enthusiastically pumping fist into a camera, for Budweiser

hundreds of miles of sunset and silhouettes

USC screening room and film students' shorts

the Public Storage gate closing just after stepping through it

singing Christmas Carols where James Dean died

sitting in fake high school hallway writing poetry and a lesbian porn

the city lights decked like a sparkling Christmas Tree

drinking Hoegaardens and talking about a two-story KFC at Lucky Baldwins

owning cozy towels from K-mart

car not starting at a gas station 'til it smokes

across a lake at night lies Cinderella's glowing castle

hot pastrami sandwiches and beer

Heat-seeking Venemous Python of Love

shattered wine glass and paper towels

Plumber knocking on bedroom door while fast asleep

scummy shower "before" and "after"

dancing to Michael Jackson with the excellent cast of The Big Bang Theory

Rocky mountains covered in snow

at a pew in Catholic cathedral, looking into Mary's eyes and marveling

snow-capped mountains in every direction

Minoo, Gil, Dani, Shane, Ryan, Deanna, Dean, amazing.

lost walking around Paramount Studios

soaking wet in tent on the set of Bones

tossing vacuum filter into the air to clean it

smacking vacuum filter on the cement to clean it

car not starting in the rain

unemployment application papers everywhere

Phillipines dancing with colours

the anticipation and not-knowing

the comfort of being surrounded by thousands of people

what humans are capable of

Those are the pictures I would have taken had I a camera. Maybe for Christmas Dad would be willing to lend me his old one with a package of batteries from Costco...so I can actually take some pictures for you guys.

That's all. I love you. Merry Christmas so far,
we've got a looong way to go

Mikie

some girl just pulled the fire alarm. WOW

The Haps in Geeves...Snow at Christmastime!

2009-12-07T15:35:00.001-08:00

Well here we are in Grass Valley, CA. Just close enough to the Ville to go to special functions....just far enough way to get lonesome for everybody all the time!!! But, we are off to a great start as far as having a cozy little house goes! A few tidbits from our world.

Grabby and Owl! Our pumpkins.

Grabby and his Doppelganger...................on the left by the metal post. That is our neighbor's yard. He cuts tons of wood and dries it.

Who's stalking him. You might have to blow up the pic but that black thing on the center left is another Grabby-looking cat. Looking right at him.

Marma visited. Dad did too but I didn't get a pic on my own little 3megapixel camera.

We made a homemade sushi feast. Sometime in November.

I made apple pie from the Granny Smiths on our own tree here!

We are yet in the middle of crafting and fermenting our first home brew!

We went shopping at Target at 10:30pm. Much better than crowds.

I visited the lovely and beautiful Stormy, whom I wish lives another seven or ten years.

We realized the snow had already begun to fall last night before I got home to decorate the tree! So, we shook it off vigorously...and Art carved the bottom so it would soak in the water.

Every year we forget to trim the bottom branches off. Then - after trying to get the tree to not fall over for about twenty minutes- we remember the year before's same problem and start ALL OVER!

Our finished tree! It's so pretty. This year our theme is white, and 50's-ish....so the lights are white. And the snow was white outside the window, falling the whole time we decorated it!! We were up til 3:20 in the morning. Watching the snow fall, listening to Christmas music pretty effin' loud, and hanging up our ornaments. Here is one of our views into the house from the front carport in the evening....

And though we saw it pouring down snow all night, there was more to come! We woke up to this today! The best Christmas season present ever.

Our little red house.

Some blue sky even peeked through.

Our front deck!
This is our camelia bush. I love how it looks like tiny paw hands are all over it.

Art shoveling our non covered front porch!

Our neighbor's Charlie Brown Christmas tree. He is really cool and lives in this little trailer next to an old cabin (see below).

Even the mail lady got out and about during the day! I got a dress in the mail!!!!!

I love snow shoveling. It feels pretty natural and smooth and it's fun like a ride! Anyhoo....just a little touchdown of our goings-ons here. I skipped many, but that's cause I don't take that many photos! Hopefully I will see alot more snow photos in the coming days. I hear Matt and Amy got PLENTY. And Placerville is snowed in with no power!!! Can't wait to see the documentation of such cold and icy adventure. Love you kids!!!

Adie

Why Do I love these so?!

2009-12-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Im sure pops shares my overboard enjoyment in these stupid, dorky videos.

Here is lone Adrienne performing her holiday routine for us all, jigging her booty off and working up quite a sweat (Id imagine!!) Oh Adie, a true pro you are.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

And the Brothers Beatty with their beautiful ladies, in perfect unison and form!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

okay, those are my last ones. Love you guys. thanks for being dorky with me. HAPPY DECEMBER!

MORE TO COME!!

2009-12-03T01:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!! YO YO!!! MORE TO COME, I HOPE! Everyone do your own!

Hip Hop was a new option this year. Here is me, joey, heather, darin and stan. YEAAAHH.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Three Kings, Three Gifts, Our family Christmas List

2009-11-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Hi yall. Tis been forever since I myself have written on this family dealy, but I have been thinking of this particular idea for a few days now and thought I'd write it in. I did bring it up at Thanksgiving at Heather's and people liked the idea, or at least Mom said so, so I thought I would make it public.
We aren't the richest people this Christmas, not that we ever have been, but I think we could all agree that this Christmas is going to be the true-est Present...a most sparing, most lovely but a less extravagant Beatty christmas. A Magi or a Charlie Brown kind of Christmas. I love that though. I love the idea of gifts being fewer but more precious. We may not have riches of the shopping kind, but we all KNOW FOR SURE that us Beattys have riches of the soul and of the heart beyond anything we could ask for.
So, the idea:
We each add to the Christmas list THREE items that are probably purchasable that we would like. All under 30 bucks or so. Maybe a couple more if the items are real inexpensive. And between the many of us, we get our gifts. That way, instead of us all feeling like we HAVE to get everyone something....perhaps we can go in on gifts together. So like Heather, Me, Darin, and Art can get Dad one of his gifts. Or Matt, Amy, Mom and me can get Mikie one of his gifts. That way we all collaborate a little bit more, and we SAVE money!! We take the burden especially off Mom and Dad (who totally can use the break) and we take the burden off ourselves so much! And then, as far as homemade gifts go....whole different story. We can make something for everyone if we want. Or not. Whatever....for the most part I am talking about store items.

So here's my list.
The Body Shop Olive Dry Oil Mist
Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Shimmer Lotion Body Cream
Tights and socks (black socks that are anklets with lace or tights like Heather's from Urban Out)
and (already breaking the three rule!)
Jason Ester-C face cream

What do you kids think?? Because I can think of a million things that I would like to have or own but really I don't need anything else in my life but love. And also, I have everything, I would only be wanting a new one of something I already own and all my stuff works great so why bother just for materialism's sake. Plus I am hoping Arthie and I get Iphones for each other for Christmas and that's like 20 gifts in one! And if there is something one of you loves really wants that's more expensive... then fine, please write it on the list!!! I mean for all I know, this might be a little TOO bare bones for you kids......This is just an idea, a guide line............

It's Flickrtime, baby!

2009-11-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

I have been without a camera since Glacier. Candice, however, has been kind enough to let me use hers recently. (If only I had a camera to been have capturing my insane homeless rompings around LA, Claremont Hollywood and Florida! Maybe I should capture it via text.)
Anyway, here's a window into what I just put on Flickr:

And the rest of you guys should start uploading to Flickr again, because you HAVE cameras and I know you use them!!!

Peace
Migs

Bubber Gup

2009-11-15T21:55:00.001-08:00

Everyone send out healing thoughts of love to our gentle giant, Stormy. The poor guy seems to be pretty sick and needs our support real bad. We are hoping good ol' Dr. Robinson can squeeze him in tomorrow morning, we are going to sort of insist. So, come on Mr. Stormy, you're a big puppy with a big heart and we just love you to pieces.

WE LOVE YOU, GUPPER!!

HAPPY HEATHER DAY, WORLD!!

2009-11-12T19:06:00.001-08:00

Our Beautiful, Sweet, Generous, Compassionate, Thrilling, Adventurous, Hilarious, Festive, Cheerful HEATHER IS 33 YEARS OLD!!!!

I dont know about you guys, but I have a wonderful feeling about this year for Heather Elaine Beatty Spring. With so many beautiful things she puts out into the universe, how could there not be a million whimsical and wonderful things in store for her?

Heather, how lucky we all are to have you. What incredible memories we all have with you, and what EXCITEMENT is in store for the future! Here she is, everyone, Miss Heather Beatty.

Bright and cheery, and a priceless help, Here she is helping us paint our sunflower kitchen.

A wonderful Aunty, she is always up for some play...

And some love..

And some flying...

You couldnt ask for a better travel companion! Whether it be a quick and crowded spur-of-the-moment jaunt to San Francisco...

Or a journey into another time

Or down a tearful memory lane (or to a local bar, for that matter...)

Or clear across the country for a presidential event

She is CRAZY

Dorky

A one of a kind Lover

And sister

And Daughter

And Friend

Heather, words could never express how much light and warmth you bring into our lives every single day. You are a unique soul that blesses us endlessly, and I feel like we were all supposed to know you, in some cosmic way. How else could we be so lucky?

waiting

2009-11-08T11:28:00.001-08:00

for someone to write a blog. just push play, and wait.
maybe i should be writing a b-l-o-g

My New Blog

2009-11-02T12:27:00.002-08:00

Check it out. I'll probably be writing on this one a lot.

http://welllookwhocanread.blogspot.com

Just copy and paste - I can't find any easier way of making a link on here.. crap

on a softer note

2009-10-23T16:11:00.001-07:00

To supplement, here are some particularly charming photographs.

As they said it, "this is clearly a win-win situation"

Elderly Smokey the Bear

If Joey and Phil had an offspring

and so Mary had a son in God's image

Whatcha hanging onto Grandpa?

Dad enjoyed this one

Jena Malone and Jack Black at Homecoming, 1993

Wareheim would be proud

Nature always gets me excited

The winner - "A very special Easter"

A story about Nothing

2009-10-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

I've been bad. In fact, we all have been baad. Nobody other than the lovely Heather has posted anything on this blog for quite a while. It's turning barren, like an old McDonald's that's going out of business.
Well let me liven up this restaurant with a little bit of business, shall I?

Life has been almost Regular for about a month now. Almost. I see that outside the bad wiring of my own daily misroutines, most people are living pretty happily. Fairly Regularly.

End of the Summer, ie. the end of Regularity.

I remember my last day of rafting, not so long ago. It was about a month ago when River Runners hired me for one more weekend before the business shut down for the colder months. At the time, I was buzzing with love and regularity (not the pooping kind either). I had a job and people that needed my services. I had blossoming friendships amongst many, and potential exciting propositions for the future. Truly, I felt a stable Regularness and it was grand.
After that final weekend, though, I could sense it. There was something approaching, loooming; like the Nothing from Neverending Story trailing along in a tidal sweep, vacuuming up regularity. I've met this demon before, I know of it. But in that last weekend of the river, it hadn't reached me yet, hadn't caught up. But I could sense that it was coming like a change in the winds, these dark clouds creeping over the distant sunny hills. I knew it was coming, the Nothing. I knew it!
So I got in my car and took off. I zipped down to Santa Cruz to see Candice, then to Los Angeles in a frenzy, looking for Regularity in any shape size or form. I befriended Dan Beckner and rode my bike, I applied for jobs and looked at homes..but the irregular Nothing crept closer by the day. I drove to the top of Mount Baldy and echoed cries of desperate freedom to the high ranges that wrap around the Los Angeles valleys. I worked long hours for a television studio, making as many connections as possible amongst people in a quickening search for Regularity. I booked a Disney gig. I found a potential home. I went giddily to a pumpkin patch with my lovely girlfriend..and the Irregular Nothing began to recede. I could see that all my fighting, all my effort was having effect on the impending darkness. The clouds were pulling back, the sun was still shining and my running rampart was working! So I kept at it. I almost solidified decisions, about a house and a job, I almost felt good about my Kia being reliable, I almost moved...
Then Dan had money troubles and the clouds saw it. Then my Check Engine light came on, and the clouds crookedly smiled. Then I had nowhere to sleep at night, and the clouds began to move again. I saw them, moving, and said, "No, no! Not this time" and hopped into my Check Enginey Kia to head North, back to Santa Cruz to find Regular again. But the clouds followed in hot pursuit. And as I arrived, so did the irregular Nothing. So that when I reached out the following morning to start my car...
"Reeenenenenenenenennnn... Reeeenenneneenenenenen....."
the sound of my car not starting. Turning over, no spark.
"I can FIGHT you, irregularity!" I bellowed. Running to the nearest Kragen, I ordered a new set of spark plug wires. Take that!! Candice and I made a feast and drank wine, and the next morning with the sun shining I fixed the Check Enginey Kia, installing the fresh wires. Got in the car. Turned the key..
"Whoosh!" It starts right up!
"HA!!"
And so with a bit of uncertainty, I dash away again. Away towards a hopeful Regular life. And the clowds followed.

It was night. I was cruising at an almost Regular speed, towards my almost Regular home in Placerville when the clowds finally overcame me.
"POP!!!!! chugchugchugchugchugchugchug" goes the car. Finally. I knew it. I'd been here before, and I'd been waiting for this moment. The clouds swept up and smothered me. But I'm stronger now, and I can do this. Grabbing my headlamp, I pop the hood with tools in hand and on the side of a lit-up freeway in the cold Fall nighttime, I reached into the engine to fix the spark plug. Only this time, there was no fix. The engine was doomed. It took me a few tries to realize that the spark plug was not going to fit back into the hole, nor was the car going to be drivable for the rest of the night. A little bit defeated, I knew what i had to do. Turning off my headlamp, stepping back into the car, I breathed a long sigh of Nothing air and called my Dad.
"Sure, I can pick you up. Just leave your car at the Chevron"
And so I did. In the same, limpey fashion that I know so well, I managed to chug my car to the nearest Chevron sans one cylinder firing. The noise was overwhelming.
And the feeling?
Strangely, Regular. For once, I felt like my luck had ran out and I was back in the Nothing...which has become a Regular entity. Maybe the Nothing is Regularity for me. Maybe the Murphy's Law-induced lack of insecurity (ie. "Nothing gold can stay so do what you love") is my normal.
But you know what? I'm sick of it. I'm sick of not knowing what I'm going to do next and waiting it out. I'm tired of the puzzle and the struggle of it all, "just getting to class is half the battle," so to speak. I have too much good energy to waste it all on the chase away from Irregular Nothing.

When I look around, I see people that are blessed with opportunity. It looks them in the face and they take it. They don't search for it desperately on foot or in car. It just sits there, waiting for them to say Yes. I see kids who's parents give them automobiles. I see graduates who are offered internships and jobs. I hear stories of successful businesses. I watched as my friends happily go from day to day knowing exactly what they are doing and relaxing in the peace of mind. And then I look in the mirror and see a young man who has to manufacture every single opportunity that he gets, from scratch. I see a person who is chased by a lack of stability, no matter where he goes. I see a guilt-ridden citizen who has no offers, little help and a completely destructive history of luck. I don't know what I see, except for a young man who fights the Nothing every single day.
I keep saying, "You wait. I will have a good job, and work for a good company, and feel educated and drive a dependable car and finally have peace and happiness filling my heart. I'll pay off all my debt, and then yours too. It's all right there... I just need one thing first: the tool that will eliminate the Nothing that stands in my way. How can I destroy this monster once and for all. I know I can. If I can imagine it, then it must be possible."

If you can imagine it, then it must be possible. That might be it.
Am I alone?

stupid photos

2009-10-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry.

It's late, Darin's at work (graveyard) I'm bored (just kidding, I'm never bored PER SE as bored is a bad word, i'm just seeking senseless entertainment), this blog never gets any attention, and i love looking through old photos.

That gives me ample opportunity and reason to embark upon a search for our most ridiculous family/friend photos, and so I go.

Thus, LO and BEHOLD, a little project i like to call STUPIDPHOTOS.COM.

Take your time with each one.

Linger Longer, as pops would say.

Gaze and behold the endless possibilities of stupidity in the photographed world.

The genius is in the details.

Take the time to truly get to know these pictures, these fascinating PEOPLE and their antics.

It's worth it, I promise.

sometimes these pictures were just an all around STUPID IDEA like these next two featured:
and sometimes you just don't know what's going on and the picture just generally makes you feel...stupid.

now, sometimes they are just stupidly CUTE:

and sometimes they are half cute/half stupid:

and....(drum roll please) I NOW LEAVE YOU WITH THE TOP THREE STUPIDEST PHOTOS EVER TAKEN: (for your viewing pleasure)

okay, wait, fourth...cause i just found the CLINCHER!

It's Your Big Day Mattie!

2009-10-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

Well, October tenth, a most important day is rolling around again...and I've been thinking about Matt in light of his big day tomorrow.

I mean BIG DAY...it's an important one this year.

Let's not deny it or beat around the bush....

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY!!

So, here's my happiest and lovingest wishes to the best young dad we all know and love, good at everything he does...

good SCHOLAR:
wonderful BROTHER:

and who could ask for a better brother-in-law??

intrepid EXPLORER:great DANCER:
TRIP PLANNER extraordinaire:good balancer of adventure/home life:

SUCH a good husband!and incredible FATHER:
a little bit daredevil:

and charmingly goofy:and super hottie:

computer whiz (while also being dad of course):

experimental vegetarian chef!

stylish:
brilliant:and simply a kind, wise, wonderful, loveable human being!

This list could go on and on. We all know and love this dude who can and DOES do anything he sets his mind to. How lucky we are to have you in our family Mattie and I wish I could have hours and hours of conversation with you everyday because it is a true joy of my life!

I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope that some crazy adventures happen for this one...30 years is a big fun deal and every year's just gonna keep getting better.

Fails

2009-10-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

Just watch these:

Smelcome.

"This hurts"

Teenage mutant ninja turtles

2009-10-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

My blog, Here I am all moved in and watching General Conference in my cozy new home. I'm afraid to say how much I love my new residence, for fear that I will encounter something that changes my mind (like say finding mice and black widows everywhere-actually haven't seen a one of either so far and I know exactly what to do if I did). All kidding aside, even though it was a real chore moving, I was graced with help from everywhere. First, a donation from Stan and his mom that I had truly been over-worrying about desperately needing; a pickup to use for moving stuff into the storage I that I had available to me at the new place and to aid in the move, including trips to the dump. Stan showed up about 3 days previous to the move with an older Ford pickup truck that I didn’t even know his mom had. Something had prompted him to volunteer it to help with the move (prayer, yep). I was lucky enough to have the help of Joey for most all the heavy work of my moving day and Adrienne, Heather and Art for that same day and for the following day of cleaning. The girls worked so hard and the inside of the old house looked sparkling because of it. That day in addition to doing some of the cleaning Art and I moved refrigerators around in the new residence. We also moved the balance of my small stuff into Highway 49 res(oh while I'm thinking of it my landline phone# is 530-621-3748 for the time being-Adie and Art's previous number-and my address is 2240 Highway 49, Placerville, Ca. 95667) Same cel and email obviously.
Now I'm here with lots of boxes to unpack gradually--as you know the hard part of that is looking for individual things packed up somewhere--It's been 2 days and I finely found the salt and pepper. I feel very fortunate for all the blessings that have come my way during this time. Things have literally fallen into place. I see a kind of new life here. Who knows what that future holds. I have some ideas. Anyway I attached this video of the fam urging Joey in his younger years to sing the Teenage mutant ninja turtles jingle—what do you think of that look on his face introducing the video.
Just want to say that I am convinced that as we do the right thing in life, as we work at improving ourselves and give to others unselfishly, we are blessed way beyond our expectations. That’s my testimony, as we say in the Church, and it is absolutely true!
I love you all

the birthday of the queen bee

2009-09-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

so friday, as we all know, was the big 58 birthday of our own dear marmy-pants. a very special day on the earth, honoring one so lovely and energetic and finedandy. anyway, here's the haps:

we supped at mel's (feasted, really) and then presented momma. with her presents. darin and i gave her a guitar and she is going to be a folk singer princess once again like days of yore! doesn't she look great with it?!happy to be with a fellow musician:then reconnoitered later at powells for karaoke night! momma wowed the crowd. no one could believe she was any older than 40 and beleaguered her with compliments. (poor thing)

now her singing just didn't live up. she couldn't hang with the performance side of karaoke! can you believe it? first she forced mikie to sing this song with her:

"islands in a stream"

and then she refused to sing! he had to take over, making up his own melody since he doesn't really know the song (and doing a damn fine job i might add) and then mom got some back-up:luckily the crowd was forgiving and mom decided she's more of an "audience" gal.

and that she does very well!

happy mama and daughter:

and here is one more photo that i just think is hilarious:

Happy Birthday Mamma Mia!!!

Money, money, money.. Am I hungry?!

2009-09-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

Aw... the wait. Who will be the lucky soul to walk by these two. They will be forced to pay for...

Edamame, a piece of cereal (one oatmeal square to be exact), blue wiggly spider, shell, shell and more shell.

Made them take a break to swim. As soon as we got home they went right back to work.

They don't EVER tire of the waiting game. In fact if no is coming they go knock on doors and yell at cars driving by.

This is what oey does. This is what he does after every swim.

Heather. You have brought soooo much joy into our home. Jarom was able to get Torin and Colin to come over by showing them his new candy machine. Plus he wants to be extra good so he can go to the dollar store to put candy in it. Every Friday is show and tell- Bet you know what he brought that first Friday. He is one cool dude. So again Heather- Thank you!!

fall-cleaning

2009-09-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

I love the beattyblog. I miss it when I don't post anything here. So....here's my excuse to post something today.

Yesterday to celebrate the first day of fall darin and i spent basically all day CLEANING OUT THE GARAGE.

there is family stuff in there to beat the band. large plastic bins upon more large plastic bins full of all kinds of sweet surprises. for example, i found joey's baby book and looked through it. there was a letter that mom wrote to him when he was five and a half months old. she told about how scared she and dad were when he had to have hernia surgery as a newborn and how he was the light of all our lives and how he would be a grown man sooner than anyone could imagine. and here it is, that time has come. strange to think.

there's a lot of fun stuff in there too. anyone need sporting equipment? halloween costumes? we got 'em....
but really, folks. let's have a big garage sale. darin and i now have a neat and LARGE pile of give-away stuff. if you have anything to get rid of now is the time. i'm hoping to have a massive sale in mid-october. let's simplify our lives!

Our House Atop A Tree

2009-09-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin...It's been a long and filthy road to the completion of our little love nest at 442 A Main Street, Placerville. But, lord oh lord, has it been worth it.

When we first heard that there may be a one and a half bedroom apartment available above Sierra Rizing Bakery downtown, our stomachs were alive with butterflies! We called Gloria Smith (the almost 87-year-old land lady, who informed us it was ours if we wanted it, no deposit, no lease, just $450 per month).Giddy with excitement, we ran down to main street and unlocked the dark red door with the adorable mail slot. As we climbed the steps, a foul (to put it lightly) odor filled our nostrils and we were hesitant to even set foot in the front door atop the stairs. But, we continued up anyways. Past the cracked walls in the hallway, we came upon a front door with two shattered window panes and a living room (I would prefer to call it an "un-living room") with what used to be white carpets (I think...?!). There were black spray paint stains, concentrated dark colored smudges, and trash EVERYWHERE. Crumpled paper, an old couch, trash bags full of rotting food, a leaking refrigerator with spoiled mayonnaise and half and half, stuff carved into the walls, empty jars labeled "Medicinal Cannabis", YOU NAME IT. Well, see for yourself (mind you, it is unfortunate that the pictures are unable to capture the rank smell)...

The cracks all along the hallway

Now this is a sight! Rotting bags of trash in the sad little clawfoot bathtub

The molding, disgusting sink

Perhaps the most disgusting, although it's hard to say...the back porch. How nice it was to find out we have a placerville rooftop to ourselves AS OUR BACK PORCH, and then how horrible to see this!

And just when we thought there couldnt be any more CRAP around, we found this cubby above the stairway..filled to the BRIIMMM.

Every square inch was covered in a filthy energy that was hard to stand. And I told Joey I didnt think I could do it, because doing work on the place meant spending money on the place, and a LOOTTT of work meant a LOOOTTT of money. So, joey decided to call our land lady. She decided she would pay for new floors, new paint, dump runs, and anything else we could possibly need to make the place liveable and make it our own! So, who could refuse.

Our first trip was to The Paint Spot, where I put almost $500 on her account. And so, the painting began.

The first coat, primer on the random and dirty blue wall.

Overwhelmed by the work ahead..

Just crap in the living room

The bedroom going from blue/white/gray to beautiful brown (Evan was our HELPER the WHOLE time!)

<>

The living room, Periwinkle as can be! :)

My beautiful Spanish Blue front door, in progress

More living room work!

...and play

Then Heather joined us and helped paint the kitchen Sunflower Yellow (as the other projects were still underway)

okay, now, get ready, some serious results are just ahead.

Living room coming along..

Bedroom coming along (WITH CARPET PULLED UP, Thanks to Stanny)

Our other SAVIOR pops.

The New Mexican Pueblo of a kitchen coming together!!

And then it happened...the best day of my life.
THE HARDWOOD FLOORING GUYS CAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, we took a trip to Home Depot to get a refrigerator, a new toilet seat, new light fixtures, a new showerhead, screening materials for the windows (since many were torn or just plain missing), more painting tape/brushes, a door knob, cleaning supplies, glass to fix window panes, etc etc etc etc....$900 dollars later, we were SET!

Then came the bathroom

(first I painted it bright orange, then re-painted it ha!)

So, once the painting was done, we were ready to move a few things in and celebrate a bit.

My brother and Evan enjoying our 2nd hand sleeper sofa

Joey dancing his pants off

Rounding up stuff at Heather and Darins

Joey getting started on his Music room (the work never ended)

Boxes and Boxes moved into our new house, waiting to be unpacked to become part of the nest.

Now, even though it was grueling and filthy (cant stress the FILTH FACTOR enough), and even though I had to spend 3 hours in the emergency room to get stitches on my thumb..

...it has been MORE THAN worth it!

And here's why..

Before- Kitchen view through living room, into bedroom

After:

Kitchen Window before:

After:

Living Room before:

Living Room after:

Bedroom before:

After:

Joey's music room before:

(yes, thats a hole in the house, semi-boarded up)..

After:

Bathroom before:

After:

Our kittens before:

Our kittens now:

So thats it. Maybe the longest blog ever made. Of course there is much more to see, now that we are completely moved in and living happily across from Placerville Hardware, but we have no plans to leave anytime soon, so come check it out. We are so happy and at peace and, being the ones that worked so dang hard up here, we adore every speck of space and detail surrounding us. Cant wait to have you all over for some Office, some red wine, and some LOVE.

breakfast with a spoon/fork

2009-09-14T23:23:00.000-07:00

I got my camera back today and I was testing it to be sure it still shoots great pictures and it seems just fine. In the process, I watched some of the Glacier pictures and also ran into a real cute video of Oey eating (shoveling in) his breakfast at the camping table I think on the last day we were at East Glacier. Such a cute video so here it is.

remembering

2009-09-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

hi all - please read my addie's birthday blog below first.

then, here is a little video to watch in honor of september 11. i thought it was a moving story.

Addie's BirthDAY/WEEK/LIFE

2009-09-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

Let's be honest, the girl knows how to celebrate. And not just for the big ones...this was just a regular old run of the mill age to be turning, (that which we do not speak of) and yet the birth DAY turned into a BIRTH WEEK which really should just read as a BIRTH LIFE. except for that sounds confusing, so anyway.

It all started with her early September dreams coming true with the Moab Dez trip. Inspired by a true family favorite, Edward Abbey, and completed with her two best friends, yours truly and her dear hubby who financed the venture as well. Lovingly.

Here they are upon arrival in her beloved Canyonlands, at Grand View point surrounded by vistas so incredible and breath taking that we find language cannot capture them.

And then.....ANOTHER birthday dream comes true two days later. DANCE PARTY sunday night...hosted by DDJ Xac 4000 with an unbelievably smoking hot playlist and attended by everyone who is anyone in good old placerville USA.

Here she is, the BIRTHDAY STAR herself, shiny upon shiny, glowing up the September Hwy 49 night with sparkling nonstop energy where the wine pours generously and the beats keep coming at ya.see what i mean...does it get any better than that? and then, the big day comes. The REAL birthday, September 10. She got to spend the day recording music, every wish attended to by those who love her, bombarded by facebook birthday greetings. And finally, a dinner and drink at Brick Oven Pub with their lovely assortment of beers on tap and new and improved menu. (check out that bruschetta, delectable!)

she got presents.....
A diana camera! how cute can one camera possibly be. and the girl holding it couldn't be more than about 23.

and the night ends up down at Cozmic for Open Mic and more beer and a little bit of wildness.

placerville, california, america, world TAKE HEED: you need more 30-somethings LIKE THIS ONE!!!!

bringing back the FUN! making DORKY STYLISH! Upping the ante 24-7!

thanks ade, for being you and inspiring the world to get off their booties and shake it up. I love you and you make the world a much nicer place. happy birthday honey.

stuff

2009-09-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

You guys might seriously appreciate this. Auto-tune the news -- make sure the volume's up. You'll be singing "made in America."

Plus have you seen the Tim & Eric Ben Folds video?

Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Also, yesterday I just got this. Look it over, salivate, dream about it. I'm there.

havasu falls has changed

2009-08-31T00:36:00.001-07:00

Hey guys, check this out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/djmendez/3834353265/

Havasu Falls has changed, drastically.

Here's a link to search all Havasu Falls pictures taken this summer, if you're interested.

Friends, kids, and Heaven at Glacier NP

2009-08-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

Iceberg lake made it and well worth the hike

Setting out for an overnighter (kids and all)

Do you know how wonderful and valuable an experience this trip to Glacier NP was for me personally? There wasn’t a speck of miserable ness for me, maybe a little uncomfortable ness from time to time. However, because of the beauty of the park, the hikes, the picture taking, the pure exhilaration of all we saw and did, but mostly, mostly the connection/togetherness with each of you my sons and daughters and your wonderful companions (and children), plus the additional friends Stan, Nick, Martin, & Kyle, it was an experience of a lifetime. I am jealous of your youth, but marvel at your intelligence and exuberance for life. First of all, I’ll go to my grave knowing that the van shouldn’t have made it more than maybe somewhere southwest of Boise, Id. That’s what I expected. But I have an actual picture (you’ve seen it by now) of the van’s owner (Heather, who else) kissing it as we arrived in West Glacier not only proving me dead wrong but also certifying that the van is alive and well and not planning to give up just yet. Not only that but it chugged along up to and through Coeur d'Alene to Portland and down back to Sacramento/Placerville with only a brake job to cripple it’s journey for just a few hours. I give full credit to Heather for her faith in the black aging vehicle that hauled not only 7 grownups, but all their gear plus some from the Sentra crew.

I’m not sure why in retrospect the trip seems so so special. Here and there there were some difficulties that we had to face. It was hard first of all to get all our gear in the 3 vehicles (Matt and Amy were totally stuffed also) and then to repack when changing locations a few times was a major chore. It was hard to stay organized. And then we had to battle the rain off and on for the last 3 days. So you would think we would all be anxious to get back to the comfort and convenience of home. Not so. Most all wish we could have had more time to spend. I know that was how I felt. (Well it was nice to sleep in a soft bed)
I could draw this blog out to cover many pages, but I will just capture the many events, feelings, attitudes we all shared.
I Dan, hiked more than last year and did much better, so I came away somewhat proud of myself and more confident for future hikes. Some of the highlights of the week were:
· All of you excluding me, but including 3 little troopers that didn’t seem to have in inkling of difficulty, trekked out on a round trip hike that ended in a rain soaked trip back home and I didn’t hear a word of complaint, just how wonderful the outing was.
· We saw and learned about new life forms (I was amazed at the cluster of the pine trees all around—they were in greater abundance, growing closer together and thicker than anywhere I can remember) We saw elk on our hike to Iceberg lake, though far away; mule deer, moose (I guess on your overnite hike, lucky), a bear (well Heather and Em did from the van—Heather almost fell out of the van in excitement I was told) mountain goats—We Iceberg lake hikers saw a cluster of 19+ on the mountain side through another park visitor’s telescope—wondered where they call home and go home for the night.-- Ptarmigan(I think that is what they were called—resembles a grouse) along the trail to Iceberg lake. Lots of ground squirrels—bigger and plumper than I usually see—but cute; little chipmunks in the bushes all around scarffing the berries and not caring who was watching them—and remember the little bird in the nest with the mother nearby in our camp at East Glacier
· In all we probably took three thousand pictures of ea.other and of some of the most beautiful country in the USA and now have them on Flickr and elsewhere to view at will.
· The disagreeing during the trip was at a minimum—we laughed a lot and worked together especially at mealtime—thanks mostly to the ladies (but not exclusively) Memorable spaghetti feed on Sunday and a very yummy burrito wrap for our last in camp meal.
· My round trip to Missoula to take Mikie to the airport was not only a pleasure, but it is something to remember that it even took place during the trip—For Mikie it was---from our camping experience in GNP to Missoula airport to LA to Orlando, Fl. for 2 days and back to Missoula to be with the gang and travel back to Pville. … .
Of the much beauty we encountered during the trip, 2 things stand out in my mind—The amazing beauty and awe of Iceberg lake and the Blackfeet Indian production at the visitors center. I could go on and on because there were so many positives to this outing, but I’ll stop here and say that I am glad we chose Glacier for our trip this year and I love you all

And I say to myself ‘What a wonderful world’
.

to GNP we did go

2009-08-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

song by Cloud Cult

young devil

2009-08-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

name: tba

age: eight long weeks

origin: magic land of mystery town haunted village of joy

current location: the HDJE household; particularly the hidden cave of J and E.

future: where ever JE go, ever.

best friend: camilla.

I'm ready!!!

2009-08-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

So it took me alllllllll morning long, but I went through all the photos!! We had the best trip ever and I'm missing you all so much. I think its time to plan more trips, short ones long ones and everything in between!!! Dar-De, Mikie and Adie start planning! Like I said, I'm READY!!!! Love you xoxoxoxoxooxxo

Earth was not created by Disney

2009-08-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Earth was a film created in 2007 by the BBC and originally narrated by Patrick Stewart. It was released internationally in 2007, except not in the US until 2009. Disney put its name on it, but Disney did not create it. The film was co-created with Planet Earth, designed to be a theatrical partner to the television series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_(2007_film)

here we go!!!!

2009-08-06T21:45:00.001-07:00

practice run: sorry PHIL won't be with us this year, as he is heading off to his QUITE PRESTIGIOUS music school in the city.

but good old isis is ready to rumble on down these western highways.

we have a lot of fun in store, guys. can't wait.

see you all at 3 a.m.!!!!!! or tomorrow night in missoula!!!

Perhaps some helpful info

2009-08-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I know I have been a terror and I am sorry I get so argumentative. Sorry, I am gonna do my best to just SHUT UP and go with the flow of things. SO here's some info I thought we could use as we utilize these last couple days to get ready for GNP! I thought I would repost Matt's Havasu list of camping stuff because I remember it being pretty thorough.
Also, I think you all probably know that it totally IS going to rain and that we have to not only bring rain gear for ourselves and bodies, but perhaps extra tarps for under our tents, and also....a true coat is a good idea. It gets COLD at night!

Here is a little excerpt about weather from a Glacier website.

Glacier's western valleys generally receive the most rainfall. Daytime temperatures can
exceed 90°F. It is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler at higher elevations. Strong wind
s and sunny days predominate on the east side of the park. Overnight lows throughout the
park can drop to near 20°F, and snow can fall anytime. In August of 1992, a foot of snow fell on the northeastern corner of Glacier.

Prepare for a variety of conditions and pack accordingly. You may start the day in a T-shirt and
shorts, and need a parka by evening. Dress in layers. Always bring raingear.

During the summer months of June, July, and August, daytime temperatures average in the
60’s and 70’s. Nighttime temperatures average in the 40’s. These are merely averages and
daytime highs can exceed 90°F and overnight lows can drop to near 20°F. Snow can fall anytime,
especially in areas above the treeline, where it is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler.

And here is Matt's list from last year. Maybe not everything is totally use-able on this
trip, but you get the picture. Love you guys. It's gonna be fun.

-Essentials-
------------
backpack (obviously)
tent
sleeping/mummy bag, blankets will probably do just fine since it'll be so hot
water bottles: SIGG, Nalgene, canteen, whatever
stove + fuel (Dad, Joey and Matt have)
water purifier (Dad, Joey and Matt have)
mess kit + cup/mug
utensils
biodegradable soap (I like Dr. Bronners, because you can use it as soap, toothpaste, detergent, shampoo, etc.)
waterproof matches or lighter
good sunscreen
insect repellent
flashlight(s) -- LED flashlights are light and powerful
spare batteries for flashlight
bathroom essentials: toothbrush/paste, soap, contacts + solution, hair-ties, vaseline, spare contacts, etc.
biodegradable toilet paper (apparently there's a lack of it in the facilities)
first aid kit (I know Joey has one, anyone else?)
[contents of first aid kit: bandaids (including waterproof), butterfly bandage, ace bandage, waterproof tape, acetaminophen/ibuprofen/aspirin, snake bite kit -- there's a good list here]
----------
-Optional-
----------
camera + a good case + spare battery
disposable camera (just in case)
lotion (apparently we'll need it)
compass
poncho (black garbage bag or two would suffice--rains expected!)
CamelBak or water bladder
watch
rope
mirror
knife/pocketknife
dish scrubber
ziploc/plastic bags (good for camera protection and storing/carrying little items)
maps and field guides
carabiners to secure stuff to your pack
backpacking towel
sleeping mat
headlamp
rain cover for your pack
rain poncho
----------
-Clothing-
----------
I don't know girls' clothing that well, so this is what I'm bringing:
sunglasses
swimsuit
2 pairs shorts
2 t-shirts
maybe 1 long-sleeved shirt, but I'm not sure yet
maybe 1 pair of pajama-y pants or something, also not sure on this one
underwear
hat
sweatbands (if you're me--yes)
good shoes or foot coverings of some kind, at least two pair: for water and/or hiking (I'm just bringing Chacos and flipflops)
socks (if bringing shoes/boots)

2009-08-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is a video i found on youtube that some dude made while riding his motorbike into Glacier via the Many Glacier entrance. I'm a total sucker for watching this and staring and getting way too stoked. The song is cool as well, does anyone know which Beck album this song is off? Umm so just check it out if you want and become as anxious as to me to be surrounded by those sudden jagged magnificent mountains.

some information regarding stuff, and money

2009-07-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

So tonite I went ahead and reserved two campsites at Fish Creek Campground in Glacier for our first two nites there. If you're interested, the campground is located just northeast of Apgar at the West Entrance of the park, on the shore of Lake McDonald (the largest lake in the park.)
We are sites A4 and A6, in Loop A of the campground. They are right next to each other and each site allows for 8 people (two sites equalling 16, which is exactly how many we've got) and two vehicles.
So now everyone owes me $6.00 for the two nites (just 3 dollars per nite per person.) (matt and amy im not sure the deal with little O and whether or not he even costs money but we'll just talk about that later aight?) Anyways, everybody can just hook it up when we get the site. I think this was probably a pretty good choice, so now there is some significant stress eliminated.

SO!!! Here is some developed planning which has gone on this last day:

Everyone who leaves from Placerville, 11 of us, (joey emma heather darin mikie candice adie dad stan nick martin) in the van and dads car will be leaving at 4am (or earlier, or no more than 12 minutes later... ) With that I figure we'll be getting into Missoula anywhere between 9pm and midnite, at which point we'll be meetin up with matt and amy, inc. From there we'll get ourselves a hotel room (probably 2) and sleep a good sleep. All of us. Then, we all get up early due to childlike christmas-morning-esque excitement, and go get coffee/breakfast/brief chilling in the beautiful city of Missoula.
Check-in at Fish Creek is at 1pm, and I'd like to try and arrive there as close to that time as we can achieve, so as to fully take advantage of our campsite/ground slash the beautiful everything which will be all around us. That means it'd be smart to leave Missoula around 10am. So can we please try and get up around 7-8am and get our stuff done so we can get up there early? that'd be great.
From there our time in Glacier begins and the rest is up to the universe's infinitely puzzling game of time.

So, pops wanted me to post something that might sort of thing which deals with money and the potential costs for certain things, particularly things we'll be sharing the cost of. SOOOO I was thinking it'd probably be wise for everyone to try and have about 200 dollars in cash so we can easily split costs for things like campsites, backpacking permits, occasional shared food, entrance fee, etc.
Me and Emily went to mapquest and calculated the gas costs (approximate) for the trip to the park. It equalled out to about 60 dollars per person. As far as I know we are going to pool our gas money just like we did last year when we went to Havasupai. So, everyone riding in the van and dads car will put 60 dollars in a single pot and we will use that to fill up both vehicles along the way. That amount of money (for 11 people would be 660 dollars total) will most likely be a little more than we will need, so once we get to Many Glacier on Tuesday August 11th (that is as far as me and Em figured it out, so we would have gas costs included and pooled for just about all of the driving actually being done in the park) the remaining munz will be doled back out to everyone accordingly. Probably like a couple bucks each. We'll see, but that should cover distance to Missoula, Missoula to Fish Creek, Fish Creek to St. Mary along Going To The Sun Road, St. Mary to Babb (where we'll spend a nite), and Babb to Many Glacier. Does this make sense to everyone?
I am going to try and have about 260 dollars in cash, which includes my gas pool money, so I'll make sure to have plenty of cash for splitting technical stuff.

Also, dad wanted me to make a sort of list-thing which includes different things to consider that we'll have to be paying for. So here goes:

Campsite costs(6 dollars to me so far)
Park entrance fee(25 dollars per vehicle, which lasts a week. Right Matt?)
Occasional food being shared, if we so decide
Backpacking permits for whoever is interested in going (5 dollars per person per nite)
Parking fees (im totally unsure of whether or not this is even relevant, it just popped into my head. ill look into it later. maybe at trailhead parking lots of something...)
Motel fees (Missoula, and most likely in Babb on Monday nite after Going To The Sun Road.)

Okay thats really all I can think of. Im going to end this blog now. but hey we are leaving in one week so if anybody has anything to talk about please comment about it so we can get it figured out.

TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-07-27T12:31:00.001-07:00

Glacier Meeting

When: Thursday, July 30th 2009
Where: Heather's House
Time: 10:00pm
Who: Everyone from California who's coming
What: Discussion of the logistics of the trip, including (but not limited to) the following -

*Van and Nissan Gas $$ Pooling
*Who's riding in what vehicle
*Food, and the subject of pooling for food
*Trip Itinerary to the hour, for every day
*Mikie's Orlando Insanity
*Possibility of Motel stops if necessary
*Adrienne's Greyhound Ride from CA to MT
*The return trip, and what exactly is going on
*Any additional topics in need of discussion

If you feel you have some information that would be helpful to bring to the table in this meeting, please be prepared to talk about it. Joey if you could put together an in-park itinerary that would be wonderful. Adie, could you work on figuring out gas prices for each vehicle? Matt and Amy, consider yourselves the lucky ones :-)

Be there or be a melted glacier!

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Okay everyone, this is very important.

This is Kingsford. He is a piglet. He is a house-piglet. And I want him so bad.

First of all, I have to apologize for the song that is playing in the background of this video. It is, quite possibly, the most annoying and horrible thing Ive ever heard...watch the video on mute, if you so choose.

I love how he follows his daddy around the house. such a loyal little friend. So what do you say, guys? Dont we need a little Kingsford around here?!?!?!?!

Emergency Beatty Blog

2009-07-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hey guys. It's Mikie. I have a situation and I need your help.
I just got another call from the Mouse People and they have scheduled me for a 365 shoot between August 14th and the 16th in Orlando, Fl. Which means I'd need to be in LA on the 14th of August, and not Glacier National Park.
Dad's here and he's talking to me about this too. He says I ask for your guys' help. Basically it's this: I might not be able to do the trip because of this and I was wondering if anybody has any ideas of suggestions. The best possible scenario that I can come up with is that you might be willing to change the dates of the trip to a week later so that everybody could go worry-free. The worst scenario is that I don't go at all, because traveling to Montana then LA over seven days is unreasonable.
I'm very stressed about this. Help would be wonderful.
Love you all
Thanks

Mikie

love is in the details

2009-07-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

oh my family family family

how i love thee, love thee, love thee!

from cozy cream-o-wheat morn at papa's house:

to the frenzied but ever-fun river trips:

backyard barbecues:

to etsy photo shoots!

to ALL THE KIDS being together in one place!!

AINT WE GOT FUN!

you guys are amazing, fam, and i love you. now we just need some photos of MOM's WEEKEND ADVENTURES!

and of course, upcoming, angora lakes scanned in polaroids. or should i say "roids." woo hoo!

The Mean Kitty Song

2009-07-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

1991 video segments

2009-07-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

Joey is the 4 year old star to both these video segments, but Matt and Mikie are great in supporting roles in the swimming pool fun. Susan is the teacher for Joey in the second video as he does thumkin and 5 monkeys arrangements..No wonder he has always gotten attention that he sometimes didn't really want. Everyone always had fun with Joey. I've really been on a video roll here lately. I don't even watch most of them as I set up the capturing device for 30 minute segments and then go do something else. But I catch cute moments like these and want to have them out there to view. Anyway more to come until you tire of them.

1986 (no Joey yet)

2009-07-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

1986---I keep running on to cute video segments and want to share the moments. These were some very joyous times and memories. Though tempted to show off when having a video of oneself, these things were a regular part of life and happened by the probable thousands whether in a video setting or not (way more mostly not) In this one I notice how well Adie did her cartwheel and I should have praised her because they were great cartwheels, but oh well. Also, look at Matt’s expression when he discovers that I ate the banana and supposedly threw the peal on the roof. He follows that up with a look that shows the caring and wonderful young man that he was(and has become). What great kids we have.

1986---Well I’m only showing the next one because at the time Adie asked me to be the subject(oversize glasses were the thing back then). I did most of the videoing but Adie came in second and liked to video. Anyway I proceeded to goof around as typical, and Mikie came to sit on my lap. I didn’t get into too many videos so I figured I’d show how I came across back then on this one. Susan shows up at the very end. (No Joey on the scene yet)

I MISS THEM ALREADY!

2009-07-07T12:10:00.001-07:00

it was so fun to have amy and the kids here for a few days even though i was totally out of it from work. here are a couple pics from our fourth of july barbecue. CAN'T WAIT TILL YOU GUYS COME BACK!!!

Easter 1992

2009-07-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a segment from a 1992 video I put on the computer here recently. It starts with an Easter trip we took that year to San Francisco. Joey is cute as usual in the beginning, scooting down stairs on his fanny. Then I scare Susan (she'll probably be mad at me for showing it) as we cruz down one of the streets in SF and then a short clip of our good buddy back then, Chuckie. He was an active little guy and had lots to say, didn't he.

On that same video, I ran into a production that was done at the church; I think it was up here at the Placerville building (I guess it had to be since it was in 1992) Matt and Mikie were both in it and so was I. Matt and Mikie were dancers in the play and I was one of the adults acting out something about a blue haired king or something. I think back and my role was kind of dorky, but the boys did a good job of dancing. If I get a chance, I will take a small portion from it, especially where the boys are dancing.

On another portion from this video is about a 7 minutes, mostly of that Easter Sunday but starting with a scene with Joey and I think it is taken in Fresno at the Tuckers, but I’m not sure. Then on to Easter Sun. 1992 and the Easter basket hunt that ends (as is usually the case) with Mikie looking for his basket, finding it and really upset because he is given too many clues. But all ends OK as Joey shows his love for his big brother (well you’ll see).
It ends with the start of our loaded Van and our trip to SF (with by the way, Adies friend Christie who is visiting us, sharing our Easter tradition activities)

And just to draw these videos out even more, I’ve included a segment that starts with Susan walking in SF with Matt and Joey hand in hand and then some video of all of us at a wishing well type of large fountain. Mikie tosses his coin then Joey thinks of his wish and tosses his coin. Matt is doing his own thing, exploring here and there as he is known to do; probably looking for hieroglyphics on the brick of the Ghirardelli stores. Includes the whole family along with Christa.

Making of The Ville

2009-07-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

backyard bbq for pops

2009-06-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

the set up (aka my new thrift store chairs!!)

the CORN:
the cute stuff:

the chefs:
the POPS himself!

the pops with the babe: the boys are back in town!and the goofiness that always must ensue whenever beatty fun is happening!

bandini video

2009-06-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

My Guy

2009-06-11T11:59:00.001-07:00

Well, it has officially been one week since my little red boy Banjbee ran off. We have tried everything. We have flyers everywhere, we have gone door to door, we search every square inch of the neighborhood every single day, I have gone to the animal shelter, posted ads on craigslist, filed a missing report with animal control, etc etc etc. I guess we just all have to hope that Banj will come waltzing in one day, even if that day is far away.

Everyone around the neighborhood is looking for him, even calling us when they think they see what could be Bandini wandering around. We have heard that he has a cut cheek and it is KILLING ME to not be able to take care of him. Every time the phone rings my heart stops. This has seriously been the hardest thing on my body and mind. I miss my sweet Banjeet toooo much.

Here he is, loving the new girl Camilla (which is now officially her name), literally SECONDS before I let him outside, the last time I saw him :(

I think he finally decided to give in to her sweetness, but it still hurt his heart that I brought her home. (I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but I know it to be TRUE). He would just moan when he looked at me and even back up when I tried to pick him up. My only hope is that he realizes how much we love him and remembers how much he loves us, and heads home FAST!

My Bandy and ME!

I know Heather has posted a couple blogs on her blogsite, but I guess the point of this is to remind everyone to keep tiny bandini in your thoughts/prayers/dreams. I just keep closing my eyes and imagining him trotting towards me, and I think thats just the sort of thing we all need to do. Love you all, lets bring banjbee home!!

madame adriana

2009-06-05T15:21:00.000-07:00

"she slipped in through the side door lookin' like a queen without a crown"

The Madame owns the brothel and all this town's dirty secrets...

she sees the comings and she sees the goings going down...

she can whisper sweet nothings and she'll keep em' entertained...
until the day she's called upon to defend her lonely boys...
In the heat of the moment she maintains her poise.

Beguiling Lass of Bodie, strength and freedom are her arts

There's only one match for this Queen of Hearts

darin the assassin

2009-06-04T21:35:00.000-07:00

"he took whatever he wanted and laid it all to waste"

first day in town and the gunslinger's optimistic...

this is gonna be an easy job...meets up with his boyz...could use a smoke and a rest after

some hard horse travel

sudden ambush...and the night ignites

in a blaze of gunfire and the ladies' cries

"the next day was hangin' day, the sky was overcast and black,"

the pinkerton's caught him...he must think fast

suddenly saved by the squaw's secret alibi...
a match made in heaven...

or at least the cloudy streets of bodie