On the Road!!!

Well.... after an exciting night and not much sleep I am on the road and off to Utah for the week.

Let me explain.

My mom and I have been planning and preparing for weeks for the Stampin' Up convention in Utah and we are finally on the road. I don't know if we are totally ready but we are as ready as we are going to be! We took a break last night and had a girls night/boys night out as we celebrated our last night at home. The girls (me, mom, Sue (who is coming to Utah with us), and Cindy) went to see Toby Keith, and the boys (Dan and Brian) went to see Ultimate Fighting match. It was a lot of fun but got us home really late and I still hadn't packed!

But here we are today and on the road ready for our week of stamping, and scrapping and nothing but girlie fun (we hope!). I have left Dan at home and who knows what that will mean. Possibly a new work truck when I return? Maybe a new phone for him? I have no idea what else he might come up with..... Dangerous to leave him at home by himself but nonetheless that is where he is.. 

2oo things

I saw this on HER blog and thought it was a fun idea so here we go....

The items in BOLD I have done. The items in BOLD Dan has done. The items in BOLD we both had done. To play, copy and paste this into your blog and bold the items you have done.

1. Touched an iceberg.


2. Slept under the stars.


3. Been a part of a hockey fight.


4. Changed a baby's diaper.


5. Watched a meteor shower.


6. Given more than you can afford to a charity.


7. Swam with wild dolphins.


8. Climbed a mountain.


9. Held a tarantula.


10. Said "I love you" and meant it.


11. Bungee jumped.


12. Visited Paris.


13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.


14. Stayed up all night and watched the sun rise.


15. Seen the Northern Lights.


16. Gone to a huge sports game.


17. Walked the stairs to the Statue of Liberty.


18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables.


19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope.


20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment


21. Had a pillow fight.


22. Bet on a winning horse.


23. Taken a sick day when you were not ill.


24. Built a snow fort.


25. Held a lamb.


26. Gone skinny dipping.


27. Taken an ice cold bath.


28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar.


29. Seen a total eclipse.


30. Ridden a roller coaster.


31. Hit a home run.


32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking.


33. Adopted an accent for fun.


34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.


35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment.


36. Loved your job 90% of the time.


37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.


38. Watched wild whales.


39. Gone rock climbing.


40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach.


41. Gone sky diving.


42. Visited Ireland.


43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.


44. Visited India.


45. Bench pressed your own weight.


46. Milked a cow.


47. Alphabetized your personal files.


48. Ever worn a superhero costume.


49. Sung karaoke.


50. Lounged around in bed all day.


51. Gone scuba diving.


52. Kissed in the rain.


53. Played in the mud.


54. Gone to a drive in theater.


55. Done something you should regret but don't.


56. Visited the Great Wall of China.


57. Started a business.


58. Taken a martial arts class.


59. Been in a movie.


60. Gone without food for three days.


61. Made cookies from scratch.


62. Won first prize in a costume contest.


63. Got flowers for no reason.


64. Been in a combat zone.


65. Spoken more than one language fluently.


66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone.


67. Bounced a check.


68. Read -and understood- your credit report.


69. Recently bought and played with your favorite childhood toy.


70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did.


71. Called or written your Congress person.


72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over.


73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge.


74. Helped an animal give birth.


75. Been fired or laid off from a job.


76. Won money.


77. Broken a bone.


78. Ridden a motorcycle.


79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph.


80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.


81. Slept through an entire flight; Take-off, flight, landing.


82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than two days.


83. Eaten sushi.


84. Had your picture in the newspaper.


85. Read the Bible cover to cover.


86. Changed someones mind about something you care deeply about.


87. Gotten someone fired for their actions.


88. Gone back to school.


89. Changed your name.


90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands.


91. Eaten fried green tomatoes.


92. Read the Iliad.


93. Taught yourself an art from scratch.


94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.


95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt.


96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common language.


97. Been elected to public office.


98. Thought to yourself that you are living your dream.


99. Had to put someone you love into Hospice care.


100. Sold your own artwork to someone that didn't know you.


101. Had a booth at a street fair.


102. Dyed your hair.


103. Been a DJ.


104. Rocked a baby to sleep.


105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours.


106. Raked your carpet.


107. Brought out the best in people.


108. Brought out the worst in people.


109. Worn a mood ring.


110. Ridden a horse.


111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap.


112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.


113. Buried a child.


114. Gone to a Broadway play.


115. Been inside the pyramids.


116. Shot a basketball into the basket.


117. Danced at a disco.


118. Played in a band.


119. Shot a bird.


120. Gone to an arboretum.


121. Tutored someone.


122. Ridden a train.


123. Brought an old fad back into style.


124. Eaten caviar.


125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn't need.


126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant.


127. Published a book.


128. Pieced a quilt.


129. Lived in a historic place.


130. Acted in a play or performed on stage.


131. Asked for a raise.


132. Made a hole in one. (miniture golf!!)


133. Gone deep sea fishing.


134. Gone roller skating.


135. Run in a marathon.


136. Learned to surf.


137. Invented something.


138. Flown first class.


139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite.


140. Flown in a helicopter.


141. Visited Africa.


142. Sang a solo.


143. Gone spelunking.


144. Learned how to take a compliment.


145. Written a love-story.


146. Seen Michelangelo's David.


147. Had your portrait painted.


148. Written a fan letter.


149. Spent the night in something haunted.


150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane.


151. Ran away.


152. Learned to juggle.


153. Been a boss.


154. Sat on a jury.


155. Lied about your weight.


156. Gone on a diet.


157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget.


158. Written a poem.


159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox.


160. Gotten food poisoning.


161. Gone on a service, humanitarian, or religious mission.


162. Hiked the Grand Canyon.


163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks.


164. Gone to the Opera.


165. Gotten a letter from someone famous.


166. Worn knickers.


167. Ridden in a limousine.


168. Attended the Olympics.


169. Can hula or waltz.


170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books.


171. Been stuck in an elevator.


172. Had a revelatory dream.


173. Thought you might crash in an airplane.


174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert.


175. Saved someones life.


176. Eaten raw whale.


177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint.


178. Laughed till your side hurt.


179. Straddled the equator.


180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing.


181. Gone to a Shakespeare festival.


182. Sent a message in a bottle.


183. Spent the night in a hostel.


184. Been a cashier.


185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.


186. Joined a union.


187. Donated blood or plasma.


188. Built a campfire.


189. Kept a blog.


190. Had hives.


191. Worn custom made shoes or boots.


192. Made a PowerPoint presentation.


193. Taken a hunter's safety course.


194. Served at a soup kitchen.


195. Conquered the Rubik's Cube.


196. Know CPR.


197. Ridden in or own a convertible.


198. Found a long lost friend.


199. Helped solve a crime.


200. Commented on Aranne and Dan's blog.
     

Play along... It is fun... and of course, change #200!

New Nephew!!!

After years of just girls in the family we are so excited to say that we finally have a nephew all our own... We are so proud to announce Benjamin Cutler has arrived into the world and into the family of Mike, Maile and big sister Ellie!!!! Way to go guys. We can't wait to get a chance to see you all and meet our new little nephew and spoil him rotten.

SPT - Grass

This weeks SPT challenge was grass and I had the chance to lay out in the grass* this afternoon and enjoy the sun. It has been a while since I had this done and I wanted to, so I did... but things changed rather quickly.

While I was outside I realized what a beautiful day it was and decided to call Dan and see what he was doing. He also realized it was a beautiful day and we both agreed it was a day we could not pass up going to the lake. (that happens when you live so close and own jet skis).... so an hour later we were at the lake enjoying the water and the sun.... a nice way to relax.... We were also able to take the kid that works with Dan and let him ditch work with us ( I am sure it was hard for Dan to talk him into it) These days don't happen too often but when they do they are sure nice!

** Our grass is fake. We have had it for about 4-5 years now and LOVE it. No watering required. No cutting required. Just beautiful green grass all year round, and in the desert that is hard to come by!

Weekend Wrap-up

This weekend was busy but not too exciting...

Friday I spent all day at my mom's house scrapbooking and trying to get ready for convention. It is now less than a week away and we are almost ready, but not quite! It was a very successful day and we feel a lot more prepared. I was able to make a lot of swaps, get my projects designed and also get some cards ready for donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities....Then of course we had regular card class.

Saturday was Christmas in July! This was a trial run for us since this is the class that my mom is presenting at convention. It went over well and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves and the projects. After the stamp camp Dan and I ran some errands then got ready for our evening out. We got tickets to go and see Gavin Rossdale in concert at Hard Rock. We took Cindy and her friend with us. We were not quite sure how the concert was going to be but it ended up being a lot of fun and besides his horrible dancing he put on a great show. He needs to take some dancing lessons from his wife Gwen Stefani for sure!

Sunday we headed off to church then came home, put on some jammies and just hung out. It was a nice way to end the weekend. Besides the fact that the storm clouds had rolled in again and didn't leave us much sun to enjoy, so we spent the day inside and that was fine with us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY DAVE!

(Not a current picture, but one of him enjoying himself and being in his element for sure!)

Today is Dan's birthday - 28 to be exact. He is now officially older than me and that makes me happy. There are also lots of other things that make me happy....like him. I hope that he has a wonderful day and an amazing year. I hope that this year brings him so much joy and happiness that he can't imagine what his life was like before. He is such an amazing husband, friend and person and I wish him only the best. He deserves that and so much more.

SPT Challenge - SHADE

Okay... we live in a DESERT here. It is not easy to find shade.

This is not a current picture but I thought it was a funny one that is for sure. This was taken about a year ago when our friends from Sweden came to visit for the 4th of July. We were trying to get all of the SHADE that we could. We have a covered patio but that wasn't quite enough, so after struggling a bit the boys managed to put up the canopy so that we could enjoy some water while we BBQ'd outside for the day. What a difference a year makes. This year we were in Brian Head, UT and were freezing on the 4th of July!!!

WEEKEND WRAP-UP

Well we had visitors again this weekend...this time it was Dan's mom and dad, Mike and Holly. We were really excited to have them come and visit and just be able to hang out and enjoy their company and that is what we did for sure. They got here on Thursday evening and after some catching up we headed to bed since we were going to head to the lake early on Friday.

Here they are out on the lake enjoying the sun? Well there really wasn't too much sun which is good if you are prone to sunburns, but bad if you want to enjoy the lake. We broke them in good with some pretty big waves considering a storm was coming right around the corner. They even took a spill off of the ski and took a swim in the lake. It was a good time though and they are ready to come back for more!

After the lake we decided that we would head down to the strip and see what was going on. We bombed on a few ideas, but we ended up at a fun new restaurant and had plenty to eat with great entertainment. Dad really enjoyed his show!!!!

Saturday was spent shopping for me and Holly, and the boys got a chance to bond over a guy movie when they went to see Hellboy II.... doesn't that just scream boy!

After hoping all day that the clouds would part and not dump rain on us we made it out to the baseball game. This was an event that we had been planning with FSA and it was nice to be able to go and also have mom and dad see what our minor league ball team is all about too. We didn't win the game but it was fun either way.

Like I said before. We had a great weekend and can't wait to do it again. Thanks guys!

SPT Week 2 - WATER

Okay... this week's challenge for SPT was WATER... well, we have sure been getting our fair share of water time this summer. It has been so hot we have had to be in the water or we would not be able to survive.

I could not decide which picture I wanted to use so I put both on here....

This first shot is Uncle Dan with Morgan and McKenna. This is a typical day when they are in town. They want to spend every waking minute in the pool and most of the time Uncle Dan does too. He is such a great Uncle and loves to splash around with those two crazy girls and they love it just as much.

This is a shot of the water show at the Bellagio that I took when Nate and Katie were here visiting. I think it came out great. I love to see this show, I never get tired of it. It is amazing how they do it and I love this casino as well. Still my favorite I think!

Holiday Hiking

Our 4th of July weekend consisted of us packing up and getting out of town to cooler weather. We went with our friends Brian and Cindy, and Daniel F. up to Brian Head and also made a few other stops during our weekend. The trip was great and we have lots of memories to share and TONS of pictures too.

Friday morning the Fire Department in Brian Head was having a pancake breakfast which we attended. It was fun to see some of the locals and just be able to start our doing with a good cause. Brain and I also purchased the T-Shirts so we could be twins for the rest of the day!

After looking around at the Craft Fair that was taking place, and also in the small shops of Brain Head we decided that it was time to head out and do some hiking. We were going to be heading to Cedar Breaks National Monument for their Wildflower Festival that had just begun. We stopped for free snow cones and cotton candy on the way which was tasty and then made our way the 10-15 minutes to Cedar Breaks. We talked through the gift shop and saw the flowers and then decided we wanted more. We took an impromptu hike all the way out to the rim to see the Bristlecone Pine trees. We did all of this with no sunscreen, and no water. Not a smart move and I would not recommend this to anyone, but the trees were awesome!

We came home and BBQ'd some hot dogs and had some lunch/dinner. Then after we relaxed for a while and cleaned up we were ready for some fireworks, but the fireworks weren't quite ready for us. We were not quite sure when they were going to start since the people we asked just said... oh about 9 or 10... So we picked a bench and waited... and waited and waited... Sure enough it got colder and colder as well. This had to be the first 4th of July that I was in jeans, and a sweatshirt and needed blankets to keep warm, and was still cold. We also watched as more and more cars and trucks kept arriving too. They were parked everywhere and there were TONS of people now invading this small town for their fireworks show. The show did finally start about 10 and it was great. The best part had to be when one firework didn't get quite high enough and came down onto the meadow and caught on fire! The fire department had to pause the show to spray some water on it... then the show resumed of course!

Saturday was our day to head to Bryce Canyon to explore there. When we arrived we were a little nervous because it was cloudy and beginning to rain, and cold. By the time we checked out the Visitor's Center and drove to the place where we wanted to start our hike the rain had stopped and the weather was perfect. We were able to get out at almost all of the overlooks and enjoy the view and then we did our main hike as well. We hiked to Inspiration Point.

After a long day of hiking we were ready to come pack to the condo and just hang out. We once again had some dinner and hung out while we waited for festivities to begin. Tonight they were having free smores and a bonfire and added entertainment of a marching band from Canada! It was fun to have smores since I honestly don't remember the last time that I had had any.

Sunday morning we had to pack up all of our things and say goodbye to the nice weather and to Brian Head. We were sad to leave but we had one more stop on our way home. Zion. We were going to be hiking one more time on this trip.
Our first hike after arriving was to Weeping Rock. It was very cool up there and fascinating to see 1200 year old water falling from the rock. We decided that we wanted more so we hiked the Rim Trail back to the Narrows and then did a little while in the Narrows.

The water was freezing, but actually refreshing on your toes and a neat way to hike up the mountain with awesome sights.... We headed back down the mountain and just in time. As we were getting to the truck to have some lunch we saw the clouds roll in and heard the thunder and.... RAIN! Yes, we were glad we had turned around when we did. We would not have wanted to be stuck in the Narrows during a rainstorm and been washing away in a flash flood or been struck by lightning.

The weekend was great and we had great weather and great company. We hope we are able to go back again, or maybe have the same company and go somewhere different. Hope everyone else enjoyed their days off and their 4th as much as us!

First SPT Challenge

So... I came across a blog with a fun idea.... SPT (she photographs on Tuesday) and even though I am a little late I decided I wanted to play along anyways. So here are the rules....



It's definitely that time of year when blogging becomes sort of secondary to all of the other stuff that goes on. It may be extra challenging to fit in SPT posts this summer, so let's go easy for the month of July. Our routines can seem out-of-whack in the summer and it's more important than ever that we funnel our energy into the hearts of our families. Not so easy to do when there are more snacks to prepare, more laundry to do, more trips to the store/movies/museums/gas station... we must strike a balance between pool time, library time, travel time and quiet time!! To help channel our personal chi, let's take time this month to focus on the 5 Elements Of Summer: SUN, WATER, SHADE, GRASS, and ICE CREAM!!


these can be as easy or as challenging as you want them to be...just get out there and take some pictures!!


July 1 sun
July 8 water
July 15 shade
July 22 grass
July 29 ice cream



So to follow along here is my photo for the first week - SUN..... We definitely get plenty of this in Las Vegas and I have seen my fair share of it lately as well.

Here we are. It is Dan and Marvin at the lake applying SUNSCREEN in the SUN to avoid too much SUN exposure. I think that pretty much counts as a SUN picture. This shot is funny because we didn't really want to help either of them so they decided they would help each other with the process and then we grabbed a camera to capture the moment, of course!

WIZARD

Last night we got tickets to go see the show "Wizard". The show was about the music from the Wizard of Oz and other songs that the composer Harold Arlen had done. It was a lot better than it sounds.

The weirdest part about the entire night was the casino that the show was in. We pulled up to the place ( just off of the strip) and I already had second thoughts about going. The place was tiny and SO OLD! We talked in and anyone in the place could have been my grandparents - honestly. We thought we would be troopers and go ahead with the show.... Well we were surprised by our pre-show entertainment. There were like 15-20 old (I'm talking like 65+) people doing karaoke. It was the funniest thing you have ever seen. These people were regulars too. They all knew each other and were clapping and cheering each other on. It made the time fly before the show that is for sure!