Will wonders never cease?

Hello! I am home for approximately 30 hours in between conferences, so I thought I'd take advantage of that pause...
Check out those fingernails...now, anyone who's known me for longer than 6 minutes, knows I can't seem to grow a fingernail to save my life. And yet, look! They are all about the same length, no major defects, and it's been like 1 1/2 weeks! I did paint them, then of course, the paint wore down, so I took it off and am repainting tonight. I'm not holding my breath tho' - they'll disappear as soon as I'm not careful.

Speaking of beautiful, how 'bout them bikes? Andy's is the one with the red wheels and pedals, it's called a Pivot. Mine is an Ibis. Whatever, I like it. My butt's adjusted (I did break down and buy some padded shorts - ugh!). Now as soon as my thighs adjust to going uphill.... The dogs love the exercise.

Everything else is good here! We're having chicken enchiladas (Andy slowcooked the chicken all day...mmmmm). Take care!

Thoughts...notice I didn't say they were deep...

1) Back from being out 4 days, isn't it nice when you have a great sub? Everything was organized, my room was neat, probably having the PTA president for a student's mom and my sub helped, but hey... you never know.
2) We bought bikes...pictures to come later...Why does the seat have to be so uncomfortable? I don't want to buy shorts with extra padding...but my rear end hurts! Why?
3) I know everyone's heard about the California wildfires, but the day we bought the bikes from the local shop, they finally decided to start fighting the one that had been burning for a month on Pine Mountain (N of St.George). Andy went to fight it and called to tell me that one house had burned. Then he called the next day and said that it was the bike shop owner's. I don't know about you, but the one thing I think would be nearly impossible to recover from (besides a death), would be your house and everything in it being destroyed. We really like Quinton and DJ...
4) So now that I'm back and on a roll, my principal says she got me (and a small group of others) into the PLC conference - in 2 weeks! I just gave up and started planning until Christmas. It looks like it's going to be one of those years...but I got the great sub!

I HATE BEING SICK!!

I have strep throat!!! Do you believe it? So now I'm going to be out at LEAST 3 days, if not 4, from school. Fellow teachers - - - - feel my pain!

THIS SUCKS!

By the way, Happy Birthday Katie!

New...

New teeth, new hair, new clothes...must be time for SCHOOL!






Seriously, here you go, Mom.



School's good...kids are good...not enough sleep...

Ah, the End of Summer...

This will be a long post, I have tons of pictures here...
Andy took his test for his math class on 7/28, so we headed out for our camping extravaganza on 7/29. Since we had a shortened time frame, we stayed "in Utah" for this year. We had a great time and found some new spots to return to... Here are some of the highlights:
First camping spot - Fish Lake - Mackinaw Campground, Site 18. (Site 16 is ROCKIN' for tents, but there was someone there before us. Our site was great tho', at the top of the circle, back in the trees.) NOT Sarah's favorite, just because she had to be on her leash. We were there Wed-Mon and did some great hikes, took Sarah swimmin' a lot, and found some awesome dispersed camping and trails.Monday - we pulled into Torrey, UT, just outside of Capitol Reef National Park/Monument. Having been there at Halloween, we had found a motel that is pet-friendly. So we showered, did laundry, had pizza at the Patio, and shakes at Slackers (also great burgers for lunch). Slept in a bed for one night, then off to Hell's Backbone Road.
Second half of camping - Blue Spruce Campground, just off Hell's Backbone - The road is great...better than our own dirt road for most of it. Andy took pictures at the bridge (WAY high up). We found the campground around noon, 6 spots, one site with people (who were packing up). Latrines, water, bear cabinets, lots of trees, a running creek, and a fence around the whole thing! (we think it was to keep cattle out) Sarah loved it, she "logged" the creek, and ran around the whole place since we were the only ones there. We did some over-the-road exploring, and took Sarah swimmin' every day (ask Andy about the kids who caught a duck), and survived a LOUD thunderstorm Thursday morning.
We headed home Saturday through Tropic and Bryce and Coral Pink, watching everyone else going the opposite direction. We got everything unpacked, checked email (seriously people, 80 messages in 10 days?), checked snail mail, did laundry, SHOWERED again, and had a house full of dogs. School starts tomorrow for me, so I'll probably MIA for a little bit. Happy August! This adventure was brought to you by Moose Drool... [it tastes MUCH better than it sounds ;) ]

Summer Daze

I have kind of been slacking off since everyone left. I've been reading up a storm and keeping the dog hair and dust to a minimum, but I would not consider myself overworked. Andy's in the midst of a research paper and math overload. We've kept close to home...
Random thoughts:
1) I love Andy's bbq - that rotisserie is great! We just did our second "at home" chicken. It is good with brining, just like a turkey at Thanksgiving.

2) My teeth are still straight...ha! This new retainer is awesome...I may wear it forever!

3) Looking forward to camping, but already mentally gearing up for school... the countdown on the district website says "30 Days" until the kids start back. I kid you not, check it out... http://www.wash.k12.ut.us/ and then, the day after school starts, the countdown changes to the first break or holiday we have... it's crazy!
4) I have been stalking the web for new New Moon trailers...yes, it's started again.

5) We did go see the new Transformers movie, it was okay... not as good as the first, but some amazing special effects.

It's too quiet here...

Whew! Andy and I have always admired parents, but now we have "an understanding". We had a great time with the kids, and look forward to seeing them every summer (till we're not fun or cool anymore). We finished the week by baking cookies and 9 loaves of banana bread and a Wii marathon on Thursday. MB, Mary, and Holly came that afternoon.



Then Friday morning, we all went back to the river... more great times were had by all. Angie Moore came by Friday night, and we finally did s'mores, but never did put up the tent. The weather just wasn't cooperating. Saturday morning early, we packed up the kids and headed back to Vegas. When we got back on Saturday afternoon, I napped for like 3 hours! Then we went to the fireworks/bbq at the fire station. It was a big hit...again! Sunday, I tried to bake marble squares, but the universe was aligned against me... too small a pan (I think), high altitude, and something funky with the cream cheese (it didn't blend well - fat free problem?). Anyway, I will try again someday. We took a pie, watermelon, wine, and beer over to Dee and Steve's for their "I love my country, but the economy sucks" party. More fun times. Wendy and Dan were there, and I finally got to show Wendy my house.
Last but not least, I GOT MY BRACES OFF! It feels weird, but great. Have a permanent on my lowers, and didn't lose my retainer over night. Hopefully this is because I'm training my tongue, but also might be that retainer technology has improved! I'll send pictures later. Need to spruce up to take those pictures... Bye for now!