Trying to Relax. . .

My writtens are finally done, I had them on Tuesday. For those of you I haven't talked to about them, I'm disappointed with one particular question and my lack of being able to answer it properly. So, needless to say I've been beating myself up about it and Tuesday after the test I wasn't in good shape. I talked with a dear friend and she told me that I really needed to take yesterday to spend with the boys and not do any work. Jackie, I'm so glad I took your advice! Here's what Noah and I did on Wednesday:

I think cuddling with him on the couch is one of my new favorite things to do with him. Sometimes he'll sit like this or he'll sit with his head up under my chin, it's just so cozy and such a rarity that he sits still that long (it's usually first thing in the morning or when he has gotten up from a nap).

Here's Noah eating craisens- he loves them! Go figure!

And of course he's still after the camera:

Where's Noah?

Tada!

Here he is!

While Noah and I have been getting reacquainted after me being in school for weeks, Justin has had more time to work in the yard. He got the stone border in around the grass and has started getting ready the area where we'll put some playground stuff for Noah next year. Here are some pictures of Noah and his cousins enjoying the backyard:

I had to share this video clip of Justin singing "Cumberland Gap" to Noah. Me, being a elementary music teacher in the Kodaly methodology, has Noah listening to folk music in the car and I think Justin actually enjoys it! I'll catch him singing or humming the songs around the house- I love it!

A Week in Pictures IV

"Whew": That about sums up how I'm doing. Last week I had my final for my contemporary music history class and my project was due. I think I did okay but I won't know for a while. My written comprehensive test is tomorrow morning at 9:00. It takes about 4 hours and my professor (who coincidentally is the same lady I student taught with and a dear friend) said it's typical to type 20-30 pages! Yikes. All I know is I, along with my sweet husband and son, am going to be glad when this is all over. I have the orals in two weeks, I need to brush up on some of my general ed. stuff for that. You know, fun stuff like how does "No Child Left Behind" affect music education, what is RTI (response to intervention), etc.

There are some congratulations that are in order:

My brother Aaron just finished his masters at the American Band College out of University of Southern Oregon- CONGRATS AARON!!!

AND, my brother-in-law, Seth, just got hired for his first teaching job- CONGRATS SETH!!

Well, here's our week in pictures:

Noah knows how to "chill out" during the hot summer! Sitting in our fridge:

Trying on mommy's flip-flops:

Opening mommy's laptop:

"Got it open":

"There we go!":

I haven't been able to get many good pictures lately as once Noah sees the camera he HAS to have it! So, here are some of him coming for the camera:

(how do you like the sunglasses? They're mine and unfortunately I haven't seen them since!):

Up close and personal with "camera boy":

A Week in Pictures III

Well, as all of you teachers out there know, with the passing of July 4th we are on the downhill side of summer vacation (BOO HOO!!!)  And it's been a busy week here at the Abbott house, as you will see from the pictures below.  Now, I don't want to brag or anything, but I got my history test back on Monday and I did very well.  Thank goodness, now please send some good vibes toward Ft. Collins on Wednesday morning when I have the second of the two tests for this class.  Speaking of tests, my written test to complete my masters is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th (any and all prayers will be appreciated).  Then my oral exams are on July 27th.  After that I will have one credit to take in the fall and I will graduate in December.  While it will be nice to finally be finished with my degree, it's not going to affect my salary until I have another 15 credits.  None the less, it will be done and I'm sure Justin will be glad to get his wife back, you know, the one that doesn't spontaneous burst into tears at the drop of a hat.

At any rate, here are pictures from the week:

Justin with his new "smoker," smokin' some pork butt on Sunday:

Noah wearing my Bronco hat:

Cousin Chris, we're getting our artistic juices flowing for when you're out next January!!!  

More finger painting:

Here's the BIG project of the week:

Justin, Seth, Kathy and Tom, with lots of help from Mary and Ellie, rototilled the back yard on Wednesday:

Then, they laid sod on Thursday:

Along with the help of Grandpa Tomas (pronounced "Toe-mas"):

At least someone was relaxing!  He's Noah leaning back, drinking his milk:

But wait!  Now it's water from a grown-up glass!:

Hmm, there's less in there now:

"Mom's not getting work done here so I'll take over":

"Hmm, what seems to be the problem with this thing?":

And without further adieu, here are the 4th of July pictures from the 4th annual L. Marvin Olmsted Memorial Independence Day Games!  There would have been more pictures had Justin not been "soloing it" most of the day (I stayed at home to study).

Noah helping with the decorations:

Dancing in the kitchen:

With Grandpa's measuring cup (Tom cooked up some good meals!):

Croquet with Daddy:

Going solo:

Relaxing on the swing with Uncle Adrian and mommy:

Now, here's the best part: it rained.  No wait, it didn't rain, it DOWN POURED!  The grass was flooded but you know the saying: "the games must go on!"  So, Connie and Seth SHOVELED the grass to get the water off!:

Clap, clap!:

Spending time with Grandma Kathy:

These pictures are for you, Uncle Adam: here's your godson enjoying your cornhole game: (By the way, we missed you and Leahna!!!!):