Vegas- 6 days

Oh Yes...in 6 days we will be in Vegas. Gambling, eating amazing food, drinking adult beverages before noon, taking in a show or two, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

We need a vacation. It's been quite the year. Job change for CP, dog almost died, Grandpa did die, money troubles, then- thankfully-no money troubles. Ah, the ebonflow of life! This is what it's all about. Ups and downs, mistakes made, lessons learned- and then at the end of the year we celebrate by treating ourselves to a 5 nights and 6 days in the Adult Disney World-

aka VEGAS! This will be our 8th trip (9th for CP) and we've been going since 2002...we went twice in 2004 (3 times for CP).

a few pics from Vegas 2007 are posted...

be sure to check back in a few weeks for 2008's highlights.

(This year, to mix things up, we are going to take all of the photos in black and white and when I scrapbook them I am going to use Vegas inspired songs as inspiration and titles...that's right, I'm a scrapbooking geek and have my plan already!)

Plans: Samba, Mon Ami Gabi, Jubilee!, a comedian (maybe Rodney Carrington), roulette, black jack, nickel slots, Vodka Collins, Toby Keith's Bar and Grill, Red Rock Canyon, Neon Boneyard, Tiffany's...I'd love something in a little blue box, Bellagio fountains, Christmas decor-

and that's just the first day...j/k...the first two.

We always get a little nervous to leave the girls (the dogs), no one can love/spoil them like we do...but it's good for them and us to have a break from each other.

As always, the invite stands firm to our friends and family- please join us whenever you'd like. We always go the second week of December, we'd love for you to join us!

Cliche' what I am Thankful for post...

I am Thankful for:
my husband
to have a job
to own a home
to have good friends
to have a family that always keeps me on my toes
for my doggers
photography
scrapbooking
warm sweaters
fuzzy slippers
skim white chocolate mochas with almond
fall leaves
sunny days
the first snow
the eliptical machine
the Wii Fit
challenging moments
jasmine vanilla lotion
lippies (softlips- cherry)
sunglasses
online banking
Facebook
email
Gilmore Girls on DVD
Bath and Body wallflowers, especially creamy nutmeg today
my Jeep
my diamond rings
my health
Nate's health
my Grandmas for raising me
Michael's coupons
digital cameras
snapfish and shutterfly
hair color
mascara and eye liner
Butterfingers
Vegas
instant messenger
hair detangler
Archiver's
many, many more things and people- but here is a glimpse.
...yes, some things are shallow and materialistic...but at least I'm honest

7 things...

7 Things I plan to do before I die:
Travel to Greece and Italy, make a positive impact in a child's life, get/have singing lessons, live in NV, AZ or CA, wear jeans again, be financially comfortable and rock sick babies at the hospital

7 Things I do now:
adore my husband, guide my sister, work for my money, travel, get crafty, solicited advice giver and pro marriage/man encourager (shut up, that's a word)

7 things I won't do.
Lie for you, believe your lies, not make you feel stupid for lying, lie to you, back down from my beliefs, jump out of plane or live in Canada or Cuba

7 Things that attract me in the opposite sex:
shoulders, work ethic, sense of humor, loving me for who I am what I believe in, that he knows who he is and what he believes (and stands up for it...so that would be integrity), adventure and a good listener


7 Celebrities that I admire: Ruth Bell Graham, Ann Coulter, Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Dr. Laura, Bruce Willis and Gary Sinese

7 Favorite foods: mashed potatoes and gravy, garlic lime shrimp, Fritos and chili, potstickers, butterfingers, granny smith apples with colby cheese and fettucine chicken w/ artichokes

the view from my desk

Some people have cubes, some have offices with doors, some people work outside...

this is the view in my home office:

Bella under my desk

Baby Bianca on her bed in my office

the squirrels torment Bianca all day long

Can you see Bianca's big bat ears? Too cute!



Miss Bianca checking out those dang squirrels...and the rabbits too.

Pumpkins

Pumpkins!!!

CP's birthday

Nate and I- together 10.5 years!

Do it, judge me...every year I gather people I love for a few adult beverages. Yes, I plan it myself. No, I don't care if you think that is tacky. I just really like to see as many of my loved ones as I can on my birthday. It's a great time to reminisce (some of my/our best moments are always relived...that means embarrassing), we have an adult beverage or too many and just enjoy each other's company. It is also the only day during the year I can justify mixing up my worlds. For example at this year's gathering I had friends from high school, friends from college, neighbors and family- you can mix that up every day...it doesn't always work. Here are some pics...hopefully next year some of my far away loved ones can join us!

Oklahoma family- I'm talking to you!!!

Crystal and I have known each other since 10th grade and we went to college together;

her husband Eric was there too (thanks Eric!). Crystal and Eric met and started dating a few short months before Nate and I met. I was there when Crystal met Eric and Crystal was there when I met Nate...it's pretty fitting that we are back together again celebrating life!

They have two beautiful boys, Alex and Aiden.

Nate and I will be venturing to Vegas with Crystal and Eric in December.

I have known Faith since college (she was a freshmen and I was a senior), then we worked together (technically I was her boss, but she taught me my job!) and now we are neighbors and best of all friends...all done by the hands of God!

(that's her husband Andrew...he makes amazing bon fires for us!)

Jen Foster (that's Officer Foster to you) and I met in college; we occasionally lose touch, but when we see each other again we pick up right where we left off!

This is my father-in-law Dean, but I just call him Dad and my sister-in-law Danielle. I have known Danielle since she was 16 and now she is married and a mommy---

wow, time really does fly!

Life is Good! I have amazing people in my life and for that I am so grateful!

Phillips Autumn Tradition

We value traditions. A few years ago Nate and I started the yearly tradition of gathering the Phillips Family and spending the day at Jacobson's Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake, MN. It has become a yearly event that we all look forward to and can't imagine missing a year at the apple orchard. Here are some of my favorite pics from yesterday's adventure.

The Fischers
6 nieces and a very patient nephew
N&C
the Phillips children
Isabelle, Mercedes and Shelby