Made My Day!

Ok- So I love being a first grade teacher! I have had a great experience and I know I need to write down those funny moments more often, so here is one! If you have read "the pigeon books" you will understand how animated one has to be when reading these stories! They are my favorite! If you haven't had the joy of reading them, I highly recommend them! :)

So the other day I got a new Pigeon book called “Pigeon Wants a Puppy!”- it is hilarious! So I was reading to my class at the end of the day for a fun read aloud and in the middle of the book one of my cute students said, “Miss Gardner, you are good enough to be on Broadway!”- this made me smile and laugh (in my head of course). I thought it was so cute, because she has been to Broadway in New York and she thought that Me (who is the farthest thing away from acting) could be on Broadway! It just made my day! I am so thankful for great students who make my day everyday!

Other pigeon books: Don't let Pigeon ride the bus, Pigeon wants a hot dog, Don't let Pigeon stay up late, and Pigeon has feelings too.

Angels

Last Friday was my Birthday! It was such a great day! It started off great! My roomies and I read a conference talk in the morning before work, and on my birthday we read the talk by Elder Holland about the ministry of Angels. It was a great way for me to reflect on all of those amazing "Angels" that have been a part of my life. So throughout the day, it helped me be aware and so grateful for all of the family and friends who make my life so wonderful! I am so blessed with so many amazing people in my life! :) Thanks to everyone for making my Birthday so Great! :)

Here is a quote from Elder Holland's talk:

"I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

My birthday was truly great! I got to have a party with my students at school and my room mom's spoiled me-thank you so much! A few of my friends went to Pasta Factory for dinner and later that night we had a party with the crew! My family party was on Sunday with Alisha's! :)
It was truly a day where everyone spoiled me-thank you so much! I love you all!

Cherie & Me being silly girls!- We just met a few months ago-she is great!

Charise & Amy- practically sisters! I love you!

The gang at Pasta Factory- Amy & Jayson, Daimen & Amy, Brittnie & Dan, and Nicole, Kristin, Deon, Kelsey, Cherie, and Anilee.

Me, Jen, Lacee, & Deon- The girls!
Casey, Me, & Adam- nice shirts guys! :)

Family Party- Me, Paige, & Alisha! Paige helped blow out the candle! S
he is my adorable little buddy!

Zion

Well late Friday afternoon a couple of the girls decided to have a fun girls night out in Zion. My roommate Deon helps manage a new hotel out in Zion. We went and stayed out there for the night! We went jacuzzing and just chilled in the room. If anyone is looking for a quick get away one weekend, it is an awesome place. Go and check it out at cablemountainlodge.com . (I told her I would do some free advertising). They just opened this last August. It was a quick trip-but fun to get out of town (if that is what you can call it). Homework still keeps me pretty busy, we had a few friends over Saturday night too. The weekend went by fast, but so does every week- always plenty to do. We had stake conference this weekend. It was so awesome- the spirit was amazing! I love Sundays and being rejuvenated for a new week! :)

Wow- Look at those skills! Jumping pics are so fun!

Quick Update

This week has been full of work and homework! Just the usual. It has been a great week. Deon is trying to get me into the running thing as well. I have not been a great fan in the past, but when I have someone to go with, it is a little more motivational. I went with my roommate, Deon, to the Temple yesterday! My most favorite place to be! I also got to spend some time with Alisha and her family- Paige and I had a blast on the playground- The slide was a hit! Rushton played a great basketball game! He is in a little basketball league, it was hilarious to watch five year olds play basketball--they did pretty good! And last night we had a crew over at our house for pizza, games, and a good time! It was fun to fit in the social into my crazy week! I keep telling myself that the end is in sight with all this homework! :)

Quote about the Temple:
by: John A. Widstoe
"It is good to be in the temple, the house of the Lord, a place of priesthood instruction, of peace, of covenants, of blessings, and of revelation. Gratitude for this privilege and an eager desire to posses the spirit of the occasion should overflow in our hearts."

my life

Over the holidays I played a ton beacuse it was great to have a break from both work and school! A group of our friends went up to Pine Valley the weekend after Christmas and went sledding! Gaydon, Marcus, Tim, Lance, McKenzie, Nicole, and I went. We drank hot chocolate, hung out at Marcus' Cabin for a bit and played in the snow! It was lots of fun! Happy New Years! We always have to party on New Years! Our friend Danny and Jaron wanted to plan a big party since there wasn't much going on in town, so we invivted a ton of people and partied at their house! We had about 40-50 people show up! Great food, ping pong, the wii, music, dancing, boxing etc. It was a great night to bring in the New Year! I can't believe it is already 2009!

Here a are a few pictures of our fun!

Deon, Lance, & Charise

Deon, Charise, & Cobb

Nicole, Charise, Paul, & Annilee

Charise, Tyson, & Kristin

Since the break has ended-- it is back to reality for me! I soaked up every minute of the holidays and loved it! But it is nice to get back in the swing of things (it would be nice if I had no homework-- but the end is in sight!) Work is going great- My class is so cute! I am now doing an internship at my school with my principal for my Masters stuff--so it will be a busy semester, but a good one! This weekend our friends had a cereal social at or friend Cobb's house! Saturday morning, everyone came over in PJ's and brought thier favorite cereal! It was a nice and relaxing day-- I'll count it as my holiday for the weekend (since we have monday off) and Monday will be my productive day- to do homework and organize my life! :)

Me, Tyson, and Deon being silly! Good friends are the best!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year! A time for giving and remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ, and what he has done for us! I love spending time with the family! We did the usual fun things! Here are a few pictures to enjoy! I got to see Nicole and Marshall on Christmas Eve, we went out to lunch! Friends are the best! I also got to spend some time with Shandra who was in town and we went and visited our good friend Natalie and saw her new little one! :) On Christmas day I loved holding little Ethan and playing with Rushton and Paige! Family time is the best! :) The holidays are great for just seeing everyone and creating great memories!

Christmas Night we had dinner at the Hoopes with everyone and with lots of good food!
Mom, Me, Sharise, & Alisha.

Paige and I were playing around with my camera, she was hilarious!
She got pretty good at taking pictures and watching Alisha through the camera!

Christmas Morning: Sharise & Chris- they were in town! yeah!

Jeff & his new fiance, Lexie! They got engaged on Christmas eve
and will be married in March! They are so cute!

Steve & Andee & Ethan! Little Ethan is so cute!
He was dressed in a cute reindeer suit! He is such a cute baby!

Pa & Paige (as she would say) She is talking a lot more, it is so fun! She just loves her "Pa"!

Kaulin surprised Julie with a Yorkie Puppy for Christmas!
Just what Julie has always wanted! :) She was so excited!

Shandra and I on Christmas Eve, it started to snow again, but then it didn't stick!
It was so good to see her! :)

Paige holding "baby E" !

Paige and Aunt Reese (she calls me "Ree") It is so cute! :) I love her hats!


So I have been a slacker lately and haven't posted at all in December! So the next few posts are to update you on my life! So keep scrolling down and enjoy! :)

Weekend Getaway

I went to Vegas this last weekend to spend some time with the Squire Cousins and play a little bit! I haven't had any homework for the month of December from my Masters stuff, it has been a wonderful break! I have next semester and then one class left in the summer and I am finished! On Saturday this past weekend Karalee, Ashlee, Janelle, and I had a bake fest and made Christmas candy! We made truffles, caramel a dipped lots in chocolate! We also went out to dinner that night, just the girls. It was fun to catch up and see everyone. My friend Nicole came down on Sunday and we stayed in the J.W. Marriott (because she has sweet hook ups)! It was a way nice resort. Then we did a little bit of shopping on Monday before we came back home. It was a nice little getaway!