This, that, and wedding invitations

I know I've been neglecting my blog lately, but it's been a busy couple of weeks. And, let's face it, my life is just not that interesting. I've been a work-a-holic these last two weeks, spending many late nights at school because of conferences (10 extra hours of talking to parents this month!), yearbook deadlines, and trying to learn some new technology I got through a grant. Then, I've been spending my time at home making wedding invitations for Lesa. I've never made so many of the same design before.

In addition, it was with sadness that we learned this week of the passing of my Uncle Bill and Owen Richieleiu, a dear friend of Mike's parents, so I've made some sympathy cards this week as well. We certainly have these families in our thoughts.

Then, Mike's truck broke down on the way home from work Wednesday night, so that certainly complicated our lives--and took a hit on our pocketbook--for a few days. But, he has his truck back now, complete with a new fuel pump and battery. Then today, we spent what money we had left ordering new windows for the house, since our house is so drafty and non-energy efficient. I know we need them and that it will help our heating bills tremendously, but I have to say I just can't get excited about this purchase. Yes, they will be nice to have, but they just aren't fun to shop for. I was struck by how much shopping for windows is similar to shopping for a new car, complete with very attentive salemen, viewing of models, and paperwork sessions.

I am enjoying the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven right now! Mike has been on a kick lately, with bread making every weekend. Which, I certainly appreciate. Imagine a husband who bakes! Last week's bread had good flavor but was a little too dense. It certainly appears that Mike has overcome that problem successfully this week. Take a look at this beauty...I can't wait to try it!

Weekend Comings and Goings

Spent Saturday running errands, grocery shopping, and trying on dresses at David's bridal and sending pictures to Lesa by cellphone so that she could pick the one she liked. Here's the one I ended up purchasing, but not in this color. Lesa and Colin have chosen a clover green. Then, I ran around buying materials to make wedding invitations for Lesa nad Colin. Didn't actually get any invitations made...that has to happen too.

Today, I've been grading papers, making lesson plans, and I visited two different dentists for a cleaning and adjustment to my braces. All in all, not a very exciting weekend, although a very busy one.

I was trying to think of a more interesting topic for my blog, but I couldn't come up with one, and wanted to write something...I always feel guilty when I don't post for more than a week. I have become endebted to my blog for time now, and hear it calling my name. As if I didn't have enough to do without inventing new responsibilities for myself, but of course, I also enjoy writing here. My Wii Fit is the same way. I like it, but when I miss a day, it chides me. The thing talks and reminds me that I'm not going to meet my goal if I don't do it every day. I'm now getting a guilt trip from my technology! This picture is somehow flawed. Makes me avoid my exercise routine even more because I can't handle the pressure :).

Birthday Weekend Photos!

Here are some pictures from our day in Estes Park. We had fun snowshoeing with Aspen and then had an amazing dinner at the Chalet Room at Mary's Lake Lodge...oyster rockerfeller, lobster bisque, and ciopinno. Yum!-I do love seafood.

The half-way mark has been reached!

We are officially over with the first half of the school year now, and I think it is going by extremely fast. The kids, sadly, do not agree. They profess to be very upset to return to school, but I think many of them are secretly happy to be back. We've been back to school all week, and we are getting back into the routine of things slowly.

Plus, it's been really cold here (-12 for a low and +12 for a high), and we have snow that's just not melting and then more added to it yesterday, so it's hard to want to be outside.

I don't have too much to report right now. Tomorrow is my 30th birthday, so I guess that should be a big deal, but I'm still going to work. We are going to go up to Estes Park Saturday to celebrate a little bit, so that will be nice. I will have to post pictures after the weekend.

Merry Christmas Everyone

We made it home from Nevada this afternoon after a good Christmas. We've been away for more than a week, but it sure went by fast. We all enjoyed lots of good food, playing the Wii, and everyone spoiled Aspen as well. Right after we arrived, she got hurt. We don't know for sure, but the working hypothesis is that she was kicked by a cow (She had an inordinate interest in the cows and headed toward their pens the minute she was let outside every time!). She limped around for the evening and had a stiff leg the next day, but it could have been much worse and she recovered quickly. In the meantime, she had everyone sneaking her treats and she also chased after the four-wheelers which she loves, and she had her own Christmas stocking to open, so she made out pretty good in the end. She enjoyed the bone her Grandma Harper gave her. I didn't let her keep it on Christmas because their were other dogs around, but I gave it back to her when we got home and she promptly "buried" it in the sofa and put a pillow on top of it. We won't find it there! She also liked the ball her Grandma Anderson gave her, though she's already got the stuffing coming out of it.

We all had a good Christmas and ate way too many treats, so Mike and I will have to make a resolution to eat better (more vegetables and less desserts) now that we are home again. It was great watching everyone play "Active Life" games on the Wii, jumping around and stomping. We even got Grandma to play once. Lesa took the pictures of that, so I will have to have her email me some to post. Now, it's back to work and cleaning up the house.

Chocolate overload!

I've been busy making cookies all morning and freezing them to take with me (to give the family a stomache ache from too many sweets judging from the richness of these cookies). Now, I have to figure out how I am going to fit two carloads of clothes, presents, and dog into one car. And, we are also nervously watching the weather. It's supposed to snow in Wyoming on Tuesday! But, we will work it out.

There's always so much to do to get ready for a trip, especially a car trip. Laundry, packing, repacking, getting frustrated and trying again, and you need coolers for food and snacks, hotel rooms that accept dogs, and of course we can't leave home without an entourage of dog toys, snacks, and portable crates. Plus, we have to check in the with the neighbors about feeding the cat and watching the house, bringing in mail, cancelling newspaper subscriptions, etc...

Lots to do before Tuesday! But, I'm looking forward to seeing my friend Megan and her husband and two adorable children on Tuesday night in Salt Lake as we pass through. And, then of course arriving at my family's house for Christmas.

Busiest Time of the Year

I've been busy creating all sorts of crafty projects lately, but I can't post pictures of them because they are all gifts for people who read my blog. Maybe after Christmas. My craft room is looking like a cyclone hit, so come January I'm going to have to go into clean up mode too.

I am excited that we only have 4 more days of school before break begins, and then two whole weeks off! I'm really ready for a break. This time of year is so busy with all the extra activities and events at school. I spent all day at school on Saturday helping to host a breakfast with Santa for 200 elementary students. I was the official Santa photographer so I saw lots of happy, cute kids and quite a few crying babies too. It's so funny to me how they can be so scared of santa one year, and so enthralled the next! Then, I graded papers yesterday, so it really doesn't feel like I had a weekend at all. But, the end is in sight...

We are looking forward to seeing my family next week. We wish we could see Mike's family too, but we will see them soon. Packages have been sent!