Another Year Gone

Well tomorrow is the last day of 2009! So much has happened this year, yet it seems to have been a pretty mild year. Here are some of the highlights from our year!

1. I graduated college.

2. Michelle got married

3. The Massie's finally got moved into their home!

4. Pat started his senior year and got an awesome internship.

Like I said nothing earth shattering but still exciting none the less. Maybe it is all the small moments that make up the important things.

Christmas was wonderful of course. I got some much needed clothes for teaching, as well as a mixer and grill for the new house (whenever we get one) and Country Rock Band (I almost have all the songs played on the guitar!) Pat got a tool set, some clothes and other odds and ends. He still has to open presents from my family which will probably happen this weekend.

For New Year's we are heading to Columbus to go out with Mike and Katie. We are going to do a dinner and a movie which I am pretty excited about because I wasn't really looking to do anything to extravagent and this is just perfect plus we usually have a really good time with them.

Well we are getting closer and closer to the deadline of June 19th! I really need to get to making some final decisions especially with softball coming up and we will have games pretty much everyday starting March 31st (weather permitting). The invitations that Pat and I both agreed on (we were shocked too) were a little out of our price range in my opinion. We were hoping to make them but aren't sure that will work and looked a couple other places but they were still pricy, especially when most people will probably just throw them away. So anyways we have been looking at a couple other options but we can't agree on any other ones. After some searching today however I think I have found a solution. There is a cartridge for the Cricut machine (a scrapbooking tool) that has the shape we need. The problem, which of course there has to be one, is that it was only released in a special bundle through Home Depot. Well after more investigating it is being released later in January more globaly so we are hoping to get one then. I looked on Ebay for some and they are selling them for almost $200! These things normally sell for $40 so we will not be bidding on any of those. Hopefully though we can get a cartridge and it will work out and we will get the invitations we want yet!

The other big thing we need to get done is the bridesmaids dresses. The problem we have with that is getting Michelle and Jennifer to both be able to try some on! I know what I have in mind but I would still like to have them try them on to see what they look like. Once that is done it is just the decorating that we need to get pinned down and then I think it will be smooth sailing from there, cross my fingers.

Well I think that is all for 2009, here are some pictures from our Christmas holiday.

The present I made Kristal

Luke opening his tool box with his first tools

Matthew playing at Maumee Bay State Park

Pat & I at the Toledo Walleye Hockey Game

The Cricket County Crew

Pat showing off his "muscles" for Katie

Layton & his new tractor

It's that time again

Well we just arrived back to our house from the Lapp Christmas. It was a fun filled evening of our new tradition of the dice-rolling, present trading gift exchange (for those that are not familiar, it is quite an experience).





Pat just left after spending the past few days here. He came down to see Cricket County(more about that later) and then stayed for Christmas today because in 4 years this was the first time he could be here for the get-together. We got a lot of Christmas shopping done and also got plenty of movies watched. Last night we took Luke to see Princess in the Frog, which we all loved! I love to take Luke to the movies and it is something I think he looks forward to. Pat and I started it this summer taking him to the movies and I would like to continue the tradition. The next movie he has his eye on is Alvin & the Chipmunks so he may get two right in a row here!

This year we decided to make a lot of our Christmas presents and I think I have them all ready to go but one. I have tried to take pictures of them so I will post them once they are all opened. I know not many people read this but knowing my luck I would post them and then everyone would read this and there would be no surprises!

Cricket County went really well this year. There were a few bumps here and there but the actors were great in just going along with it and making it work. If you didn't know what was supposed to happen I'm not sure you would have even noticed the slip-ups. After being in charge of this I realize even more how blessed I am with my church family. None of the people involved even hesitated when I asked them to be a part of this. At such a hectic time of year all of them were willing to help out without a second thought. I think that happens a lot at our church and I think that is something very special. Our Sunday School is also going very well. We are almost through our first book and we have had a pretty good turnout of kids. I feel bad because I haven't been there a couple weeks because of being out of town but the kids seem to understand which I really appreciate. I feel like I should have a substitute but the kids said they would rather just keep the class with us which makes me feel pretty good!

Tomorrow I am getting together with the girls to do our gift exchange. I am so excited to see them. I feel like we go forever without talking to one another but then we get back together and we are back to acting like we see each other everyday! Again I am so blessed to have such good friends no matter how far away we may be!

Well I think that is all for now. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Sounds from a 6th Grade Classroom

So I am subbing at the elementary school currently in the 5th and 6th Grades. I am starting to LOVE this age group. They are so much fun and still very honest. As most of the kids are at recess there are a few straglers that have decided to stay in and are discussing the Vampires from Twilight. Not boys or who did what to who but just about a book they are reading! I love it! I could never understand when I was that age and people said we were growing up too fast but I am starting to understand it now. While coaching, almost all of my girls had cell phones with texting and used them all the time. When I was that age I was the only one that had a cell phone and that was because Dad was known for forgetting to pick me up from practice and that was the only time I used it. I know cell phones aren't the only problem but maybe our kids are wanting to grow up too fast and sadly it will be too late until they realize it isn't that great to be grown-up!

It's Almost Christmas!

I can't believe it is December already! When we went back to school yesterday we counted only 16 more days until Christmas break! Hard to believe it is here already. Thankfully Pat and I have most of our shopping done, or at least know what we are getting for the most part. There are still a few that need to be decided so hopefully we can get those done soon!

This weekend I am headed to Rio for one of Pat's fraternity brother's wedding. I am looking forward to going down and seeing everyone! And as I am writing this I just realized we have not gotten them a present or have any idea where they are registered! Of course Pat's response to this dilemma is "Let's not get them anything." He such a thoughtful sensitive person! Haha, but I love him.

Next weekend we are celebrating the Snyder Christmas weekend. We are doing things a little different and instead of going out for a nice dinner we are all getting a cabin and staying in for the weekend. I am looking forward to it, especially since they have a racquetball court! Pat's dad has challenged me to a game so I will have my racket packed. I am sure there will be plenty of time to read, watch movies and play games! What more could you ever want.

The Cricket County play is going well. We are now practicing twice a week and our "actors" are starting to really learn their lines. I am thinking about taking away their books next week! The production is the 20th and we are having our Cookie Sale on the 19th, so if you are in the area come visit Keene Hill!

We are still on the lookout for jobs so if anyone has any leads on one, please let us know! Well I will hopefully give another update around Christmas time!