Vegas Adventures - Day 3

The last day in Vegas was mostly spent at The Forum Shops.  Not a lot of pictures to post but I had to share this poster that I had to take.  Seriously!?!

We had a great time celebrating my birthday!  Hope the next 30 years are just as great. 

Vegas Adventures - Day 2

Our 2nd day was my 30th birthday.  We woke up and went to an amazing breakfast buffet at The Mirage.  I could have stayed there all day.  I was surprised with just how good the food really was.  I don't expect much at buffets so this one was at the top of the charts.

  

After breakfast, we went shopping in the Venetian and stopped to get a gondola ride.  Our driver (what would you call the man steering the boat?) was actually from Italy and had an amazing voice.  Before departing, he sang Happy Birthday to me in Italian which was pretty neat.  Later on we went to Madame Tussauds wax museum.  This could have been one of my favorite parts of the trip. 



 Just hanging with Cameron.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! 

Just letting Tiger know what I think of those who cheat on their wife.

 All the single ladies!

For my birthday, my dad got all of us tickets to see LOVE.  Let me just say, I have seen a lot of shows in my life and this was by far the best show I have ever seen!  From the moment it started to the last, I was in awe and wishing it would never end. 

Afterwards, we went to Serendipity to get a birthday treat.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Their frozen hot chocolate is to die for...along with their ice cream sundaes.  Wish there was one closer!

Afterwards, we went and watched a few fountain shows at the Bellagio.  I have seen them on tv, seen them at the end of Oceans 11, but experiencing it in real life is so much cooler!  I loved it!  It was also fun watching all the different types of people on the strip between the shows. 

Vegas Adventures - Day 1

For my 30th birthday, I was able to go to Vegas with my mom and sister.  I had never been before and wanted to do something fun.  We were there for 2 1/2 days and crammed in as much as we could.

Although we are Pepsi drinkers, this Diet Coke in a bottle quenched our thirst in the 102 degree weather.



Made out of jellybeans!  

We did a lot of walking and watching the first day.  We went to the M&M Factory and the Miracle Mile Mall before dinner.  We went to the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur where we got to eat with our hands and cheer on the knights.  I've always wanted to do this since I was a kid so it was a fun to go and experience.

Afterwards, Vanessa and I went on the New York, New York roller coaster.  It was great but my body temperature jumped to about 500 degrees afterwards.  What a rush!

We ended the day going back to the Mile Mall to buy some new shoes for me since my foot started hurting due to too much walking in bad (but cute) shoes.  That was the first sign I was getting old.

Mother's Day is EVERY Day

Ok.  So I am behind in posting.  Back in May we celebrated a little day called Mother's Day.  It comes every year and every year my sister tries to be the better daughter.  About 5 years ago she bought an "I love mom" shirt at Old Navy. And every year she pulls out this shirt and wears it proudly while making me feel like less of a daughter since I can't broadcast my love for my mom on a pink shirt.  This year I decided I had enough.

So, I created my own.

With stickers.

Then, Vanessa and I took our mom and our matching shirts to Bakery Nouveau in Seattle for a Mother's Day treat.  Vanessa and my mom had not been to this amazing French bakery and we all loved every bite of it! The line is usually always out the door but it was worth the wait.

I don't remember all the desserts but don't they look amazing!  They tasted even better.

My favorite by far was the chocolate croissant.

Heaven...

During our annual June Utah visit, we stopped at Orson Gygi which has an amazing assortment of baking and cooking supplies. I did not know what to expect but the moment I walked in and saw the huge selection, I knew I was in heaven.  This first picture does not do the store justice.  It was huge!

This is PART of the sprinkle section.  HELLO!!!  $4.99 for a ginormous tub.  You spend that much on a little jar in the grocery store.  I could have bought all of them!

Wall of paper liners.  So many possibilities!

This is now a MUST when we come to Utah.  I can't even imagine what it would be like in December over the holidays.  I highly recommend you visiting if you're ever in the Salt Lake area.  I may have to move to Utah just to visit this store whenever I want.  Better yet, maybe I can find and marry Orson Gygi so I can just have anything I want.  Our reception would be very tasty!

Master of the House

After 2 long years, my Master's journey has almost come to an end. I graduated on Saturday, June 19th at Key Arena.  It was a little anti climatic because I had finals the following weekend and I still have to finish another class in mid July.  I really had no desire to walk but my cohort wanted all of us to go together.  It has been a LONG two years and the eleven teachers in my cohort were exactly what I needed to survive working full time and going to school full time. 

I do have to kindly say that the graduation was extremely boring.  However, I was able to make my long to-do list and plan for the upcoming week.  The difference between my Master's graduation and Bachelor's graduation was having cell phones.  My family and I texted throughout the entire ceremony trying to keep each other alert and listening to the "hidden messages". 

Outside the Key Arena by the fountain at the Seattle Center.

"Master Sister" for spending a lot of time looking over paper after paper over the past two years.

My favorite part of the "graduation weekend" was our CRAB FEST dinner!  I wasn't looking forward to sitting through graduation, but I sure was excited to eat a scrumptious meal!  I enjoyed it so much, I am thinking about going back for my Doctorate just to have another tasty meal.

After getting my Bachelor's Degree, I headed off to Mexico to spend an amazing week in the sun.  I moved to Washington excited to interview and find a job.  I moved into a new apartment with my sister and ready for many new adventures. 

After getting my Master's Degree, I headed home to do more homework, complete 24 report cards and portfolios for my students, move classrooms and prepare for my presentations and finals the following weekend.  I started checking off my to-do list I created during graduation while continually adding new things to it.  In seven years, my life has changed dramatically.  As I look back on my journey the past couple of years, I am grateful for the opportunity to grow.  I didn't think I could accomplish everything I have accomplished. It has been a great lesson of personal growth and sacrifice.  And after all that, I have officially earned the title "Master of the House" given to me by my father.  It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Happy 2nd Birthday Tab!

I was fortunate to go and celebrate Tabitha's 2nd birthday this year.  She is an absolute character and has grown up so much...even from when I was there in February.  She was so proud and happy to be turning 2 and enjoyed every moment of her party on Saturday.  On Thursday when she woke up from her nap, she started singing 'Happy Birthday' to herself while waiting for someone to get her.  I just love her so much!