Mom and Will came to visit us this last weekend!  

life lately

Saturday mornings are when I feel the itch to blog and update things around here!

It's been a fast August, September, October, and November! I'm lovin' teaching...does each year just get better and better? That's what I'm told.

October found me in the cities with my old roommate, visiting my middlest sister. The three days were spent shopping, eating out, segway-ing, eating out, going to Mall of America, eating out, hiking, eating out. I feel like we ate out a lot? ha!

 

 Let's see - the next weekend Aaron and I spent Sunday afternoon riding fourwheeler outside of Mandan beside the river. Aaron decided to bring his swimming trunks to show just how beautiful the weather has been in North Dakota in November!

While here, Aaron brought his go-pro with. That's a cool little tool! The photos below are taken with that...which takes a photo every 30 seconds. (So I think we ended up with over 2000 photos? ha!) SO, Kristin, if Blair is ever curious what the trails look like around here, just let me know! I'll send ya the photos!

 

Later on in November Aaron and I spent an evening at Lake Sakakawea with Ruger. Once again, taking advantage of this unusually nice weather!

And then, the next weekend I traveled to the cities again for a girls weekend with my mother and sisters, and Zane! 

Whew! Ended up adding a lot more pictures than I was planning to! Next weekend, Thanksgiving, Aaron and I are headed to my folks' place and then 26 days after T-giving we're headed to Florida to spend a few days at the beach. Happy end of November! 

this last week

I was going to get up and mow this morning (we're at my in-laws), but as we were eating breakfast, it started to rain and thunder so...I guess I will do this instead. It's kind of cozy updating while a morning storm occurs outside!

This last week found me in south eastern North Dakota for a day and then at the lake for a day. So a quick, quick trip but a heart-filling trip! I had lunch with my best friend from high school and learned all the ransom county news. I then met my mom at my grandparent's farm and walked around the farmstead, remembering when they lived there...

We then headed back to the lake for the night. The next morning, while riding horse, my mom suggested riding over to our neighbors that we had never met and, we found about three miles of trails! After our ride, Will came out and took our picture. Thanks, Will! Mom and I do a lot of riding together, but never get our picture together.

After the lake, I trekked back to my in-laws for a wedding reception on Friday. Congrats to Jessica and Nolan! And every morning while here we've been getting acquainted with a very persistent yellow bird that wants to get in in the worst way. I feel kind of bad for it! It will peck and peck at the window, stop to breathe heavily with it's mouth open, panting, and then go back to fluttering and pecking at the window.

And then this morning, when I went to let Ruger out of the garage, there was a beautiful sunrise behind the silo...picture doesn't do it justice! So it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, but, we are now in a severe thunderstorm warning. Oh well. 

And that's a wrap of another July week!

Five Friday

5. There are currently 8 days of school left. This year absolutely flew by...I cannot believe it! I definitely had two extremes my first two years of teaching. Last year, to be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to teach another year. I remember telling Aaron, while sobbing, that I did not want to go back. I'm glad I did though. I have had so much fun with these kids...I want this group again next year! Also, I just have to brag that my kids have been doing calendar time all by themselves the past few weeks! They love doing it because every day one of the kids gets to be the teacher/leader and leads the rest of the class through the calendar routine.

4. Ruger has Panosteitis again. I had no idea what that was, so besides what the vet told me, I did some web browsing and educating myself about it. It is a painful inflammation of the bone that causes limping (temporary pain/limping - it's like growing pains). He has had it two other times, but I think this time was the worst. He wasn't even walking on his front right leg it hurt so bad, so basically he was walking on three legs everywhere. The vet prescribed pills to bring down the inflammation but after giving one to him (even with food) he got sick. As in throw up sick. The rest of the evening he laid with his head on either Aaron or my lap and he looked so sad and in pain. We really felt bad for our boy. I can already tell today, though, that he is feeling better.

3. Aaron and I have had lots of laughs with the face swap filter on snapchat. It is so terrible, but so funny.

2. 20 days until my NV/AZ/UT trip with my sister! I don't travel a whole lot, so I am very excited. Still trying to figure out a place to go with Aaron this summer though. His request - "not too far". Hmm...there is not much within a 6 hour radius of our home...

1. We are having chili for supper tonight. It snowed today! Not a lot of course, but at recess there were a few flakes coming down. Add in no heat in the school (they turned it off after having 90 degree days last week) and it makes for a chilly day! And of course, today was the school "beach" day where kids were able to wear beachy attire. Ugh!

Life lately in January '16

Aaron started cross fit.

I started going to the gym.

I also started watching Downton Abbey. I cruised through seasons 1,2, and 3 this last weekend. Ugh, don't ask me how my eyes felt on Sunday night.

Gearing up for Kindergarten starts this Thursday. It's kind of like parent teacher conferences for 10 weeks, once a week...you always have to be "on".

Ruger is starting to lay nicely in the evenings. It is SO nice not having to worry about him chewing on everything in sight. It's also nice not having to worry about him having an accident! I loved Ruger as a puppy...but to be honest I am thankful the puppy stage is on it's way out. :)

And that's about all that's happening around here. January and February get kind of long so I'm thankful for the things happening that make the dreary, cold days not quite so long. (Although, I am thankful for the evenings of not having to do anything except cuddle under a blanket with hot chocolate/hot cider and read a book. Or lately in my case, watch Downton Abbey.)

Happy Tuesday! And yay for no school next Monday!

Happy (almost) Holidays

Random ramblings for this Friday:

Mom took a few pictures for us last weekend. Yay for getting our Christmas photos done!

Our nephew was born this week. Cullen, can't wait to meet you!

It's my favorite time of the year. We've been super busy working with turkeys, pilgrims, and native americans in school. And after this, we'll start Christmas projects. It's a fun time of the year to be in Kindergarten.

My Stitchfix came yesterday. Post about that to come tomorrow.

My stepsister is headed this way for Thanksgiving next week. Excited to see her and her boys! (and to have a short school week next week!)

And that's about it. Now I'm off to clean the cat house. (New Years Resolution for 2016: keep up with the litter box...icky!)

currently... {october 2015 edition}

<> listening: yanni radio on pandora

<> eating: nothing at the moment - but there is pulled pork in the oven for sandwiches tonight!

<> drinking: nothing

<> wearing: jeans and a school logo shirt. i really enjoy jean fridays!

<> feeling: cold. i didn't think it was cold enough to wear a coat today, but, the october air was actually a bit chilly! i'm thinking a hot shower will feel good...

<> weather: in the 50's

<> wanting: some cute cozy pajamas.

<> needing: aaron and i to take some photos for our christmas card this year. i have a vision in my head of some poses with ruger included...now just to get it done.

<> thinking: about some fall decor for our PORCH that is going up this weekend!! i am so excited! the "before" picture it taken below.

<> enjoying: the thought that i have tonight off before starting to prep for parent teacher conferences tomorrow.

<> missing: a fire place. that would feel so good right now!

<> 10.16.15 snapshots <>

PC Week 12

Cat Toes

If you were to glance into our abode these past January and February evenings, there's a good chance you would see Aaron fiddling in the garage with a few "new" old fourwheelers. I would probably be either sitting on the couch in our living room, checking for updates on our soon-to-be-arriving-into-this-world puppy or else lesson planning and prepping for the next school day. The cats would be chasing each other, full speed, back and forth from our bedroom to the living room - their little paws causing quite a thundering noise.

There aren't too many exciting things happening during these winter months. Just the excitement of a warm, 30+ degree day. The excitement that we hit our 100th day of school and there are only 75 days left until summer break. The excitement that my step-sister is expecting a little baby boy due any day now.  

Of course I'm looking forward to spring weather and all the things that go along with it, but there is something nice about these predictable, low key, winter evenings where nothing is planned and you can wear sweats from the time you get home from work until bedtime. 

These days have caused me to feel settled in our town and in our home and at my work,  and it's a great feeling.

currently...(november 2014 edition)

<> listening: norah jones holiday on pandora

<> eating: nothing at the moment

<> drinking: a starbuck frappuccino drink from alco. our alco store is closing so everything is on sale. everything, including this drink!

<> wearing: pj's. i'm still in bed and it's 10:38. this week wiped me out!

<> feeling: kind of blah. it'll be that kind of saturday i think

<> weather: my phone says it's 28 degrees with rain possible. icky. which means it'll probably turn to ice

<> wanting: wednesday night to get here fast! we leave for my parents for thanksgiving and i am terribly excited!

<> needing: to shower. kristin and elizabeth, you know what i'm like in the mornings. haha!

<> thinking: i should shower

<> enjoying: the thought that lesson plans are done for next week, the house is clean (was cleaned yesterday evening), and clothes and dishes are washed

<> missing: having a dog around

life lately

It must be the weekend - I have time to blog!

One thing I've learned since I started teaching is even when you aren't there (as in your classroom with your kids) your mind is pretty much always there. I couldn't fall asleep the other night because I was thinking of one of my boys and why it's just not clicking with him. Aaron told me, "just shut your brain off for the night!" I wish I could! Now, as I sit here on Saturday and take a deep breath because there is no school on Monday and Tuesday (hooray!), I'm thinking about a few bulletin boards I can switch up and what in the world I can do with that ugly corner by the sink.

Aside from that, currently:
+ I am looking forward to a visit from my mom and step-dad this Saturday/Sunday/Monday!
+ Christmas music is being played in full force now. (Well, when hubby's not around. Did you know he doesn't care much for Christmas music?)
+ I still wish it would snow...and it looks like my wish might come true! Some winter weather is supposed to be hitting this Sunday night. Maybe my parents will get snowed in here?! ;)
+ Right before the picture below was taken, G&T were running full speed from one end of our house to the other. Why are cats so weird sometimes? I walked out of our bedroom to find the rugs in our living room all pushed up against the wall. Apparently the rugs help slow their speed and prevent them from running into the wall/piano. Anyways, here's a picture of our felines, exhausted from their strenuous exercise.

currently...{september 2014 edition}

<> listening: enya on pandora - there's just something so soothing about this genre of music after a full day of being with kinders

<> eating: just finished off a long john I got at the grocery store

<> drinking: pepsi

<> wearing: sioux sweatpants and sweatshirt

<> feeling: accomplished - I had a good day with the kids - no meltdowns!!

<> weather: cloudy and chilly - very fall like out! 45 degrees to be exact

<> wanting: another pair of Allegria shoes - so comfortable 

<> needing: nothing necessarily - my needs are all being met :) 

<> thinking: I should really cut out these apples for my kids tomorrow - we're doing an apple unit this week...

<> enjoying: the thought that this evening Aaron will come in early from his "equipment workshop" and a movie is planned - complete with popcorn and creamy chocolate milk! {that really sounds like we're kids, doesn't it...ha!}

<> missing: my mom and sistas