Las Vegas and family

As some of you might know, I went to Las Vegas between semesters for the week that I had off. But first, I want to share my most favorite picture of my niece Katie. My sister told her to go in the bedroom so she could change her diaper. When my sister went into the room, this is what she found! Katie is such a character!! She was just laying there watching cartoons in her diaper. I miss them so much!



This was in Bancroft the day before I went to Vegas. I played with my four nieces that live there. We had a great time together!! This is Jennie.

These are the twins, Sadee and Hannah. I didn't get a picture with Audrey at the park. She doesn't hold still long enough I guess!

Here' the famous strip in Las Vegas!

We had the hardest time finding a hotel room. We seriously spent almost four hours trying to find something affordable, yet not scary! It was tougher than I thought it would be. We finally came across this place, knowing that it was out of our price range, but trying anyway. It ended up being cheaper than the scary ghetto places! We were so blessed to find this place. And when we got to our room, it was huge!! Not what we expected at all!

It had a kitchenette and everything!

This bush looked like a scary old man in the corner of our hotel room when the lights were out...so we did some rearranging! We hid it by the door so we couldn't see it from our beds. I wonder what the maids thought!!

Proof that we were there! I'm a terrible picture taker, and my friend Kyra isn't much better. So this is all we've got for you! Sorry!!

All in all, it was a great trip and really good to get away!

Fat kids CAN run!!

So, I've been getting really fat and gross in the past couple of years! The winters are especially bad for me for getting out of shape and a few spare tires around the waist. I have such a hard time working out inside. I love being outside and don't like being confined to a machine to keep me in shape. But in Idaho, that's really the only thing to do because 1-it's so cold to run outside, and 2-there's no where to run because the sidewalks are covered in snow. It finally took my 9 year old nephew telling me in a concerned voice that he couldn't find my ribs to tickle them, and asking if I had any, to get myself in gear and do something about this flab! I've been working out at least 3 to 5 times a week, and I feel so much better. Today, we finally decided to brave the weather and go outside and play ultimate frisbee. Eventhough it snowed on us, it was so great to be outside!!! It was the weirdest thing too, I felt so good! I didn't run out of breath. I didn't feel like I was going to die! I kept up with everyone else! It felt great!! Every spring, I have to get myself back into shape and hate life for the first few weeks while my body adjusts. But this year, none of that!! I'm already in shape, and ready for the sunny weather so I can really get into my sports again! All I have to say is, thank goodness for free workout equipment at the university! I love feeling healthy and being active! I'm actually thinking about running a half marathon this summer because I've never done it before and have always wanted to. And if I do marathons, I'll have great reason to stay in shape during the winter months. But don't quote me on that because we all know that the fat kid is still in there someone, and is just dying to come out! I'll just have to feed her a doughnut every once in a while to keep her satisfied!
Good day blogging buddies!

PS- If Meg is reading this, I appologize ahead of time for using the "fat kid" phrase! It's just so hard to kick it from the vocabulary! Please forgive!!

Love ya'll!!

School

Dear blog readers...if I have any...I'm bad at this blogging thing. Today was my first day in the elementary school, and it was really good. I love being with the children and finally staring to apply what I've been learning in the classroom for so long. Because of my major, I have four practicums before I student teach. This is my first one. I applied for preschool student teaching next semester and just found out that I have a placement. I'm excited about that, but I'm going to be very busy! Today, being in the school with the children helped to remind me why I'm doing all of this and why it's all worth it! Classes can get overwhelming and crazy, so it's to finally be in a placement. I'm in a first grade class. The students are adorable! I'm excited to get to know them better. Hope all is well with everyone!! Love ya'll!

Beyond the obvious

I used this in a presentation for one of my special education classes last semester. I love this clip!!! It makes you think!
Here's the link. I don't know how to make it show up here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma6kU2bpbxw

Home sweet home....

This is my new home. Yes, I live in the Super 8 hotel in Rexburg, Id! How weird is that?!

Our hot water heater went out and as a result we have no hot water or heat. Since it is so stinking FREEZING out now, we couldn't stay in our apt, so my complex is forking the bill for us to stay here. It's been kind of crazy! Finals are the next two weeks, and we're here til at least wednesday. Yikes!!!

But I'd be lying if I said I hated it! I wake up and breakfast is hot and ready and waiting for me. I come home, and the room is magically clean! Yeah, I could get used to this!! Then, tonight, a friend and I got pizza and hung out in the hot tub! SO NICE!!!! Sometimes I feel like I'm on vacation....and then I remember that I have class and homework! Sad day!!

All in all, at least I'm warm and clean and oh so blessed! Life is good!!

Just...one...more...week!!!

One more week before I get a week break from school! I am so excited!! I really need this break, especially since my state tests start the beginning of December. I'll be nice to have a little breather and some time to study before my big exams. Yay for Turkey Day!!!
I hope ya'll have a great Thanksgiving this year!

Look at what I found?!!!

Logan Sarah Gilbert was born the first part of October. I know, I know, I'm just now getting to it! Actually, she was born the Sunday of General Conference. I was home visiting my parents, and on the way back to Rexburg, I was able to stop in Blackfoot and see her. These pictures are at the hospital.

She is so precious!!! We are grateful to have her in our family!

All of Paul's girls!! Diana, MyKynlee, Bree, and Logan!







I just had to post this picture!!! Isn't Bree adorable!! I can't believe how grown up she looks now!

I also want to post one more picture. I was writing a paper for one of my classes and had present on it, so I had my Mom send me some pictures from my mission. Among them, she sent this one.








Wow, the memories!!! This is my dear friend Jimmie Demery! I was really surprised to find this picture in with the others that she sent, but it made me smile! Someday, I really should tell you his story! Thanks Mom!


I guess a small update on my life as well; I am still alive....for now! That is good news! This semester has been a really difficult one, but I am somehow surviving. We only have another month before the semester is over. Crazy how fast time goes by! I can register for winter classes next week, so that'll be good. Hopefully, I can get into all the classes I want/need! Sadly, that's basically my life; homework!
Also, I've been getting a lot of migraines lately and it's getting really annoying! I'm really hoping I can figure out what's going on and get them under control.
Tonight I thought I broke my finger. No lie! I really thought I killed it! My roommate and I were messing around, and as she went to tackle me, she landed on my hand and all the pressure went onto one finger. I've never heard my hand pop so many times in one moment! We both looked at each other and thought, Oh crap!! It took me a minute to be able to move it, but it's fine. It's all fat and swollen and my hand is all bruised, but it's all good. After that happened, I came to a conclusion that I need to stay away from peoples' KNEES!!!!!!! Bad things happen when I'm around flying knees!!
Anyway, all is well! I hope everyone is happy, healthy, and staying clear of the swine bug!

I love ya'll!!

Good night world of blogging!