Returning home was a slap of reality so I have been unable to post my Holiday Vacation pictures until now. We are happy to be back but miss our families terribly. It was such an enjoyable trip!

Robert and I went to Radio City just hoping we could find some cheap tickets and ran into the couple that has been training us at the temple. Amazingly enough they had some extra tickets and the show was awesome!
The girls in our cute Christmas Pjs! Isn't my family the cutest?!?

We got together with as many friends while we were in town. It was so good to see everyone!

Bowling with the Staples…… Jon kicked some butt at bowling... who would have known he was such a great bowler!?!?!

On New Years Eve we had a murder mystery dinner. Everyone got really into their characters and it was a lot of fun. Josh defiantly won the "Oscar" for the best performance.
We had so much fun with the murder mystery dinner that we wanted to play it again with the Staples... this time western style!
We were so sad to leave Utah so Josh made us this in my parents backyard!
We celebrated Robert's 25th birthday when we got home! We went to a Brazilian restaurant and ate way too much. Robert was in heaven speaking Portuguese to everyone!

To the love of my life on his birthday!

Robert is:
HarD WorKinG
LoVinG
GOoFy
IntELligent
RoManTiC
SelfLeSs
FaiThFulL
CoUrAgeABle







Robert makes me happy everyday. From the second I wake up to the minute I go to bed Robert is serving me and cheering me on in life. I care for him so much and am thankful everyday that I am married such a remarkable person.

Happy Birthday Blaine C. Smith!

Today my dad turns the big ………jk I wouldn’t do that to you dad! What does age mean anyways when you are as amazing as my dad? I have always had “daddy pride” ......as Robert calls it. Nobody will ever be smarter, faster, funnier, or better looking than my dad.
Dad I hope you have a exhilarating birthday. I love you some much! Thanks for always cheering me on in life, making me laugh, and for all your priceless words of advice.

Better late than never... Thanksgiving, etc.

Sometimes I don’t begin because I am not sure where to begin. Should I start with the broken down Chinatown bus and 5 hour wait for a new bus on the way to Virginia or with our wonderful Thanksgiving break and holding my adorable niece Karlie? Who knows, but life has been exciting. We had a total New York experience when our bus to Richmond broke down and we spent several hours on the bus. Our bus driver conviently didn’t speak any English. We united as New Yorkers to get our bus moving and eventually got to Richmond at 4 in the morning. We had a pleasant time being with family. We couldn’t stop gawking over our beautiful niece. Even Robert was into the whole uncle thing!!! Thanks Harris Family for making it a very memorable Thanksgiving.
After a quiet Thanksgiving we were rudely awaken by the reality of tests. Robert has several big tests coming up and I am panicking to get my students ready for their State Exams. We have been enjoying the Holiday season. We even put up our pretty pathetic Charlie Brown tree. We had a blast visiting with my cute aunt and cousin on their trip to New York. It is always the best to be with family, NOTHING compares. Thanks for all your words of encouragement and enjoying the first New York snow with us!
Well life continues. I am teaching my guts our while Robert studies his brains out. We have been enjoying all our holiday parties and events and look forward for those to come!


Here are some pics from our visit with Kerry, Brooke and Di. I loved spending time with them. We chatted the nights away! Love you guys!





There are pictures from our Thanksgiving weekend with the Harris family!




We had my work Christmas party at one of our school board member's house. It was it a very nice part of town and his house was amazing. It was fun to hand out with all my co-workers. We come from very different walks of life but we all get along very well. I have been blessed to work with such amazing people.

Happy Holidays! I am so enthused to be in the city for the Holidays. Sunday we had stake conference in a Broadway theatre and Elder Holland spoke to us. After conference I convinced Robert to walk around downtown and see all the holiday decorations! It is still a little early so some of the decorations aren’t put up yet. It was fun to watch them decorate the Rockefeller center tree and watch people ice skate in central park. I have said it a thousand times but … I am in love with New York City!
I have posted some pictures from our downtown walk and some pictures of my work Thanksgiving party!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving weekend, may it be filled with gratitude and peace!



Macy's Holiday Window Display

Central Park.. our home away from home!

Check out Robert's new coat.. good lookin'!!




Thanksgiving work party! Injy, Carissa, and Ashley.. you girls are crazy! Thanks for keeping my life exciting and for introducing me a East coast Thanksgiving.. Mac and cheese and everything!

Veteran's Day

Today was another revitalizing day in New York City. I have been looking forward to this day for awhile because it is one of the few days I get off. I made of list of things that I wanted to accomplish. I enjoyed the day by sleeping in, running across the George Washington Bridge, shopping, reading Twilight, learning to knit and hanging out in Central Park. I am in love with New York! I still feel giddy when I remember that I am living here! Here are some pictures of my Veterans Day! I hope you had a superb day too!







This is the George Washington Bridge. On Holidays they turn the lights on and it is breathtaking!

Brooklyn Voted... Did you?!?!

I had a mock election with my students today! It was actually really fun. We reviewed the canidades platforms. I was amazed by how much they had already soaked up from the media, parents and teachers. The students then voted at a booth I set up for them. Some of the kids were so nervous. I had several students say they felt "powerful" voting. I can't help but think about how lucky we are to live in a country where the peoples' voice is heard.





A local newspaper came and took pictures of our science experiement. I thought the pictures were pretty funny... I look so intense! :)