Lately

This post is being written as an attempt to catch up on the last couple of weeks. Life has become crazy with school starting but it is good sort of crazy.

SCHOOL

School is going really well this year. I feel, for the first time, that I am actually able to think and plan ahead in my teaching and not just survive day to day. My classroom is still organized which is a miracle. My students are adorable, fabulous, hilarious, kind-hearted, and then some. I would love to post pictures of them but it just doesn't seem the right thing to do on a public blog. If you want to meet the darlings, come visit my classroom! I would be happy to have you.

THE FATTEST

Tom informed me of his game several days in advance this time, so I was able to go along with Mike and crew. It was an Idaho v. Utah game and Idaho won. Tom is fun to watch. He got a fantastic shiner in this game and I took it upon myself to document it. This picture is one of many reasons I don't think I could ever play rugby.

Tom poses with Avery and Aidan.
Last Saturday, I went to a something (I'm not quite sure what to call it) at the U. The PBS station in NYC received a grant to produce history games. We learned about the game and its awesomeness. The first game was launched this week and it deals with colonial Boston. It's free. You can play it here. Tell teachers about it so they can let their students play. You can also play Pennywhistle Hero at this site. It is like guitar hero but you are playing colonial songs on a penny whistle instead. PennyWhistle Hero might change your life.
I've always got a book on tape in my car. My current read is Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts. I read it last year but decided that since I went to Boston in April and have read several colonial history books, my background knowledge might help me understand and remember the stories better. I have not been disappointed this second time around. It is a great book.
This gem was captured at the gas station where my team and I went to buy Subway for lunch one day. If they would send the writer of this sign back to 5th grade, I promise I would do my best to teach him/her the difference between your and you're.
My mission friends and I decided to start doing Thai food night more frequently. I hosted last week. There were almost 20 people crammed into my apartment and it was a fantastic evening. We had bamii muu daeng. Here, Becky and Rachel add the necessary fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
Don't these people look so happy knowing that within minutes they will have bamii in their stomachs?
Pim, Bay, Bui, Um, Jake, Rachel, Becky, and Me.
Mike, Natalie, Avery, Aidan, Lucy and I went to The Blue Iguana on Saturday. Lucy kept wanting to dip her chips in the spicy salsa and then couldn't handle the spiciness. It was hilarious because even though she hated the spicy, she kept trying to eat it. She is becoming more independent and toddlerish every time I see her. I like her a lot.
Avery and Aidan are always willing to pose for my pictures.
I remember mocking my mother as a child because her sunglasses were huge. I am so sorry, Mom. I now see why you loved them so much. I love huge sunglasses. So does Lucy.
This was the sunrise taken from my school parking lot yesterday morning. Beautiful. Unfortunately, those clouds ended up producing a hailstorm that forced my students inside for the first inside lunch recess of the year. Bleh! The red pickup belongs to my principal. I have never managed to beat him to school. Maybe someday.
The moon was huge this morning as I was driving to school. It looks itsy bitsy in this picture but it was really beautiful.

I'm going to Boise tomorrow after work. Yahoo!

Saturdays were meant to be spent like this

We (Me, James, Sadie, and Jessica) started our day at the Farmers Market in Salt Lake. There was much fun to be had including eating samples at every single stall (20x better than sample day at Costco), watching the plethora of dogs, feeling like a hippie, and catching up with old friends who just happened to be there as well.

Right in front of the noodle stand.

James partakes of the noodles but doesn't purchase. He will later regret this decision.

We decided to get Mazza for lunch. They are much cheaper at lunch. The falafel won the prize for being the best thing ordered that day.

I took a lovely nap, dropped off some stuff at DI, renewed my Ensign subscription at Distribution, took another nap, and then went to watch the Salt Lake Real conquer the New York Red Bulls.
Thanks to my friend Stephanie Price who works for Xango, we got incredibly discounted tickets to the game. Here I sit with Jess. I was trying to get the whole group (8 of us) in the picture but this is how it turned out.
I caught Austin, Sadie, James, and Jessica in this fantastic picture. I wonder if someday I will get a picture of James with a normal face. Perhaps not.
The Real won 1-0. I spent way too much money on a hotdog. It was a fun game. I like my friends.

Mission Reunion

President and Sister Hansen had a mission reunion BBQ at their house tonight. It was so good to see people I hadn't seen in too long.

Richard and Brady. So many hours spent in a very tiny room in the middle of the summer at the MTC with these boys. They are pretty fantastic.

Richard, Me, Rachel, Becky. I feel grateful to be so close with a lot of my mission friends.

Day of Rainbows

This is me driving down Pioneer Crossing last Friday. Should I have been paying attention more to the road? Certainly.

But, I couldn't help but stare at this beauty:
Later that night, I got to experience this:
And this:

I promise I don't normally drive so recklessly.

School

School has now been in session for 8 days. I've got a great class this year. The students offer some unique challenges from what I've had in the past, but I am looking forward to teaching this year. I don't dare put pictures of any of my students without permission from their parents, but suffice it to say that they are darling. I invite any and all to come volunteer in my classroom and meet them.

We went to Timpanogas Cave on Thursday with the 5th graders. It was a great field trip. The kids loved it. Here is one of the many pictures taken that day.

Civil War at This is the Place

We all headed to This is the Place park for their Civil War day. The first item of business was to watch the soldiers prepare for battle.

Sunscreen was a must as well.

I can't help but take tons of pictures of darling Lucy.

Watching the battle and plugging her ears. The cannon really was quite loud.

The Confederate forces stormed the Union's cannon.

After the battle, we decided to see what the park had to offer. It is seriously impressive. Totally worth the money. Aidan was very excited to ride in the caboose of the train.

Another picture of Lucy. Seriously cute.

At the frontier school, Avery volunteered to be the dunce.

Aidan was happy to ride the pony.

Avery's lifetime wish of riding a horse was fulfilled. It doesn't get much better than that.

Donut Falls- Second Attempt

We left a little bit earlier the next day so we could finish our hike to the falls.

Lucy loves hiking, especially when she is strapped up high in the Kelty pack so she can see everything.

Aidan loved the waterfall. Here he is staring at some kids who are climbing up the rocks.

Mom and Avery

I'm so glad that my brother no longer lives in Davis county and that we get to do stuff together more often. Look at how awesome that family is!

Proof that I hiked up too.

Mom in her snazzy hiking boots. They really do make a difference.

Natalie, Avery, Lucy, Mike, and Aidan at Donut Falls. If you want a pretty easy hike for kids, I would recommend this one. The waterfall is really pretty. My goal is to snowshoe out to the falls this winter.