Teaching

Some people say that teaching is a thankless job.  Much of the time, I agree with those people.  But...I have to say, it's hard to feel that way when I work in an elementary school and Christmas rolls around.  These kids really have a way of making me feel special.  And it has nothing to do with all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts they bring (although I can't argue how great it is to receive candles, lotion, gift cards--the list goes on).  It has everything to do with the large smiles and bright eyes on their faces when they put it in my hands.  It reminds me what a unique job I have....with an incredible payoff!  The kids are the reason I put in long hours and exhaust my brain from day to day---in hopes that those smiles and twinkling eyes will carry with them for years to come.  Teaching rocks!

Annual Nativity Event

Every year, our stake hosts a nativity display that is very exciting.  There are hundreds of nativity sets displayed for an entire weekend and events include:  live music almost the whole time, videos about the Savior, activities for the children, a "dress up like a nativity" photo opportunity, missionaries to chat with, etc.  It really is well-done, beautiful, and fun for families and friends.  My girls, of course, especially love the children's room with a craft, decorated tree, and nativities that they are actually allowed to touch and play with.

 This year, they also really enjoyed the actual displays.  One of our girls wasn't feeling well, so we didn't spent a whole lot of time here this year, but it was still a fun day out for our family....and a great opportunity to talk to them about the reason behind Christmas and the One who our hearts and minds should be turned to at this time of year.

Family Pictures

I had intentions of paying for a real photographer to take great pictures of our family this year.  I really treasure pictures, and wanted them to be better quality.  However, I procrastinated long enough that it just didn't work out.  So we threw on some black shirts and jeans, loaded up in the car, and went to the park with a camera, tripod, and moderate expectations.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised and happy with the results.  It's nothing fancy, but I feel like we were able to catch the spirit of our little family just fine.

 Tylie caught and was playing with a lady bug.  It was fun to watch her gentle concentration.

 Kaelisse went independently searching for a treasure...she found a lot to keep her occupied and entertained.

All in all, we had a great morning in the park.  Sometimes in the craziness of daily life, it's easy to skip out on those simple family excursions.  I'm glad we got out of the house together and spent that time enjoying our Heavenly Father's creations and the love we share as a family.  

Cool Daddies Dance

Tylie: Daddy, please dance with me.
Brent: You want me to dance with you?
Tylie (in a very sweet voice): Daddy, you HAVE to.

How many dad's do you know that would be able to resist that??  Not my studly husband...he danced...

Noteworthy Pics and Videos from November

Yes, I am fully aware that months have passed since I posted any pictures or information about our lives.  I've accepted the fact that I'm not a strong, consistent blogger---hopefully by now, you've accepted that as well.  Here are a few pictures and videos that will represent our November festivities:

This is something I'm truly proud of!  This Thanksgiving, I finally attempted to make an apple pie completely from scratch.  It's Brent's favorite dessert, and his mother's recipe.  I've been very intimidated by it, because I had so much to live up to.  With a little advice from his sister, this apple pie turned out pretty good.  I don't think it was as good as it could have been, but Brent liked it.

Additional Thanksgiving news was that we ALL ended up with the stomach bug that day!  So much for enjoying the holiday with family.  Brent ended up cooking almost the whole meal because I wasn't feeling good, then he was pretty much the only one that ate that day because it didn't sound good to any of us.  He was sick by the end of the day, and then all of us were feeling better a few days later.  Our Thanksgiving dinner was simply postponed a few days.

I LOVE how much my girls enjoy reading!  I find them all over the house, with so many different books, in all kinds of positions, at varying levels of consciousness.  I hope they keep their love of reading for a long time!

I especially enjoy the tender moments when they sit and read together.

What picture album would be complete without the classic "underwear on your head" photos.  These girls crack me up!

 Learning and showing off their sign language skills for the camera.

Entertaining daddy, and getting a little physical exercise.  It makes me smile to see them so happy.

 This video cracks me up!  One night, after we put the girls to bed, it had been quiet in their room for a little while.  We knew Kaelisse wasn't sleeping yet, but we thought she was probably getting close.  Usually when she doesn't want to go to bed, it becomes a tantrum-filled night.  I'm not sure why she decided to do things differently this night, but it was so funny!  We sat in the living room listening to her and laughing for a while!

Halloween

We had a blast this Halloween.  We attended a ward party and trunk-or-treat the Friday before.  Then, on Halloween night, we went with some ward friends into their neighborhood and walked around for a while.  The girls were both excited, and Kae caught on quickly to the joys of saying a few simple words and receiving a delicious treat in return.  We reused a costume for Kaelisse--mad scientist.  I love that costume!  Tylie was very adamant about wanting to be a witch, and nothing I could do would persuade her otherwise.  I like to do more creative, interesting things when designing costumes, but she was so excited about the idea, that I caved.  I think they both looked very cute, and we enjoyed the holiday!  Brent and I didn't dress up at all.  Call us lame if you want.....I just call us busy.  I barely threw the girls' outfits together the night before!

My Classroom 2012

I spent a fair amount of time this summer preparing my new classroom.  I moved to the 6th grade this year, and actually started at the beginning of the year, so it was a fun time to do some creative things.  I tried to keep it simple, but still have a theme.  I like the way it turned out, and am happy for multiple young women in my ward who gave up a few hours to help me get it up and looking put together before the first day.