well that was fun...day 1

Being in LA for such a short time was very bittersweet...but mostly sweet.  It was a whirlwind trip and I can't wait to go back for MK's WEDDING!  Here is a picture tour of my trip.  Pictures are much better than words. 

 DAY ONE:

After a long day of work, I headed to Denver.  Driving 7 hours was made possible by Red Bull. 

On way to Denver I spotted this beauty of a sign.  Hilarious.  Could of used one of these back in my NMS days.

Best treat.  Boudin and Craklins.  Yes, please.

Seriously, thanks Dad.

After an afternoon with NMS folks, the old Dazzlers and I headed to TCBY to chat and have some delicious White Chocolate Mousse yogurt. 

The entourage.

Dazzler love.

Da-Da-Dun-Da.  Geaux Tigers.

Mike missed us. 

We missed Mike!

Tris!

Missed friends, blackened alligator, red beans and rice, fried shrimp, fried crab claws, and white chocolate bread pudding.  Feeling good to be home. 

How could she not be your favorite?

Two beautiful preggers ladies and me.  Cannot wait to see what beauties they bring into the world. 

 

devil's bathtub

I have found a little piece of heaven and it's called "Devil's Bathtub." 

Tyler wasn't game for coming with me so onward I went.  Mom, don't get too worried!  There were many people along the trail.  I passed a family with kids, some local twenty-somethings, and hiked back with another group.  The trail was super easy to follow compared to Hippie Hole and I didn't lose my keys.  The temperature is much cooler in the Black Hills.  It dropped from 70 degrees to 60.  The creek was FREEZING so I made sure not to fall in; however, almost had a tumble once or twice.  

If you know how to get to Bridal Veil Falls, then you can easily find the trail to Devil's Bathtub.  Coming from Spearfish, you pass Bridal Veil Falls and then about 2 miles afterward you take a left on Cleopatra.  Park and follow the trail to the right of the bridge.  
I can't wait to take this hike again.  I didn't venture farther down the trail but hear there is an even more narrow trail with more falls.  Guess that'll have to wait for our next trip to Spearfish.

Check out the videos below!

Fall is gorgeous here.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  The yellow leaves are so bright and every now and then I come across a tree with stunning, red leaves. 

Not the most flattering pic, but I had to prove it was me out there.

The creek was so peaceful, beautiful, and COLD.

Devil's Bathtub. 

hi home

Seeing Louisiana for the first time in 5 months.  Super excited.  Super excited.  Super excited. 

you know, just hanging out

 1.  It's beginning to look a lot like fall.  Every morning I have sweaters on, goosebumps, my car heater is turned on, and I try to pump myself up for the future season some people like to call "winter."  

2. My "kiddos" celebrated National Dot day by reading The Dot by Peter Reynolds, making their own masterpiece, discussing their own mark on the world, and using the computer to whip up some art.  Loving being in the library media center.  This job was made for me.

3.  Our puppy dogs are getting older and too wise for their own good.  They discovered toilet paper the other day and made sure to play with an entire role while I got dressed for work.  Crazies.

4.  Nola always resembled the great Mr. Boston.  She looks less like him now, but I captured two pics of her with his resemblance.  Yes, I'm ridiculous.  I call her Beans or Bos on accident and it kills me.  At least she likes to cuddle and her paws kind of smell like Cheetos, too.  

5.  I started teaching CCD and made the cutest Fig Newton Bibles.  I love seeing all those Christian songs I learned growing up even if God didn't give me the voice of an angel.  

help my 400 kiddos

Help my kids get working, kid-friendly headphones. If you donate, type the code word "INSPIRE" and donorschoose.org will match your donation!!! Or better yet, send this link to anyone you think may want to help us out!

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1541119

 

welcome to the toe jam

Here's your chance, do your dance, at the TOE JAM...alright, alright, alright.  

 

Again, we headed to Prairie Berry.  Just a small road trip to the Toe Jam and to pick up our month's wine club selections.  Tons of fun.  I felt like Lucy from "I Love Lucy" the whole time...except the hubby thought I looked like a complete fool.  The grapes looked like blueberries and were freezing.  Such a cool experience.  Too bad Tyler didn't want to join in the fun. 

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VIP treatment.

Unexpectedly COLD.

This is where I became "LUCY."

Grapes, pre-smash.

These truffles are delectable. 

Hello, Fall!

it's coming...it's coming

Yep...first week of September and it's in the 50's.  Yikes.  Yikes.  Yikes. To my surprised lack of dismay, it feels absolutely amazing outside.  Fall is here for us and cute fall outfits can be worn.  Boots galore.  Now I only need several more jobs and many more paychecks in order to buy fall clothes.  

Going home to LA soon and cannot wait to hang out with this little man:

Also, here are our puppies.  Growing up fast and now deciding to chew everything.  I've lost a couple of cute sandals to their enjoyment.  I even discovered our pups, not sure which one, has learned to climb on top of our dining room chairs to grab items on the table and eat.  One shoe and Tyler's Visa card didn't make it out alive.  Goodness, these dogs are going to kill me or cuddle me to death.