I guess it's true what they say...sometimes the toughest times are what draw people together. I was able to see my extended family more this summer than any other year. I was able to spend the week before my grandma passed away with my cousin Amy from Minnesota. Then before we knew it, we were all flying back out to California for the actual funeral. Everyone was together. We haven't all been able to spend time together like that since Shawn's wedding in September 2005, but that even left out my Uncle Phil.

Then unexpectedly, we were all back out in California for my aunts funeral in August. It was very unexpected, but I'm glad most of us were able to make it out there in support of my uncle Jimmy, and cousins Scott and Jennifer.

Our family has changed a lot, but I know we will always be there for each other through good times and through bad!


We all had a great time out at the local pub in Seal Beach the night before my Grandma's funeral. She wouldn't want us sitting around being sad. Instead, we got together and laughed (mostly at my mom...who forgot Krissie's name and called her Shawn's Wife for a good bit of the night)!

She Is Missed...

Our family had a very rough summer! In June my grandma passed away after battling lung cancer. She had lived a very long, fulfilled life and was at peace with knowing it was "her time to go". I was able to spend a week with her before she passed away and was able to talk about all of the feelings we were all going through.

I thought a lot about her last night. We used to call each other and ask each other what we would be wearing to the various awards shows. Last night was the Emmy's. I'm sure she was looking down on me hoping I'd be ready to go to the award show in my bathrobe, pink curlers in my hair and yellow golashes on my feet. She always amazed me with her imagination about the most interesting outfits! She was a one of a kind and I miss her everyday!

My Amazing Summer Vacation

I feel like I spent the entire summer on airplanes. I counted them all up and I was on 16 different planes within 2 1/2 months. I was in California, Utah, California, South Carolina, Italy, Greece, South Carolina, Utah, California, Utah, South Carolina...with many layovers inbetween. It was an incredibly busy summer. My sister-in-law was at my house more days than I was this summer and she doesn't even live in this state anymore! I made a lot of memories that summer though.

These were the communal toilets at Ostia Antica (Ancient Ostia) which is considered the Roman Pompeii. It was an amazing place. It was discovered a few decades ago. It was completed covered by a flood and uncovered by archeologists. It's in great condition...even the nasty toilets.

Here is my mom and me at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. It was quite amazing how much is still intact.

This is a picture from Delphi Greece. We had to hike up this HUGE mountain to the 'stadium' area. It was a very hot, humid day. I was in flip-flops but I still made it all the way up. It was a great unscheduled workout.

Oh...Scarlett!

Here's a picture of Scarlett (one of Chris' chocolate labs) at Salty Nut from about 2 years ago. She looks drunk but she was probably just tired. Classic picture though!

Close Friends

Here is Derek (and Christina sneaking in the picture!) at Liberty's. He is always up for dancing with anyone around!
Here's Johnny! He's a one of a kind. He has an adorable Husky named Sammy. She is a sweet thing. He loves to give me a hard time about BYU just to make me mad!

This is Chris. I've known him for over 2 years and we're still very close!
Here is Lindsay and me at Daytona Speedway during Spring Break last year!
Sarah Harmon and me in Tennessee last year for a "ski" trip. I think they only had 2 runs and it was all man made snow. It was fun to see snow for a bit though. She teaches Kindergarten at my school. She is my closest friend out here. She keeps me sane at school and helps me through those rough days. I don't know what I would do without her!
Sarah (Krissie's cousin) and me after a wedding a few weeks ago. We don't see each other as often as we should, but we are still close family!

Yes...That's a Motorized COOLER!

Tailgating in Columbia...they know how to have a good time out here!

Football Season is HERE!

It's been a long time coming, but football season is finally here! They definitely know how to tailgate around here. People usually start setting up around 10am for a 8pm game! It's an experience just to go walk around and watch people. Go Utes and Gamecocks!

School is Back in Session!

Here is a picture of some of my students on the first day of school. They really are a great bunch! They work hard and are much farther ahead than most incoming first graders are. We have a lot of fun and work and play hard! It's going to be a great year!

The Scenery

Here is a picture of my backyard!!! It is beautiful. I watched a little family of gosslings grow up last year. I've usually have turtles, ducks and geese, frogs and little lizards around. It's a regular zoo back there! There is even fish in the pond. I won't be swimming it the pond knowing that!

Home, Sweet, Home

Here is a picture of my house here in South Carolina. I bought it last August and have really enjoyed living in it. It's perfect for me! I do all the yardwork myself and while I thought I wouldn't like it, I've actually enjoyed doing it. EXCEPT when it's 90 degrees and 99% humidity at 8pm!