August 25, 2008
This paper cone is a tradition in Germany and marks the transition into first grade. Parents fill the cone with school supplies and treats and present the gifts to their children who take them on the first day of school. At the end of the school day the children get to open them and see what gifts they've received.
My Oma (Natalie's Omi) has a photo of the day she received her Shultute, and I love traditions, so I decided that I wanted Natalie to, not only have something fun for her first day of school, but also learn about this fun tradition that her German ancestors have done.
Natalie didn't take her Shultute to school with her, she opened it in the morning, as excited as any 6 year old would be to see a giant decorated cone waiting for her.
Whether a German girl in the 1930's or and American girl in the new millennium, what a fun way to bring two worlds and old traditions alive.
SCHULTUTE! (SHOOL-too-tah)
MEGAN & RYAN
August 24, 2008
My cousin Megan was Married yesterday and it was another fun-filled event that definitely ended the Summer on a good note (I know summer's not over just yet). Megan married a great guy named Ryan who is really sweet and genuine, and seems like a lot of fun-can't wait to see how he handles "the Germans". They were Married at a place called Aspen Landing, which is an event hall that seems like it's hidden away from the outside world. The marriage took place outside on the gorgeous grounds, and the words of the ceremony were beautiful, just like my cousin-as you can see.
Congrats Megan and Ryan, we are so happy for you and wish you all the best!
SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER!
August 22, 2008
As the Summer is dwindling down and Autumn is fast approaching I have to stop and step outside of my "SWEET! All day school." excitement to remember what it's like to be a kid who feels as if they are losing their freedom to the dreaded Elementary School. I've been trying to think back to what that's like, long enough to take Natalie out this week, and let her experience the last remaining joys of Summer Vacation. We went to the Davis County Fair, where she got to pet goats and pigs and even a lama. She held a tarantula, made giant bubbles, ate snow-cones and rode on rides at the carnival-the ultimate FAIR experience, complete with stereotypical Carnies.
She went to Lagoon-A-Beach and swam for hours, went to the park and played for hours. She rode her bike and scooter around the neighborhood till sunset. Bought Orange-Lemonade from the boys in the ward. Had a final "weekday" sleep-over. And...my favorite activity... made button accessories to wear with all of her first grade outfits!
I can't believe she is about to start First Grade. It doesn't make me feel old, it just makes me remember WAY back when to that innocent time when I was six and about to embark on my own "All Day School" journey! I try to tell her how much fun I had growing up, and all the good memories I made in Grade School and High School (Who wants to remember Jr. High) and I hope she makes her own lasting memories of the school years she has to come...even Jr. High, I guess!
Anyway, so I'll raise a glass of Orange-Lemonade in honor of Summer Vacations everywhere, and to kids who's endless laughter, and sun-kissed smiles, tickle me to see!
10 YEAR REUNION!
August 4, 2008
$.32 Stamps. Princess Diana. Kosovo. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman!" Titanic. Last Seinfeld. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. and $1.00 for gas. WHAT?!
These are just a few things that happened when I was a Senior in High School! Why am I bringing this up do you ask? Because, I just had my 10 Year Reunion! Yes 10 years...boy how the time flies!
It was a fun Reunion spent at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Downtown SL. I was on the Committee and we worked our little booties off to make the event a hit. I think it was, except for the small fact that people who said they were coming, didn't, therefore making the committee have to beg for donations so we could pay for the stinking thing! Oh well. I had such a blast seeing everyone who came, chatting and catching up. I didn't get to talk to everyone, because I was running around being a committee member, but I tried. I was getting all nostalgic as I watched groups of people reminisce about the good ol' days, and in my "just had a baby" emotional-ness I was getting a bit teary I have to confess. I tried to recall a memory with each person there, of course some are closer to the surface than others, which happens when everyone has a different "clique", but I tried just the same.
I though about my Glendale Girls, Freshman English in Mrs. Romney's class, Volleyball, lunch by the lockers (& POGS of all things), "current events" in Suzie's class, "Time Out For FUN". my Chevy Trailblazer, Seminary, Dances & Stomps, crushes, Drillteam practices, lunch on the south lawn, Biology with Mr Haines (& super Moroni), the Seminary building, Spirit Week, sluffing, "the Annex", my mitsubishi Galant with the LDS sticker on back, Babes in Arms, New York Acapella Trip, mistakes and teenage girly moments, Craigle's English class Senior Year, all the new friends I tried to meet before Graduating, and of course GRADUATION!
I hope everyone who went to the Reunion had just as much fun as I did. It was great to see everyone who came, and miss the ones who couldn't make it! Another 10 years and we'll do it all again!
AMY & DALLAS!
August 2, 2008
Brandon's beautiful cousin Amy was married yesterday and what a fun day we had. Amy married a sweet guy named Dallas who is from Richfield. The wedding was in Manti (at my very favorite Temple). The grounds were (of course) immaculate and the bride and groom were as happy, and cute as can be! After doing the picture thing we all headed down to Richfield for the dinner-which was yummy. It was nice to meet Dallas' family and visit with our family members who came in town for the big event! We didn't get home till after 10:00 p.m. but it was so worth it and a lot of fun sharing their wedding day with them.
We Love You Amy and Dallas, and wish all the best for you and an Eternity of Happiness!
HOW CUTE IS THIS?
July 25, 2008
So for our Pioneer day celebrating we BBQ'd with Brandon's family; and his Uncle Bob & Aunt Diane have the stinking cutest little girl named Adrie and when we got there she was decked out in her little pink tutu. SO SWEET! Anyway, later she and Natalie were out on the swings and I looked out and saw this shot and HAD to get a picture! AHHHH the days when you could run around in your undies and everyone thought it was cute!
Here's another cute picture with Kolbe, Adrie and Natalie. They only wanted to take "funny" pictures so I finally stopped trying to get them to smile and just let them do whatever. I love that Natalie and Kolbe are in red, white and blue, and Adrie, in her tutu, looks just like a little fircracker-which is exactly what she is!
The Ramblings of a Madman-er-Woman!
July 18, 2008
Okay so summer is slipping away so fast I barely have time to complain about the heat. There are so many things to do before School Starts. Ahh elementary school, the years of being just a kid before that completely sporatic, gangly, awkward "Jr. High stage" begins. (I don't envy Natalie having to go through that)!
I have been working as a Primary teacher-something that I haven't done in a long time. I teach one of two CTR 5 classes. The primary is so big the kids all have to meet for opening exercises in the chapel-And we keep growing. There were 3 baby blessings last fast Sunday. SHEESH! In Murray we were lucky to get 3 baby blessings a Year! My class has such cute kids in it and they are still at that sweet stage where they actually "like" their teachers (if we bring candy). I was a little unsure of having a Sunday calling because of all the "going out of town" and stuff. HAHAHAHA...we haven't gone anywhere, nor are we planning on going anywhere. Two mortgage payments SUCKS! Okay so at least we finally have the Murray house rented out. Actually they are leasing it so hopefully that all goes well and they can buy it soon! I HATE renting, and people who choose to be landlords are (say it with a high voice) CRAZY!
On to a more exciting topic like this amazing new thing called...reading! Yeah you all should try it, I highly recommend it. I just finished this small set of books...maybe some of you have heard of them they're called Harry Potter. Yeah they are pretty good...
HA, who am I kidding they are AH-MAZING! I have totally caught the reading bug this summer, which all started with Twilight. I would love any recommendations for books, if anyone has them...of course Breaking Dawn comes out in two weeks so I'll be reading that, but two days after I'm sure I'll be ready for something else to bide my time!
SO I have this Reunion coming up that I have been trying to "get in shape" for-I know, let's not all laugh at once. I think there should be a RULE-No Reunions after you've had a baby (at least for a year). Oh well, our committee has worked too hard NOT to want to go to it, I think it's going to be fun. Brandon on the other hand is so not looking forward to it, and honestly...I don't feel the least bit guilty about dragging him there!
I have this 30 Things before 30 list that I'm working on which includes such things as learning to SURF-yes Surf, running a 5 and 10 K (with the possibility of a marathon), Reading the Book of Mormon again, and other random things that I've been wanting to do, just haven't had the UMPH to do them. We shall see, we shall see. I'm not the type to be like "Oh I'm a terrible person 'cause I didn't finish my list before 30". Because there is always 31!
I warned you this was going to be the ravings of a loony, but I better go because I'm sure none of you care about the babbling. It was just some much needed blogging time!
XOXO-Michelle
