Adventures of a Red Headed Girl

Okapi Goes to DC

2010-04-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

I went to DC to visit Jocelyn for Spring break. We had a blast! Okapi joined us on many of our adventures.

Here is a video that I made for a digital storytelling assignment for my Technology in the School Library class.

Happy Halloween Fancy Nancy!

2009-10-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

This was the first year since I’ve been teaching that we’ve been allowed to wear Halloween costumes to school! I’ve been planning on being Fancy Nancy since June, so I was very excited when my principal decided to let us wear costumes because who will appreciate my costume better than first graders? My first graders absolutely loved my costume (and everyone else who knew about Fancy Nancy)!

New Paint!

2009-10-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

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It’s really amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a house! The walls in my house were so absolutely filthy that you didn’t even want to touch them. Now they look so nice, I don’t want to touch them! I’m very pleased with what a nice job the painters did. And a happy mistake: they started a day earlier than scheduled, so they finished a day earlier as well!

Here are just a few quick snapshots of some of the house.

Cleaning House

2009-10-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

If it’s not one thing it’s another. I signed papers on Monday for my house and was to get the keys Wed or Thurs. Well, the realtor listing the house didn’t get an updated approval letter from the 2nd bank, so title is waiting for the letter before I can close on the house. So, I signed a paper saying that due to the pending purchase, I can occupy before the closing. This way I can get in to clean and rip out carpet and get things started on the house.

Today I got a bunch of friends from church and work to help me clean the house because it was filthy! We cleaned that house from top to bottom, including ripping out the carpet and pad. I took a few pictures to document the cleaning process, but I got so busy ripping out carpet that I didn’t get everyone. All told there were ten adults plus two girls helping. I don’t know about everyone else, but every muscle in my body aches!

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Hopefully the updated letter will come tomorrow so that I can get the keys on Tues/Wed! It’s hard being patient!

A big thanks goes to Amber (and Julia and Lindsey), Jenny, Rachel, Sonya, Theresa, Leah, Ferlayna, Emily, and Krystal for all of their help!

My House (Almost!)

2009-09-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

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Mom, Dad, Brent, and Chelsea were driving through Las Vegas to take Chelsea up to BYU-I and to take Brent to meet up with Jocelyn to drive to DC. I called my realtor to see if we could get in the house so my parents could see it. It’s a relief to know that they’ve seen the house and like it before it’s officially mine. I “let” Mom take all of the pictures ;)

I got the letters of approval on Friday and I’m meeting with my lender on Monday. So, the ball is finally rolling! The close of escrow in October 10!

Let’s Celebrate!

2009-09-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

I got the approval letters

for my house!!!!!!

To celebrate, Jenny took me to Serendipity 3 and treated me to an ice cream sundae! I chose the Deep Fried Oreo Ice Cream Sundae. It was really yummy!

Artwork for my Classroom

2009-08-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fancy Nancy, Duck, and Skippyjon Jones

I wanted to add a little splash to my classroom, so I made some fun artwork to hang behind my desk. Canvases were on sale at Michaels, so I bought a few. I found some images online and projected them on a canvas that I had taped to my whiteboard. I traced with pencil and then colored in with crayon. Crayon works surprisingly well on canvas! My students say “Wow! You made those?”. I told them I just traced and colored, but they were still impressed.

End of the Year Luncheon

2009-08-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Amber Lehner, Andrea Robertson, Marcy Johnson

It’s a tradition that we go to a buffet for lunch on the last day of school, since it’s a half day. This year we went to the buffet at the Silverton. I am grateful to have such fabulous coworkers!

Serendipity

2009-08-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Jenny and I treated ourselves to the famous frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3, located in front of Caesar’s Palace. (Don’t worry, we shared this delicious treat!) We then strolled through the conservatory at the Bellagio admiring what a fantastic job they do each season. It was a nice afternoon out despite the Las Vegas heat:)

I love Skippyjon Jones and Fancy Nancy!

2009-07-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

I am in love with the Skippyjon Jones books. If you have not read them, please do! It is about a Siamese cat who thinks that he is a Chihuahua. I'm really excited for the new book "Skippyjon Jones Lost in Spice" that comes out in September!!

Here is a preview: SkippyjonJonesLostinSpice

I also love the Fancy Nancy books. Nancy is a little girl (probably first grade) who loves everything fancy, even her words! The books are great for building vocabulary (that's a fancy word for words you know).

I've mentioned these books several times to my family, so they were requested (that's a fancy word for asked) when I came home to visit last week. I had so much fun reading some of my favorite books to my family!

Seaport Village

2009-07-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

I was going to drive back to Las Vegas on Monday morning, but was convinced to stay another day and leave Tuesday morning. It wasn’t hard to convince me since this was the last time that I got to hang out with Jocelyn before her move to VA.

Jocelyn and I had a nice morning strolling around Seaport Village and window shopping. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and had plans to fly a kite, but we were ready for a nap instead :)

Can you tell that it is an elephant tire swing?

Happy Fourth of July

2009-07-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

I was able to be home for the Fourth of July this year. It was fun to participate in the family traditions: ward breakfast; Crest parade; BBQ, nap, and games at Grandma’s; followed by fireworks…oh wait…didn’t make it to the fireworks…we were having too much fun and went to bed :)

The San Diego Zoo

2009-07-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

While I was home for a few days on my track break, we decided to go to the zoo. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the zoo. They have completely changed the monkey and flamingo exhibit! It is now much more open and less cage-like.

Of course we had to get a picture of the coordinating girls :)

The boys in my class are absolutely fascinated by dinosaurs, and dragons, and lizards, and snakes and… So I couldn’t resist:)

Andrea and the Komodo Dragon Jocelyn and the Boa Constrictor

This is the turtle that couldn’t figure out how to eat it’s food. Jocelyn and I were getting a kick out of it – then we tried to tell the turtle how he could be successful at eating his lettuce.

A Sharp Pencil

2009-05-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

I was helping a student at my desk to edit a piece of writing when I overhear another student:

"A sharpened pencil is a happy pencil."

Go, Jocelyn!!!

2009-05-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

"Go Jocelyn! Whoohooo!", Dad and I cheered as Jocelyn biked uphill toward the transition area.

Dad and Jocelyn drove up Friday and picked me up after work to drive to St. George to watch Jocelyn compete in the St. George Tri. The swim was cancelled due to high winds, so they did run, bike, run. This was my first time watching a triathalon and it was a lot of fun! It almost made me want to start training...almost.

One semester down...

2009-04-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

I finished my first semester of grad school!!! It was a great semester and I learned a ton, although it was a very busy time for me. One of the classes I took was Contemporary Literature for Children and Young Adults. Some of my favorite reads included:

Fancy Nancy
I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean
Not a Box
Do Not Open This Book
Would I Ever Lie to You?

and much more....

One semester down, 6 more to go!

Peckish

2009-03-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Day fell during my track break this year, so my class and I discussed it when school resumed. I had a Scholastic News about St. Patrick's Day that we read together. At the end it had a chart about sayings in Ireland and what they mean. In Ireland, instead of saying "I'm hungry" they say "I'm feeling peckish".

The next day:
S: What's that word for hungry that the leprechauns say?
Miss R: peckish
S: Oh. I'm feeling peckish.
Miss R: Yeah, me too!

So now everyday at various times and from different places in the room I hear "I'm feeling peckish!"

The Adventures of Okapi

2009-02-13T06:20:00.000-08:00

Okapi decided that he wanted to spend a few weeks visiting me becuase he knew Jocelyn would come back to get him. Okapi and I had so much fun together! He really has been a great help:)

Here are some of the fun times we had together:

Okapi helping me fill out licensure paperwork.

Okapi helping me read my textbook. It was a little boring, so he started to fall asleep.

There's nothing like pocorn, a movie, and hot chocolate on a Friday night! (Okapi actually preferred the water.)

Okapi is helping me pick out which books I should use for my homework and which books I should bring in to read to my students. We especially enjoyed "I Ain't Gonna Paint No More" and "I'm the Best Artist in the Ocean".

Okapi is helping me scan Grandma's pictures!

Look at all the fun we had together. Sadly Okapi is going home after this weekend, but the good news is that means Jocelyn is coming to visit!

Come Come Ye Saints

2009-02-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

As I was driving to work this morning, my CD player still had in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I was listening and singing along and then Come, Come Ye Saints started playing. I've always enjoyed this song, but today it especially struck me.

http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=30&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=30&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

A Year of Walking

2009-01-30T17:02:00.000-08:00

February 2008 November 2008

I was just thinking that it was a little over a year ago that I decided that I would start walking in the mornings before work so that I could get in shape and lose weight. My goal was to lose 50 lbs by December. That is a reasonable goal for a whole year. Well, I've been diligent and continue to walk, and occasionally swim, ride my bike, or go to the gym (a recent purchase) in the afternoons. December has come and gone--I didn't make the 50lbs, but I did lose 35! I feel like I have made enough progress and a complete lifestyle change that it is okay that I didn't meet my December goal. I'm still going to keep working hard this year and hopefully take off the last 15 lbs! I feel fantastic because I'm in shape and living healthy!

Sisters

2009-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

This weekend Tamara, Jack, and Jocelyn were able to come visit. We had a good, but short, time together. I am so grateful for my older sisters. They are such a good example to me. I am grateful for their words of wisdom and counsel that they give me. I appreciate the bond that I have with my older sisters--that we are able to laugh, cry, and love together.

I'm a grad student!

2009-01-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

So, I'm officially a grad student! Today was my first day of my first class for my masters degree in library science. I'm taking Comtemporary Literature for Children and Young Adults. I have a feeling I'm going to LOVE this class because I'm required to read books! In my opinion that is the best kind of homework. Yes, I do have other assignments as well, but they all have to do about reading! My homework for next class is to read a chapter of our text and read a novel and be prepared to participate in a discussion. I'm pretty excited. In fact I think I'm going to start reading my book right now...

We Must Love Each Other...

2009-01-03T10:18:00.001-08:00

...why else would we all be piled on the love seat?

I'm supposed to be cleaning and organizing my room so that I'm sane before I have to go back to work and before I start school, but I got distracted. Mom sent me this picture in my Christmas card and I just had to scan it in and post it! I really do love this picture of all of us piled up on the love seat. We must love each other:)

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

This time of year gets me thinking about what I want to change or improve upon for the new year and it also makes me think of all the things I am grateful for. I am thankful for all of my friends and my family. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my job and the fact that I'm able to support myself. The list could go on... so, here's to a new year! Welcome 2009!

Caroling Down the Strip

2008-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:00

WOW! SO MUCH FUN!!!! My bishop owns the dairy, so he decorated a flatbed semi with tons of Christmas lights and loaded it with hay. We all climbed on and rode down the strip playing Christmas music, singing along, and waving to all the people on the strip. It was so much fun to see people's reactions. They would be thinking 'What is going on?' and stare at us for a few seconds, then smile and wave back with a lot of enthusiasm. It was so much fun!

It's a snow day!

2008-12-18T04:33:00.000-08:00

No school today! School has been cancelled due to the weather. It sounds like the snow has melted and frozen on the roads. I have every intention of not going anywhere today, except maybe outside to play in the snow. Hot chocolate here I come!

Snow Totals:
Las Vegas 3.5 "
Henderson 8-10"

We got the most snow here in Henderson.

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful

2008-12-17T17:22:00.001-08:00

It's just starting to snow

My view from my classroom. My steps are covered in snow.

The school as I'm leaving work.

There's something wrong with this picture: Palm trees should not have snow.

My roommates and I playing in the snow.

Ruth, Jordan, Lola, Andrea

Snow Angel!

(Jordan)

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

2008-12-17T12:59:00.001-08:00

There had been rumors that it was going to snow here in Las Vegas this week, but I had been hoping it wouldn't. I lived in Idaho for three years and did not enjoy living in snow. So this afternoon as I'm running around getting things ready for my class and for parent teacher conferences, I walk outside and it's snowing! And I remembered how much fun snow can be when it doesn't stick! This just proves to everyone that it really does get cold in Las Vegas in the winter.

It's starting to stick....

Christmas Lights

2008-12-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

One thing that I love about Christmas is driving through the neighborhood and looking at Christmas lights. Jordan found out about a house near her work that we had to check it out. This house has a crazy amount of lights and it's synched to the radio!!! It had a loop of about 8 songs and different lights would turn on and off to go with music. It was the coolest house I've ever seen!

Track Break Happenings Part 2

2008-11-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

I drove out to Phoenix to visit Tamara and Jack before I went home for Thanksgiving. (Yes, kind of a big detour, but definitely worth it!). Tamara and I scrapbooked, scrapbooked, scrapbooked--oh and did I mention that we scapbooked? But hey! We finished our Lake Tahoe scrapbook! Saturday morning Tamara and I (Jack had to finish some homework) went on a hike. We both forgot to bring a camera, but I had a disposable camera in my trunk. We stoppped about halfway up and took some pictures overlooking Phoenix. Unfortunately, they didn't turn out :( You gotta love disposable cameras. I had a good time visiting with Tamara and Jack; I'm glad that we don't live too far apart.

Track Break Happenings Part 1

2008-11-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad came to visit for the weekend. We of course went to the Original Pancake House (only the best pancakes EVER!). We also went to the Bellagio to see the water show because it's Dad's favorite thing to do here in Vegas and Mom's favorite is the conservatory. I of course just handed my camera over to Mom because let's face it--Mom takes more and better pictures than I do:)

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

This year I was a mermaid for Halloween. (No I did not go around singing like Ariel.) On Saturday, we helped Riann at the hospital with the NICU reunion. The children loved all of our costumes. Then on Monday, FHE was a Halloween carnival. Lola was in charge of the cake walk, so we helped her run the station. It was fun to see everyone's costumes.

*Top: Andrea (Mermaid), Alyson (Fairy) Bottom: Jordan (Glenda the Good Witch), Lola (Wicked Witch of the West)

Bite of Las Vegas

2008-10-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ruth, her friend Abby, and I went to Bite of Las Vegas, a food and music festival on the Northwest part of the valley. It was only $8 to get in and we got to listen to great music and eat cheap food. We were able to listen to Justin Nozuka, Lenka, Secondhand Serenade, Metro Station, Puddle of Mudd, and Lifehouse. We had a few frustrating incidents with people who don't think, but other than that it was a ton of fun!

Moving (again!)

2008-09-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Once again, I am moving. My rommmates and I found a house that is a really good deal ($400 cheaper!). I pay a little more to have the master bedroom, which is necessary with all of the stuff I own. I know you're supposed to get rid of stuff each time you move, and I do, but it is still amazing how much stuff can accummulate. I really like my new bedroom because it's bigger than my old bedroom and I have plenty of room for all of my books and scrapbooking supplies!

Tamara and Jack

2008-08-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful day filled with love, family, and friends! I'm so happy for Tamara and Jack!

Top: Tamara and Jack

Left: Andrea, Brent, Jocelyn

Bottom: Chelsea, Brent,

Mrs. Gross,

me, and Jocelyn

Breaking Dawn

2008-08-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

I went to the midnight release Breaking Dawn party at Borders with Ruth, Lola, Jordan, Riann, Kerri, and Stephanie. There was a shirt contest, so we decorated shirts the week before. Lola and I designed the iron-ons and we even were able to find the same font as the book covers! On Friday, we decorated them even more with ribbons, silver iron-ons, and silver/glitter fabric paint. We would have won if the Borders people had judged, but instead they just had people scream for the ones they liked ( the one who won was a store bought shirt). A Borders person told us later they thought we should have won and all night people were giving us compliments on our shirts.

The actual party at Borders wasn't that great, they didn't have very much going on-I heard Barnes and Noble had a better party. Borders did get us our books and get us out of there pretty quickly, though.

So, needless to say, I read all day Saturday! This book is SO GOOD! I loved it!

Here's the front and back of my shirt up close:

Michaels and JoAnns

2008-07-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

I should just not be allowed in these stores with money. I went in there to get three things for my school scrapbook. Did I find what I needed? No. But I did walk out with 4 different slabs of scrapbook paper. I was going to put some back, but I just have a hard time resisting really cute, sparkly, fuzzy paper.

White Water Rafting Adventures

2008-07-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

What a fun weekend! Kerri's friend Scott is a raft guide, so invited Kerri and her friends to come up to go rafting. I flew up to Idaho Falls on Friday and met everyone at the airport. We ate lunch, then some of us went to Rexburg to look around. It's amazing how many changes can happen in two and a half years! The temple is done and looks beautiful and can be seen from everywhere in Rexburg! The school is under construction: they are adding on to the MC and building a new, much bigger auditorium. It was great to be able to see Rexburg again.

Saturday morning we drove to Wyoming to raft down the Snake River. The first time down the river, the water was icy cold! It was fun to go through the rapids and try not to fall in; I pulled on Jimmy's life jacket a few times to make sure he didn't fall in. On the biggest rapid, those of us that fell, fell inside the boat! It was pretty funny.

We were able to go down the river again and the second time was so much better! The water was a little warmer, as was the wind. The rapids were also bigger and better! We lost Jimmy and Julie over the edge this time around, but were able to get them back in with no problem. We also did a trust exercise, where we all stood up and held hands on the outer rim of the raft. At first, it was hard to get up and not be worried about falling, but once we were all up, it was fine (until Jimmy started to make the boat shake and we all fell into the boat:)

And even though I was a responsible red head and put sunscreen on, yes, I still got sunburned.

We then drove to Jackson Hole for dinner at a restaurant that had delicious BBQ. After that, we drove back, got cleaned up, played Catch Phrase, talked, and then slept.

This morning we went to Scott's ward for church (I had to leave early to catch my plane). The Young Women in his ward had just gotten back from girl's camp and were giving their testimonies in sacrament meeting. One of the girls looked kind of familiar, but didn't think much of it. Then after the counselor introduced the speakers, I realized why she looked familiar...She was in the fifth grade class I taught in for my methods class the semester before student teaching!

This weekend was a blast!

What a Nice Day...

2008-07-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we had a thunderstorm! I opened my sliding door so that I could hear and smell the rain. Las Vegas doesn't get rain very often, so we have to enjoy it while it lasts.

After the rain had cleared away, I went for a nice 3.5 mile walk around my neighborhood. One thing that I really like about my neighborhood is that there are so many little walking paths that every time you go on a walk, you can go some different way. I definitely had a workout, but it was nice to be outside and enjoy the weather.

Sisters!

2008-07-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Chelsea came out my last week of school before track break. She was a HUGE help! She fixed bulletin boards, made copies, and cut and traced for me. She would also help students if they had questions and I was busy working with a group of students. On Friday, we went to the Bellagio because Chelsea has never been to Las Vegas. Ruth and Kerri came with us. We watched two water shows--it never ceases to amaze me :)

Jocelyn came out the following week for a few days. We ran errands, went swimming and running/walking(she ran...I walked), worked on bridal shower planning, and worked on projects. Oh yeah, and had fun hanging out :)

Two weeks later, I went to visit Tamara in Phoenix. I helped her gather pictures for the wedding slideshow and make her guest book. We got a lot accomplished, plus still found time to go swimming and enjoy each others company:)

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Ruth, Lola, Joy, Riann and her brother, and I went to breakfast at The Original Pancake House (only the best pancakes EVER!). I love chocolate chip pancakes! Then Lola, Ruth, and I went to Dan's house for a BBQ and swimming. We had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and making new friends. That evening we went to Anthem (just south of where I live) and could see the whole valley. The station casinos synchonized their fireworks. It was fun to see the same fireworks going off at the same time across the whole valley (even if they were small because we were far away). We then came back to my house and lit some of our own fireworks and sparklers! I have never lit fireworks before and it was a lot of fun! Overall, it was a fantastic Fourth of July!

Hey...you never know when you need a book!

2008-06-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Birthday Fun :)

2008-06-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

I took Friday off of work so that we could go to LA to celebrate mine and Lola's birthdays. We spent the day Friday at Magic Mountain. It was so much fun! Tatsu is an awesome way to start the day! We practically walked on the rides because most schools were still in. And it might have helped that is was Friday the 13th. you never know :)

On Saturday we went to the Getty Museum with Ruth's mom. The gardens were beautiful! I got some really great pictures of the poppies. They are definitely one of my favorite flowers. We are laughing in this picture because Lola accidently stepped into the water because it was closer than she realized :)

Scottish Games

2008-05-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

For Memorial Day, we went to the Scottish games in Orange County, CA. Jocelyn was able to meet me there and spend the day with me and my friends. A friend of hers was in the UCR Pipeband, so we were able to get our picture taken with a man in a kilt as to Kerri's request :)

Madame Tussauds

2008-05-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

For teacher appreciation week, we were able to get free tickets to Madame Tussauds at the Venetian! It was a lot of fun to see wax representations of real people. I love this picture of us with the founding fathers!

Shark Reef

2008-04-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

Jennifer and I went to Shark Reef on Friday, April 4, 2008. It was fun to get out and do something different (and free because I'm a teacher!) We had fun trying to get pictures of the saw shark...it kept swimming out of view. So we have a ton of pictures of nothing :)

Hello World

2008-03-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog post. Tamara's boyfriend Jack made it for me. I approve of him wholeheartedly. I'm the first one who gave Tamara permission to fall in love with him, so she owes me big time!

I think he's so great for Tamara. He knows how to play piano, and sing, and dance, and play the guitar. He even bursts out in Disney songs! He's so much fun.

He reads out loud really well. Yesterday he introduced me to one of my new favorite authors, Rudyard Kipling. He read from Just So Stories. It was nice to be read to for once and not doing the reading. Not that I don't enjoy reading, but he was so animated, it made the stories so much more fun.

This picture was taken at the Renaissance Faire in Phoenix. Look how happy we are. We must be friends.