I Bid You Farewell, Sweet Summer. (Well... Almost)

In four days I'm...

back in action! 

on the clock! 

ready to rumble!

back to workity-work!

setting my alarm and waking up early!

drinking lots of energy drinks again!

sleeping less and stressing more!

starting my third year of teaching!

Whew. 

As the last weekend of summer approaches quickly, I am caught thinking about the spectacular summer that I just experienced. It feels so wonderful starting a new year knowing that I took advantage of every opportunity.  I squeezed in vacations, family time, relaxation, sleep, road trips, and everything in between into the past three months. Plus, I spent all of my time with the best people on the planet. Perhaps I'm biased, but I'd like to think that I'm the luckiest. 

Here's a few snapshots that reflect the amazing summer that quickly passed by. I wish I could post the hundreds of pictures I took, but I had to pick a few (or two or three...). 

Hanging out with this little man and his vibrant personality takes the cake. Even if he's only three, the kid can still crack me up and fill my heart with oodles of joy.

Plus, we got to celebrate his third birthday! Who else can say they hung out with a bunch of pirates one Saturday afternoon?

We skipped town and headed out west to sunny San Diego, California. It was a trip for the memory books! Plus, we got to spend time with two of my very best friends who happened to get hitched!

There was never a dull moment in SD. We rode bikes, kayaks, boats, cabs... you name it, we tried it out. Besides all of the sightseeing, we got to hang out with locals! 

Ali & Brian said their heartfelt and emotional I do's overlooking the beautiful water. Of course, I cried. A lot. 

These two love birds made me cry one too many times. Let's be honest, I cried waaaay too much at their wedding. I can't help it! They're just too cute to say dry-eyed. 

As a bonus, I talked this handsome gentleman into hopping on a plane with me. Lucky me, huh?

San Diego proved to be the perfect reuniting place for two of my favorite gals! I guess this means I'll have to go back to California soon so I can see you both again. 

 My BFF (yes, that's Best Friend Forever) came back to the Show Me State one weekend and I got to spend quality time with her on a boat one afternoon. Murphy hung out too!

My seeester had a birthday and we celebrated with ice cream cake and family time. Perfect!

Kenny Chesney couldn't get enough of Missouri last year, so he had to come back to Arrowhead with his good pal Tim McGraw. A year later, it was still an awesome show. 

I spent many weekends playing hostess to these lovely ladies and many wonderful friends. It gave me several opportunities to test out recipes and an excuse to fold my laundry. 

I became an aunt again!!! As if having a nephew isn't great enough, now I'm the happy aunt to an adorable baby girl, Libby. 

Needless to say, Grandpa and I are just eating her up. She's too cute not to love. 

She's definitely my favorite niece. 

My grill was used many many times this summer - except only by me once. I let other (knowledgeable) people test her out. (Jason, I know you're reading this...)

I spent lots of time with my girlfriends celebrating another bride to be. Our pink shades and lei's made us a popular bunch at the water park!

I spent several days participating in professional development with my lovely coworkers in STL!

One lucky water proof camera managed to survive kayaking, floating down the river, and several lake trips. Developing that bad boy was a treat!

We celebrated America's birthday in all the hot spots in STL. Actually, let me rephrase: We celebrated America's birthday in the air conditioning at all of the hot spots in STL. 

I cooked, we cooked, I ate, we ate... it was a glorious summer of food experimentation. 

My beautiful friend, Kelley, said "I do". Of course, I was waterworks that weekend as well. I'm uncontrollable when it comes to my emotions apparently. Don't invite me to your wedding unless you supply a box of tissues. 

Speaking of crying, I might burst into tears right now. Maybe it's the Olympics? I don't know, but all of this nostalgia is getting me mushy. I need to lock it up before the primetime events begin or I'll be boo-hooing all night long.

Thanks for reliving the past few months with me. I sure enjoyed it!

What was your favorite memory from summer 2012? Do share!

Is it Football Season Yet?

It's safe to say that I'm kind of obsessed with the University of Missouri. I have posted several times about my unwavering love for the city of Columbia and my beloved Missouri Tigers. I realized yesterday that it has been TWO MONTHS since I've been back. I'm ready for football season, so I can spend every weekend there tailgating and watching the Tigers take on the SEC. 

Before I tell you about my little craft I made.. let's take a trip down memory lane. I'm getting a little nostalgic over here. I think I might cry. I'm emotional - I can't help it. 

Fellows Graduation 2011

I loved MU so much that I graduated twice from there. 

I consider emails from Brady Deaton and Gary Pinkel very personal. After all, they are addressed specifically to me.

We may never play kU again, but that doesn't mean I'll ever like them. It's in my blood to hate kansas. Sorry folks. 

Last summer, I decorated my guest room with a little black and gold bunting to showcase my love. 

As a wee little freshman, I met the great Truman the Tiger! I never met him again. He's a sneaky Tiger...hard to catch.

How awesome is this? I missed the MU/Nebraska game where the goal post was taken down and marched to Harpos, but I was there LIVE to see Missouri beat Oklahoma. It was absolutely incredible. I'm literally getting goosebumps typing this right now. 

MU fans rallied and showed up BIG on Gameday at the columns. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Picture Perfect

Speaking of the columns, they are my FAVORITE part about the campus. Running through the columns as a freshman and as a senior was a tradition I'm forever grateful I participated in.

I met so many of my best friends at MU. Now, we're still close and drive across the state to meet each other for weekends of fun, weddings, and just to catch up.

I bought this cute little pillow on Etsy. Just in case I forgot what my state looks like. Now, Missouri isn't the coolest state.. I know.. I know.. but I've got to embrace it!

My sweet friends bought me this awesome cookie cutter. Who wants cookies!?

My MU Alumni calendar helps me keep the date straight in the summer time. It actually comes in handy, because I have no idea what day it is. 

Whew! Thanks for that. I highly enjoyed that little trip. 

Now, tonight I decided to quit napping and being lazy and do a little crafting. Last year, I bought fun black and yellow fabric for my MU bunting. I used the remainder of it on a pillow! I followed this tutorial on Momtastic. I'm a dork and cut way too many pillow faces and was SUPER CONFUSED when I couldn't get things flipped out. Then, I watched a video. It's obvious I'm a visual and audio learner. :)

MIZZOU-RAH!

Perhaps one of these days, I'll tackle something a little more difficult.... but not anytime soon. I am finally figuring out how that stinkin' bobbin works. 

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

I love Thanksgiving for multiple reasons. One of those reasons is Friendsgiving! A delightful tradition that started over five years ago in a college apartment. Needless to say, the 5th Annual Friendsgiving was just as incredible! 

My contribution to the party was a little potato dish. I was introduced to the "Party Potato" phenomenon a few years ago when a fellow teacher brought in her family recipe to class one day. Since then, I've been having parties with potatoes like it's nobodys business.

Now, trust me with this recipe and go make your own Party Potatoes!

What You Need

1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 lbs. Ore-Ida frozen cubed hash browns

Mix first 5 items together with salt and pepper, combine with frozen potatoes, put in greased 9x13 pan. Top with 2 cups of corn flakes and 1/3 cup melted butter together.Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.


Now, a family gathering isn't complete without a family photo. Before our delicious feast, we gathered by the fire for a group shot. All we're missing his Clark Griswold. 

Family Portrait by the Fire

It also wouldn't be a family gathering without a little arts and crafts time. I rallied the troops back to the table for a pinterest-inspired yummy craft. I had ulterior motives when planning this activity. My 5th graders will be creating this little turkeys on Monday and I did need to practice... but I also wanted to make the treat for fun as well. Uhh... You're welcome! 

We were good students and followed the directions below. You could say that we had a unique bunch of turkeys. 

I found this How-To on Examiner. Warning: this isn't as easy as it looks!

What You Need:

Oreo cookies
Candy corn
Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Icing
Candy eyes

Directions:

1. Separate the Oreo into two pieces (you may want to use a knife to make sure the cookies stay in tact).
2. Add icing to the Oreo’s cookie icing and arrange five pieces of candy corn around the top of the Oreo that contains the most icing creating “feathers” and two across the bottom to create “feet” with white tip facing down.  (Note: strategically place feet to prop and hold up the Oreo turkey.  It may take you a few times to get the exact placing.)
3. Re-close Oreo cookie using icing more icing to attach it if necessary.   
4. Using icing, attach the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup with the widest part flat against the bottom of the face of the Oreo. 

The icing was the best part. Right, Scott?

Admit it, you love arts and crafts time. 

Now, back to my favorite Atlanta housewives for some high-quality drama on a Sunday night. Enjoy the short week, teachers!