Superman and Hot-Air Balloons

Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned. I have been MIA for far too long. I really don’t have a reason for my absence except that I guess I’ve had a bit of blogger’s block and felt my daily routine was just too busy and mundane for my blog. So for an update I present to you a list of happenings.

- The school year has been flying by. Seriously it will be Christmas before we know it, and personally I can’t wait, it’s my favorite time of year.
- I spent a weekend in San Marcos with my parents visiting my sweet little sister Alli. We had so much fun hanging out, visiting the glass bottom boats, eating way too much yummy food and enjoying a ton of laughs!
- Celebrated Rob’s 31st birthday on October 20. I surprised him with a dinner at Fogo de Chao. Amazing food, great bottle of wine, the best company (my sweet hubs) and presents! Happy Birthday my love!
- Family birthday celebration for Rob and Tim’s Birthdays! Grandmother and Granddad came down for the celebration; I just love seeing them!
- Family celebration of Rob and Bob’s (Rob’s dad) birthdays, yes more Oct birthday celebrations! Another amazing dinner, this time at my in-laws house.
- Halloween. Elliana and Jonas were so cute in their costumes! Check out some pics below.
- And this morning, November 1, 2009 I woke up to a loud sound of what I thought was a strange yard tool of some sort. I let Toby outside and the sound continued which freaked my little dog out completely. As the sound appeared to get closer, I looked around but didn’t see anything until; a shadow from above engulfed my backyard. I looked up to see a hot-air balloon sailing very close to the top of my house. The balloon landed in the lot directly across the street from my front yard as a second balloon sailed directly over my house. I’ve seen a hot-air balloon before but never that close and definitely never in my front yard!


My hero, Super Jonas!



"Dorothy" and her Toto dog



Who needs an alarm when there's a hot-air balloon waking you up!

Double Trouble

Rob and I love our puppies, River and Toby, also known as Double Trouble. So here are some pictures of our two fur children playing with their football, or at least what’s left of it after many games of tug-a-war. Enjoy!

First Week of School

Congratulations to all my fellow teachers, we made it through the first week of school! I know I said in my last post that this was going to be a great year, and I’m going to say it again, I know this will be a fabulous year. I have a wonderful new partner and we are on the same page! Whew! Also, after spending a week with my little hoodlums, actually they are very sweet kids; this year should be better. I know there will be some challenges but I feel that my two classes are a better mixture of students than last year. I don’t mean that my students last year weren’t good kids; what I mean is I feel that more thought went into the grouping of my classes this year than last year. And if you have a mixture of kids who just can’t get along, then you have a recipe for disaster!

So on the first day of school I gave each of my students an assignment to write a paragraph answering questions about me based on their first impression of me. I love this activity because it’s really fun to see what they think of me! Here are some excerpts from my students. I have corrected all grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes, but the responses are from 4^th graders.

Reagan: “I think my teacher is really nice because of her big smile”

Pablo: “I think my teacher is 35 or 37 because of how tall she is”

Bianca: “I think my teacher is 30 because my parents are 35 and they look young too”

Gillian: “I think my teacher’s favorite food is meatloaf with mashed potatoes and extra gravy”

Jake: “My teacher’s favorite food is salad, because she’s skinny”

Trent: “I think my teacher is married because her name has an “S” on the Mr.”

Cameron: “I think my teacher is married because there is a picture of her with some guy”

Joshua: “My teacher’s pet peeves are open closet doors”

Sandy: “My teacher’s pet peeves are kids talking when she is talking”

Itzel: “My teacher likes to shop at walmart because she likes to save money like my mom”

AND MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE RESPONSE OF ALL….

Juan: “I think my teacher likes to shop at Victoria’s Secret!”

Oh kids say the darndest things! Happy school year teachers!

Back To School!

It’s that time of year again, a time when students and teachers stock up on pencils, paper, markers, crayons and so many other fun school supplies. It’s time to go back to school.

I’m really excited to start the new school year, it’s my second year of teaching and I’m really excited about it. I never thought I would become a math teacher, when I interviewed for the teaching position I actually applied and interviewed for a Language Arts position. But when I received the call a few days later with an employment offer I was shocked to hear that they wanted to hire me to teach math, even after I told them I was horrible at math. But desperate to change careers, I took the 4th grade math position trusting my principal that she was making the right decision. In fact, our conversation at the beginning of last year ended with her saying, “Kelly, don’t worry about it. You will be a great math teacher. Just trust me, you’ll see.” And boy was she was right, I actually liked teaching math. I guess because I struggled with the subject when I was a kid it made me aware of the struggles my students would face, especially my friends who were receiving services for special ed., and allowed me to find ways to explain and demonstrate the concepts in ways they could understand. There were many challenges to overcome last year. Not only did hurricane Ike completely mess-up the entire year, but there were several educational challenges with my special cluster of students. Out of the three math classes I had, two of them were special ed. clusters. But by the end of the year my student’s hard work paid off and 60 students out of 65 passed the TAKS test, 22 of them were commended! That means those 22 kids only missed ONE problem on the TAKS test, quit an accomplishment! I’m so proud of my little superstars!

This year, I’m adding science to the mix and I’m looking forward to helping my students explore math and science. I just know it’s going to be another successful year! And now…
Welcome To Mrs. New’s 4th Grade Math/Science Class!

Blonde Moment of the Week

Earlier this week, Rob rented a DVD from our neighborhood RedBox, first off I love RedBox and here is why. 1. We don’t have to drive five miles to the nearest Blockbuster 2. You don’t have to walk all the way around Blockbuster to find a movie worthy of watching and 3. The most important thing, is it’s like $4 cheaper than Blockbuster!

So back to my story…after Rob watched his war movie I thought I would be a good wifey and return the movie on my way home from work. I pull up to the Redbox and wait in line to return my DVD. When it’s my turn I select the option to return the movie and immediately slip the case into the slot. A few seconds later the DVD slides back out and a message pops up on the screen, but I wasn’t able to read it because the message was displayed for like a microsecond. So I try again making sure the barcode on the DVD is showing. Same result. I try again for a third time, now there is a line behind me, and I get the same result. By this time I figure the machine is acting up so I get out of line and go home deciding to try returning it the next day. Fast-forward to Thursday and I decide to try my luck with the Redbox machine again. I pull up, select “Return DVD” and slide the case in the machine. I wait a few seconds and out comes the DVD AGAIN! I try one more time before going inside Walgreens to talk with the manager; I’m thinking maybe he knows something about the machine. So the nice manager walks out to the Redbox with me and he begins the return DVD process and BINGO Success on the first try! It was then that I realized why I was unsuccessful with this process. You see, I had tried sliding the case in with the barcode facing me INSTEAD of the barcode facing the machine. There is even a picture to demonstrate this on the case AND the screen. Needless to say I felt like the ditziest blonde ever! Now many of you may think that I have never returned a movie to Redbox before, but this is not the case! I have rented and returned numerous DVD’s to Redbox, I just must have gotten really lucky with all the previous DVD’s.

Dallas Divas

This past weekend I went to Dallas for a girl’s weekend with my best friend Kelcey. We had such a fabulous time laughing, catching up, and doing what we do best together…having FUN!!!

 

Friday night Kelc and I went to dinner at Victor Tangos. It was the first time both of us had been there, Kelc had been hearing great things about it from friends, and it definitely lived up to it’s great reviews. If you go there you must order the Ahi Tuna Nachos, Lollipop Lamb Chops, and Mac N Cheese. It sounds like an odd combination but trust me, you will not be disappointed. This restaurant has very eclectic menu items but that’s what makes it so great! And you must try one, or all if your feeling adventurous, of their cocktails…so yummy.

 

Saturday we enjoyed pedicures and spent the afternoon on the boat hanging onto the tube for dear life. So Fun yet so sore!!! Saturday night Kelc, her friend Vanessa, and myself got all dolled up for the Alpha Rev concert at the Granada. Before the band took the stage, the three of us sipped on yummy margaritas and of course if you are having margaritas you have to have chips and salsa! Let me just say that Alpha Rev is a fabulous band! It was the first time I had heard them and I can say I’m a fan.

 

On Sunday, we slept in, had a yummy brunch and gabbed even more about anything and everything. Then, I made my long trek home, sad to be leaving my Kelcey but excited to see the Hubs. 

 

I absolutely love my Kelcey, we have been best friends since 2^nd grade and we have been there for each other through every twist and turn. I just love that it doesn’t matter if we talk every day or every couple of months, we never run out of things to talk about and we always pick up where we left off from our last conversation.

 

And now, here are some pictures from the weekend. There are more, but Kelcey needs to send them to me {hint, hint Kelc}

 

 

Kelcey and myself at the Alpha Rev concert



Hanging out on the boat



Tubing!

More Pictures to come, stay tuned!

BirthAversary

July 26, 2009 marks a very special day for two reasons. First, it is my 26^th birthday, I still don’t feel any older than 21, and second, it’s me and Rob’s first wedding anniversary! It is really hard to believe that Rob and I have been married for a year already. I mean, it’s been a crazy year but a great one filled with many many blessings. 

So here are some things I love about being married to the Hubs. I love how he is so patient, I love that he is always so positive, I love that he can always make me laugh, I love that he works so hard to provide for our little family, I love that he loves the Lord, I love that there are so many more things I love about Rob, but most of all I love the way he loves me.

So here are some pictures from our big weekend.

Wedding Day, July 26, 2008

First Anniversary about to cut the top tier of our wedding cake

Cake all over our faces

Celebrating Mom and Dad

July is a time of celebration for my parents. For one, July 14 is my Dad's birthday! So happy birthday Dad, I love you and I'm so thankful that you are my daddy. And the second reason is that July 15 my parents celebrate their 37th anniversary. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful example of what a Godly marriage looks like. Happy anniversary Mom and Dad, I love you so so much! 

Love,

Kelly 

Kelly vs. The Dry-Cleaning Lady

Thursday afternoon I decided to go pick-up me and Rob’s dry-cleaning, a weekly errand that should take only 10 minutes, but usually takes longer. This particular day I pull up to the drive-thru and realize I forgot my order ticket.

“No worries,” I thought, as I knew they could look up my account via our phone number.

So after a few minutes of waiting in the drive-thru one lady came to my window and I gave her my phone number and then continued to jam to 80’s music thinking that this could possibly be the quickest trip to the dry-cleaner to date. Less than 2 minutes later the lady returns announcing that my bill would be $50 and some change.

“What?!” I exclaimed, as I knew it could not be that much. To which she returned with 

“You have a lot of clothes…and a comforter.” I stop her right there and explain that I had already picked-up and paid for the comforter in question a week ago. “Ok, I go check” says the lady in her accent and off she goes again leaving me to jam to the best of the 80’s.

During this time I decide to call Rob, because I had left the order ticket in his car, and had him tell me what the total should be. Rob reads off the 4 different totals, I do some quick calculations and find that my total should have been $33.63. Just as I finished adding it all up the lady returns and says, “I’m sorry, we fixed it and your total is $33.63.” 

“Perfect!” I reply and I hand over my credit card and rewards card.

By this time my 10 minute trip has already been 30 minutes, but I’m still in a good mood because I have Def Leopard and ACDC entertaining me. Then finally another lady returns to my window, this time it’s the manager’s wife, and she says I need to come inside because she says I have not paid for the comforter in question.

NOW I AM MAD

I have been in the drive-thru for over 30 minutes and NOW I have to go in to talk about a comforter that I have on my bed and had paid for over a week ago. I walk in and I’m being called into the manager’s office to where I’m surprised with a video. Not just any video, a video of me dropping off my comforter over a week ago. The Manager’s wife kept saying, in a thick accent, “see you come in on your phone and drop off comforter and pick-up shirt and no pay.” 

Horrified that I’m being accused of not paying for something and having to review security video, I escalate my tone. “Yeah I'm dropping it off but if you check your records you will see that I always pay when I pick up my items and I picked up the comforter a few days after I had dropped it off! And as for the shirt, I had picked-up my order the day before and PAID but that shirt had not been finished! I am a loyal customer, I bring in a ton of clothes every week.” I also remind Dry-Cleaning Lady that a few months ago they had lost one of Rob's dress shirts, I thought this would help my case that I've been a loyal customer even when they have made a major mistake. 

The argument continues as she continues to show the same footage over and over again, even though I suggest she look for footage of me picking-up the comforter and paying for it in the drive-thru just days later. After both of us raising our voices I finally say, “I want my clothes, and especially my credit card that you are holding hostage behind your counter and I am taking my business elsewhere.” I gather my clothes and hit the road.

After leaving, I am so angry that I call Rob to give him a full report. Now he’s upset that I was treated like a harden criminal and he gives Dry-Cleaning Lady a call. Lets just say that Dry-Cleaning Lady is now fearful of me and the moment Rob said “Hi my name is Rob, can I speak to your manager?” The Dry-Cleaning Lady knew exactly who he was. She says, “Are you Mr. New?” her voice shaking. Rob gave his calm lecture on how to treat customers and what not, and Dry-Cleaning Lady then apologizes saying that she found the footage of me in the drive-thru picking up and paying for my comforter, just like I said.

So, now I am having to go to a new Dry-Cleaner and hopefully I will never have to be under investigation at a Dry-Cleaner or anywhere else ever again.

-Kelly 

 

 

Father's, Flicks and Food

First of all, Happy Father’s Day to my Daddy! I am so thankful that when God created me he chose Stuart Snow to be my Dad. This was the first year I wasn’t with my Dad on Father’s Day, and it just didn’t feel quite the same. However, Rob and I got to spend the day with his dad and we had such a great time! We enjoyed treating his parents and Nana to an entertaining day.

 

Now, let me explain what I mean when I say entertaining. A week before Father’s Day Rob and I told his dad, Bob, to pick out a movie for all of us to see and we would go to the movies and then to dinner at Outback. Well, Bob based his movie choice on a recommendation made by Tom, Rob’s mother’s brother. Tom had told Bob that this particular movie was great and he should go see it. So away we go to the movies, myself, Rob, Bob, Pam and Nana. We purchase the tickets, sit down and begin the movie. A short way through the movie I look at Rob and remind him that Nana is watching, between laughing hysterically Rob says, “I know, I feel kind of bad”. So we continue the movie, everyone laughing I remind Rob again, “You do know that Nana is watching this don’t you?”

 

Continue watching….

 

Continue watching…

 

Roll credits…

 

Nana gasps…

 

Lights on…

 

Rob, Bob, Pam and myself: “Oh my gosh! We took Nana to see a porno!!!!”

 

Yep, that’s right we took my in-laws and Rob’s Nana to see The Hangover. The movie did have many humorous moments but I don’t think it was the right choice for Father’s Day or a day out with Nana. In fact, that movie was the topic of conversation for the rest of the night, and continues to be. So let this be a lesson to you, DO NOT TAKE YOUR 78 YEAR OLD NANA TO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!  Oh and Outback was delicious as always.

Love, 

Kelly 

I'm Back!

Ok, so obviously I am a terrible blogger. I started off with my first post about Hurricane Ike and then....I was never to been seen again. I know so lame. But I have decided to really give blogging another try. I love reading all of my friends and family's blogs and I think I should contribute to the blogisphere. 

So since it's been so long since my first post I thought I would put together a list of things that have happened this year. So here we go...

1. Post Hurrican Ike Rob and I received noticed that our rent house was being foreclosed...so we bought our first house in October and moved in right before Thanksgiving...it's so cute and we love it...just need some decorating. 

2. Happy 30 Birthday Hubs!!! I love you so much and I'm so blessed to have you as my husband! 

3. Rob left WAMU and took a VP/Management position at Bank of America. In the first few months at BOA he took his branch from last place in the region to #1 in the region. Yay for the hubs kicking banking butt!!! :) 

4. Rob and I hosted Christmas morning at our new house. I felt so proud and blessed to have my parents and my siblings and their families there! 

5. I survived my first semester of teaching!! It was such a difficult semester, I thought I would quit. But, after a few weeks off to rest, I started the last semester with a new outlook on teaching my little rugrats...they drove me crazy at times, but I truly loved seeing them every day. 

6. Happy New Year! Hurray for new beginnings! 

7. Sick....again. This was a reoccurring thing this year. Being a first year teacher means lots of sinus infections and other diseases the little carrier monkeys brought to school everyday.

8. Happy Valentines Day!!! Rob surprises me with the newest member of our family...Tobyn Liberty!!! (Toby for short). He is the sweetest and cutest miniature schnauzer and loves his big brother River. 

9. Welcome back News!!! Rob's dad resigned as President and CEO of First National Bank Corp and the newly re-tired parents move back to Texas (The Woodlands) from Hermitage PA. We are so glad they are closer.

10. Elliana turns 3!!! I can't believe me precious niece is getting so big! She had a Disney Princess birthday with a moonwalk!! Rob and I had a blast jumping and chasing the birthday princess around! 

11. TAKS testing begins....talk about stress!!! 

12. Congratulations to my little "Newbies"!!! Math TAKS results are in and my students succeeded far beyond what I expected!!! I have to admit I shed a few tears when I saw how well they had done, all of our hard work paid off!! 

13. Happy Birthday Jonas and Sarah!!!! My precious nephew turned One on May 20 and Sarah, Jonas' mommy's, birthday was May 24. Rob and I were so sad we couldn't go to Lubbock to celebrate their special days. Jonas is walking and looking like a little kid, and not a baby, more and more everyday! I miss him, and his parents, so much! 

14. Last day of school!!! YAY FOR SUMMER!!!! 

15. FINALLY ordered our wedding album...I know it's almost been a year since we got married and we are just now ordering our photos. Please don't judge...

16. Decorating...ok, now that I have some time on my hands I'm trying to get some ideas for decorating our cute house. So any ideas or suggestions are welcome! 

17. Car shopping!!! Yep I'm still driving the mustang that I got when I was 16!!! She's been a good car but it's time for an upgrade...

Ok, there you have it...the rundown of our year, well, the big things that I could think of off the top of my head. So now that I've caught you bloggers up to speed, I'm hoping I'll continue the blogfest with more current news. 

-Kelly