~La Notizia~

Final Post

2011-10-03T21:54:00.000-06:00

Sooooo.... the time has come. I am officially moving over to my new blog.

I hope you all will visit and read my posts and maybe even follow me - (I think the new one is so much better!)

Hopefully it gives me incentive to post more often!

Here is the new link if you don't have it already:

http://lifelovephotog.blogspot.com/

See ya soon!

I survived the GRE

2011-09-25T08:29:00.000-06:00

I have decided they need to start giving out t-shirts that say "I've survived the GRE" when someone goes to walk out the door of the testing center once they have finished taking it. It was one of the most horribly rotten tests I have ever taken.... I even think that as horrible as the PRAXIS was - this was worse. Maybe it is because I haven't taken any math classes since college or because I barely passed geometry in 8th grade... in either case, I really hated that test. But on the bright side, I can say I have taken it and as long as I don't have to suffer through it again I will be happy :).

New Blog...

2011-09-20T19:29:00.003-06:00

I have thought about doing this for a long time now. I thought about just deleting my blog and not even messing with it anymore because of my crazy schedule these days. But, when I really thought about it - I enjoy blogging. Even though I don't do it all that often and I'm pretty sure a two year old could create a better blog than I, I enjoy it. It is one way that I can express myself and have at least some type of creative outlet - which is always needed when you have a crazy life like I do. So, I decided that I am going to retire my current blog and create a new one. One with some kind of focus and organization - (both are things the current blog is missing).

My question is...... what do I call the new blog???? I am terrible at thinking of fun/creative names for my blogs and such. So if you have any ideas - drop me a note. I'd love to hear them!

I will be sure to keep you all updated as to when this new blog is up and running - but for now, it is back to the routine -

lesson planning
GT class & homework of my own
grading papers
and of course...
planning my wedding!

xo

E

School's back in session...

2011-08-22T18:43:00.000-06:00

After 1 full day of school I feel like this:

Hopefully this trend doesn't continue.

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Help me win free wedding photography!

2011-08-21T16:48:00.000-06:00

Please Help!

I need all the help I can get on this. I could really use the free photography for my wedding in November!

Gallery Photography in Bountiful, UT is having a contest giving a way FREE wedding photography and I would LOVE to win! I want to win this contest not only because it is FREE but their photography is AMAZING!

Here is how you can help:

Go to the Gallery Photography Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/galleryphotography?sk=wall

Like their page, Like my story (Erica & Lenny's story) and comment on my story (be sure not to mention that it is for a contest or the comment won't count as a vote!) and then spread the word to all your Facebook friends and family. Let's see how many votes I can get before the end of September!!

Thanks to you all!

What a way to end the summer

2011-08-19T19:29:00.001-06:00

I am sad to say that my summer break is over. School officially starts on Monday. It has been an interesting summer; especially the last week or so!

It was a summer of fun,

a summer of learning,

realizing blessings,

saying goodbye to loved ones,

saying hello to new opportunities & experiences,

and of falling in love.

So, now it's on with getting ready for school to start on Monday and planning a wedding along with everything else that goes along with it all. Luckily we have the hardest part done. We have chosen a date, a venue and I even picked out my dress! I'm getting more excited with each coming day! I am excited for the upcoming changes & welcome the challenges that come with it all... hopefully without too much stress!

I hope you all had a fabulous summer :)

I'm Getting Married!

2011-08-16T22:08:00.000-06:00

Yup, you read that correctly.

I am getting married!

I am super excited and can't wait to start this new chapter in my life.

He even picked out the ring all on his own! I was quite impressed.

Doesn't it look totally GORGEOUS?!!!

It's been an exciting day.

I hope you all had a fabulous day as well!

Lava Hot Springs

2011-08-11T20:46:00.000-06:00

Not even 24 hours after returning from an amazing girls only weekend in Park City, I left for Lava Hot Springs with my boyfriend and his family. It was loads of fun! We were only there for a day and a half but it was long enough to get in a little sun & surf. We arrived Sunday afternoon and spent the afternoon wandering the town and just hanging out. Later that evening Lenny & I enjoyed the hot pools (which, I must say would be much more enjoyable if it were cooler weather - but it was still very fun). Monday we got up and he & the kiddos hit the river before we all headed to the pools. We spent the better part of the day at the pool before heading back home to the SLC. It was a great fun filled weekend to say the least :)

Lenny & I

Park City = Girls Only!!

2011-08-11T20:19:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was our 2nd annual

GIRLS ONLY weekend in Park City.

While in Park City we enjoyed...

Shopping, the Utah Olympic Park, the Utah Symphony at Deer Valley and of course, the Park City Arts Festival. It was a jam packed weekend but we LOVED every minute of it!

Day 1: Shopping

Mia was a little pooped after a full day of shopping.

Tradition says we MUST eat at the Baja Cantina (Never mind the fact that it is super tasty!)

I couldn't help but take a million pics of my FAVORITE niece and her adorable ponytail.

Mia saying goodnight to Daddy

Day 2: The Olympic Park - zip lines, alpine slides & watching ski jumpers practice

Utah Symphony at Deer Valley

Mia & Darci

Mom

Hanging out in the shade before the concert

Mom & Me

The stage

Day 3 was the Arts Festival.. I was too busy looking at all the AMAZING art to take any pictures... Oh well.. maybe next year!

It was a fabulous weekend. I can't wait until next years three-peat :)

Photo Class!

2011-08-11T15:43:00.001-06:00

I LOVE groupon!

A few weeks ago I saw a deal for a photo class and figured I would give it a shot.

Can't hurt to learn about what I love to do, right?
Here are a few of my favorite shots from class.

Grampa B

2011-07-19T14:49:00.000-06:00

Just a few of my favorite memories of Grampa B:

Playing catch at the park

Attending baseball games

Playing cards - especially hand and foot

Cherry Hill

Easters spent in Arizona visiting them

Getting paid 25 cents to jump into the "cold pool"

Getting paid 25 cents to do all kinds of crazy things... and gladly doing them!

Grampa's stories about flying airplanes

Grampa & Grama's love of spending time with family & friends

Grampa will be greatly missed but I'm happy to know that he is reunited with Grama after 8 long years!

DIY: refinished bathroom cabinets

2011-06-30T23:18:00.000-06:00

I have finished the cabinets in the 1/2 bath... well, almost.

And they look FABULOUS!

This is the cabinet doors before:

And here is the finished product:

I absolutely LOVE how they turned out.

I'm excited to get going on the rest of the cabinets in my house :)

It was a great day :)

2011-06-21T22:53:00.000-06:00

Lunch & swimming with my BF's kids.

A drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

A stroll downtown in the beautiful SLC.

Does it get much better than this?

What I've been up to...

2011-06-21T13:19:00.000-06:00

This week I decided to start refinishing the cabinets in the 1/2 bath on the first floor of my house. I've only got one coat down but I'm loving how they are looking!!! Much better than the ugly color before!

And the wait is finally over!

2011-06-19T12:48:00.000-06:00

Those who know me know that I have been anxiously awaiting the Ray LaMontagne concert. I bought my tickets back in March and have been counting down to the day when I finally got to seen him in concert.

I have been a fan of his for YEARS I love his indie/folk/rock/bluegrass sound. I honestly don't have a clue how I to describe his music... he is just Ray to me. If you have never heard any of his music you are missing out! Here is a little taste for you:

The concert was incredible! I was a little nervous about the outdoor venue and the forecast for rain but luckily the rain gods were on our side and it didn't rain until after we were home from the show.


Maria and I before the show. May not be front & center - but we were sure up front!

Brandi Carlile was the opener for Ray. I saw her last year and LOVED her. She always puts on a great show. I'm hoping to see her again later this summer (yaay!!!)

The cellist for Brandi Carlile

Brandi Carlile

Ray LaMontagne!!!

Ray & his band

Adventures @ the Zoo!

2011-06-19T11:38:00.001-06:00

Summer time = spending time with my nephews & niece.
Last week I took the boys to the zoo (Kyson's birthday present).
It was a blast!

We had fun, ...

Watching the animals...


digging up dinosaur bones

Listening to the dinosaurs 'rawr!'

Making scary dinosaur faces

Climbing on the animal sculptures

... or attempting to anyway...

then giving up and giving it a kiss instead :) "MWAH"!

And of course, playing in the turtle shells on the play ground

Double the fun!

and of course spending the day together :)

XOXO

Erica :)

So Many Projects....

2011-06-13T11:14:00.001-06:00

So many projects, so LITTLE time (and MONEY!)!!

Summer break is in full swing although it doesn't quite seem like it yet (it's been a busy couple of weeks). I have already started marking things of my to do list like a mad woman. I'm quite proud of myself actually :) In the last week I have painted the ceilings of my townhouse, cleaned the carpets and have gotten so many ideas of other crazy projects I want to start as well.

Here is one idea that I am seriously considering...

Painted countertops (click here to see where I got this fabulous idea!)

Currently, my countertops are ugly white laminate - very scratched and very well, ugly... I LOVE this idea of being able to paint my countertops -

It's finally here!

2011-06-05T20:32:00.000-06:00

SUMMER BREAK!!!!!! Two favorite words of any teacher. I have officially finished my third year of teaching - hard to believe I know. I have a lot of projects to get done this summer and it will be fun finally getting stuff done around the house. I've been able to get a few things done already. The project I am most proud of is probably my the planter area in the front of my house. For the first time EVERY I have done a little gardening. I planted several flowers and got a few pots which I have put some herbs in as well. The trick will be keeping them alive and looking pretty. They are fun to take pics of too! Here are a few that I had to show off:


Lavender - my FAVORITE!!

Meet Me in May Day 30

2011-05-30T21:48:00.000-06:00

A picture of you when you were little:

This one will have to wait... I have no digital pictures of me from when I was little- yet

Meet Me in May Day 29

2011-05-29T18:09:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you thought you would be when you grew up:

Occupational Therapist

Meet Me in May Day 27

2011-05-27T18:38:00.000-06:00

A picture of something people would be shocked to see you do:

Meet Me in May Day 26

2011-05-26T19:01:00.000-06:00

A picture of something that drives you CRAZY!


Students who don't plan ahead and get their work done on time - seriously drives me crazy!!!

Meet Me in May Day 25

2011-05-25T19:11:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you wish you had more confidence to do

Now this one I probably have to explain a little.... Everyone knows I LOVE photography and I love showing off my photos.. but what I wish is that I had the confidence to take all the amazing photos that I see and imagine but never take.

Meet Me in May Day 24

2011-05-24T17:13:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you wish you could change:

Meet Me in May Day 23

2011-05-23T18:02:00.000-06:00

A picture of your favorite book

DIY project #1

2011-05-22T20:43:00.000-06:00

I've been wanting to start & finish some of the projects on my house project 'To Do' list but the weather hasn't been cooperating very well. Today I had had enough and had a few ideas of things I wanted to do in my master bathroom. I love the purple color that I painted it but it was just too much purple with nothing else going on. So.... I decided to do something a little crazy & add some 'color & texture' in a few spots. I thought about adding some wall paper but didn't want to go to all that effort, time and not to mention the money - to hate what I had just done. Instead, I had a BRILLIANT idea. I found some contact paper that is very similar to what i was picturing in my head - I spent less than $7 and "wallpapered" a wall and added a little something to the mirror that I really hated (I kinda like it now - granted, I still hate that it is a medicine cabinet mirror but it is a little more bearable now).

Wallpapered wall

In the process

The finished product

Now that I know I won't hate it if I wallpaper a wall - I just might really do it. It was fun and I finally feel like I have at least started to decorate my house a little bit... eventually it will get done :)

Meet Me in May Day 22

2011-05-22T20:07:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you wish you did better

Meet Me in May Day 21

2011-05-21T17:54:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you wish you could forget:

Meet Me in May Day 20

2011-05-20T15:42:00.000-06:00

A picture of someplace you would like to visit:

Santorini, Greece

Meet Me in May Day 19

2011-05-19T17:15:00.000-06:00

A picture of your favorite thing about yourself

Optimism

Meet Me in May Day 18

2011-05-18T16:54:00.000-06:00

A picture of your biggest insecurity:

Meet Me in May Day 17

2011-05-17T16:57:00.000-06:00

A picture of something that has impacted your life in a negative way:


Being stubborn is not always a good thing...

Meet Me in May Day 16

2011-05-16T20:06:00.000-06:00

A picture of something that has made a huge impact in your life:

FINISHING the 1/2 marathon reminded me that I REALLY can do anything!

Meet Me in May Day 15

2011-05-15T18:09:00.000-06:00

A picture of something you want to do before you die:

Take a road trip & visit all 50 states

Meet Me in May Day 14

2011-05-15T18:01:00.000-06:00

A picture of someone you can't imagine your life without:

Meet Me in May Day 13

2011-05-13T16:50:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know I missed day 12 in there somewhere.... but here #13 for today....

A picture of your favorite band or artist:

Right now, it is a tie... I LOVE these two!


Can't wait to see him in June!!!!!!!


So mad I don't get to see her this month!!!

Meet Me in May Day 11

2011-05-11T14:12:00.002-06:00

A picture of something you hate:


Sushi - and well, seafood in general. Yuck!

Meet Me in May Day 10

2011-05-10T17:43:00.000-06:00

A picture of the person you would get into the most trouble with:

Now this was a hard one... a few people come to mind

Meet Me in May Day 9

2011-05-09T18:36:00.000-06:00

A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most:

My BFF Ramon :)

Meet Me in May Day 8

2011-05-09T18:32:00.000-06:00

8 Pictures that make you laugh:

My "little monster" always makes me laugh. I love his imagination!

Bugaboo - is silly and always makes me laugh

My dad... need I say more?!?


I LOVE this guy!

My Friends :)

Yes, I make myself laugh.. If I can't laugh at myself, who else will?!

My reaction to finding out that Tron was coming out again... apparently it was so classic that one of my students bought me this key chain!

I like multi colored fruit... haha!

Meet Me in May Day 7

2011-05-07T15:50:00.000-06:00

A picture of your most prized posession:

Meet Me in May Day 6

2011-05-07T15:31:00.000-06:00

A picture of a person you would love to trade places with:

I would love to trade with anyone in this picture. I would love to be in an ancient city (preferably in Venice, Italy) sitting in the piazza people watching and/or reading a good book while enjoying a nice cold gelato - nocciola & raspberry flavors of course :)