(1) My first TAKS (the writing variety - for those of you not residents of Texas - it is the test which is the sole determinant of whether I am a good teacher or not apparently) is out of the way and over. Thank goodness. Only one more at the end of this month to go.
(2) The baconator. It's bacon rolled up in sausage topped by what? Yes, more bacon. Jared took a ridiculously large amount of photos of every step of the process of which I will only display two. If you are interested in having a heart attack instantly, I will be happy to give you the pictures and recipe.
Without the BBQ and smoked wood chips.
It almost makes your cholesterol level higher just by looking at it.
(3) Mustache March. Clearly not my idea. Jared's entire department decided to sport a stylish mustache through March. Suspiciously, we didn't end up getting a picture of that. But Jared decided I needed to participate - so we did get one of me. What Mustache March ended up being was shave your-beard-once-then-grow-your-beard-back-out-so-your-mustache-is-only-slightly darker than-your-beard month. (That is ridiculously long!) But the first few days of last month were not Jared's most flattering.
I think the look I am trying to attempt is tough. I think Jared's "tough" look might actually be better.
(4) April Fool's. Along with having been harrassed on this particular day by my students for 6 hours (April Fool's is arguably one of the worst days for a teacher followed closely by the day before Christmas break and the last day of school, oh gosh except for the AWFUL TAKS DAYS), Jared decides to play a trick on me. It was clever because its something I always feared he would do one day. He calls me to tell me he found an orange tom cat on campus and is bringing it home as a pet. I was relieved this wasn't the case, but I only dodged a bullet for a moment. That probably will actually happen.
(5) Jared and I ran in our first 5K. It was for his professor who had a brain tumor last year. Luckily, he had it removed and is now doing great. The race was called Run for the Rose. I'd like to say I ran the whole thing, but I lost motivation once I lost sight of Jared. Turns out we don't have the same stride at all. I did run most of it though. Next time, I'll do the whole thing. It was actually quite fun though. I was surprised by that.
(6) Visiting my family during spring break. First I was to Colorado (Denver to be exact) to visit my brother Sam, his wife Jenn, and my nephew Cameron. They were moving into their brand new house, and I was supposedly there to help but more just to get in the way and hold Cameron constantly. Jared didn't go with me because his spring break was the previous week and he went to the Big Bend area to help lead a field trip for the undergraduate young'ins. But if you notice he is missing in the pictures - that is the reason. There's probably a fat chance that he will blog about it since I noticed when I was leaving he didn't even take the camera.
Smiles from Cameron. I'm looking a little bit like Joker yet again - but I posted it for the greater good (Cameron is so cute in it).
Look at those cheeks!
I love Cameron - what an adorable baby. I loved how sensitive he was and he just loved staring at me. The feeling was mutual on that account.
One of my favorite things about Denver (and I didn't even know this before I went) is the prarie dogs. They are just adorable but apparently seen as nuisances to anybody who has lived there for any amount of time.
This is kind of like Where's Waldo. There are FIVE of them (unless that stick looking thing in the right corner is one - in that case it's six). Have fun looking.
After a weekend in Colorado, I made my way to Utah to see the rest of my family. It was a great visit even though it snowed most of the time (I didn't get to go to the zoo with Harmony, my neice). But I had the chance to see her a few times. She has grown up so much since the last time I saw her. Not so much physically - though she's finally sprouted some hair. She is so small and petite like her mommy. But she is grabbing things, scooting around, and trying her hardest to walk already. She is so full of energy it's hard to keep up with her. I adored her, soo cute. She gives these hugs that are just the sweetest thing. She was already warming up to me by the end of the week.
Harmony with one of her new toys at Grandma's house. My brother, Matthew, is in the background in case anybody was wondering. He is single and in Provo if anybody has a friend in those parts to set him up with (I say this mainly to horrify him).
I told a really good joke so we're having a good laugh.
Todd wasn't so sure how to feel about that, but Harmony knew how she felt. She wanted a good chunk of fur in her hand.
Giving one of her patented hugs.
As you can see, the pictures I have of the trip are a little baby heavy. But I figure that adults really don't change all that much. And when we do it's just to add wrinkles. Nobody enjoys that. Anyway, it was a good trip. I am always glad when I go. It was just the break I needed.
I am sure that I am forgetting something. Oh yeah, Jared bought a boat. Yes, another one. It's a real one this time I am told (I haven't actually seen it). But on with that another day. When you blog only once every few months these things are tiring. I'll have him write about it once we actually get it in a week or so (to show pictures of course). As for the other things I am forgetting, I'm fairly sure nobody will miss them. If I think you will, I'll add them in another month when I blog again. :)
