Into the New Year full speed ahead!

We are thrilled that the new year is driving ahead! 2010 was an amazing year full of life changes; some awesome and some a bit scary. We celebrated Thanksgiving by cooking our first turkey's for 18 of our friends! It was so much fun having everyone together. Holidays quickly came next and we spent them surrounded by family and had a birthday dinner with all friends near and dear. New years was celebrated with the Pera's and baby E. It was a blast-and we were tucked in tight by 9:30! Oh how things change :) Roo is going to be 1 and I can't believe we've had her for a year already. Trevor is loving every minute of his job and I am still doing some searching on that path. We have snow trips planned for the next few months and come Spring it will be weddings galore!

Thanksgiving Table


Christmas Eve.
Missing the husband at work :(

Christmas at the In-laws

Halloween

Halloween was a blast! Celebrating with friends, some beer pong and a warm cozy fire was just the prefect way to spend the evening. From hippies, a nurse, gansters and pirates to a mexican and Flavor Flav, we saw some of the best costumes yet!

Waiting For Superman

I am sitting here watching Oprah in her last season and I had to get on my blog to reflect on this episode. Public Education. I am a substitue teacher studying to get my credential. I am completely appalled at what I am hearing about public education. It is absolutely disheartening that 1.2 MILLION children do not get a diploma every single year. Growing up, I do not remember public education sucking so incredibly bad or teachers stating that they will get paid whether their class learns anything or not. "Waiting for Superman" is a documentary that any person with a child in the public education system, or going into it someday, HAS to see. For the first time in history, our next generation is not as educated as the one before....Is anyone gasping?

"Children's lives are hanging in the balance. We, the adults, are the problem-NOT the children."

It irks me to hear people talk so badly about pub ed. I have been put into a horrible situation by opening my mouth in defense of the teachers and public education; unfortunately to no avail. The children are not the problem-Teachers being shitty teachers is the problem. I have never once in my life thought that I would think twice before sending my children to a public school and I have high hopes that there will be changes implemented before I get there.

AND....I am adding this last bit after watching the viewers reactions on Friday's Oprah....What responsibility do the parents hold? My response-just as much as the teachers. A child cannot simply go home and do homework; parents needs to ensure they are studying. And they need to be an active part as well. No one can blame teachers, blame parents, unions etc. Everyone needs to take responsibility and take the leap into paving the way. Asking "who is going to help?" isn't the answer. Being the change you want to see, is.

Coming to a close

We have had such an amazing summer full of big changes! From graduating college to golf dates to bachelor/bachelorette parties to new jobs to getting married, it has been the best thus far. We didn't have as many lake trips with friends as we would've liked but, the few we did get in were great! We also missed out on our 14th Fourth of July in Tahoe but for a gooood reason, our wedding! I can't wait for next July already! I feel like this summer has been one of changes for all around us. New beginnings, new babies and new friends have been in abundance! Trevor and I feel so lucky to love our jobs (I am now officially a substitute teacher!!), be so close to all of our family and have amazing friends that keep us laughing and enjoying life. We look forward to next summer which will be full of weddings and love! But, most of all I am looking forward to Fall and a first holiday season as husband and wife.

7.24.10

.Our wedding day was simply the best day of our lives thus far.
.We were surrounded by immense love, huge smiles & lots of laughter.
.I am so looking forward to this great chapter and new journey together.

Just 3 more days...

...until I walk down the aisle to greatest man I've ever known (well...my pops is pretty dang awesome too) and my best friend! WOO HOO! I couldn't be more thrilled that the countdown is getting smaller and smaller. I can't wait to spend the day with my best girls and then spend the evening with everyone we love....there will be some people missing and they will be GREATLY missed! Thus far this will be the biggest day of my life and I am so ready!! A friend *typed* to me earlier this evening that she 'wished she was in my shoes this week and would do it all over again in a heartbeat....and OF COURSE marry Josh' and it made my heart crack open in a huge smile! I know years down the road I will say the exact same thing :)

Showered with Love

*The bridal shower was filled with the best of friends showering me with love and well wishes*
* It was an absolutely beautiful day with lots of sunshine and fun!*
*Thank you to everyone for making for making it special*