an excuse to buy more...

I went to the Brandi Carlile concert a couple days ago with Beth. It was such a good time. Brandi puts on an amazing concert, so much energy through the whole thing. Her opening act was very good. Her name is Katie Herzig and I think I may be a little bit in love with her. Her voice was awesome, and her songs were really good. I spent a good chunk of time listening to her stuff on youtube when I got home.

I'm going to have to take at least a little bit of a break from playing games on my DS and compy. They may be a lot of fun, but right now I need to work on some crochet projects. On top of that, my friend Brandi told me about the Ravelympics which is pretty much a challenge to concentrate on a project during the Winter Olympics and finish it during that time. I'm trying to decide on what I want to work on. I really want to make this dress in a much shorter version (think long, tunic-style, tank top), without the beads, and in a darker color (probably grey), but I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that yet. I know whatever I do, I want to make it a knitting project because that is going to be the biggest challenge. Anyhow, I'm on a pattern hunt. We will see what I come up with. I will probably put project updates on my other blog, but I haven't decided for sure yet.

Okay, it's time for me to go get to work. I need to get started on an ele and a giraffe for a friend's 3 year old!

what happens in vegas: part 2... (aka: Lola and Tina finish their trip)

After our first night out on the town, we decided to get up and spend the day in the pool. We put on a good deal of sunscreen and jumped into the pool hoping that our VERY white skin did not burn. (I'm happy to say that, for the most part, it didn't.) I know you are probably extremely jealous of us relaxing in such amazingly warm water in perfect weather, but don't be. It was freaking HOT! The water felt great, but the sun was intense. We had to do our swimming/sunbathing in shifts while reapplying sunscreen in between. I mean, yes, it was still heavenly, but I'm trying to lessen the blow of how great it was just a bit.

After we got out of the pool, we spent more time taking pictures... mostly because that is what we do. If you put Lola and I in a room together, we will eventually start clicking away on one of our cameras.

That evening, Heidi made an amazing stir fry. After dinner and a lot of re-hydration, we were taken to the mega church that Heidi's dad and step-mom go to. It was huge and uncomfortable to me. I can appreciate what they are doing, but I don't think it is a place that I could ever find a home. It felt commercial and foreign and made me want the tiny little church where I grew up.

After a healthy dose of church, we hit the strip. (You know, maybe that was the plan all along! Maybe they were trying to keep us on the straight and narrow by giving us church guilt before we went out to party.) Anyhow, we made a quick stop at the Las Vegas sign to get a couple of pictures and then headed down Las Vegas Blvd. toward the Venetian where we were going to start our evening. It took us getting out of the elevator and walking down a hall before a drunken guy started yelling at us to come do jello shots with him. We kept walking. The minute we left the first hotel, we were asked by a couple more guys where we were going to party. We kept walking. Seriously, neither of us are very good at that sort of thing. Talking to strange drunk guys, that is. But we still had fun... and took more pictures.

Toward the end of our very long, super fun, sweltering, but amazing evening we ended up at New York, New York and found Coyote Ugly. We, of course, had to go. They were doing free shots for ladies who would dance on the bar. You would never catch me dead doing such a thing, but there was a bachelorette party that jumped up and seemed to have a great time. We needed a picture of us at such a landmark, and so we took one.

The night was long, and we were out late, and we had to get up for a REALLY early flight. After the first leg of our trip, we had a layover in Salt Lake. The airport was boring and we were cranky and tired, so we took naps. After we woke up, we complained a bit about how long our layover was on Twitter and Facebook, and then we eventually got to board. The flight between Salt Lake City and Boise is ridiculously short and somehow we were even way ahead of schedule. It made for a nice last leg of our trip.

what happens in vegas... (aka: Lola and Tina take a trip)

Lola and I got into Las Vegas yesterday evening. We had been bored on a plane for hours, and were starving, so our first stop was In-N-Out. It was yummy.


After we got done eating, we drove to Heidi's dad's house and got settled in. Then we decided it was time for a late night swim... it was pretty much fantastic. After we got out of the pool/spa, we had some "ice cream" and then it was bed time.


Today we got up late and lounged around the pool.


After we finally got ready, we went to Starbucks for some much needed caffeine, and then we were off to the mall (but really just H&M). Most people blow all their money gambling on the strip, but our money never made it there...


After we got done shopping, we went back to the house to change and get ready for the Bellagio and O. Both of these things, I was very excited for. The Bellagio has been beckoning to me for quite some time, and I was pretty eager to finally go meet it and let it know how much I had been wanting to get acquainted. It was definitely worth the wait.

Inside, O was amazing. We had terrific seats! Literally, there are not words that could describe just how great it was. The theater was breathtaking and the show had me completely enraptured throughout.


Outside, the strip was humming. I love how cities can be so alive! The fountain show was exactly how I had imagined it, complete with the perfect song.



Tomorrow we are heading back down to the strip to do some more exploring... That is, after we get up late, spend some time in the pool, and get ourselves ready.

my week...

Pictures taken.
Laughed at the M.
Andrea LAN party raid.
Comic up.
Friends are great.
Picked up kids.
Perfect evening.
Comic up.
Unexpected comfort.
Friend in town.
Drop off kids and Josh.
Wonderful birthday party for friends.
More vodka than expected in drink.
True Blood.
Slept on couch.
Perfect dreams.
Swimming pool.
Burgers.
Failed nap.
Played with clay.
Wrote a blog.
Harry Potter tomorrow.

boys...

...gross...

end scene.

some friendly friend type promotions...

My friend Sarah is super talented at making things that I cannot. (Especially uber adorable baby clothes!) She has a new blog about the things she makes...
http://likestomakethings.blogspot.com
Just thought I would promote it a bit for her. :) Hope you all enjoy it!

On the subject of promoting my talented friends... This is a link to my friend Krista's online shop. She is also uber amazing when it comes to making adorable baby clothes and such.
http://hyenacart.com/thefancypansy

Oh! And another quick plug for Heidi and her amazing photography: http://www.heidijahnphotography.blogspot.com

my roomie Adri had a wedding...

It was fun... I am now very tired... Here are a couple pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Junior Year

This Year

some might call it poetry... maybe...

I've been writing a lot of other stuff lately on my other stuff blog. I would like to invite you to read it, but I also want to warn you that if you do read it you should not try to apply it to my life or read anything into it. I love to write and it just comes out however it does... That being said, here is the link.

We have been so busy lately and I feel like I haven't had time for breathing. However, I must be breathing regularly because I have not caught myself passing out in random places.

This weekend one of my roommates from college is getting married. I am so excited to drive over and see it! I'm so happy for her.

I am determined to figure out a time to do pictures with Heidi. We both have ideas we want to try. IT WILL HAPPEN! And speaking of Heidi... she has a new photoblog! I, personally, love looking at her pictures. She took my wedding pictures and now she takes all of our family and kid pictures. Anyhow, she just started it and I hope you enjoy the pictures she has up.

this picture is specifically for Brandi...

Group guildie picture from Auj's wedding.

memories and good times...

Last night Josh and I went to see Twilight with our friends Nathan and Lisa. We had so much fun! I think we all enjoyed it. I know I did. I was really expecting to hate it from the way everyone was talking, but I think for the budget they had they did a really good job. Although, the guy that played Edward was much more attractive in Harry Potter.

Today Josh and I decorated for Christmas. It was so great to put up decorations... Last year we didn't do any decorating because we went to Rhode Island to see Reid and Jessica for a couple of weeks. It was so much fun to get out of Idaho and spend the holiday with good friends. I was thinking today about last Christmas and getting to do so many new and exciting things. It was fun to experience the unfamiliar, but I am excited to spend this Christmas in my own home with my wonderful family.

I was also thinking further back to another Christmas. Junior year to be exact. My junior year my wonderful roommates and I got into a bit of a decorating war with Josh and his roommates. The boys ended up winning, but the truth is we were robbed. We girls really deserved it, but the boys were a novelty act and so they got the grand prize. Today I put up a wreath in my living room that we made for our room back then. We made these pretty sweet ornaments for it out of canning jar lids and pictures out of the Boise weekly. I put them up too. It was so much fun watching Jenna look at the pictures and help me put them on the wreath. It was so much fun to bring the memories of my roommates in college together with new memories of getting ready for Christmas with my daughter.

Tonight I had a Pampered Chef party. My friend Christine is a consultant, and she does a wonderful job! It was fun to get to see friends, old and newer, and get to relax and have a good time for an evening. My friend Annie that I've known since way back in the day when I was just a little booger and living in McCall was here with her husband and daughter. I had not ever met either Frank or Dawn and it was really cool to be able to get to know them a little bit. Frank is an amazingly nice guy, and Dawn is such a sweet little girl!

I'm really looking forward to the holidays this year. I love having all of the decorations up in the house and having all of the ambient lighting from the Christmas lights. It is homey and comforting. I've had a good weekend of old and new memories, and I'm really looking forward to making more as I'm sure I will in the next few weeks.

somewhere across the universe...

Tonight I'm watching Across the Universe with my sister and Josh. It makes me want to live in a musical. I want to have my life have a kick ass soundtrack. It would be amazing to have my day be narrated by the Beatles or any other such amazing band.

My week is looking like it is going to be a good one. Today Lisa came over and spent time with me. She helped me out folding clothes and playing with Cole too. Gracie helped out too. She kept Jenna occupied and happy which was amazing!

Wednesday I start work again at the church. Josh and I also start back working Sunday nights this week. Yay! Extra money on top of a REAL paycheck this month! We won't know what to do with ourselves. Being able to pay all of our bills AND buy groceries and gas! Woohoo!

Thursday I am starting a Bible study that I am super excited about. Lisa is doing it as well, so at least I will know someone there.

For now I'm looking forward to the week. I suppose we'll see how it unfolds. But I am blissfully optimistic at this point.

something funny... and a clarification...

So... Tonight at Jayna's wedding, one of Pete and Kerri's friends from College Church came up to Josh and I and said, "My husband said to me, 'Josh's wife is knocked up tighter than a drum!'" How funny is that? I have to admit that I've never heard that one before. It made me smile. :)

Now, to bring a little more clarity to my last blog...

I'm not uncomfortable (well, I am... but not unbearably so or any more than expected. In fact, I'm really much less uncomfortable than I expected.), and I'm not unexcited about the coming of the next baby. I really don't even mind the contractions themselves. I guess what is more the problem is that I am scared of actually giving birth again. Having Jenna was hell. The labor wasn't terrible, but the aftermath was literally the worst experience of my life. The pain was excruciating, and I still have nightmares about trying to get up and move around after all the stitches. I really don't want what happened to happen again. However, I am also terrified of the alternative. C-sections scare the poo out of me. I've been doing a lot of reading about them because I know that it is a very real possibility. What I read isn't pretty. There can be so many bad side affects for mom and baby... I don't know. Major surgery just isn't that appealing. I'm just really getting scared of both options, and I'm trying to remember why I thought it would be a good idea to have another baby...

once there was a pumpkin... he had his guts ripped out and his flesh carved...

Happy Halloween! Yesterday... as of 25 minutes ago.

It was a really a good night.

Jenna is the greatest kid ever.

She played tonight with her candy and toys... And she had the biggest smile on her face the whole time.

I have to say that everyone was so fun to visit tonight! Thanks to all of you for helping us make such amazing memories. Andrea, you are amazing! (I love the rest of you too!)

Tonight I was a vampire... I wanted to bite Josh, but he wouldn't let me. In fact, I don't think I bit anyone. I'm a boring vampire.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

So, even though it looks like fall outside, tonight it smelled like winter. Aiding this was the fact that Josh and I bought plane tickets to go see Reid and Jess over Christmas break. I am so excited to see the east coast again! I've never been there in the winter and so I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I'm sure it will be fantastic. I've never been in the Rhode Island area, and have never seen Boston so I'm sure there will be a lot to do and see. Not to mention the fact that it will be good to just sit and talk with Reid and Jess again. I suppose the only problem with this is that now I can't wait for Christmas break... ugh... homework now...

the boys in my living room...

Tibbs is sitting next to me on the couch playing with legos...
Gordon is laying on my floor getting licked by Charlie...
Rhett and Josh are sitting in the chairs across the room from me playing on their computers...

I like this. I like that my friends are sitting here with me (even though Gordon appears to be drifting off into dream land). Right now, the boys in my living room are making me smile (even though Rhett just patted me on the head and said "goodbye Princess" and took Gordon out the door with him).

Tibbsy just gave me a red triangley lego structure that depicts his feelings of me... I think I red triangle structure him too...

Good night Neverland! see you tomorrow...

a small reminder to breathe...

Today I got news that a friend of mine was hurt in Iraq. I took a breath and tried not to show too much emotion. Sitting at the table afterwards and trying to find out more information I thanked God for my family. I thanked him for my husband that was sitting right next to me whole and alive, and for my daughter eating her bottle and dosing right beside us. Look at those that you love tonight (if you can't look at them think about them) and be blessed by their presence. Then, remember to say a prayer for all of the men and women serving in our armed forces and for their families... and say an extra prayer for Jake...

my friend...

My friend Gordon is coming home from war. I'll never be able to express how much my heart has hurt for him while he was gone. It's weird growing up and having real life happen. Real life means that one of my dearest friends was in danger and that I could do nothing for him. It will be nice to have him close again, it's been forever since I've been able to have a coffee "date" with him or play cards. It's important to remember that as he comes back many more are leaving. In order for him to come home, he had to be relieved by other soldiers that had to say goodbye to their families. Please keep all of the soldiers in your prayers... both those who are coming home, and those who are just heading over. It will be a big adjustment for both.