Monday, June 25, 2012

Viva, Las Vegas!!!

This past weekend Chad and I flew to Vegas for the weekend to celebrate our dear friend, Sheri's 40th birthday! I was honestly slightly terrified on the flight over...1. I HATE flying, 2. When you have a child your fears intensify....I was even more worried that something was going to happen and Landry would be left with no parents. I know it sounds a bit crazy...but if you are a parent you know what I'm talking about, if you aren't a parent yet, just wait...you will know what I am talking about one day. :o)

Back to the weekend...needless to say, we made it there safely. We stayed at the amazing Aria Resort! Aria is known for it's state of the art technology in their rooms. Every room features it's own Control 4 System...which by the way, my hubby installs in houses...I know, he is pretty awesome...more on that coming soon!

When we opened the door to our room the curtains automatically opened, the t.v. turned on, lights turned on, and the t.v. screen even had my name on it! I don't know why I didn't get a picture of that. :o( Here is the AMAZING bed! Seriously, if I could have packed the bed in my suitcase, I totally would have...it was soooooooo comfy!


The beautiful bathroom


Yes, the shower and tub are connected...so neat. Oh, and yes...I took these pictures right before we checked out...hence why the shower doors are still wet from our morning showers. :o)

On Friday night we went to the Palms Resort. We started off at Ghostbar.

It is a really neat lounge that is located 55 stories above the Las Vegas skyline. Part of it is outdoors so you have an amazing view of the strip and city.
Here's Sheri and me

Chad and me...that Palms sign in the background is the sign that is at the top of the other tower at the resort!

After that it was time to get our groove on...so we went to the nightclub next door...Rain!


It was so fun, loud, crowded, crazy, and unlike anything else I have experienced at a nightclub before. To make things even better...DJ Jazzy Jeff was our host for the evening!!!

I took these pictures with my phone so they are horrible...but...that is DJ Jazzy Jeff!

On Saturday we got a late start, ate a good ol' Denny's breakfast and hung out by the pool soaking up some sun! Then that night it was time to continue with our fun so we headed down to Haze.
Once again, it was unlike anything I have ever experienced! It was once again loud, crowded, so much fun, crowded, loud, oh...and crowded! We tried to get our groove on...but honestly, when you are crammed in as tightly as we were...it is a bit hard. :o)

I love the next picture...Sheri and Frank having some fun...and Frank's expression couldn't have been more perfect! Oh, and yes, that's a wizard and a Teletubby on the stage. Told you. Crazy.

Remember how I said that Chad is pretty awesome earlier...well...he was totally awesome this weekend! I will be the first to admit that he was such a trooper the entire weekend. He danced with me...when I know he didn't want to...just because it was sooooooooooooo crowded...he acted like he was having fun, I think he did a little bit...and he never once complained about anything...he was awesome! As a result...we got this super cute picture in Haze! :o)

On Sunday I told Chad that I kind of wanted to walk the strip and check out the other casinos. Again, Chad was AMAZING and said that he was totally up for that! After breakfast we headed to MGM Grand to see the lions. Little did I know, they no longer have the lions. :o(

Next stop...Bellagio! Inside Bellagio they have an absolutely beautiful conservatory full of fresh flowers arranged in breathtaking displays! Here are some giant bumble bees, flowers, and silk hot air balloons that were hanging from the ceiling!


My handsome husband and me!



Next, we went out front, took a quick picture in front of the Eiffel Tower...

and watched the fountains at Bellagio. Not only did we have a perfect view...but we chose the right spot because we were able to enjoy the mist of the fountains. Did I mention that it was like 108 degrees...H-O-T!!!


From there, it was on to Caesar's! We strolled through the Forum Shops, rode the curved escalator, saw Dick Butkiss. Funny side story...Dick Butkiss was in a sports memorabilia store signing autographs and there was a promoter standing out front, yelling, "Butkiss...meet Dick Butkiss!" There was definitely an emphasis on the last name...so it was kind of funny to be walking in a really nice shopping mall with a man yelling, "Butkiss!" Only in Vegas!!!! Of course we had to stop and watch the Atlantis Show. :o)

Chad and me in front of the fountains at the entrance of the Forum Shops


So, have I mentioned that Chad was such a trooper? This last bit just shows what an amazing man I am married to! I am a HUGE fan of the movie "Serendipity" featuring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale...it is one of my all time favorites! I love the story, the idea of fate in our lives, and of course the romance. A main part of the story takes place in a real restaurant in New York named Serendipity. I don't really have a "bucket list" but if I did, eating at Serendipity would definitely be on it. Before our trip I discovered that there was a Serendipity in Las Vegas! I was so excited!!!!!


It is right in front of Caeser's Palace.



There was quite a line when we walked up...and we soon discovered that the wait time was an hour and a half! If you know Chad, you know that he hates to wait 20 minutes for a meal...much less an hour and a half for a dessert. But...he said, "Do it!" So we put our name down, did some shopping, and came back!

As you can see it is adorable! I loved the decor, the feel of it, everything! It is decorated in orange and pink...which is one of my favorite color combos...obviously, they were my wedding colors!



It is very whimsical, light hearted, and has the feel of an old fashioned ice cream parlor and tea party combined. :o)




Chad ordered a mint, chocolate, marshmallow sundae...isn't he cute!?!


I ordered an amazing carrot cake, butter pecan prailine, maple sundae!!!


It was to. die. for! So yummy, so fun, so perfect!!!!

Overall it was a wonderful trip...with the exception of the flights. I would NOT recommend flying Allegiant to anyone!!!! That could be a whole other blog post. In a nutshell we were delayed an hour and a half on our flight out...and 4 and a half hours on our ways home! :o(

We had a great weekend full of fun, laughter, dancing, friendship, celebrating, relaxation, and most importantly FUN!!! Yes, it was very hard being away from Handsome for so long...but at the same time it was so nice to spend some real quality time with my hubby. After almost 10 years together and two years of raising a little one, it was so nice to be reminded of the connection that has kept us together for so long. Babe, I love you and am so thankful to have had a wonderful weekend just you and me! Frank and Sheri...once again, thanks for a weekend full of fun and great memories. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for watching Landry for the weekend!:o)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang.
Up and down.
In and out.
Stop and go.
Black and white.
Boy and girl.

Chad and Kristin.
My first trip to Redding, November 2002

Chad: Loves heavy metal music
Me: Not so much

Summer of 2004

 Me: Outgoing, bubbly, loves to meet new people
Chad: Not so much

 First cruise to Mexico, 2004

Chad: Adrenaline junky
Me: Nervous nellie

4th of July 2006 

Me: Likes to get up early and get things done on my "to-do" list
Chad: Not so much

Costume party ???

 Chad: Niners fan
Me: Cowboys fan

 August 2007

Me: Likes to plan things out...extensively
Chad: Not so much

 December 2008

Chad: Not into details
Me: I notice every detail. Every. Single. One.

June 21, 2008

Me: People pleaser who wants everyone to feel comfortable and be happy
Chad: Not exactly
Our honeymoon

Chad: Loves the outdoors and camping
Me: Not so much with the camping

January 2010...5 months prego!

Me: I love theater, musicals, and dancing.
Chad: Ha!!
May 6, 2010

Chad: Loves science fiction
Me: Not. So. Much.

November 2010

Me: Enjoy going to fancy restaurants
Chad: Has been known to actually eat, and enjoy, the "mysterious" food items on those rolling things at the gas station
November 2011

Chad: Hates Disneyland
Me: One of my dream jobs would be to be a performer in the Disneyland parades.
Cayucos, March 2012

For those of you that know us well, you know that we are most definitely opposites. For those that REALLY know us, deep down, the inside's of our hearts, you know...that there are so many things that are the same about us!!! In July Chad and I will have been together for 10 years. That's what I am talking about! Together. From our "first date" in Pismo, to now. We have never left eachother's side, we've never given up hope on one another, we've never lost sight of the fact...through ALL of the challenges we have faced...that we love each other and when times get tough, we buckle down and get through them together. Don't get me wrong...there are many times that I shake my head and think, "What have I done?" :o) Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Fabulous Friends

My dear friend Erin just joined the "30 Club" this week. Last night, her husband threw a wonderful surprise party for her with all of her closest friends and family...a little bit more on that in a bit!

Erin and I have been friends for seven years now! Seven. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that every once in awhile a post comes up about my struggles with friendships. I am happy today to be able to brag about one of the best friendships that I have right now...with one awesome gal...and one that has lasted and grown through many ups and downs.

Christmas Party

I was kind of surprised when I realized that we have been friends for that many years. The time has flown by but when I sit here and think about all of the things we have experienced together, it feels like a lifetime of memories. There have been job changes, Starbucks dates, a proposal, first homes, Starbucks dates, bridal showers, a wedding, birthdays, holidays, health issues, Starbucks dates, deaths of grandparents, new jobs, the sudden closing and tearing down of our "go-to" lunch spot, Starbucks dates, tears, laughter, Twilight, hugs, an NKOTB concert, tailgates, Starbucks dates, BABIES, baby showers, Starbucks dates, motherhood, thousands of text messages, zoo trips, and of course... Starbucks dates!

NKOTB concert at Save Mart Center
It all started when a mutual friend went on maternity leave. I'm going to be honest, and Erin knows this, so its not a shocker, but at first, I was really bummed. At the time I was teaching next door to Shara. We had only worked together the one year, she was pregnant, and we had totally hit it off. I was bummed that I was losing my friend next door. Little did I know that I was going to be so blessed with another amazing friend!

One of our many Starbucks dates!

The clasrooms at my school have adjoining doors, so two rooms are kind of connected. I would have to go into Erin's room to get things from the printer, we would chat here and there, and slowly but surely we realized we were "meant to be" as we say! We really are such dorks!

My wedding
We soon discovered that we had a shared love of US Weekly and anything involving celebrity gossip...which is something our husbands despise. We also had a love for Starbucks. Nothing brings people together like coffee and tabloids! Needless to say, once we "revealed" our secret vices...we were bonded!
My baby shower...Erin had her own baby bump, too!
Unfortunately the year came to an end and Erin got a job at a different school. Fortunately our love of coffee and mindless reality t.v. shows kept us together. We used to get together once a week and watch Hills together. We have always lived on opposite sides of town, so Applebee's in Fig Garden was always our "go-to" lunch spot...we have since moved on to The Habit. :o)

Our first "Annual Spring Break Zoo Trip"
There are so many things that we have in common and yet there are many things that are so different between us. Erin has taught me how to stand up for myself more, how to have "courageous conversations" with people, to hold people accountable, how to show that a friend is there no matter what, that even if months go by when we haven't seen eachother...we are still the best of friends, how to apologize when we make mistakes, and most of all, that she always has a shoulder to lean on in the good times and in the bad times. I am so blessed to have had her friendship through the past seven years, and I can't wait to share what life continues to bring our way!!!!

Second "Annual Spring Break Zoo Trip"
Now, back to where I started! :o) Last night we celebrated Erin and her big 3-0!!!! Erin's husband coordinated the entire event...wait to go, Corbin. He had asked me to be in charge of decorations and of course I said, "yes!" He arranged for a private room at The Elbow Room and wanted to go with purple, black, and silver.

Here are the centerpieces I made:
(Silver glittler take-out boxes from Michaels - topped with a hand made tissue paper flower, a clear vase that I hot glued ribbon to, then 2 larger hand made tissue paper flowers to balance it out.)

The banner for the buffet table:


Then it came time for...


SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!

During dinner Corbin gave a great speech


It is safe to say that everyone had a great night!

Happy Birthday, Erin! I am so thankful for your friendship...by the way...when is our next Starbucks date? :o)