Vegas Baby---

For our anniversary this year we went to Vegas, got nice romantic suite and had the best anniversary yet!

We had a lot of fun walking the strip, seeing the shows, shopping some stores. And a short trip to an almost beach and to the temple. It was a weekend packed with lots of activities, and filled with love.

On our way to our suite -

We went to the Vegas temple grounds on Sunday afternoon. It was a perfect get-a-way from the craziness of downtown Vegas.

(yes, my eyes are closed. But I still like this photo)

We took lots of pics at the temple too.

Then we headed back to down town and all it's sin...ha ha ha.

We took some photos while killing time, waiting for a show to start. We forgot our clocks were an hour fast so we had more time to kill than we originally thought. :)

We hit some of the hot spots, the fun museums and casinos!

Like M&M world_

We watched a 3D movie at the M&M world

I think this one looks so pretty all lit up

New York New York...

We made a quick trip to Paris too!!!

There's no way we would miss the Wonderful world of Coca Cola (and yes, I loaded up on souvenirs!!!!)

Waiting for the fountain show at the Beliagio

Love these fountain shows!!!!

rededicating our love to each other

We did our own 2nd wedding "non ceremony" for our anniversary this year. Since our separation this last summer we wanted to rededicate our love for each other on our 11th wedding anniversary.

I never got my own wedding dress or any of that, so for this little ceremony of ours I made my dress, veil and bouquet. The most awesome part is that the dress can be worn again and again.

The plan was to find a beach in Vegas and do all this, however when we got there we discovered the beach is only accessible if your staying at that resort. So we found a spot that had a little bridge and made do!

We set up the tripod and went nuts with our 'un-wedding' photos.

***Saying I do again, no doubts on forever***

We did a few of just us too.

More of us together...

Forever my heart, my love, my friend.

My new dress and Hair cut!!!

K- so normally this type of thing wouldn't be blog worthy, however this dress was made by ME!!!!!! Can you believe it??? I made a dress!! I've always wanted an eyelet dress, but couldn't find one that I liked so I made one. It was a ton cheaper and I got it the way I wanted it :) It's the first dress I've ever made, maybe the only one...haven't decided yet. My mother-in-law had to help me understand the pattern and get it together, but I did it my self...so I'm still very proud.

***right now you only get to see it on the hanger, but I'm wearing it during my trip to Vegas next week so you'll get to see pictures of it on me when I post those....

The sleeves and bottom are made out of a different eyelet than the rest of the dress.

I got a new hair cut, and I LOVE IT!!!!

I was in a slump and needed something to help me feel better about my self. This has totally helped. I went to my friend Michelle who has done hair for years, I showed her a picture of what I wanted and Voila...my new do!!!! :D I had her add some blonde highlights and I can't get over how much I love it! Being a brunette was depressing, blondes definitely have more fun!!!

Visit from Grammy & Papa

My parents (Grammy & Papa) came home for a week to visit my uncle who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While they were here we got to visit with them. They came by and visited with us for a while one evening; It was a lot of fun to see them. The kids got a hold of the camera and took some photos while they were here. The kids were a little confused by their visit, Matt wanted Papa to come the next day and do puzzles with him again. He's not quite understanding the mission thing! But it's only 6 more weeks till they are home again we are all excited to have them coming home!

***Alyssa is gonna make sure Grammy come to her dance class to watch her when she gets home, so keep that in mind mom...she WON'T forget!!!!

Makayla, Grammy, Matthew, Alyssa & Papa

Grammy and Papa being silly with the kids

Alyssa and Matthew being silly with the camera and Grammy & Papa.

Lyss got in her dance clothes so she could show what she has learned to Grammy.

******More CRAZINESS*****

Papa and Matthew doing puzzles in the puzzle book:)

Playin' the Blue's Baby-

We wanted to share our cute harmonica player with all of you!

***This one's for you Papa!!!***

Gingerbread train

Grandma and Aunt Emily had made a ginger bread train, the kids picked most the candy off on Christmas.

Matt realized it was a train on new years eve and decided since no one was eating any more of it that it would double as a toy train.

New years noise maker

Here is a video of Matthew trying to figure out how to work the noise makers. It's pretty funny, enjoy...

Happy New Year!!!!!

We said farewell to 2009 and welcomed in 2010 with a bang!!!!

We stayed up all night playing games and eating snacks at Grandma & Grandpa's house. After we watched the ball drop and screamed Happy New Year things got a little crazy!

We played with sparklers....

and

silly

string...

Then we drank sparkling cider and played a few more games. Around 1:00 am we finally headed to bed. We had a great time, what a fun way to welcome in the new year :)

****************

Scott had to work new years eve, so we partied without him. This is how Scott rang in the new year!...

The carpet barn store, just around the corner from his station caught on fire around 11 am he was there watching it burn at midnight while we watched the ball drop. They were told to stop pumping water on it, because they were flooding the surrounding areas. So they had to sit and watch and wait. Be ready for if something went wrong, luckily nothing did and it was just a big fire that more or less had to burn itself out. He was on the fire all day and all night didn't get to leave until 7:30 am on Jan 1st!

Here's hoping that everyone enjoys their 2010....we sure will :)