Viva Las Vegas

To celebrate one year of marriage, we headed off to Sin City.  The morning we left, Zoey could tell somethin was going on, and she might have acted out a bit.  And by acted out, I mean pulling most of the toilet paper from the roll and dragging it into our bedroom...

 And then tearing it up.  She must have known we'd be dumping her in a kennel for 5 days.  

We have a knack for finding the slowest restaurants in the world.  The slowest Jack in the Box is located in Benson.  The slowest Denny's is in Las Vegas.  We waited for our food for a long time, so I busted out the camera to pass the time.

 I think it's safe to say that Sam wasn't as upset about the wait as I was.  Note his happy (angelic?) expression versus my bored and pouty look.

 We stayed at the Luxor.  Our reservations were for the pyramid, but we got put in the tower.  I was kinda bummed at first, but I got over it.  This is looking out of our room's window and to the right, which accounts for the bad quality.

We went to see X-men while we were there.  Good flick.

Luxor

Front of the Luxor

New York, New York

The Chandelier club.  Crappy quality because I forgot to take the camera off of night mode when we went inside.  Whoops.

Paris

Vegas Temple

I tried to take pictures of the temple while we were driving away. Failure.

After our session in the temple.

The whole time we were in Vegas we tried to avoid eating anywhere on the strip because we figured it was more expensive.  After we went to the temple, we decided we wanted some kind of Chinese food for dinner, and I spotted a restaurant with some some words in an Asian language and then some words saying BBQ Buffet.  It wasn't too far from our hotel so we went and changed out of our churchy clothes and headed back to the buffet.  Mistake.  This was not your average Chinese buffet.  All the food in the buffet was raw, and there were little grills on each of the tables.  We paid about $23 bucks a person (so staying away from the strip wasn't beneficial) and it was not good.  And there was a catch to the "all you can eat."

Unfortunately, Sam did not notice this HUGE sign (or any of the smaller versions when we walked in), so he kept going back to the buffet for more stuff to cook, and I kept getting more and more worried that we were gonna get slapped with a $20 fee because we weren't going to be able to eat it all.  Once I pointed out the sign to Sam, he got a little worried too.  We had a lot of food, and not much room in our tummies.  Plus, I was still grossin out about the whole fishes on the buffet, and wasn't too keen on eating anything else from that joint.  Luckily, our waitress brought our check and there was no charge. Phew!

We stopped by Hoover Dam on our way home and I took some pictures while Husband parked 10 miles (ok, maybe like 200 yards...) away to avoid paying for parking.  

It was pretty cool... Pretty similar to Glenn Canyon Dam at Lake Powell, but still pretty cool.

We had fun.  But we decided if you're not into drinking, clubbing, constantly walking through a cloud of cigarette smoke, free porn on the side of the road, or gambling (which we're not), Vegas is kind of overrated.  We were kinda bums the whole time, but it was nice to get away from the dog (sorry Zoey...) and just have some time to do nothing.  Here's a piece of advice:  Don't go on vacation when you're in the middle of buying a house.  You won't want to spend any money so you'll just be a bum. 

I have a video of the fountain show at the Bellagio... I just have to get it from the camera to the computer, which will take some extra effort.  Plus, I suppose it deserves its own post because it was pretty much pretty awesome and possibly my favorite part.

Call Me Shirley

Due to temperatures that reach 100+ degrees here in southern AZ, I have been avoiding my blow-dryer and flat iron like the plague.  My bathroom happens to be the hottest place in the apartment, and it also happens to be where I do my hair every day.  Well, last night I tried some no-heat curls hoping to be able to wake up to beautiful, soft, sophisticated curls like this:

And instead I got this:

(please ignore my weird expression and dark circles.)

Needless to say, I was not going out in public like this.  So I hopped in the shower to trade my 'do for something that wasn't so "Animal Crackers."
I guess I am doomed to live a life of heat-damaged hair.

False Alarm

Remember my really really exciting big news?  If you don't, go HERE and catch up.  I'll wait.
...
...
Well, I recently got accepted to the dental hygiene program... (yay!)... for the fall.  The fall of 2016 (not yay).  So just forget everything I said in my "big news" post.  We are going to have to re-plan, because I am definitely NOT waiting until I'm done with school to have a baby now.
I'm still super duper excited to be accepted, and surprisingly, I'm really not devastated about this.  I'm just kinda like "whatevs."  I know everything will be fine, and I'll get my degree... even if I'm 60 by the time it happens.  So don't feel sorry for me.  I didn't write this post for that reason.  I just thought ya should know I got accepted.  And I am happy about that.

Dad

You guys didn't think I would forget about my dad, did you?  I bragged on my mom for Mother's Day, and now I'm gonna brag on my dad  for Father's Day (a few days late).

• My dad is the hardest worker I know.  I definitely did NOT learn to procrastinate from him.  I don't think he's ever slept past 7 am in his life (another trait I didn't inherit) because there is always something for him to do.  He will always help you out if you need a hand, no matter what time of day it is.  He's the least selfish person I know.
• Dad's really patient.  I can probably count the times I've heard him yell on one hand.
• He's smart.  He can pretty much answer any question about that power plant he's been working at for so long, which is pretty dang impressive because that's not a small operation they've got going on.  He also knows a lot about the church, which is also impressive, because the church isn't a small operation either.
• My dad is funny.  Most people think he's quiet and serious all the time.  He's not.  Once you get him telling stories, you'll never want him to stop.
• Dad's a cowboy.  A real cowboy.  And that is cool.
• He would do anything for his family.  Anything.
• He's talented.  He can tie any knot (because he's an Eagle Scout) and pitch a knuckle ball (because he was an awesome pitcher back in his high school baseball days).
• He's caring.  
• He always puts others' needs before his own.
• He's never late.
• He's supportive.
• He's helpful.
• He's a family man.  I'm pretty sure most of the grand kids (ok, the kids too) have him wrapped around their fingers.  But that's just because he loves us so much and we love him so much.

Back in my EAC days.  Don't hate on the ugly dress.

Dad & all the girls back when Tera and Emmaree were just little toots.

My dad is the guy I compared potential husbands to.  If the guy I liked didn't have a lot of the qualities my dad has, he was pretty much out of the running. 

I love you very very much dad! I hope you had a wonderful Father's Day!

Love,

Little Ash

Feast your eyes

On our future home!

The details:  

3 bedrooms

2.5 bathrooms

2 car garage

big kitchen with a microwave and dishwasher included and pantry that doubles as a Harry Potter room (aka room under the stairs)

formal dining area

den (that could be converted into another bedroom if we get ambitious)

good sized back yard with no landscaping (yay for being able to do whatever we want with it!)

1951 sq. feet

built in 2005

huge bathroom and closet in master suite

vaulted ceilings in front room/entryway

located in the AMAZING community of Rancho Sahuarita

only about 15 minutes away from work for Sam.

We are STOKED!  I'm so ready to be out of this tiny apartment!  Not to mention it will be so nice to make payments on our own property instead of someone else's.  Once the husband gets home from work tonight he will sign the papers, and we will send them to our Realtor, Carolyne, so she can send them to the bank!  Then Carolyne says it usually takes about 45 to 60 days to get everything settled, and then it will be moving day!  

Commence happy dance.

PS:  If you want to help us move, we'll love you forever and maybe give you a microwave since we will have 3 when we move.

Puppy love

I found this little guy at the mall yesterday.  Did I want to take him home?

 You betcha.

But not for $1600.  Even if his fat belly was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

I'm Over It...

This whole stupid 30 day thing. So I'm wrapping it all up in this one post.  Please try to contain your excitement.

Day 20: A hobby of yours.

Riding my bike.  I really wish I could ride it more here, but honestly, it's too much effort.  I know that sounds lame and lazy, but just hear me out.  I live on the second floor, so does my bike.  There is not a bike rack nearby, so in order to ride my bike, I would have to haul it down the stairs, ride it, and then haul it back up the stairs after my butt is already kicked from riding my bike.  Not my idea of fun.

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people

Um... I really have no idea.

Day 22: A website

buttersafe.com Be warned:  This website is a trap.  You might spend hours just looking at the comics that are somehow funny, witty and dumb all at the same time.  Unless you're not as easily entertained as I am, then you just might think it's stupid and a waste of time.  I understand if that is the case.

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered

A good mom and wife.  There are obviously other things I'd like to accomplish, but for as long as I can remember, the two roles that I've always been sure I really really without a doubt wanted were wife and mother.  

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love

Yes, I love A Night at the Roxbury.  Deal with it.

Day 25: A recipe

This is one of our favorites lately.  Made it for dinner just last night.  I substitute El Pato for Ro-Tel though, because I hate tomatoes.  Then I put in a small can of diced chilies because we like it hot. 

Day 26: A childhood memory

I got lost in Disneyland.  We went to California for Brad's graduation from boot camp and decided to go to Disneyland to celebrate.  Dad went to Thunder Mountain Railroad (or maybe it was Space Mountain...?) with some of the kids and I stayed with Mom (and maybe Kourtney... I don't exactly remember) and we went to a souvenir shop.  As I was looking around, Mom headed to another part of the store.  I swear I looked all over that little shop before I decided she had deserted me.  So I went outside and found a Disneyland worker and asked  him to take me to where Dad was.  We started walking and talking and I told him about how I didn't know where my mom went after she left the souvenir store.  So instead of taking me to my dad, he took me back to the shop and there was my mom.  Turns out she didn't desert me.  I just didn't look as thoroughly as I thought I did.  

Day 27: A physical feature you love

Love me some straight teeth.  And the husband's green eyes.

Day 28: A scar you have and its story

I tried to take a picture of the scar on my arm, but the scar was definitely not visible in the picture.  Guess it's not ready for its internet debut.  The story of the scar isn't very exciting or anything, but it's the biggest scar I have.  (All the other ones are either a:  really teeny with mysterious origins, or b:  small and on my knees from learning how to slide in jr. high softball.)  I got the scar on my arm from a curling iron when I was really little.  My mom was curling her hair and I was just too curious for my own good.  I pulled on the cord and got a curling iron to the arm.  I don't remember anything about it, but that's probably a good thing since burns are not very pleasant.

Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.

• Buy a house.  We've put an offer on one, and now we're just waiting for some crap to be sorted out with the bank and an old offer to see if our offer will be accepted and we will be home owners.
• Run a 5k.  Maybe.  I'm not a big fan of running, so this one's still up in the air.
• Get accepted to the dental hygiene program.  Is it sorta feeling like this is all I talk about?  Sorry if it is.
• Buy a boyfriend for Zoey so they can have puppies and we can sell them.
• Get pregnant.  This is another maybe.  I'm super baby hungry, but everything depends on how things go with school.  It basically rules my life.
• Ride my bike more.  Oh boy, do I miss it.

FINALLY! DAY 30: A motto or philosophy

I would just like to start off by saying I almost put #) instead of 30. That's what holding shift instead of just pressing caps lock does to a person.
I have two. First: You need a reason to be sad, you don't need a reason to be happy.
I try to remember this when I'm having a bad day. Do I really have a reason that I'm in a crappy mood? Or am I just being crabby because I'm feeling sorry for myself? If I don't have a good reason, I try to be happier. If I have a good reason, well, I'll be honest, sometimes I just let myself be grumpy and mean. Everyone's entitled to that every once in a while.
Second: It is never to early, late, or cold for ice cream.
And that my friends, is just a fact.


Glad it's over? Me too.