NYE

I have plans to hang out with my bestie, 

go enjoy some deliciousness staring in New Year's Eve

and drink some Diet Coke (we haven't had any since 2010, be proud!)

to me, this sounds PERFECT.

livin on the wild side eh?

how will you be ringing in 2012?

How can you give Kris Kringle a parking ticket on Christmas Eve? What's next, rabies shots for the Easter Bunny?

a boise christmas never ceases to bring a smile to my face.
never a white christmas, 
but happy and charming none-the-less.
this christmas i pulled a 'dad' and saved all shopping till christmas eve.
awesome.
samuel and i went out that morning
and gretchen and i went out that afternoon,
it was great fun!
and i was done and wrapped by 4 o'clock.
just in time to watch some cheesy movies on the hallmark channel.
everyone was asleep by 11,
and we slept in till 9 am.
WHAT?
ya i know. first in ward family history...thats what happens when there aren't any little kids
(don't look at me!)
but it was still great!
we opened stockings, went to church,
(where samuel played child #2 in the program...crack me up)
and then we had more christmas afterwards.
it was quiet and happy and wonderful.
(and i smell really nice with my new perfume.)
after which we watched more cheesy movies
ate ham and cheesy potatoes

(potatoes with actual cheese...not cheesy as in reference to hallmark channel)

and even got dad and ethan to play loaded questions.
i say that was the best christmas present ever!
what a hoot!
we topped the night off by falling asleep watching home alone.

christmas 2011 was definitely a success

how about yours?

Source: potterybarn.com via Lorenza on Pinterest

peppermint and cocoa

Dr. Neil Miller: Charlie, I'm sorry I didn't believe you.

Charlie: That's okay, Neil. You were just denying your inner child.

Dr. Neil Miller: You're going to make a great psychiatrist someday, kid.

Charlie: Nah. I think that I'm going to go into the family business.

Source: themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com via [maisontwenty3} on Pinterest

Teaching 4th graders during the Christmas season is probably one of the greatest and downright most stressful things I have ever done.

Its so insanely busy this time of year, but these kids are hilarious and fantastic and just plain great.

It keeps me in touch with my inner child (not that I will EVER be capable of losing it)

But I'm pretty sure Christmas was meant to be celebrated with children.

I wouldn't trade my job for anything....

even if I do have to work this ENTIRE week.

Not kidding. Let's not talk about that...

Luckily the Christmas 2011 playlist is turning out quite nicely, I expect lots of crafting and Christmas celebrating on my evenings this week. Yes, yes I do.

3 days in a row plus some eye candy, my favorite flavor...

check this out. 3 days in a rowwww folks. i'm back! yes yes!

well. this is definitely post worthy.

i want to say its been two years that kym and i have been waiting for this.

i have read the book (twice).

followed the casting.

followed the filming.

and have been DYING for this to come out.

have now watched the trailer MULTIPLE times

and you better believe i will be there opening weekend!

hooray!

im totally an idiot, i admit it, but thats okay.

judge me if you must.

just dont tell me about it....

thanks.

and enjoyyyyyy

a movie and a memory

'Do you think we are dreaming?'

'If we are, I hope we never wake up.'

Lets be honest real quick.

Everyone knows that they should have made this movie about 5 years earlier, and cast me to play Samantha, 

but regardless...its still one of my favorites. 

I cry every time I watch it,

and I just love that Uncle Gard.

He's basically perfect, nasty mustache and all.

I distinctly remember that Christmas morning my Samantha doll sitting waiting for me under the tree.

I don't think I let go of her for months.

In fact, I kind of think I cried that morning...maybe not...but I wouldn't be suprised if I did,

I have always been a big blubbering baby.

I do remember a few weeks later when her head fell off and I burst into tears.

I was terrified I would have to send her to the American Girl Hospital and wait for weeks to get her back.

But father just tied it back on, and she was as good as new.

Oh childhood memories. 

So happy. 

Boy do I love Christmas time

And yet it makes me so homesick....

only 11 days to go!

We got a lot to learn, God knows we're worth it...

just thought i would share this little gem here officially.

its been on repeat for weeks. and weeks.

now if only 'mid 2012' would come so i can be graced by his lovely voice some more.

now excuse me while I to go spend my saturday night crafting, watching silly christmas movies, and drinking hot cocoa. 

bliss.

it's the holiday season, oh woop dee doo!

remember this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?
well i do.
very clearly in fact.
it's weird to think that was already an entire YEAR ago!
so crazy!

but I am happy to report that this thanksgiving drive was MUCH better
and much quicker...
the 5 1/2 hour drive, went just as planned,
(although I did almost run out of gas...how is it that I got to Boise on a full tank with some to spare, and this time had to stop in snowville? thats over 100 miles difference?) whatever
it all worked out!

And it was a lovely Turkey weekend indeed!
I had to work the Mon, Tues, Wed before Thanksgiving (one of the perks of year round school) so my Boise visit was short and sweet, but it was definitely much needed.

Highlights include but are not limited to:

• gretchen watching Lion King and thinking "Mafoose" (muh-foo-s) is a good name for her first born
• A. thats a horrible name
• B. its MUFASA!!! seriously? just about died laughing.
• favorite quote of the weekend "Is there a difference between lesbians and homosapiens?" 
• a DVR full of lifetime/hallmark/abc family christmas movies just for me to watch
• turkey day at grandmas
• seeing family
• the tradition of black friday ads spread all over the floor after the turkey has been consumed
• this year actually GOING black friday shopping
• standing outside target for an hour
• standing inside the checkout line for 1.5 hours to buy my happy christmas tree
• trying to flirt with the guy standing in front of me, fail
• mall shopping at 2 am
• getting decked in the face by some IDIOT girl in the mall at 3 am
• literally yelling at above mentioned idiot girl, causing her to flee in sheer terror 
• feeling rather drowsy and delirious driving home
• more christmas movies friday morning
• christmas light hanging with father and samuel
• experiencing a real like clark griswold moment...blasted lights
• annual family christmas extravaganza till 1 am
• more decorating and light hanging
• more shopping
• chats with my ma
• another turkey dinner
• a beautiful drive home with glee christmas and bieber christmas music :)
• flirting with the starbucks man...thank you for making my day
• another turkey dinner, yummmm
• decking the halls at my apartment

oh how i LOVE the holiday season... dont you?

this week

this week i...

• went back on track...yay! i missed my kiddos.
• had to write my first real set of sub plans for an all day workshop. barf
• was observed twice. ick
• legitimately cheese grated my thumb. ouch
• painted my finger nails twice. awesome
• was asked if i could be set up 4 times. wha?
• cleared up my hulu queue. legit.
• cleaned my room several times. nice
• set the smoke alarm off. oops
• organized my bathroom drawers. sparkly.
• watched the hunger games trailer 7 times. teehee.
• did NOT go see breaking dawn...yet. hum.
• had several strange dreams. yup.
• made delicious pasta. mmmm.
• created several spotify playlists...including happy christmas ones. love.
• got way super excited for christmas. eek!
• graded lots of papers. oof.
• and probably some other things...yes.

what an exciting week right?
the most entertaining thing was definitely when i told samuel i cheese grated my thumb. he asked if i got some epidermis in my nachos...unfortunately i probably did....

well, only 3 1/2 days until HOME! yay! and that means my FAVORITE day of the year! thanksgiving? well im looking forward to that but nope. the day AFTER thanksgiving. its THE BEST!!!

peace out folks!

lately....

life has been lovely.
the past few weeks i have been off track,
but yet still busy as ever.
i decided to get some extra work in this time around, so i have been subbing lots and lots in other classes. lets just say that i love 4th grade. with my whole heart. my whole whole heart.

a few weeks ago i got to go to logan for my besties baby shower...oh what a happy day...

Kym. Katie. Karinne (and baby). Whitney

then to her surprise i am sure...the cutest little baby came exactly one week later!!!

i got to go down a week after that and meet new my favoritest baby ever.

Baby Kade!!

It was so happy to be there for a couple hours and hold a one week old baby. and it was also weird that my bestie is now a mommy. But she is so great, and that baby basically won my heart over. I can't believe i am admitting it, but i teared up a little when i had to leave...i love him! and i love karinne! ahhhhh

anyways. thats all for now. im on a pinterest kick right now...getting way too many teacher ideas....ahhh!

"are you coming home on thursday? it is the greatest day of *YOUR* life after all..."

ya, thats what samuel said to me the other day. 

sadly no i won't be there, but actually he pretty much hit that right on, 

i think its pretty safe to say it was one of the greatest days of my life.

(awww shucks, look at me being all cheesy and what not)

 so.....ANYWAYS!!!!!!

happy birthday to the COOLEST twins i know.

seriously people. these are 2 wayyy cool kids...

they are now 15 years young. and still my best buddies.

i remember the day they were born,

(and now excuse me while i go and feel old for a minute)

and it was pretty flippin awesome.

i sure hope the day is magical you two...just not TOO magical

you kids are only 15, alright?!

ok. thanks.

awww probably one of my favorite pictures of them

gretch and damian/rory. and samuel getting his eagle. classy

oh....maybe this one IS my favorite.

you might think that I was the one turning 15...shoot dang.

Anywho. Hope you both have a most triumphant day! Don't miss me too much!!!!!!!!

Love, Your favorite big sis