Lots to blog about!

So, it has been forever since my last post and I feel like a lot has been going on since then.

During July I taught 2 weeks of summer school to 2nd graders, which was great since this is the age group I will be teaching all of next year. I'm super excited about this! I student taught in 3rd grade (which was awesome), so I think 2nd grade will be a better fit.

We've had lots of visitors up here, which is awesome and always welcome!

The Schlueter's came up here for a few days. We went to a Cubs game and then saw some sights around the city.

Brandy and Kelsi came up here to go to the Rascal Flatts show at Wrigley Field (1st country concert at Wrigley!) We had a blast.

The day after the concert I left for vacation with my parents and grandma. We went down to New Orleans, LA and Gulf Shores, AL. It was super fun going to somewhere new. We went on a bus tour of New Orleans that showed us the 9th Ward and different parts of the city. Gulf Shores was great, and it was nice to take a couple of days and just hang on the beach. I can't wait to go back down there!

Alex and I took our engagement picts around the city on Monday. We took them around the Field Museum, Navy Pier, and the beach. Our photographers were awesome and super friendly! We had a great time and they should be ready in 7-10 days.

I took the plunge yesterday and bought a Mac. (So this is my first blog on my new comp.) I love it so far, and I got a free iPod touch with it (awesome!) The iPod was a huge upgrade for me since my old one was about 4 years old, black and white, no album art, etc. Alex basically made me feel like I was living in the dark ages with it. haha

Next week, Al and I are heading up to Mackinac Island, MI for a few days. Super excited about this. After that.... summer is over and its back to work/ school for both of us! =(

Here are some picts of the last few weeks....

Alex, Jamie, Danielle, and I at the Cubs game.

Me, Brandy, Kelsi, and Alex and Rascal Flatts.

Cathedral in New Orleans.

Dad and I on the bus tour.

Look closely at the yellow/ brown lines on the house. Those are watermarks from where the water was standing after Hurricane Katrina. Water was standing in many of these houses for 3 weeks.

This is one of the "Brad Pitt houses". He is building houses in the 9th Ward, our tour guided said they generally cost around $250,000 and they are eco-friendly.

Bourbon Street

4th of July weekend

Happy 4th everyone... even though its the 3rd! So I am officially no longer a first year teacher, hoorah!! All of the kids got out on Tuesday and the teachers had their last day on Thursday... I know its July and we are just now done with school, gotta love it!

However, I will be making a move to 2nd grade next year, so I am pretty excited about that. Second and third are definitely my preferences, kindergarten was a little bit out of my comfort zone.

I start teaching summer school on Monday to 2nd graders as well, it will be nice to have a few weeks to get used to that age group, since I am so used to the real little ones.

Mom and Dad are coming up here for the weekend. Not to sure what all of our plans will be, but we are thinking about hitting up the Taste and seeing Booker T perform. It should be fun... crowded, but fun! Tonight are the fireworks down there, and they are expecting about a million people! Noooooo thanks, I think I'll pass on that one!

I guess that's about all for now.... I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend!!

My Best Friend's Wedding

Alex and I just got back to Chicago after a busy weekend full of memories! The day finally came after a 2 year wait for Brandy to become Mrs. Withers!

Here are some pictures from the day...

The beautiful bride!

Maid of honor (MOH) and the Bride

Mother of the bride, Bride, and MOH

Sister of the bride and the little ring bearer, who was pulled down the aisle in a wagon!

Sooo... cute!!

The new Mr. and Mrs.

Cruising in the limo

Awesome cake!

Our day will be soon enough.... :)

Brandy had her eye on who was to catch the bouquet... mission accomplished!

Garter toss

Brandy dancing with her dad... too precious!!

The happy couple.

Brandy and Kyle, I had a blast! Thanks so much for asking me to be a part of your special day! Love you guys and have an awesome time on your honeymoon!

Graduations Galore!

Well, its the beginning of summer so of course that means graduations!  This year Alex and I both have cousins who were graduating from high school- so we had to be there!  

His cousin Olivia graduated Saturday from Delphi and my cousin Jennifer graduated Sunday from New Prairie (LaPorte).  I wasn't able to attend Olivia's because of all of the events surrounding Jennifer's graduation.  But, Alex was there and then he made the trip up to Northern Indiana for Jen's festivities!  We had a blast! 

Jen's party was pretty bumping, lots of family, all in all- a great time!  Here are some picts for the family to check out... 

Alex and I waiting for the ceremony to begin... 

Jen walking in, at NP they get to decorate their hats for where they are going to school!  I wish we could've done that at McC, but of course about 80% would look just like her's... Go Boilers! 

Yay!!!

Me and the grad! 

Grams, Al, me, and Mom after the graduation. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summers!  I still have 3 weeks left with my kiddos... it'll go by fast I'm sure, then I will no longer be a first year teacher.  Definitely a title I can live without!  A little less than 3 weeks until Brandy and Kyle's wedding-- yeah can't wait!!  We've got the bachelorette party this weekend and it should be super fun!  

Happy June!