Family Photos

We've been enjoying our vacation thus far in WARMer weather! Here's a few pics from the last few days that I LOVE!
Happy Holidays!

King!

Here are cute pics of our friends baby, King! He was fascinated with the lights on the camera. One of my favorite shots is his eyes wide open staring at the light.

Fall is Here!

Fall is here and I'm loving every minute of it. Mark and I went on a drive through the canyon yesterday! We brought the camera, BUT forgot the memory card! So, no pics to share, but the colors were gorgeous.

The reason there was no memory card! Well...that's for the next post!

Neglected Blog

My blog has been quite neglected these days. Despite my best effort to post clever and witty updates about my fun-filled life, I never quite seem to transform the thoughts into words. Then, today as I was counseling a young girl in an IEP meeting to use her blog as a way to journal, the fire was rekindled and here I am pouring out my soul about my day!

So, in an effort to be a little more consistent, I shall catch you all up on our REALITY! It's been a crazy summer and hard to believe that school is back in session full swing! In a wild and adventurous (crazy) moment, I chose to move to the transition program and leave my cute little Jr. High classroom. While I miss the opportunity to teach daily, I have enjoyed the challenge of being in a new place and working with new people. I look forward to the day when there are not billions of messages on my phones, a lunch break without interruptions, and a chance to finish the mounds of paper that keeps piling up on my desk! Till then...I keep marching along enjoying the small moments that remind me why I LOVE my job! My favorite today was the joy a student got from pretending to be me talking into the walkie talkie...it was the highlight of her life!

Mark started a new job this fall also. He is working one-on-one with a student at the high school. Ironically, I had this student in my class last year! It's been a wonderful transition for the student and a great experience for Mark. He loves being at the High School.

Mark also started another semester at UVU. He's working his way through prerequisites, hoping to be able to apply to the radiology program next year. Our nights are filled with homework again! Though I'm much happier being the tutor and not the student!

Well...off to homework and chores!
:)
Kristie

Jackson, WY

Here are some pics from our recent trip to Jackson. It was a new experience for both of us. Thanks to our friends family, we were able to go rafting and enjoy a wagon ride/cookout. The trip was short, but on our way home we drove up through Yellowstone. It was fun to cross the Montana border and share mission stories with Mark! We are already planning our next trip. Hopefully next time we can go a little farther north and explore Montana.

IKEA Fun

Fun trip to IKEA. Kelly and Brandon came up for their annual trip to Primary Children's. Brandon and I had fun taking random pics! He's a hoot and had me cracking up most of the time!

Summer Time Fun

I LOVE summer! I love going on vacations, being outdoors, and enjoying the sunshine!

We went camping a couple of weeks ago to Otter Creek. The trip, as a whole, was a bit disasterous. BUT this experience (and accompanying picture) made it all worthwhile:

The austere police officer was on duty to make sure speeding travelers slowed down! Mark and I passed him on the way to Captial Reef. We were pretty surprised to see him in the same spot 5 hours later!

Budget cuts must be really hurting this small town! :)

Graduation 2009

I am HAPPY to announce that my Masters Program is over! We attended a graduation ceremony on May 2nd. A big thank you to all my friends and family who came to show their support! It was a very anticipated day! The past two years have been filled with many late nights and endless writing, but now it is all over! (Well...almost over! My last class ends July 2nd!)

I am so grateful for Mark and his love and support. He truly has been there to pick up the pieces when I didn't think that I could go on! I love you Mark!

Sad Times

Sad times have been hovering around us for the past week. Last Monday, my Mom called with news that my unlce (her youngest brother) had passed away. View obituary here:

http://www.legacy.com/SaltLakeTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=125508941

Our love goes out to his wife and children. They have so much to deal with at this time. I hope they know and can feel the love that surrounds them.

Good Times

My mom came to visit this weekend! We went to Mt. Pleasant for a cousin's baby shower! It was so fun to have her here. Now, I am even more excited for Spring Break...I'm dying to see all my cute nieces and nephews!!!

Snow...Snow!

Snow, snow go away !

Come back another day! (PLEASE!)

We Las Vegasans living in Utah are struggling with all this coldness! A little warmth and sunshine would be nice!

Lazy Saturday!

The husband and I are enjoying a lazy Saturday together watching the Hallmark channel and doing HOMEWORK! The end of late night studying is in sight (at least for me!) I got my graduation robes and hood this week. Graduation is officially May 2nd! Very exciting!!!

Late Night or Early Morning?!?

Sleep has not claimed me yet tonight! Which has left me quite frustrated and looking for activities to keep me occupied. So...I've decided to tackle this blog! I'm determined to start making it look a little more cute!! How am I doing so far?

365 Day Challenge - Day 7

Winter is here!

365 Day Challenge - Day 6

Tonight we have been working on PLINKO boards. YES! We make Plinko boards for sell or trade! Check out a completed board that one of my student's mom used during Christmas time to motivate her kids to do some extra chores (http://positivelyorganic.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-plinko-style.html).

If you would like more information about how to obtain your own unique board, let us know!!!

365 Day Challenge - Day 5

While on our vacation to Vegas, Mark and my Dad went shooting. I'm not sure what he enjoys more...shooting the guns or cleaning them afterwards. Boys and their toys! Grin!!!

365 Day Challenge - Day 4

Check out my cute husband, showing off his cowboy getup!!!

COWBOY UP or GO SIT in the TRUCK!

365 Day Challenge - Day 3

Our niece got baptized today! She's been meeting with the missionaries over the last few weeks and decided to become a member. It was a wonderful day!

365 Day Challenge - Day 2

Playing with my nieces! Aren't they sweet!!!

365 Day Challenge - Day 1

During the holiday break, Mark and I spent 2 weeks in Las Vegas. While staying at my parents, Mark can often be found cleaning dishes.

Here he is on New Year Day...cleaning up after the rest of us!

365 Day Challenge

Well...sometime in my mindless internet searching I happened upon a challenge to take a photograph a day. What a fun way to journal 2009! So, here goes our first week's attempt at pictures!

Reality or Not?!?

Mark and I have finally decided to joing the blogging world. (Well...I guess I decided for the both of us!)

Anyway...I hope this will be a fun and creative way to journal our crazy, busy, and sometimes exciting adventures.

Enjoy!!!