The Family Meeting (A Photostory)

Soo . . . I know these pictures seem to look the same. That’s because I did this in my backyard, which was NOT a super great place to take pictures because it’s super cluttered and has too much out-of-proportion junk in the background, so I zoomed in a lot. Plus, for this photostory, the dolls don’t move much, which resulted in not-so-great shots . . . which is why I haven’t posted this yet. I took the pictures a month or so ago, and I wasn’t really happy with it. But the script is pretty funny, so maybe you’ll like it anyway.

Also, you guys were so sweet in the comments in my last post! I’m glad to be back from my never-announced hiatus. In case you missed my announcements, I am now a part-time public schooler, meaning I am not as home as much as I used to be. Plus, skiing just started today, so I don’t get a whole lot of free time this year. I will try to post as much as possible, though!

And now . . . onto the photostory!

“Hello, everybody, and thanks for coming to the family meeting!” I greet my sisters.

“You’re welcome,” McKenna replies. “Can we hurry this up? I have gymnastics practice in an hour.”

“Um, sure,” I say. “Who has anything they would like to share with the family?”

My sisters stare at me blankly.

Le sigh. “Molly, how about you?”

“Oh, I got an A++ on my calculus quiz!” Molly shares exuberantly.

“What a shock,” Crystal yawns, leaning back on AGs in Alaska’s pallet fort.

“Okay,” I intervene. “Lindsey? Did you hear back from that police officer?”

“Chill, Morgan,” Lindsey sighs. “I’ve got it covered. He said he deals with rowdy teenagers all the time.”

“Great,” I say. “How are you doing, Tessa? Anything to share?”

“Excellent!” Tessa replies. “Dance classes are great, and I even decided that I might want to take music lessons as well. Maybe Emily could teach me?”

“Ooh, speaking of music,” Crystal interrupts, before Emily can reply to this. “I got a guitar. Want to see?”

“Um, Crystal, how about we-”

Too late. Crystal runs into the house at the speed of lightning, returning with a turquoise guitar haphazardly strung around her neck.

And then promptly hits the ground.

“You okay there, Crys?” I ask, concerned. The poor dear will prombably start complaining about her smudged makeup any second now . . .

“I’m fine!” Crystal answers, popping back up. “Ready to hear my song?” She begins to sing rather off-key. I grimace.

The rest of my sisters are having the same reaction.

“Will you knock it off already?” Molly groans. “You sound worse than my Intro to Musical Arts professor.”

“Please, Crystal!” Luciana begs. “My ears can’t take any more!”

“Maybe some voice lessons or something . . .” I mutter.

Crystal ponders this for a moment. “Yeah, you’re probably right, guys. Emily?”

“Yeah, sure, Crystal.”

-End of Photostory-

Belive it or not, I’ve had Tenney’s guitar since April, when I visited the AG Place Dallas. Since then, I’ve collected a few more musical instruments, which may appear in upcoming posts . . .

I’ll check back with you guys later. Have a great Sunday!

 

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Pumpkin Pals (A Photoshoot)

Happy fall, guys! I think the last time I blogged it was still summer, so I’ve really missed all of you wonderful blogging people. The last time I blogged it was still summer, so things have definitely changed around here. Birch leaves scatter the ground, Halloween decorations are on display, and we’re now accustomed to the mid-to-upper 40’s weather.

I’ve been meaning to do this photoshoot for a few weeks now. Since it appears that it’ll be snowing within a week or two, I decided that now was the time to act. Fall photoshoots are the best, yes?

 

Spider!!!

 

I actually took this picture upside down, and then flipped it over!

See you guys later! Have a great week!

Grateful (A Photostory)

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely virtual friends! Today is a day of joy and celebration, of food, and, most importantly, thankfulness. Today I challenge YOU to list . . . hmm . . . twenty-three things you are grateful for, since it’s November 23rd. I know you have at least that many. Here’s my list:

• Jesus!
• My blog
• A computer to write on
• Essential oils that smell amazing
• All of my friends I have from blogging
• My dolls
• My rabbits
• My dogs
• My chickens
• My family
• Living in the beautiful state of Alaska
• I have a camera to take pictures of beautiful Alaska with
• My house
• My warm, cozy room
• My warm, cozy clothes
• Books
• Delicious food
• The outdoors
• Pretty pictures of the outdoors
• Cute clothes for my dolls
• School
• Friends
• Orange-scented bath products

That last one was a little random. Sorry.

Now, let’s get on to the fun part of this post. I have for you my first-ever Thanksgiving photostory! And, at the end, a little bonus behind-the-scenes explanation of the making of the photostory.

Enjoy!

“Thanks for dinner, Grace. It was delicious,” Morgan tells my younger sister.

“Oh, you’re welcome. It was my pleasure,” Grace responds.

“I have an idea,” Molly begins. “Why don’t we go around the table and say what we’re grateful for and why? For example, I’m grateful for my education because I’ll be able to get into a good college. Now McKenna can go.”

“Oh!” McKenna exclaims, looking a bit surprised that Molly picked her to go next. “I’m grateful for my gymnastics coach and teammates. They inspire me and help me to work harder. Um . . . Emily.”

“Me?” Emily squeaks. “Well . . . I’m grateful for my piano and flute because . . . I love music. Morgan?”

“I’m grateful for Chocolate Chip and the other dogs,” Morgan tells us. “They make me so happy and bring me so much joy. Crystal.”

“I’m grateful for my beautiful clothes, because when I look good, I feel good,” Crystal says. “Grace?”

“I’m super-duper grateful for all of my baking supplies,” Grace says. “I love being able to surprise people with yummy treats. What about you, Lindsey?”

I look across the table at the shining faces of sweet Morgan, intelligent Molly, shy Emily, and fashionable Crystal.

I glance over to my left at spunky Grace and sporty McKenna.

“My sisters,” I finally say. “I’m grateful for my sisters.”

-End of phostory-

I hope y’all enjoyed that photostory. And now, onto the behind-the-scenes of Grateful (A Photostory)!

First, I placed two chairs across from each other in our hallway downstairs.

 

I placed benches on either side of the chairs.

Next, I placed books on the chairs.

I then took this yet-to-be-set-up chicken ramp . . .

And set it on top of the books.

Voilà! The perfect Thanksgiving table setup! Since the set took up the entire hallway, it was a bit difficult to get back and forth to either side, but I managed by squeezing behind the narrow gap between the dolls and the wall and climbing on the benches. Of course, that mussed up their hairstyles a bit, but it wasn’t too terrible.

My original photostory idea was to have them eating and then praying and then sharing what they were grateful for, but I could not make doll food, so I had the photostory take place after dinner.

I want to know how your Thanksgiving went. What did you have for dinner? What are you grateful for? What is your favorite Thanksgiving food and/or tradition?

Happy Thanksgiving!

-AGs in Alaska

Morgan Goes Camping (A Photostory)

“Come on, Chocolate Chip. Let’s go for a walk.”

Chocolate Chip barks in agreement. We set off down the dirt path.

Chocolate Chip and I are camping this weekend.

Suddenly, Chocolate darts off down the path. “Chocolate! Get back here right now!”

Chocolate ignores me.

He races up to the base of a tree. “Whatdya see, boy?”

“Is there a squirrel up there?” I ask him.

Suddenly, Chocolate takes off down the path. I race to catch up with him.

He leads me to the base of a ginormous tree.

I sit down. Chocolate Chip tries to jump up on my lap. I look up at the tree. It’s perfect for climbing.

“I’m going to climb this tree!” I tell Chocolate.

I grip the base of the tree tightly. One, two, three!

I hoist myself up onto the branch above the base. Whoa!

I glance around for the next branch to climb up on.

I clamber upwards, not daring to look down.

Suddenly, I lose my footing on the branch. “Ahhhhh! Chocolate, heeeeeeelp!”

I tumble down onto the ground. “Owwwwwww.” Chocolate Chip comes over to sniff me and make sure I’m all right.

I stand up, checking for broken bones. I appear to be all right. “Let’s get back to camp, boy.”

Chocolate and I set off down the path. I’m not going to try tree-climbing again any time soon!

Did ya like it? Huh? Huh? HUH?

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

This is my last post with pictures I took using an iPad. I actually took these pictures back in late August, so there was no snow on the ground. Did you catch that?

There’s someone else who caught something in blog that shouldn’t have been there . . . Dimond, from worldofagdolls.blogspot.com! In my last photostory, Crystal’s hair was braided when she “woke up,” but not when she woke up for real. That’s because I did not plan those pictures very well. Anyway, congratulations, Dimond! Everyone, please check out her blog!

Also, kinda-sorta big announcement. I am leaving for vacation tomorrow morning (well, if 1 AM is morning). I will still be replying to comments and stuff, just not as often. I am so excited! Wish me luck!

-AGs in Alaska-

Happy Dolloween! (A Photostory)

Happy Halloween to all of you who celebrate it . . . or Happy Dolloween to all of you who celebrate it with your dolls!

Also, I did not post on Monday for a very special reason. You can read all about it on Thursday’s post.

I myself do not partake in the spooky traditions of this hallowed holiday. Personally, it kind of freaks me out. In my family, it’s tradition to watch a movie and spy on trick-or-treaters on the evening of October 31st. And that’s exactly what this photostory is about.

Enjoy!

I sigh contentedly and flip open my brand-new, hot-of-the-press American Girl magazine. I just got it in the mail today, and it’s definitely a cause for celebration.

“Hey, Crys!” Grace exclaims, skipping up to me. “What are you planning on doing tonight? It is Halloween, after all.”

“Nothing much,” I reply. “Definitely not trick-or-treating, that’s for sure. I’m waaaaaaay to old for that.”

“Well, then,” Grace says. “Would you like to join me in a little game of . . .” her eyes twinkle mischevously. “Spy on trick-or-treaters?”

I blink. “Yeah, no thanks.”

“But, Crystal!” Grace whines. “Please? It’ll be so fun! Lindsey already said yes.”

“Perfect,” I tell her. “You have a partner already.”

“But I want you,” Grace whines. “Pleeeeeeeeeeeeee-”

“Fine!” I snap. “I’ll spy on trick-or-treaters with you.”

“Yipeee!” Grace squeals. “I gotta go tell Lindsey!” She races out of the room at full gallop.

I sigh. I’m so going to regret this.

At six o’clock, I join my sisters in the living room. Grace and Lindsey are peering out the window excitedly.

I stand next to them and peer out into the fading light.

We don’t have to wait long. A little girl, dressed as Laura Ingalls Wilder, walks up our drive and rings the doorbell. I can’t help myself, I giggle.

When the trick-or-treater realizes she’s not going to get any candy at our house, she walks dejectedly down the driveway.

The three of us keep a close eye on the street. A few minutes later, we’re rewarded with not one, but two trick-or-treaters.

One of the girls is a librarian, and the other is supposedly a hospital patient – but you never know, she could actually be sick.

We peer through the screen over the window as the two girls walk/roll away.

The next trick-or-treater shows up in a tap-dancer costume that she must be FREEZING in. She waits on our front porch for, like, ten minutes.

We have to cover each other’s mouths to keep from giving our positions away.

An hour later, we decide to call it a night and start to head off for our rooms.

All of a sudden, the lights flicker off.

“Um, was that you, Grace?” I ask. She shakes her head no.

“It’s a serial killer!” Lindsey shrieks. “Help! Help! HELP! I’m too young to die!!!”

We clutch each other tightly. “Is there someone in the house? Do something, Crystal!” Grace begs.

And, just as quickly as they had gone off, the lights come back on again and four mischievous girls pop out from around the corner. “TRICK OR TREAT!”

We stare at them, stunned. “It was you?” I ask, incredulous.

“It sure was,” Morgan confirms.

“And we got you goooood,” McKenna squeals. “You were all like, ‘It’s a serial killer! I’m too young to die! Crystal, do something!'”

We stare at each other for a moment, and then burst out laughing.

“You did get us,” Grace admits. “Happy Halloween!”

-End of photostory-

I have one quick announcement for y’all. I am actually not going to be participating in NaNoWriMo. I am too busy working on a different novel. However, I am considering doing Camp NaNoWriMo this summer.

What’s your favorite kind of candy?

What was your costume?

What was your doll’s costume?

Does your family have any Halloween traditions?

-AGs in Alaska-

I Should Be Doing Homework . . . (A Photostory)

“The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.” – Henry Beston

I walk slowly across the front yard, admiring the brilliant leaves scattered across the dying grass. It’s so peaceful . . .

“Yahoo!”

Scratch that.

“Molly! Hey, Molly!”

Hmm. Maybe if I turn around and go inside, McKenna will think I didn’t hear her.

“Molly! Come play in the leaves with me!”

“I can’t,” I say to my boisterous older sister. “I should be doing homework.”

“You can’t ALWAYS be doing homework,” McKenna tells me.

“I’m not always doing homework,” I protest.

“Yes, you are.”

I sigh. “I have to go inside, Kenna.”

I see it happen too late. McKenna picks up a pile of leaves and aims for my head.

I shriek.

“McKenna Marie!”

McKenna grins. “Oops.”

There’s only one thing to do. I race for the leaf pile McKenna is situated on and grab my own pile.

We face off.

We throw leaves in each other’s faces for ten minutes. Finally, McKenna and I collapse on top of the leaf pile, covered in dirt and leaves.

 

McKenna and I decide to bury each other in leaves. McKenna goes first and covers me from head to toe.

I spring out of the pile and tackle McKenna, covering her in leaves.

We laugh.

I cartwheel through the leaves, even though that’s more of McKenna’s thing – and I’m wearing a skirt.

McKenna twirls in a circle.

We toss leaves into the air and lie down, letting them fall on top of us.

“Aren’t you glad I made you come outside?” McKenna asks me.

I smile. “Yeah. I did need a break. Thanks, sis.”

Hey y’all! I hope you enjoyed that photostory! I hope you noticed that picture quality was a lot better . . . I managed to make the out-of-comission camera work! It can’t do super up-close pictures, but if I’m a foot away from the dolls and use the zoom-in, I can make it work. No more iPad!

Do you like McKenna’s kuspuk? In case you don’t know, a kuspuk is an Alaska native parka that is used in the warmer months and over warmer parkas in the colder months. My grandma gave me this one for Christmas. I love the aurora pattern!

Have you guys ever seen an aurora? I have! It’s incredible.

Happy Monday, and see you in a few days! Oh, and happy Columbus Day!

-AGs in Alaska-

Review of TrulyMe #55

Happy Thursday! Wow, the weekend is almost in sight! I’m sure by now all of you have started school, and I hope that’s going well.

For today’s post, I’m doing a review on TrulyMe #55. I own this doll (I call her Morgan), and she is my absolute favorite AG doll ever (I think). I have almost no complaints whatsoever. If you’re looking into buying this doll, please read my review first. The picture is from the AG website (americangirl.com).

 

This is what TrulyMe #55 looks like.

Hair: Love the hair. It’s gorgeous and silky-smooth – unless your #55 is several years old and her hair is totally frizzy by now. I’m considering shipping Morgan off to the AG doll hospital to get rewigged, since I really miss her lovely locks. When her hair is like new, the doll practically glows!

Eyes: Beautiful eyes. They’re a gorgeous hazel color with flecks of green.

Freckles: SOOOOO cute!!! TrulyMe #55 looks adorable with her cute freckles. I don’t even have to words for how sweet they are.

Skin: Her skin is fair, like a lot of AG dolls. Nothing much to say about it.

Outfit: I don’t actually own the current TrulyMe outfit, I own the pink butterfly shirt/gray skirt outfit from last year. This outfit looks pretty cute, though.

Overall: As you can probably guess, Morgan is my favorite doll out of my seven AGs. She’s great quality and truly beautiful. If you’re considering getting a TrulyMe, I strongly encourage you to get TrulyMe #55. You won’t regret it!!!

Sorry for the short post, guys. I think I’ll do a photostory next week, unless I come up with a better idea. I have a pretty good plan for what it’ll be about. I think you guys will really like it!

-AGs in Alaska-

A Leaf Falls (A Photoshoot)

Who here loves fall?!?! Amiright?!?!

Again, these pictures were taken with an iPad. I’m not sure when the fancy camera I use will be up and running again. So sorry! 😦

Which pic was your favorite? How is school going? Are you excited for it to snow (assuming it snows wherever you live?) If you want to chat in the comments, please do!

-AGs in Alaska-