The Oscar Goes to...

Landry! Yup...he could have definitely won an Oscar tonight for best actor. Tonight was...well...let's just say a bit of a rough night. Yes, Chad and I looked at each other during dinner tonight and contemplated placing our child up for auction on Ebay...we are pretty confident we could make some good money. :o) One of tonight's "highlights" was when he decided to throw most of his dinner on the floor. Cue...more tears! I say more because he had already been crying about pretty much anything...for no apparent reason!

Warning...you are about to witness child labor at it's finest!

 Maybe he will think twice before he decides to throw his dinner all over the floor next time!

 Somebody doesn't look so happy about having clean up duty!

Oh Landry Tigh...you do challenge us sometimes! All things aside...we would never trade you for all the money in the world. We love you, Handsome!

Fall River

This past weekend we traveled up to Redding to visit Chad's parents...this was Landry's first trip. We had a wonderful weekend and one of the highlights of the trip was the day we got to spend in Fall River. Chad's parents have friends that have a second home on the most beautiful piece of land near Fall River. Their home is beautiful, on the river, and has floor to ceiling windows that provide an unobstructed view of Mt. Shasta.

Here is the view from the back of their home:

 That isMt. Shasta in the background!

The area is full of all kinds of wildlife. There are a multitude of bird species, deer, river otters, turtles, muskrats, and so much more. Here is a duck's nest that was found in the garden:

Grant is so proud of the nest...he actually took the picture of the eggs...such a cutie!

We had a great day exploring the river, relaxing, the boys (men) golfed, and us girls had a great time. Landry and G.G. even found time to take a nap!

And of course...I found time to take some pictures of some pretty cute little boys!

As you can see, Landry made some new buddies...thank you Grant and Weston for being such good friends. Grant and Weston have a little brother, Ryder, who is the same age as Landry...somehow I didn't get a picture of the two of them together.

It was such a wonderful day...peaceful, relaxing, and so enjoyable! Thank you Russ and Debbie for hosting us and sharing your little piece of heaven with us!

I'll Stand By You

Oh why you look so sad

The tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now

Don’t be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

Cause I’ve seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess

Could make me love you less

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

So if you're mad get mad

Don’t hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide

I get angry too

Well I’m a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads

And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along

Cause even if you're wrong

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in into you darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

 And when, when the night falls on you, baby

You feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in into you darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

 Oh I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Three years ago today, we made the vow to stand by each other...in good times...and in bad. Chad Garrett Lofgren...you have given me so many wonderful times over the past three years. It is amazing to see, as I look back at the pictures of our last three years together, how much has changed in our lives...and how much I continue to love you more and more each day. Like Jeff said as he married us..."You not only are in love with each other, you are in 'like' with each other!" I can't imagine being in "like" with anyone else! Love ya, Babe!

Teacher Appreciation Day

Each year, the parents at our school go above and beyond to show us how much they appreciate our hard work. Each group of room moms works together to create a poster that is displayed outside of each room. We always look forward to seeing what the class has created and every year they get more and more creative. This year, my FABULOUS team of room moms really went the extra mile. They created a poster that brought me to tears, captured the awe of everyone who passed by...which is everyone at our school since I am the first class in the hallway, and has put a smile on my face every time I enter my classroom. A little bakcground info on this poster...about two weeks ago, one of the room moms asked for a photo of myself. Since I didn't have any photos of just me...do any of you have a photo of just yourself...I had to send her a wedding photo...it was either that or a "belly" shot. The next day she asked if I could e-mail her a picture of Landry and I. Ha...I only have a few hundred of those! So, I sent the pictures...thinking that my head would be photshopped onto someone else's body. I never, in my wildest dreams imagined this...

 Isn't it amazing? One of my room moms created the entire thing herself...I told you...FABULOUS! Did I mention that it is huge...3 feet by 4 feet...huge! This poster, all on its own made my day...then, the team of moms came in and presented me with this...

 a beautiful arrangment of my favorite flowers and gift cards galore.

 Here is my favorite part...each student created their own "fingerprint bug"...so adorable! Along with this, they gave me a basket of cards from each student. Their kind words once again brought tears to my eyes. The students wanted me to read each card aloud...but I chickened out. I knew that if I read them aloud then I would be a big, blubbery mess. So, instead, I read them to myself during recess...and was a big, blubbery mess. :o)

 Here is a card that was in the arrangement.

When I went into teaching I knew that I would make some amazing relationships with the students I came into contact with. What I was not prepared for was the parents. I will be honest and say, that there have been a few that have stomped on my heart and said things to me that can never be forgiven. But, there is another...much larger group...that has supported, loved, comforted, inspired, and befriended me in ways that they will never know. I have been so blessed to make so many relationships with families that continue on after the school year, after their child moves on to the next grade level, or even on to the next school. From the bottom of my heart...thank you! Thank you for knowing that I love your child like my own and thank you for making my job so rewarding...you will never know the impact you have had on me!

Let's Go Do The Zoo!

***Warning...this post contains A LOT of photos of two super cute babies...and their pretty cute mamas! :o)***

My friend Erin and I decided to take our little ones to the zoo for the first time. It is safe to say that we were not the only ones with this BRILLIANT idea...all of Fresno was thinking the same thing. :o) Anyway, we had a blast, almost lost a sippy cup to the orangutangs, avoided lots of bees, looked at many animals, and enjoyed some good ol' girl talk!

Landry and Amy ready to roll!

 Me and Landry in front of the anteater exhibit

 Erin and Amy with the elephants

 Mommy and her "cool dude!"

 We love the elephants!

 Amy...making a move for Landry's binky

 Got it!

 Wait a minute...

 okay...guess I'll give it back!

 Our little mokeys...right after Landry threw his sippy cup into the exhibit!

 Look at the giraffes!

 The Fantastic Four!

 Smile! I'm in a hippo!

 Hooray for hippos!

 This is the only animal picture I took all day. I couldn't pass it up...the life of a kangaroo must be real rough!

 We love the zoo!

I think it is safe to say that we will definitely be going back...and I am pretty sure we will be buying a family pass! :o)