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Today was a beautiful day. It was the perfect day to lay out by the pool and get some rays before the weather changes. I went to the pool today with my friend Courtney and I actually got a lil red. Afterwards I had to come home and get started on some homework.. Blahh definitely not very exciting!

Last night I attended a trivia night for the Bethalto dance team. Even though we didn't do so hot, I had a really great time! Trivia nights are a really great form of cheap entertainment! Our team managaed to come in second to last! Haha not bad for us :) After trivia we headed up to PI for something to do.. Sadly by the time we got there we were so exhausted we were ready to leave.

Soo sad this weekend is already over.. It's back to school tomorrow.. Pretty anxious for this week to get overwith so I can be floating down river on Sunday! Yay float trip!

Back to School...Back to School..

Monday was my first day back at school.  This week I have been trying to get back into a routine and get things back on track.  Its been really hard to back into the swing of things. I had been looking forward to today all week so I could finally get some sleep! Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days in Collinsville and the other days I am working and at class. It is definitely going to be a jam packed semester full of work and school.  I am willing to take on the challenge and accomplish my goal by graduating in the spring!

Last night was the welcome back block party downtown for SIUE students.  C and I started out the night by going to Big Daddy's with my parentals to eat some good fried food! haha  Then we walked over to the block party and had some drinks.  It started out pretty slow and by the time we were getting ready to leave the whole street was extremely crowded with SIUE students.  We saw a lot of people we hadnt seen in a really long time so it was nice to catch up with them. 

Tonight I am going to another trivia night in Bethalto for a fundraiser.  I am anxious to see how this one ends up since we wont have the help from Callies step-dad.  haha.  Hopefully we wont be TOO awful at answering the questions. 

Officially Over...

As of today my summer is officially over..Im so sad that it has flown by right before my eyes.  I am most definitely NOT ready to enter into school mode, although the only thing going to keep me motivated this year is that cap, gown, and diploma in the spring.  Last week I went to Collinsville to meet my class for the first time and help my teacher for the day.  By the end of the day I was exhausted!


Here are some good times to look back on from my summer:

-taking 3 exhausting classes
-laying out by the pool
-boating with Callie and Cody!
-passing my Content Test!
-spending most of my Saturdays at the Highland Race Track..
-Lake of the Ozarks
-seeing the Little Mermaid at the Muny
-Jersey Boys at the Fox
-fairs and homecomings
-relaxing
-working

It was a pretty well rounded summer. I just wish I could have more of it to enjoy!  I will say that I am ready for fall and to start wearing sweatshirts, jeans, and especially boots!

Friday night after work I met my mom at the Copper Dock Winery in Pochahontas.  It was our first time and I really enjoyed it! The view is so peaceful and serene.  I would love to go back in the fall and see all the beautiful colors of the trees. 

the big copper grapes!

Last night C and I layed low and hung out with my younger brother Cale. Later in the evening we watched a movie on Netflix and played a game.  Even though I was a little disappointed we didnt do much on my last night of summer it turned out to be a nice night. 

Lazy Day

Today I accomplished nothing, did a lot of nothing, and absolutely loved it! It has just been one of those days.  I did however go into town to get a few things at Walmart and Aldi's.  Other than that things around here have been pretty low key.  I tried to lay outside for a lil bit, but after about 15 minutes I was drenched in sweat.  Now I am waiting for C to get off work so we can hang out and watch Jersey Shore!!

Trivia Anyone??

Last night C and I attended our first trivia night!  I didnt know what to expect but I really liked it! We werent exactly much help to our team but we did know some of the answers.  Our team wouldnt have gotten as many answers as we did if Callie's step-dad didnt show. haha.  It was a fundraiser for the EHS boys soccer team and it looked like they had a good turnout.  If I got asked to do one again I would say yes in a heart beat!

the girls!

kinda blurry...but cute!

This is my last week of summer... sad... :(  I cant believe its been here and gone already..And Im sure it will fly by.  I am not ready to get back into school mode...

Wine Date

On Thursday an old friend and I went out for a late lunch at the Grafton Winery.  It was a really great time!!  Wine is one of my favorite alcoholic drinks and I especially love sweet wines.  We started out by having a wine tasting to see which one we wanted to try.  This winery is known for their Apple Crisp wine so we got a bottle of that to share at lunch and we each got a bottle to bring home. :) After lunch we went to a little fudge/icecream place to get some good fudge!! We each got a piece of the cheesecake fudge and a cute fun bracelet! It was a very fun afternoon.

the beautiful view from another winery we stopped at just to take pictures! haha

Courtney and I

Coming to an End....

Its really sad that summer is coming to an end.   I dont want it to end already.  Tuesady my middle brother leaves back for college, so tonight the fam went out for a nice family dinner.  Of course he got first choice and picked Wasabi, which is always delicious!

Although the weather this week is looking promising for all of us to get a break from the heat.  The high everyday doesnt go above the 80's. 

This weekend was a very low-key weekend.  Friday night after work C and I had planned on doing dinner and a movie.  We couldnt decide on a place to eat so we ended up driving all the way to Fairview.  I knew Callie and Cody were over there as well so we met up with them and ate at Texas Roadhouse. 

Last night C and I went out with a friend of his and we stopped by the mall and then went to Hooters to eat.  This weekend pretty much consisted of eating out everyday.. 

Tomorrow and Tuesday I am helping my cooperating teacher in Collinsville set up her classroom.  I am pretty excited/anxious to see what all it is going to take to set up. 

I cant believe school is already approaching us....

One for One

The TOMS motto is that for every pair of TOMS shoes you purchase, they will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need! One for One.

 Today I purchased my 3rd pair of TOMS shoes.  I loveee this brand! This pair is much different from my other pairs and they are super cute!!

Puppy Love

I just wanted to show off my amazing puppies in this post.  Even though they can most definitely get annoying...they are the sweetest animals ever!

lil Gus Gus

Me and my babies!

Movies, Haircuts, and Crab legs....Oh MY!

Last Friday, C and I had a low key date night.  I love spending evenings just laying around watching movies with C.  After we both got off work, we wanted to get something to eat, and we were both craving IMOS.  Once dinner was over we went to our new favorite movie place.....the Redbox, and got two movies.  The Dilemma, and No Strings Attached.  And I would not really recommend either one....they just werent as good as they appeared on television. Although our movies werent so good...we ended up having a great evening. 

Saturday C got his first real haircut in a very long time!! Im soooo glad he did and he really loves it!! Thanks Kelly!! :)  He actually styles his hair now!

Later that night we went to the Ameristar with C's grandparents for all-you-can-eat crab leg night!! Yummm! I dont think I've ever ate so many crab legs before!! After dinner we went and gambled for a lil bit.  Each walking away a few dollars richer once more!!

22 year old say what!?!

On Tuesday July 26th, my best friend Erica turned 22.  I cannot believe that we are all now turning 22.  Since she her birthday I have really been thinking alot about the reality of growing up and what lies ahead.  Just tonight I looked at the headband that says 21 BUY ME A DRINK, and thought wow....can I really already be in my 20s?!?  Where have these last 3 years of college gone??  Am I really graduating in the Spring? So many life changing upcoming events are headed my way..and Im not really sure that I am 100% ready for them.  Im sure that this year many of my fears I will overcome and I will be very confident in my own classroom, its just that insecurity coming out.

For Erica's birthday we went to the Cheesecake Factory (yummm!) and did what we all do best....ate delicious food! :)  Her sister-in-law Jessica even surprised her with her two favorite nephews Brady and Collin!

Me, the birthday girl, and my fav lil 4 year old!

Since in the spring I will be graduating as a certified elementary teacher...I want to share my favorite commercial out right now!!

haha I think this is sooo cute!! hopefully (fingers crossed) a year from now this will be me!!  Minus the gerbals...im not a fan of rodients!