Where, oh where has the fall gone?

Is it really almost November? I can hardly believe it! Time sure flies when you're trying to teach an extra class, do masters degree work, and have some sort of life at the same time =). Here's the highlights of what we Halvorsens have been up to:

In Sept. we took a fun little weekend trip to Boise, ID for Justin's friend, Nate's, wedding. Boise is really beautiful and is a fun little town. We tried out a couple of restaurants suggested by the bride and groom and enjoyed some great sushi that was super cheap (the perfect combo in our minds!). We had a great time and it was good to get away from everything, even if it was only a couple of days!

In Sept., I also added mice to my classroom. They have been quite an adventure, and are part of a project for my grad school class. I'm much more used to them now, and will even admit they are pretty cute...but they do take a LOT of work and kind of smell. I much prefer my dogs! =)

This month Justin has been focusing on building us a garden. Since our soil down here, well, stinks, he is working on building it up. He's what you might call a *slight* perfectionist, so he is taking his time, but by next spring we should have some great veggies growing =).

Most recently, we celebrated our adorable niece McKayla's 4th birthday (HOW is she FOUR already???). We played some on her new swing set, opened presents (just before opening, she asked me..."So, did YOU bring me some new toys???"), enjoyed some yummy food, and then had fun playing with all the new toys. She is really into G.I. Joe and Batman right now, but also likes Strawberry Shortcake. So, it was funny to see her play with all those new toys together. I'm pretty sure one of the G.I. Joe dudes kidnapped Strawberry Shortcake or something like that. It was pretty cute, especially seeing Uncle Justin join in on the role playing. We also enjoyed the time with Hailey and Abigail. Abigail finally has some hair, and Hailey is still working on it. They are just plain adorable, and they both seem to at least be comfortable with Justin and I now, even if they aren't sure yet exactly who we are =).

Upcoming events for us include a fun and much deserved work/vacation trip to Denver! I will be presenting at session at the National Biology Teachers Association professional development conference. I'm SO not ready, but I guess in two weeks I will be =). After I present and attend some other sessions, we will be taking a couple of days to spend with Justin's "Colorado" friends. We can't wait to see them and reconnect with them! We were lucky to see Michael and Jennifer a couple of years ago, but we haven't seen Andy, Julie, Joel or Angie since our wedding, which was almost four years ago! It should be a really great time, and I am seriously hoping for some snow...as long as the snow doesn't impede our travel too much =). After that it will soon be time for Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities. It really does seem that every year goes faster than the one before. Yikes!

Here are some pictures from this fall...for those wonderful friends (like Amy) who can't see them on Facebook =). Take care all!


The dogs, cuddling up as the weather is getting cooler


McKayla, starting to rip into packages =)


Swinging before the party gets started...only Aunt Michelle was allowed to push...Uncle Justin was actually instructed to "step away and stop pushing" =)


Hailey...don't you love her little "beer belly" gut...and she is getting so tall--still no hair though!


Abigail...tall as well...but she has started to get some hair =)!


Justin and I outside waiting for Nate and Liz's wedding to begin