I'm baaaaaaack

Whoa! Are all the planets in alignment? Did Phoenix freeze over? No, Liz is just stuck at home with pink eye, no hubby, no daughter and no SCHOOL to worry about. It's time to blog.

Lemme sum up. Due to budget cuts (argh) I have had to leave my old school and become a full-time reading coach at another. It's very bittersweet. I've been at Lakeside for 10 YEARS and have never taught anywhere else. I feel like I'm leaving home and family. On the other hand, I am REALLY excited to be a full-time reading teacher at Vae View. The principal and other teachers have been SO welcoming, and I think it will be very rewarding. The classes I'm taking this summer remind me that it's what I love to do: teach kids to read!

Steve is gearing up for another football season at Layton High. He also watched one of his favorite classes graduate this year. One student told him, "I hope one day I can be as good of a man as you are." I am so proud of him for making such a big difference in his kids' lives. He is going to Dallas at the end of June for a conference, and is currently in St. George with Noelle and his family. They're loving it, though the weather's a bit hot for them. He says he's scoping out retirement places for us so I can be closer to AZ. Such a planner. :)

Noelle is sad that she will not go back to Syracuse High for preschool next year, but we're pretty excited that she gets to go to Layton High's preschool and be so close to her Dada. It is amazing how much she keeps growing up. She can now read and spell some simple words, like Mom, Dad, cat, dog. She continues to say the FUNNIEST things. The other night, she said, "It's dreadfully dark out here!" Her favorite activities at the moment are riding her bike, hiking in the mountains (which she nicknamed The Chocodillo Mountains, by the way. Don't ask, I have no idea where she got that from) and dancing. Speaking of dance, enjoy her in this video! My apologies on the sound, turn down your speakers before you play it. And if you can't tell, she's the one toward the middle that is doing ALL the dance steps. I'm such a proud Mom.

Happy Halloween!

Just a few photos of this super fun holiday. I hope you notice the glitter and pink eye shadow Noelle INSISTED on putting on. Also, take a look at what her Halloween basket says. ;)

It's been too long...

Wow, it has honestly been 5 months since I've blogged. Blame it on returning to full-time, Facebooking, life, whatever, but it's high time I posted the latest news. Before I make a post about our life, however, I need to post my love and support to everyone in the Bowler family.

My best friend since high school, Kathie has been a rock through some of the most difficult times in my life. We were inseparable, and her mother took me in as one of the kids. I don't know where I would be in life if it weren't for them. Ruth, her amazing mother, was diagnosed with mesothelioma over a year ago and lost her battle with the cancer last Monday. As was stated at the beautiful funeral on Thursday, Ruthie was an angel. I've never met anyone with such an ability to unconditionally love EVERYONE. She was the most selfless, generous and spiritual person I've ever known. Her amazing example lives on in all of her children, grandchildren and in all who's lives she touched, including mine. We love you, Ruth.

Pretty little princess!

Noelle hamming it up in her sweet Sunday dress. It's amazing to me that the best pictures were when she was goofing off. That's her, though, she is the funniest little thing.

Mom of the year

Ummm, so yes, LOTS has happened in the last few months, but I am TERRIBLE for not posting any birthday party pics for Noelle's 3rd b-day. So here they are...months late...but here nonetheless. She had the BEST time and we were so happy tons of her friends and cousins came. The mini-bowling was SO much fun, and I am so sad we don't have pictures of it. It was hysterical to watch them throw a fist-sized ball to knock down pins with puppet strings.

More Disneyland fun!

Noelle showing Sleeping Beauty that she is 3 years old. Adorable!




Again, one of her favorite characters. It was so sweet to see how much she loved them!






Probably her favorite ride in the park, which is ironic because you can go ANYWHERE and ride a Merry-go-round. She DID love the Dumbo and Peter Pan rides. She even rode the really high, super fast rocket ride at the entrance to Tomorrowland. But Sleeping Beauty's Castle struck terror deep into the hearts of Noelle and her girl cousins. Go figure.

A crowning moment was seeing Tinkerbell. Most of you know that Noelle is all things Tink right now, so she was pretty ecstatic to meet her.

Jodi, this one's for you!

WOW, has it really been two months since I've blogged?!?! I saw my good friend Jodi at her son's basketball game, and she asked me when the heavens would part and I would actually update my blog. So, for all you wonderful bloggers who are more on the ball than I ever will be, here's an UPDATE!!!

These are some ADORABLE pictures from our trip to Disneyland! We went to AZ to visit fam and friends after Christmas, then drove to CA from there. It was a FANTASTIC trip! We arrived on a Wednesday and got to ride pretty much EVERYTHING with no wait. Noelle was ecstatic!!! She met Pluto and a few others that first day, which I think was more exciting to her than the rides!

I will post more pictures later, but (as usual) I am running late. :P