Because it's tradition now . . .

Two years ago Bethany and I ran in the Red Ribbon Run for the first time. My entire family did the mile walk while we ran the 5K. It was so much fun that we all did it again last year. This year my ENTIRE family was out of town this weekend, but Beth and I decided to run still. We got a late start, and barely made it there in time. So we couldn't get any pre-run pictures (Plus there was no one there to hold the camera for us while we ran).

Though both way under-trained, we were able to run the whole thing and finish in 28:51 - just 7 seconds short of our best time! We were very happy about that.

We were so tired when we left we forgot to take pictures. We pulled off to the side of the street to get at least a few pictures to capture the event!

We celebrated our victory with New York Cheesecake Pancakes from IHOP. Oh so heavenly!

I would run three miles for those things any day of the week!

Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

On Saturday after conference my family headed to a local pumpkin patch to load up on the friendly orange squash for the upcoming holiday. The day was beautiful, the pumpkins were plentiful, and the best part - they were only $2 each! I wasn't going to get a pumpkin, but I wanted to tag along to play with my fun camera. Here are some of my favorite shots:

I LOVE this one of Lacey and Steve

This picture of my parents turned out so fun.
Notice the shades on the pumpkin.
Classic Dad picture for you!

Somehow, I ended up carting Elmo around most of the time. He helped me get some smiles out of Ivy for a while, but the rest of the time I felt pretty silly.

Grandma watched the fun and kept the local dog company

Even though I hadn't planned on getting a pumpkin, about halfway through the adventure I realized that I now have a porch to put a pumpkin on! I was so excited! I picked a perfect pumpkin to carve and decorate my porch with at the end of the month. Pictures to come!

I love this time of year!

Dear Autumn,

Did you know that you are my favorite? It's true.

Hiking is always pleasant, but when you are here it is even more lovely and enjoyable.

I know this is asking a lot, but do you think you could stick around a little longer this year?

I would appreciate at least of few months of your splendor, if possible.

Sincerely,

Katie

Losing My Mind

I haven't slept more than five hours in a few nights, and my body doesn't react well to that. I was bound and determined to get at least eight hours of sleep last night. I went running in the evening, got ready for bed, and was asleep at a ridiculously early hour. It was heavenly. I set my alarm clock for 5 O'clock, so that I could get up and exercize before going to school (I am trying for 45 minutes a day for Great in Eight, and knew that I wouldn't have time this afternoon)

When I woke up I looked at the clock and saw that it was 5:43. My alarm hadn't gone off! I litterally leaped out of bed, threw on my exercize clothes, and ran downstairs. I knew that it would be a tight fit, but that I could still get everything in that I needed.

I did an intense exercize video for the next 45 minutes. For me, that is a long time! I really pushed myself and was all sweaty and worn out by the end. I was also happy that I had gotten my exercise in before the day started! I was now ready to get to school. I was full of energy!

I walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water and take my vitamins. As I was drinking I looked at the stove clock, it said: 12:38. What?!? 12:38. How is that possible? I looked at the microwave clock - same thing. I ran upstairs and grabbed my phone. 12:39. Yes, folks, I got up in the middle of the night and exercised my heart out. No wonder my alarm clock didn't go off, I still had 5 hours to sleep! I have no idea why I thought it was 5:43. A 5 and an 11 don't even look similar. Ug.

I had a really hard time falling back to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't get that eight hours that I was hoping for. Do these things only happen to me?

Life as I know it

-I don't have internet at my house. This has caused blogging to become much more difficult, as well as following blogs. If I haven't commented on your blog lately, I apologize!

-The second year of teaching is way less stressful than the first. I still have my moments, but the difference is HUGE!

-The other day we were working on our "All About Me" books in class. One page had the students tell about where they live. The options were house, apartment, mobile home, and duplex. They had no idea what a duplex was, so I tried to explain it. I told them that I live in a duplex (not quite true, but it was the closest choice to a townhome) and that it means that I share a wall with my neighbors. They were so confused. I drew a picture. I told them that I can't see or hear my neighbors, there is just a wall there. Afterward, a little boy came up and said "There is lots of room in my house, maybe you should stay there!" So cute!!

-The weather is cooling off and I saw a tree with leaves starting to change colors. It makes me so happy! This is my all time favorite part of the year!

-I got a calling in my new ward - Relief Society Counselor. Third time since being home from Brazil. I laughed, but I really am excited for the opportunity.

-School causes me to forget about being healthy (things like exercising, and eating well). I have decided to try Great in Eight again and see if I can get myself on a routine of exercising during the school year, and not just the summer. Wish me luck!

I'm that weird teacher you hear about

My students this year are an extremely different bunch than my group last year. I have five less students (which I love!). I am constantly counting them, because I feel like I have lost some! I have an almost equal set of boys and girls - 11 and 10 - instead of my 2/3 boys group of last year. The biggest difference, however, is that they are QUIET! Seriously, it shocks me. Yes, they are still first graders, they still talk, they still talk loudly, but they can be convinced to be quiet. It is amazing!

Another difference is that my last years group thought I was funny. We would laugh and giggle all the time. I could get them to laugh constantly. This group, not so much. I think that they think I'm weird.

For example, during calendar time we put a number on our number line for each day we have been in school. Any day that ends with a zero (10,20,30 . . . ) we do "Zero the Hero" day. The kids sing the Zero the Hero song, I throw on my red sequined cape, and spend all of calendar time talking in my best super hero voice. Last years kids loved it. They looked forward to every Zero the Hero day. They would laugh and laugh.

Thursday was our first Zero the Hero day. I taught the kids the song, I threw my cape on and acted all cool. That is when I looked down and saw a student covering her face. In a very loud voice she said "This is SO embarrassing". Another kid raised his hand and said "Zero the Hero is just you". He was not impressed. Hmmmmmm. I am embarrassing my six-year-old students. It is going to be an interesting year!

Dear Mommy,

I had so much fun sleeping over at Aunt Katie's this weekend! She is pretty much the coolest person in the world ;-)

I was a great house guest and made sure that I left my shoes by the door when I went inside. We watched a movie and took LOTS of pictures.

Aunt Katie even let me use her camera to take my first ever successful self-portrait (below). I did it all by myself! Are you impressed? Aunt Katie sure was!

She also let me floss before we went to bed! It was awesome!

Katie even let me use her pillows. You know how much she likes her pillows. That is what I call love!

I slept like a rock. A wiggly one, but a rock still the same. In the morning Katie lent me her jacket (since I forgot mine) and we fed the ducks. They were so funny!

It was so much fun! Please let me sleep over again soon. I have the greatest Aunt(s) ever!

Love,

Maddie Jo