5 Weeks and Counting!

Five weeks until I am done with school. The girls in my group for my capstone class and I keep joking that everyone else is probably ready for all of us to graduate too because they are sick of hearing how we are sick of school. We are all just at the end of our ropes. Wednesday I stayed home from work to write a 10 page paper. I got 8 1/2 pages complete and finished the rest this past weekend. I also met with my school group to work on our 3 year stragtegic plan for our company, Charter Communications (aren't we lucky to get a company who is filing Chapter 11?). Tonight I have class and Wednesday I am off of work again to work on my hour presentation on Cultural Diversity Training. Then I go to class that night again. Saturaday, I have to meet with my group again at 9 am and then again on Sunday at 2 pm. In between there, I have to work on writing an Article Abstract (1-3 pages) and a two page paper about a cultural experience (when I have time to partake in any cultural experiences is beyond me!). Toward the end of the semester, I will have another 10 page paper due on Contemporaty Issues and an essay test. And don't forget I have to present that 3 year Strategic Plan with my team on the 9th. Easy, peasy, right? :)

So, as I was saying. . . 5 WEEKS AND COUNTING!

Dawn

Mad Science

Last weekend was Graham's 10th birthday party. Nathan and I hired this company called Mad Science to come put on a science show for the kids at the party. It was pretty cool. They learned about electricity, color and got to make their own slime. The scientist lady did a great job of entertaining the kids while teaching them at the same time. I think everyone, including the adults, really enjoyed it. Of course there were party favors (large, plastic body parts for the kids to wear, big light up ring bracelets, balls with insects inside them), snacks, cake/ice cream and presents. Graham got a lot of nice things and we'd like to thank everyone for coming and for the thoughtful gifts.

The kids checking out the light prisms they saw with the special glasses

Graham playing with fire and electricity

Graham touching the Van de Graf machine trying to get Rice Krispies to "jump" out of his hand

Elaina's static electricity hair

Lexi's homemade slime

Clayton trying on the party favors

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Day, dear Graham. Happy Birthday to you!"

Graham & Ava checking out the Router that Uncle Josh got Graham so he can hook his Wii to the Internet

This past weekend was Valentine's Day. Nathan and I decided to go to dinner on Friday night to avoid the Valentine's Day frenzy. We tried this new steakhouse called Pepper Stone. Too bad it wasn't worth it. The service wasn't the greatest and neither was the food. Saturday we went to the Moolah Theatre to see "He's Just Not That Into You". It was pretty good. It was the first time we've seen a movie at this location and it's pretty cool. They have couches you can sit on on the first level or regular movie seats on the balcony. We sat up top. They have a fully stocked bar so you can enjoy any alcoholic beverage as you watch the movie. Afterwards, we went downstairs to the bowling alley. There aren't a ton of lanes (kind of like PinUp Bowl) so we sat at the bar while we waited for one to open up. Unfortunately, we left before we got a lane. But regardless, we had a nice time. It had been a while since we went to dinner just the two of us at a nice restaurant (well, it was supposed to be nice!) and hung out at a movie and at a bar. We got to have great conversations like we did when we were first dating and went out on the town more often.

Since Nathan says he doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day (whatever), he would tell you it was just a night out on the town. In addition, he doesn't give me a gift on Vday. However, he did surprise me a couple days prior with this sweater that I wanted. I came home from school on Wed. night and found it hanging in my closet. I returned the favor on Thursday! We both wore our new shirts while we were out on Sat. night.

Today I've done a lot of school work and met with my school team for a couple of hours. I am going to be seeing a lot of these people in the next few weeks since we have a HUGE project due on March 9th. We all kept saying, "6 more weeks! 6 more weeks until we're done!" I have to give props to Nathan who did 3 loads of laundry, grocery shopping and is currently making dinner. He is keeping the house afloat while I study. He's the best. That's a Valentine's Day gift any woman can appreciate!

One last thing. I finally got the video from my mom's surprise party so I wanted to post it as well. Enjoy!



Love,
Dawn

Surprise 60th Bday Party

OK, so I have a little time to post the pictures from my mom's surprise 60th bday party last week so I thought I should seize the moment even though I don't have the video from Josh yet. I know he's just as busy as I am since he goes to class 3 nights a week in addition to working full time, etc.

We got my mom to my house by telling her we were having Graham's 10th birthday party. I would have loved to invite more of her family and friends but due to space, I had to limit it mostly to her brothers and their families. And of course we invited my grandparents and my aunt on my dad's side that my mom is very close to. My in-laws and Josh's mother-in-law also came as did a few extended family members who have done a lot for my mom over the years. It turned out very nice and she was very surprised. She told me that she will remember it forever. I think she said it's the first brithday party she has ever had. Here are the pictures:

Mom with the new personalized smock that Gail made her

Mom opening presents

Mom's cake with her picture on it as a little girl. How cute was she?

Blowing out her candles

Aunt Sue, Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle John, Uncle Tony, Aunt Carol & TJ

John Charles and Jeff

Kelly and Joy

Carrie, Christa, Matt, Jenn and Aunt Kathy

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law whose bday was on the 29th. We had a nice time at dinner with her and the rest of the family.

Today is Graham's 10th birthday! I can't believe Nathan has a 10 year son and I have a 10 year old stepson. How surreal is that. We got Graham a Wii for his bday and he's been playing it most of the day. We did go out to lunch to celebrate with my mom, Ray, Gail and Chantel. Happy Birthday, buddy!

Nathan & Graham at the hockey game a few weeks ago

Now we are waiting for Miles, Sheila and her boys to come over and watch the SuperBowl. My house smells from all of the frying Nathan has been doing today making chicken wings. The smell is gagging me but I guess I can't complain too much since I bought him the dang fryer.

Go Cardinals!

Dawn