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

Too busy to post this week

I have pictures to post from my mom's surprise 60th bday party but this week has been crazy!!!! I'm also waiting for the video from Josh. I will try to do it this weekend. Hope everyone is having a nice week!

Dawn

Grahamisms

So every so often, Graham says something out of the blue that is so funny that Nathan and I just crack up with laughter. I need to start sharing these on the blog so we can remember them for years to come. I think this is an appropriate start.

I recorded the Inauguration ceremony yesterday and after dinner, Nathan, Graham and I sat down to watch President Obama take the oath (or "oaf" as that one lady said when she was getting everything started) and then listen to his inaugural address. It was almost dead silent in our house (just as it was at the actual address) as we were listening closely to the inspirational words. I could tell that Graham was a little bored during the speech because he was antsy. He kept playing with a piece of tape and then hugging on Nathan and then making faces and random sounds, etc. So I didn't really think he was paying attention to what the new president was saying. About 3/4 into the speech (in the dead silence of our living room), President Obama says:

What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

Then (in the dead silence of our living room), Graham says, "He said duty twice!" Nathan and I just couldn't hold back a laugh! We continued to listen to the rest of the speech in silence but then afterwards, we cracked up again even harder at this historical Graham moment! I love that kid!

Class Reunion

This weekend, Nathan and I went out with some of my friends from high school. It was us, Kelly and Seth, Jennifer and Chuck, Dan and Sarah and Jim and Melissa. We went to dinner at Fratelli's which was fitting since it used to be in North County where we all grew up (we even went there before a dance freshman year). After dinner, we headed to the new dualing piano bar, Jive and Wail, in St. Peters. As we were all following one another in our separate vehicles, it reminded me of high school when we would all follow one another to the next party or where ever we were going to hang out next. Anyhow, there was a line out the door so instead, we picked up some beer and headed to mine and Nathan's house to hang out. We spent the entire time playing the card game, Asshole. I think it was abotu 2 am when everyone finally left. Nathan and I had such a good time and he commented, "I like this group of friends. Good job!" It was the first time he met some of them. It really was like riding a bike. We all just felt so comfortable together and had a lot of laughs. I can't wait to do it again sometime.

Other than that, we've just been doing the finishing touches to our basement until after the birthday parties (then Nathan will start phase 2 of the basement). I really wanted to get my paper finished this weekend since we have a busy weekend ahead of us but I procrastinated and only got a few paragraphs written. I did manage to read 4 chapters of boring textbooks this weekend so at least I got that accomplished.

I'm excited for the inaugration (spelling ??) tomorrow. The man that I voted for finally won and I am looking forward to seeing how he can turn our country around. I've been listening to NPR on the radio lately so I am ready for the current events discussion in my Monday night class and I have to say that I'm actually enjoying it. I like being informed and it has helped me get even more excited about Obama and what I hope he can do for our country in need.

Happy Martin Luther King Day,
Dawn

The House of Flu - Part Deux

OK, so maybe that wood I knocked on during the last post was faux wood because the old flu got me good this past weekend! Luckily, I didn't have the stomach flu but I am pretty sure I had the upper respiratory flu. Saturday I had chills and aches while my cough has gotten worse. The flu symptoms were gone by Sunday afternoon but the cough and congestion that goes disgustingly along with it is still here. I've never had a cough that has this much congestion and refuses to go away. And now, my right eye is so sore that it hurts to even close it. I am a MESS! I think my eye has an infection and I need to get into the eye doctor I guess. But when is that supposed to happen with work and school?

Speaking of school, I started on Sat. (yes, while chills were running up and down my body!). I had my second class last night. What the he!! have I gotten myself into? Who did I think I was to take 2 classes at once? A crazy person, that's who. I may have gotten in over my head but I need to stick it out. Let's just hope these sicknesses go away soon so I can just be left with stress for the next 3 months while I try to get through this.

Nathan has been diligently working on building a room in our basement and he's done such a good job. I'll have to post pictures soon so you can see the process. I can't wait to see the finished project.

Other than that, here are a few pictures from over the holiday season that were on Nathan's camera and that I didn't have access to until now. Enjoy!

Addelyn and Nathan

Me and Bethany at Steinberg

Mike, Bethany, Nathan and me at Steinberg

Me and Nathan at Steinberg

High School Friends Holiday Lunch at Trailhead
L-R
Julie. Jennifer, Kelly, me, Becky & Missy