Hey, Baby, Let's Go To Vegas

A few weeks ago, Kade and I flew out to Las Vegas to check out a possible business opportunity there. It was just over a long weekend, so we opted to just take Ailee with us, and leave Maryn here (to save mucho $$) with some friends. When we got in, Kade's parents, our super-duper awesome chauffeurs for the weekend, picked us up and took us out to see the practice. It was nice, and in a pretty area outside of the city. Then, that evening we drove to Cedar City to spend some quality time with the 'rents.
Saturday, we went down to St. George to mingle with some more of the fam. We dropped in on Kade's brother and his cute family. It had been a really long time since I had seen them. After visiting and checking out their nice home (Kade and I long for a home...so we are often taking note on how nice [and much more spacious] other peoples' houses are), we met up with the sister in law we had never met, Katie. I've only ever known Katie through her blog, and it's been what, 4...5...years since she and Kade's little brother got married? We are so lame. Anywho, it's nice to finally put a voice to all those pictures. And, I look forward to getting to know her a little bit better.
Sunday, Kade was pretty nasty sick, so we just bummed around a bit until it was time to head back to the airport. We had a lousy red-eye flight (who booked those terrible times????? Oh, it was me...) so poor Kade was miserable laying on the floor of the airport terminal. It reminds me of the first time I remember him. So pathetic. Asleep on the floor in front of the TV on a Friday night. Ahhhhh, memories. Well, somehow I managed to get us on REALLY full flights, so I had to hold Ailee, who, thankfully, slept surprisingly well, all night. I pretty much just skipped a night's sleep. And just so you know, if you fly through Atlanta in the morning, you are guaranteed to be delayed.
Meanwhile, back at home, Maryn was having a rip-roarin' good time with her buddy Caiden. Sometimes I wonder if these two were made for each other. They get along so easily, and play so well. In fact, whenever I tend Caiden and his little sister, I hardly even see Maryn and Caiden, except when they want food. Maryn had such a good time, that a few days after we got home, she asked me when we were going back to Las Vegas, so she could stay at Caiden's house again. I can tell we were so missed. Not. Amber, Caiden's mom, was good enough to take these pictures of their time together:

Playing in the fall leaves

Maryn taught Caiden how to squish yogurt through his teeth...you're welcome, Amber!!

Next, is the best picture of them all! I mean, really how can one not take this as a challenge to secretly align the future?

Maryn and Caiden in front of the Louisville, KY temple

How awesome would it be if by some crazy chance these two got married? Would this not be the BEST picture to display at their reception? Or on their wedding announcements???? Maybe they could sing the duet from "Saturday's Warriors" (for those of you non-mo's, "Saturday's Warriors" is a corny little musical, and in it, a boy and a girl are in love in the pre-mortal life, then meet again in the mortal life to fall in love. When they meet, they sing a cheesy song about how they seem familiar to each other)...(boy)I've seen that smile, somewhere before....(girl)I've heard that voice before...(together)It seems we've talked like this before.

Think about the possibilities!!

Amber, you and I will be in touch!

I Suck

I am THE Grim Reaper of plants. My house is the house that terminally ill plants come to die, and I am Dr. Kevorkian. I kill plants. In fact, if you were to ask around the plant community about me, the only tales you would here are those of neglect and horror. I'm amazed that with my dark plant past, I am still allowed to keep my children.

This plant was a gift to me. I have only had it for 2 and 1/2 weeks.

When I received it, the flowers were vibrant and beautiful, and the leaves were...well, they too, were alive. I don't know why I can't keep plants alive. I have watered it, loved it, given it sunshine. Aren't those the 3 ingredients every plant needs?? So, please, tell me. What have I done to make the plant Gods so angry?

Life's Little Lessons

If I were to die right now, I would have to say that the most important lesson I have learned in this life is this: If you go into anything, expecting only to be disappointed, you will never be truly disappointed. Again, tonight that lesson was confirmed.

My friend, Erin, had read the Twilight books, and convinced several of us to read them as well. I admit it--I enjoyed them. They were entertaining, and creative. I was a little grossed out by the icky googly love bits, but I liked reading them. So, as a tribute to Twilight, I present you with this video (brought to you by The Normal Mormon Husband). Enjoy.

That's good clean fun, now isn't it? Well, if you haven't been living in a cave in Afghanistan (ooooh, slam to Bin Laden), then I'm sure you know that the movie "Twilight" was released on Friday. I have a confession. I bought my ticket online last week. I even paid an extra dollar to do so. Then, I went to the theater an hour early to stand in a line so that I could get a good seat. I braved the throngs of giggly teenage girls as they screamed and jumped when they saw their other giggly friends come out of the theater from the previous showing, sing a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to one of their fellow herd members, scream shrilly at the scary movie preview (just for their credit, it was a really scary looking movie. I had to turn away), and almost pass out from heart palpitations as each male member of the Cullen family made their debut on the big screen. And all this is because??? A girl's night out. Ahhhh, the sound of screaming girls....not directed at me. It was so worth it.

The movie was.....uh.....well....let's just say, I entered that theater expecting disappointment, and I was not disappointed. (see learned life lesson from above) Now, where do I begin? How about with the acting.

WORST

ACTING
EVER!!!!!!

I don't think I have seen such bad acting since my high school girl friends and I made ridiculous home videos in my basement. The price is wrong, Pop Parker! MTV's show, "Singled Out" was so AWESOME, and Licki Rake told me to read a book! We were young, and just wanted to poke harmless fun at people, but still, our acting was probably a teensy bit better than the acting we found in "Twilight." I haven't decided yet, but I think first prize from the bad actor's guild goes to Edwards response when he first meets Bella in class.

My theory is that he had to quickly cover his smile because he was thinking about the dude on dude action that went on when Carlisle "turns" Edward. Um, what was the rating on this show again? Is this a campaign against Prop 8? James...now there's a dramatic vampire for you. Hmmm. Maybe it's just the prepubescent mustache he's trying to grow, or the greasy hair, but didn't I go to high school with this guy? He gave me the creeps back then, too.

Ah, high school. What a fun time. Not. I did forget to mention all the aspiring actors/actresses filling the gawky, awkward fellow teenager roles. They did a great job. Perhaps it was because they were so gawky and awkward that I actually felt pain for them.

Well, better luck next time--which sadly enough, I'm sure there will be. Some of the girletts in line with us were for reals seeing the movie for the second time. Wow, I sure hope reality hits them before they send in their fan mail to "Edward" and "Jacob" asking if they can marry them both. Enclosed in the envelope are the eye lashes she pulled out, just for them.

Somebody's Gotta Win, Might As Well Be YOU!

She's at it again....that crazy quilter, Camille, from Thimble Blossoms is having another quilt giveaway. Go check it out. You never know, you just might win!

Thuh Real Thang

All right, I finally got my Christmas cards ordered, and I can showcase a bit of Erin's handy work with the camera. We love how they all turned out, so it was difficult to choose which ones to use for our Holiday Greetings. The ones we did use aren't posted, so there will be some element of surprise when we send out our cards, should you be SO lucky to get one!
Enjoy.

Halloweeners, Milestones, and Swimmin'

Yes, it has been almost a week since Halloween, and finally I am getting around to posting pictures of my kiddos like the rest of the blogging world. I think my whole life is a week behind.

Our friends, the Rangitsch's, were good enough to invite us out with them on Halloween, since our neighborhood gets a big thumbs down on tricker treatin'. Maryn had a blast keeping up with the boys, and even went in the haunted house, accompanied by Kade, of course. She got a huge amount of candy, so she was on a crazy sugar high. She must of gotten burned out, because after about 3 days of "the rush" she stopped asking for candy. Her candy bucket is still on top of the fridge, just daring me to get fat.

All the kids before trick or treating.

Ailee was a sweet little kitty and only begged for milk, not candy.

Now, on to the next big news: Ailee has hit a big milestone. She rolled over this week. Hurray for our little bug! I can't believe how fast she has grown. She's full of spunk and loves to smile. Sometimes I can get her in the right mood and make her laugh.

And, finally to the last thing on our agenda, Maryn started swim lessons a few weeks ago. She is totally a water rat and loves her class. We lucked out that there is only one other kid in her class.

Below is a short little video of her practicing the breast stroke.

Ok, not really...I think that lesson is next week.

Just A Little Preview

We have had exceptional fall weather this year. The past week has been pretty much perfect with comfortable temps in the 70's and blue skies. Last Saturday, my friend, Erin went with us to Bernheim Forest for a family Christmas photo shoot. Our pictures turned out great! Unfortunately you don't get to see her photos today because I haven't decided yet which ones to use for our Christmas cards (I don't wanna spoil the surprise!!)....so, until I make a decision, you only get to preview our lousy photography talents.

KY is so beautiful in the fall. I love this fence at Bernheim Forest. Nice pic, Kade!

I thought this picture was rather thoughtful.

As soon as I make up my mind, I will for reals post Erin's pictures, so you can see some real talent from a person with a real camera.