Saturday, October 15, 2011

Do-It-Yourself

I tried to do a lot of D-I-Y projects for our wedding- here are some of our projects...



The invites!



Candy Buffet tags and labels



One of the signs- it says 'Love is Sweet'



Another sign- "Mr and Mrs"



We used this sign for our Thank You card



Our directional sign :) I love it. David cut leftover pieces of fence we had and I quickly painted them with white paint.



Another one of my favorites- I stole this idea from Etsy but didn't want to pay 60 bucks for a guest book tree. My talented mom drew the tree! The sign says 'please leaf your thumbprints and sign your name'.






The centerpiece napkins were made by my dear friend Elizabeth and her mom, they were green and pink ones.


Friday, October 14, 2011

My OWN Classroom

After graduating in June 2010, I was ready for my own classroom. But with the job market as it is, that didn't happen. I subbed for all grades from September until February and was then hired as a 4th grade teacher, covering for a teacher who just had a baby. Yes my own class- but not really. This summer I taught summer school and had my own class, but still I didn't get my OWN classroom and the freedom to decorate and make it how I want. I was then hired as a 6th grade teacher, job sharing and teaching the afternoons- but still it wasn't my own class and classroom. Well I was then hired by the most fantastic school that takes me 5 minutes to walk to and am teaching full time 2nd grade in my OWN classroom, decorated by me. I know David is sure glad to have all those organizers, books, and teaching supplies I have collected out of the garage. Here is it!



The entrance into my classroom.

My desk area and onw of my favorite art projects we have done so far.








Saturday, October 8, 2011

I'm Married!!!

WOW- I sure am behind in the blogging world- and for good reason. I have been so busy that the word busy does not seem to do justice. I have been married now for 2 months. The wedding was amazing and all the hard work and planning paid off. I will be mixing in some wedding posts over the next few days. Since January, I worked as a full time 4th grade teacher from February to June, taught a 5/6th grade class for Migrant Education Summer School, had one week from the end of summer school until the wedding, enjoyed 10 days in beautiful Maui with my husband, started the school year teaching half-time 6th grade, and then was hired two weeks after school started to teach full time 2nd grade- meaning, I FINALLY have my own classroom! I will also be updating on my life as a first year teacher :) ... hence the word busy.

For now, here are some of our most favorite wedding pictures of just the two of us taken by Kirsten Hammericksen. Here is the link to our wedding video highlights done by Oregon ENvision Photography. The wedding really was perfect :)

















Thursday, January 6, 2011

San Francisco

We went to San Francisco for the New Year...
the view from Coit tower


fresh tangerines from the farmer's market

Alcatraz in the background


chowder and fresh sourdough bread



Chinatown

The Painted Ladies: seen in the Full House intro

We had cannolis and pizza in Little Italy

the house from Mrs. Doubtfire!

the house from Full House!


Our rental house

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

One year ago today...

David told me that he was taking me to Leavenworth, WA for a few days for my Christmas gift. We had been there once before with David's family and loved it! After dating for 5 1/2 years, my mind starting getting excited thinking this would be the perfect time to propose. But being the very poor college students we were, I knew there was no way David could afford a ring so I tried to not think about it. We left on Monday and drove through the snowy passes for 5 hours to get there. We stayed at Granite Hills Inn, an adorable Bed & Breakfast. When we arrived there was very little snow, but at dinner that night the white flakes started coming down. By the time we woke up the next morning, over 8 inches covered the ground. Later, I found out this was very lucky for David since his plan would not have worked out otherwise.
Our little B & B
On Tuesday, while shopping in town, David told me that he wanted to take us somewhere special for lunch. Having had just eaten breakfast a few hours before, I hesitated but went with it. David drove out of town to a little cabin that does sleigh rides. We walked into the little cabin and the lady said, "you must be here for the private sleigh ride for two". Meanless to say- the surprise was ruined. David told me this was my Christmas present, as his parents present to us was paying for some of the trip- I was very excited. We loaded up the TINY sleigh and bundled up under the blankets. We made our way through the snow covered valley being pulled by two horses, Henry and Mister. About halfway through the trip, David handed me my camera and started taking off the blankets. I was thinking he was crazy because it was so cold. Somehow he managed to get on one knee, and this is where I started crying... and didn't stop. David told me "These past five years have been the best and I can't believe how crazy I still am about you. Every time we are together, I keep falling more and more in love with you. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone but you and I can't wait until I can call you my wife" (this all had to be retold to me multiple times after the proposal because I was in shock and yes still crying). He then reached into his pocket, pulled out the MOST beautiful ring and said "Jenny Rebekah Barnes, Will you marry me?" I nodded because I was still crying and he slipped the ring on my finger. He explained to me after some kissing and hugging that the center stone was my grandfathers (Ponka) ,that passed away a few years ago, and my mom had given it to him. He designed the ring in Ashland and had it made... so perfect! And yes, more tears came. We went back to the town to get some stuff for lunch as we called our family and friends. After a nice lunch of wine and cheese, we dressed up and went out later for a nice dinner. The sleigh ride was perfect, as was the rest of the trip.


The most perfect ring!

After 6 1/2 years together, one year of engagement, and countless memories and milestones I am still so in love with David. I can't wait to be his wife in 7 short months!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Engagement Pictures

Last month, David and I got our engagement pictures taken with our photographer Kirsten Hammerickson. We took them at a local winery- RoxyAnn and an old barn. Here are a few of our favorites...














Pizza and Beer

There is nothing like homemade bbq chicken pizza and beer after a long day...
We bought the dough and topped it bbq sauce, cheese, cooked chicken, red peppers, red onion, green onions, and a little cilantro. Serve with your favorite beer, mine is Blue Moon.