I'm really bad at this...

Wow, 2011 is 3/4 of the way over and a lot has happened! You wouldn't know if from this blog, because apparently I'm not updating it :/ 2011 came in with full force. We had the snowstorm of the century! Everything basically shut down for a week. My basketball team went undefeated, followed by my lacrosse team who beat the Potomac School for the first time in school history. However, I was feeling the 2-year itch, so I traveled down to SC in search of a new job. I decided (begrudgingly) to stay in DC until the end of my masters' program. I resigned at Edlin (but went on a great field trip with my 4th grade class to Baltimore...a pirate cruise)! Oh, I almost forgot...I went to AFRICA! The French students raised money to help their pen pals build a new school in Senegal and I tagged along. Best. Trip. Ever. Grace graduated from Barrie and is now a freshman at UVA (I know, I can't believe it either). Ashley moved out and I got a new roommate named Marie, but our usual group went through the summer process of celebrating birthdays (Ashley's, Andrew's, Jimmy's, mine...) I worked another summer at the Potomac School coaching lacrosse and popped down to Myrtle Beach for a week in August to see the family. Then it was back to work! I'm now working with an autistic boy (who's in 7th grade) and coaching varsity field hockey at Falls Church HS. Oh, and of course I added another semester of grad school just to keep things interesting! Never a dull moment.

2010 is outta here...

The rest of 2010 can be summed up in 10 topics...

10. I finished my summer job (working as a tennis coach) and had an awesome tan through fall. Minus the ankle sock lines.
9. The Ravens vs. Redskins pre-season game...do I really need to report on who won?
8. I turned 30. Yeah. Not much to say there. It was a gorgeous day, so I went out and rode a bike.
7. I took my girls' field hockey team to see #2 Maryland play #1 North Carolina. Do I need to mention who won? And who then went on to win the national title yet again...?
6. Annual Maryland homecoming football game with my dad. After last season, I guess it's not a given to be smug about who won. Maryland blew 'em out of the water, 62-14. After the 50th some-odd point, we left a bit early. Maryland went on to play East Carolina in the Military Bowl this year, beating them 51-20. Again, once they hit 50, it gets a bit dull.
5. Fall was gorgeous this year. And it lasted a long time. It was truly an enjoyable season and I couldn't resist digging out my camera and photographing the leaves. Nature never gets old.
4. ELDER PEER CAME HOME! Josh returned on November 4 and we were thrilled to have him back for 2 months. He just left for school (back in Utah!) this past weekend.
3. I had a blast teaching "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" to my 4th grade class, complete with green goggles and costumes. We had a green food holiday party and I think it's one book my kids will never forget.
2. I got to reunite with my cousin Gretchen (after more than a decade) and meet her wonderful husband Nick, and beautiful daughter Mackenzie. We had a great visit with them.
1. There's no better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ than with ammo. I'm kidding, of course. We did go shooting at a range on Christmas Eve, followed by a lovely Christmas morning with the entire family.

As the sun sets on 2010, I am grateful for my family, my health, and my Savior. I am blessed with good employment, and the opportunity to further my education, as I continue my endeavors pursuing a masters degree from the University of Maryland in Secondary English Education (i.e., teaching middle and high-schoolers).

I can't wait to see what 2011 holds. Happy New Year, y'all.

It's summertime in Washington.

Ashley's friend Brenda visited (from New York) and we did the obligatory DC tour. We also drove out to Warrenton for the Gaskins' lake party...some 4-wheelin', food, and fun.

Ashley turns 27!

Although she technically turned 27 while she was in California, we celebrated in style when she returned. And by style I mean it involved chocolate. The guys came over and gave her an appropriate Care Bears gift bag. We also said good-bye to Dylan, who moved back to Idaho. FUN!