better late than never...

so, i was a little late getting on the "I'm thankful for..." boat at Thanksgiving. probably because i was squandering  in my most recent Lala Land that i call the 

"whatamidoinghere schoolisofthedevil" masters program. 

this semester has been by far the most challenging/frustrating/rewarding/you-insert-adjective-here semester. but, folks, I survived! and life is about to go on! i'm off to NYC for a much needed vacation tomorrow! thank you, me! (you are welcome!) 

as I've been coming out of my fall semester trance, i have really begun thinking about all of the things that i'm thankful for. mostly, that includes the people who keep pulling me through and cheering me on through life. regardless of the challenges that are just part of living, life is SO worth every struggle, every frustration, and every heartache. and all because of the people who bless my life...

Here's a list of things i'm grateful for...

1. caffeinated beverages... with or without vanilla

2. fun trips, and FUN people

3. the people at Oakridge - mostly this amazing woman!

okay, and... 

4. my CUTE students who, regardless of the hair

that i've pulled out of my head and the sleep that i've lost, i adore! 

(i'd post pictures of them, but i think that's highly illegal, and i'm grateful for my freedom!)

5. one of the best friends in the world!

6. friends who i can ALWAYS be myself with

7. Brinley Jayne...

8. my health... and my running addiction (who would have ever thought)

9. the most AMAZING mother in the whole world

10. this boy who makes me laugh - especially when i don't feel like it

11. my favorite person in the world!

and most importantly...

12. the 9 most incredible people i know!

(that includes elder bro)

these people are the soul purpose for my life.

I love you guys!!

happy holidays, all ya'll!

happy holidays...

... from the CRACROFT CREW!!

the big 2-3...

... happy birthday, sarah beth...

november 11, 2009

i hope you have the best year yet! 

thanks for being such a wonderful friend...

i don't mean to brag...

...but I have the best family in the world!

In the world of the Cracroft Family, we have recently been issued some sad news...

the Mini Cracroft's are relocating to Richmond, Virginia!

My studly brother Justin was hunted down by SunTrust bank and offered a wonderful job with them. The only stipulation was that he would have to move the whole fam with him to Richmond. And yes, I've already offered to adopt his children - regretfully, he declined my offer. I am so happy for this little family, but will miss them more than I could ever explain. His kids have grown to be like children of my own. I think that I can proudly say that my best friend is a 4-year old named Caitlin!

The good news is that cute Amanda will be so close to her family and her roots - and after 7 years of living "away from home" she gets to be close to her family. Oh, AND - my mom and I now have a brand new vacation destination. Virginia Beach, here we come!

This one is for Elder Cray! We love you dude! 

Here's to one more year!

...best of luck, J&A!!

easy addition...

st. george + las vegas + bohemian rhapsody + freezing pools + football 

+ winning + truth or dare + back tickles + bumpin tunes 

+ youtube + bear paw 

+ awesome people 

= ONE ROCKIN' WEEKEND!

my greatest blessing...

Thank you for blessing my life in more ways than I could ever have asked for...

i love you, Kona Bear!

i love fishes cause they're so delicious...

i think one of my favorite snacks of all time are Pepperidge Farm Goldfish - any flavor really. normally anything cheddar flavored has me running to hurl in the closest toilet, but for some reason the taste of these delicious critters holds a special place in my heart. during my hour break today... i think i devoured an entire bag.

Yep! (whoops)

oh, and the sweatshirt and coat?

don't worry. it's only 32 degrees outside... 

and SNOWING!?

ewwww.

nothing's better...

...than a girl's best friend.

thanks for always being there, D!

just when I need you the most...

(twinkle twinkle baby. twinkle twinkle!)

them the people that i love..

you too, shanna banana!

...the "ladies i can be a man with"! 

I love you, girls!

"miss cracroft, miss cracroft..."

i'm not sure when i'll be used to being called miss cracroft,

but it has officially become official as this was the

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

i'm loving 2nd grade, and our class is adorable!

this week we had our students write us a letter so we could get to know them better. i LOVED this one...

           Dear Miss Cracroft,

                You are the coolest, most nicest student teacher ever. I wish Miss Cracroft was going to be my student teacher in 3rd grade. Miss Cracroft and Mrs. Buchman are my favorite teachers. My favorite teacher died, so you are my new favorite teachers.

                                                                                                   Sincerely, Xander

i'm not sure how i feel about my first mug gift. i think that ages me about 20 or 30 years.

...but i do LOVE gifts. :)

this was our getting-to-know-you activity this week... and i'm pretty sure every kid thinks it's "SO COOL" that i have an iPod. i love 8 year olds.

back to school!

"good. great. grand. GET ON THE BUS!"

welcome to the family...

... miss KONA!!

cousin Pepper!!

hahaha... and cousin Caitlin!

umm, she liked to hide under the car when she didn't know anyone... 

glad that phase is over already!

you're lookin at one nervous, but EXCITED new mother!!

here's to the next ten years!

bring on august...

alright, i'm sad that july came and went, BUT there's a lot about august that rocks too... august is the month when all of the fun festivals begin, the races are run, and, uhh, school begins?? (grrrr!) 

this weekend, jonny was a part of the Park City Arts Festival which is by far the most prestigious art festivals in Utah. we are SO proud of him for making it. on Sunday, the whole family went to party with him and show him our support. and we had a BLAST! 

poor Caitlin got woken up from the car drive, so she cuddled up in my arms while we were waiting for the shuttle... she is such a doll!

once we got on the bus, she started coming out of it...

(but notice her grouch face. ha.)

and then as soon as we saw the kids art area, she perked right up.

i wish i had a picture of this fountain - it was incredible! completely kid powered and the perfect way to stay cool on a 100 degree day.

oh hello!

and let's not forget cute will! totally afraid of the water fountain, but completely content just sitting and watching.

and his CUTE nans!

caitles got every single pink SNOWIE flavor, making it a bubblegum, cherry, strawberry-lime treat, and she was pretty proud of that tongue.

and the youngest addition to the nieces and nephews who is a total babe!!

oh, and of course, the entire reason we made the Sunday venture! Jonny did a great job this weekend, and i highly recommend you check out Jonathan Cracroft Photography!

WAY TO GO, JONNY!!!