Teaching 4th Grade in Virginia

Recently, I started teaching a 4th grade class here in Virginia. The students in my class are darling and I'm having fun teaching them. I will admit that I have a whole new admiration for teachers because it is A LOT of work, but worth it.
Here are some pictures of my classroom, which is still a work in progress. (It's a lot more work to start a classroom than I realized. When I walked into the classroom for the first time it was completely empty, so I'm slowly building.) :)

Livin' it up in DC

On Labor Day, we decided to wander around Washington DC. There are many things to see in this big city! We were able to see a few monuments and get a look at the Declaration of Independence. It was fun to be able to enjoy the sites of DC and get a break from work and school. We are having a great experience out here.




The World War II Memorial is new to DC! It's a beautiful monument dedicated to all those who served and gave their life in the war.



Below is a picture of Brett standing in front of the National Archives Building. This building is where the Declaration of Independence is located.

Hiking 'Old Rag'

This past weekend we hiked the famous 'Old Rag' trail with some friends. We loved the hike! The mountains aren't quite as big as Colorado or Utah, but they were BEAUTIFUL! It was great to be in nature and get away from the 'big city' for a day. Hiking the top of the mountain was an adventure because we had to climb over huge boulders. The view from the top was amazing!

The Apartment

Sunroom










Living Room

Hey everyone! We have had some requests to post some pictures of our new apartment in Falls Church, Virginia. We love our place! There is a lot more room than our last apartment and we have a washer/dryer and even a dishwasher, it's wonderful!

California Dreamin'

This summer we went on a vacation to California with Emily's family. We had a great time in San Diego with everyone! Several days were spent on the beach playing in the waves and enjoying the sun. Brett loved body surfing but unfortunately he and Dave got stung by a small jellyfish while in the water. They recovered within a few hours and were back in the water the next day, continuing to perfect their body surfing skills. No harm done!

We walked by the ocean at night and while walking we saw sea-lions sleeping on the shore. It was very romantic walking through the La Jolla beach at night!

While on Catalina Island, we stopped for some yummy ice cream!


Is there jealousy here???

Lois P. Jones...Grams

Brett's grandmother, Lois P. Jones, also know as 'Grams,' passed away on August 18, 2007. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend and she will be dearly missed. Her obituary appeared in the Herald Journal and is as follows:

Lois (Pribble) Jones
1920-2007
Lois Pribble Jones, 87, of Smithfield, Utah, passed away Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, at Logan Regional Hospital. She was born April 6, 1920, in Ogden, Utah, to Clarence and Lillian Pribble spending her early years in Ogden then moving to Logan. She graduated from Logan High School. She married George O. Jones on June 10, 1941, in the Logan LDS Temple. They enjoyed 40 years together working on the family farm and raising a family in Cache Junction, Utah. She moved to Smithfield in 2000. She was a lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life, including Young Women Presidency and Primary Chorister. She was a member of the "He and She Club," Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Newton Flower Club. She was a beautiful seamstress making wonderful clothes for her two daughters, Marsha and Peggy. She always looked forward to visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved to know of all their adventures and special endeavors. She was a wonderful cook with her specialties being homemade rolls and pies. She took great pride in her home and enjoyed knitting, crewel work, quilting and porcelain dolls that were gifts to her family and friends which they will treasure. She is survived by her daughters, Marsha (Jon) Meikle of Smithfield, Utah, and Peggy (Skip) Hamilton of Broomfield, Colo.; grandchildren, Angela and Jerry Kidd, Keith and Brenda Meikle, Steven Meikle, Brett and Emily Hamilton; and great-grandchildren, Nicole, Megan, Gracie and Olivia Kidd and Emma, Jonathon, Joseph and Isabelle Meikle. She is also survived by her sisters, Beth Baur of Ogden, Utah, and Shirley Struthers of Orem, Utah; and sisters-in-law, Grace Linde, Mae and Lorraine Jones. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, who passed away December 1981; parents; sister, Clarine; and brothers, Lynn, Jack and Dean Pribble. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 26, 2007, at the Allen Mortuary Chapel, 420 E. 1800 North, North Logan, where friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday prior to services. Interment will be in the Newton Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to all the wonderful care givers at Alpine Home Care, David and Debra Gubler and especially to Suzanne Yeltin for the love, care and special attention given to our Mother and Grandmother.

1st Year Anniversary....August 23, 2006!

We celebrated our 1st anniversary this week, August 23! It has been a wonderful year with many more to come.