Viva Las Vegas!!!

Justin's 30th birthday was on Thursday so to celebrate we went to Vegas with my sister & Travis. We had an early flight to catch on Friday morning so on Thursday night we stayed by the airport in Seattle. We had birthday dinner at 13 Coins (one of our favorite restaurants!) then headed to the hotel. We woke up at 5am to Travis yelling "VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!" Anyone that knows Travis knows that there is nothing quiet about him, even at 5am! :) When we got to the airport our step-brother, Zack, was there flying to Yakima for mom & Jim to pick him up. We were able to get him from his gate, take him to breakfast & visit with him until we had to catch our flight. He lives in Montana so we don't get to see him very often - it was great to be able to see him!!

When we got to Vegas on Friday we walked around & looked at everything that was on The Strip. Justin LOVED that we could buy beer & drink it while we were walking around outside or in the mall! We had dinner at Cheesburger in Paradise then needless to say, after drinking & some crazy cab rides we were all exhausted so we called it an early night & headed to bed.

Saturday we were up early, ate breakfast at the buffet at out hotel then headed out to The Strip again. While we were walking through the casino at Ceasar's Palace we saw Lori from Real Housewives of Orange County! Travis was SO excited (I don't think he has missed an episode!) & asked if he could take a picture with her! HAHA - he was so star-struck!!! She was very nice & excited that Travis watches the show.

We did more walking around & ended up at a piano bar inside Harrah's. We were hanging out there when Travis spotted John from Deadliest Catch (captain of the Time Bandit). He pulled a table & chairs to his table & asked us to join him! Travis couldn't believe it - first Lori, now John!! We stayed there for a couple of hours then we all headed to Toby Keith's bar upstairs where we stayed for the rest of our night.

Christmas Day...

I can't believe how much anticipation & excitment goes into Christmas & then it is over so fast! Our Christmas Day started out at our home then we went to my mom's. Christmas morning is always such a big thing at Mom's still because of Logan & Landon - they love every minute of it!! Our 'big gift' this year was a trip to California in August with my mom, Jim, Logan, Landon, Sis & Travis. We will be staying at a resort near Disneyland for a week & we can't wait! Disneyland will be much more exciting to Dailey the 2nd time around :)

When we were done at my mom's house we headed to Justin's mom & dad's. We exchanged gifts then had 'snacks'. Justin made it VERY clear at Thanksgiving that he didn't want a meal for Christmas, he just wanted snacks so that is what we all did. When we were done eating we played games & just relaxed.


This is Dailey opening her new Build-A-Bear Monkey that Justin & I got for her. The picture didn't turn out great because I had my finger over the flash but she loves her new little monkey!!

Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve started out by my cousin Reba coming over to cut/color my hair & cut Dailey's bangs. Once again, Dailey screamed while Reba was cutting them but it was over quickly.

When we were done my sister & I had a few last minute things that we needed to get for Christmas so we headed to Fred Meyer & it was a MAD HOUSE!! I think we saw every person that we have ever known in our entire lives. When we were done & had bought every thing that Fred Meyer had left we finally left & came home to finish a few things before we headed to Mom's for dinner. Dinner was a blast & we all had a great time! We had a white elephant gift exchange...one of the gifts was a pinata & the kids loved it! We weren't planning on having a pinata so we didn't have much to hang it from or hit it with so we used Mom's broom stick to hang it from & the vacuum tube thing to hit it with. All the big kids were blind-folded & had a turn then Dailey had a turn - she was so cute!! She grabbed the vacuum tube & started hitting away. She laughed & thought she was so funny the whole time!

Hat Island...

Wow - what a busy week!! Our Christmas started last Friday when we left for my dad's house on Hat Island. We had a nice, relaxing 3 days with my dad, Suzanne, Solstice & Hildy (their dogs), my sister & Travis. We got to the Island about noon on Friday and spent the rest of the day relaxing, having a few drinks, eating a good dinner & watching a movie. It was SO nice to just relax & enjoy spending time as a family. On Saturday we relaxed more, golfed, opened Christmas presents & had a great steak & halibut dinner. The crab eaters even got to have a few fresh crabs!! It was beautiful on Saturday night so we got to sit on the deck & look out over the water for awhile. Sunday morning we got up, packed up our stuff & headed home. We were able to do a little shopping in Bellevue on our way home then we started the trek over the pass. My cousin Jennifer was home from Phoenix so we got to visit with her, her parents & her brother for a few hours at my Grandma's house when we got back on Sunday night.

Little Santa...

Dailey loves to wear her Santa hat & I must say that she looks pretty cute in it!! :) If you ask her what Santa says she says "ho ho" I can't believe how many things she is saying & how quickly she is growing up!

Farmers Christmas Party...

Last night was the Farmers Insurance Christmas party at Whistlin' Jacks Lodge on Chinook Pass. Travis was in Florida so it was sister, Justin & I that went. We had a great prime rib dinner then partied & danced the night away!! We are all paying for it today but we had a great time!

Bird houses...

Also on Saturday, Logan & Landon got to build bird houses at Knudson's. They had a great time & were so proud when they were done! They are giving them as Christmas gifts :)

Santa...

Yesterday we took Dailey to see Santa at Knudson's. To say the least - she didn't like it!

Christmas pictures...

I should have known better than to think that I could have taken good, quality pictures of Dailey by myself. I had big plans of getting her in her Christmas outfits (yes, plural) and sitting her by the tree - as you can see NOTHING went as planned. I don't know why I thought she would just sit & smile at me - she doesn't hold still for 1/2 a second!! :)

Plowing snow...

Here is a picture of Dailey helping Justin plow snow. She had so much fun & refused to get off. Justin finally made me take her when she fell asleep while he was plowing! :) She loves to do anything as long as she is with her dada.