Christmas with The Ostapecks

Since David and I went to Utah for Christmas to visit my family, we celebrated Christmas with David's parents early. We went to their house on Friday December 19th. We started the day shopping with David's mom for snow clothes for David to take to Utah. Once we finished that we headed over to David's parents to open gifts.

David's mom opening her gifts.

David's dad with his gifts all around him.

Motley attacking me

David's parents got our dogs gifts too. This is David playing with their new gifts.

Wife/Husband

David's mom got so excited, she accidentally opened his dads gift...haha

DANCING.......with the Stars!!!

My friend Linda and I were able to go and see Dancing with the Stars on December 18th. Before we went to the show, we went out to dinner to P.F. Changs.

The show was at the new Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario. I was surprised at how small the new arena was, but it was nice to be able to see the show so well. Our seats were pretty good, so that was nice.

The show was pretty good, however, in the beginning they had a pre show that wasn't that great. In fact, when we saw it we thought it was the actual show and we were REALLY disappointed! Good thing we were wrong!

We watched the show and really enjoyed it. It was neat to see all of the celebrities and professional dancers. I LOVE Dancing with the Stars, so I LOVED the concert too!

At dinner

Waiting for the show to start...

The show (dancing the Paso Doble)

The Cha Cha Cha

Intermission!

Here is a video of the dancing...

We were hiding in the bathroom so we could meet Derek Hough and Mark Ballas :) Haha

There they are. We just wanted to see them. We didn't stay around to meet them or get their autographs...

The Glory of Christmas

David's parents took David and I to see "The Glory of Christmas," at the Crystal Cathedral. I have always wanted to see the production, so I was really excited when they told us they were taking us.

The production is about the birth of Jesus. They have real animals and flying angels! It was so neat to see angels flying above you!

You weren't allowed to take pictures of the inside, but I took some before.

I snuck a picture of the set...haha :)

David and I getting ready to see the play.

David's parents at the play. (Thanks for taking us Gary and Kathy!)

Christmas Carol!!!

Last Thursday I was able to see the theatrical performance of " The Christmas Carol." My former master teacher takes her students every year, and this year she took me too!!! I was really excited to go because I missed my former students. We all went out for pizza, and then we met at the theater to see the show.

The show was REALLY good! I was VERY impressed!!! I have seen the movie, but seeing it live was SO much better!!!

Miss Harter and I at dinner!

Our former master teacher and us...Now we're ALL REAL TEACHERS!!!

Two of my former students and I.

They all looked so cute!!!

Where is Mrs. O? (Some of them wanted to know if they could call me Samantha since I wasn't their teacher anymore...haha...not so much!!!)

Catching Up On Christmas!!!

The weekend of December 6th, David and I attended his work Christmas party. It was in Redondo Beach at a restaurant called "The Depot." We had a lot of fun. They were celebrating their 25 year anniversary also, so the festivities were double. They had a slide show of pictures that showed how the company had grown over the years, along with a man that drew caricatures of everyone. David and I right before dinner...

Our Caricature!

On Monday the 8th, David and I went down to the Christmas tree lot to pick out a tree. David was making fun of me because I took pictures of this event, however, many other people had cameras, and were taking pictures also.

The weather in California is getting VERY chilly...as you can see!!!

We found the perfect tree!!!

My buff husband carrying the tree to the car! :)

:( The End of a Touching Chapter...

Friday was the last day of my student teaching. While most would be relieved, I find myself extremely saddened by the situation. I had one of the most memorable experiences. I feel so fortunate to have been apart of the Linda Vista staff, even if it was for a mere 8 weeks.

When I finished my student teaching last semester, I was nervous because I wasn't sure if teaching is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Of course, since I had spent almost 5 years of my life working toward this goal, I wasn't about to turn back, but I honestly had lost the passion I had once felt.

After my time at Linda Vista, I have no doubt that teaching is my calling AND, more importantly, what I want to do. So, thank you to an AMAZING school, staff, students and master teacher... You have all made me remember why I have worked so hard to get where I am now...

I went ahead and posted some pictures of my last week at Linda Vista. You'll be able to see just why I loved it so much.

These kids are AWESOME! Can you see why I had so much fun!

My partner in crime, Lauren. By the end of our student teaching, we were finishing each others sentences... I'll miss you Miss Harter...

Reading groups with Mrs. Ostapeck. This was my last day, and a difficult one, at that.

Working hard...OR hardly working? It just depended on if there was anything good to talk about! Haha...Noooo...we worked hard!

Me, and the woman that put up with all of my crap...Sure gonna miss you all too...

Celine Dion!

I took my mom to see Celine Dion last weekend. I had purchased the tickets awhile ago, so we were excited that we finally got to use them.

The show, of course, was amazing! We had a lot of fun. Just thought I would post about it!

Thanksgiving!

So, I know I posted about what I am thankful for, but I didn't post about our Thanksgiving or any pictures from then.

For Thanksgiving we headed to David's parents house. We were accompanied by my parents, his grandma, Uncle Grant, cousin Maren, and her kids Ruby and Cruz (and of course since we were at David's parents house, they were there too).

Unfortunately, I didn't remember to take very many pictures. Usually when there are kids around I only get pictures of them. So, needless to say, I have a lot of pictures of Ruby and Cruz, and almost none of the adults. Sorry...I promise to do better at Christmas.

Ruby and her pumpkin pie!

Cruz being attacked and licked by Mady!

David's grandma Ostapeck

Father/Daughter...this is where I get all of my good looks :)

Brea Improv with Friends

Wednesday night, before we left home for the Thanksgiving break, a bunch of us from Linda Vista (the school I am student teaching at) went out to a comedy show.

David and I got free tickets and so I decided to ask some people from school to go.

David and I thought that the show would suck, since the tickets were free, but we were pleasantly surprised. It ended up being HILARIOUS!!! David was really excited because they had a surprise guest...Gabriel Iglesias! He is a VERY well known and popular comedian who just recently came back from Iraq, where he did shows for our troops.

I didn't think he was the best of the comedians that night, but he made David laugh so hard he cried, and so I had fun watching him...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE laughing!!!

The three ladies who got me through the last 8 weeks of my life... 3/5 Student teachers from Linda Vista

Susie and Lauren...

Me and the MASTER teacher, Linda

David and I...before he laughed so hard he cried... :)

...Oobleck...

Heard of Oobleck? Naw, you probably haven't... If I could describe it in 3 words I would use: messy, fun and messy. Yes, I am aware I used "messy" twice, but that is because it ended up being twice the mess I planned on. So, here's my story...

In our science books, they have a fun extension lesson called Oobleck. So, Lauren, (the other fifth grade student teacher) myself, and our master teachers, Linda and Susie decided to do it. Lauren and I prepared the lesson the night before and realized that it was going to be messy, but we still decided it would be fun.

You should have seen us. We got so dirty just trying it, and we are adults. I got in a fight with the corn starch, and, well...lets just say the corn starch won :)

Here are some pictures of our lesson. It went REALLY well. I usually don't enjoy being messy or enduring loud noise, but I decided to loosen up for the day and have fun with it...

Mrs. Ostapeck and Miss Harter take on Oobleck...Making Oobleck...Some of my students and I...boy, I'll miss them...Lauren and I trying to manage the mess... I got so lucky this semester...look at these wonderful students...

Working hard...AND learning...

THIS is Oobleck...Look how messy I was!!! I played it cool too...See...LEARNING CAN BE FUN!!!

Miss Harter in the middle of it all...

Trying to explain to them that the substance is going through a chemical change. You see, the lesson WAS educational too...This is what happens when two students teachers take on Oobleck....A BIG, FAT MESS!!!