HOMECOMING

A few weeks ago, my sis and I made a split-second decision to road trip Utah for our cousin Kylan's mission homecoming from Australia. We jumped in the car and 3 1/2 hours later we were pulling up to the Bountiful, Utah temple amidst an approaching storm. This lovely temple is just down the street from our cousin's home.

Becca's rebelliousness leaked out at the wrong moment, and she broke in to the temple grounds, by means of a small space in a locked gate.
Goodbye Becca.

After she had that out of her system and I bailed her out of prison, we walked to Sacrament Meeting for Kylan's talk.

What fun it was to see our handsomely cousin again. There's my short self amidst a small cluster of Brown cousins. In case you were curious which one is Kylan, he's the missionary-looking one in front of the Australian flag. You'd like 'em all. Hooray for family! Totally worth the trip.

IRON MAN

http://ironmanjace.blogspot.com/

A first grader at the school that I work at was just diagnosed with Leukemia the first week of the new school year. His mom set up this blog to keep everyone posted as he begins treatment. Personally, I despise the blog. It makes me cry every time I look at it, and I hate getting all emotional (my least favorite movie on the entire planet is Charly). It doesn't help that Jace's mother seems to have a gift for writing. But with that said, go check out the blog. It is updated regularly. Just be sure to read it with a box of Kleenex.


Also:
1. Here is a link to the local news coverage about the Pep Rally our school held in Jace's honor.

http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=11152971#


2. A support fund has been established at Beehive Federal Credit Union in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Just ask for the ‘Jace Leatham Fund' to make a donation.

A FRIENDLY LETTER

Dear 24-Hour Flu Bug,

I hate your stinkin' guts. You make me vomit. You're scum between my toes!

Love,
Rachel

OUT FOR A SPIN

I got home from work the other day to this shnazzy contraption in the driveway (and Andrew's face in the window to gauge my reaction as I saw it). Andrew is doing work for a friend who lives almost an hour away. To keep making the trip in Andrew's truck from destroying our wallet, this generous friend has been sharing his more cost efficient vehicles.

That evening, we of course, took advantage of it and went for a drive. Our first order of business was to casually pull up next to a tree at Porter Park where my sister was reading a book. The looks of curiosity, recognition, and then shock on her face at seeing us in a bright red Mercedes convertible was way too much fun.




As fun as it was, I learned very quickly that for me, riding through town in a car like that was like reliving those dreams where you're at school when you suddenly realize you're naked. Everyone that we passed on the road blatantly stared with a goofy grin on their face. I was soon cowering in the seat in an attempt to disappear from view. I've never been one to enjoy the spotlight.

I was able to enjoy the ride once we were out of town and out of sight of everyone we know. It was a surreal feeling to ride through the epitome of rural, agrarian life in such a flashy ride. A convertible sure opened our senses up to the full experience of Idaho country. We could hear the geese calling out as they flew in their V's over the highway, inhale the wheat being harvested in nearby fields, smell that distinct yummy scent of wood burning stoves (and dairy farms), and we even got to enjoy a full moon as we rolled back into town. And then we figured that a night in a convertible wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Sonic drive-thru. What a fun night!

NEW HOLIDAY

I proclaim today to be "pick-weeds-from-a-field-near-your-house-and-put-them-in-a-vase-on-your-kitchen-table" day!

I dare you!
(Not bad for weeds, eh?)

MY CLASSROOM

It's the same apple tree from last year, except I added the "3rd grade is going to to be totally sweet" part. I think it looks fun. I'm just hoping that parents aren't seeing the "totally sweet" as a juvenile-delinquent-surfer-dude type thing to say. I promise I'm not going to pollute your child's mind with worldly slang all year...dude.

I'm particularly proud of the happy sunflowers and white picket fence on my door.

For Back to School Night, the parents had to guess which portrait was their child's. I think it was a hit. Aren't all those faces so cute?

P.S. Check out my updated camping themed classroom HERE as featured in Scholastic's Instructor Magazine! 

I PROMISE...

This is the very, final post about Washington. I just had to share a few random happenings from our vacay.

On a dirt road drive near Palmer Lake, we happened upon the coolest, oldest wood building ever. (the little red sign may or may not say 'No Trespassing')

Inside were the coolest old beams wrapped with vines that had worked their way through the walls.


All I could think about was what an awesome setting it would be to take portraits. When I mentioned it to Andrew he snapped one for me. =)

Once again, I was this close to the border and couldn't get across. I had forgotten my birth certificate. Who cares about Canada, anyway? =(

Later, we were here...

(Can you say GORGEOUS?)

...when I almost died.

After pausing to take a picture of my predicament, Andrew risked everything to save me. My hero.

After Andrew graduates, we plan on moving here. Anyone care to join us? We'll have plenty of room.

Apparently, apples is to Washington as potatoes is to Idaho. We passed THOUSANDS of these apple picking boxes stacked in rows, patiently waiting for fall.

This is a bush that made me very happy, because it reminded me of Christmas.

Have I mentioned that Washington is gorgeous?

Look who we got to sit by on the drive there and back! No one could keep her entertained and happy quite like Andrew.

We stopped in a little touristy town that reminded us of West Yellowstone or a mini Jackson Hole. Very cute place to walk around.

Well, darn. Now you know all about my whorish, beer drinking ways.

It just seemed right to be holding drippy ice cream cones in such a quaint, happy place.

So we did.