Back to School!!!

I am about to begin my third year at Graham-Kapowsin High School. School will start officially on Tuesday, September 2nd...the day after Labor Day. I have already been back to the school and have been preparing for the past two weeks. I look forward to having the students come now...and my office is already to go! It is an amazing school and I absolutely LOVE my students! I am really looking forward to this year and what it has in store for me. GO EAGLES!!!

A Fun Visit from Lindsey Linton

Shortly after returning from my trip to Utah, my good friend, Lindsey Linton, came to visit with her friend, Spencer. We had a great time while they were here. I took them to my favorite spot in Washington...Point Defiance. We also enjoyed dinner on the waterfront in Tacoma at Katie Downs and took a drive to Eatonville for a yummy dinner at my favorite mom and pop's diner, Mountain Cafe. We also watched some of the Olympics...and wow! that Michael Phelps sure can swim!!! Anyway, it was fun having them here...they are trying to decide if they will make the move to join me here! I hope they do!!!

Ghetto Gals Reunion!!

It was so much fun to get together with the Ghetto Gals while I was in Utah. I LOVE these girls!!! We went and enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and also enjoyed catching up with each other! It was way fun to hear about Katie Bell Smith and her darling little family...her little boy Jack is adorable!!! Plus, it was fun to hear about Jamie's boyfriend and how well things are going there. Erin was there with little Hanna...the first baby girl of the Ghetto Gals...and she is quite the little beauty, too! Melissa is working hard and supporting Josh through school for his MBA. Rochelle is gearing up to start another year teaching at Riverton High School. We missed our little Tara Sue who is now preparing to make the move from Boston to Boise. The Ghetto Gals are the best!!! I love these girls! Next year we need to plan another little vacation for sure!!! Last year they came to visit me in the Northwest...where will it be next year??? Boise to see Tara Sue??? Time will tell!

Reuniting with Jen and Joanna and a visit to the Utah State Capitol

It is so fun to reunite with best friends that you haven't seen for a while! Jen Christenson and Joanna Mackay are two of those friends. The first time that we got together was for Joanna's birthday celebration up the canyon. We had a hot dog roast and also a fun birthday cake for Joanna. We chatted for a long while and decided to go visit one of our favorite high school teachers, Mrs. Judith McConkie, together. Mrs. McConkie is now working at the Utah State Capitol as the Curator. She has been one of the main people responsible for the renovation of the state capitol building and it is beautiful!!! She gave us a tour of the building and we were also able to spend some time catching up with her. She is an amazing lady and has definitely made a difference in our lives!!! I am a better high school counselor thanks to her and the example she set for me!!!

High School Friends Reunion

While in Utah, we had a reunion with our group of high school friends at Whitnie Rounds Wells place in Alpine. It was a beautiful evening and we had a lot of fun catching up with each other. It was so neat to hear about all of the great things that everyone is doing. I am so proud of them all!!! It was also fun to see all my friend's kids...they are so cute!!! Isn't it neat how you can go a long time without talking to someone and then when you get back together it seems as though no time has passed? This is how it was that night! I am so grateful for amazing friends who helped me to establish a firm foundation at such a young age. I have always been blessed with many friends...that is how I feel my Savior's love the most...through the friends and family he has blessed me with!!! Love you all!!!

My Cute Little Nephews and Nieces

It's true! I am an aunt!!! Although, none of my siblings are married quite yet, I have 17 nieces and nephews that I claim as my own! I love spending time with them. They are hilarious and make me laugh! I took these pictures when I was in Utah this past summer. I am looking forward to many more fun memories we will make ahead!!!

This is Joaquin, Shauna's boy

This was an outing that Joaquin and I had one day while Shauna was working.

I took him to Wheeler Farm to see the animals

and then I took him to get his first Happy Meal ever!!!

I got to spend a lot of time with this little man

while I was in Utah!

Love him!!!

Dylan, McKenzie and Alyssa

This was at Wolf Creek for a family reunion! Fun times for sure!!!

Jessica, Nicole and I

At the family reunion in Wolf Creek. Love these girls!

Charlie

Ashley's little boy...soon to be Jeff's, too!!! So cute!!!

Grandma Jane and Ty

This is mom with Ty, Ashley's oldest son.

Charlie Again...

Ty is FIVE!!!

Cute brothers, Ty and Charlie

A Welcome Addition to the Knight Family!!!

So...something that my mom has waited for for a long time is actually going to be happening in November...November 15th to be exact! My brother, Jeffrey, will be getting married to an amazing girl, Ashley VanDyke. While I was in Utah, I had the opportunity to meet her and her two boys, Ty and Charlie. I first met them at an afternoon activity at my mom's house in Layton. They were so cute and fun and I knew that I was going to come to love them from the very beginning!

A couple of days later, we went on an outing to see Kung Fu Panda. I told Ashley, via Facebook, before we even met that I wanted to do this with the boys. I later found out that the boys would tell everyone... "Jeff's sister is going to take us to see Kung Fu Panda when she comes to town." It made me laugh and it made that outing a special treat for us all. Can I even tell you how excited I am to be an aunt to these little guys???

Perhaps the best thing that happened for us all was on July 19th. Jeff and Ashley decided to go to Park City to enjoy some horseback riding, the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster and some good food...including a visit to the Chocolate Factory. Meanwhile, my mom and I went up to Jeff's friends cabin in Parley's Canyon and set up a beautiful dinner for the two of them. Roses, candles, music, dinner from the Olive Garden, etc. Everything was perfect! After Park City, Jeff and Ashley were going to go on a "hike" and somehow ended up at the cabin. Awaiting them was this fancy dinner for two. Jeff and I had also prepared some special presents for Ashley that he gave to her throughout the night... a picture of the two of them, a picture of them and their boys, a picture of the Salt Lake Temple, a book of e-mails from their courtship, and scriptures with her new name, Ashley Knight, on them....and of course, a beautiful diamond ring. Jeffrey got down on one knee and proposed to his sweetheart and she said YES!!!

We are all thrilled about the new addition to the Knight Family!!! I know that I am definitely looking forward to November 15th!!!