End Of Summer 2013

So, it's been a while since I've updated this thing... I've been kinda busy!

The rest of our summer went by really fast, but it was so much fun! I started a new job teaching Kindergarten in August. You might not think that switching from preschool to Kindergarten would be that hard. Trust me, it is! I had four years under my belt with Head Start, and I was really starting to feel like I knew what I was doing, like I had some seniority.  I never did student teaching in an elementary school, preschool is all I've ever known. Stepping into this new role as a Kinder teacher, yet I don't really know what they do in Kinder...(please don't tell the parents!) I feel like I did going from a senior in High School to a Freshman in College. I am clueless! I'm figuring it out, and last night I wasn't bombarded with dreams about school. My kids are amazingly smart and cute. I love them already! 

Before I went back to work, Levi and I took one last trip down to Phoenix. This time we headed to Vegas on our way back, and stayed the night. We enjoyed laying out at the pool, delicious food, and probably the "coolest" show I've ever seen. Went went to Cirque du Soleil's One, a show dedicated to Michael Jackson. If you enjoy his music, you have to see this! It's just amazing, and made me want to cry that he is gone and no longer making music. 

Fun summer... I'm always ready for Autumn when it gets here!

Meet Goldschmidt

So, Levi and I love Malone with all our hearts. He's like a child to us. We've done all we can to give him a great life, but we've always felt a little sad for him. All the other dogs we know are little dogs, who are afraid of Malone's energy and size. He's as sweet as can be and would never harm anyone or thing on purpose. We've been talking about getting him a friend to live with, someone that can run and play with Malone. 

At first, we were thinking of getting another big dog, but then we decided another big dog might be too much for us to handle.

 Instead, we found this little cutie:

Meet Paul "Goldy" Goldschmidt Freckleton 

He goes by Goldy, Schmidty, or Goldschmidt... :)

(Paul Goldschmidt is a player for our beloved Arizona Diamondbacks)

At first I was worried that Malone might eat this little Cockapoo... instead, this is what happened:

Malone is in love...

Goldy was a little scared at first when he met Malone, but they quickly became best friends. I think I stopped worrying about Malone with Goldy when I watched them play tug, and I noticed how gentle Malone was being. I mean, he did drag the puppy around a few times, but Goldy just held on for the ride. Malone just lays there while Goldy bites his tail and ears. So far, I think we made the right choice.

We're getting used to him as well. He's adorable, but I think after this, We are DONE getting puppies. Never thought I'd say this, but I prefer Malone's demeanor over a puppy! House training and crate training are so time consuming! Once he grows up, I'm sure he'll be as great as Malone. 

On another note, we took another trip to Phoenix! It was great! 3 games in 3 days. This time, for two of the games, we sat on the front row!

Dirt, sweat, and a little blood...

Here's a little look at what I've been doing this summer...

(Anybody want a tire filled with cement? Use it for tetherball...!)

I'm taking a break now...

Start of Summer

I've been out of school for two weeks now, and it has been really busy! Here are a few highlights:

I decided to be domestic, and make strawberry jam. I had never done it before. Well, I once "helped" make raspberry jam with the Freckleton's. 

By help, I mean I stirred the sugar and poured the jam into jars...

Turns out, it's so easy! I don't think I'm ever buying store bought jam again.

 Malone loves being apart of things, especially cleaning and yard-work. The other day, I was watching Levi mow the grass, and I had to snap a few pictures of his "helper"

So, my goal for our backyard this summer is to get all the weeds pulled. I've spent a few days out there, and filled a few garbage cans. So far, I'm pretty pleased!

Not sure why that tree died...

 Last weekend, Jordyn, Bart and the kids were in town. We had so much fun!

Levi enjoyed some cuddle time...

 On Memorial Day, we got to take Mike and Lisa's new boat out. It was great! It fits us all! 

Here we are with Payton and Jordyn. It was a little chilly!

Levi with Bennett

Here we are with Payton

Summer...Here we come!

April Fun...!

So, April went fast, right? It feels like I blinked, and there it went! 

I can remember some fun things we did though...

 We had a blast at the Bon Jovi concert.

 Thanks Brad and Terri for the tickets!

We also took a fun, quick trip to Phoenix for some baseball. 

Here's an even quicker recap:

Our seats for Fridays game. 

It was a beautiful night for baseball, they opened the roof!

Here are the two palest people in Phoenix...

and probably the most tired (11 hour car ride?!)

The next morning we got up and went

 to our favorite place to eat in AZ... Over Easy

We got an order of Waffle Dogs, which are 

sausages dipped in waffle batter, and fried. YUM! 

Our seats at Saturday night's game

Levi, admiring Chase Field from our seats at Sunday's game

Right above the Diamondbacks bullpen

I was also admiring the field, just from a different perspective... 

I had to take advantage of the "All You Can Eat" seats... :)

We love you Phoenix, and I'm sure we'll be back soon!

On our way home, we decided to go through Vegas, 

and once that was decided, another stop was decided for us...

You don't just go through Vegas, and not stop for 

Earl of Sandwich!

YUM! So worth prolonging our 

drive home in the middle of the night!

Malone stayed with Mike and Lisa while we were gone, 

and he had a good time with their dog, Charley.

This is pretty much how he spent Monday...

........................

The other day, Levi left for a little bit, 

and I came around the corner to find this:

That's loyalty! Love my Malone!