Decorating for Christmas

This year we had to get a new Christmas Tree...old one was ruined in the "great basement flood of 2011". I took this as a great sign to start plugging for a real tree...and got voted down :( Jeremy's complaint about a real tree is the needles falling off, and it is just too much work! I feel very partial to real trees and think fake ones look plastic like. The whole fam went off to Mernards to pick out the perfect FAKE tree. Jeremy picked one out while I grabbed a few boxes of lights to help spruce it up.

The next morning we started the process of putting up the tree. The kids helped Jeremy put each plastic branch on the metal stem, we fluffed the tree out, cleaned up all of the plastic needles all over the floor and then sat back and I heard Jeremy say...."You were right we should have gotten a real tree"...to which I replied "Could you just say that first part one more time?" :) Next year his plan is real tree upstairs and fake tree down, I may need to get him on tape saying this so he doesn't back out of the plan in 11 months.

Putting up the tree

Ellie and Owen had so much fun decorating the tree. We have many ornaments on the bottom of the tree and a few branches have more than one ornament on them, but it looks great! Owen had a difficult time remembering that ornaments are not balls that we whip across the room...I would say 2-3 were broken by him throwing them. He has since only broken 2 more and seems to leave the tree along for the most part.

Christmas Tree 2011

My 2 Favorite Ornaments

Take 1



Take 2



Take 3

Another Point for the Good Guys!

My first year teaching I was lucky enough to have Joann in my classroom. I will be the first to admit she quickly became a favorite of mine. Despite her academic challenges and her home life Joann persevered and was one of the hardest working students I have ever had. Joann was very likable to most, her downfall was that she didn't give teachers the benefit of the doubt and would be at constant battle with a staff memeber if she felt they didn't care about her. This worried me immensely for her future....fast forward 7 years....Joann has come to visit on a few occasions....but this past Wednesday she walked into my classroom and told me she was graduating the following night from Metro High School with her High School Diploma! I was thrilled to see her, and thrilled to get an invite to the ceremony. I could not have been more proud of her and all that she has accomplished! She is currently working at a nursing home and going to Kirkwood in hopes of completing the CNA program.

Me, Joann and Fanaye (another McK teacher)

With the good news comes the bad news. Three days after Joann graduated her mom passed away from an illness. This leaves 5 children displaced and without a home, thus adding to Joann's responsibility, as she is taking over custody of her 6th grade sister, 3 nieces and 1 nephew, not to mention that she has her own son. Joann will now be the provider for six children. I plan on keeping in close contact with her in hopes to help her meet her goals and complete her CNA program. I also think often of those children (2 of which are currently in my classroom and also great kids!) I worry about them all the time and hope that I can somehow help to show them the importance of staying on track, and feel assurance that they have a role model in Joann to look up to!

10 Year Reunion

Our 10 year high school reunion was this year. We had a reunion party the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In my opinion, not too many people showed up. I had a great time seeing our friends that did attend. But, to be honest I would have much rather have gotten together with that same group of people at a different place. It felt as if we were at a boring wedding reception. Jeremy had a lot of fun (maybe because he drank much more than I :). I think we will plan on skipping the 15 year and maybe shoot for the 20 if we ever were to attend another.

Here is the only pic I got from the night:

Me and Randi

Turkey Trot...with many firsts!

Runners for 2011

This will be my 10th or 11th year running the Turkey Trot in DBQ with one missed year because I just had Owen the month before. But, this is my very first year running the7.5 mile route. In the past I have happily turned right to follow the 2.5 mile route and have always been disappointed to be done. I have also always thought that the 7.5 route was out of reach for me. Something I could never accomplish...well this year I DID IT! in 1:02 to be exact, along with my brother who is a first timer running the Turkey Trot. But the big news is this year I convinced Jeremy to run in it as well. He finished the 2.5 route with an exceptional time! After it was all over I felt great relief, but I also was ready to fill up on a hearty serving of turkey, mashed potatoes and pie!

Smiling and thinking of food!

Elmo and Friends!

Owen Yia yia and Ellie



 Yia yia bought us tickets to go see Elmo!!!! We attended the showing the night before Thanksgiving. Yia yia also made the mistake of telling about this 2weeks before the date of the show...so needless to say she had been talking about it for quite awhile! We made sure to put on our Elmo shirts and headed off to the show. Yia yia, Mommy, Daddy, Ellie and Owen, all attended the performance.

Let the dancing begin!

 It was pretty cute, but the best part of the whole show was Owen's reaction. He was ecstatic! So excited, screaming, yelling, laughing, jumping...I laughed the entire time. He said bye bye to Elmo for 5 minutes and was still shouting goodbye to Elmo as we were putting him into the car.

Happy Guy!

Oooo, Ahhh!



Ellie also loved the show, her favorite character was Abby Caddaby. She was in awe of their singing and dancing and would ask "Where did Abby go?" every time she left the stage.



 Thank you Yia yia for taking us to such a great performance!

Bye Bye Elmo!



This is what happens when...

Daddy falls asleep on the couch....Hehehehehehe! :)

Deer Hunt of 2011

Jeremy got 3 deer this year with his bow. This hunting season came with a few mishaps to start out the year (running over bow and thus destroying it!)...but was a success in the end.

Here are some pics of the buck he got:

Deer 2011

Ellie had to get in the picture with Daddy and his Big Buck :)