Friday, August 31, 2012

Jayden

My sweet little nephew, Jayden turend 3 this week! I don't know where the years have gone, but it's hard to imagine this adorable little boy is now 3! I call him my boom crash nephew because he loves cars and loves to boom crash them. When I visited North Carolina in January that is all we did. We boom crashed EVERYTHING! I love his little smile, his love of sweets, his adorable personality and the way he says Ashlee. I'm lucky to his this cutie in my life!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Silver Lake

Today we took a little field trip up Big Cottonwood Canyon to visit Silver Lake. It's my favorite day of the school year. We do a lot of nature related activities throughout the year so this is a great kick off. I also love it because I put the kids in groups and then the parents take them around the lake while I sit back and enjoy the mountains. 

The drive up was beautiful, even though it was on a bus. I couldn't believe how fake the sky and the mountains looked.
 My classroom for the day!
 The best part were the moose that hung around all afternoon!

 I was lucky enough to get pretty close to snap this picture. 
The moose really didn't seem to mind.
I really wish I could spend every day at Silver Lake. I think I would be a much better teacher!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Free Pass Weekend...Living Wild, Young and Free

A couple weeks ago my roommate Amanda mentioned she was headed to St. George with her friend Andrea and invited me to tag along. Aubrey came to which was a perfect little addition. This trip we had very few things on our list to do and so it made for a relaxing get the heck out of South Jordan trip!

We left Friday evening after work. Our first stop was Arshel's in Meadow, Ut.
Right across the street was this little gem!
I had a couple of friends ask me how the trip was going so far...this was the picture I sent them :)

Saturday:
We got up "early" aka 9:00 and had the free breakfast at the hotel. Next it was time for shopping! We actually shopped pretty quick at the outlets and walked away with some great purchases. I'm pretty sure Amanda and I now have a few twiner outfits!
Next it was pool time! I love laying out at the pool. The only bad part was that my Nook died so I just listened to music and hung out. No sunscreen for me. I wanted one last good burn/tan of the season!
 Amanda really wanted to check out Pioneer Park again this trip. I love all the rock sculptures. I'm a kid in a candy store climbing around.
 Amanda and I trying to escape the heat...failed attempt!
 There is a spot called the "crack" this is the entry way to it and I just love how it looks.
 Of course after our day out in the sun we felt the need to eat! We came across this place right down the street from the hotel Friday night. We added it to our list of places me must try. It didn't disappoint! The best part was when Aubrey spilled her water everywhere!
We didn't have much else on our list of things to do and it was still early. We decided to hit up a few more stores while we had time. Of course we had to go to Ross! Let's just say we found some goodies while there! Sometimes I just can't resist a good sequin dress!
 It's a shame there was no time to hit up Vegas!!! Ha ha! The best part was that as I was leaving there was a Mom of 2 buying that dress. ...so sad!

Sunday:
We were pretty lazy Sunday morning. Again we ate the free breakfast and watched A League of Their Own while getting ready to pack up and leave. We skipped church, but felt like going to the St. George Temple would be a good make up. We met some sweet missionaries and just enjoyed our time walking around. I loved the visitor center. They had an incredible art display about the pioneers with amazing stories about their coming to Utah. I wish I could have stayed longer exploring!
 It was finally time to leave St. George and head back to our real lives. Our final stop was Larry's Drive In. I've had better, but for being in Fillmore, UT it wasn't too bad.

Glad I could escape life for a couple of days and get a tan while doing so!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Wanted

Aubrey introduced me to the song Wanted by Hunter Hayes. It's so pretty and just kind of melts your heart a little bit. I don't listen to much country, but this one got me. Amanda found a great cover of it! Just thought I would share!



Monday, August 20, 2012

Daybreak Camp Out

It's the end of summer and as one last ward activity we decided to go camping. I have a really great ward so of course it was a great time. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I put the phone away for the trip and just enjoyed the company. 

Amanda and I headed up Friday evening. Amanda spotted this gem just outside of downtown Kamas!
 Butterfly Lake
We stayed just a few miles away from this lake. It was a popular fishing location and a quick little walk for us. We went at the perfect time of day!
 We came across this bear print...
 Meet "Jason"! Picture scruff, attractive, slightly older gentleman with a raspy voice! I quickly asked about the fishing and he whispered about the rainbow and tiger trout. I'm pretty sure we were all smitten and could have stayed a little longer with him.
 Point of Interest!
 I'm missing pictures from Friday night and Saturday morning... 
We ate pulled pork sandwiches, played games, told stories, watched our bishopric do adorable skits, pulled a few pranks, ate amazing cobbler, played glow in the dark frisbee while wearing glow sticks, told more stories about aliens and weird things in the woods, giggled in our tents until 3 am, FROZE, had a wonderful breakfast cooked by the bishopric, had a water balloon fight, packed up, and walked around Mirror Lake. It really was such a fun 24 hours. I wish we could just escape and do it more often. 

After the walk around the lake a group of us decided to stop in Kamas at this little drive in for some lunch before we headed back. A burger, fries, and raspberry shake was exactly what I needed to complete this great camping trip!

Thank you Unitas for giving me a wonderful vacation spot to spend time with great friends!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Youse

This summer Haddley cracked us up daily with the word youse. We would try and get her to just say "you", but without fail every time she would say "youse". My Dad sent me a picture of a store he found the other day. He said he saw it and thought of Haddley right away! Said it would be her kind of place!

We sure do love our little Monkey!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Eckern and Eyre Wedding

Last weekend two good friends (Lauren and Preston) got married. Amanda, Aubrey and I were lucky enough to get to be part of so much of the celebration! I have been all for this marriage for a very long time. I'm so excited that it happened because they are great together. Everything went perfectly. The sealing was amazing, the setting up was flawless, and the actual reception was perfect. It was a great way to spend the weekend. We sure are going to miss having them, but we are already planning SYTYCD parties and girls nights!

 Oquirrh Mountain Temple
 The gang
 Just us girls!
A beautiful sunset to end a great day!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Princess Kassidy

Today is Kassidy's birthday! She was my very first niece and will always hold a special place in my heart. I flew in the day she was born because I was so excited. The first time I held her in the hospital there was a mini earthquake. She was always wearing pink and just so sweet and tiny. Now Kassidy is super tall, crazy smart, full of energy, and one silly girl!


I sure do love her!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Back to School

It's a new school year for me and I'm not exactly thrilled...
I had a great summer and it just seemed to go by way to quick. I really struggled the first couple of days back. I didn't want to set up my classroom or get motivated to have a new class. I get REALLY attached to my classes so saying goodbye to a wonderful group is really hard. 
The first day of school was rough...I can be a little cranky when I have to get up early and wear a skirt and talk to parents. I have some cute kids that I'm sure once I get into the swing of things I will really start to love! It's officially been one week though and I'm starting to settle in, although I still lay in bed for a few extra minutes every morning!
I miss these kids like crazy!