Family Pictures

We had these pictures done when my brother and his family came for Shellie's wedding.

Las Vegas, Baby!! part 1

Keith and I decided to take a sorta last minute trip to Las Vegas. It was really great to get away for a few days.

We left at 6:30 Sunday morning. The trip there wasn't too bad. We checked into our hotel around 3:00 Nevada time. Then we spent a little while wandering around our hotel, we stayed at Circus Circus, and then went to Adventure Dome. It is a 5 acre indoor amusement park inside the Circus Circus. We ate dinner at a little pizzeria where the food was average. Yes, these things were done on the Sabbath. I heard that Heavenly Father overlooks these things if done on vacation. Is that true? ;) After dinner we headed down the strip. We shared an ice cream sundae at the Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop. Wandered around inside a few hotels. My favorites are the New York New York and the Paris. Hmmm. I wonder if that means that I really am a big city kinda girl? These are a few of the pictures from our trip. The one with the gondola is inside the Venetian.

Las Vegas, Baby!! part 2

On Monday morning we took a shuttle down to Mandalay Bay where we went to the Shark Reef. That was pretty cool. After we were done there we wandered around the New York hotel and then had lunch at Gonzalez Gonzalez. I had the most delicious peach margarita (non-alcoholic of course.) After lunch we hit up M&M World. Then we just headed back in the direction of our hotel. We went inside a lot of the hotels on the way back and it took us most of the day to finally make it to the other end of the Strip where we were staying.

Tuesday morning we headed to the outlet mall and spent the morning mostly browsing. Funny thing though, both of us were moving around like little 90 year olds. Holy Crap, was I sore! Pathetic, I know. Once we were done shopping we went to the Macaroni Grill for a late lunch. It was nice because it was off of the Strip, so it was a little quieter. Here's a funny story for ya. My feet were KILLING me and at the mall there were several little kiosk type massage places and I really wanted a foot massage, but I just decided to get one once we got back to the hotel. I pulled out the yellow pages directory and flipped it open to the massage section. As I was looking, I noticed that most of the adds mentioned that they would come to your hotel 24/7. Well, I sure didn't think anything of it and told Keith to call one up and find out what the fee was etc, etc. So he calls up Brenda, Barb, and Brie and it wasn't until he was half way through the phone call that I realized I had just made my husband call HOOKERS!!! Well, she (Brenda, Barb, or Brie I'm not sure) really wanted Keith to schedule an appointment for later that night. Only $100 per hour and not even licensed massage therapists. Oops! I shall use better judgement next time.

Our original plan was to head home on Thursday, but I was missing the kiddos and we had done pretty much all we had wanted to (although I never got my massage) so we came home Wednesday instead. We stopped in Utah and ate lunch at the Maddox. Yum!

A huge thanks to Mom and Dad Hughes, and Mom and Dad Clayton for keeping the kids and dogs for us. We couldn't have done it without you. Love you all lots!!

I'm Back!!

I have decided to bring back my family blog. Check back soon for the latest!

Remember When

This one is for Christopher!!! I was wrapping presents the other night (my very least favorite part of Christmas. I HATE wrapping and I really suck at it) and used up several rolls of wrap. And it made me remember when me, my brother, and sister were young. For some insane reason my parents would leave Christopher in charge. Usually this was fine, but not at Christmas time. He saved the core from the middle of the wrapping paper and would make Shellie and I sit on the couch. If we got up or tried to move at all he would beat us with these. And let me tell you, they made these a lot sturdier way back when. When my parents returned home he would pretend that everything had been just fine and they would leave him in charge next time, too! They must not have believed Shellie and my stories. Oh well. We survived!!

Christmas Fun

It has been awhile since I last posted. We have been taking it easy. Here is what we have been up to. One night we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. Santa and Mrs. Clause were outside at one house and they were handing out candy canes to the kids.

Edible Snowflakes

We found this fun recipe in the December issue of The Friend Magazine. (For more info on the LDS church or this wonderful magazine for children click here.) You just warm a flour tortilla up in the microwave, fold it in half three times, cut with scissors, and fry it in a little vegetable oil. Then we sprinkled them with powdered sugar and sprinkles. They made a quick and yummy bedtime snack!

Baby Update

We have had so many people call to express concern for us. Here is what is happening: Thanksgiving Day was when I started having some problems. Friday morning I went to the ER. They put me on bed rest, but I didn't take it too seriously. Yesterday morning I went back to the doctor and they had me go to the hospital for another ultrasound. The baby does have a heart beat, but it is beating too slow. They said it should be beating at 100 beats per minute, and it was only at 66 beats per minute. Also, he is too small. The doctors said to pray for a miracle and that is what we are doing! I am getting lots of rest, and honestly, it is so boring sitting around doing nothing that I think I may go crazy! I have to go back to the doctor tomorrow for some more blood work and back next Tuesday for another ultrasound. We would appreciate your continued prayers in our behalf. Thank you so much for your concern, prayers, and offers to help!

Randolph the Reindeer

Every year after Thanksgiving my Mom comes up with a craft for us girls to do together. She usually does the majority of the project, too! This is what we made this year. Isn't he cute?!

Horse Cake

I made this cake for my Dad's Birthday last week. I found the idea at Family Fun's website. Gotta love Family Fun!

Letters To Santa

I saw this over at The Creative Homemaker. When you write your letters to Santa this year, take them to any Macy's store. They will deliver all letters to the North Pole, PLUS, for every letter they receive, they will donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation!

My Nativity Collection

I LOVE Nativity Sets!!!

O Christmas Tree

We set up our Christmas tree this evening. Each year I get all of us an ornament that represents something special we did that year. This year I got our ornaments in Disneyland, plus I got Keith a little wakeboarder since he got his boat this year. The kids got so excited looking at ornaments from past years. It is our special heirloom tree!