Babies!!!

So I have realized that I have pregnant friends everywhere!

This past weekend we went to visit our dear friends the Dulings who have a beautiful mountain home in Garden Valley. I have known them almost my entire life (since I was at least 3 years old) and, in turn, I have known their kids their entire lives (their daughter is about 4 years younger than I am and I think their son is 8 years younger). Now their daughter, Kristi, is pregnant! She is about 5 months along and looks absolutely adorable! In this picture it is Bradley (the Dulings son), me, Kristi, and proud papa-to-be Jared.

So to the preggers list I am adding Corrie, Danielle, Dyoni, and Julie P. Not to mention all the friends who have recently had babies, such as Claudia, Mary, Tasha, and Domenica. Whew! There is a whole lotta loving out there these days! =)

Spain Reunion 2008!

What else can be said but "Viva"!!! As usual, when this group gets together, it is just too much fun that is over waaay too soon! Fun weekend, congratulations Dana and John and Corrie and Shaun! Miss you already!

Monterrey, weddings and babies

This past weekend we went to Monterrey to visit our friends, Anna and Kevin, who were celebrating their marriage. As it happens, they happen to live 1 block away from my cousin, Armando, his wife, Monica, and their baby, Armandito. So it was great to be able to visit with family as well as our good friends! Unfortunately we did not get to visit with all of our friends there, but there really is only so much time in a weekend! Here are some of the pics:

Welcome to Mr. Ashby's Classroom

As many of you know I have been working towards getting my teaching credential and Master's of Education. I have recently received my degrees! Thank you to all of my professors who helped guild me along the way.

So now that I have these cool degrees, what should I do with them? I have been looking for a teaching position for the past few months and nothing has opened up. I was under a dark cloud of considering yet another year working as a substitute teacher.

Until last Friday, I signed a contract to teach at a private Catholic school in Oroville, CA. Oroville is about a 30 minute drive from Chico, so I'll be able to commute to school. I'll be teaching a 7/8 grade combo class. There will be 6 eighth graders and about 12 seventh graders. Since the school is a very small school, I'll have to teach all the subjects in a self-contained class. So my work is cut out for me this next school year.

Bring it on!

Cheers,

DJ

Meet Scarlett

This is the newest little addition to our furry family! Her name is Scarlett and is a 9 month old, female, black and tan dapple dachshund. She is a complete sweetheart and loves kids, cats and other dogs, which means that she is a very happy little social dog! She also has one blue eye and one brown eye and I just love how unique her markings make her! She has become a complete mommy's girl and is also a very dainty little dog. Funny because she also loves to run around with the big dogs (because Dachshunds are really big dogs in small bodies, you know).

Fires in Chico

So many of you have already heard that there was a pretty big fire in Chico this past week. First of all, we are fine and completely on the other side of town. The air quality is not great, but we "townies" have not been worried about it spreading our way. The fire started on the East side of town that runs right into the foothills of the Sierras.

It started on Wednesday and I believe it could have been contained easily if it were not for some strong winds that day which truly made it spread like wildfire. The town further up the hill is called Paradise and they were also affected and on precautionary evacuation because the winds lasted 2 days and really put many homes in danger. I have a few friends that had to evacuate, fortunately none have lost their homes. At work we were to capacity as far as boarding animals because so many people had to evacuate and most of the hotels don't take pets. We are even boarding a guinea pig!

As of today, only 50% of the fire has been contained. The fire has burned 23,162 acres but has not burned any further acreage or homes since yesterday, according to CAL FIRE. It has taken 74 residences, 20 have been damaged, and eight outbuildings have been destroyed. There are 3,823 personnel fighting the fire from 68 fire crews with 520 engines, 53 water tenders, 47 bulldozers, four air tankers and four helicopters. This picture was taken near my work.

Good show!

So first Sunday matinee today, not a bad crowd at all! We had a near full house and they were a really responsive and loud audience, love it! Here are just a few pictures of the show to entice y'all to come see it! There are some on the blog here or you can click on the album below to see the full set!

Bye Bye Birdie