Christmas Eve with Josh's Family

Christmas Eve was spent with Josh's family.

For Matt:

When I asked Josh what he wanted to get his dad, he immediately said to frame the picture he took of his dad on Sugar. I think that day with his dad was his favorite day this year. He has never stopped talking about it. I also found a nice mug to go with it.

For Barbara:

I bought her the Pampered Chef cool and serve tray.

For Colt:

They actually went to Natalie's family for Christmas. I was sad that he wasn't there.

For Preston: 

I was a little worried he wouldn't like the game (because Tyler's required batteries), but "Sorry!" was one of my favorite games as a kid, so I hope he loves it as much as I did. I also wanted to get a Minecraft hoodie, but they were well out of my price range. But the Transformer one was just as cool.

For Tyler:

Josh is really jealous of the hoodie and wants one like it.

This year, I had Melanie's name. When I saw this hoodie in Vegas, I had to get it for her. Josh had Dallon's name and got him a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse.

The boys loved their hats!

Tyler loved his hoodie!

Josh's family gave us some food storage supplies and money. We usually save the money to spend on our anniversary. Josh suggested we use it for a couple's massage, so that's probably what we'll use it for.

Ugly Sweater Parties

The Sunday before Christmas, Josh's family had an ugly sweater party. I had made big plans to do something cute, but then I was sick that week. In the end, I couldn't think of anything to do for my shirt, so I just wore a bow on my head. For Josh's shirt, I bought him a leg lamp stocking from "The Christmas story". We had it pinned on the back of his shirt, so when we walked in, everyone asked where his ugly sweater was. He turned around and most of the family laughed. (His mom HATES that show.)

Then on Christmas Eve Day, our office was open for half the day. They decided to do an ugly sweater party. I had planned to use the one I was going to make, but since I never got it made, I decided to wear the coat and hat from Josh's Santa suit. He wanted me to wear the beard, belly and pants too, but I told him I needed to be able to still function at my job.

Santa & nephews

Last week, Josh played Santa for his brother's ward. The highlight of the night was getting to hold Colt.

 

This weekend, he also went to see Valex & Daxsen. They had already seen Santa with their dad, but we decided to still go. When I asked Vanessa, she said that just that morning Valex had told her needed to see Santa to tell him he wanted a Buzz Lightyear. Of course, once we were there, he was too shy to ask for anything.

Santa & Sage

This year, the animal shelter held a fundraiser. For $10, you could get your picture with your dog and Santa. I wanted to take the cats, but I knew they wouldn't be on their best behavior.

Christmas Tree 2014

This year, I decided to put our Christmas tree in a different corner.  That also meant I had to stick to a smaller tree this year. Before we went to the lot to buy it, I measured the corner so I would know how wide of a tree I could get. We looked at, and rejected, several trees. The thing that finally helped me make up my mind was another family showed up and looked like they were going to buy one of the trees I liked. The second they walked away from it, I claimed it.

I really like how it turned out. 

Las Vegas 2014 - Part 2

The 1st show we went to that week was Cirque du Soleil's "O". They don't allow pictures during the show, but I loved their ceiling and couldn't resist taking a picture before the show began. The show was awesome! It was the most expensive one we did while there, but it was worth the money.

The other highlight of the trip was Bass Pro Shop. Since it was my 2nd time there, I didn't take as many pictures. But I still had to take a few for Josh. 

I wanted to get Josh's Christmas shopping done, but since they are located in a warmer climate, they didn't have the things I wanted. So I'll just have to order it online. But I did buy Christmas for most of his family there. I'll wait until then to post those pictures. I did buy Josh a few things while I was there. He has declared the coffee mug is his new favorite because its so big. I think the Hershey one is just as big, but he hasn't used it yet. 

The 2nd show of the week was at Treasure Island Casino. My mom's condo always does a sales pitch to get you to buy or upgrade. The reward we chose was 2 tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, including dinner at The Buffet in the Treasure Island Casino. I've never tagged along for the sales pitch, but decided I would this year. We got the SLOOOOWEST lady. She would literally walk 5 steps and have to stop and catch her breath. She was an older lady and I think she just does it to get out a few times each week so she can eat bacon without her family getting after her. I actually left early, but my mom had to stay for the whole pitch before they would give her the tickets. We looked at the tickets online and we got a screaming deal, which was a good thing since it took a few hours!

Since my mom had paid for all the gas to travel and the condo fees, I decided to buy us both tickets to see Wicked. While we were waiting for the show to start, we learned it was the last night the production would be there. Neither of us had seen it before and we loved it! I'm so glad we were able to go. 

Our last day in Vegas was very relaxing. I decided to spend the morning at the Spa located in the South Point Casino, which is right next to the condo. They wouldn't allow you to have your phone turned on inside, so I didn't get any pictures. But let me just say it was pure heaven! I spent some time in the Jacuzzi before my massage. And again after my massage. As I was leaving I asked them if I could just buy a day pass in the future and found out I could. So if I go again, I'll probably spend a lot more time there.

The last night, we decided to eat out at a Mexican restaurant a friend suggested called Ricardo's. It was really good. I'll spare you the picture of my dinner, but I couldn't resist this gorgeous cake they had on display to promote their catering business. 

Las Vegas 2014 - Part 1

Once again, I was able to spend a week with my mom in her Condo, in Las Vegas. Originally, my brother was supposed to go with her. But a week before the trip, he started a new job. So then she asked my sister, but she couldn't make it work with her job either. So in the end, it was just me and her. I keep joking one of these times she'll invite me, before I invite myself.

We had a pretty laid back trip. We were able to go to a few shows and enjoy lots of shopping. 

The thing I wanted to do the most was to go to the Pearl in an Oyster place again. 

My first pearl, I had put into a ring setting. Then they let me choose a 2nd pearl for free, so I had it put onto a necklace pendant. They were trying to get me to do a 3rd free pearl, but I knew I would just spend more money having it put onto something. Instead, I decided to complete the set with matching earnings that were already made up. 

My mom's favorite casino is Paris. I hadn't been up their Eiffel tower yet, so we did that. We were hanging out waiting for the Bellagio's water show to start and the guard showed us how to use the slits in the floor to take pictures with our phones. 

After that, we headed over to the Bellagio. We had purchased tickets for "O" and needed to pick them up. While we were there, we checked out the world's largest chocolate fountain. 

They had so many cool cakes, but I only took a picture of a few of them. 

And I couldn't resist them cute cupcake. 

The Bellagio also has a really cool conservatory they change each season. 

I got some dragon books for Valex & Daxsen and also Preston & Tyler to share.

Pez candies for the older nephews.

I couldn't resist this cute outfit for Colt. I also found a matching burp rag and binkie holder. 

While we were driving down the strip, we saw they now have a Hershey's Store. 

I bought each of the older nephew's a shirt. I couldn't find one for Colt. I asked the store manager and she said the baby stuff flies off the shelf; they can't seem to keep it in stock.

A new hoodie for myself.

I got Josh a coffee cup. I couldn't decide between the pretty glass cup and the thermos for me, so in the end I bought both.