Happy Anniversary...

...to my wonderful husband! Today is our anniversary and I just wanted to tell my hubby how much I love him and look forward to many more years together! Eric came home from work and cooked me an amazing steak dinner with all the trimmings. He also brought me a very sweet card on his lunch break. We just spent a week in Las Vegas, so I was not expecting anything. I am truly blessed and feel that I am the luckiest woman in the world. I love you Eric!

Vegas Vacation

We decided that we needed to take our first ever vacation together. Jarekah is a little older now, and she is a great traveler, so we ventured on a very long road trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. What beautiful country it is and the drive was just amazing!

Some of the beautiful sites along the way:

Had to capture Eric driving...

Our little munchkin after having her first ever "In N Out" burger...she only had a couple of bites, but she downed almost an entire small strawberry milkshake. I let her splurge because it was so hot and she refused to eat.

This was on the way home...she has a giant strawberry marshmallow in her mouth. She didn't actually eat it, but she loved playing with it!

We finally arrived at the resort!!!

First thing after unpacking, we headed to the pool for some relaxation and to cool off. It was over 100 degrees in Vegas!

Jarekah and Mama at the pool...we spent a lot of time there!


We walked down Las Vegas Blvd and found M&M World...what a place! They had over 20 different colors of M&M's and several flavors.

Eric & I at M&M World...

Jarekah with Daddy...M&M World

Jarekah and Mama at the Shark Reef inside Mandalay Bay

Shark and Sawfish...we were actually underneath them as they swam above us!

Here comes JAWS!!!

RAY...again it is swimming above us!

This is one of the most poisonous fish known to man...

The touch tank...we actually got to touch these RAYS!

This is a Komodo Dragon!

I love this picture because it actually looks like Jarekah is touching the jellyfish!

Jarekah and Daddy inside the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Jarekah listening to the remote...every person gets one when you go into the Shark Reef. That way you can get all the info about each animal on your own pace. (It is called the "Self Tour"...so that an actual tour guide does not have to accompany you.)

I think this is my favorite picture. Eric took it just as the sun went behind the Statue of Liberty. This is at the New York, New York hotel.

I took this picture of the Tram...I love the view, it is so gorgeous. On the right is the Luxor Pyramid Hotel.

This is the Excalibur Hotel...I love the look of the outside!

Hard Rock Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd.

Coca Cola World...Las Vegas Blvd.

Harley Cafe...we ate here!

Waiting for the food to come...Harley Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd.

For all you Jon Bon Jovi fans...this is his actual leather jacket. It was right above our table at the Harley Cafe on Las Vegas Blvd.

Advertisement...just thought it was funny

The Luxor Hotel...yes, it is a pyramid and, yes, it is an acual hotel that you stay in!

Titanic show inside the Luxor Hotel

New York, New York Hotel lit up at night...very beautiful!!!

This is the Bellagio, I think...

The Eiffle Tower outside of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel

Inside the Paris Las Vegas Hotel...you can really get the feel that you are walking in Paris!

Jarekah passed out when we returned to our resort

Inside the Luxor Hotel:

We had such an awesome time...of course I would like to post more, but I could go on for days! Everyone has to go at least once. It is extremely family friendly and we were amazed at all the free exhibits and fun things to do. You don't have to gamble or be a drinker to experience a good time in Las Vegas!

Father's Day...

...happened while we were on vacation, so I missed the opportunity to post. I just wanted to wish my wonderful husband and my wonderful dad a very Happy Father's Day! I did remember to call my dad from our hotel on Father's Day. We were fortunate to have a full kitchen in our hotel room, so I cooked Eric a special Father's Day dinner.

I am so blessed with an amazing husband and I truly know it. He is the most loving, caring, hard working man I have ever met. He does so much for Jarekah and me. I love you so much and look forward to many wonderful years together!

Our Weekend...

...was a busy one! Friday we picked up the girls in Wilsonville for their first full week visit. Now that they are out of school, we will have them for a week at a time for their visits. Eric has to work a 10 day stretch so we can go on vacation, so I am on my own with all three girls.

Saturday morning we woke up early and drove out to Hillsboro to see my sister participate in a half marathon run. She did such an amazing job and I am so proud of her! The girls did great! I was so proud of them for staying near me and no one got lost. There were so many runners and on-lookers that I was afraid someone might get lost.

After that my dad took us all to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch...our favorite place! Then we went to look at houses. My parents are wanting to buy a house in Vancouver for when they retire. We met Eric at home after he got off work and made dinner. Then we relaxed with some popcorn and a movie.

Sunday we woke up extra early so we could go to my sister's Ward in Orchards. I wanted my parents to see Jarekah in the new dress they bought for her and they stay with Matt and Kendra when they are in town, so we ventured over to their church services. After church, we all had a BBQ at their house. Yummy! My brother came too.

Can you believe all of this and I didn't take one picture!?! I kept forgetting my camera. Ugh! Anyway, we had a great weekend and only a few downfalls. Jarekah got lost at Sweet Tomatoes. Talk about almost having a heart attack! I thought she was with my parents, but she ran off. We searched the whole restaurant and could not find her. We were out in Beaverton, so it was not a familiar area for her.

This nice man kept his eye on her for me and when I got a little closer, he told me where she was. I grabbed her and held her so tight. That was my first taste of a lost child. Nothing like this has ever happened before. I am usually OVERLY careful about her. With all the chaos, I assumed what I shouldn't have. After all, it is my responsibility to make sure she is safe! :)

Fun In The Sun

This comes a little late, but...two Saturdays ago we had some friends and family over to go swimming in our pool. We had a blast and are really looking forward to all the swimming we will be doing this summer! Here are a couple of pictures courtesy of my sister...

Jarekah having fun in the new swim boat Gramma Carol bought her

Madison and Jarekah (with me on the side)