We got to go to Pei Wei with Grandma Barbara, my Mom and my brothers. Always nice to get in every last
restaraunt that we miss not having around in NYC. Isn't that funny, that we miss our favorite retaraunts living in a place like NYC?

Here's the near end of our summer in Las Vegas!!

Lots of crafts, lots cousin time, smores and gymnastics at Merluzzi!

Tara, I'm sad we didn't get any pictures of us at the movie theatre!

Boulder City.

(The Coffee Cup Cafe has been featured on Drive-Ins, Diners and Drives with that guy, Guy.)

One of the first days we were in Vegas, we took a short trip out to Boulder City and Lake Mead, to Jet Ski! I've always loved Boulder City. My parents would take us to the A&W Root beer when I was a little girl and once I started driving, I remember going out there a few times to buy rope sandals and other little antique-ish things. I'm always a little nervous about the thought of Lake Mead, but once we're out there in the water, it's so much fun!

My dad said that I was in back of him saying, "Slow Down!" and Ella was in front of him saying, "WEEEEEEEEE!"
She is a thrill seeker, for sure.

Here is our little beach bum girl.

After Lake Mead, we went to The Coffee Cup Cafe in Boulder City.

On our way home, we got the prettiest, little, pink tulips to bring to Marylyn's grave. Marylyn is Scott's youngest sister.
Did you know? Scott's family lived in Boulder City from the time he was 2 to 5.

City Center.

This is Ella at City Center, in Las Vegas. On Christmas Day 2009.

We went with Papa, along with Joe, Caden and Scotty b/c Papa Kent had been working on a bunch of the signs and electrical for the new Resorts and shops and we wanted to see it all!

This was the same evening that I had taken Ella to the ER b/c it seemed that she was having an asthma attack. It turned outt o be allergy induced asthma, so she was good after a breathing treatment.

This is Ella at Tiffany's in City Center. Telling her Daddy what she wants next year.

The whole decor of City Center is very modern. It is a modern that I dig. We've got other pictures from our phones, b/c our camera died, but these are the ones we got before that happened.

On our way home, we waited until Midnight in front of Roberto's Taco shop so that we could get some burritos. MMMMMMM....Roberto's. It was a crazy night out on the town.

Welcoming...

We just so happened to be in Las Vegas for my best friend's baby shower and the birth of her little lovebug. What a coincident! It's not like I had been planning the whole summer around the two wonderful, joyous events or anything! It was more like, I wouldn't have missed them for almost anything. And the only reason I say almost is because, of course sometimes things happen. Karisa was kind enough to include me in both events.

With the help of two other friends Alison and Danielle, we planned a baby shower to Welcome Kennedy Lynn.

Alison found an amazing cake artist. That just does it "for fun". It was perfect.

Here she is! Karisa the beautiful.

Grandma Sue was the best by taking the girls all morning,

getting them ready and bringing them to the shower.

Mom, Paisley, Debbie (Karisa's Mom)

This is one of my favorite Karisa faces. It's the face she gets when she talks with kids. Isn't she motherly? It's a lot different than the face she got when someone threatened to beat me up in 7th grade. It's good she has both in her.
Part of the high school crew. Cherice, Elisabeth, Tara, Joanne, Claudia, Mia and Paisley

My other best friend forever! Since before we were born.

We're eternal friends, we're pretty sure of it. (Why are there tears in my eyes? I love you!)
Corbin, Tara and Jubie

Now who could have got that in the Bronx, at Yankee Stadium?
I had to represent! That's where Kennedy's grandparents are from!

Friends for 17 years!

Me and two of my bridesmaids.

Karisa's Aunt Sue and her daughter, Mia.

You're going to be seeing a lot more of this girl in the following months!

We have officially called this year, "The Year of Karisa!" And if you don't believe me, then you should know that today is even her birthday!! See?!

I love you, Happy Birthday!

Her Grand Entrance.

Before you get to see a very cute, real life baby doll, I have to tell you how much fun it is for someone close to me to go through a pregnancy and birth, AFTER I had already become a mother myself. It just made me reflect during Karisa's whole pregnancy and birth how wonderful and precious and special and hard it is to be a mother. And REALLY know what some of that meant. I'm still learning.

Her birth was one of the most special, fun, emotional, exciting days of my life. I'm just so happy I got to be a part of it.

Kennedy
Born August 3, 2010

About 10 seconds before this picture was taken, she was being poked in the heel with a needle and she was SO good. She only flinched and then fell back to sleep.

Marc, Karisa and Kennedy

The night before Kennedy was born, I finally got around to making these little favors (along with my mom's and the girls help) to give out at the hospital. I'm pretty sure she wasn't coming out until her party favors were made and ready for her debut. She was right on time! She's a good girl. Her mommy specifically made her that way.

Congratulations Karisa and Marc!

Can't wait to see this little girl grow!

Just a little excited. Heeheeheeheehee!

I have to give a shout out to Scotty. He just about finished off his last rotation, all alone, cooking and cleaning and dealing with apartment problems the entire time we were gone. I'm so thankful I have a boy who supports me in what I want to do and what is important to me and still loves me! :) Our hearts grew fonder those 6 weeks.

The second generation friends.

Ella and Paisley couldn't have possibly survived, without meeting their new friend Kennedy before we left to go home.

This is about 2 weeks before she was born. They talked to her belly.


Karisa was a little too kind to let us come over and even hold that little lovebug! I know that is not an easy thing to commit to right after having a baby.

So, If you were trying to get them hooked on the idea of having a baby sibling someday,

IT WORKED.

Oh my sweetness! I just want to kiss her!

Can ya tell where I got my love for babies from? My mama! Love these pictures.

And the top 2010.... 4th of July Pictures go to....

How fun are these firecracker/dynamite sticks that my grandpa Don made for the kids?! I was sure they would be confiscated at the airport...but they weren't! They are home safe and sound!
Yay! I admit it Spencer...this is hilarious! ;)

Caleb and Paisley- they were super cute to watch together during fireworks. They bonded that day, huh Mona? That's what we do these things for!! Yay!

The crazy version of the great grand'fabbi'children. Minus Mason!

Boom! Boom! Pow! Love those reactions. Sweet faces.

Cutest Mamas

Cousins

Grandma is the 4th of July Queen.

I love how my grandpa is holding the firecracker in his hand, with the fire hydrant in front! And, the picture that says, "Gardener's know the best dirt...." And I thought I knew the best dirt!

Thank you for having us for 4th of July! Lots of memories, so much fun, just like I remember as a child!

technical difficulties

The girls and I made it to the west coast with pretty much EVERY charger you can imagine. (ipod, ipaq, laptop) Except for the 2 most crucial...my phone charger and our camera charger...which is still nowhere to be found. Pretty sure it was taken out of the front of our suitcase. Ahhhhh....gotta love mommy mode. Anyway, there were several fun outings that got no camera love b/c I didn't have my mama's on me at the time. (feel free to send me some of yours! ;)

One of them was when Lara (Scott's sister) and her girls drove through Vegas on their way back home to the Phoenix area. We had a fun day at the Southpoint Casino, swimming and then we went and ate at a cafe there. It was so fun to have a girl's day with our cute cousins and nieces! However, Lara and I agreed that walking though the casino this time around with our 5 little girls felt very odd. I guess we just aren't used to the smoke and lights anymore!

On a separate weekend, Paka, Mimi and Aunt Kaye arrived in Vegas and we had a fun dinner with my parents and Jen. The next day, Mimi, Kaye, the girls and I went to see Despicable Me. I loved it. So sweet. Then we met Jana and her family at the Southpoint and we went swimming and then ate together at Cici's Pizza. Thank you again for a fun weekend! So glad we got to spend more time together.