Almost the end of the Year

I cant believe this year is almost over! It's time for reflection and new resolutions!! I know one resolution already.... post a little more often on our blog.  :)  And with that said... I'll get started!!

Vegas Fun!!

In addition to the U2 concert- we really packed a lot in our trip. Outlet mall, buffets, Dinner at the Excalibur "Knights of the Round Table", Hoover Dam, coke tasting at the Coke Factory, rollercoaster and haunted houses at Circus Circus.... we had a great time!!

The bridge they are building at the dam is insane!!

Me & Alicia at dinner.

Cheers!

Trying the 16 types of coke products from around the world.

At the Excalibur, there was a store that sold Pearls. The neat part is that you sort thru and pick out your own clam. You ring a bell and say "Aloha!" to welcome the pearl, and then you open the clam to get out your pearl. The clam Alicia chose- was hiding a HUGE pearl! It almost didn't fit the necklace! It was fun to participate in the whole welcoming event. I am sure she will cherish it always.

Waiting for the Bellagio Fountains.

U2 in Vegas!!!

Me, Alicia, Ryan, my sister Liz & her husband Brent had the awesome opportunity to go see U2 in concert- in Viva Las Vegas!! Honestly, the best concert I have ever been to! The lights, the sounds, the bass, Bono..... it was perfectly amazing! From mysterious ways to elevation ....with or without you.... it is an experience that I will never forget.



The stage. Our seats were pretty far back... but I think we had the best seats (other than being able to reach out and touch them of course). We could see all the lights. You have to understand that the light show they put on, is just amazing. The disco ball and lasers- it made it seem we were all inside a magical glass dome. And the bass... ohhh the bass. My heart was bouncing in my chest!

Hadley's Cabin

Hadley, is an incredibly nice guy that my hubby grew up with. Makes killer steaks, killer pancakes and has the most adorable little girls! He invited Ryan & I to stay with him this last weekend at Bear Lake on the Idaho side. I am so glad we went! Not only was is fun to get away from the city- it was fun to spend time with him and his girls. The cabin is so beautiful and serene. Just by sitting in a chair and looking out the windows at the lake I could feel the stress melt off my shoulders! And now I am in remodeling/decorating mode!! I love the colors and how everything just flows together... I'll post a few pics so you can see what I mean! Although, they don't do it justice. The real thing is just so much better! I can't wait to go back!

Granite Falls, Wyoming 2009 Trip

So we went to Granite for the annual camping trip- and even tho the weather was less than cooperative- we had a great time. Ryan left on a Sunday with the rest of the gang (about 40 people) and a few of us, like myself came up a few days later.

This year Alicia brought her best friend RaShelle. It was so nice to have someone her age with her. She tends to either be the oldest of the group of grandkids or younger. I know it can be difficult for her to find someone to hang out with, in those circumstances. It worked out great this year. She could go off and do her thing, Ryan could go fishing and I was taking pictures or napping! lol. I think her friend will be invited every year!

So here are a few pics and a few stories... from the trip.

So- the first night we are there, we hung some fly paper in a tree or two. Intending on catching flies, mosqitos, etc. NEVER in my life have I heard of someone catching a BAT in Fly Paper! We woke up the next morning and I saw, what I thought was a chipmunk dinking around with the fly paper. Upon closer observation.... I confirmed it was not a chipmunk at all. Ryan got out his gloves to get the bat off the paper. Afterwards, the bat crawled up a tree- cleaned himself off and ... vanished! Dracula?? Perhaps we will never know!!

On to better and less creepy things! The String Lakes. This year seemed so much more of.... a challenge. It took awhile for Alicia to get the hang of the paddling... and then the weather got really bad (like last year). Still good times- and I will still want to go every year. But maybe just get 2 canoes and let people trade on and off.

That is Alicia standing up in the middle. A Majority of the lakes are very shallow. I think the deepest spots are 10-15 feet.

Ok- this is very over exposed... but I was on a canoe so... give me a break! :) It almost looks like something is coming up behind the canoe. The String Lake Monster???

2 of the 4 canoes.... and if you look... that dot out there in the water is Alicia! (so I just clicked on the picture and I think that is Devin my brother in law out in the water as well).

Linda who is my awesome Mother in Law is in the lead. Taking us on "The Loop". Its a fun, short and pretty little hike that goes around the falls and camp. Takes about an hour and a half. It was neat to see camp from the other side.

This is my idea of rock climbing!

The two down by the river.

I also have other pictures of Granite on my photography blog- if anyone wants to check those out:

www.erinspencephotography.blogspot.com

Simpson Springs

My Mom & Dad along with some really good family friends: Uncle Master Leroy & Jane Horrocks, went camping at Simpson Springs for my Mom's birthday. My sister Liz had the idea to drive out there and surprise them! We woke up early on the first Saturday of the month, Ryan & I met Liz, Brent & Brinley in Layton- drove to SL to pick up my sister Becky. Then to Schmidt's Bakery for the carrot cake & sugar cookies and then finally... off to Simpson Springs! Alicia wanted to go but she was in Arizona with her dad's parents exploring their new winter home (One day, I too shall have a summer & winter home!!).

Here are some pics of our short but fun visit.

Grandma catching bubbles for Brinley.

Ryan & I went hiking and he found a set of antlers. They cannot be sanitary.

Its nappy nap time.

"Uncle Master Leroy" got his name from Liz. She was about 3 or 4 or so.... I think the first time she called him that was when we were camping in the Uintahs. No one knows why she thought of that- kids just say the funniest things sometimes. Well, It has stuck and we have called him that ever since. He has been an awesome friend to my parents and we have grown up with their family. I really do think of the Horrocks' like family. Mental note- find old pics & do a Horrock's post. Lots of great memories!

Brinley was great! She had a lot of fun finding rocks & sticks, throwing the ball to everyone & chasing bubbles. Overall- it was a fabulous Saturday. :)

Girls Boy Band Night

So....... My sisters, my daughter and my twin niece and nephew came over for a Boy Band Night! Old videos of BSB and NKOTB. Liz & I had a BLAST. The others... well..... Liz & I had a BLAST! We decided we should do a Butt Rock 80's Band Night next! Stay Tuned.....

Alicia- Rockn it Out

Alicia & Me

The group.. not having a blast.

Me & Lizzzzzz having a B L A S T!!!!

Brinley & her Monkey PJ's

I absolutely loved these monkey pajamas from the second I saw them! And the first person I pictured wearing them, was Brinley. They fit perfectly! Here she is wearing her monkey jammies, eating a snack and being cute & fun as always!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy BrInLeY!!

Brinley is the sweetest & smartest 2 year old ever! She only needs to see something once- and she remembers. She also has an amazing vocabulary. I can sit and watch her play and talk for hours and it just amazes me. I love how she is tall but so thin and light! Even a wimp with a bad back like me can just swoop her up! She is Liz & Brents first child and she has a little brother Wyatt, who is due in July (I am so excited to see him!!).

Here are some shots from Brinley's birthday party at Grandma Schultz's house.

Brent is holding Brinley... She was really surprised when they sang "Happy Birthday Dear Brinley.." She didnt realize we were singing for her, until then!

Getting a close up look at her new Baby Doll.

Good practice. She'll be babysitting her little brother in no time!

Brinley with her cousin Jake.

Happy Birthday!!!

Alicia & Buster

Buster is Alicia's buddy. He was a surprise for Christmas from her Dad a couple years ago. Alicia could tell you the exact date and time! Buster is a very big part of Alicia's world. So I wanted to share a few pics of them together- we took these fun pics at a park by our house.