Homemade Gift Exchange

A few weeks ago, Tori approached me with an amazing gift idea for our hubbies. They were simple enough crafts, but I knew that Craig would love it. Tori was so sweet and pretty much took care of everything. By the time I got to her house to put it all together the boys had heard that we were making something for them. Now they were going to make something for us, too.

Today we got together to exchange the gifts. First, we opened the guys' gifts. They were cute glass jars that were filled with my favorite brownie mix. (The thing is, I knew I was missing one from the cupboard, but Craig convinced me that I was merely losing my mind. Thanks, Sweetie.) The best part were the decorations they put around the jar. My favorite was the Mickey Mouse snowflake on the top. I love it!

Now it was their turn. We had been talking this up for weeks, so I had my fingers crossed that they would actually like it and not just roll their eyes at us.

Success! They loved it. You'd have to play the zombie game on Call of Duty: Black Ops to really understand how cool it is to get your own bottles of Double Tap Root Beer, Quick Revive, Speed Cola, and Juggernog Soda. I have a feeling these are going up on the mantel. Merry Christmas, guys! Time to play zombies.

Downtown Lights

We spent this afternoon/evening downtown with our friends, Tyler and Tori. We started at the Gateway Mall for caramel apples and to check out this ginormous tree. Then, we caught a ride on Trax over to Temple Square to see the lights there. I remember then being more beautiful when I was younger, but then I think most things like that are better seen as a child.

It was a fun trip and a great way to help bring on some Christmas Spirit.

2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving

Our 2nd Annual Pumpkin Carving went off beautifully tonight. Tyler, Tori and Jen joined us for a Taco Soup dinner. When we started carving the pumpkins Jen left for another party. I was really impressed with Craig's speed. He gutted all three of our pumpkins and carved his angry bird and Brayden's Phineas in the time it took Tori and Tyler to finish their pumpkins. While Craig was gutting pumpkins, I was gathering pumpkins seeds to roast for the movie later. By the way, the pumpkin seeds were absolutely delicious!

Charles joined us towards the end of pumpkin carving.

Brayden found his own way to entertain himself while we carved. Hopefully next year he'll be able to actually help out.

At this point, Brayden was supposed to go to a sitter's while we watched "Paranormal Activity II", but they ended up being sick. This is where Craig and I kind of screwed up. We turned on a movie for him in our bedroom, which was fine except that the movie was "Monster House". I had never seen it before and it was a cartoon, so I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. I was wrong. Within thirty minutes or so, Brayden walked out of our room saying it was too scary. Craig and I instantly realized our blunder and turned on "Aladdin" for him. I'll make sure to watch "Monster House" with him later.

Vegas 2010-Part 2 at the Orleans

Yesterday marked "Day 3" of our Vegas vacation. Since we had to transfer hotels we didn't have the luxury of sleeping in. Problem is, check out from the Stratosphere and check in to the Orleans didn't really coincide, so we had some time to kill during the afternoon. That meant it was time for Tori, Tyler and Deana to join Craig and I shopping on the Strip.

The shuttle from the Orleans dropped us off outside of Billy's Hotel and Casino. As soon as we stepped off the shuttle, we smelled a brilliant offer for lunch; hot dogs! They were seriously yummy. I know Craig's face contradicts that, but I promise, they were delicious. I honestly have no idea why Craig is making that face.

The first shop we hit was the Coca Cola Factory on the Strip. Even though I'm not a Coke fan, I still bought a hat. Honestly, I love the thing! Someday I would love to decorate my game room with "Coke" stuff from this place.

After, we went next door to M 'n M World. This brilliant building is four floors of pure chocolate bliss. I never get tired of this store. A basement wet bar would look great decorated from this spot.

This is also where we found Brayden's gift. I can't wait to see him in this shirt. I'm sure it will fit better on him than it does on Craig.

Once we had checked into our new rooms at the Orleans, the entire group met at Mandalay Bay to visit the Shark Reef Aquarium. We had to hike quite a way through the hotel before we found the first sign that we were headed in the right direction.

The aquarium was pretty cool. Craig's favorite part was the tank holding all the jellyfish. They were oddly beautiful as they slowly swam around. My favorite part was getting to touch a stingray. I can't even begin to explain how weird they felt.

Before we hit the Strip for the night, we stopped at the restaurant inside of the Hooters Hotel and Casino. Dinner was pretty good, but I don't think any of us will forget the show going on behind us at the hotel's hot tub.

Last night, we were able to see a few of the shows on the Strip. We saw the exploding volcano at the Mirage and the Sirens at Treasure Island. I had never seen these shows before. It was pretty cool.

Craig's and my final stop before going back to our hotel to play was the Tequila Bar to get us a Margarita. The glass cup that came with it was awesome. Truth be told, later that I night I lost this one at the Craps tables, so we had to buy another one before we left. Oops! After this, another really, really late night gambling began. I'm starting to get used to seeing the sun before bed. 

Today is our last day in Vegas. Tomorrow we get to drive back to Utah. None of got to sleep in again this morning. We had to get up in time to meet up with Charles and Deana's bowling league. Most of us, Craig and I included, got up in time to eat breakfast, but not Deana. Therefore, her breakfast consisted of mixed drinks at the bowling alley. True friends don't let their friends drink alone, so I joined her.

After another lazy afternoon spent hanging around the pool, we were out on the Strip again enjoying our final night in Vegas. My goal this evening was to make it to the Bellagio to see the dancing water fountains. This is my absolute favorite thing about Vegas! I could sit there for hours. I'm glad that the majority of the group was willing to come with me. A sidewalk vendor was selling these floral leis that lit up and we couldn't pass them up. Craig gave up his to Deana so she could join us in our picture. What a nice guy!

Tomorrow, it's back to real life. We had an incredible time and I'm sure we'll be back in Sin City this time next year.

Vegas 2010-Part 1 at the Stratosphere

Our big vacation this year was to accompany our friends on their trip to Las Vegas. (Brayden stayed with my parents.) Deana and Charles are on a bowling league with their parents and the league finishes up the season in Vegas. Last minute, Dorothy and Gary decided not to come with us, so it was just a bunch of mischievous young adults playing in "Sin City". Our friends, Joe, Tyler and Tori, also drove down with us and the Matiyasic's cousin, DJ flew in from Florida.

There were enough people that we had to drive down in two cars. We left yesterday right after work. Joe, Tyler and Tori rode in Charles' car and Deana rode with us. We took our walkie talkies so the two vehicles could communicate easier. We played silly games, like I Spy and 20 Questions, the whole way there. It was so much fun!

Charles picked up DJ from the airport and we all met up at the Stratosphere to drop our bags off at our room. Even though we didn't get to our room until after midnight, we still got all dressed up and then hit the Strip.

Charles, Deana and DJ were here last year and they all wanted to hit the horse racing table at the MGM. It's only of the last gambling machines in Vegas that still spits out quarters rather than printing out a ticket. The only problem is, you can't get much further away from the MGM than we were and still be on the Strip. (We found out later that it was about a 3 mile walk.) The above picture was taken as we were resting our feet on one of the rare trams.

As a tribute to last year when Deana got lost in Vegas, she had us stop in front of Caesar's Palace to take a picture like we were looking for someone. I attribute this to how long the walk was to the MGM.

Finally we made it to the MGM and found the (at this point) infamous table. Since it took quarters to play, Craig wandered off to find a cashier that could break down his paper into coins. While he was gone, this guy came up behind me and put his arms around me. For a second, I thought it was Craig, until I noticed that this guy was wearing a watch. Craig doesn't wear a watch. Everyone had a good laugh and they enjoyed telling Craig the story when he got back. Anyway, we had a lot of fun betting on the little horse races, but slowly, one by one, exhaustion over took us and we wandered off the find taxis to take us to bed.

Who knows what time we woke up this morning. I'm impressed at how much sun the curtains were able to block out. Once we all finally woke up, we got ready to head out to the pool.

It was a bit windy and the water was quite chilly, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a water volleyball game. After, we all jumped into the massive hot tub to warm up.

Back in our room, the boys got really silly. The bathtub was pretty large and they wanted to find out how many of them could fit. Besides Craig, it doesn't look like they are wearing anything. I assure you they are each wearing swimsuits, but it made for a really great picture!

Once again, we all got dressed up before we headed out on the Strip again. What a good looking group!

I love this picture for two reasons. #1-Deana and I look awesome! #2-I love Charles' face in the background.

Tonight on the Strip was so much better than last night. I feel like I'm actually prepared to be here.

As we passed under the "Eiffel Tower" we stopped to get some drinks. You can't really tell, but I'm standing under the Paris balloon while holding a ceramic cup look-a-like.

For dinner, we stopped at Fatburger. This place is beyond delicious! I highly recommend it.

We had a ton of fun and we even ran into a few friends! I'm pretty sure the sun came up again before we headed back to our room. Tonight is our last night at the Stratosphere. Tomorrow we are headed over to the Orleans to meet up with the rest of the bowling league.