I don't think I've spent this much time checking blogger and facebook in a long time! I'm beginning to get really bored! Thank goodness Alex and I leave tomorrow for a little vaca time. He is going to a Phish show tonight with LBC, Hank, and Brad. But, then we'll be up bright and early to begin our long drive to the UP.

I spent a good majority of the day yesterday buying things for my classroom. Last year everything was just super fast and I didn't have a lot of time to think about how I wanted to do things, so this year with a little experience and preparation time I've had time to think. I'm going to do a frog theme this year. I bought these cute name tags (for their desks) at the Dollar Tree and they have frogs on them, so that was my inspiration to go with a frog decor in my room. I got online to Carson and Dellosa and bought lots of frog things like the cut outs, "Hoppy Birthday" poster set, decorations, etc. I also went to the teacher store up here and bought a cursive alphabet (ohhh, awwww!) and a word families set.

As far as Alex goes, today was his last day of his externship. He's been working quite diligently on a paper for it for the last 3 weeks or so, I think he has one more round of editing and then it should be finished. He'll have a few days of a relaxing summer break and then its back to school.

Good luck to all of my Indiana teacher friends who start this week!

New Look

I was inspired by Rox to give our blog an updated look. WOW! Soooo many options, super fun, and totally addicting. Who knew? I hope to update it some more next week when we get our engagement pictures back, plus I like playing around on the new computer.

So, yesterday I declared my residency in Illinois... yep, I went and got my driver's license and new plates. I went last week and got the book so I could be a little prepared for the written test. It was pretty easy, but I am definitely glad that I studied a little. I'm a little sad that I will no longer have my Purdue plate though. :(

Alex and LBC just took off for an afternoon/ evening at LollaPalooza (the annual music fest here in Chicago). Crazy hot day for it today and tomorrow! Yikes! Its in the 90's and ridiculously humid! That kind of humidity when you walk outside it hits you in the face and just about takes your breathe away. My fellow L-towners know how that goes. Good ole' midwest weather, it doesn't get any better.

On the upside, we leave for Mackinac in just a few days! I can't wait. I've been looking at the weather and although its a little early to tell probably, they are calling for mid 70's and sun! Yay!

I'm thinking about running to Office Depot and buying an office chair, since right now I've been stealing Al's to sit at my desk. Just the beginning of a lifetime of sharing and compromises. :) I also need to get started on some planning and things for the upcoming school year. I've been enjoying my vacation, but I think I'll be glad to go back. I get a little stir crazy.

Enjoy your weekend!

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!!