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.

Matt and May

Sorry, Julie I didn't know you had posted. Something is wrong with the email updates and I just got the notification today that you posted. I hope everyone posts!

So what can I say about my bubu. I don't remember ever being alone as a kid. I always had Matt. I like to say we never fought but I cannot. I remember fighting one time and Matt was beating me up with his teddy bear. I actually hurt and I threatened to tell mom. Matt told me that I couldn't tell on him because he wasn't hitting me the teddy bear was. For some reason that seemed to make sense to me and I didn't tell on him. (And I was the older one!) Matt had a way with words! One of my very favorite memories was when Matt and I would lay on my bed listening to the song One Week by Barenaked Ladies. We had recorded it on a tape off the radio. (You younger kids probably think that sounds archaic) We would rewind it to the Chick-it-e-china part and try to memorize it. I can still sing that part! I have lots of memories of us like that, just chillin' in my room. Matt is by far the craziest driver in the family. I remember him refusing to brake when he turned the corner. I would scream at him and he would say, "What? I'm only going 30."  30mph is actually quite fast when turning the corner. One day we were driving to school in our totally cool mini van (aka Junior) and Matt didn't want to wait in the line of cars turning left onto 1000 East in Clearfield. So he went straight through the light and made a u-turn right after so he could turn right onto 1000 East and beat the traffic. I had seen people do this many times but Matt doesn't like to brake so our u-turn was a little out of control. We hit the curb on the passenger side and I saw our hub cap go flying in to the field. Everyone knew that it was our van because I was the only one in the school that could rock a ford aerostar! And everyone thought it was me driving because it was really the car I drove. I got teased all day by people who had seen the wild driving of my little brother! Wow, this is long and I haven't even talked about May May. I couldn't ask for anything more than my brother Matt. We really did have a great time growing up. We had fun way more often than we fought. I'm so grateful that he wanted to be my friend and I was never alone. I love you bu bu!

Okay so May May. The night before Marissa was born we all hugged mom stomach and said, "See you in the morning Mark!" The doctor had told mom that she was having a boy and so we all thought it was Mark. When dad called home to tell us it was a girl we were all in shock. Us girls were very happy to get another sister. The boys took longer to warm up to the idea. But when we all held her in the hospital I remember Matt holding her the most. I can remember only one time that I fought with Marissa. It really wasn't a fight but she did get the best of me. I was about 15 and she was probably 3. I was doing my chores and for some reason she was helping me. She was screaming at me. I can't remember why she was upset. But I had finally had it and turned to her and screamed right back in her face just like she was doing. It was very immature of me, but I had just had it. She stopped crying for a second and just starred at me. Then she looked me right in the eyes and screamed louder at me. So in the one fight I've had with Rissa she definitely won! As crazy as she was when she was little I would say she is that much more calm now. When she was pretty small and playing soccer and I always remember how calm she was on the field. She would just take the ball from players with little effort. Marissa has grown up always being Auntie May. She puts in the time with my kids and they love her. They quote everything she says, listen to all the music she likes, and believe everything she tells them. The first time my two year old said," Guess What? Chicken Butt," I didn't have to ask where he had heard that. Because my kids quote Rissa so much my nephews quote her as well as kids in Grace's school class. Marissa is very popular at Bluffridge! Thank you for being so good to my kids! I love you May!

Sarah

New Topic: Please post!

I'm just as guilty, but lets to blog again! Lets talk about the birthday boy and girl for this month! Matt- chu and May-nerd!!!

First I'll start with my oldest big brother. I remember playing X-Men with him and Jake, actually looking back on those memories I've realized now how nice they were to let their annoying little sister play along with them. Anyway, I remember that Matt's favorite was either Storm or Nightcrawler, correct me if I'm wrong ok Matt? I remember him and Jake teasing me and calling me "impostor" and then me screaming at the top of my lungs until the blood vessels in my eyes popped. That's not exactly my favortie memory though:). One of my favorite memories is when Matt ran for Mr. Clearfield and he asked me to be his back up dancer:) I thought he was so coolest kid ever and I was so excited that he let me apart of that. Another favorite memory was driving to piano lessons with him and he would sometimes randomly let go of the steering wheel and make me steer the car. I remember Matt trying to help me with my tumbling, cuz I stunk:), and always being willing to spot me. He always supported me when I danced and I remember he even came to a couple competitions, that meant a lot to me.

Now May May on the other hand. . . . :) just kidding May. I have lots of memories playing with her and Marie. I remember when we loved playing "Borrowers." You and Marie would beg me to play that with you. I remember riding bikes to school with May May and once we got there she would ask me to stay with her until the bell rang for school to start. She was so cute and shy and i couldn't say no, I waited with her outside until the bell rang for school to start then ran to class so I wouldn't be late. I feel like in our family, we are EXTREMELY protective of each other and I remember watching May's soccer games and if another girl barely even pushed her I'd be freaking out, "don't touch my sister!" It was always funny growing up and people thinking May was so quiet and then I'd tell them, "She isn't like that at home.":) May is crazy, funny, and a classic "wise guy" or girl I guess.

Its also cool to think that Marissa is named Marissa because of Matt! If it wasn't for him, May May would have been a Candace! I'm grateful to have these two as my brother and sister. Happy Birthday to Matt and May!

What would you all like to blog about?

I obviously didn't come up with a very good topic last time since zero people responded. So I'm putting it out to you all. Some one come up with a  topic.

We need to blog again!

So Julie informed me that we need to blog again now that life has slowed down a bit. I agree totally! 2010 has been a busy year for everyone and it's not even half over. First, Grandpa's passing, then Julie's wedding, Matt going to Dubai, Jake graduating, Marie graduating, Mom and Dad's MAJOR remodel, and the list keeps going. I'm not feeling very creative today so I hope you all like this topic. When we were cleaning out Grandpa Yamane's house I could just picture so many moments and memories. It got me thinking about pictures. So this week let's all share a photo that we love and that brings back a memory.

I love this picture! Look how cute we are and totally cubby! I miss when being cubby was cute! But this picture is what I remember most about the house in Sunset. I always remember playing in the hallway. It must have drove mom crazy. Isn't that strange that I remember the hallway. I remember playing there with friends. I think there's another picture where I'm doing my hair with every barette I own and I think Matt was with me. I remember Dad hiding behind the door to his room and scaring us. I remember when Matt pooped in the tub and locked himself in the bathroom. Mom standing in the hallway threating him and telling him to open the door. Jake laying in the middle of the hallway with his pillow sucking his finger.

You don't have to post a photo if you don't have it but describe it to us!

Love you all, please post.

Jules, Juju

Julie... What can I say about my baby sister? Well her eyes still freak me out when she is sleeping and yes I have had many one sided conversations over the years that end up with me getting really close to her face and saying "Julie are you awake?" Needless to say I would end up leaving throwing a pillow in her face. It is crazy to think that she is getting married now and all growed up! Just remember Jules I am your favorite brother. And I will always lay on you when you are some how sleeping through the chaos that is our house. Oh one quick story for you Mitchy boy. When you want to freak her out just turn off all the lights and in a deep creepy voice say, "there once was a man with curly hair that likes to eat little Julie's!" That used to get a great reaction for me. Give it a try.

Shoot... He has a girlfriend... and she is gorgeous!

Shortly after I had decided that Jake was the cutest and most charming fellow around (At this point Jake and I hadn't even had our first date... or exchanged numbers.) and that I was destined to have japanese children... in walked Jake... with this dark haired beauty on his arm! CRAP!!! How do I compete with with that?! Of course I was hysterical in trying to figure out what my next move was going to be in order to steal back the future father of my children. When I walked down to say hello and meet "her" I was beyond relieved when he introduced his "girlfriend" as Julie... his baby sister. Hallelujah! Never was I more happy to hear that wonderful news. 2 years later and one stinking, cute japanese baby, I am happy to now call Julie my "baby sister." I really am glad to be a part of the chaos that is the Yamane Family. I welcome Mitch into the circus ring with a warning: There is still time! Ok I am just kidding. Technically Mitch was in the family first... wait... Thanks a lot Mitch! Where was my warning when I needed it!? :)

New Topic - Julie

So Since Julie is growing up and getting married I wanted to talk about my little baby sister. I guess Julie can tell us something about her too. Anyhow, I remember being so excited to get home from school to see my baby sister. Mom would actually let me babysit her by myself. I remember one day I tried to lay her in my doll's cradle (the same tiny cradle that is still in the basement). I put her in there and was so proud of myself. I turned away for a second and the cradle tipped Julie right out. She cried and I felt sooo bad! Sorry Julie, I may have given you brain damage! Julie slept in my room for a long time. I remember that I hated it when Mom and Dad would make her sleep in her crib because she would cry. So I would climb in her crib and sleep with her so she wouldn't cry. That was when she was a baby but later I became less empathetic. She always slep in my bed with me and she would wake me up by hitting me on the head with her bottle. Then I would get up and fill her bottle back up. One night I remember being fed up and I put her in her crib which was down the hall in her room. She cried but I was tough and I went back to my room. Then I hear a loud thud and the crying gets closer and closer until it was right outside my door. Well, I tried but she won. I let her back in bed. I loved having a sister. When she was little she would do my hair but for some reason she didn't like doing my hair when she got older :) Everyday I had to choose clothes that would match something that Julie had or she would cry.  Now she's all growed up! Crazy how time flies!

Grandpa Yamane

Last week I watched up with grandpa. The day before mom told him that I looked just like Russel but I don't think he knew who that was. We watched the movie while mom dad and Marissa and Marie were at Graces dance recital. After the movie I asked him if he liked the movie and he said yes. The day after mom said that when she went in that she asked him if he thought that I looked like Russel and he said yes.

/Mark

Grandpa Yamane

Something that I will always remember about Grandpa was that he always had smart pills at his house. They were always in a jar by the lamp in the front room by the window. Whenever we would go over there he would only give us those smart pills when he was there. It was always right after he would flex his biceps and we could see the huge baseball that he had. It was a lot of fun.
I also remember when I had the chance to go on a business trip with Pops. I was pretty young but Pops was going to be gone for my birthday and somehow I got to go with dad. Well he was working all day and I got to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma Yamane. It was a blast because it was all for me. They took me out all day, but one day in Grandpa took me fishing to the fish farm. Which now that I am older I realized that they charged per fish I pulled out of there. Before we went grandpa and grandma got me a new shinny spinner. Grandpa new that having a reel was going to be pointless at the farm, so he tied a long piece of fish line to the end of one of his poles and away I went. I caught dozens of fish. I would sneak up to the edge of the water and drop my line in and WHAM they were all over my new spinner. Grandpa and Grandma just let me go at it. It was a total blast and I'll never forget Grandpa forking over all the money for the fish I pulled out of there. He never really cared about that stuff. He was just trying to make a grandson happy. I remember when I was in High School and my rodeo broke down again. Grandpa paid for the repairs so that I wouldn't have to ride the bus or get a ride from anybody. He didn't mind how much it was, but was helping me out. He is pretty soft spoken about most things, but one thing is for sure he has taken care of us. It has been a blessing to have Grandpa staying at Mom and Pops' house. We have a chance to get closer to him. Thanks Grandpa.

Grandapa Yamane... And His Genetics

Well, being that I have only been around for a little over 2 years, I don't exactly have tons of memories with Grandpa Yamane. The one thing that I do know is that he loves his family. I love that he lights up when he gets to see the little girls and more than that he actually likes to hold them... even if he gets clocked in the head with a spoon by Lucy. I know that he is a hard worker. The first time I met him I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen. I remember noticing his callused hands and thinking about all of the hard hours he must have put in to provide for his family. The most important thing, I think, that he did was raise a good and hardworking son who in turn raised a good looking and also very hardworking son... that I married and while we are on the subject of hands... Jacob has very nice ones too! So in the end I guess the thing I am most grateful for are Grandpa Yamane's genetics. Even though I don't have very many memories of grandpa Yamane I look forward to making memories with his posterity! :)