Evan the All Star

For Halloween this year evan dressed up like a baseball player, which was perfect because someone had given him the perfect Baseball basket to match.

Evan's Sugar Rush

On Halloween Eve I was making popcorn treats to give our neighbors. Evan was by me in his walker basically following me around watching what I was doing. That is when he saw me lick the spatula and he got so excited. He started jumping up and down grabbing for the spatula and making uhh....uhhh...uhhh sounds. I decided that it wouldn't do him any harm to try it and it would be kind of fun to see his reaction, so I put a tiny bit of the candy coating on the spatula and gave it to him. This was the first time he had had anythign "candy".

He loved it. He was smiling and laughing while he was licking the spatula. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen. I wish that I had the camera near so that I could record it. He was walking around and it was like he was drunk. He was just kind of running in to things and laughing. At one point he was headed out the kitchen door in his little walker and he paused and looked over his shoulder at me while licking his spatula . He just giggled a little harder and waddled off giggling, licking, and running into things. It was so funny!!

Rome Italy Temple

At the beginning of General Conference President Monson announced that they would start building an LDS temple near Rome. It was exciting to hear the surprise and excitement in the audience and it was funny how President Monson laughed a little. As you can imagine, Nate and I are really excited! (I asked him if we could go for the dedication-if that is possible at all-so we will see how that goes) It is neat to see an area of the world were you worked receive a temple. Anyway, I went searching on the internet for pictures and this is what I found.

All the Pumpkin Patch Pictures

the Pumpkin Patch

Our Trip to Charlottesville

Our family went for our first big adventure since moving to Virginia. I was so excited the night before and couldn't sleep. I told Nathan this and he responded by telling me that,"its not like were going to Disneyland!" But it was just so exciting to be going somewhere and being able to explore this new place that we live.

Evan Has a Tooth!!!!!

Sleeping Beauties

On Saturday Evan and Nathan had a nap together. They looked so sweet. They had echoing little snores. Nathan would coo and then Evan would. It was so adorable.

Evan Can Walk the Line!

Evan loves his walker. He just goes and goes and we love watching him. And you can see the infamous clutter in the background.

Subbing, Stress, Marriage, and Cowboys

I have been subbing a little in the school district here. Only a couple times a week to help bring in a little extra money. It is interesting going in to others classroom after teaching for five years. I find myself being a little prideful when the teachers or other staff at the schools tell me that the day will be good if I am firm with the kids or when I went in to help out a teacher she gave me very detailed instructions on how to make sure the students are comprehending what they are reading. I just smile and say, "Sure, I can do that, no problem." But what I want to say is, "I know what I'm doing. I've taught for five years and I am a dang good teacher so I don't need your little pep talks and instructions."

But I have also been a teacher and am aware of what happens sometimes when a sub comes into a class, so I let it go and go and do my thing and figure people will know that I know what I am doing when the class I am responsible for isn't out of control.

When I am working with the kids, I actually miss teaching a little. There are times though when there is nothing to do and I just watch the clock and think about how soon I can get back home to my boys and wonder if I really want a new dishwasher. I try to work two days a week and today was a day I didn't work and it felt like I was on vacation. Even though I was still doing the same things I always do when I am home...dishes...laundry...cleaning the dang floor(still....)...etc... it wasn't such a burden and I got so much done.

I have decided I can't deal with clutter. It makes me anxious and angry. There were about ten boxes left to be unpacked in the dining room that I hadn't gotten to yet. The unfortunate thing was that they were acting as magnets for other things that didn't belong there. Coolers, clothes, brooms, blankets. It was growing daily and I had to attack it or I know it would have taken over the room and possibly the entire house. I put the boxes in the garage and put all the other stuff away. Then I cleaned the entry way and steam moped the floor (Thanks Matthew!!!). It looks so clean that it makes me happy every time I walk by it. It is an empty room because we don't have furniture, but it looks wonderful. Now all I have to do is do this to the whole house and keep things put away and my life will be a lot less stressful. Here is my clean dining room...and our beautiful purple walls.

Also, my nephew's wife had a baby, which I never thought we would both have our first child the same year, but I got married later than I thought (and that is a good thing because Nate...he's really great! I mean really what else can I say!
Anyway, like I was saying, I married later and he possibly married earlier, but it is working out and we both have a wonderful little son in our lives. My sister Teresa and I got together and decided to make a country themed package since they are both cow people. Here they are.
And what blog would be complete without this face. Cheers!