Finally Summer

I am grateful that I made it through my first year teaching.  Whew! The end of the school year was just a little bit crazy.  I know what it is like to be excited for summer.  I think about playing outside, ice cream, getting some beach time, feeling the sun.  The kids think about playing outside, ice cream, getting some time out of school, and feeling free.  I get it.  I was 10 years old once.  WOW, I learned a lot this year; one major thing being that the last two weeks of school are just for keeping them busy and to not expect much from them.  If they knew that report cards were done two weeks before the last day, they would have been even more off-task.  Needless to say, we were all ready for a break.  I was not sad on the last day.  I asked my kids to only make me smile and to PLEASE don't make me raise my voice.  I will miss them, for sure, but it was time to move on. I am thankful for the opportunity to have taught 20 amazing little kids.  I hope they learned something....

Thank you to my amazing team!

I am forever grateful to my friend, Dusza, who pretty much made my first year a success with all of her help and wisdom.  She not only was a mentor, but she decided to choose this year to retire and give me a ton of her teaching resources.  I am truly blessed. 

Summer!!!!!!!!!

I am grateful for the weather and my wide open schedule.  I was actually bored for the first time in a while.  I had the time to clean and read...for pleasure!

My first baby shower, and pregnant friend

I am so grateful to have a wonderful friend named Kerri.  Thank you, God, for the amazing gift who she will be giving birth to in August!

Father's Day approached and I thought about how wonderful it is that my dad is so supportive and helpful.  I  try to give him more reasons to be proud of me. I am proud to call him my Papa Bear.  Father's Day weekend always has the best weather!  I am thankful for the opportunity to play with Hype at Driftwood Huckfest, even though my stupid hamstring kept me from playing enough.  Thanks Colby, for driving, and thanks Alec for housing us.

Thankful that Colby and I survived skydiving. Thank you for inviting me!

The boredom on weekdays did not last long because it was soon vacation time!

It all started with a trip to OCNJ with Michelle.  Mike, Chris and John met us on the sand for some Spikeball.  Thank you Mom for letting us stay with you.  Thank you John for digging a hole for our beverage drinking enjoyment.  The rain didn't stop us from playing more Spikeball.

Thank you, Dad, for driving Michelle and me to the airport for our flight to Denver, CO!!!!
Here is our trip in a few words:  6 breweries + other CO microbrews, geocaching, hiking, iced coffee, National Parks, 16 hours of driving, family time, and mountains!

I am thankful for these beautiful pictures of some of the most beautiful places.

Estes Park Brewery - favorite of the trip

Wild Woods Brewery in Boulder, CO

Thank you Elly and JR for hosting us in Denver.

Thank you Uncle Paul and Aunt Cathy for having us in Durango.

Thank you TJ and Melissa and Lucy for providing so much fun in Durango.

Thank you Aunt Janet and Angela for dinner our last night in Durango.

Home again for only a day before I hopped in Colby's car for another road trip.  Thank you, Clarksons, for an amazing 4-day getaway at Goose Pond, in Hanover, NH.  I am so happy to have met the Clarkson family and to have so much fun with the guys in New England.

Sweet Lake House

Yes, we played Spikeball out on a raft

Thank you Colby and Hillary for giving us a great kayak/paddle board tour of Goose Pond

Finally, I am thankful for my best friend, Sarah, and Dave, her new fiance!  Thank you, God, for bringing them together and the LOVE between them.  I'm so happy for you two!!!!!!!