LivingFamily: 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013

More Cabin Fun!

After our 4th of July fun, I left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa for a week. Tyler and I went back home for some kid-free relaxation. I drove back up to get the kids and was able to spend a couple of days at the cabin with Rob and Nicole and family--who we hadn't seen since Christmas!!! My nephew Christian has done some growin' since that time. He was a chunk of love all weekend long!

Uncle Robby and Kristie "loving" the tube!

Cousins Zoey and Kylie.

Yes, Captain!

Grandpa's co-captain!

"I am too cool for this. . ."

See? I told you that the pontoon makes him nap!

July 4th Weekend 2013

We spent the weekend of July 4th up at the cabin, as is our tradition. This year there was no storms or anything, just beautiful weather and lots of time to relax and play on the boat and beach!

We swore we would never dress up our dogs, but this one was too easy!

The annual boat parade--there were quite a few out!

Nothing like a ride on the pontoon to put Zander out for a nice nap!

Gotta love that face!

Summer Baseball

Our church gathered a group of people to go to the Twins game one Sunday afternoon. Although the Twins aren't doing so great this season, it was awesome to bring the family to our first game at Target Field. Outdoor baseball is really fun (as long as the weather is perfect)!

Getting the rally caps ready!

Not the Twins game, but a future wanna be player at the plate!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Goodbye Old Wildwood!

I am on my 11th year of teaching at Wildwood Elementary School in Mahtomedi. It is a bittersweet year in that we are moving on to a brand new state-of-the-art school that is amazing in so many ways! But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we are leaving behind. The good news is that what I love most about the place that I work is not the building. In fact when I first went to interview for my job in the coveted district of Mahtomedi, (all my friends said that I was lucky to even get an interview)--I was quite frankly underwhelmed by the building. This is where everyone wants to teach? But I obviously was offered a position and I soon fell in love with the place they call Wildwood. It truly isn't the building--it is the staff, the families, the events, the traditions and all the mishaps and laughter (and sometimes tears) that happens on a daily basis. My first group of students that I worked with are graduating from high school this year!!! I had a good time going through my photos this evening to see if any of them capture the essence of Wildwood--I think I have a good mix.

Our art teacher, Kristi Ekert, is amazing! She has the 2nd graders do chalk art as their last project in the likeness of Georgia O'Keefe--it is SO fun to walk around the school grounds and look at the pictures.

The teachers, of course, are amazing! Above is Zoey's 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Fesser. And below are some awesome friends (Maddie and Ana) that she has made at school. It is doubly fun to have your kid(s) go to the school that you teach at.