LOVE

So, the boyfriend and I are heading to Vegas tomorrow night. For what reason, might you ask? Well...there are a few:

1. We found flights from Orange County to Vegas that were $25 each way- $65 ROUND TRIP with taxes/misc charges. You can't get fly for any cheaper than that- in fact, it'd probably cost more in gas to drive! The flight is barely long enough for you to settle in your seats and get a cocktail in you before you're already landing in Sin City, which is much better than the 5 hour drive out there!

2. Clay offered as a birthday present to get us tickets to go see a show when we are there! I looked at all the choices and have heard so many wonderful things about LOVE that I couldn't pass this opportunity up! The music, the dancing...it is going to be great! I am very excited to get dressed up and head out to dinner before. Maybe this will give Clay a chance to try his new suit he got for christmas! Not sure where we'll be going to dinner yet- looks like we have some homework to do before we leave tomorrow.

3. We found some pretty good hotel deals since we booked the trip so far in advance. We're staying at The Hotel, which is a seperate part of Mandalay Bay. I've never stayed there before- we usually opt for the cheapest place to lay our heads, which ends up being Imperial Palace or something like that! The Hotel will be a nice upgrade!

The last time we went to Vegas was for my friend's wedding at Ceasar's Palace, which was a great trip- but it felt more like a wedding than the whole Vegas experience! I am excited to play, eat, sleep and drink...maybe do a little gambling! Should be a great time!

Frozen Hands

Tree branches falling down, streets flooded, rain, thunder, lightning....TORNADO WATCHES!
Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore! I can't believe this weather we are having in SoCal. It has been practically a week straight of storms- some minor and some not so minor. But a tornado watch in Orange County? Really? The winds were getting a little scary in what I now know to be a wind tunnel right outside my office! So far, everyone I know has made it through stormwatch 2010 safely!  I got to see the most beautiful rainbow this morning on my way to work. Maybe it's a sign that the end of this storm is near. I'm sick of the rain already- one of the many reasons I've decided to live in Southern California is the weather! So, hopefully this weekend will be a nice one! I have my frozen little fingers crossed!

How quickly they grow up...

How come it seems that when I was in high school, I felt much older and more mature than what I picture my little sister to be? I can't believe it's already half way through her junior year of high school. I can't believe she is as old as I was when I picture things happening my junior year. But whether we like it or not, they grow up so fast these days. Sometimes they don't even realize it and life happens before they even know it! And all you can do is hope that these kids have gotten the foundation to make good decisions. They don't realize how important their upbringing will influence the choices they make- but some day it will become apparent. I am thankful for every tiny influence Victoria has picked up from her parents. Unfortuately, her mother lost an extremely intense and long battle to cancer and will no longer be here to teach Victoria new things. However, Kathy's imprint is on V's heart forever. I see it every day in her and I am so thankful for the days she was here to influence us all to be a better person.
High school can be a scary place- and I had my doubts that Victoria would make it through untainted- but she has proven me wrong....a few times and continues to do so! And I couldn't be more proud! I can't wait to see what lies ahead for her...Although her mom's not physically here, I know she's watching over V and thinking the exact same thing!
Live Laugh Love.

Dinner Plans...

Blackened Swordfish with pineapple, mango & papaya mint salsa
Sauteed Fresh Green Beans
Herb & Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes
Baked Butternut Squash (this may become dessert with a little maple syrup added to it!)
Baguette & Butter

Who needs dinner at a fancy shmancy restaurant when I have Santa Monica Seafood to buy fresh fish and Clay as a sous chef? :)

Aside from the pain in my neck from sleeping wrong, 2010 has been a great year so far!
I love my life!

2010*

Wowwww....2010 is here! Where did that last decade go? And what did we finally decide to call it? The two thousands? Well, a new decade is here- the tensies! ha I am so excited to see what this year will bring me, where it will take me, the things that I'll see, the people I'll meet. I'm not one for making new year's resolutions since no one keeps them anyways! But I'm thinking this will be the year of more healthier choices. I need to focus more on what to do to help me make those healthier choices. Because I ain't gettin any younger here... :)! I'm not going to limit myself to stupid promises I'll never keep. I just need to keep in mind one thing "Will this better my health?"
One upcoming event that may motivate me is a trip to Vegas in February! Clay and I are flying- we found tickets a few months ago for $25 EACH WAY! We're staying at a pretty nice hotel and going to a show!!!! This was my birthday present from Clay. He knows I love those kinds of things- so he said to pick whatever show I wanted so I picked LOVE at the Mirage! I've heard it's amazing and I can't wait to experience it! I can't wait to have some time away with Clay. Because of his work and school schedule, my "trips" are usually planned without him! But not this time- and I am so excited! I love Vegas....so many things to do and see!
I know this month is going to fly by and I am so excited to have something to look forward to!
Also looking forward to finding out if I'm going to have a little neice or nephew at the end of this month. I'll be heading up to Fresno for Duncan's birthday and they're going to make the announcement then when lots of family can be around! I love my family! :) Then it'll be Victoria's birthday- 17!!!! That is crazy! Where has the time gone??? And Adam and Robyn's birthdays, then Valentine's Day, then straight into March/Spring! This year is already a quarter of the way over in my mind...has anyone figured out how to slow down time? Until then, I try to take as many mental (and real) photos as I can!

Hustle....and Bustle!

So the holidays are here, hence the lack of blogging! I am consumed with parties, presents, crowds and lists! Still have more xmas shopping to do but I'm trying not to get too stressed out about it. We've got the tree, decorated cookies, and looked at Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood! The most important thing will be the time I get to spend with my family! It will be a busy christmas weekend- but worth it none the less! A sleepover with Victoria is a tradition on Christmas eve! Then we wake up and make a huge breakfast at my Dad's house, typically comprised of cinnamon rolls, fruit, eggo waffles (with pnut butter of course!), and probably some pigs in a blanket- Joy's tradition addition to the Christmas breakfast! My Dad's house remodel is complete and I think this will be the beginning of many christmas traditions shared there. I'm hoping the Jingle Bears have found there way out of storage...
The afternoon is spent at my Mom's- which is about 1/2 a mile from my dad's so it makes traveling on Christmas great! :) Once all the siblings arrive, we open presents, take a family photo, listen to music and catch up! Maybe play with our "toys" a little bit too! :) More family will be over for Christmas dinner and the fun begins at the Kid's Table. This tradition has been going on for almost 20 years now! We have continued to call it the Kid's Table even though we are all over the age of 20! No matter how many "kids" are attending dinner- we all sit at one long table (which seems to be stretched longer and longer each year with new members of the family- husbands and wifes and soon to be babies!!!) You never know what's going to happen at the kid's table, but it is definitely entertaining- to say the least!
A quick trip to Big Bear with cap off the holiday weekend, along with another sleepover with Victoria. I love spending time with that girl- she is amazing! :)
The one thing missing this holiday season will be Clay- he'll be staying in Newport to spend time with his family and working....what a drag! But I can't wait to ring in the new year with him! 2010 is going to be a great year!
Peace, Hope & Love this holiday week! <3

New Laptop!

Setting up the new laptop I got for my bday! Thanks Parents!

More blogging more frequently…hopefully!