Storms!

     

     

     

Hello Everyone! Tonight has been full of thunderstorms and lightening. We even had to hide out in my aunt's tornado shelter as a pre-caution! We're thankful to be safe. Nothing major happened so far, just rain, thunder, and lightening. In fact, it was kind of fun to hang out in the shelter. There were ten people (including Lacey and I) and two dogs squished into a tiny concrete room! Haha, it was pretty funny afterwards. And when the immediate dangers and radio warnings faded, we all climbed out and my aunt served us angel-food cupcakes and strawberries. Yum! So, in the end, it turned out all-right for us. However, others weren't so blessed. Please pray with us for the people who have been affected by the many tornadoes this season. They really need your prayers. 

      So now, as I'm writing this post, with the moaning thunder grumbling quietly in the background, I think how it was slightly frightening huddling in the shelter (even though I've done it before). What's something that you're scared of? Spiders? Sharks? Hurricanes? Lacey and I dislike tornadoes very much, since we've emotionally been through them before.  What about you? Do you have a phobia? 8( Well, I'm going to log off and fall asleep to the sound of the rain dribbling down the gutter on the side of the house. Lacey, haha, already has. :) Stay safe, and hug your family extra close tonight!

--Lavender Soda

Summer Bonfires

     Hello, hello, everyone! How has your Memorial Week been? Half of Lavender Soda (me [Andy] and Lacey) have been visiting family. It's been a great kick-off for summer. We've been enjoying the warm weather and God's green creation! On Sunday, we had a big bonfire with some family members. Bonfires are special memories for me. My family, Lacey, and I would all gather together when I was younger and, over the bonfire, cook hot-dogs and s'mores. So, Sunday's bonfire was reminiscent of the hazy, sunny past-times. 

To set up the bonfire, we first sharpened the sticks for cooking the food on. 

Then, we started the bonfire.

We had to set up stones around the bonfire circle above. 

We also made sure that we had enough kindling and fuel to keep the flames going into the night.

Then, let the fire begin!

Well, maybe...

Of course, it takes a bit of work. :)

After the bonfire was roaring, we decided to do a fun game: water balloon fight!!!

Oh, yes. This looks like fun.

Well, the water balloons went very quickly. And I was far too wet to take pictures. However, it was tons of fun, and we were all soaked by the time we were done. :)

We were also hungry, so it was time to pull out the food and start cookin'! 

We had the sodas (unfortunately, there wasn't any Lavender Soda). :)

We had the ingredients.

Then we just had to cook...

And eat! 

And after our hot dogs, s'mores, and water balloons, we concluded the fun evening with a game of kick-ball. 

I will always look back on that night with the hazy imaginings of sweet memories. It was not only a fun summer thing to do, but I was also able to check three things off of my 2013 Summer Bucket List: 1) have a bonfire, 2) have a water-balloon fight, and 3) eat s'mores. I'm  sure those were on Lacey's bucket list, too. 

So, what are some of your favorite summer memories? Do you love to have bonfires, too? If so, what are some activities you do to make your time special? Thanks for reading everyone. Now, go gather up some family and plan a bonfire!

--Lavender Soda

Bucket Lists!

It's summer!!!

     Well, almost anyways. Some of you may still be in school. I (Andy) just finished finals a couple of days ago, though. I feel I have learned so much from this school year. I haven't enjoyed every second of it, but I've appreciated it. And so, as we enter the wonderful time of summer, I'm determined to make this summer count. I like to create bucket lists, and I did one for last year. I got to go zip-lining, white-water rafting, and many other fun things last summer. Now, I'm creating a Summer 2013 Bucket List. Here are a few of the items I've listed (in no particular order): 

1. Travel Someplace New   (image via a well traveled woman)

   2.   Visit Zoo   (image via godfrey wong)

   3.   Thank a Soldier for His/Her Service   (image via sunshine and pearls)

   4.   Leave a Note in a Library Book for Someone Else   (image via what would a nerd wear)

   5.   Swim in a Lake   (image via bohemian dreams)

   6.   Memorize Hebrews 11   (image via faith inspiration)

   7.   Write Once a Day, Every Day, For a Week   (image via serendipity; life itself)

   8.   Have a Water Balloon Fight   (image via pembroke woods)

   9.   Have a Movie-Marathon Night   (image via imdb)

   10.   Do Something that Scares Me   (image via oh so boho)

These are just a few items on my summer bucket list. All the other girls from Lavender Soda have created their bucket lists as well. I don't know how this summer will go, but I'm going to try to make it count! Maybe now you'll be inspired to go create your own bucket list. :) 

--Lavender Soda

P.S. Feel free to comment your own suggestions for bucket lists and ask how our goals are going! We'd really love hearing your ideas!

Time and Graduation

Andy--

Image via https://plus.google.com/communities/115016065974905007689.

Today, I went to a graduation ceremony for some friends. I can't believe that we are actually going to things like this now. Time has flown by! Do you ever think about how fast time goes?    Or sometimes, how it can go by really slow? Sometimes, I think, "Man, every moment seems like an hour." Then I dig into my memory and consider my past. I've appreciated every moment of it, and when I really think about it, it seems like it has gone by so fast. So, as I'm sitting at the graduation ceremony, listening to friends who I've known for my whole life prepare to step into the next adventure of their lives, I remember that we need to appreciate every moment. The sweet thing about graduations is that you can remember the past, and you also can look forward to what God has in store for you next. My point? Nostalgically remember your past, but also get excited for your days ahead. It'll be an adventure! ;) And go to a graduation ceremony sometime this month. Encourage a graduate; they'll appreciate it. :)

Birthday Photo Shoot

Hello Readers! Don't you love birthdays? Who doesn't love cake? Well, just a couple days ago, it was Lacey's birthday. As a big sister, it's hard to admit that she is growing up, but she and I are becoming even better friends over time. Okay, now enough with the sentimental stuff. ;) Time for some birthday photos! In honor of our first post for Lavender Soda, we (Summer, April, and I) decided to create a photo station. Since it was raining outside and it was evening, we set it up in...our bathroom. I had a twin-sized satin bed-spread that I've had for a long time. We swung it over our shower rod, hung up some streamers and voila! Instant photo background. With a little bit of music and laughs, here's what we came up with.

Who doesn't love Penguins?

Or Giraffes?

Or Stuffed Animals in General?

Here's a few of Lacey, the birthday girl!

The funny thing is, she doesn't actually play guitar..., but we thought it'd be fun to use anyways! ;)

Shirt: Target (girls)  Fedora: Kohls  Glasses: Lost pair that no one claimed :)

Next, here's some pics of April:

Can you tell she like's penguins?

Like the edits? It's all thanks to Pixlr-Express: http://pixlr.com/

Summer's next, with some flower-power:

☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻

We did Deena's pics first, and here's how they turned out:

Deena likes this hat that we got from a historical festival.

It looks cute on her, don't you think?

Here's a few of yours truly (Andy)...

You like?

My mom's vintage Kodak is so cool!

My serious pose, haha.

Finally, here's a few random ones we took, just for fun. :)

Always prim and proper...

Just kidding!

Yeah...we like stuffed animals.

We "mustache" you to come again.

Welcome to Lavender Soda!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Lacey!