Hello IRENE!

I love living near the beachhh..even if we do have visitors like Irene! It becomes stressful getting ready for the big event but all in all--it has it's moments where it's fun to watch in suspense on what will happen.  Last night we had one last dinner out with my family before we're stuck in side, staring at each other, and me continuing to ask question after question to Craig. Yes, I can ask lots of questions.  We discussed what we used to do when we were kids (yes, we grew up at the beach) and how we loved going out and exploring what happened afterwards--needless to say i'm 24 and I still can't wait to drive around and see what all happens!  

We've stocked up on food, snacks, and water. I have a few school things to do and card games to play!  I'll post pictures after Irene decides her visit is over and hopefully we'll make it through with no damage!  We're keeping our fingers crossed. 

Our preperations:

 No patio furnitureee.

All tied downnn.

My biggest worryyyyy.

I'll post tomorrow after Irene decides to leave us aloneeee!

PS. I think everyone should experience one good hurricane down here in Hampton Roadsss.

Picture Perfect

Geeez--I took forever to post again. I'm FIRED.  I tend to get busy with the crazy life that us Carlton's lead that when I come home it calls for a little rest and relaxation and it's hard for me to find time to try to entertain y'all--especially when the earth is quaking and all.   As for our update: it could be a long one so I'm going to try and keep it short and sweet....and by short and sweet I mean a picture perfect updateeee.

I enjoyed my last Friday with my two favorite ladies and nephew of course. Had a great lunch at Doumar's, Zoo Trip, and a took a Ride on the Tide with my BFF! 

 

Nags head this past weekend was definetely needed.   A nice "getaway" and a lot of rest and relaxation.  Beach, PuttPutt, Sweet Frogs, and Good Times!

 

 

Monday, Craig, took off work to spend my last day of summer with me. We took my nephew to Botanical Gardens to the "kids section" and rode the tram!  It was a great ending to the year!

I hope you enjoyed my snapshot updates!  Since then, I have been sitting in "eye-stabbing" boring Orientation classes for schools.  I can't complain but I would have much rather been lounging around the house--enjoying my last few days of summer! Oh well, I am super excited for the school year now!  I have my first official report day on Friday so we'll really be getting the new school year going then!

I'll keep you all updated on Craig and I's "Irene" adventures! We'll be batting down the hatches soooon and preparing for Irene!!! Happy Hurricaning Everyone!

Exhausted: Enough Said

The Carlton's have been extremely busy!  I kept saying I was going to update my blog and well--something seemed to always get in the way.  The last week or so I have traveled to Richmond with good friends, traveled to Lake Gaston with the husband, worked on my classroom, and babysat.   Needless to say--there's been barely any other time to breathe or sleep.  I wake up every morning dragging so I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation this weekend.

Road Trip: Last Wednesday, Rachel, Kristin, and I headed out to Richmond to visit my little sister in my sorority--Caitlin!  Fun isn't the word to describe our trip! It was a BLAST!  It was so nice to frolic around her new house, love on Kodi (her new puppy), and just catch up on life!  We shopped, got Sweet Frog, and had the infamous Chicken Tacos.  It was a needed trip and a great time with such wonderful friends.

 

 Loooving our original tart Sweet Frog!

 BFF.

As Kristin said....then we went to prom.

 ..and I loooved Kodi!

After a great trip there I spent Saturday shopping with my BFF, Rachel, while Craig played a round of golf with one of his racing buddies.  We ventured all around town finished by a date at Chili's.  That evening we went to dinner with his parents and friends to celebrate Craig's father's 60th birthday! It was a great time.  We then left LATE to head to Lake Gaston!  We had a great time at the lake visiting my grandparents!

 

Feeding the fishhh.

 

Love my nepheww!

We came home Sunday evening and well..it was time for the work week (well, for Craig).  My mom took off Monday and helped me decorate my classroom--needless to say I didnt realize how much bulletin board space I had.  We got a lot done and I only have a few more things to do before I feel "good" about starting the school year!!! It was a super successful day in Room 10! Here are a few pictures of my room so far (it's not completed).

Room 10

 Soon to be "Reader's Reef"

 

 

I looove my helpers chart--Thanks to my sisterrr!

 

 My Desk

Needless to say--The Carlton's are exhausted (I know I am).  I am looking forward to the beginning of the school year and my new "home." I will be happy to have it all complete--Stay tuned for more classroom updates and pictures. Craig and I are off to Nags Head this weekend for some rest and relaxation (hopefully).  We hope you all enjoy the rest of your week! 

Happy Wednesday!

Bring On The Good Times

Good times were had by the two of us this past weekend!  We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives!  The weekend started early--well, we started celebrating the weekend early with a little Kenny Chesney!  We went to the Kenny Chesney concert on Thursday night and we had such a wonderful time.  He sure does put on a wonderful concert!  We were able to go with our good friends Rachel and Kristin!  We're really looking forward to Jason Aldean in just a month or so!

 Love.

 Kenny Time!

As for Friday, I watched my nephew and Craig worked.  We ended our night with a relaxing night watching the Benz Twins and our ring bearer Owen!  It's so amazing to see how fast they are growing!! We ate pizza, played with castles, and watched a movie--couldn't have been better!

 The twins are getting soooo big!

It's castle time.

Saturday was full of TAX FREE shopping for school supplies!  Yes, I made a poor young man ring up over 75 folders--you can never have enough..especially when they're only 15 cents!  I decided to be create and create new artwork for my kitchen--not sure how it really looks but I'll blog pictures about that soon.  We finally got to go meet ISRAEL GRACE!  Craig's best friend, Josh and his wife Jessica, just had a very precious little girl!  We were so excited to go meet her and really enjoyed her so much!

As for today--what a BLAST!  My sister found a book about "Cake Pops." Soooo--we decided to take on the task.  Needless to say, it was a lot of fun and we had a lot of fun making them! They turned out wonderfully and surely were "Heaven on a Stick!" 

The finished product!

This week I have meetings with my new Kindergarten team and hopefully finishing setting up my furniture in my classroom.  I am very excited to be traveling to Richmond to see my little sister, Caitlin, and her brand new puppy with Rachel and Kristin!!  Keep checking back for updates on our wonderful road trip to Richmond!

Did someone say run?

Well, We caved in and signed up to run in the Wicked 10k.  I must say at times I think we're crazy but I know when we cross the finish line after those six miles I am going to feel like a champion.  I've been staying consistent with the gym and really watching what I eat and drink--guess we'll see how this all works out! So far--I'm loving OneLife. I've signed up now so I guess my new goal is to figure out what costume I am going to wear for this run!  Needless to say I'm excited but a bit nervous.  I know I can do it because in the end I will receive a T-Shirt (who doesn't need a good t-shirt) and a Medal (it may take me 10 hours but...I'll have a medal)!!!

I guess I'll be among those people in Octoberr!!

Someone else has been running around this week: MY NEPHEW!  I have been watching him this week since his dad has went back to work in Africa and oh my--he is running. Probably faster than me at times.  He's a blast to have but I'm getting a workout just chasing him around the couch.  He is sure a blessing though and I enjoy the chasing--even if he continues to win!

My precious nephew, Brayden.

Yes, we dance to singing workbenches!

I hope to work on my classroom today and get some tables where they belong and bookshelves where they should be but the floors have to be done first--I'm keeping my fingers crossed!  I'll update letter on the rest of my week--I'm hoping for the Kenny Chesney concert tomorrow nighttt! Happy Wednesday!