Whoa! December's been busy!!

Happy almost Christmas everybody! I can hardly believe how fast the last month in 2010 has flown by. Part of the reason these weeks went by so quickly is I spent two and a half weeks doing my middle school practicum in a Social Studies class at Rowe Middle School. What a crazy few weeks that was! I ended up teaching 7th and 8th graders about four ancient Chinese dynasties-a subject I am well versed in now, and my lessons went fabulously! I can hardly wait to finish my worksample, take the endorsement test and be able to teach middle school FINALLY!! I so very much enjoy the kids at Rowe and I think they enjoyed having me teach the few weeks before break as well :) Everyone involved learned quite a bit, which is always a good thing.

Another fun new thing that happened this month was my first house and tree decorating away from home! (Not counting college of course:) Alicia and I have been roomies since the end of September and we had so much fun decorating our house for Christmas! We got a beautiful tree to display our hodge-podge of ornaments, stockings-even for Falcon and Monty, lights, and other fun decorations. I love just sitting in our living room, fire going, enjoying it all! We also hosted an ugly Christmas sweater party last weekend that was a hit. What a fun time! I could not have asked for a better group of people to come partake in the holiday fun-tivities:) Minus one couple who couldn't be there because they were in Washington, we missed you Jess and Matt!! Thought it would be fun to share some of those pics which also show our Christmas decorations, double awesome!

 The hostess' with the mostest!

 check out the window decorations!

 such wonderfully ugly sweaters!

 apparently Ben was missing his bones

 much of the evening was spent giggling

 Neil was tired

 our parents are cool :)

 check out that Dunder Miflin mug!

 playing pin the carrot nose on frosty was a hit!

Joe tricked me!

Good times

Here are a few of my favorites from our Fetrow family Thanksgiving :)

 hors devours...or melted cheese on triscuits! YUM!

 Falcon was extra cuddly!

 the proud and happy cooks

 Caleb being silly

 Caleb loving on Falcon

 Missing a few Fetrows, but still great!

 Everybody look hungry!

 Such a good bunny!

Merry Thanksgiving to you!

Here's wishing everyone out there in blog-land a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hopefully you take a little time each day to truly be thankful for all the blessings and good things in your life. I am learning by the great examples set around me to do this daily. Plus, how awesome do you feel after making a mental list of all the wonderfulness in your life! Much better than focusing on the negative. I thought it fitting to share what I'm most thankful for this year. I'm sure my list could be much bigger, but I will keep it short and sweet:)
I'm thankful for...
*my mom, she knows, respects and never hides that she is proud of me
*my dad, he is ALWAYS willing to help me and supports me everyday
*my family, we may not see eye to eye on everything, but we still have nothing, but love
*my rabbit Falcon, who although can be moody loves me unconditionally!
*the special friends in my life that listen, laugh, care about my feelings and make me a better person
*Cheers to a few more months until I finish my Masters in Education!! Can hardly wait!
*the ability to substitute teach and do what I enjoy...it almost didn't happen.
*a roof over my head, food in my belly and a vehicle to get me around
*and lastly, but very important...my health:)
Cheers to not taking the blessings in our life for granted. Some are not as lucky or fortunate.

Clearly "Slapsgiving" is not the true meaning of Thanksgiving, but I do enjoy How I Met Your Mother! Oh so funny!!!

More birthday pub crawl!

Keli, Mo and me at bar #1

 Adam, Keli, and Chris at Blue Moon

 Phil, Scott, Snow Cloud, David and Kyle

Snow Cloud, Andy, Keli, and Ian

Mo looking awesome!

 Andy and Keli

 All grown up

 Justin, Siphavy and Mo

 Jess and Kel in their signature pose

Marilyn, Mo and me

Siphavy, Andy and me looking great at Gypsy haha

 Keli makes mustaches look good!

 Fishbowls at Gypsy rule!

 two essentials to fun...Justin and Mo lol

I have great friends:)

Wigs and 'Staches birthday pub crawl!

I decided that this year, a birthday party sounded wicked fun! I'm normally not a birthday party kind of girl, but I was feeling different for 28:) So...with the genius idea of Adam and Chris, I put together a themed pub crawl on NW 21st in Portland and invited all my favorite people to come out and partake. Turns out it was awesome! Had a terrific turn out of around 30 or so friends that were all in a wig or mustache or BOTH! What good sports! We hit up 4 bars along 21st. Here are just a few pics from the first two bars with many more to come! Lots of love to everyone who made it out to celebrate with me:) It means more than you will ever know and I heart you all!

 My roommate Alicia AKA Ariel on land, and me at bar #1 Melt

 My bestest Jessie AKA Charlie Chaplan and me at Melt

 Jules, Mo, Jo and me at bar #2: 21st Bar and Grill

 Leah, Lace, Alicia, and me 

 Surprised OR scared Kyle haha!

 Our moms tracked us down to party crash! How did they find us haha, we blend in so well:)

Keli and Alicia at bar #2 looking awesome!

My favorite Veterans

On this day for honoring all Veterans, I want to give a big thanks to some special people who I love very much and whom have all served our country selflessly. Here is to my brother Josh, grandpa Pop Pop, bbff Kevin, brother in law Chris, sister in law Bridget, and good friend Shaun. Happy Veteran's Day 2010.

 

IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY.

Here's to the start of a wonderful 28th year! ♥


P.S...Happy Birthday to me!