Fall so far

Fall is my favorite time of year. I absolutely love when the hot weather breaks (well only at night here), but you can sense that change is coming. The smell of fireplaces at night and the sight of pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks make my heart sing. I just love knowing that all of my favorite holidays are quickly approaching and two months of school is under my belt. (By the way...school is absolutely insane-teaching all day straight exept for a 20 min lunch period in which I use to prep and grade and usually have students in my room!) I pretty much wing everyday. I am hoping that my kids are learning. I try to bring a passion to teaching content, but come on...chemistry is not really a desired concept for 16 year olds.

So first up is Halloween. This year, Davis is going to be James Dean and Shea Bear is going to be Audrey Hepburn. It is going to be a Halloween pulled straight out of pop culture from the past! I can't wait to post pics! Shea wanted to be a princess...go figure, but mommy got her way since she does the online shopping.

Then my BABY GIRL turns five! How can that be? Beautiful Bears is growing up and what a smart, sassy crazy woman I am raising! (after all she is my child...would you expect anything less?) When asked what she wants for her birthday she tells me that she just wants her whole family together. All her grams and gramps, aunts and uncles and cousins...and in that statement she is truely sincere.

Next up...Thanksgiving. I CANNOT wait to get family time with everyone and Nikki, A Lynn and U Steve will be here. Of course we are going to really miss Max and Leigha, but HOORAY for cousin time with nikki six. YES YES YES!!!

Then Christmas/Channukah (I still have no idea how to spell that) Oh seeing the joy that the kids have at that time and the family time we get...I love every minute of it...spending money is also a plus. And it will be Taylor's very first Christmas...so fun!

Davis turns two. Ugh I just "popped him out" as Shea states it. My baby boy is growing as well. He loves animals and most importantly he loves his mommy and still clings to me :) Another thing that makes my heart sing.

Finally New Years. Another year! 2013...crazy!

More change on the horizon...

Amy is steadily recovering. She takes positive baby steps everyday. She has a long road to travel, but she is on her way. She is strong and still fighting for her life. I love her and really miss her! My heart both rejoyces and hurts for her everyday. I hope that I can go see her again sometime soon.

Davis will be getting glasses. Turns out, baby boy can't see very well. He looks super cute, but man keeping those suckers on him...whew..It's going to be a fight.

This fall so far we have been enjoying high school and ASU football games and just went to my friend Candice's wedding. Candice made a beautiful bride and the wedding was a good time with friends.

Enjoy these candids from the past couple weeks.

A~S~U!

ummm...

Bears supporting her bears

Dini's first shave

cousin love



sleepy puppy



Candice

What a beautiful back drop

two of the four...missing Annie and AMY!!!

Beauty of the day: friends. I love my friends. I have so many different friends. I have childhood friends, dance friends, school friends, teaching friends, family friends, Howie's friends that are now my friends. Friends have shaped the person I am today. You all have allowed me to feel comfortable to be my crazy self and develop into Kendra with a full yet spunky soul. Thank you! 

Ames

Please pray for my good friend Amy. Our prayers were heard. Dan and Baby Gabby are doing well. It is a miracle. Amy still needs our payers. She is strong and will get through this and recover. Amy you are loved by so many. We will never ever give up. You and your family continue to be in our hearts and prayers.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/chandler/chandler-teacher-fights-to-survive-after-being-hit-while-walking-with-baby-and-husband

Thriller Teacher Dance

Master's Graduation Day

Beauty of the Day: How our bodies can heal & Last night's sunset

To grade or not to grade...that is the question!

I have had the HARDEST time getting through these lab reports! I have about 30 more and am so unwilling to donate my time to them. I have not been very good about taking pictures lately, but the biggest news in the Kaplan household is our backyard...it is DONE. Yes DONE! It has been so nice swimming in our pool and playing on our nice patio this weekend. We have been outside all of the time despite the hot hot hot temperatures. Here are some pics of the pool build.

Before Excavation

Just beginning

Excavation Complete

Steel for concrete pour

Shotcrete pour

Cool deck pour

Tile

Stone

Fence

Water Fill

And there your have it...minus the flowers in our pots

Landscaping

Shea's new favorite "toy"

extra little patio



Play pit

 And there you have it...it cost a lot of money but not having a yard full of mud is priceless! The joy on my kids' faces = priceless as well! 4 more weeks until October break!!! Thank goodness!

Beauty of the day: New babies (I got to meet baby Gabby for the first time today...she is just precious!!!)