Fourth of July

Last Wednesday was the fourth....typically a very un-exciting holiday in my household (no offense Mom, Dad). Usually the whole Fam comes home in a gathering of husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends...you know, the like. The pool gets some use, home-made ice-cream is made, the golf cart is taken to the top of the hill, and the Pulsiphers accompany us while watching the Temecula fireworks show. It's how it has been played for years. Like Christmas! However, this year Ben & Lu had other obligations, which started a whole chain of siblings drop-outs till finally mom, dad, and the little girls were left to fend on their own. But not to worry folks, they found refuge at the coolest, most extravagent party of their lives!

The party's theme was Pirates & Wenches....or in Tim's term "wrenches". You like the attire?

The party had jolly jumps (one of which was even a pirate ship), a personal petting zoo made complete with a zebra/donkey and other exotic animals, a Caribbean-type band, catered food, and.....

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.....Free Ice Cream!! It was amazing! So many choices...and I hadn't seen an ice cream truck in years! I was always deprived of that as a child...


The party gang: Timmy, Jason, Kenz, and myself. It was adorable how much the boys got into the whole sherade. They even visited the local thrift store for added accessory emphasis. I love my little pirates!

Thank you Dods' family for the best Fourth of July party known to Temecula! <3

Summer-- Take One.

I know, I know. Where have I been? It's amazing how much your life changes once you hit the sixteen year milestone. In my case, nearing the seventeenth. So weird. Suddenly, you have unlimited access to the beach, to the movies, to Valley Center (boyfriend?), to Disneyland, and tragically FAST FOOD. I guess there's a downside to everything, right Mom?? But, the biggest change is your summer vacation. I find myself not wasting daylight watching trl and music videos I have already seen a million times, or painting my nails a new, cool shade as I used to. I am finally experiencing what I've read in books and seen in the movies! Am I being too cliche?? Alright...alright..

So, I decided it was about time to document my general whereabouts, considering I have been on the run since the second the final school bell rang. I know, it's pretty brief.

Meet Tim! My super cute, extra cuddly, dark and handsome boyfriend. If I've seen anyone more than I have seen myself this summer, it's been him. Literally. There's rarely been a day that has gone by that he hasn't been my companion. And fam, don't even ask me how he has been able to cope with me for this long, because even I can't answer that one...

I mentioned fast food. Want to know the second person/people that have seen me more than myself this summer? My friends/employees at In N Out.

I joke you not. Sometimes it will be eleven at night and Tim still manages to find an appetite. So he drags me here...to In-N-Out. He's always really considerate to ask me if I want anything....even though it will be six hours past my dinner que...and I always will reply no...be proud of me Mom...but what used to be "Oh, I just want a few of your fries and that's it" always ends up as "Oops, Tim I'm really sorry. Where did all those fries go?" .....I am my mother's daughter :]

Destination three: Disneyland. Yes, still the happiest place on Earth. Tim and I both bought season passes to have the pleasure of going whenever we want and however long we want. It's well worth the expense people!

These are some of the pictures we managed to take waiting in lines for Splash Mountain (it was my first time), Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Star Wars Tours..you know only the good ones.

We were both a bit shy at first to the cameras...who wouldn't?


But eventually, we were able to manage a few candid moments..





This last one was solely my idea...I promise.

Destination four: Oceanside beach. Okay, so here's one day I wasn't with Timothy. But Bre and I had lots of fun with the obnoxious ten year olds disturbing our tan sesh and such.

(That would be Bre's amazing body by the way...not mine haha)

I hope everyone's summer is just as wonderful as mine!

Haley

Boating, Scurfing, Down-right FUN.

It's no surprise that summer is here...or at least nearly here. Thirteen days and counting until my new and spontaneous life officially begins...hah, such a joke!

However, my family has this thing called a boat....I know, this weird device that can tread water, make a ginormous wake, hold ten plus people, AND play music at the same time...it's crazy. It's become a tradition to take it out every day possible that we can fit in dad's busy schedule. Fortunately, we were able to last Saturday. I not only got to enjoy the presence of my cousin Benji, older brother Trent, Mackenzie, Mom, AND Dad....but friends Tim, Scott, Jen, and David as well. We had a blast to say the least.








If I might add, the bonus of having a friend who owns a lake house and private docking station isn't too bad either. We love the McBrides :]

Catalina Birthday Bash.

I know it's a little late in coming, but nevertheless I had to make mention of it. I had the opportunity to spend the most amazing weekend in Catalina for the celebration of Brooklin's sweet sixteen! We had so much fun!


Our beautiful condo. If you can believe it, we had access to a private beach, tennis court, pool and jacuzzi, and this beautiful view. It was so refreshing to open up the balcony and wake up to the smell of salt water and adventure!

All four of us girls on the second day were treated to a full three hours of snorkeling. We had the chance to ride with hundreds of dolphins, play with nearby sea otters, and collect sea shells....one of which was still the residence of a very unhappy hermit crab, whom we only discovered one day after taking him home...he never made it back to his sea habitat. May Gary rest in peace. I also need to mention that we were even able to go para-sailing! Here I was, thinking that cool things never happen to people as average as me...pfft.

One of our numerous rides in our included golf cart. I found it so amusing that rather than the main transportation being via cars as it is on the mainland, the island population is accustomed to driving golf carts. Whether decked out in spinner wheels, leather seats, and 22 inch rims in order to impress passerbys, or simply acting as a vehicle used to commute to the local Vons express and Mr. Zorro's Pet Pampering, these cool mobiles were the norm. The parking spaces and streets were designed for their small dimension...and speed limits, there were none!

Aaron Marcus Stratz, Air Bear & Cuzie ♥

It's been hard to cope with the passing of my close cousin Aaron three weeks ago, on April 23rd. He was young, oh so handsome, the ultimate sweet talker, and an extremely close and loving friend. It's a shame he had to leave us so early. But I know, in the complicated realm between the living and the deceased, that he is out there watching over those he cared about and rooting for our ongoing progression to our life's goals and overall absolute plan. I know that every time I do or say something completely dorky or everytime I walk by Grandma's front screen door (that we sacked dead during our competitive Easter egg hunts), he is there to snicker with (...or at) me. The years growing up together and spending so close, the many memories we created, the strong bond we always shared, the nativity plays and baths at Grammy's with her orange tupperware and rubber duckies, the many endless easter egg hunts that he always won, the numerous slumber parties, forced costume dress-up play dates, and air guitar rock-out sessions in my bug's front seat... I'll always miss them the most. I think the hardest aspect of the situation to accept is the fact that not everyone who knew him had the blessing of experiencing the same wonderful memories and bond....or maybe that is a blessing in itself too, because I know he shared something special and unique with every individual he was in acquaintance with.

I hope you know Aaron that I love you more than I ever expressed in words, on paper, or through a computer screen. You are always in my heart and I will never forget you and the confident, cool charisma you possessed and helped me to develop (even if it is only a small fraction of what you have..) I can't wait to share my graduation, wedding day, first parenting attempt, or any other life experience that I will go through in the future with you by my side. Can you just do me a little favor? Do NOT follow me into the bathroom....for those particular experiences you will have to wait at the door...and no matter how long it takes, I'll come back to meet you. :] I'm never far behind you Air Bear.

Till the day we meet again,
Hay

Introducing Baby Boy Barbie Doll

It's been soo long! I'm sorry to all of my daily readers, tabloid stalkers, or the twelve close family members who have been waiting for my next word... Hah.

Cason Werner Brutsch was brought into the world today. The little stud is already starting to take up some of my love and I have a strong inclination to believe that he will have his young, hip, and intelligent aunt wrapped around his tiny, baby boy finger!! My first nephew, my real-life Ken barbie doll!

He's one of the most important boys in my life (aside from my own dad, brothers, cousins, uncles, and Aaron..) Check out Ben and Lu's profile for pictures and nursery whereabout updates.

The New Haley :]

So today was the start of a completely new life for this Haley. For one, I officially turned in my paperwork for cheer that confirmed I am not trying out for the competition squad this coming year...ya, you heard it right...it's devastating! And although it sounds totally superficial and might set me as the stereotypical cheerleader, it was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in a looong time. Why else would I wait till the very last day to turn it in? (And this hard decision disregards the decisions I've had to make concerning boys recently- Bre, Lu, Ben- you know where I'm coming from!) Haha, but in the long run it will be beneficial and will no longer interfere with my religious beliefs (namely seminary), lack of sleep (hello, waking up at 4:30 and staying at school till 8:00 with tons of homework left is no life!), health- I WILL NOT get mano (mom, you heard me), etc. Can I please hear a holla?!! HOLLA!

Second, I signed up for this amazing gym today....I totally feel like a secret agent spy or something. Fingerprint entrances, treadmills with individual tvs and wide selection of dvds, free water and towels....I mean seriously, is that not totally air force one or something? Oh, and I totally forgot to mention that THE most attractive guy works the Tuesday night shift at about 8:00. I must remember to mark that in my planner... ;)

Thirdly, I finally got my camera to upload new pictures unto my pathetic Mac computer- which means I can finally update my myspace...haha I did not just admit that. It's so lame!

So here you have it- the new, competition-less, athletic training, myspace-affiliating Haley. Aye.