17th Annual Dirnberger Reunion

It has been a tradition for the past 17 years to spend Labor Day with the Dirnberger side of the family. The Sunday of Labor Day weekend is filled with traditions such as eating chicken and dumplings (and liver dumplings this year!), churning homemade ice cream, making visits to grandma, playing ball in the fields, and just being in each others company, all 89 of us!

This year we had our reunion at Aunt Germaine and Uncle Peck's home in Cape Girardeau, MO. Here's a glance of the day...

Dad, Francine and I visited Grandma "Fix It" Dirnberger

Baseball in the field...for all generations!

The devout spectators!


Homemade Ice Cream!

Tradition has it that in order to eat ice cream, you must churn! Look who's in line :)

But eventually, the big kids have to step in!

Tracker Rides

The Dining "Hall"

Looking forward to the 18th Annual!

First Day of School!

Well today was the first day of School! I can't believe it! Summer has appeared to have given me the opportunity to rejuvenate for the new academic year. This year I have taken some major steps forward. For one, I have my first year behind me. Secondly, I have my own room and do not have to travel. Though I didn't mind going from class to class, I think I will have more control by being organized and staying in one place! Thirdly, I have some great classes. I am teaching primarily sophomores this year; last year I taught primarily freshmen. Freshmen are great, but not when you are a "freshman" yourself!

This is an awarding job, though days I can forget that. Today I was greeted by two students. One gave me a gift from her travels abroad and the other, who never spoke a word in my class, came in bubbly and just wanted to say hello. Though these affirmations are not necessary, it definitely grants me the energy to try to influence young minds.

Here's a glance of my classroom....

And here is me, after the first day of school! A bit tired, but ready to go for the year!

Sorry Mom! I forgot to take the official first day of school pic, you know, the one in the morning where I would look more energized!!!

Cheers to a new academic year!

Levy Run

Some of my friends and I, Anne Marie, Jean, and Kasia, decided to run a race in Lawrence on the levy! It was a cool morning with overcast skies. Just after we finished the race, the rain came down and cooled us! Here are a few of the event pics.