Happy Halloween!!!

 

This year Landon and I had a lot of fun coming up with our costumes. Well, I should probably clarify that the first month of Halloween ideas wasn’t our best brainstorming session…but inspiration struck a week before our first party! I think we were having such a hard time because in the past we have always matched.  And let’s just say that I was having problems finding a modest costume because our society has turned Halloween into “wear the most revealing costume ever” night….

Enough of that pet-peeve,  ANYWAYS…. Thanks to a fun hat in the mall (see next pic), we all of a sudden knew what we wanted to do, how to make it fun and stylish, and exactly how to put it together! I no longer had to stress out about finding a costume I liked and Landon didn’t have to worry about dressing up as something he wasn’t really into. ((He just wasn’t feeling the whole pirate vibe this year.))

So a trip to D.I., a tutorial on Tulle Tutu making, a dozen make-up videos on YouTube, and a weekend ripping and shredding up a suit and dress….here are the final results!

Spud Break Holiday, Here We Come!!!

I LOVE teaching in Shelley for many reasons, but one that clearly stands out is Spud Break. It’s a magical time that the school district declares the need out of tradition and farming that everyone receives two weeks off from school. So a few high school kids and a few teachers actually work during that time while everyone one else gets an extended vacation.

For my vacation I’ve spend the first half nursing a sick Landon. Then for a couple of days I relaxed and prepared for our mini-vacation trip to Utah. Our trip was planned from Thursday evening after Landon got off work, until Saturday evening. Landon was thankful to have a four day weekend with Friday and Monday off.

First we drove down to Park City Utah and stayed in our nice hotel that we found online. We’ve noticed that if you go off season to Park City and say more then one night you can save A LOT of money. Most hotels have their rooms over half off because there isn’t any snow on the ground to bring skiers to them. So we ended up staying at a really nice hotel for only $50 a night! So much better then staying in a small okay place in SLC for that price.

 

The next morning and afternoon we enjoyed walked around the huge outlet mall they have in Park City.  I love the fact that Landon enjoys window shopping as much as I do. In fact, we have so much in common that it makes our free time together a blast! Very often we think the same thoughts.

We also ate lunch with our friends, Ryan and Allison,  from Provo who drove up to see us. We ate at this restaurant we discovered last time we came. It’s called Squatter’s Pub. And yes it is a pub; but, they do have the most delicious food ever! Their French Toast breakfast is to die for. And for being a pub, it is actually very family friendly.  I’m sure during the ski season it might be more lively of a place, but if anything it felt like a normal restaurant. The only thing that different was the fact that they had listed all over their menu different brews that they make.

The thing that Landon and I love is the fact that they are so focused on trying to keep things as green as possible. Not that we actually are too much about “going green” ourselves, but it is fun to watch others do it! Their napkins are recycled, their straws are either cardboard or made out of plant material. Everything is biodegradable. No plastic or Styrofoam is used there. Even their art work in the building is recycled material like old skateboards or water bottles. The toilets use les water, everything!

 

After a busy afternoon in Park City, we drove over to Salt Lake City for dinner and a little more shopping at the Gateway Mall. But mostly dinner enticed us. Last time we had been in SLC we tried out a new restaurant and fell in love. So we HAD to return. We absolutely adore and honor the tasty pleasures of Tucano’s Brazilian Grill. YUMMMMMY!!!!

If you ever get the chance to try it out, do it!

Tip #1: It is cheaper at lunch then dinner by about $8 and you get the exact same food.

Tip #2: Try everything the first time you are there! Things may look weird or even sound weird, but oh my, the taste wonderful. Our favorites are the mango cod and the grilled pineapple.

Tip #3: The Fried Banana is a must!

The fun thing about the restaurant is that it is set up in the style of both a buffet but also service.  The buffet has all the salads, breads, soups, and other side dishes. Then the service/waiters bring around an assortment of different meats for you to try. They bring over the skewer and cut off the cut of meat that you want.

 

After a very full and exhausting day, we hit the hay back in Park City. They next morning we headed into downtown Park City to look at the local art galleries. It turns out that it also was the same weekend rally for the Dodge Viper of America. I wondered why we kept seeing so many vipers. Their was a parade planned about an hour after we left, but we still saw a TON of beautiful cars. And some great art work as well.

After a morning in Park City we checked out and headed north for a day at Lagoon! Since it is now officially October, Frightmares had begun and we were looking forward to the decorated park and fun/spooky attractions they had. They had some impressive stuff.

We had a blast this trip and enjoyed a quiet ride home while listening to Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief on Audio CD from the Library. I think we found a new book series we love. The rest of the weekend was very relaxing while we listened to conference and having a lazy Monday. Now Landon is back to work and I’m already thinking of lesson plans for next week!

Labor Day Weekend

Landon and I realized after we arrived to our campsite that we really need to save up for a small but nice camera that would fit inside my purse or his pocket. Alas, we have to pictures no post about this trip or our adventures of late! That’s what happens when all you have is a honking-huge professional Nikon camera that sometimes feels more of a hassle to a help.

Anyways… This weekend Landon and I FINALLY got to go camping! We went up past Kelly Canyon on Friday after Landon got off work. It was our first time that just the two of us have gone alone. It was fun setting up camp together, going on a short hike, making a fire, and then going to bed since we were so exhausted from a busy week at work. Landon was so amazing at make a duck-oven breakfast for us! Even hot coco was provided in the morning. I love my boy scout!!!

We came home shortly after the morning because we were so tired from not sleeping well. We promptly came home, sat in our apartment’s hot tub for 20 minutes to relax, and then came home and past out on the couches for an hour and a half! But it was well worth it.

We are now just enjoying our time at home, with friends, and a little bit of shopping. Both of us really want to go to the fair, but we are waiting for a day after work next week when it won’t be as busy as the weekend. I love Eastern Idaho Autumns!!!

Time for an Upgrade and an Update!

 

Wow…has it really been 1 1/2 years since I’ve posted anything! Yikes-a-bee!!! I must apologize and instill in you that I am going to do better. Recently my friend Shelby has sparked the blogging-fever back into my bones, and this is the result! A new layout and a new post. She also introduced me to Microsoft’s Live Writer software that makes blogging really simple too! The easier something is the more likely I am to actually make the effort to do it. But that’s just human nature. ANYWAYS….

Last fall Landon and I moved out of Mom & Dad Meikle’s home once they came home from their mission. We’ve moved into a wonderful apartment complex called ‘Eagles Landing’ in Idaho Falls. We are very happy living here and have enjoyed not only quiet neighbors but a swimming pool too!

I’m still teaching in Shelley in the 2nd grade. I absolutely love my job and those silly kids. This summer has been a good break and has rejuvenated my  enthusiasm, energy, and excitement for the new school year. My first day of school this year is August 19th. Not much time left!!! This is a picture of my school. ((And  I’m starting my 3rd year.))

Landon finally finished college this spring in April. He graduated with his degree in Communications: emphasis in advertisement & web design. We are enjoying the nights without homework and the days without needing him to drive up to Rexburg for classes. The economy is still really sluggish in Idaho Falls and finding a job hasn’t been easy. After a month of looking Landon did find a job working at an Allstate insurance company answering phones, doing paper work, and studying to get his insurance license. We are still on the look for something that he could use his college degree with. The plan is that I will teach another school year and Landon will continue to try and find something locally that is in his career field. If he doesn’t find anything in the next 9 months then we will need to consider moving. It breaks my heart thinking about it, but it would be for the best. We want to start a family and we need a father who has a stable job that can earn enough to support us. We shall see. I know Heavenly Father is aware of our concerns and desires, it’s now a matter of sitting back and waiting for things to fall into place. ((I think patience is a continual lesson  I am supposed to learn in my life…it’s a theme anyways!))

Beyond those major things in life (moving, graduating, and jobs), life is going smoothly and wonderfully. We were just called into the primary together to teach the sweet sunbeams…all 8 to 10 of them. I think it’s been about a month since we started. I’m starting to find some enjoyment with being around the kids, but I’m not sure Landon is sure about being in Primary! Lol…after the first Sunday we taught Landon turned to me and asked, “Are you SURE you still want to have children?!?” It’s probably a good thing babies come one at a time. I really miss being in Relief Society and playing the piano for them, but we will go where we are needed.

Hmmmm….. Our lives aren’t that busy or crazy to really fill up a blog with the most amazing stories or pictures. Maybe that is why I’ve neglected this for so long. I want to try to do better with listing the little things we do through out the week. We fill our time with movies, reading, friends, and family. I’ve started my own separate blog as a way to express what is going on in my head or life. I’ve enjoyed being able to create that as an outlet. I hope this will be the first of many posts to come!!!

Christmas Time Again! 08'

I love Christmas Time. And this one was even better since Landon and I both had the full break off together with no work or school to get in the way of spending time together. Landon had about 3 1/2 weeks off while I had 2, but it was still great. It's hard to believe but this is our third Christmas together since our first was spent engaged. ((So second Christmas if you count only being married)). And what did we do all break? Well mostly ALOT of R&R...and some window shopping...but mostly sleeping, eating, and being LAZY. Maybe it wasn't the most productive but it felt well deserved and appreciated after Landon's crazy semester ((Which he pulled off all A's and B's)) and my first few months at teaching. It was also nice that we had a very very white Christmas with at least a good foot or more of snow outside by Christmas Day.

For Christmas Landon had presents that followed the theme of Batman: The new Dark Knight Movie, Batman Lego for the Wii, a couple of Batman comics, and a huge stuffed pillow of Batman. That wasn't all he got, but it was the more fun part. He got for me some art supplies that I can use to doodle my ideas and dream about someday maybe writing my own children's picture books. Also a nice watch, some perfume, and the book titled 'The Last Lecture'. It's worth reading.

We spend Christmas Eve and part of Christmas Day with my family. It wasn't too eventful since my grandmother was down south in Arizona visiting my Uncle Ronald and family. But it was still nice to be near family.

Thanksgiving in Utah 08'

This year since Mom and Dad Meikle are still on there mission, it was once again my turn to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. But this year we had Thanksgiving down in Utah at my Aunt MaryAnne's house in Highland. ((We spent the nights at my Uncle Brian's home in Springville)). It turned out to be a good break from school plus one evening we went to Temple Square to see the new lights be turned on. Plus a nice visit to Landon's parents.

I'm Offical...2nd Grade Here I Am!!!

I feels so good to finally be done with a thousand classes and to being doing a job that I love every day. It's true that some days are better then others, but I can also honestly say that I have never had any other job that I have cared about so much and the I find so much fulfillment out of. I'm teaching out in Shelley at Sunrise Elementary school. It's a newer building so it still in good condition. Plus I have my own classroom projector!!! Good bye the days of overheads!!! ((Maybe only other teachers would understand my excitement on that one...)) But right now I have 22 kids. And I teaching with seven other 2nd grade teachers. It makes it nice because I'm always borrowing and asking for new ideas. The only job I would trade for this one would be to become a full time mom!