Airplanes, Solo-Teaching, and What-not

Hello family!
So...the last time I posted was seven weeks ago when I first began my student-teaching. The time has gone by fast! I have just finished my solo-week of teaching. I am very happy to have it over with.
A few weeks ago Zach and I went on a trip with our friends Ken and Charles to Metropolis, IL. Charles flew us in his small plane (thank you Toyota!)and we landed across the river from Metropolis, in Paducah, Ky. They are really great/fun people and we had a wonderful time with them. Although, flying in a small plane was very scary! But, I can now say I am over my fear of flying! hoo ray!

Jet Setters! - Our pilot, Charles, in the background

This is where the Ohio River and the Mississippi River meet...we saw this from the air...look how high we are! scary!
Hope everyone is well!
Love you guys!
-jess

I am pooped

Hi family,
I am exhausted from work, but thought I would send along a pictures of interest for Friday.

Alverno's world music festival was fun last weekend.

Went to a talk at the Art Museum last night and in the intense fog found Spiderman outside.

these are part of our new copper gutters that are not keep in the water - frustrating! - they'll be back next week to fix it, but WOW they look great!

J

PugPuggy & Micky Mouse Pancakes

Hello everyone!

Here are some pictures of my dog, PugPuggy. This is PugPuggy in her car-seat:


The car seat was a gift from Megan's mom. She loves to sit in it, even when it is not in the car. It is her throne.

Here is PugPuggy playing with one of her favorite toys... an old orange juice bottle. She will chase it around for hours, trying to jump on top of it. Finally, she wrestles it down and begins to chew on it:



Finally, here is something I did on accident.

... Micky Mouse pancakes. I think my subconcious is telling me I need to go to Disneyland.

Love you all!

Ben

3 Years Ago Today

... you were all in Austin, watching Megan & I get married!

Who remembers Mario Van Peebles by the pool?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005522/maindetails

How about Trey Anastacio at the hotel lobby with no shoes on?
www.trey.com

Yes, it was three years ago that Megan & I stood in front of our friends & family, telling everyone that we were going to spend our lives together.

Since we have been married, we have

• moved twice
• bought a house
• adopted a pug
• more importantly, house-broke a pug
• traveled to Asia
• visited Egypt
• toured Europe
• honeymooned in the Caribbean
• switched jobs (once for Megan, once for Ben)
• been on TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shoCsefHsBs)
  
• gave a ride to Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd & Martin Starr after a night of karaoke
• met Greg Brady
• performed various shows around Austin
• passed 2 certification exams
• started a business (hooray Megan!)
• completed a short film (hooray Ben!)
  

Holy cr@p! We have been busy! I think I am going to take a weekend off. :)

I know I am forgetting some really big stuff on this list, too.

To celebrate our marriage, I am taking my wife to dinner tonight. Plus, I bought her some flowers. Here is a picture:


Here is a side-view:



Here is a picture of us on our 3rd wedding anniversary:


I love my wife. I am glad I married her. I am glad she loves me.

Eric's Wedding - I CAN NOT BELIEVE I HAVE NO PICTURES!

I am a failure.

Megan & I took our digital camera to St. Louis. We took it to Eric's wedding. Megan had it in her purse. I was planning on taking pictures of all kinds of things. I wanted to take pictures of:

• Eric in his tux
• Eric's awesome wedding cake with the groom in camouflage
• grandpa dancing
• Clare's baby
• David's newest baby
• the beautiful church where they had their wedding
• mom, dad, grandpa, Megan & I at the winery in Herman
• grandpa's neighbor's dog named River
• etc
• etc

... but I took NO pictures. Can you believe that? I can't either.

I was too busy having fun & talking. I was preoccupied with running the camera for Eric. I had a blast, but I took no pictures to prove it. You will just have to take my word.

Megan comes home tonight. Her flight is delayed because of bad weather in Dallas. She does not get in until 1 AM. Yikes!

Love you all!

Merry Christmas! (... in September)

So it is a little early. But here is a picture of Megan & I sitting on Santa's lap. In case you do not recognize Santa, he is Owen Egerton, who sang Megan & I's first dance song, "I Will Stay With You" by Emily Kaitz and Ray Wiley Hubbard. Owen & his wife, Jodi, sang our first dance song. It was brilliant. They did such a good job.



Merry Christmas, in September!

Jess & Zach Visit Milwaukee

A few pics from Jess and Zach's weekend visit...

We spent a silly amount of time watching movies - both on YouTube and who will ever forget Rose Parker's 75th birthday?

We visited some of our favorite haunts including Original Pancake House, Angelo's, and Organ Piper Pizza.

I sat next to this rather inappropriate poster at Organ Piper Pizza - Marilyn is in the middle of a crowd of children and families - yikes.

We did lots of vintage shopping for Cher.Bom, and Andy joined us for Maxwell Street Days where I captured this little vingette.

Then we BBQed with Mr & Mrs Scooter - Jess became obsessed with taking pictures of the meat tray and I tried to play the happy hostess.

Good times had by all. Wish everyone were here! Happy Labor Day !