it's independence day.

Our Independence Day brought started out with sleeping in (even though we'd planned to run to the balloon festival... obviously that didn't happen!) and getting out of bed later in the morning.  After a quick breakfast for the three of us, we headed to the Freedom Festival for our annual sunglasses run.  We ended up not finding any sunglasses that caught our fancy this year, but we did find the Tornado Fries that T LOVES.  So of course we bought some and ate them to our stomachs content!

Then we headed home, fed Rylee, and headed up to Aspen Hills to visit the family at their cabins.  We caught most of them at their naptime, so we handed Rylee off to Grandma and Grandpa to finish her nap, and played a game of Scrabble and Skip-Bo with Myst.

I spy with my little eye a sleeping grandpa and baby in the background...

Bonding time with Grandma (who happens to actually be sitting down for once!).

Lady took over Rylee's new blanket from Katie.  It's becoming one of our favorite blankets too- a muslin blanket that's not white?!  We love it.

And then it was a quick transfer over to grandpa...

After games and naps, we ate our 4th of July dinner of bacon hot dogs (compliments of Misty!), chips, salads, sides, brownie cupcakes, and delicious cherries.  Yum!

Then we headed out to take a couple of pictures before the sun went down...

[bonding with Aunt Misty]

We convinced everyone to take a group picture (amazing how once you mention that the baby needs a picture with everyone, they're in a little bit of a better mood to take a picture with everyone!).  Hello explosion of red, white, and blue.

We headed home right after we saw some of Moroni's fireworks and Mt. Pleasant's fireworks.  We hit some clogged up traffic on the way home and were stopped for a good half hour due to a terrible accident that killed three people and left three others that had to be life-flighted out.  Such a sad story for Independence Day.  We said a prayer for those involved in the accident and slowly headed toward Provo once more.

We finally got home after midnight and hit the sack!

All in all, it was a fantastic, lazy, low-key 4th of July spent with each other and family.  It was exactly what we needed and wanted!

 Happy first 4th of July, Rylee girl!

...AND this weekend meant we got to get together with JaeKaeNae for a visit while Kate and Dave were down from Idaho for a visit!  Kate got to meet Rylee and Kole for the first time and brought us freezer meals, toys, and homemade blankets for our kiddos!  It was exceptionally wonderful to be together with besties and see Kate in her 2nd pregnancy glory.  Can't wait to meet her 2nd Baby Girl in September!

 

an IKEA trip, friends, family, and lots of food.

President's Day Weekend was this past weekend.  Which meant a beautiful 3-Day weekend for us!  We accomplished a lot and spent the entire day together.  What more could anyone ask for?

First off, the landlords brought by our brand spankin' new dishwasher and the cleaning lady finally showed (she was supposed to come 3 weeks ago when we first moved in!) to clean the disgusto shower doors.  The tenants before us definitely didn't know how to clean shower doors.  Now they sparkle and shine and are an easy clean-up with a squeegee.  Happy day!

Next on our To-Do list this weekend was to return some sheets we had originally bought at IKEA last month.  We found a better thread-count for the same price at the Homegoods store so we said bye bye to the IKEA ones and hello to a higher thread count.

The line for returns wasn't too bad, but just long enough for us to get bored enough to snap a picture or two...

Then it was off to the other parts of the store in search of a rug to cover our dark green carpet at our new place, grab some new hand towels and dish towels, and a new lampshade.

Fortunately, I have one of the few husbands that actually likes going to IKEA with their wife.  

On our very first date, we actually had an hour wait at Red Robin before we could be seated.  So we went around a random place in the mall and looked at random bedding, kitchen set-ups, clothing (mainly the ties-we both found out we have a fettish with ties) and everything in between.  Ever since then, we just like to browse and dream about the future and what we might like in what house we buy in the future... 

Though T did find a place to sit for awhile at IKEA.  It was a pretty busy Saturday for IKEA being the big 3-Day Weekend and getting around the crowds was a little tricky.

We ended up finding the perfect rug within our price range and everything else we went for (and maybe a few other things).  Of course, we bought cinnamon rolls.  You can't go to IKEA without buying a cinnamon roll.  Or two.  Or a whole package.

After IKEA we made deeeeelicious BBQ pineapple bacon pizza with fresh mozzarella.  We pretty much always use Jana's thin crust pizza dough recipe when we Tyler makes pizza dough.  It works every time.  

We also made a batch of freezer breakfast english muffins that we make every two weeks, made stuffed broccoli cheese chicken, and made a full pan of cafe rio pulled pork enchiladas with homemade pico de gallo and guacamole.  

Dang, we're awesome.

My grandpa also got checked into the hospital over the weekend for a kidney infection.  My Dad and I went up to the hospital together for a couple of hours on Sunday and spent time just talking with him.  It's always hard to see people you love in the hospital.  BUT, he was joking around with us and requesting his razor so he could shave the moment we walked in the door.  He even let me feed him some of his "too salty turkey" and "not enough flavor" mashed potatoes.  

Apparently hospital food is not very tasty (I agree).  Then I got to just sit on the bed and hold his hand and talk.  We talked about fishing and people that he knows and how the Sunday newspaper forgot to put in the crosswords.  It was a good feeling.  Sitting there, holding his hand while every once in a while he'd squeeze mine tight and stroke it with his thumb.  

He's a pretty amazing man and the best patient-all of the doctors and nurses said so themselves.  He doesn't complain and he entertains himself (any man who could sit out on a boat all day long fishing and not say a word can certainly entertain himself in a hospital bed-though it's not nearly as exciting as fishing).  

My parents are equally amazing for the time they put into taking care of their parents.  My mom is with both sets of grandparents every.  single.  day.  She sorts my grandma's pills and makes sure she can turn on the DVD player, goes shopping with the other grandma, makes weekly fudge for one grandpa, and tries to keep tabs on the other.  She cooks, cleans, and entertains.  Both of my parents fix whatever breaks, tears, stains, etc. and they stay optimistic.  Even when their own Valentines dinner plans (which my mother plans waaay in advance) have to get cancelled to take care of their parents, they stay positive.  I'm proud of what they do and I sure do love them and their example of perfect Christlike service.

 Tuesday night was JaeKaeNae night since Katie came down from Idaho!  Nae is preggers with their baby boy due at the end of June and Katie brought cute little Natalie to visit too.  

It's just a little crazy to think that less than 8 years ago we were all graduating from high school together.  Now Kae has an 14-month old and Nae and I are only months away from having our own kiddos!

Life is certainly treating us well and we're excited for the next phases of our lives.  

Heavenly Father has blessed us far beyond what we had ever hoped and dreamed.

JaeKaeNae meetup.

Last night we met up with some good friends to catch up.  Actually, not just good friends, but the best of friends.  The truest of friends. 

It's not often all of JaeKaeNae gets together anymore with Kae being a state away now.  It's hard to believe that it's been 6 years since the three of us graduated from high school.  6 years.  In those 6 years we've all met and married three incredible men and Kae has already had a baby.  Nae has a house, a dog, and is close to getting chickens to fill their empty chicken coop.  We've all graduated from college and started successful careers inside and outside of the home.  

It felt good to get together with besties (and our hubbies).  It felt good to meet at Kae's parents home where we spent many hours in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies and nights on the couch or upstairs talking into the wee hours of the morning.

And so, while these studly studs talked microchips and sports, the three of us caught up on some much needed JaeKaeNae time.

{Dave, Kyle, Tyler}

We took to the back porch and talked in between Janae's peekabo games with little Natalie.  She loved the faces Nae kept doing.  She'd clap her hands and giggle every. single. time.

Adorable.

{I love how all of their mouths are open in this one.}

Then we headed back inside with the guys and talked altogether.  And then T got ahold of little Nat and it melted my heart a little...  This husband of mine is a natural with kiddos.

{insert melting heart here}

After staying up waaay past Natalie's bedtime (and ours for that matter) we said our goodbyes, gave out our hugs, and headed home.

But left feeling completely refreshed with our JaeKaeNae + Natalie time.  One day, we'll figure out how Kae will move back a little closer.  For now, we'll have to take whatever time we can get with them and adorable little Natalie!

Here's to good friends and good times.

JaeKaeNae.

A few weeks ago our good friend Luke, from high school, got married to the cutest girl.  Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture with the happy couple.

BUT...

Katie and Dave got to come down from Idaho and play with us for an evening!  Even more important, Baby Natalie got to come visit too.

She's the cutest little baby that was ever born (until we end up having little mini Jamie's and Tyler's).  I'm a proud auntie.

This picture just kills me.  Little Nat is still getting used to Aunt Jamie, but loves her Uncle Tyler.  Seriously.  I don't know why babies love him so much.  Or maybe I do.  They cry after a couple of minutes of being in my arms.  But with Tyler?  They're happy little campers.  

I tell Tyler all of the time that when we have kids he can raise them until they're 2 or so and then I'll take over.   I think it's a great plan.

Kyle is Nae's husband and it took about 4 or 5 pictures to get this picture.  Natalie was a little preoccupied with other things around the room at the reception.  Picture-taking was not important at the time for her.

She's got the double chin thing down pat!  Adorable.  

And it wouldn't have been a smashing night unless JaeKaeNae got a picture together.  I miss my besties a lot some days.  We've had some great times together and they're what got me through high school.  There's no way that I would have gotten through alive without them.  

They're pretty special women.  It's crazy to think that it's been 6 years since high school.  We're actually grown-ups with careers, husbands, and starting little families.  Crazy, but incredibly fun!  We would talk late into the night at many a sleepover about what we thought the future would hold.  The 3 of us wanted to go on missions.  None of us did.  Three dashing men came into our lives and ruined the mission plan.  

We all knew that Kae would have the first kid.  We would always tease her that she'd drive a mini-van and be a soccer mom chauffeuring an entire soccer team to and from soccer practice.

Nae was always more business-minded and we thought she'd rule the business world.  Which, she is.  She rocks at  her job and works hard at what she does. 

Of course, I became the teacher and was the first of the 3 to be married.  I'm not so sure that was planned out that way.  Nae married a couple months after and Kae followed the year after us.

Sometimes life is so surreal and I can't believe how much time has passed.  It sure doesn't seem like that long since we were going on our first dates and eating popcorn and candy during late-night sleepovers.

Good times.

auntie Jae.

I'm finally aunt.

I've been waiting for this moment for years.

Kae finally had her baby and Nae and I got to go up to Idaho last weekend to visit, cuddle, and completely spoil mama and her baby (oh, and Dave too...).

 [JaeKaeNae+Nat]

JaeKaeNae got started back in high school when the three of us were inseperable.  

We came up with JaeKaeNae sitting on my parents lawn one night. 

Ever since then, we've been the inseparable trio.

Boys knew that if they asked us to any of the school dances, the three of us always had to be in a group.  

So yes, there were many times that our dates sacrificed being with their friends so they could go on a date with one of us because we refused to be separated.

A little high maintenance? 

Nah...

Once we graduated high school, we all had to go our separate ways.  

Nae took off to BYU-I for a few semesters while Kae and I stayed behind and went to BYU-Provo. 

Kae moved out into the dorms and I stayed at home to save some money.

We all made new friends and rarely saw each other during each semester.  

Before leaving for our first semester of college, we got together and bought a journal that we mailed to each other every 2 weeks (kind of like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants).

During those 2 weeks, we recorded what was going on in our lives and what new beau's were entering our lives and causing us new drama.

It kept us together and updated the whole group of each other's lives.

Every summer during college, we tried to get together and go up to my parents cabin for a JaeKaeNae sleepover.  

We'd dig up an old box that we put memento's and guesses about where we'd be in the future.  

I was always supposed to marry a hot cowboy who would wear tight wranglers and dance with me in the rain.

I didn't marry a cowboy... but I did marry a man who will dance with me in the rain!

It's been a couple of years since we all graduated college, got married, and now Kae is the first to extend her family with the first baby of the group!

Little Natalie is perfect in every way.  

She has Kae's cute little nose and LOTS of hair!  

 [Auntie Jae]

[Auntie Nae]

Welcome to JaeKaeNae, little Nat.

One day, you can marry one of my sons or become besties with my little girls.

Deal?

Deal.

March Madness

March really has been maddening.

It's been a crazy, exciting, exhilarating, and all around fabulous month for us in the Kussee household!

First of all, JaeKaeNae was reunited on the lucky day of St. Patrick's Day! After several months of not getting together and Kae living in another state, we finally got to catch up and talk about where our futures are taking us! It's exciting that we're all headed down different roads and at different points in our lives and careers.

Oh how it's great to be with old friends!

March 19th is one of my very favorite days out of the entire year.

It's the day I was married to my best friend.

It's been 2 years since that delightful March day and I couldn't be happier with my choice in a husband.

Everyone kept telling us that the 1st year would be the hardest.

Then they changed their minds and said that the 2nd year would be the hardest.

I have yet to see how they were "hard." Of course we've had our ups and downs, but there have been an exceptional more amount of ups than the minuscule amount of downs. Forget about having hard years. Wouldn't you rather just want to know that you had loved hard? That's what we try to do here in the Kussee home!

To celebrate our special day, we went to one of our favorite Bed and Breakfasts, the "Castle Inn" in Sandy.

We love it because the rooms aren't decorated too cheesy and the service there is great!

This year, we stayed in the "Excalibur" room.

We liked it even more than last years room.

We stepped into our room and followed the path of scarlet roses around the room.

Of course we had to take a picture in the midst of the roses...

Can't let a great picture taking opportunity go to waste!

One thing we've looked forward to on our anniversary is going to one of our favorite restaurants.

The Asian Star is right around the corner from the Castle Inn and has scrumptious food and a delightful staff. Everything we've tried has been succulent and delicious.

Not to mention that the serving sizes are enormous.

We got smart this year and just ordered one entree for the both of us along with lettuce wraps.

We still had enough leftovers for another meal!

Which really is saying something because my husband sure can eat his fill at the dinner table!

As I've been teaching this year I've been really frustrated that I've had so much going on that I haven't gotten around to doing a lot of science. My schedule is packed with teaching/reteaching the English Language Learners in the 2nd grade, juggling conferences and new teacher trainings, and still trying to keep my students on a relatively consistent track in math and language arts.

Who has time for science, right?

I was already getting to school before 7 in the morning and leaving at 7 at night. I've had a rule this year to get everything done on the weekdays and have time for my family, hobbies, and church callings on the weekends.

It didn't leave a whole lot of time for family, exercising, and sometimes I put off eating!

But here's the real dilemma.

My students LOVE learning and science one of their favorite subjects.

After going to a conference in Vegas with a few coworkers and our principal, I have been determined to get on board and really work towards getting hands-on science in our classroom. It's meant working a little longer hours and doing things at home (which I really hate bringing work home).

BUT it's all been worth it! I love my job and I love getting my little monsters excited for learning.

This week, we started our Moon Unit. They did some awesome artwork with glue and watercolors to make moons and we put together these moon fact displays.

We've never had so much fun watercoloring!

(check out this student's itty bitty space ship going to the moon)

All of their very colorful moons and exceptional artwork. This class is chalk FULL of little blossoming artists!

This is our very own Monsters vs. Aliens door.

My own little monsters will be choosing to decorate an alien or a monster during their free time tomorrow and we'll put them on our door with our rocket!

The thing I'm MOST excited about for this Moon Unit is our class "Moon Log."

Each student gets to take it home one night during the next 30 days. They draw what the moon looked like on the night they took the bag home and get to read out of our special solar system book that goes home in the bag.

It's a fast and easy assignment for them to do at home, but they are so excited!

We start tomorrow!

We're also learning the phases of the moon tomorrow with one of milk's favorite cookies...

OREO's!

Any lesson involving food HAS to be good, right?

(I can't take credit for most of the ideas above. They are all mostly from this site.)

Stay tuned for our butterfly life cycle unit coming up at the end of next week! We'll be raising our own butterflies and releasing them in about a month or so.

March has been so good to us and I have so much energy to finish out this school year! There is NO way that I'm going to fizzle out at the end. We'll be sprinting to the Finish Line and learning everyday until school is officially out.

I should apologize for all of the posts about my classroom.

But I won't.

It takes up my life AND T's life is many ways!

Happy March.

P.s. T started a new blog about some interests he has. Click here to go to it!