Walkin' the Strip

Cody's parents were in town for a few days and we had such a great time with them. On Saturday afternoon we met up with them down on the strip. We parked at Treasure Island and walked all the way to the other side of the strip. I have never done that and it was pretty fun. We were able to see the pirate and sirens show outside of TI, see the volcano explode in front of the Mirage, See the beautiful Christmas Conservatory in the Bellagio and of course we had to see the water show. We ended up eating at the Harley Davidson Cafe which was so good. Cody and I were sharing our dinner and he of course had to get the Hog plate which had three different kinds of animal on it (Chicken, Pork, and Beef) It was really good. We then went back to John and Debbie's hotel and visited for a while and relaxed. Then we were off on our hour and a half walk back to our car. We took our time to get back to the car but it sure was cold down there. It's still Christmas time at the Bellagio
In The Mirage
John and Debbie in the Bellagio. Why so Serious John? :) :) :)

Watching the water show at the Bellagio. We were freezing!!!

Dam Fun!!

This past weekend Cody's parents came to Vegas for a few days and Cody's brother Ryan and Katie came over from St. George for the day to go to the Hoover Dam. There were six of us and we only had five passenger cars, so we all loaded up in my car and were off. We didn't think it would be a very long drive there since it is only about an hour away so we thought it would be fine to squish four people in the back of my car. Well ,it ended up that we were about 8 miles away from the dam and we got into bumper to bumper traffic. It took us about 1 and 1/2 hours to go 8 miles. It was crazy. It was fun being with the family that whole time but our legs did eventually go numb. We had a good dam tour and it was amazing to learn about the dam and how incredible this structure it is. It was fun to spend time with Cody's family.

Cody's mom, dad and cody deep down inside the dam
Cody's mom, Katie, me and Cody all squished in the back.

Katie and Me on the dam. I think the background is amazing.

Katie, Ryan, Cody and Me

Wonderful trip to Reno!!!

I am back in Las Vegas and had a great Christmas visit with the family in Reno. I went up about a week after school got out and Cody had to stay in Vegas for another week so he could work. He finally was able to come up for a few days during Christmas which was so nice. We all had so much fun!!! I was able to spend time with each of my brothers and sisters and their kids. I got to have a sleep over with Annacy and we stayed up all night long!!! I visited Dr. Childs' office and watched the Hygienist work (now that I know what to look for), I slept in everyday, and we went shopping and just relaxed the whole time. It was such a great break and it was way too short.

When Cody got into Reno we were able to go to meet up with his parents at Scheels and looked at guns!!! We then met up with his brother and all went to dinner at Chevy's!!! We had so much fun with them and it was so good to see and visit with his family.

Christmas morning the whole family came over and opened presents and had a wonderful Christmas. Dale and Liane's family came over and we all had a gift exchange which was something new we tried this year and it turned out to be really fun.

Me and my good ol' pa

On Christmas Eve we had our traditional Strawberry Waffles up at Dale and Liane's house and then acted out our first nativity with all the kids. Simon,Wyatt, and Brian were shepards, Chris and Chanika were Mary and Joseph, Ezra was baby Jesus, Jami was the star, Amber, Megan, and Annacy were angel's, Monte, Geoff, and Cody were the Wise Men and I was the photographer!!! It was so fun and the kids looked so cute!!

I absolutely love this picture. Simon and Annacy look so sweet and Wyatt is so goofy. He must have been really excited to take a picture. Every time I look that this picture I bust up laughing!!!Jami and Sweet Baby Ezra.Chanika is pregnant and looks great as always. She is having another boy and is more excited to find out the hair color!!

Brian and Cody just hanging out on Christmas Day

Cody, Brian, and Monte are always the ones to play strategic games when the family gets together. Wyatt always loves to get in on the action too!!!

I had so much fun with Chris while I was there. The night before I was leaving we went to In and Out and Midnight with Elizabeth and Alli Jenkins and with two of Chris' foster daughters.

Geoff and Maxxwell. Geoff was in town for a couple days. Geoff always is the life of the party.

Geoff gave this dog to Annacy for Christmas. She absolutely loved it and pretends like it is a real dog that wrestles with her. She has an obsession with dogs but doesn't want to get close enough to them just in case they will lick her. Me, mom, and Amber in our adorable aprons that Geoff got for us.

On Christmas Eve Santa came for a visit and was a huge hit with the kids except for Wyatt. He was a little scared of him but eventually warmed up to him a little bit.

Amber and Me on Santa's lap telling him what we want for Christmas!!

The whole nativity clan.

Chris and Chanika

Me and Cody on Christmas day. Cody got a flying remote control helicopter from my dad and loves it. It was pretty fun watching the boys try to figure out how to fly these copters. Once Cody got the hang of it he was pretty good. I don't think boys will ever get bored of remote control anything.

Cody was able to come to Reno on Christmas Eve. He is still dressed from work that day. I was so happy to have him with me. I missed him so much.

Dad, Ezra, Janess, and Morgan sitting in the most covetted spot in Aunt Liane's house.

Annacy and I finally got to have a fun sleepover. Mom and I picked her up at her house and she was all packed and ready to go. We first went on an adventure to the pet store, then we went and bought a carmel apple at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, we got dinner at Taco Bell, we let her pick out a movie at the movie store( she loves Air Bud and had a tough time picking which one she wanted to buy). We finally went home and ate and watched air bud. Then we painted our nails and did eachothers makeup and hair and finally about 1;30 we started reading stories and went to bed. We had so much fun. THe next morning she watched Air Bud twice in a row. I love being an Aunt because I can let her do whatever I want to do with her. She is my best friend!!! this picture is before our makeover!

Annacy after her makeover. She sure looks beautiful. She loved having her hair blow dried.

Annacy giving me my makeover. After our makeovers at 1:30AM. I was tired!!

Mr. Maxxwell is getting so big and so fun. He is a crawling machine!!

Amber is on this kick of making leg warmers. She has made a ton for Megan and Wyatt and they are great. She made me a pair and I love them. They keep me so warm.

Amber and Mom out to lunch

Sweet Baby Megan

My best friend Lizzy was home from school. We were able to see a lot of eachother during our vacation. She is such a great friend!!

Top ten reason why Obama is the Man!!

1. Obama CAN slam a revolving door.

2. Obama has counted to infinity....twice.

3. There is no CTRL. button on Obama's computer, he is ALWAYS in control.

4. If you have five dollars, and obama has five dollars, obama STILL has more money than you.

5. When the boogey man goes to bed he checks his closet for Obama.

6. Obama can lead a horse to water AND make him drink.

7. Obama CAN eat just one lays potato chip.

8. Obama doesn't read books, he stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

9. Obama is so fast he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

10. Obama doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Finally Feels Like Christmas!!!

WEll this weekend has finally felt like it is the christmas season. Last night we had a party at our house for about 20 people. It was so fun. We had lasagna, salad, rolls and pumpkin dump cake. It was so good. We had a fun gift exchange and then played games afterwards. I finally took down my fall decorations and put up our Christmas Decorations. I love Christmas and I have been so sad that I have had my nose in the books and have not had time to feel the Christmas spirit. The snow also helped bring that christmas spirit to Vegas.

Tonight I had another party to go to with some of the girls from school. Ngoc wanted to cook some vietnamese food for everyone and it was so good!!! WE had another fun gift exchange and I ended up with a gift card to target.

Christmas parties + gift exchanges + good food + good company + snow = Christmas Spirit!!! All the girls
Ngoc and Robert cooked for two days and it was wonderful!!!

Dorianne during the gift exchange. She always picked the good gifts and everyone always stole from her.

Celeste, Sam, and Jen

Happiness Comes From Hard Work

Today was such a wonderful day. I finally got through my wild ride on my first crazy rollercoaster. This semester was the hardest, stressful, most difficult, never ending, sleepless, extremely emotional, frustrating, and rewarding semester ever. I have hated and loved every minute of what I have learned and studied and the time that it took to get where I am today. I look back at this first semester and think of what an accomplishment I have made, how wonderful the teachers have been to help me get me through and the best part about this whole thing is the wonderful, caring, and supportive friends I have made. We are all behind eachother, guiding, and encouraging eachother the whole way. We want eachother to succeed and will do anything to help someone take one more step to get a little farther because we are the only ones that know what we are going through. We can't explain it to anyone else but we all had eachother. That was the best part. We unfortunately lost 5 girls this semester which was very devastating. It was so difficult to see them work so hard and sacrifice so much and not be able to get through. I just hope I can get through the next three semesters. I worked my butt off this first semester and I know what I have to do to get through the next three. I did think and wonder everyday if I was going to get through.
I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive husband who has supported and encouraged me the whole time. He was always willing to listen to me when I came home from school and vent my frustrations and he would always have a positive attitude and help me see that I can do it and I will do it. He had double duty with both me and Caitlin coming home and telling him our frustrations. They say this program brings you and your spouse closer or farther apart and it has definitely brought us closer because Cody is so wonderful and patient. I have not been able to see him very much this semester because I would wake up before him and usually go to bed after him. I couldn't have done it with out my family's support and talking with Amber everyday and hearing her words of encouragement and also Lizzy jenkins and her great words of encouragement.
I am so excited for these next five weeks to spend some fun quality time with Cody, to sleep in, clean my house,relax, spend good quality time with my family, and enjoy all of my time off. I know this is a long post but I just wanted to finsh off the end of my semester with what I went through and how this first semester was. I know it is only going to get harder, but I know I can do it.

Our first day of school. We have no clue what the road before us is leading to.

Last day of 1st semester!!! We have been so excited for this day to finally come!!!

Some of the girls in the program!!! Today was a happy day. I have some of the greatest friends!!!

Jen, Mandi, and Glecy

Becky, Erin, Victoria and Katie

The threesome!!!

Jen, Sara Beth, and Caitlin

Cookin' Machine

Cody was on a role tonight. He made amazing turkey stuffed sweet peppers and two sweet potatoe pies. He has been wanting to make a sweet potatoe pie for the longest time and he finally did. It was amazing. There is nothing sexier than my handsome husband working in the kitchen making delicious food!!!!