The Second Time Around

As I type this, I am lying on my bed. Russ is asleep with his head propped up on my legs. It's 6:00 on a Saturday night, and we should probably be doing something productive, but I think we deserve a break. Plus, he is adorable when he's sleeping.

All week, I have been getting ready for the new school year, which starts on Monday. I cleaned out my desk, revamped my units and lessons from last year, made new rule posters, wrote disclosure documents, and ordered prints of more Paris posters to put up. Russ and my sister Katie have put in so much time, slaving away in my hot sweaty classroom. I could not have done this without them. Two nights in a row, we stayed at the school until 10 pm.  I also spent two hours at Utah Idaho Supply Map World, which is far too long to spend at a store with such a stupid name.

All our efforts were worth it. Everything is perfect (except that I ran out of rainbow border and so did that idiot store - in all of its Utah locations. How can that be?). My classroom looks amazing, so much better than it did last year, and I feel absolutely great about going back to school on Monday. My walls are bright and fun, my desk is organized, and I have some cool ideas for my students. I am so much more prepared than I was this time last year. I know what to expect. I know what to do differently. That's the best thing about teaching - every year I get to start fresh with a completely clean slate.

The best part about this poster (which I can't look at without busting up) is that it was free. So perfect.

My most memorable and happiest experiences of summer 2011:

*Grandpa Frayne's beautiful funeral service and my extended family being all together

*Bear Lake with Gabe and Ellen, Jackson and Celeste

*Island Park with the Allenbachs

*Santa Fe with the Lees
*Doing a dive for the first time in my life

*Actually getting a pretty decent tan

*Getting Russ to watch "Never Say Never" all the way through

*Lots of meals at Costa Vida
*Reconnecting with lots of old friends

*All the free time I had to read and re-watch six seasons of "The Office"

*Sleeping in until 11:00 or even noon...It will be a rude awakening when I'm up at 6:00 on Monday morning.

The City Different

That's what they call Santa Fe.

It is a cool town, spilling over with unique architecture, turquoise jewelry, Southwestern art, and unrelenting heat.

The highlight for me was seeing MJ perform in "The Last Savage" at the Santa Fe Opera. The theater was amazing and the whole cast was phenomenal.

We had fun being together as a family. Sam was missed.

Island Park

My family took a vacation to Island Park in Idaho. My mom's best friend has a cabin there. 

I swam and played with my mom and sisters while Russ rode motorcycles and did lots of flips.

It was awesome. And so beautiful.

Thank you Mom and Dad.

Up next: Santa Fe! I'm excited to add New Mexico to my list of states, and to see Brian and Mary-Jane, and to spend lots of hours in the car with my fabulous in-laws.

Chats in High Places

Russell and I have gone on quite a few hikes this summer. We've been up in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyon and Millcreek Canyon. We also hiked Ensign Peak and are looking forward to climbing Timp when more snow melts.

Every time we hike, we have lots of time to talk. We share dreams, plans, ideas, and funny memories. I love that it's just me and him and nature.

On our recent hike of White Pine Lake, we got so far up that we were tromping through snow and ice. There was such a runoff that most of the trail was covered in water so our feet were muddy and wet and cold. Also I swallowed a whole Life Saver and fell down a lot. Amid my angry outbursts and tears (which Russell handled with kindness and understanding), we had some good conversation. We talked about the worst possible situation we could find ourselves in.

Here's mine: stuck in an elevator with Charlie Sheen and Michael Moore. Covered in a painful sunburn. The floor is littered with writhing snakes and I have no chapstick.

Here's Russell's: stuck in a fabric store. Pine needles and long hair constantly swiping across his face. There's no windows and it's sweating hot. Some giant Celtic woman is dancing around the aisles and playing the panflute.

After that, we started listing topics we always find hilarious:
Segways
Toupees
The word "wet-nurse"
Brass instruments - especially the tuba and French horn
Poop jokes
Medieval times
Jar Jar Binks
Yanni
Anything from What's Up Doc? or It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Dwight Schrute
Pets that have real people names like Adam or Megan or Trevor

There's lots more, but there was only so much time to for us to chitchat between my crying about the Life Saver lodged in my throat and swearing that I'd never climb a mountain again. I guess I can be a bit dramatic at times.

Couples Retreat

Last week, Russ and I had one of the best weekends ever at a friend's cabin at Bear Lake.

I seriously can't believe how much fun it was.

My Favorite Video Ever

Remember how much I love Corgis?

The City

Our apartment contract is up next month. 

Since we're not sure if we'll stay in the city, we decided to walk down the street and experience Temple Square. 

We felt sort of nerdy, but it turned out to be quite fun.

We ate at the Lion House Pantry and it was delicious.

We went to the top of the Church Office Building and enjoyed the view.

Then we went and took a tour of the Conference Center. 

Did you know there is a garden on the roof? I didn't.

We love Salt Lake City and although we were drenched in sweat as we walked around, we had a great time.