School is starting!!

I am so so excited for this coming school year! I am back to teaching second grade and I have my new classroom set up and I will be meeting my kids tomorrow! I have my outfit all planned out, I got a new hair cut and I painted my nails... I think I'm ready. I wanted to post some pictures of the room I've been working so hard on, so enjoy!! I went with polka dot theme this year :)

The view as you walk in the door

 I seriously love how my word wall turned out with the pom pom balls

 This banner was my project when Clint was away in Tennessee at his first Optometry school interview (which went well by the way. but more about that another time.)

 My student work board... and the birthdays :)

 you can't tell as much as I hoped... but I put polka dot fabric behind the letters... also, don't mind my to do list... including take pictures for my mom haha... also, I forgot those clock numbers are up there. they were there when I got my class and I don't like them. Taking them down tomorrow.

 This will be our Literacy corner, giving an overview of everything we're learning in literacy every week.

 My Library.

 love how my job board turned out. class store is waiting to be improved upon still...

our calendar/rug area. Nice and comfy rocking chair for me. Love that they left me this from last year. 

So there you have it! My second grade classroom. I am so so excited to meet my kids and get started! 

Wish me luck!

<3

Stadium of Fire

Two posts in one day. Forgive me.  But this was cool.

On July 4th Clint and I went to the Stadium of Fire! We got free tickets because the Stadium recruits the student athletes to come haul sand bags and set up chairs and Clint brought me along! We got to see the Beach Boys 50th year anniversary show and American Idol Scotty McCreery. SO SO SO FUN!

 a little scotty... but he turned so you can't see his face on the mega screen... lame.

ya, we're cool. we go to stadium of fire! (better photo of my new hair cut soon)

It was so fun! The fireworks were amazing and I was singing along to every beach boys song! I took a video of a ton of them... but it takes forever to load... so you'll have to imagine it...

Happy birthday America!

Happy Anniversary to us!!

That's right folks! This little Prestwich family has been going strong for one year! (and a month since this is so late...) Here were some of our adventures: Enjoy!

Clint came home with a dozen roses for me... melt my heart... I love him.

 Then we went on a cruise!!! 

We went to Catalina...

And dressed up all fancy (Thank you Emily for the beautiful prom dress)

Can you believe it? I ate seafood! And it was actually really good. Clint thinks I just have expensive taste when it comes to seafood. Maybe....

Lovin' the towel creations...

"Clint, I feel awkward just standing here..."

"No Alissa, this is like a photo shoot..."

with weird camera angles...? haha I love you babe! 

We also went to Mexico!

Looking good!!

 and we hung out at my family's house in Huntington before and after the cruise. I just love my adorable niece and nephews!

All in all, it was the perfect anniversary/belated honeymoon :) It's funny, everyone says the first year is the hardest... but I've just had a blast getting used to living with my best friend! We laugh and chat and tease and have such a fun time all the time. In this past year, we've just gotten to know each other that much better and I love him more with every new thing I learn about him. I feel so blessed to have married such an amazing man. He is my best friend. He is a righteous Priesthood holder in our home. And we get to be together forever, just laughing and chatting and growing our little family. I can't think of a better way to spend eternity than with him! 

<3

Family

My mom had this up on Facebook and I kind of love it a lot. I can think of so many people who I consider family who aren't exactly related by blood. I love them just as much and I would do anything for them. 

Ps. 3 hours and 14 minutes until we leave for california!!!! then 4 days until our CRUISE!!! 

13 minutes now....

Summer Adventure #1 - Camping in Beaver

So here's our first summer adventure. It was well planned cause Clint is officially done with Spring classes (only a few finals this next week) and it's summertime for both of us!!! YAY!

So Marissa and Ty invited us to Beaver to spend some time camping. It was so so fun! I love camping! And although there were a few "city girl" moments... like forgetting jeans (apparently shorts aren't good enough for camping?) and not having cool boots like everyone.... (my rainbow sandals don't cut it either... but I did remember some shoes this time, just not cool boots) ... it all turned out fun and I hope we can do it again! Now for the pictures:

 looking good babe!

                        Clint riding a horse for the first time ever!!                                                this is my  pal  Bo.      

 me riding Gus with my friend Sonya

    we're pretty cute!

 marissa and ty are the best!

 yes. that look on my face means I'm scared. but I did shoot it anyways. :)

 clint on the other hand, was not scared.... in fact he wants to buy a gun... we'll see.

It was such a fun weekend! Thank you Prisbreys for inviting us!!

Schedule

It's SUMMER!!!! 

So this means I have a lot of extra time on my hands... so I like to plan it. And you think I mean plan it as in think of a few things I could do everyday. 

Not. the. case.

Clint and previous roommates can attest that I like to plan a little more strictly than that

...as in I plan in 15 minute intervals....

  I think I'm secretly OCD in this way.

So I have my plan. And I try really hard to stick to it. 

9:00 wake up. 

9:15 read scriptures and chill out while in bed

9:30 eat breakfast

9:45 pick up kitchen 

10:00 get ready for 7-peaks

10:15 go to 7 peaks...

etc.

sounds awful doesn't it? haha

I know. It's ridiculous. What is more ridiculous however is that I woke up early today and couldn't go back to sleep so I laid in bed for an HOUR because my schedule technically wasn't supposed to start yet. 

Then, I got to the cleaning section.... and decided I should probably look at the trailers for 

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

 yes. it was a good decision.

 and very sneakily ended up being there for 15 minutes and suddenly I don't think cleaning is as important as getting ready for my daily trip to 7-peaks to work on my summer tan... 

Did I seriously just try to trick myself into thinking I didn't have to follow my schedule? Can we all just remember who made this schedule? 

yes.

 I did. 

Which (as Clint reminds me often) means I don't actually HAVE to follow it.

 But I feel slightly guilty about it when I don't. 

This summer. 

Goal. 

Stop being so weird.

Happy Mother's Day!

To my wonderful mom

and mother in law






I am so grateful to have you both in our lives.

Top 5 reasons why I love my mom.
-She is so loving. I hope I can be as selfless and giving as she is one day.
-I can talk to her about anything. I remember so many afternoons in the car or evenings in the kitchen sitting and talking with my mom. She was always always on my side and willing to give her advice ("that stupid boy..." or "Why do you care what they think anyways?"...)
-She has taught me to be kind. I remember going into a new high school sophmore year and being afraid I wouldn't find friends. She told me "Alissa, if you are ALWAYS kind to other people, you will always have a friend where ever you go" I tell my first graders this almost everyday. It has been a guide in my life and I've found it to be true.
-She always supports me. There have been so many decisions I've had to make in my life. My mom is always there right behind me helping me along. She helped me get through school, and boys ("I never knew why you liked that one so much... we were always rooting for Clint").
-I can always call her. I love calling my mom. I call her for recipes, about my school kids, about my calling, and just to chat. Whatever the occasion, I can always count on her making me laugh and feel good about life again.

I love you so much mom!

Top 5 reasons I love my mother in law 
-She has always been so welcoming to me. I remember back when I stayed at their house for Clint's farewell 3 years ago (and she didn't even know we were semi dating/I hoped we were and Clint was scared of me...) and she welcomed me and my best friend Marissa into her home for the weekend.
-She teaches me new things. She helped me sew some lace on my new dress and how to make the amazing chocolates she dips every Christmas. She is always willing to help.
-She also helps Clint sometimes too ;) "Clint, you are not a coach in this marriage, you are always the cheerleader." She has said that to him a lot of times and he does a good job at it.
-She is very patient. It seems that she is always busy with a lot of things to do for her children, but I never see her look frazzled. I don't know how she does it, but I admire that about her.
-She raised my Prince Charming. I know Clint wouldn't be the man he is and the man I love without the teachings and love from his mother. Thank you Marilyn.


They are such amazing examples to me and Clint and I hope they both know how very much we love them.

Happy Mother's Day!!