1st Day of School

I just got done reading everyone's 1st Day of School Blogs and thought I would blog about it as well.
Coaching and Teaching is a ton of fun and a ton of work. It takes a special kind of person to coach a fall sport and I am just that special...mmm...special. Maybe a little crazy, a little "special" and a little masochistic. I love my girls and am enjoying pre-season. My classroom is full of energized 5th graders who are eager to learn. (at least I hope they are eager to learn;)
We are on day 3 here is where I am at:
It has been 7 weeks since surgery. I am encountering new challenges each day and trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. My scale is broken so I am not sure if I am loosing or gaining weight so hopefully the menu I choose each day is working out.
My tummy is adjusting OK to the new schedule.
Now with that said, I feel AMAZING!!!! This is the first year in three years that I did not spend part of my first three days throwing up and trying to figure out what I can and can not eat! It is the first time I have gone to practices after school with energy and able to finish practice without having to take a puke break.
I am excited about feeling better and I am excited about the positive changes within me and in Squirrel land. I can not wait for this year to get underway and really take off!
Here is my first day of school picture:

 OK, I was a little lazy and did not get up before six. Bill had to leave so he took a quick pic before so I had a first day of school picture:)
I am now off to a church meeting. We are building a new church and I am on the building committee. It is so exciting and awesome!
Have I mentioned I love my life?!?!?!?!

Gus is Hitting the Bottle

As I was sitting on the couch watching TV and surfing the World Wide Web I did not notice Gus's activity next to me. When Bill arrived home after an eventful call into work he noticed!

Here is what Gus does on an average Saturday evening...

It is kind of sick and twisted.

Birthday and Anniversary Party

We had a happy birthday party for Grandpa Dale and and anniversary party for both Grandma and Grandpa!

 

First we shucked the corn.

 

Then we made the cards.

 

We delivered the cards.

Blew out the candles.

 

Played some ball.

Had a tasty treat!

  

Took a little break.

 

...and had an awesome time hanging out with family:)

Fantastic Night

Last evening Bill and I made the trek down to Grand Rapids, ND to watch the LaMoure County Summer Theater group perform Beauty and the Beast. It was an absolutely fantastic night!
Driving back "home" always gives a feeling of peace and happiness. I know we did not grow up very far from Casselton but really, the scenery around here is not, well it just is not the same as the Sheyenne Valley or even the James Valley. Going back down through the valley and seeing trees, wildlife and the rivers makes me feel good inside!
I love the Grand Rapids golf course but have not golfed there in years. Bill has never been down there so it was fun to take him there and show him the old bridge, the hills and the quaintness of the area. We did not get a chance to go out and golf, just stopped by to check it out.
We then headed over to the "barn"/theater for the show. Driving through the brick gated area and down the winding path is beautiful and peaceful.

The show turned out to be wonderful, just like I remember they always were. There is something to be said about community theater especially in small town North Dakota. I not only watched the show, but the people. The people in the LaMoure/Grand Rapids area are real people. Many different types of people all mixed together speaking in the true North Dakotan fashion (mixed with a bit of German accent). Lots of "Good old Catholic" folks including a few nuns, priests and large families gathered together.
What a great feeling to be around wonderful people for an evening of entertainment!
With stadium like seating, a full concession stand and an awesome stage I forgot where I was and fell back in love with the theater and the magical place nestled down in the James River Valley.

Buddy time at the Lake

My buddies Jess, Bridget and Jess's brother Luke visited Lake Sallie this weekend. We had fun swimming, hanging out and having Zorbaz yumminess.
Here are a few pics of our swimming fun!

Bridget and Jess had a great deal of fun trying out different dismounts from the pontoon...

Nephew Fun

Yesterday, Bill and I spent some quality time with our nephews so their parents could celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary.

   

We spent several hours playing on the play equipment out at the Res.

Then, when Bill arrived we headed to the dock for a bit of fishing fun.

 

We had a picnic in the park, cleaned up the school, saw our buddy Jess and sang all the way home. 

What fun it is spending time with these special guys!

Bill's birthday weekend

Bill managed to get a little snorkel time this weekend. He really enjoyed it and I believe it maybe added to our adventure list of things we need to do. He is talking about the Great Barrier Reef and a trip to Australia. For now we enjoyed Lake Sallie and its underwater world.

He also managed to come inside for a bit of traditional ice cream cake.