Portraits

Robyn and I decided that it had been way to long since we had taken pictures (our fault of course!). So we decided to surprise our parents with updated portraits. Here's a sample. My favorite is the next one! The resolution may not be too good...I will update that when I have the originals.

Anne Marie's Birthday!

Monday, September 8th, marks the day of my roommates birthday!

In order to celebrate and to recreate a memory of the past, some of our friends and I decided to surprise Anne Marie with a morning wake up call. This wake up call occurred at 5:20 am and was no ordinary alarm. We came in dancing to Billy Jean by MJ! Following our dance party, we had breakfast and then sent Anne Marie on her way to school! Thanks for collaborating ladies!

Anne Marie, Michelle, Katie, and me

Michelle's Mad Skill

Anne Marie, Michelle, Sarah, and me

Happy Birthday!

Adrienne and Steve's Wedding

Congrats Adrienne and Steve! May God Bless your marriage!

After being home for Labor Day weekend, I traveled back to St. Louis for my high school friend's wedding. I love when my friends get married because we have a mini reunion everytime! Adrienne and Steve had a beautiful ceremony and reception at Queeny Park!

The gang!

Roderic and Jessica

Lauren #1 and Lauren #2

Kelly, me, and Rachel

Jessica, Kelly, and me

our attempt to dance or maybe the camera just doesn't capture the action

Nathan and Kelly doing the MC Hammer Shuffle

Don't ask! I think I am trying to do the MC Hammer

Michael's KHS CC Debut

The weekend after Labor Day, I made a second trip home to St. Louis to attend my friends Adrienne and Steve's wedding. Since the wedding was not until early evening, I took a road trip with my aunt Jeannie to Jackson, MO to watch my cousin Michael run his first CC race. It was so much fun and it reminded me what a great sport CC is and how blessed I continue to be with the values and friends I gained from participating in this sport.

Since this was the first meet of the year, this meet had grade level races rather than freshman, junior varsity, and varsity races. Michael along with his freshman teammates ran in the freshman race. We were able to watch the start, see them around the one mile marker and then at the finish. When the runners came by us at the one mile marker the only one to be seen was Michael, with another runner a little behind him! Wow! We were so excited. The next time we were going to see Michael was at the finish! Here he came around the tree in first place. The second place runner started gaining distance on him, but Michael held off and won the race! No matter if he won or not, it was my pleasure to experience his first meet with him and to see my old coaches!

Here are a few pics and video clips. I tried to put a small video together, but my program was not cooperating!

The Start...

Michael taking the lead...

The proud mom!

What a stud...

The Finish

Congratulations Michael!

Yeah KHS CC!!! Good luck this season Michael!!!!

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.