Christmas Parade

This Saturday was the annual Christmas Parade in Ely. The parade is at night so that the participants can light up their floats with lots of Christmas lights. Thankfully, this year is was not all that cold. We are having unusually warm weather in Ely, and I cannot complain. Last year is was cold and snowing.

The theme of the parade was "Christmas around the World." Each of the girls had a different country. The girls made signs saying how people in those countries say "Merry Christmas." Julianna was from Italy and Rebecca was from Jamaica.


Julianna ready for the parade.















The float.




















Rebecca is ready to toss candy to the parade watchers.

Weekend Drive

This weekend we decided to go for a ride in our new truck. The girls had yet to go with us on a ride. We went to Bassit Lake, a small man-made lake. It was beautiful.

After we visited Bassit Lake we headed to the Success Loop drive. This is my favorite drive. It is beautiful and this time it was even more beautiful. The trees have just started changing colors. Although I am not as good as Sara at capturing the beauty. I think I did ok.

The best part is that I finally was able to get a picture of an animal. I have taken this drive a few times and have never been able to take a picture of an animal. Usually because I did not bring my camera. This time I was able to shoot a deer. (Not literally!) He is small but I don't care. He stayed by the truck for some time. I was impressed that he wasn't too shy.

Hopefully after you see the pictures you might want to come all the way out to this small little town of Ely. We do have a few things to offer. We would love to show you.

Student of the Week

We were so excited when Julianna was nomnated for Student of the Week. She was nominated the first week of school. It was so exciting to open the Ely Times (local newspaper) and see Julianna's picture. Here is what her teacher had to say, "Julianna has been a #1 helper for the first week of school! She is always willing to help her teachers and fellow classmates." We are so proud of her.

Yeah, the first day of school! Julianna, Rebecca, and I woke up bright and early to prepare for a very exciting first day of school. Julianna started 5th grade. Rebecca started 3rd. Once again, I am teaching 4th grade.

Julianna was really excited to start 5th grade. This year she will switch for math, reading, and writing. It is just like middle school for her. She is also a D.E.N. crossing guard.

Rebecca is in 3rd grade. She was really happy to start school and see all her friends. She is looking forward to all the great things she will learn in 3rd grade.

Well, here is to a great year! We will keep you updated on all the great events throughout the school year.

Grilling

Sunday morning Jerry decided that we should go to Elko and shop. This sounded very exciting to me. I really enjoy going to "the city" to shop. We made our rounds to Taco Bell and Wal-Mart. Then we decided to go to Home Depot. I really wasn't that excited about Home Depot. Little did I know that we were going to get a grill. I have been living in Ely for over a year now and have not been able to grill. Honestly, I missed it. So we bought our little grill and spent some time Monday night assembling it. It was a lot of fun. The first thing Jerry and I have assembled for our home. The best part is that I grilled some great steaks on it. Jerry even gave me the thumbs up. Well, here is to happy grilling all summer long.

Cold

This will make Sara happy.

It was one of my new year resolutions to post more. It is now the 17th of January and I have not posted one thing. So here is my first post of 2008.

This morning I woke up to a -26 (negative) degree wind chill. I wish I still lived in Las Vegas. I arrived to a 45 degree classroom. The boiler went out last night, seeing that my building is the farthest from the main building it was the last one to receive heat. It was 63 degrees at noon. I really wish I still lived in Las Vegas. As I left my classroom this afternoon I walk up the bus drive way that is iced and everyday becomes more icy. I slip, I don't fall, but it was close. I really, really wish I was in Las Vegas. How many days until summer?