The End of Summer and the Arrival of Mr. Tornado

Ok, so I have turned into one of THOSE bloggers. You know the ones! The ones that blog pretty constantly and then nothing for at least a month. The blogs that you go to and no one has updated their blog for months and months and you wonder what the hell happened to them. Well I have thought about blogging and I feel guilty every time other people blog, but truthfully I just have been busy. The end of summer has come and gone and we are now a month into school which has made life super busy. I feel so lucky this year to be able to be rehired over the summer and start the school year. Not only that but I also get to work in the same classroom, same grade and the same school as last year! I feel super blessed!


Ok, onto more interesting topics like Banner AKA- Mr. Tornado. Banner has actually calmed down quite a bit and he has grown so much in the past 3 months. It kinda makes me sad to see him growing so fast because soon he is going to be a huge dog instead of our cute little pup. He has already started losing a lot of his puppy fur and he is losing teeth like crazy right now. We are hoping that once his adult teeth are in he will stop chewing on everything in sight!

I have never had a puppy before so I forget that he is going to act like a puppy during certain events. For example, one night I had to pick up some things at the pet store so I decided to take him with me. I figured that he would be excited but he would act like a normal dog. WRONG! I put him in the car without his harness (because we were just going about a mile) and took off. The whole time he was in the car he was jumping from the backseat to the front seat and getting fur everywhere. Once we got there, I opened my door and he literally jumped over me to get out of the car! The whole time we were in the store he was pulling on the leash so much that he even was breathing weird. It was quite a show!



Then a couple of weeks ago I decided to give him a bath in the bathtub. Banner really likes water so I figured that he would just sit in the tub and play or drink the water. WRONG AGAIN! I was able to keep him in the tub long enough to put water on him and then he jumped out of the tub, ran around the bathroom, and shook off water all over the bathroom. All I could do was sit there and laugh because it was just so funny! Lately he has gotten the name Mr. Tornado because anytime we leave him in a room for longer than 2 seconds, it ends up looking like a tornado. He loves to get into the trashcans, counter surf to look for food or dish towels, and get up on the bed. Overall though he is much better than he was when we first got him and he is so darn cute that you can't help but forgive him for his puppy ways.

Cupcakes and Crafts

Yesterday, I blended two of my favorite things into one- cupcakes and crafts. I sorta designed and created a birthday card with a cupcake theme. I'm sayin' that I sorta designed it because I did take the idea out of a book but then changed it into my own. Prior to this card I have never ever, ever created a card on my own, but I have been taking classes that make card making so easy. At my card classes the instructors already have everything cut out and I just pretty much look at the examples and stamp, glue and create a card based on their design. I never realized how much time and effort goes into all of this until yesterday. It took me THREE HOURS to complete this card from start to finish! Now I'm sure all of the "crafty ladies" out there would think this is a little easy but hey, it's a start and I'm darn proud of myself for doin' it!

Above is a picture of the example card and below is a picture of the card I made.

Monster Dog!

So we have had Banner at home for over a week now and he has had many nicknames due to his overwhelming amount of energy. However, the nickname of Monster Dog has stuck because one minute he can be sweetly licking your hand and the next minute he is attacking you with all of his sharp puppy teeth. I think he is just trying to live up to the character he is named after, The Hulk. He is really sweet though and he does love to cuddle when he is tired. He isn't very golden color in the pictures but he is starting to get darker, especially on his ears, face and back.

He loves to be outside underneath the bushes and chewing on leaves and sticks. He has a ton of toys, but would rather chew on furniture, rugs and shoes.



One of his favorite napping spots is under my dresser. He can barely fit under there right now so in a few more weeks he is going to have to find a new napping spot!

He knows where his food is and when he is hungry, which is always, he runs around the living room with his bowl in his mouth!

He does drive us crazy sometimes, but I guess we will keep him!

Zion- A Peaceful Getaway

At the beginning of the month Kyle and I left crowded Riverside to visit his Mom in Nevada and to go to Zion National Park in Utah. First, I have to say that I LOVE Utah! I want to move there so badly because everything is clean, the people are so nice and you don't have to chew the air you breath. Anyway, Zion is an amazing place! It is so peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful. We did lots of hikes and ate really good food. Zion National Park is located near the town of Springdale which is really, really tiny. They have one elementary school that has only 2 teachers- 1 primary and 1 upper. The town basically is there to cater to the needs of the tourists with restaurants and shops.



























































This is our hotel and the view from our balcony. We stayed at the Majestic View Lodge which was a little pricey but worth the money! The rooms were decorated in a cabin theme and the restaurant located in the lobby had huge windows that looked out to the park.






























Now before this trip I was afraid of heights. Not a little afraid, really afraid. The hikes that we were doing were easy, paved hikes that were for beginners. So I didn't think anything of it when Kyle said that he wants to go on one last hike before we leave.






I should have read the fine print on this sign before the hike that says: This rocky uneven trail is not for anyone fearful of heights, although most drop-offs are fenced!


MOST drop offs are fenced! Are you CRAZY!?

I wasn't even aware of this when we started this nice little hike and I was doing OK until I saw this nice walk way.













If you look closely toward the middle of the turn, there isn't any ground underneath the walkway! I immediately said uh huh! I am not going on that thing! I can't even see where this walkway leads too except sudden death if I fall! But then a little boy comes running across like it was nothing and then the Dad follows right behind him. I looked at Kyle and said "if he could do it, I can too. Let's go!" Luckily it was a little curve and then we were past that part. Most of the trail was along the cliffs edge and wasn't paved or very sturdy. However, the hike was beautiful and led to a beautiful overlook of the canyon.


So now I feel like I have overcome my fear of heights and now I am feeling more adventurous so I told Kyle next time I want to go here- way down deep in the canyon (which is called canyoneering).


Our pictures of Zion don't even capture the amazing place that it is. You have to go to really understand the peacefulness and beauty of Zion. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed spending time with Kyle's mom. She was a great hostess and took wonderful care of us! Thanks Momma J!

About Me!

So it's the end of the school year and I'm so done with teaching, students, meetings, students, testing, and students. Did I mention that I'm done with my students? The end of the year is always so interesting because the kids are so calm most of the year (almost not even breathing at some points in the year) and at the end of the year they are plugged in! It's almost like they start to realize that they are going to miss me, so they act crazy so that I will turn into Hulk teacher. Then they can leave for the summer hating me because I was so mean. Anyway, it was a interesting day and I now have a million things to PLUS make dinner, which is my least favorite thing to do at night. So instead of doing what I have to do, I'm going to tell you some things about me.

My favorites

Food: I love food! I'm kinda obsessed with it because I'm constantly thinking about what I'm going to eat the next meal, even if I have just eaten. I love macaroni and cheese. I know its a kid food but its such a great comfort food that I can eat a whole box of it and not even blink an eye. I love my Dad's food because he makes really good home cooked meals. I'm also a candy connoisseur! As long as it has sugar, I will eat it!

Animals: I love most animals but I especially like sea turtles. They are so peaceful and graceful and I definitely want to be one in my next life.

Outfit: I love skirts and cardigans and I'm always wearing my sketchers. I'm a Sketchers girl! I even wore a pair on my wedding day!

Accessory: my wedding ring which I love to stare at and think back to our wedding day.

City: Santa Barbara

Hobbies: Crafts (scrapbooking and card making), reading, baking and dreaming of becoming an exercise enthusiast

Holiday: Christmas, even though it is always so busy and stressful

Movie: You've Got Mail, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Cast Away and many, many more.

Song: Wind Beneath My Wings- Bette Midler- reminds me of my senior year of high school and all of the drama that went with it. Great times!

Guilty Pleasure: reality TV is sooo bad but oh so good! I can't stay away from it!

Five things you may or may not know about me:

1. I was a synchronized swimmer for 7 years, but had to quit because I had a pinched nerve in my back.

2. I hate when people wear masks. I usually have to make eye contact when I'm talking to a person and I really hate it when I can't see someone's face.

3. I buy books and never read them. So I guess you could say I'm a book collector.

4. I love Starbucks Iced Tea!

5. I wish that I didn't love teaching so much because at the moment it's not a very dependable job.

Well I guess I should go make dinner! Yay.

Michelle

Banner

We got to go pick out our puppy, Banner this morning. A couple of weeks ago my Mom and I went to visit the puppies and I picked out my favorite. He was a big boy and a beautiful golden color which were both the things that Kyle wanted in the puppy. He was also very playful which I loved. So I took some pictures of him, but I didn't tell Kyle that he had a green collar because I wanted him to pick out the puppy he wanted. We had second pick of the boys so I was worried that the person with first pick would get him. So when we got to the breeders house this morning and the puppy I wanted was still available. I let Kyle look at all of the puppies and immediately the one that I picked was all over him. So that is the puppy that Kyle picked. We get to bring him home in 3 weeks!

1st Anniversary (2nd Honeymoon)

May 1st was our one year wedding anniversary and we really wanted to get away some place that is fun, so we went to Disneyland for the weekend. We had so much fun and I realized that my husband enjoys roller coasters. This was kinda a problem because I'm not crazy about roller coasters. However, I was a good wife and went on the Space Mountain. Granted I was screaming the ENTIRE time and when I got off I was shaking like a leaf! He thought it was funny and wants me to go on it again next time we go to Disneyland. I think he just likes to traumatize me! Anyway, we made dinner reservations at the Blue Bayou, which is a restaurant inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It was so strange because it's an expensive restaurant in Disneyland, but because we are still at Disneyland, people are not dressed up and they are walking around with Mickey ears on their heads. STRANGE! The food was wonderful though and we really enjoyed it. I thought that after being at Disneyland for 9 hours on the first day, we would spend the night in Anaheim and probably go home the next day. OH NO! My wonderful husband was up at 8:30 AM ready to go again and attack Matterhorn at 10 in the morning! We had a blast! It was the best wedding anniversary we have ever had! (ha ha ha!)

Puppies!

Banner was born 2 weeks ago! We have visited the puppies a couple of times but we are not allowed to hold them until they are 3 weeks old. It's hard to visit them and not be able to take one home. I have been trying to convince Kyle that we should get two puppies (a boy and a girl) but he's not going for it. The puppies are just starting to open their eyes and they have already gotten so big. We get to pick out our puppy in 3 more weeks!

This picture was taken a few hours after they were born!


One week old

Two weeks old

Spring Break

A couple of weeks ago I had Spring Break and I was so looking forward to a break from work. Of course I didn't get everything that I wanted done but I did have lots of fun cooking and baking, going to Disneyland and getting some crafts done.


My Mom and I went to Disneyland because it has become our new favorite place to go. There is a restaurant there called Cafe Orleans that has most amazing Monte Cristo sandwiches. If you like Monte Cristo's you must try them at this restaurant! Disneyland was nice and mostly calm that day because it wasn't super crowded. This was the only picture I took while at Disneyland because my camera died.





Lately I have "lost that loving feelin'" with cooking dinner. Cooking dinner has become a chore because usually I come home tired and I just don't feel like cooking a huge meal. I have tons of cookbooks that I like to look at, but never cook from, because it always seems like there are too many items to buy or the recipe takes too long. So this week I decided to try some new recipes because I had the time. I made Chicken Parmesan Bundles and for a dessert/snack I made five-layer bars.The Chicken Parmesan Bundles are a LOT of work but are super yummy. Kyle helped me by pounding down the chicken because I don't like to touch raw meat. I made this with a big salad and it was enough for a good dinner. The five layer bars were easy to make and tasted good but very sweet. These bars require a big glass of milk to drink while eating them. Here are links to the recipe if you would like to try to make them: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/chicken-parmesan-bundles-107338.aspx and http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/five-layer-bars-recipe/index.html




There is a piece of chicken under all of the yummy sauce!







The five layer bars before they went into the oven.





















The bars after coming out of the oven. Notice the little bit missing in the corner- I just couldn't wait to eat them!







Last Sunday I went to a card making class and made lots of cute spring cards. I love going to these classes because I learn new techniques and it really is such a stress reliever. Here are some of the cards that I have made in the past month.

10 years and a BIG announcement!

Today is our 10 year (dating) anniversary! It's so amazing to me that it has been ten years because it seems like we just met yesterday, but it also feels like we have been together forever (and ever and ever... haha). Since we have been together for so long (even though we have only been married 11 months) we always get asked about when we are going to have a baby. I think most people have given up, but we would like to announce to everyone that we are expecting!! It's a boy and he is a Golden Retriever PUPPY! HAHA! GOT YA! We are so excited! We lost our golden retriever, Logan, last November and we were so close to him that we were devastated. We really miss him. So after a few months of thinking and talking, we decided to get a puppy. I contacted the same breeder that we got Logan from and she has puppies available to go home in June, which is perfect because I want to be home to potty train and puppy sit. We are thinking of naming him Banner. Kyle loves comic books so we named Logan after Wolverine and now he came up with the name Banner after Bruce Banner (The Hulk). So that's our big announcement! I'm thinking that I should have a puppy shower because after all a puppy is a baby dog and they do need lots of stuff like babies do! :)

Dear Jillian Micheals- I'm not a fan!

So when I was younger (teens) I was a swimmer and had a great swimmer body and I didn't have to worry about watching what I ate. Now that I'm in my 30's (AHHHHH!) my body is catching up to my crazy appetite of sweets and snacks. I keep telling myself "OK this is the year I'm going to get fit" but in actuality I HATE working out! I HATE exercising because it's boring and painful! In the past I have had a personal trainer and I actually whined the whole time I worked out with her because I just hate it. So again this year I decided I'm going to get fit and back into a bikini body by summer. I started working out two weeks ago and I have lost two pounds! YAY! Except, I want better results and an easier way to get those results- like sleeping and losing weight at the same time :). I have been working out to Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD's and they kick my butt! It's a crazy, continuous workout and she doesn't stop to take a little breather the entire time! She pretends to be nice on the DVD but the whole time I'm working out I just want to yell at her! But I hope by doing this I will see faster results because if I stay on this one pound a week pace I won't reach my goal until August 2nd and that is not soon enough!

Fun at the Park

A couple of weeks ago, I had the week off of work. I know, I know, teachers have too much time off! To be honest, I have not clue why we had the week off, other than it was President's Day and they gave us the week off. Anyway, it was Valentines Day that week and Kyle and I decided to go to the Wild Animal Park in San Diego. Ever since Kyle and I have started dating, (almost 10 years ago!) we have planned trips to the zoo or wild animal park because we love being there. We went to the park last year and it was extremely packed and I spent most of the day whining. This year we went the day after Valentine's Day and it was so quiet and enjoyable. It felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. I loved seeing the baby elephants and we actually got to see young giraffes play fighting with each other. We also hiked near the back of the park to see some beautiful cacti and succulents. We had a great day together and I didn't whine at all (well maybe a little when we had to wait in line for the tram). :)