I am excited to teach cadaver labs again this semester for the last time. Each time I do this I get nervous that I am going to forget everything, and it doesn't help that I have 25 students who just sit and stare at me and won't participate. I have to remember that they are nervous, too, and they are probably a little freaked out about being in the same room with 8 dead bodies. This is such a great opportunity for me, I have really come to understand and appreciate the human body more with each semester.
And...today is the first day of my last semester at USU! I have been here for a long time and I can't believe I am so close. I am so very excited, I hope this is a good semester (I would LOVE to have an easy one for a change!), I look forward to graduating this Spring.
After watching The Cake Boss, we had to make a cake of our own. We made a layered 4 tier cake with almond and chocolate cake layered with buttercream frosting and homemade caramel. We made our own modeling chocolate for the dots and topped it off with melted white chocolate- not too shabby!
After an amazing Christmas we had such a fun New Years! I think the highlight for the kids was our glow-in-the-dark Nerf wars. We turned out all the lights, decorated the hallway with streamers and other silly things and then haphazardly put glow-in-the-dark things around. The effect was visually cool, and was so much fun to play with the tunes cranked up.
Tyler was pretty excited to enter into a Man vs. Grill competition that took place on his birthday. The giant burger consisted of 4 lb. meat, 9 eggs, 1/2 lb. bacon, 1/2 lb. cheese, avacado, 1/2 lb. salsa and tomato- all with fries on the side. 
Tyler and his buddy Kevin at after the end of the 45 minute time limit. Tyler was definitely in the top 3, and although several other gentleman had their dinner come back up he kept it down. No one was able to finish, but Ty is pretty proud of his shirt and complimentary barf bucket.
Sydney's birthday was next. It is an even year for her so she had a friend party with Harry Potter as the theme.
I didn't think to take group pics until the end when we had already started cleaning up, but I must say that I surprised myself with how well the decorations and events turned out for how little time and effort I had to put into it. Ty did an awesome job with a head table and 4 house tables, it was a party to remember. 
I love this picture! Both of these young ladies are getting so big! I love that they are still close friends even as they get older. We played Quiditch on our "brooms" and had glow-in-the-dark skating- the kids loved it and didn't want to go when the party was ending. 
I can't believe my baby girl is already 10! She is such a good girl and we are so blessed to have her in our family. She is so compassionate and loving toward others, she is a good example for me in so many ways. She is so bright and down to Earth, I couldn't imagine a better daughter.
Gardner's Village is a great place for butter pecan fudge to die for and some spooky fun. We were so glad to have their cousin with us- she is such a sweetheart and always brightens my day when I see her. 
We stopped off at a local market and they had a cute kids hay maze the kids had fun playing in.
At Grandpa Buggy and Grandma Lucie's house, up in the tree reading Harry Potter and just hanging out. We had such a fun weekend, I am pretty sure that you have started a fall weekend tradition. 
I had a reunion with my college roommates over the weekend and it was absolutely fabulous. When my friend's phone rang to remind her of her daughter's soccer practice I realized we are OLD LADIES! Annie made us all matching "The Girls of 439" matching shirts, they were beautiful. I met these fab ladies 13 years ago, and I am so grateful that they put up with my love of Tupac, beaching in my undies, and general sense of rebelliousness. Having them as roommates for 2 years and now as friends definitely makes me a better person. I love you, Ladies!
Syd had a ladies night with Aunt Trishie. What an amazing thing to have an aunt who is able to spoil you with an entire night to yourself. Thanks, Berthie!
