Happy Little Casper Family

2010-11-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Well....I so have a boy. I picked Rylan up from my grandma's after a long day at work. He got to eat a cookie on the way home. Well by the time we got home he had chocolate ALL over! So As soon as we get through the door, I strip him down. Diaper and all because I was going to just put him in the tub. All but the Ute hat, he had to keep it on, he insisted. SO I then set my keys phone etc. down and turn around and he was running out of the garge door. So I then follow him just in time to see him crawl in the door I left open. The pictures say the rest....

I promise I am a good Mom....

Blog Stalking

2010-11-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

I have been warned that I am being blog stocked so I feel that I need to give them something new to read. Not that it is going to be entertaining, but at least it is new!

Life is great! I have the most active little 17 1/2 month old that teaches me new things about myself everyday. He is so amazing.

I am still in school, Math 2010 Math for Elem. Ed. Teachers (the #1 most failed math class at UVU). I am proud to say as of right now I have a B! Yay for no time to study! Ry is very helpful.

I work 2-3 days a week and love my RPH family! They keep me sane, believe it or not!

The other "kids" are great and are very patient with Ry!

Rickey is still the love of my life, even though he is an die hard hunter and it seems as if I have not seen him since the hunts started :-) He works hard and is a great hubby/daddy!

All in all my life is great, but boring so it is hard to blog. I feel as if though people read this, it will put them to sleep, which may be helpful for some!

So please feel free to stalk me and cure your insomnia.

Birthday Boy!

2010-06-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it, Rylan is ONE! We had a great party and he was VERY spoiled! We also had some fantasic pictures taken of him you can see the preview here! Here are some pics of the party! I made his cake and "smash" cake and they turned out so cute!

Memorial Day at Otter Creek

2010-06-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

I loved this-there was a cooler of worms, a locked cash box with a slit and a sign that said night crawlers $1.00/a dozen self serve. this was in Koosheram. It was so "American" with the flag, barn and scenery.
Me and Uncle Phil

Ry and Winston in the sand.

Ry LOVES the 4-wheeler.

Winston kept an eye on the fish.

Daddy and Ry

You can see his teefies!

He really needed a tubby

Casper cousins Coleman, Hudson and Rylan at Big Rock Candy Mountain

The family at Big Rock candy Mountain

We did our family tradition and went to Otter Creek for the Memorial Day weekend. I was a little scared to take Ry camping because he has such a good schedule going right now. We went with the whole Caper Gang there was a total of about 30 people there. Ry had so much fun in the sand and dirt. He really loved eating it.....he has a great immune system! While out on the boat fishing Ry decided he could finally walk on his own IN THE BOAT! Then he was in our camper and the in laws motor home and was all over the place! I was not holding my breath because I figured he would still want to hold my hand. So when we got home he was not sure he could do it, but then he remembered he learned how and took off. He is a little wobbly but getting better! He is so proud of hims little self and so am I!

One year ago....

2010-05-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

I remember one year ago. I was pregnant and could not wait for my little baby boy to get here. I was huge and so miserable pregnant! I cannot believe It has been a almost a year since having Rylan. He has taught me so many things that I could not have learned anywhere else. He has taught me love that I have never loved before. He is truly the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. We make such a great family and we cannot even imagine our lives without him.

It was not always easy. It is true when people say having a baby is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing that you will ever do in your life.

There is not a moment that goes by that I do not think of him and if he is sleeping I cannot wait to hold him again. I cannot wait to see the many more things that he is going to teach me. There is always some thing new and exciting he is doing. He makes me laugh everyday. I am so thankful, more than I could even express for him. I love my little Ry more than anything and I try to be the best mom I can be for him.

To all you new or to be moms, there will be hard times in that first year, but remember to take a breath and just admire the miracle you have. Enjoy all the little moments, because they will soon be gone, there will be a new moment to enjoy, but some you cannot get back. Take as many pictures as you want, there is no such thing as too many pictures!

I love you with all my heart Rylan, thank you for being mine!

Ya, I suck at blogging

2010-01-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

So remember that one time when I had a blog and I never posted on it, ya I remember that!
Well, here I am to post something on it.......Sorry if it is boring! Well, Rylan is now seven months old! I cannot believe it! He is so, I should say SOOOO active. He has a little walker that he runs all over the house in. The animals are about sick of it because when he see's them he makes a B-line to them. Poor Baylee is limping from the shin shots he gives her! Rickey and I are having a blast with him, even if he does wear us out! Nothing too new happening. I start back in school this week with a light schedule. Rickey is going to start the 49-96 hour schedule this month so that will be interesting. I am still at the zoo, they call Riverwoods Pet Hospital, why I am not too sure! LOL! Well, I did it, posted. Done and Done!

New pics!

2009-11-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

Some family pics!

Go Utes!

Seeing Daddy at the station

2009-10-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some updated photo's of the little man! He is getting so big, so fast! All he wants to do is have you help him stand, he only wants to lay down to eat and sleep other than that he thinks he can just walk where ever!

Texas

2009-09-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

This is Royal, Ry's horse that PopPop gave him.

Ry sleeping at the airport, since his blonde mom and grandma thought the flight left at 6:00am when it was really 6:00pm, so we had to sit stand-by for four hours!

Ry and MeMa

Me looking 7 months pregnant with Ry and Belle, LOL, not really LOL!

Ry and PopPop

Ry, PopPop and Tuff

He loved the bubbles in the Hot Tub

Me and Ry

So Dang Cute

Uncle Tommy teaching Ry "Dance Moves"

Ry in his PJ's and new Fireman Boots

PopPop and Ry "Walking"

PopPop and Ry playing

Ry and I went to Texas to see the fam while Rickey went hunting with his family. Ry was such a good baby and he loved playing with MeMa and PopPop! He also loved meeting the horses, he is definatley my boy because he loves the animals. He lets them lick his little face off. It was nice to see my mom and dad, I miss them.

Rylan

2009-08-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here he is smiling so big!

He loves to sit in my rocking chair while I fold and put away his clothes

He looked so peaceful I had to take his picture.

Shots!

2009-08-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ry had to go in for his 2 month shots. He was so excited at the Dr. he was laying on the table kicking and wiggling all around while telling a big story. He had no idea what was to come. He weighed 10 lbs. 11 oz. and was 22 i/2 inches. He is in the 25th percentile. He checked out perfect! The nurse was so good and fast he had 5 injections between the two thighs and one oral vaccine, poor little monkey screamed and it was so sad.

Bella the cat loves to sleep in Ry's crib, I kick her out at night so she will not suffocate him, but as long as I am there watching I let her stay. Ry also sleeps in the "Gun Show" and "frog leg" position. I know he was like this in my tummy because all I ever felt was knees and elbows!

Back to life?

2009-08-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today is my first day back to work. I am only going back part time, two days a week and only half days. Ry is being watched by my my grammy Taylor and Rickey, depending on what days he works. I was sad to leave him, but not too overly sad because I know he is in good hands and I will only be gone for a few hours. I also know it is good for him and me!

Ry is starting to smile, the other day he smiled for the first time when he woke up and I was feeding him. He had not done it since, until I had left to go into work for a few hours and I got home and he woke up from his nap and saw me and he smiled so big. I was feeling bad because Rickey has not seen his smile, even in his sleep, which he has been doing since he was born (he also giggles in his sleep it is THE cutest thing ever!). Well last night it happen, Rickey was talking to him and I was kissing his forehead and he was smiling from ear to ear. Rickey was so happy!

So Ry's favorite thing is the bath tub. He loves it and would live there if I would let him. He spends at least 30min. in there every night. He kicks, splashes and talks the whole time.

Ry went on his first fishing trip last week. We went to Strawberry, he loved the rocking of the boat. He did not catch any fish but he did catch a lot of ZZZZZZZZZ! HA HA lame of me!

Daddy with his little man!

Ry with his best buddy Coleman!

So sleepy!

Wow I look HOT!

Splish Splash!

Life...

2009-07-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here is what we have been up to the past few weeks. Even with a new baby you have to keep going! He is getting so big so fast, Today he weighed 9.7 and he is 6 weeks old. I love him so much and he has such a funny little personality. He makes us laugh at the littlest things! He is my little buddy and we are enjoying our time together, we especially love when daddy has the day off and he plays with us. Winston loves his "little brother" and is protective over him, he checks o9n him and when I have to get up and feed Ry, Winston wakes up with me and helps and then follows me back to bed. Ry is on a schedule, he eats every 3-4 hours. So far he only cries when he needs something, and he is really easy to please. He loves to goo and talk in the mornings while kicking his feet and swatting his arms. My mom said she has never heard such a vocal baby. He can hold his head up pretty well and is already trying to stand when you hold him up.

First golf outing with Mom, Dad, Grandparents Casper and Uncle Jeff

The hose cutting ceremony for the new station that Rickey works at now

Rickey calls these his "old man " shorts!

At the Owlz game for his cousin Coleman's birthday

First Dr. visit. He was circumcised and he did not even cry. So tough! (Mom did cry, even before they took us back for his appointment)

In his what dad calls "man dress" going to bed.

Baby Rylan

2009-06-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of the little man. I will try to update more often! I am just having too much fun with the little man!

Baby Rylan will be one month old on Saturday, I cannot believe it! I love him so much and it has been such an adventure getting to know him and learning his routine!

Baby Rylan

2009-06-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

It all started Wednesday t 2:00 in the morning. I started having contrations, I did not think anything of them, until about 6:30, I started timing them and they were 4-6 min. apart and about 35 seconds long. I just figured I would give it a little while and see if they went away. Well at 9:30 am I decided that I may be in labor so I called my doctor and they said if I had more than 5 contractions in one hour I needed to go to labor and delivery. Rickey had just gotten off of shift and he was just waiting for my signal to take me in. I gave him the signal and we were off. Once there they hooked me up to the moniors and checked me. I was 2cm and 80% thinned out. So they said that they would check me in an hour and if I was dialated another cm, the would admit me. Well about 35 min into waiting, they came in and said that I had sealed my ticket and I was staying. So I was admitted and given some Potocin to make my contractions stronger. They started getting stronger, but his heartrate dwould drop when I had a really strong one. So Dr. Smith came over and broke my water about 1:00, she said that baby had the "3 strikes he is out rule" so if his hear rated dropped one more time he was coming out then. Then soon after, I had decided it was time for the epidheral. My anesthesiologist was great and I did not even feel it. Baby was very stubborn, if I was to lay on my back or left side, his heartrate would dectease, so I had to stay on my right side.

During all this my mom was on a flight from Texas and was on her way. She ended up getting there are anout 5:15.

At about 6:30 my sweet nurse came in and said we need to place a scalp fetal monitor on him, because they were having a hard time reading his heart rate. Once they did this, his heart rate was still reading low, so she said I am going to call Dr. Smith and see what she wants to do. I told her that Dr. Smith had told me about the 3 strikes he is out rule and this was his 3rd strike. She then told me, things are going to start moving really fast, but it will be okay and we will get him here safely. So they then ran me to surgery and started prepping me. They were really efficiant and fast. They then sent Rickey in and that is when I got all teary eyed, I was fine before then, I knew that it was all going to be okay, but when I saw him and how concerned he was I kind of lost it. He sat there stroking my head and telling me it was going to be okay, his poor hand was shaking so bad. It seemed like only a few min, and he was here, his little cry was so little and sweet, it just sounded like a whimper. They then had Rickey come over and meet his new little man. They then brought him over to me to meet and as soon as I talked to him, he opened his eyes and looked at me. I was SO in love!

Baby was doing so good that they let Rickey take him down to the waiting room to meet the family before they bathed and poked him. He met Grandma & Grandpa Knuteson and Casper also Great Grandma & Grandpa Taylor. They could not believe how beautiful he was.

Rickey then took him in for his bath and poking. He was really good and did not even fuss except for his bath, and even then he just make little cry sounds. His hair is long and has a curl to it, his eyelashes are long and beautiful.

Rickey is doing so good with him, he was meant to be a dad. He even changes his diaper with no complains! He really has been a great baby and so loving. I am so excited for all the memories we will have with him.

Thanks to everyone for all of their love and support!

Ultrasound

2009-06-03T13:22:00.001-07:00

So we had the appt yesterday and not much had changed. I was still just 1cm and 50% effaced. Their concern was that my uterus was only measuring 35cm and it should be at least 37cm since I am 39weeks. This is the 3rd week that I have only measured 35cm, so they did an ultrasound to make sure my fluid was okay. It measured ok, but his measurements were small and he measured to be more of the size of a 36 1/2 week old baby. They figured him to weigh 6lbs 11oz. So they do

not change my date, because they say that at this point genetics take over and he will just be a small baby. So I go back next Tuesday. They gave me some pics of the ultrasound, he has chubby cheeks and his mommy's big head, LOL! Oh and he is still a boy! So they just said lots of walking, so I started walking 45min each night, and last night, I did have contractions, but nothing too alarming! So that is what is going on, we will keep ya posted!

Dr. Appt.

2009-05-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

I went to the Dr. on Wednesday. I was still 1 cm, but I was 75% effaced. Baby is still down and the Dr. said he was all up in my ribs, LOL, I could have told ya that! I think he is definitely going to be a Rickey baby, long and skinny, not round and short like me! I was joking with him and telling him to induce me, and he said all joking aside he would, but it would be long and hard on me and I would probably end up having a c-section. So he talked me out of it, needless to say!

Cradle

2009-05-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa Taylor made this beautiful cradle for the baby. I am so excited for him to use it. It is suck a timeless piece and will be an amazing family heirloom. Thanks Bop!

Doctor appt.

2009-05-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor yesterday and there was not much change. I am still at 1 cm. His heartbeat was 154 bpm. My belly measured 35 inches. He is still head down. I am still having random contractions and had really bad ones Friday. I am not too anxious, just waiting and enjoying the time I have before he comes! I will let ya'll know if anything changes!

Work shower

2009-05-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from my work shower that we had this weekend. We had so much fun, even though the people I work with are crazy, I love them soooooo much!

Thank you all for such a good time! Love ya!

Cute little Outfit

He is a little bit of a bad A**

His Bad A shoes to match his Bad A shirt

Brandon was dead on when it came to guessing the size of my waist!

Christian was way off!

~The Crew~

Work

2009-05-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

So Brandon and I are usually the ones to do really stupid stuff at work and hurt one and other, but since I am prego I have not been able to partake in the festivities. We hired a girl at work named Btittany and I love her for so many reasons but especially because she is a tom-boy like me so she is able to entertain Brandon. So this is a video of them leg wrestling and Brandon getting his trashed kicked!

Sooner than later......

2009-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

I now go to the Baby Dr. once a week now. I went yesterday and my Dr. said that the baby was head down and I was 1 cm dilated. He also said that the pain I was having were contractions and I needed to keep a count of them. He scheduled an induction for June 18th in case I make it till then, but I am willing to put money that he comes before then. So crazy that he will be here any day!

All Done!?!

2009-05-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

We finally got the room all ready for the baby.....I think. It is all decorated and things are in place. Even though he won't use it until he is older, because he will be sleeping in the cradle my grandpa Taylor made for him. I am excited to have it all put together! Thanks again Mom for all your amazing work on making all the bedding, curtains, etc. I could not have been more perfect!

Daddy to be chillin' in the room!

The table my Mommy and Daddy got for the room.

Crib

Above the table, we did antique firefighter pictures, one is from the first Lehi Fire Dept. Also there is one of Rickey and his old crew, so he can watch over baby all the time!

Ode to Winston

2009-04-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

As you all know, I love my little Winston and he is soon to get a rude awakening with the new baby boy almost here. I know he is going to be jealous and it is going to be a hard adjustment for him. He has been a big help in getting ready for the baby. Here are some pics of my little bird dog!

Baby Shower

2009-04-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

Thank You to all that helped me celebrate the welcoming of baby boy Casper. The shower was amazing, I was so luck to have my Mom here to put it on for me. I love my Mom she is so amazing and loving. I can only hope that I will be as amazing as she is. I had such a great time seeing everyone and hope people enjoyed themselves, it looked like they did! Thank You again everyone, I really appreciate your love and support.

Farmer Joe

2009-04-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

For awhile now Rickey has wanted to plant a garden in the back yard and have strawberries. So for Easter I bought him his own strawberry plant, pot, and soil. With in 10 min. of me giving it to him he had them planed, watered and watching them grow. They are his babies, I will not touch them in fear that I may damage or hurt them and he would be very sad. This strawberry lit a fire under him and he began to plant the garden in the back yard. I am very excited about this because I love fresh veggies!

Baby Room

2009-03-23T13:03:00.000-07:00

Well we got the room all cleared out a few weeks ago, and now we are slowly getting it ready for baby. I am having a hard time finding a place to put all the loot that he has so far, his closet is full! So we got the crib up, Rickey did it on Sunday for me and he said it was much easier that he though it would be. He has been wanting to put this crib us since we got it 6 months ago. So as we add more to the room, I will post pics and show you the process!

Bella thought that Rickey was making her something really awesome to play on. She was a big help!

27 weeks and counting

2009-03-12T09:37:00.001-07:00

Here are some random photos that Rickey took the other day, because my mom wanted to see how "cute" and big my belly had gotten. Then he decided that we should take a picture of me with all the "kids"! Good times!

Baby Boy!!!

2009-02-26T07:21:00.000-08:00

So as you all know my mother is amazing in so many ways. So today I want to show you one way that she is amazing. She is so excited for this baby and started making him things as soon as we found out what flavor he was. So she make these two blankets for him, they are AMAZING. They are all done free hand and there is so much detail. She is working on his crib stuff right now, so I will post that as soon as I get them! Oh, and on the cowboy one the K is my mom and dad's brand. I love you MOMMY and Thank-You!!!

Formally Introduced!

2009-02-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

On Saturday night, Rickey took me to dinner at Texas Roadhouse Steak and on the way home we drove by the station and the new ladder truck was out, so we stopped so he could show it to me. That thing is HUGE! I could not believe the size of it the tires are almost as big as I am! So then we went in to see the other new truck that was in the bay at the station and to say hi to some of his old crew. Well they were going to "play" on the new truck later and wanted us to come back so they could take me in the bucket. So we went back a little later and Ernie, Jake, Rickey and I went up 100ft in the air. It was so amazing because you could see all of Utah Valley and it was in the dark so it was really cool. So now I am not so jealous of Rickey's "new love" now that we have been formally introduced! LOL! I guess now I can see what all the love is about, it was really cool!

This is how high we went it the bucket

This is us at the top, in the bucket!

Rickey's New Love

2009-02-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

So Lehi City is getting a new fire station that should open this summer, with that is coming new promotions. We are hoping Rickey gets promoted to Engineer, that is where his job is to man the fire truck. So he drives it to all the calls and if there is a fire he pumps the water, etc. Needless to say it is his dream to drive the fire tuck all the time. He always says "who wouldn't want that as their job?" I guess it is a boy thing??? He is currently in an Engineer Academy class with Lehi that he has to pass in order to be promoted. So far he has aced all his tests and quizzes and is doing very well. It is almost over and I am glad because between his work and mine and both of our school schedules we see each other rarely. But it does make the time we have together more valuable and we appreciate it more. So here are some pictures of the new trucks that will be going in the new station (I stole them from Jake, thanks!) Anytime Rickey sees these he gets all dreamy eyed and in love. I guess that he is in the right career!

Baby Bedding

2009-01-29T11:35:00.000-08:00

So my mom is going to make my bedding for the baby and we could not decide between cowboy or firefighter. But once we found this fabric, it won me over! My crib is black and I think it will look really good together! Let me know what you think!

Ultrasound video of the baby BOY!

2009-01-28T09:22:00.000-08:00

The ultrasound went great! The baby measured perfect. We are due June 14th! He has the sweetest little face and I am in love already! Rickey is already the most proud dad you have ever seen! I could not believe everything that they could measure! They checked him form head to toe for any problems and it was all perfect! Enjoy meeting the new baby! P.S. the first one has sound!

Cowgirl or cowboy?

2009-01-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

These are John Deere boots that I bought when we were in Texas and my mom and dad got me the spurs later on. No matter if it is a boy or girl these will be their boots! I am excited for them to get dirty and all worked in, like real cowboy boots!

Five days and counting.......

2009-01-19T13:05:00.001-08:00

On the 27th we find out if we are having a boy or a girl, everyone has guesses, but Rickey and I are open to either as long as it is healthy and happy. I am 5 months now and barely starting to show, depending on what type of shirt I am wearing. I feel the baby move all the time, especially when and after I eat. Rickey finally got to feel baby the other day and he was amazed. He asked if it was weird to think that there was something alive in me. I don't feel that it is that weird, I mean it is amazing and strange at the same time, but I am not sure that it is all that weird. I cannot believe it is half way over. I still have so much to do. I am lucky to have such a supportive husband and family that is so excited for this baby to make its arrival! I will soon post pictures of the ultrasound and they also give you a DVD of the ultrasound, but I am not sure if that will make it on or not? I am excited to know if I should be looking at blue or pink, my mom has bought both boy and girl clothing, her theory is that I will have one of each someday and it is too cute to pass up! She is so funny! My dad also is trying to find the perfect pony for him/her? The baby already has a pair of boots and spurs that are so tiny and cute, I need to take a picture and put them on here! My mom also wanted me to post a picture of my belly, so here you go mom! (P.S. I am in my jammies, because I had just gotten home from work and that is the first thing I do, so I look super good.....LOL!)

Utah National Champs? Read the article....I agree!

2009-01-07T13:01:00.001-08:00

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3815656

New Years Eve

2009-01-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

We went to Philip and Brenda's for New years and played SingStar with PJ, Kelley,
Trina, Kriss, Philip and Brenda. At first I was like I do not think I can sing in front of all these
people, because I suck. But once everyone had made a fool of themselves I was all over
making a fool out of myself. Kelley girl and I kicked butt at Brittney Spears "Hit Me Baby
One More Time!" Rickey was really into singing, you gave him the song, no matter what it
was and he would sing it. Here is Rickey and PJ singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." So
make sure you put my play list music on pause before you play the video! ENJOY!

The Utes 13-0 are #1

2009-01-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

So I do not know how many of you watched the game on Friday, but it was a good one. The fact that Alabama was going to "walk down the field" and out score Utah, was such a funny quote after the first quarter, because that is what Utah did to Alabama. The final score being 31-17 UTAH! I know that some people reading this are not Utah fans, but you have to admit that they played some freaking good football. I am so glad that we had season tickets to enjoy the great season, because I know it will be a few more years before they have this type of team again. Thanks to the Utes for such an awesome season!

BABY CASPER

2008-12-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

I had this ultrasound done in late November, they had me come in after having some spotting. Baby looked great. I could not believe the movement that little thing had its arms and legs were going every which way! It is so crazy! We find out next month if it is a boy or a girl, and we cannot wait! Baby just wanted to make its appearance on the blog!

Thanksgiving...sorry it took so long

2008-12-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

So Rickey, me and Tommy all went to Vegas and met my mom and dad there for Thanksgiving. We stayed in a super nice condo (thanks to Phil & Brenda) and had a really good dinner! My mom and dad also bought us tickets to see the Criss Angel Cirque Du Sole show. It was really crazy! That guy is a freak! Here are some pics, we took my mom to see the waters because she had never seen them before. It was raining, but they were still beautiful! It was so nice to see the parents I miss them sooooo much!

Final Chapter in the 2008 School Year

2008-12-14T14:27:00.000-08:00

This semester has been pretty lax. I have learned tons, but I am ready to start a new chapter in the school book. This year I really started to feel that I was on the road to becomeing a teacher. All of my classes were teaching related and very enjoyable. There are many new things that I have learned that I will be ablt to take on and use in my life and in my teaching career.

In this class there were so many new techniques that I learned to use. I was not sure exactly what to expect when I signed up for this class. I figured that it was a general computer class that you would learn how to use certain teaching computer programs. Little did I know that the class would revolve around what is new and upcoming in the computer world and how to use it in the classroom. At times the class was challenging and I wondered if I could do it. At other times I found it pretty easy really fun. All in all it was a very informing class and I learned so much, some I knew a basic knowledge of and learned more about it and other I was taught all new things.

I know that I will have to take more computer classes in the elementary education program. I am sure that some will be with Dr. Waters. Which will be good because I like the teaching style and I am fimilliar with it. I also think that the information she passes on to her students is useful and fun to learn about. So as I reflect ver this semester as a whole.....
It has been a good year, I have learned valuable information also made some good friends in the process, so thanks. See you in a few semesters!

Tagged!

2008-12-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

1.Where did I meet my husband? I met Rickey on a triple date at the Haunted Forrest. I was supposed to be Mike (Rickey's best friends date) but I really liked the "HOT BOY" Rickey!

2.How long did you date before getting married? 4 Years

3.How long have you been married? 3 1/2 years

4.What does he do that surprises you? Everything! Ha Ha. I love when he shows me his "dance moves" that he has made up, they always surprise me!

5.What is your favorite feature of his? His easy going personality

6.What is his best quality? He ALWAYS puts me first.

7.Does he have a nickname for you? Babe, smelly cat-he always has a good one!

8.What is his favorite food? Steak!

9.What is his favorite sport? Football-he manages 2 teams! (Step Brothers Quote-Fantasy leagues- He uses that line all the time!)

10.When did you first kiss? In front of my house after he had asked if he could. He had taken me to the hill above Orem cemetery and had his chance, but was too scared he said.

11.What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Go camping and hiking.

12.Do you have any children? One on the way and our pets that are still our "kids."

13.Does he have any hidden talents? The ability to make up words on any topic to go with the tune of any song, among many other things but this is my favorite!

14.How old is he? 26

15.What is his favorite music? Depends on his mood, sometimes he is gangsta, country, a rocker, a you name it!

16.What do you admire about him? The love he has for me. I have really seen his "motherly"/ caregiver instincts over the last few weeks while I have been so sick. I know he takes care of people for his job, but I usually do not have to see this part of him (taking care of the ill). Who can say their husband gave them an IV and fluids? And then he sat on the couch with me while I got them. He also did all my errands and went to Orem to get me canned peaches, because he knew they would make me feel better. He has been at my beck and call with no hesitations and is more than concerned about me.

17.What is his favorite color? Black

18.Will he read this? I think so.

19.Who said "I love you" First? I did, but he did not say it back. He said he wanted to tell me when he really knew he meant it. Which was a few weeks later, and it felt true and I knew it was.

20.Who do you tag? Who ever wants to do it? Janni, Kendal, Jackie???

V-Tech Cyber Spy Notebook

2008-12-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

This notebook would be so amazing to have in my classroom. This is some thing that I can use as a reward for my students. It will be a fun tool for them and they will be excited, to play it but at the same time learning new ideas and aspects. On the Cyber Spy Notebook, students will discover a new found knowledge, but they will be having too much fun to notice. On the Cyber Spy Notebooks they will experience an adventure. Durinf he adventure they will uncover more than 100 activities that teach English, Spanish, French, German, math, logic and more. The Cyber Spy Notebook can always have new missions for the students so that they can learn more. All you have to do is connect the Cyber Spy Notebook to a computer and download new content. There are also other games online at the Cyber Spy Headquarters where you can play additional games or post your score for all to see. The Cyber Spy Notebook comes with a real mouse/mouse pad, online ID card, CD rom, and USB cable. It is a good way for students to be rewarded in a positive way with this motebook. It will also be an activity that students can work on as a group and share ideas, they will also be social in a positive way with this.

Photo Story 3

2008-12-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed playing with this new application. It is a place where you can upload your photos, you can add text to the pictures and also sound. I was able to make a whole story of my summer 2008 activites, with my music. To start, I had to download it to my computer and it took less than 5 minuites. You had have Media Player 10 or newer, so I had to download that, which was found on the Microsoft Website and was really easy. After downloading that I was able to finish the download on Photo Story. It is very easy, it walks you through each step. Once you have down loaded the program it takes you through each page step by step. First you download your pictures, I downloaded fifty plus pictures and there was still room for more. Then they gave you an option to add text to the pictures, you were able to chage the font, size, color and other text related options. Then they give you an option to make different transitions between the photos. For example fade in, fade out, star, etc. Once you finish that you move on to adding sound. You can record your own voice to play with the different pictures, and you can add music from your own files, or make music to add. At any time you can preview the project the way it looks so far and go back to any slide. Once finished you can save it, burn it, e-mail it and other options. There were so many options on every aspect of the program, which was a good thing. I really liked this program. It was so easy and fast to make a fun keepsake. I would love using this program in my classroom for students to make their own projects and also to make the year end video. Here is a sample of one that I found on-line: Photo Story Sample.

P to the B to the isher

2008-11-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

I LOVE, I mean love Publisher. I used this program quite a bit when I was in Jr. High and High School for projects both personal and for school. I had not used it for quite a while because I did not have it on my personal computer. So when I was able to use it on the school computers, I fell in love all over again! It is such a user friendly program. I love how they have the templates all ready to use and there are so many. For the assignments on the final it was easy to be able to pull up a template and make it your own, but the pages are there for you to use and give you good ideas.

In my classroom I can use so many of these templates to make flyers, etc. for classroom activities and events coming up. I could also have the students help with the process, it is pretty user friendly so they can help with the topics, graphics and stories in the newsletters. There are so many templates that you can use in the classroom. There is one for card making that would be fun for kids to use for the different holidays. We could upload their pictures to use on the cars. There is also a template for certificates. I would love having this available for easy access. It would be fun to give away random certificates every week making the students feel special.

This is a great program to have in your home and in your classroom. I wish that it came standard with windows and word. It is pretty expensive, but I think that I may invest in it. I think that there many programs that some schools may have that are available for the students and teachers to use. But I may need this in mt home for my personal use!

R.I.P. Cougars!!!

2008-11-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

"Take this back to Provo!" guy

Me on the 30 YD line after the WIN!

On the field

We got on camera, but I am not sure who's camera it was?

Best Fans ever!

CRAZY!

Watching the players celebrate!

Jake in the craziness!

On the field!

UTES are #1~!

Nice score, you wave that flag Jeff!

Trash talk before the game.

Rickey and I at the game, and our season ticket holder friends in the back!

There were a few BYU flags being waved at the start, but they soon faded!

GO UTES!

#1 UTES

Shot"ski" guy at the tailgate area, "playing" his ski with the live band!

Tailgate~crazy!

Go Brian Johnson!

Ute Fire Truck!

The game on Saturday was so good! We killed BYU 24-48. I cannot believe how crazy the UTE fans are they are Die hard BYU haters. In the tailgate area if someone walked through in BYU attire, first how dumb do you have to be? 95% of the people in there are so drunk they have no idea what is going on and second, they HATE BYU, I mean HATE BYU. They were booo'd and had beer and silly string thrown on them. I don't agree with the whole throw stuff on them, but for real you should know better. It was insane, I am surprised that we did not see any fights. UTE fans are die hard, oh man I cannot even describe the madness! When BYU entered the field they were booo'd and if a BYU fan dare walk down the stairs they were heckled to death. They are brave, I would never do it! The BYU hater shirts and memorabilia was insane. One of the pics shows one guy that showed his true feelings. I have never seen so many hung cougars in my life. This rivalry is bigger than any other I think because it incorporates religion. BYU fans have strict morals and UTES, well they may may have morals but at this game they do not show them. It was good ole college football. Now we just wait and see what happens with the bowl games, but we are planning on attending with the "crew" that we had season tickets with. I am sad the season is over, but Oh so glad I was able to be part of it! GO UTES!!!!

Web page

2008-11-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

I have finished the whole fiasco of finishing the flyer, brochure, newsletter, classroom rules etc. So now I have to move onto the the Google Web page. So far so good! It really helps that we are able to work on it in class. This way you have not only your teacher as a resource, but also other students. It has been really helpful so far. Google is not super user friendly, I do not think but I am working my way through it okay so far. I wonder if I will use google sites, when I have a classroom or some other type of site, because I also think it is not very easy to navigate around and find things on. For example the site for our class there are so many links to follow and go back to. It just seems kind of repetitive.

I would want a more kid friendly site since I will be teaching third grade. One that has photos for icons to click on. For example a pen, paper and books for homework. A lunch sack for the lunch menu, etc. I just like that kind of site better. I will not even look at a site if it is not appealing to me. Also some of the parents, caretakers may not have great computer skills so this will make it easier on them too.

I am excited for this semester to be over. I have learned tons in this class that will be helpful in my teaching career. It has been a fairly easy class, just a lot of material to cover. I am not going to lie. I will be excited to be able to post on my blog for fun and not for homework. I am thankful for this class to MAKE me start a blog it is something that I have wanted to start, but just procrastinated it, but now it is here and set up so it is easy now!

History

2008-11-17T18:57:00.001-08:00

So tonight I was going through an old recipe book that has all of my Great Grandma and Grandpa's recipes in it. I am looking for a brownie recipe for the Golding family party because there is the best recipe for brownies that My Great Grandma Moon made. Now I remember my Grandma Moon, always had a tissue in her hand and watching Price is Right. I think I was only 5 or 6, but I remember her. As I read some of the stories in this book, I think to myself I never want to forget her. I hear the storied of the good ole times that my grandma Taylor had with her. They lived on a sheep camp in Hanna for most of their lives, they worked so hard. It makes me think how many things we take for granted, they had nothing, but at the same time they had it all. They have so many good stories about playing as a family after all the work was done, the butter frozen on the counter when they woke up in the morning trading food with the Indians, etc. Not yet have I heard one of the kids complain about the way of life they had. Life is too easy now, for example there are 100+ recipes in here. They had to make dinner from scratch, not run to Wendy's or microwave a dinner and they ate it together as a family. Great Grandpa Moon would finish the chores and come in to meet his family for a good home cooked meal, I am not sure if life could get better than that?

As I am starting my family it makes me think that I want these things for my kids. I want them to feel the strong family bond and where they came from. I know growing up my mom did this for us. Growing up on a farm. Playing baseball and using cows or cow pies as bases. Swimming in the horse trough, being able to go outside and hop on a horse and go for ride where ever. We had bummer lambs every spring that we had to feed 6+ times a day. Fighting off stray dogs to save our babies, I remember many times not getting there in time. Breaking the ice off of the troughs and feeding all of the animals in freezing cold temperatures. But it was all so worth it, THANKS MOM! I want my kids to experience this too. I know I am emotional being pregnant and all so as I go through these memories I am balling my eyes out and I do not think it helps I am listening to Alison Krauss. I just love my family and the values it has always had, I hope I can pass it on to our kids. It also helps that Rickey's family has good values too.

Technology can be a pain in the buttocks!

2008-11-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

So this week we started on our final projects. I was thinking that it would be no problem, piece of cake, lets get the party started! Well I had chosen Publisher to do all the first part of the final in, the flyer, brochure, newsletter and classroom rules. So I did all if them and then I saved them on my USB port and figured I would finish posting them on my UEN site at work. Well, that turned out to be a nightmare! First, they would not transfer because my computer at work did not have Publisher 2007 so they would not open. So I figured I would try Google Documents because that is apparently the magic place that can fix everything. Well it will not support Publisher documents, so at this point I am having a small wig out! I had a co-worker helping me through out all of this and even he being as computer savvy as he is, was at his wits end. So I decide to remake some of the documents in word and transfer them to Google documents because I have to have them saved as a PDF, to make things more complicated! I am not sure what PDF stands for, but I know what the F stood for this day! Well when I transfer them over, it completely changes the format, so I have to try and reformat the whole document in Google. When I get it looking somewhat like the original, I save it as a PDF and it looks so messed up! AAAHHHHH!!!! At this time I have to walk away. So my other co-worker came in and said well if you had a Mac this would be easy! Oh do not even get me started, I hate that Macs and PC's cannot perform the same things. Do they not realize how difficult this makes life for me??? So she tells me to e-mail her the documents that I have made in publisher and it will take her two clicks to make it into a PDF. And you know what it does, 2 clicks and it is a PDF. WTF!!! I am so over it now. I have given up, I do not know what the more simple ways would be to transfer it to a PDF from a word document, but at this point I really do not care! I know I sound bitter and angry at this point, and I am, I really am. If I had 4 people helping me accomplish this I can only imagine how others feel! So if it weren't for the whole PDF thing, this assignment would have been a breeze and I would have really enjoyed it. Because I love working on Publisher and making creative, colorful things, but this may have ruined it for me for a while at least. Give me a few months break and I think I may be able to face the PDF/Publisher thing again, but maybe not I may be ruined for life! Oh and I will never make my students use this, not in 3rd grade and if they are older, I will personally find an easy way to make it happen for them and teach them, rather than let them struggle and get frustrated. I know I can ask for help, but for now I am good!??!

Announcement time!

2008-11-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

So excited about the news!

Our second reaction to the news, ummm what did we do?

So for everyone that does not know, we are expecting our first baby June 14th 2009! We are so excited! We had felt the baby hungry thing before, but the feeling had always gone away. Last January at dinner at Wingers when Rickey brought it up again. So we decided to think about it and if in June we still felt the same we would start trying. The feeling never went away and we were still stressing about this being the right time to start or not. We decided that we would never be ready, so now was the time to start! So it took up about 5 months and we found out. I had promised myself that I was not going to test until I was really late. Well that Friday at work one of our really good clients asked me if I was pregnant, I was like no just fat. So then on the way home I was like I think I am going to take one, just for kicks and giggles. S0 that night I took one and it was positive, I asked Rickey to come and double check and we compared the box and it was positive, so I then took a different kind, a digital one and it said pregnant. So then we were so excited, still a little shocked but super excited! We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful life and lucky to have the chance to share our love with this little bundle of joy! I am 9 weeks along now, I have been sick and am ready for this trimester to be over. I do not complain, because it is worth it and I would not trade it for anything, but I am sick of being sick! Rickey has been so cute and he is so excited. He has gone to the Dr. with me every time so far and is very supportive. He talks to my belly and rubs it. He has been very supportive during the food cravings and the moodiness. I feel bad for him because I am in bed by 8:30 PM if possible every nite, I cannot help it. We will be so excited with what ever "flavor" we end up with. (That is what my mom and dad say, flavor, instead of boy or girl! I think it is cute.) Everyone one is so excited especially my parents, since this is their first grand baby, they are already spoiling it and it doesn't even know it. My mom has bought it a whole wardrobe and my dad is looking for it a pony. Oh that poor poor baby has no idea what it has coming. HA HA HA! Thank You to everyone that has been so supportive to us throughout this and always we love you all!

Kidspiration/Inspiration

2008-11-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

Kidspiration

I has do much fun playing on this. At first I just started out by plating with all of the pictures that they had. I liked how were categorized so you were able to find a group of pictures that coincided with one and other. Also it was nice to be able to search for a certain subject. There were so many ones to choose from, I especially liked the animated ones. I also loved the Pattern Blocks it was way cool to make the different patterns, I made a way awesome butterfly. I think that it would be very useful to learn comparisons, fractions and colors too. The already made games/graphs/etc. would be helpful for students to learn how to move things around and not be afraid to make it their own. It was easy to follow and fun to play. The concept of the programs were very kid friendly and I think that it will teach them concepts on the computer that they will later be able to use on other programs.

The set up on both programs was displayed in such a way that it is similar to everyday programs you use in your everyday adult life. Such as Word and Publisher. It gives you a lot of the same options you can make graphs, add shapes, change the fonts, make paragraphs, insert pictures, etc. It also makes the icons kid friendly and easy to find. I think that this is a good program for students to start out on as young as possible. Even Kindergartners should be able to play around and figure out the concept. There is no better way to learn that experimenting and clicking around. It did not seem like a program that you could cause any major harm to or break anything by clicking on something too many times.

The different aspects that it then lets you develop, like the social studies, math, reading and other programs is all easy and fun. It will help the students better improve their skills in reading, writing, math, vocabulary and other important learning skills.

Inspiration

This was definitely more of an "older" kid program. The structure is a lot more professional, and not "fun" feel like Kidspiration was. This also felt a lot like Word. The templates that were pre-made for students to follow are easy and give students the the right guide lines to follow. By doing this it allows the students to process their thoughts and ideas in a constructive manner.
I could even use this program in my college writing classes, it makes it easy to focus on key points.

In the template wizard you could customize your own templates, this would be helpful for teachers to be able to get the students to cover the right material and the material you want them to cover. There is also an area for the library so you can go there and find information to add to your projects. By having your students use their resources and library you know the information is safe and secure, also that it is accurate and scholarly.

I would love you use Kidspiration for my classroom. Even if I had one or two computers in my classroom for the students to take time to learn and work on the projects. I think that this program would work as a reward for the students. It will also help to have the students be broken into different groups to work on different homework. While some are working on math or spelling, some can be working on the computers as a reward or part of a homework assignment.

Happy Halloween!!

2008-11-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

This year for Halloween at work, I was not very creative with my cotume this year, because of time and all, but it was fun!Super cute monster/spider cake I bought for the pot luck. Just so you know Kohler's has the best bakery EVER!!!

This is me and my Grammy Gwen, she was a cowgirl. I could not believe how freaking cute she was! She is so young at heart!!!

The gang at work! From left to right. Kendra-hippie, Brandon-Bunny, Heather-Peacock, Yoeny-Geisha, Jillian-Prisoner, Chris-Puppy

We had all the babies dressed up and posing for the camera. It was quite a feat!

Winston and I were firefighters, thanks Daddy for letting us borrow your gear!

Groups: To be or not to be.......

2008-11-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

The past few classes, we have ad to work in groups. I have never been a huge fan of group work, personally. It seems like every time I am in a group there is at least one slacker that is there to observe, at the least. I am one of those people that feels that everyone should contribute, but it is hard because I feel if I give that one person a task to complete, and he/she fails, then the whole group suffers. I am maybe a control freak??? I like the idea that everything is done that needs to be done in order to get the grade I need. I know that sounds really bad, but I am not one to do the least amount of work possible to get at least a passing grade. I was always taught to go the extra mile in order to minimize my chances of a low grade. There are some positives I guess when it comes to group work, or so I hear. I think it helps get more ideas out and meet people that you may never talk to. It also helps people that may have a hard time being social be more social.

My experience in the first group (Second Grade Safety) was good. I think that it was a good experience because we were able to pick our own groups. In this group I was with people that I had socialized in class with and we were all kind of on the same page. We all took control and worked really well together. It was hard to do a PowerPoint together because there was only so many things that three people could do. We were able to divvy out responsibilities to make it even, but at the end, I felt like I did not do as much as the other girls in my group. Not because I did not want to, but because there was not a lot to do. So I felt that this may have effected my group grade. Not because of my non-willingness, but because you can only spread out so many things.

In my second group (50 Power Point Activities) was not so good. I was the only one with a book, so I was the ring leader. I did not mind having this responsibility, but I had a hard time getting any kind of input from the group. It was a large group and people were into their own things on their own computers, so I had to take charge. This is why I do not like group work. I had to make all the decisions and do all if the work. I tried to get help/input from other group members, so that I did not have to do all the work. In the end, I did the project and then everyone was very interested in what I did because they found out we had to present it front of the class. This group was a prime example of why I do not like groups.

In my own classroom I may use groups, but if I do, I will assign the different tasks to each student, with this they can come up with their own ways of presenting. For example,they can choose their subject and then in each group there will be different assignments that they can draw from a hat or decide on their own. So one person can be in charge of the pictures, one in charge of writing down ideas, etc. That way everyone is responsible for something and there is no room for slacking and if there is slacking it will reflect on that person and not the group as a whole. This is a way that the students can work together, but have structure.

Love of my life

2008-10-30T10:39:00.001-07:00

Today I was thinking how lucky I am. I am lucky enough to have the love of my life with me and share in the bast times of our lives! Rickey Don Casper Jr. is such a good guy, shy at first, I mean I was the one that had to ask him to kiss me because he was too shy to do it and he did not want to offend me!?!? He is the first person I turn to, to answer any of lives questions, because I know that his answers will be what is best for us. He is such a selfless guy and wants the best for everyone. I am not sure how I was lucky enough to get him to put up with me, and trust me this he does. I cannot wait for our next venture in life together, because no matter what it may be I know it will be great as long as I am with him! Love ya babe!

I've been tagged!

2008-10-27T08:03:00.001-07:00

1- I have never been outside of the United Stated
2- I want to own my own reception center place someday
3- I had 20 + cats when we lived at the Lehi Cabin
4- I love Katherine Heigel
5- I was in a sorority at the U of U
6- I had foster sister and brothers at one time.
7- I did rodeo for 10 + years

Teaching technology

2008-10-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

We finally cracked the book open this week. It is about time, I was starting to wonder why I bought the book and if I would ever use it. After opening it and exploring the wonder of the inside of it I really am glad I did. I am so excited to use them in my future classrooms.

There are so many good ideas that help get the students more involved with technology and computers, with out scaring them. There are so many activities that are fun yet informative. Many of the activities you could recreate for any ages and any grade. I really appreciate that they place in the lessons the areas that you will help the students expand on and learn more about. Also that it has the ISTE standards so you can make sure you are covering the proper information for the standards. I also think that these lessons are good for me to do to learn more on power point. I also could use some of the lessons for my children to learn more and projects for school.

The assignments that we choose to do as a group was the "Word Art" and the "Poem Senses." I enjoyed doing these, it reminded me of being in elementary school. I always enjoyed doing the crafty creative things in school, so I am sure that I will have the students in my class do the same things.

I wonder how more evolved the kids will be in my future classroom, if I give them an assignment like one from the book and they think it is an easy assignment. I cannot believe how technology savvy kids are now. Even while doing some of my hours for this semester, kids in the third grade are talking about how they need to add so and so to their Facebook or MySpace account and what is your e-mail address. All of this was not part of my third grade experience, so as an "older"' person to them, I wonder if I will be behind in the technology world compared to them???

5 uses for the digital camera in the classroom

2008-10-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

1- Taking pictures to put on blogs. I think that the students and the teachers can use this. I plan on having a blog for that class that the students can share photo's of projects and activities in the classroom with their family and friends. Also I am going to post the assignment plan for the week on there so that parents and students can get on and check what is due. I think that this will help the parents especially because the kids may say that they do not have homework, because they do not want to do it, but they can then get on line and check the blog. Depending on what grade I decide to teach, the kids could also have a blog and want to take pictures and post them on their own blog to share with family and friends. You would have to keep a close monitor of what kods posted on their blogs.

2- Capturing memories to make scrapbook pages. Scrap booking has become very popular with families, so in the class room we can take pictures of the children and let them also take the camera home to take pictures in order to make prints of memories, that they or their family could scrap book together. I think it would be fun to make a scrap book in class with the students for the year, and they all be required to make at least one page to contribute to the book. Kids may not have a family atmosphere to take pictures of, so you would have to help them be creative with memories and ideas.

3- Taking pictures during the school year and making a CD for the kids to take home at the end of the year. I think that this would be a great memory for the students to have. They can help select the photo's of different activities through out the year, like field trips, plays, assemblies and other activities. We could even include personal photos of the kids doing their own activities with their family. The students can help me choose the music to add and make it fun and memorable for them. You would have to make sure that you did not have too many of one child and get a good variety of all the students.

4- Have students take pictures of them and their family to make a family tree book. This will come in as a really good keepsake for later in life. They will be able to take pictures of great grandma and grandpas that they will have forever. It is good to show the students where they come from, generation to generation. With the book they can also do some research to have the students learn their family history and background. The students may not have a large family, or may be adopted so you would have to becareful how you worded and treated the students.

5- Use photos for attendance charts. I like this idea, especially for substitute teachers. You know that when they have a substitute they try to sit with their friends and trick the substitute, with photos on their name tag and on a seating chart, the substitute will know exactly where the students should be at all times. Also I would make it so the pictures on the name tag change, when the student has a new photo to display. I cannot think of any major cons on using this, I think it would be very helpful.

I am so glad that I have to write all these ideas down on the blog, so that when I am a teacher I will remember first where I put them and remember them period, because they are written out. I know that there are so many ideas that cross my head about what I want to use and teach in my classroom, and I need to start putting my ideas on here so that I will always have them.

Rock On!

2008-10-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

On Friday we went to Kelly Clarkson and Reba with PJ and Kelly they had two extra tickets and were super nice and invited us along. Rickey was oh so "excited" and all the guys at the fire station gave him crap about having to go to the concert, but he was a good hubby and went. He said he had fun, he likes hanging out with our couple, the Casper's. We had super good tickets, we were on the first row on the lower bowl. It was really loud, and we all felt stupid and old admitting that a country concert was too loud! The opening act was so freaking funny, it was the girl from Reba, Barbra Jean. She was so good she even had Rickey laughing his head off! I have always loved Reba, she has been one of my favorites ever since I was young and I was so happy that she sang Fancy! I also become a fan of Kelly Clarkson, she was really good and appreciate her music more now than before.
Thank you PJ and Kelly for a hot date!

Paparazzi in the classroom

2008-10-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Today, it is usually unheard of if you use wind up camera and do not own a Digital Camera. They are now made in so many price levels that most people can afford them. I have seen them for less that $50.00 given they will not turn out the best pics, but for an elementary student this would be the perfect camera. This would allow them to take pics to capture memories to have for life.

I love my digital camera that I got for Christmas last year. It has a chargeable battery pack that lasts forever, that I love because my last camera ate batteries like no other. Even though I have used it a million times, I am guilty of not using the different features. I really should experiment and learn to use them.

In the articles that I read I found some really good ideas that I would use in my class room. If the kids went on a field trip you could tell the kids to pick out an item that they saw and wanted to write a report or poem on and take a picture of it. They could be part of the memory book that we would add to through out the year.

I also saw a an idea for taking pictures of the lunch food for the week and posting it in the classroom so that if the kids normally brought sacked lunch and wanted pizza on pizza day they would know the day. Because I am sure that most kids do not take the time to read the lunch menu.

In my classroom I would like to have a child star bulletin that you would post a child's picture and have them add pictures of family, camping trips, hobbies, and anything that they wanted to display by themselves.

I really liked the idea of taking pictures of class activities and memories throughout the year and have the students help me put them into a slide show that has music and fun pictures, and I can make copies for the students to take home at the end of the year as a type of yearbook.
The idea of a digital camera in the class room is a good idea for so many reasons, I think even if you had to purchase a cheap one with your own money, until you could afford a nicer one it would be well worth it.

Too much free time at work 2

2008-10-08T10:05:00.001-07:00

This is a random picture that I had of my kitty Bella, so I decided to add her to the website Lolcats 'n' Funny pics.

Too much free time at work

2008-10-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

So my "brother" at work Brandon and I found a totally awesome website today True Swords . We are a little frightened by the things listed on there and the people that might buy them. It is a good laugh, here are a few of the items that are now on our Christmas list! I mean who can live without a cane sword?

Winston my little bird dog

2008-10-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Most of you know my "little boy" Winston, I just had to post this picture of him, because it is so Winston. I don't think that many people believe me that he poses for his pictures, but he totally does! He loves for it to be all about him, so when I pull out the camera it is pose time! I love this little monkey so much, I do not know what I would do with out him! This is Winston at Otter Creek, he wanted to go in the boat, so Jeff put him on the steps and guess what he did, he posed! What a little bird dog!

Point to the Power!

2008-10-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Power Point!!! I think that it is so fun. especially on the new Word Programs! It has so many more options than the old power point that I have on my computer. I really think it will come in handy when I am a teacher, because I will be able to create fun and entertaining teaching activities for the class. I can use music, pictures etc. so they are not too bored with just learning from the book. I am excited to learn the 50 Power Point activities. I have always looked at power point as "work" but now that we have "played" with it it is fun.

Finishing up the UEN was nice to get over with, for now. I was getting very worn out and sick of playing the UEN website game. I am glad that we got to discuss some of the main points in class. I know that the site will be a good resource when teaching. I know how time consuming and difficult the assignment was for me to finish and I am a pretty computer savvy person, so I can only imagine how hard this assignment was for some of the people in the class. I know that some really struggled, because I hear the troubles that I have. To me they seem simple, but I feel bad because they are really struggling. I think that this class is good for all of us because of all the helpful tools and information we are learning, and I know that we will all survive this semester!

Small World

2008-09-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

We had a Utah game on Saturday and Rickey went to get a drink and when he got back he said I saw your friend and I said what friend, and he said you know the one, and I said OH KARI! He said ya. I said it should not have been her, she moved to California, so I texted her and sure enough she was there! We got to meet up after the game, it was so crazy out of the thousands of people, he saw her! I was so glad to see her, I don't think I have seen her since my wedding when she was my bridesmaid! I miss my Kari and all of my other Kappa Kappa Gamma girls!
Oh and don't worry Utah won... of course!

Always practice safe internet!

2008-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Internet in education is a great thing as long as it is used properly. There are so many good resources and websites out there to help us inform are students better. As long as you know that the information you use is credible. I also think that the internet can help teachers cut down in research time for projects or ideas that they need to cover.
The sites should be evaluated as credible because you do not want to be teaching your students information that is wrong or outdated. So it is very important to do your own type of research on the sites that you are using.
The questions that you should always ask yourself:
1. Is this an educational site?
2. What kind of links are in this site?
3. Does this information pertain to the student's age that I am teaching?
4. How old is the information?
5. Who made the website?
6. How safe is it?
You should always monitor your students while online. Also I think that they should limited to the sites that they an view, the less that they have to view the less chance they have to come across bad things. I know that the students have the internet at home, but I feel that if I teach them the safety of using the web, that they will have a better chance of using it at home as well. I also hope to incorporate the parents in some way, so that they can help moniter the children at home. I think anymore with the way technology is going, that internet safety will now be included in every classrooms safety curriculum.

Kathy Schrock
We were told to Google her name and learn more about her. Her personal website was really good. I love to see her personal info and pictures, it made her a rela person, not just someone online. I also really liked her Blog, she had awesome links to fun stuff on line. For example http://www.dumpr.net/ is a way awesome site, I had so much fun on it. Her website was very easy to navigate around on.

I also found her educational website on the Discovery page. It reminded me of the Pioneer library and Ebsco. It looked to have valuable links that I could trust and use in teaching. I checked out some of the links and all of them had the contents and the right answers to the questions I ask when on a website.

I do not think that I could do her job and have my whole life revolve around technology. She seems to love it, but I could not do all the research and devote my life to that. i am glad that she loves doing it because it is very helpful to her users and saves us so much time! I enjoyed her site and think that she is a very interesting and educated person.

Birthday!

2008-09-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

It was my bosses 50th Birthday last week so on Saturday we had a party for her up the canyon.
I was the "party planner' for it, and it turned out nice. There were plenty of adults there to entertain Yoeny so the "kids" could play. When I say kids, I mean her employees! We rented a HUGE twister game it was so much fun, even Frank our UPS guy came and played! I just want to say that I beat Brandon in the last round.

These are the centerpieces that I made for her party and my decorating!

Kendra and I in our Party Glasses!

UEN Reflection

2008-09-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

UEN Reflection

In using the UEN website and all links it holds, I found it very helpful but somewhat all over the place. The Pioneer library was easy to use, and very helpful I know that I could use that in any grade of school to help with reports and homework, for me and my students. The information is valuable and trustworthy. I also feel comfortable letting my students use it because I do not have to worry about my students getting wrong information.
I really enjoyed the interactive; I had fun playing the different games and lessons. I like the idea that they are free and informative for my students to use. In Lesson plans there were tons of great ideas, I think that this will be very helpful when it comes to me being a new teacher. I like the idea if taking ideas and making them my own and giving me ideas.
It was interesting to learn about the core curriculum and amazed me how much I will have to cover in a year for my students to get the info that they need. It also helps you cover the different things that need to be covered as a core.
In all I am really excited to become more familiar with the UEN website and all it has to offer. I know that it will be a life saver when I become teacher. I just hope to become more familiar with it!

The Fued Continues!

2008-09-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend we went to a condo at WolfCreek with Phil, Brenda, PJ, Kelly, Hudson and Coleman. We were only there for Saturday night, because I had to work Saturday, so we left as soon as I got off. Now I am going to let a deep family secret out of the bag and it may come back to haunt us, but in order to tell this story I need to do it. Ok here it goes.... Rickey, underneath his Ute apparel is a BYU fan. I know I am sure that you just dropped what ever you were holding or fell to the floor if you were standing. It is a hard feat being married to a BYU fan, but I have to not think about it our our marriage would be over as we know it! I hope that no one thinks less of us now, well I guess not of us, but Rickey. Please just accept him as you see him. Well, on the way to the condo we had to listen to the BYU/UCLA game on the radio. I had to tell myself to just breath, pretend it is the Utes playing and then I was able to listen and enjoy. So as many of my fellow Utahan's know BYU killed UCLA so when we got to the condo it was all that PJ, Phil and Rickey wanted to talk about and tell me how Utah better be nervous for the Holy War in November, because BYU was going to kill them BLAH BLAH BLAH. This is when I put my ear muffs on and don't listen! SO PJ and Kelly had a concert to go to that night and when they returned they had brought us cookies, but not just cookies, football cookies. Now PJ wanted to get me a BYU cookie, but my dear, dear friend Kelly said NO, and got me a UTE one. I know that PJ is still sick to his stomach about having to pay good money for a Ute cookie, but that is true friendship. Now if it were up to Phil, he would have not taken the cookie even it was free. Poor Phil, he is a lost BYU fan soul. Thank you PJ and Kelly for the super yummy cookie and thank you Phil and Brenda for the overnighter!

WOW!

2008-09-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

So I am amazed. In my last reflections post, I had mentioned how technology is so underestimated. Well after the dream computer assignment I was amazed! I could not believe how insane the technology is. I had so much fun looking at the "CSI" type computer components. I had no idea that things like that really existed, now if I only had the money to pay for it. For example, I chose a keyboard that was a blue tooth and it was projected onto the desk, so there was no actual hard keyboard. As I look to the future I wonder if this "CSI" technology will be in the classrooms. When I started third grade we had a computer lab that held 28 computers and those were the only computers in the school. Now computers are used at the teachers desks and some students even have lap top's to take notes on. I wonder if someday when I am a teacher, students will be required to have laptops, or the school will furnish laptops for the students to do homework on. I think that it would be good, but you would have to put a lock on the games so they did the work and payed attention!

We also learned about excel. I used excel in high school, so it has been a while. I think that with excel it will be helpful in creating class lists and charts for students. I am not sure how much more I would use it for because there are so many more specific programs that are available at no charge. For example the engrade that we use in this class. It is a place that you can go that is all set up and you don't have to do or format much. I also think that having less to save on your computer will help save space and memory in order to add education programs or games for my student to benefit from.

I hope to learn more in this class about "teacher friendly" websites, that will help me as a teacher be more efficient so I will have more time to plan and interact with my students more.

GO UTES!

2008-09-09T16:45:00.001-07:00

So Saturday was the season opener for the University of Utah football! We have season tickets with some of Rickey's firefighter crew and their wives. We first went to the tailgate party and I was so amazed! I could not believe the atmosphere! I was speechless. The 2 years that I went to school there I never went to a Ute game, mostly because I was dating Rickey at the time so I came home on the weekends to hang out with him and to see my family of course. So I had no idea how many die hard Ute fans there were. The tailgate party was a sea of red, people had fixed up camp trailers to make them into Ute tailgate trailers, they were red and full of Ute stuff. The row that we were on reminded me of Greek Row at the U. I don't think that I have ever seen that much alcohol being consumed at one time other than at frat parties. Now I know why my grandpa calls the Ute fans heathens, that and because he is a die hard BYU (BOOOOOOOOO) fan. There were cops driving up and down the rows, but they could care less what was going on, I think they were just there for the free food everyone was taking to them when they drove by. They played UNLV and the game was great, I think that Rickey was a little embarassed at first because of my screaming and wild cheering, but he soon gave up and joined in. It was tied up 14 to 14 at the half but they came back in the 2nd half to win something like 42 to 21. I am so excited for the next game! GO UTES!

Rickey and Jeff playing tailgate games, they had way too much fun!

Rickey and I have matching Ute hats!

Aiden, Jake and Diane's baby was the cutest Cheerleader. She was such a good baby and really seemed to enjoy the game. Diane put earplugs in her ears, so she didn't go deaf and it is a good thing because it was LOUD!

Jeff and his wife Cassandra.

2008-09-06T10:43:00.000-07:00

We went to the Orem Owlz game on Thursday with the Casper gang. I was so excited to finally go to a baseball game with my little buddy Coleman! Even though he is only two his life is all about baseball! We had so much fun! Me and Coleman waiting for the baseball players to come out so they can sign his game winning ball, that the team gave to him!
He was playing catch with Phil in his pitcher stance. He was trying to get the ball without getting out of the stance.

He was so excited Grandpa Phil got him a baseball Owlz hat and bat. You can see baby Hudson in the background enjoying the game!

Coleman got to race the Owl around the bases. He was okay until the Owl got close and then he had Jillian carry him because the Owl scared him! But he did win an awesome Neways Backpack!

Technology is so underestimated!

2008-09-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

I think that technology has been underestimated. I can think of a number of things that people said would never happen in the world of technology and within a few years it is available. For example, this class. I would have never thought that I would have a place on the Internet to post assignments for the teacher to grade online. I appreciate having this option, because it saves on paper and waste to help the world be more Green. Also the whole world of Facebook and My Space, a place that in just a click you can talk to a friend and see what is new in their lives.

When it comes to education and your students, I think that Facebook and My Space will be a good way to find out more about your students and their situation, without prying. I think that Blogs would be a good way for parents to feel involved in the classroom. You could post activities, pictures, upcoming activities and also general problems in the classroom. If I were a parent I would appreciate being able to see what was going on in my child's classroom, and comment on any concerns I may have.

The whole technology world will only continue to amaze me. I am appreciative of it and keep an open mind about it all, because I know that is seems overwhelming at times, but if I embrace it and learn more, it will make my life easier.

Blog started for class

2008-09-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

So this is a Blog that I need to create for one of my classes this semester.
I am going to try and keep it up and keep it amazing, like all of the other
blogs you see out there! So wish me luck!