I don't know how to work this blog thing...what's a blog???

Ok, so I totally forgot that we have a family blog. And then I suddenly started getting emails and after a week of trying to use my iPhone to write on the blog I figured I should just get on a computer and type it. SO.



Marissa - Marissa May - May May - Maynerd - Ris - Rissa - Stinky McFarland?

I am pretty sure Marissa has had more nick names than anyone else in our family. I think that is because Marissa has changed so much. Like Marie said, everyone thinks she is reserved and quiet when in reality she is a PSYCHO! Just kidding Rissa. Really though, Marissa has grown up so much. And so fast, right Mom? My very favorite memories of Marissa are watching her play sports. I remember getting videos in HK of Marissa tumbling. I am so excited for Marissa to play soccer in college. I will actually have a reason to go to a college sports game besides to show my family the University of Utah is better than BYU! But it won't matter because it will be all about Weber State! I don't know if I am more excited to watch her play or to wear my favorite color: Purple! JK. Marissa is a natural at any sport she tries. Not to mention she is so darn cute. I love her simplicity and complexity. Her shy and outgoing nature. Her humility and confidence. Marissa is a balance of everything. And I am so so proud to be her big brother.



Since I am no long celebrating my own birthdays (when you're old you can do that), I am just going to talk about Marie's.



Marie - Bo Bo - Maria - Maria Conchita Banana - Beeya - anything but LISA

K I lied. Marie and Marissa may be tied for most nicknames. Marie, is a beautiful woman. What can I say? I am so excited for her to be in college and experiencing everything she can. She has worked so hard to be in a great program at school and I am so proud of her. Marie is my shopping soul mate. Although we don't get to shop together much, we both love to shop. Maybe it's a Sagittarius thing. Anyways, Marie is always looking so cute and never afraid to wear heels (or cowboy boots - I think that is great). I love her beautiful smile and optimistic attitude. It's funny I always think of Marie having long, long hair. But really when she was little she had short hair. Remember her boy haircut? I think the scariest part of being Marie's brother is when she was a baby and had that big birthmark. I remember Mom and Dad saying everything was fine, but I was just so scared. I should have never been scared because if I had known then what I know now about Marie that nothing could ever hold her back. Little sister you are great and I love you!

P.S. - I'll have you all know...I am a bad driver and I have come to that realization. But I still love you all!

Matt and May

One of my favorite memories I had with Mattie was when he took Julie and I School Shopping. I think we even drove to Park city. I remember he had his Jetta and he was driving and texting at the same time, but he was steering with his knees. I thought he was quite talented. I remember when Matt did Mr. Clearfield and his Senior Class President stuff and I thought he was the coolest big brother and I remember telling all my friends about him. The latest memory I have of Mattie was when he took Marissa and I out to lunch. This was while he was living at Grandpas house. I had not seen him in a while and it was good to be with him. Love you Big Brother!

Now Marissa I think one of her greatest feats that we all know is true is Marissa is almost NEVER wrong. Okay maybe we don't all know it is true, but I do. I think now I like to disagree with her even though I know I am wrong just to disagree with her. I've been right about something I think twice in my whole life when it comes to arguing with Marissa. I do feel bad that somehow I tune her out (which I think I learned it from Daddy ;) ), but she also knows how to annoy a person quite well, whether it is singing annoying songs really loud, or making the most annoying noises ever. It is so funny that so many people think she is this quiet person, but in reality she is psycho (in the best possible way) and could bounce off the walls with the amount of energy she has. I remember playing dolls with Marissa all the time when we were little. We would play with all our Barbies and dress them in all the clothes we had. It was also way fun to set up the dollhouse with Ris and play. Marissa has always been a helper and I remember when I was really sick she took care of me and waited on me to make sure I was okay. I can't think of lots of particular memories of Ris, but I think it is because we have always been together, she is still one of my best friends.