From Graduating to Virginia!

Wow! It has been a long time since I last checked in via the blogging system. Our life has changed significantly since the last post. First, I finished my student teaching (thankfully) and graduated on May 2nd. It was surreal and magnificent all at the same time. I am looking for a job now because I'm a competent member of society with a degree! Woot!

On May 3rd we loaded up the Protege to the tippy-top and headed out east! Our friend BJ followed us too.


Our first stop was in Grand Island, Nebraska. It was flat and fairly boring along with an aroma of stank that left me dry heaving and Danno laughing at me. Unfortunately, no pictures were captured of sweet Nebraska

We then drove, drove, drove, and drove until we ended up in St. Louis. We walked around down town, past the Cardinals stadium, and to the arch. It was the highlight of our drive and Danno was particularly marveled with the grandeur of the arch. This jazzed him for his future career of

building/designing/civil engineering. There was a plaque that described how it was built by a civil engineering team. We also crossed the Mississippi and gave a hearty shout out to Huck Finn.

Four days later, after a slight tire complication and a few calls to AAA, we arrived in Roanoke! Sleepy and car-crammed legs led us up to our Pebble Creek apartment where we passed out!













Here we are playing "throw the rock in the beer can" as we wait for AAA to rescue us.

I Need to Read More.

As I browse through my list of blogging friends, I like to look at what they post. Upon looking, I saw that my friend Laura has just finished Uncle Tom's Cabin. Thus began the reflecting. The last book I completed was Weird Stories From the Lonesome Cafe. Ah, you may not be familiar with it because I read it to my SECOND GRADERS. I am so disconnected from adult life and literature, so I beg you to give me some suggestions. Really, its for the good of the people.

Spring Fever Brings Lovey Feelings

I'm a lucky girl. Clearly, he is a lucky man.
I found this and thought it was silly.

This is Danno before he left on his mission.

Top Ten Reasons Danno is the Manno:
10: He plays on "Expert" in Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Rock on baby.
9. He plays my little games. Why only two days ago he pretended to play duets with me on the keyboard for 20 minutes,
8. He helps me get get dressed in the morning. Sometimes finding an outfit is an awful predicament and he humors me with patience as I rummage through my threads.
7. He is a FUNNY man. I don't think anyone ever created can make me laugh like him. The young women in our ward tell me how funny he is, I tell them he is cute.
6. He is incredibly considerate. He will do little things for me like leaving notes on the bathroom mirror, making me cd's, cleaning, and lots of hugs when I lose my cool and curse the teaching profession.
5. He loves puppies...and kids. For us, these are running under the same category: too expensive and no one to take care of them. But when we do get a beautiful puppy or a furry little baby, he will be amazing. I know it.
4. He spoils me a bit. Danno still plans surprise dates, buys flowers, or gets me a cute outfit (He just got me one for my interviews!) even when we are busy and married.
3. He is cute. Well, he is.
2. He is an amazing example for me, our families, and friends.
1. He loves me.

We Fondue! Do you?

Random preface: Styrofoam, although a terrible foe to the environment, can entertain for up to 5 minutes. Here are the rules: 1. you can only use your fingernail or keys 2. You must make a picture from a random shape or line that your partner draws for you. 3. Enjoy.

Last Monday the stars aligned and Danno and I were able to do family night with the Champions! We went to the lovely Draper Temple and then to Zuppas for din-din. After a delish dinner, Daddy Warbucks [Randizzle] bought us a tantalizing little treat.

YOU GUESSED IT!!!We got some fab fondue!

Along with fudge yumminess, we got cosmic brownie bites, marshmallows, bananas, and strawberries.

It was Ryan's first fondue experience and he was pretty hesitant. However, the allure of the dessert coaxed him in and he ended up with a chocolaty mouth--just how we like him.My sweet sister Amy eats seven things. 1. bread 2. chicken 3. milk (kinda) 4. dessert 5. coconut shrimp (wait! only a little bit) 6. A1 sauce and ranch and the new one [drumroll....] 7. SPOONS dipped in chocolate.

We do fondue. We invite you to fondue with us. Do it, fondue it.

In the words of Whitney Houstin, "I believe the children are our future."

Nearly every day I arrive at la escuela I find sticky treats ripped from pockets, pennies and dimes, and love notes. Many of them look somewhat like the above picture. As I sit down and get ready for the day, I read them and think how cute they are, how precious these little munchkins are, and how teaching is grrrrrrrrrreat. Imagine my surprise when I found this one from an anonymous little kiddy.

I laughed so loud when I found this one. I quickly stuffed it in my teacher bag to avoid questions from my nosy little boys. Later that day, the littlest girl in the class, came up to me with her toothless grin and asked if I got her note. I told her I wasn't sure and she said enthusiastically, "It was the one in the big, black marker!" She had found a valentine that said, "stuck on you." Personally, it was funnier to me how she wrote it. This is why people have kids.

Mi Casa Es Su Casa!

Here is our little window which divides the kitchen from the living room. These are some wine bottles that Danno brought back from Ruby Tuesday. We have gotten some accusing and concerned looks from the visiting teachers and church members. But in the words of Bill Clinton, "We didn't inhale!"







I can't figure out how to make this look neater, but to the left is the dining/living/kitchen/spa/indoor basketball court.
To the bottom right is our cute little bedroom.

We have a new baby!

Hello friends and family! Well it has been a while since we, or I suppose I have posted anything. Danno is going to school and working at Red Lobster where he is making what he made in a week at Ruby Tuesday in a few days. We are loving our new apartment and pictures will follow! Now for the new family member.


This is 32LG10 Champion. He came into this apartment at 9:06 p.m.

He weighed 45 lbs and 4 oz.

He is 32 inches and his father couldn't be happier.









Danno has never been more proud of his shiny black son.





Our first family photo.


After months of pinching pennies, Danno got his baby. He expects a baby shower where speakers, Blue Ray business, and electronic cleaner is presented to him :)

I loves you Dove!