sometimes you just need to get away from it all

Remember how I have a blog?

No?

Me neither.

But I do. This post is proof positive. And I'm back again.

So--I went to Cancun a few weeks ago. I loved pretty much everything about it.

I loved that turquoise water.

I loved getting a deep tissue massage just because I could.

I really, really loved lounging in the hammock on my deck watching that turquoise water.

I loved waking up early and watching the sun rise over that water:

I loved that I got to enjoy that water for 7 days straight with this chica:

I loved the enormous platters of fresh fruit in the mornings.

I loved my henna tattoo:

I loved my tan:

(it's gone now--but I did have one)

I loved swimming in a cenote and snorkeling

(note to self: develop underwater camera film) and visiting ancient ruins:

I loved these breathtakingly beautiful Mayan babes with their handkerchiefs for a dollar:

I loved reading my books as the sunshine and ocean breeze kissed my skin.

I loved buying trinkets and dishes and beautifully sewn muu-muus just as a good tourist should:

I loved all things lime. Virgin lime daiquiris, lime sorbet, lime in my diet cocola.

I loved the magnificent people watching made so much easier behind sunglasses.

And, OH, how I loved my room:

So you see, it was a very lovable trip. We left happy to have been there:

But I'm also forgetting things.

Like the obnoxiously drunk adolescents whose permissive parents clearly don't understand the dangers of alcohol poisoning.

Or how bartering and bargaining got old.

Or the cocky taxi driver who tried to screw us over.

Or Miguel, one of the entertainers, who physically flirted with me to the point of awkwardness.

(When in a bathing suit, the perimeter of one's personal space grows exponentially.

Let it be officially stated for all.)

I may never forget the funky milk and yogurt.

Or other food concoctions gone awry. Sorry.

But, truth is, I really, really loved my trip.

It was practically perfect in every way.

I should go back sometime soon.

If only for this:

Or this:

(we had a full moon!)

And definitely for this:

But only if she gets to come too:

Oh Cancun, how I miss you!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

In lieu of blogging, I've been up to some of the following (and please forgive the limitations of my point and shoot--yep, blaming the camera, not the photographer):

I made a gingerbread house. My first ever. From scratch. It was fun and frustrating and messy and the roof may contain a multi-grain club cracker. You'll never know. OK, the roof does have a club cracker--but the solution worked!

Next year, I'm going with the kit...or graham crackers.

I went to these kiddos' Christmas performance.

It was fabulous because THEY are fabulous!

He is kind of a rock star.

She was skipping along with the animated snowman at our favorite little (tacky) pizza place in the hometown.

And then there is this...

We went and saw the lights at Temple Square with the ward.

(Blurry, I know. But lovely nonetheless.)

I love the lights at Temple Square. But they have certainly toned it down in recent years. I remember it being a wonderland of billions of lights when I was a little girl. Every single tree was aglow. Not quite the same, anymore--but still,

one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Our new bishop was recently released as a Conference Center usher. He got us up on the Conference Center roof with his hook ups (OK, he still had his magnetized tag that worked on the elevator).

It was the best possible view. I love this photo! Thanks, Bish!

I'd like to call this one "I WAS ROBBED!"

Because I was. We had a door decorating contest at school with cash prizes and everything. The theme: Winter decor that matches your content area. What could be better than some Robert Frost action

for the English teacher's door?

Store bought decorations do not trump creativity.

That's all I'm saying.

My little 9th graders worked like gangbusters and had to deal with my neurotic, controlling self. My favorite conversation of the great door decorating day (upon discovering a clueless 9th grade boy taping masking tape in giant strips on TOP of the paper--not the little double-sided circle strips BEHIND the decor):

Me: Chayse, WHY are you taping it like that?!?

Chayse: Ummmm...

Me: You need to re-do that. It looks terrible, you can't have the tape showing! Do it like this.

(I demonstrate appropriate taping strategy.)

Chayse: Oh, huh. That makes sense. Oops!

Me: Sheesh! Who raised you?

Chayse: My dad.

Me: It shows! No sense of the aesthetic, whatsoever!

HA! Poor things! Yes, I am a control freak.

Finally, on Thursday we headed back to Temple Square. My dear Momsy scored tickets to the MoTab Christmas concert. David Archuleta was adorable as their guest. Perfect for the holidays!

I kind of love this woman!

Can't tell we're related at all, can you?

Waiting for the show to start.

(My favorite part of this photo: Allyson holding both of our Kindles--our waiting entertainment.)

The traditional "Besties" shot.

Thanks for taking our picture, usher-man.

The set was sweet!

It has been a busy few weeks. But I'm off school for two weeks,

Christmas is coming, snow is flying and I don't have to commute in it at an inhumane hour.

I LOVE this time of year!

Did I Mention My Love for Autumn?

A little over a month ago I went here:

What a difference a month makes:

I simply love this little spot up the canyon.

I'll let you see why...

I think this might just be my favorite photo I've ever taken.

Maybe:

We even ran into these guys unexpectedly!

It was a perfect day.

Mostly because I spent it avoiding grading.

Why I'm Not Blogging Much Lately

I blame summer. Summer is busy and chaotic with travel, family in town, conferences, holidays and birthdays and things to do outside...its also that special time of year when my schedule is completely shot to hell I waste a lot of time doing not much of anything in my spare time. And I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Here are a few favorite highlights and photos from my sister's visit (along with her most adorable cuties).

Firstly, I love that these two girlies asked me to sing them a goodnight song. My sister has a tradition of this with her kids, but whenever I am nearby my sangin' skills are requested. So, of course, we had a jammies shot:


Then there is this girl, my bookworm of a niece who spent the majority of the time enjoying my library. Her mother, of course, wasn't too happy to discover I'd not only supplied her with her fix of books, but also a book light late one night (hey, a girl's gotta support her own kind)...ain't she a know-it-all:


And this little bugga-boo is addicted to his mother. He was too funny and his cheeser face for the camera cracks me up:


And, of course, we can't leave out "Theo," my pain-in-the-behind bro-in-law (whom I love dearly--don't tell him). He finally decided to show his stanky keester a week into their visit...p'shaw, like Boise is cool!


This girlie cracks me up and I miss her like you wouldn't believe. This is evidence of her newest funny face stage:


And there must be something about kids this age and posing for the camera...she loved every minute of it...toothless cutie-pants:


And, finally, another of my smarty-pants 13-year-old niece, because I just love this photo of her:


It was so much fun having them all here. I miss them and hate that they always live far, far away (I blame the pesky brother-in-law). However, I find myself thanking my lucky stars that I'm still single and childless...because those kiddos wear a girl out! :)

Since they've been gone I've spent a lot of time sitting right here:

(Don't you just love those sheets...THANK YOU Target). I put a fan in front of me and read...but mostly I sleep. I can't seem to get enough sleep these days, perhaps I am hoping my body is storing it somewhere for the sleep famine that is teaching.

And, I've discovered a new love/hate relationship this week:


So, that's just a small look into what I've been up to instead of posting blogs.