Sneak Peek Into My Classroom...

This past week I have spent many hours in my classroom cleaning, oraganizing, moving furniture, and decorating. At the end of last year we had to remove every piece of paper, and every last staple from our walls for a deep cleaning this summer. I figured there was no better time to change up my theme. I had one major goal...a bright classroom! I want a classroom that my students are awake in, their brains are stimulated in and a room where there is no possibility of ever being in a bad mood! So, I decided to incorporate wild animal prints with bright solids, it is not full out safari but has touches of it throughout the room. I think I am on my way to accomplishing my mission. It is bright, stimulating and every time I look up from my desk...I smile. I am not completley done so I just have a few pictures of some completed things.

My friend and cousin Katie likes to give and receive "lovebombs." Therfore, the title of these came from her inspiration. Students will fill out a piece of paper I create with a compliment (a lovebomb) about another student in class. They will drop their lovebomb in this jar, and on Fridays I will pull out a few to read in front of the whole class.

This is right by the door, it has the calendar, job chart, daily schedule and the cork board will have school newsletters and imporant notes/upcoming events. Those calendar markers are monkeys.

Love this tree and the monkeys!Social Studies Wall

Hugs, Annie

Sunday Funday: BBQ

This summer Jason and I have been going through a great book, "What Did You Expect," with 5 other couples. It has been such a great opportunity to meet new couples to do life with. We have truly been encouraged by the book and these awesome people God has placed in our lives to fellowship with. Katie and Travis have been wonderful small group leaders! I am not looking forward to the last Wednesday of life group. To spend more time together we organized a kid friendly BBQ. So, last Sunday after church we headed over to the Dierksen's house to join our life group for some fun. The kids were able to swim so the parents could chit-chat away. Melissa and Aaron and Jason and I are the only one without kids so we were able to sit back and relax, getting a glimpse at what our futures will look like! It was an evening full of great food, desserts, conversations and laughter. Thank you Dierksen's for opening up your home to us, we had a great time!

This is my girl...Logan Demanby! Summer goggle pictures are priceless!

Aaron and Jason

Melissa and me, not sure what I would do without this girl!Handsome Luke Demanby!

Could she be any cuter?

Hugs, Annie & Jason

Just Some Randomness...

A couple of weeks ago my sister house sat for me and her and some girlfriends made dinner here one night and bought some "girly" Smirnoff Ice beverages. Needless to say there was still quite a few left in my refrigerator. Miss and Aaron came over for a game night and the boys spotted them in the fridge. Did they offer one to Miss and I...nah, they picked one up for themselves! Melissa and I couldn't miss the opportunity to poke a little fun at our boys. Just another fun summer night!

My favorite boys...don't they look so manly?

Hugs, Annie

Kirtie and Brady's Couple Shower

Last Saturday our last stop was Kirtie and Brady's couple shower. We had never been to a couples' shower so were excited to see what it was all about. We found out quickly it was all about FUN! Kirtie's cousin was the DJ, they served Luna's for dinner, the decorations were amazing (you will see in the pictures), the games were unique and hilarious and the company was even better. We had a blast celebrating these two lovebirds and I could not be happier for them. Kirtie found a man that is worthy of her love, Brady truly loves and adores her and that makes my heart so happy. She is such a genuine, down to earth, hilarious person. I cherish these nights that I get to spend with my girlfriends that I hold so near and dear to my heart, they mean the world to me. They are the most loyal, beautiful, genuine, trustworthy girls and I am so lucky to have them as some of my best friends. Everytime we get together we pick up right where we left off, laughing and reminiscing on the good old days. This was just a little teaser into what the wedding will be like and I can hardly wait for Sept. 3rd! I am anticipating we will have the time of our lives! Congrats Kirsten and Brady, we love you!

It was super hot and we had to take this picture multiple times, this is as good as it gets at this point! Me and the Bride to be!

Kirtie's Paper Dress

Kirtie and Brady playing a clever game...to hard to explain though!

The best friends a girl could ask for! Heather, Theresa, Ash, Me and JennSome of the decor...the theme was Amore, monkeys were everywhere! Her uncle built the gondola, Amazing!
Hugs, Annie & J

Leslie and Matt's Engagement Party

Last Saturday my second stop was the engagement party of my friend Leslie and her soon to be husband, Matt. I am so unbelievably happy for my friend, she is one of a kind and deserves nothing but utter bliss. She is the kind of friend who will drop anything to help you. I have the joy of working with her, we coach cheer and basketball together and this past year we taught 6th grade together. I am not sure what I would do without her, she is my other half at work and she makes those bad days seem not so terrible after all. I truly look up to her as she is so down to earth and does not let herself get caught up in the materialistic and petty ways of the world, I have always admired her for this. She and her fiance will be getting married on March 31st 2012 at a vineyard in Paso Robles. I am so excited to spend this school year with her, planning the little details of the wedding, and showering her with love and gifts! I can't wait until the big day, it is going to be amazing to celebrate her, to have a whole day dedicated to a girl who does so much for everyone else. She deserves the princess crown and I can't wait to watch her wear it! I love you Les! Congrats to you and Matt, Jason and I are so excited for the wedding!

After they got engaged some of Leslie's students decorated her garage...
It was a hawaiian theme at her sister's house, adorable, these were the favors made by Sugarpalooza, they were candy kabobs!

Up close...Here is the link for Sugarpalooza: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/SugarPalooza/174849385891351

Leslie and I....it was hot so excuse the shine!

Hugs, Annie & J

Maria's Baby Shower

Last Saturday was a crazy three in one day for us! I had a baby shower in the afternoon, an engagement party in the early evening followed by a couple's shower!It was a day full of celebrations, excitement and love...I enjoyed every minute of it! I started the afternoon off at Maria Lembo's baby shower at Chapala Grill. She is due in September with a baby girl and I couldn't be happier for her and her husband Rick. They are both wonderful people and are going to make the best mommy and daddy...I am sure their baby girl is going to have a wonderful sense of humor! The shower was adorable, they had so many touches and new things I had never seen before, including letters from the baby, a photo guestbook and new creative games! To top of the wonderful afternoon of baby love I even won one of the games and walked away with a gift card to my favorite place...you guessed it, Starbucks! Thank you for including me in your special day Maria, you are a treasured friend and I can't wait to meet this sweet little pea!

Hugs, Annie & J

Sorry about the pictures, I had to use my back up while mine was being fixed! Boo!

Maria and Me

The sweet note from the baby on our place setting...The DELICIOUS cake...it was unbelievably yummy!

Aaron Waldrum's Warm Welcome Home

A couple of weeks ago our dear friend Aaron had to spend a couple weeks in the hospital. His wife and one of my best friends decided he was in need of a welcome home party the day he was released! She went to work to plan a fun night for Aaron and his closest friends. The dessert bar was a black and white theme and was full of yummy desserts like cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies, death by chocolate and smores! She made the banner and display herself and did a fabulous job...I was super impressed! We had a fun night hanging out, laughing and spending much needed time with Aaron. As the night wrapped up, the Papi's were of course the last ones there, and the boy's decided they needed an In and Out run, so Miss and I tagged a long and ended the night with laughter into the wee hours of the morning! We love you guys!

Melissa's FABULOUS dessert barMelissa and I
Sarah and I

Eating... Sophie, Christina, Melissa and Me
Nina, Me and Christina

All the girls!

More of the girls...

The Boys

Thanks for letting me steal your pictures while my camera was under repair Miss!

Hugs, The Papi's

Summer Date Night

One of the pluses of being a teacher married to a teacher is summer's off. I have enjoyed the late nights Jason and I have been spending together knowing that we do not have to get up early for work the next morning. It is the best! Thought I would share one of my favorite date nights of the summer, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary but it was great conversation, great food (Pismo's), and a great movie (Horrible Bosses...funny). It was just one of those nights I think about and smile. Thank you J for a wonderful summer night out!

Hugs, The Papi's

McKenzie's 1st Birthday

Let me start by saying you will notice that these events all took place about 3 weeks ago. So you might ask why I am so far behind on blogging. Well, on June 9th we went to McKenzie Costa's 1st birthday party and my camera took a tumble...for the worst. Yup, I dropped it, was not wearing the arm band and dropped it, shattering the screen. We sent it to Canon to be fixed and it is officially back today...healthy as can be! Now on to the important things...McKenzie's 1st birthday!

Kenzie is the cutest thing EVER, I want to squeeze her cheeks 24/7! Heather and Jamie threw her a 1st Birthday party at Jamie's parents, the theme was a Hawaiian Swim Party...we barbequed, swam, cooled off with shaved ice and had a blast chatting with wonderful friends. I will let the pictures do the talking.

Kirtie, Heather and I cooling off in the pool...

Me, J, Heather and Jamie

The Birthday Princess

Me and my Brady!

Heather and I constantly try to get good pictures of her with the kids...this was as good as it got!

Cake time!She was too tired to dive in... So Brady thought maybe he would give it a try...Needless to day...he liked it...A LOT!Thank you Heather for a fabulous party and being the best friend a girl could ask for! Kenzie girl...you are precious to me, I love you like a niece and enjoy watching you grow, you light me up!

Love, Annie & J

Heather's Baby Shower

On Saturday, June 9th, we celebrated my friend Heather and her baby on the way, a sweet girl named Peyton. We spent the early afternoon eating delicious pasta salads and fruit while giggling with joy, which always seems to happen when celebrating babies. I know Heather is going to be a wonderful mommy. She is so full of love and encouragement for everyone in her life and her sweet baby girl will be no exception, receiving all of Heather's adoration. I am so excited to share this special time in Heather's life with her and I can hardly wait to meet this precious angel! Congrats Nick and Heather, we love you!!!

Beautiful Mama to be!

Hugs, Annie & Jason

Katie's Surprise 30th

Happy 30th Birthday Katie!Tonight was one of my dear friends 30th birthday surprise dinner at Casa Corona, Katie Demanby. Not only is she a friend but she is my husband's cousin which makes her family to me now too, I consider myself very lucky! Her husband, Travis, set up an early surprise girls' dinner for her and it worked, she had no clue! The expression on her face when she walked in was priceless, she genuinely had no clue and her eyes were full of gratitude. Her sisters did a great job with the mexican themed decor, I wish I had gotten more pictures of it. It was evident that Katie has truly touched many lives, everyone there was so excited to celebrate Katie and throw back some of the love that she always pours out. I watched Katie when her friends and family were giving her "love bombs" and you could see her taking in every word, the sincerety in her eyes was radiating out. This is what I always see when I talk to Katie about life, the genuine care and concern for me, whether it be a deep life issue or a decorating crisis! It was so nice to celebrate her, I hope she knows how truly loved she is by so many! I know I personally look forward to having her around for many years to come to fill my life with love, laughter and much needed advice. Happy 30th Birthday Katie, cheers to many more!

Katie and her sisters, Ann & Lisa and her sister-in-law, FayeSome of the decor...the only picture I got!Happy 30th Katie...Love You!

Annie & J

Happy 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July with great friends, and family, good eats and cool treats! We headed over to the Oliver's yesterday afternoon for a low key day of grubbing and chatting. I woke up feeling under the weather so being able to veg and relax was just what the doctor ordered. We made sure to bring the dogs with us, the 4th of July can be so scary for them! They had a blast in the backyard and even took a swim in the pool to cool off. After dark we headed out to the street so the boys could light the fireworks off for us. We shared lots of stories, memories, and laughs. We even enjoyed the illegal fireworks that the neighbors were lighting off! It was the perfect end to a wonderful day of celebration. I love driving through neighborhoods lined with American Flags, I can't help but feel so proud and thankful to those who put their life on the line everyday to ensure our safety. My heart goes out to each and every one of them...

Papi's: Noni, Michelle, Ken, Me, Peg and Jason Michael, Jason, Josh and DustinKristy, Josh, Dustin, Michelle, Me, JasonHappy 4th of July!Happy 4th of July, God Bless America!

Annie & Jason