New Year's Eve

Today's the day we leave for Las Vegas. The spending New Year's Eve in Vegas topic started as a diversion from stuff going on with my Dad. I jokingly mentioned we would have comped rooms in Vegas and the casinos must surely be hurting if WE could get comped rooms for New Year's Eve. Well, Mikki decided she would probably be able to go and since Amy was on Christmas break from school, she would be able to go to. I called Amy on my lunch break but it was already too late. Mikki had called her and she was in. Oh dear! Having just returned from Vegas, I couldn't conceive how this would work. Bob originally told me he would stay home and I could go with the girls. But, the comped rooms don't work that way. If either one of us isn't there, we have to pay something for the rooms. So, Bob took one for the team and decided to go, too. (I know that was hard on him cuz he doesn't like Vegas very much. lol) So, I booked the hotel just in case and waited to see what would happen with the rest. I opted to book Paris since it was the nicest hotel we could get comped. Although, I told Mikki Imperial Palace because she has a soft spot for that hotel. And, it does smell better now.
So, fast forward four months and here we are. Our flight leaves today at 2:45 and arrives at 4:20. We are really upset about the temperatures. I mean really? Only in the low 50's? I guess we'll manage since Saturday, when we return, it will be -10.
On our agenda is, Downtown tonight and a comedy club, Ellis Island and Karaoke Wednesday, Thursday fireworks (the strip is closed to traffic and they shoot fireworks off of the rooftops of 10 hotels.), Friday spa maybe and Saturday we are home. I would really like to see the new Aria hotel in CityCenter. I'll post tons of pictures like always. Until then, have a great week and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day, we ventured up to the Chetek/New Auburn area to spend the day with Marlin and Rosemary, Bob's parents. The main roads were pretty decent but the back roads were horrible. But, we made it safe and sound and had a great time. Rosemary made a wild turkey, potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie and tons of cookies. I should stop writing this, I'm getting hungry again. After lunch we opened gifts and then played a few games of Mexican Train before heading back to Eau Claire.

Yes, we all have matching sweaters. :)

Christmas Eve

Alex and Aubrey
Miss Alex

Sam finally found her ring.

Irvine Park

Our family has three main Christmas traditions. We visit Santa every year. We have a Christmas "Box" that has passed through each of our hands for almost 20 years. It's really very lovely. lol. Whoever receives the "box" this year will give it next year. It also has many of the tags we've used inside the lid. I should really have a picture of it. :) And, Bob, Alex and I visit Irvine Park. In previous years, we have taken popcorn and hot chocolate. This year's temps were much nicer than last year's -5 before the windchill. And, because we had just eaten there was no popcorn or drinks.

Bob even got out of the car this year. :)

Santa 2009

This was our ninth year visiting this Santa. At her first visit, Alex was only 10 months old. My how time has flown by.

Sam Davey Christmas Program

This year was the first year we had been to a Holiday Program. It was put on by the 2nd and 3rd graders at North High School on December 16th. My Marvelous Magical Sleigh was spectacular. The kids all did a great job. Alex remembered all of her lines and even though there were over 120 kids, we could hear her singing her heart out. The program was so cute.

The "busy" kids

Madness in front of Menards - Update

I had previously posted about a crazy day in front of Menards but realized I had never wrote the update. So, here is what we found out. The whole thing was a drug bust and only took place in their parking lot. Most of the employees we asked had no idea anything had taken place. Crazy!

Snow Day

Alex came outside to play while we shoveled and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled. You get the picture. I couldn't help but take advantage of the opportunity to capture some photos...... After the driveway was clear...... Since it appears most of the state was shut down today, I hope you made the most of your snowday! :)

Sprout

My blog address inspiration was our cat, Sprout. She loves it when the Christmas tree is up and the lights are on to warm her. This time of year, she becomes our Christmas kitty. So, until I get some current Alex pictures, Sprout will grace the heading of our blog.

Vancouver 2010

It's been a while since I've had anything to talk about regarding the Olympics. And, although there were many times I thought about throwing in the towel and yelling "Curses, you win Vancouver! I'll go to Mexico instead!" Amy and I have persevered and we now have our flight tickets!!!!! While the actual event ticket purchase was stressful, looking for airline tickets almost was too much for me. So, now I say, "Too Bad, Mexico. You will have to wait. Cuz, we're going to VANCOUVER 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Packer Game 11/22

Sunday, November 22nd, Mom and I were able to go to the Packers Vs San Fransisco 49ers game. I had won the tickets through a contest at work. The contest winnings also included a MVP Tailgate party complete with free presents, food and drinks. We had a great time especially cuz the Packers won. We arrived at the stadium around 10:30.

The masses trying to get through security.
The offense

There were 4 of us that won tickets through the bank. Three of them just happened to be from my office. That's cuz we ROCK!!!!!

Left to right - Chris, Debbie, Me and Mel

Debbie is from the Howell office.

Me and my Mom

Mike Singletary - this was for Amy!

After the game, Mom and I went to the pro-shop to find a shirt for Alex. The drive home was long and traffic filled until we hit Wausau. We were both pretty tired from the long day but it was super fun and I would definitely take my mom again. Although next time I would prefer taking her to a Colts game!!!

Football

I found myself actually defending Tom Brady yesterday. Someone had posted on Facebook that Aaron Rodgers was better than either quarterback playing in Indiana. It's odd for me to say something nice about Brady or Belichick as I dislike greatly the constant debate of who's the better quarterback, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. But, by no means is Aaron Rodgers in the same league with these two, at this point. Only time will tell and there is no way of telling that after a season and a half when you're being sacked 40+ times in 9 games!
Now, after last night's astonishing come from behind victory by the Colts, I am happy to say Bill Belichick is my new favorite Patriot. Thank you, Bill, for giving Peyton Manning the ball on the 29 yard line with 2 minutes left. That was sheer genius!!!
And, in case you were wondering who I think wins the qb debate........ Tom Brady has never had his picture on my blog. :)

GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is It Movie

Last Saturday, Amy, Mikki, Alex and I went to see Michael Jackson's This Is It. Alex has acquired a love of his music since he has passed. And despite what has been in the news about him, we focus on the musical genius he was. We love cleaning, with multiple dance breaks, to his music. Sometimes we do more dancing than cleaning. But, that's part of the fun. And, Alex cleans more when his music is on because we stop the music when she stops working. (Except for those dance breaks.)
Anyway, on to the movie. The movie is based on the rehearsals for what would have been his upcoming tour this summer. With the finishing touches, I can only imagine what an astonishing concert event it would have been. It's a little sad to think of all the work that was in process that will never be seen. Like the costumes. Some of the costumes were to light up. Amazing. The director showed some of the new videos that were shot for Thriller and Smooth Criminal. They stayed in the same theme as the originals but as everything Michael did, they had new aspects. I can't recall how many times I've sat and watched concerts with video footage on the jumbo tron. Nice but something new and unexpected would have taken some of the shows over the top. Anyone can show a video that's already been made. It takes a special attention to detail and vision to bring something new to each element. The movie showed MJ's musical mind at work. Sometimes stopping songs to make sure band members had everything correct. Showing practices with just the band. It was amazing to see him repeat what was played and then how it should have been. Even if the differences were subtle, he always noticed. And speaking of subtle, his outfits never were but, with him it worked. They showed how awe struck his dancers were with him also, from the auditions to watching him during his solo dances and songs.
On a more personal note, having gone with some very funny women....... We all found outfits we should wear in Vegas for New Year's Eve. We had some great laughs throughout. We also sang and bopped along to the music. The longer the show went on the harder Alex found it to sit still. She even got up to go to the bathroom during her favorite song, Beat It. We all laughed as she walked in front of the screen dancing along. And, I discovered my career should have been bedazzling for Michael Jackson. Sigh, I guess I'll just have to continue bedazzling shirts for my friends birthdays............ Right, Mikki Mo Pleasure?
After the movie, we went to CanCun where we gave Jesse an small surprise baby shower. Don't kid yourself, we also had margaritas and fajitas too. My mom also had some drinks with us before taking Alex for an overnight at Grandmas. Now having the rest of the evening free, I went home and fell asleep on the couch at 10:45. I am a party animal. LOL Next time.......

Just another crazy day!!

In the month of October, in the northwest region of Wisconsin, there were 6 bank robberies. As a result, all banks have taken additional security measures and have been watching suspicious activity a little more. Our branch is usually pretty aware of walkers, slow vehicles, odd happening and those wearing hats or hoodies. Today, one of tellers watched a vehicle come down the road, slow way down near the Menard's parking lot entrance and then speed up and drive half way on the curb, half on the road and then turn on his police lights. The unmarked vehicle was closely followed by a marked suv who also parked half on the sidewalk, half on the road. This is when the rest of the staff came to the drive-up to watch. The officers got out of the vehicles with weapons drawn. And, we are not talking about your basic hand-guns. We are talking full-blown semiautomatic rifles. YIKES!!!!!! The vehicle they were by had another car parked perpendicular to it. We saw several police officers floating around and all of a sudden the first officer we saw came from behind a bush with a small child, probably about 4. He was quickly put into the unmarked vehicle. As that suv was being moved, a squad car pulled up. Now was the first time we were able to see the men they had in handcuffs. Our view was blocked by our ATM (thanks ATM) and some larger bushes. The men were patted down and placed in separate vehicles while other officers searched their Dodge station wagon looking car. It was all insanely crazy!!!! We are still waiting to hear what exactly went down but we know it was more than a shoplifting case. At least, that's not how we handled shoplifters at Target.
So, this was in addition to barely sleeping last night and waking up to the squish of carpet in a flooded laundry room. :)
I'll keep you informed of what I find out with Menards. Fortunately, we know the manager over there very well.

Halloween 2009

Jasmine at school

Alex's third grade class. Her teacher, Mrs. Woletz is Raggedy Ann.

Alex created her own costume this year. She was a Halloween Fairy based on a book she was reading.

A preview of what she will look like as a teenager. Yikes!

Trick or Treating with Mikayla (Elmo)

Mikki is my favorite personal trainer!!

My Niecy-poo, Aubrey. She was also a fairy. So, my mom was the Fairy Grandmother this year. And, this year, Sprout opted to not wear a costume.

Saturday Fright Night

Around 3 o'clock Saturday, I received a text that asked what I was doing that night. My response "A big bunch of nothin'!" At that point in the day, I wasn't leaving the house if I hadn't by then. (Sometimes I like to be a hermit.) Alex and I were just starting to clean as Bob had just woken up. Denise and Scott had decided to come to Eau Claire for dinner at Mike's Smokehouse and Fanny Hill. So, about 6 we met them at Mike's and afterward headed to Fanny Hill. It was the first time Alex had been there to see the pumpkins and only the second time I had been there. The haunted walk has since moved to the Eau Claire Expo Center. So, off we went. Alex was pretty excited to go to the haunted house. Cody stayed in the van with Peyton and Belle while Denise, Scott, Marcus, Alex and I went in. The sign at the door said 30 minute wait. Apparently, they are not as accurate as the queue times at Disney. We waiting an hour and 20 minutes before entering the Haunted house. It was decided that Scott would go first so things could jump out at him. In retrospect, my idea to go last was not the best one I've ever had. I hadn't considered the "Things" walking behind me. Yes, I screamed...... Several times. It was freaky!!! At one point, we made a wrong turn in the pitch black. Unfortunately, Scott ran into the wall. Denise found this extremely funny but, I was too freaked out. It was a little funnier the second and third time this happened but not enough to stop my heart from racing. After we left the building, Alex started saying how she didn't really want to go and how we made her. Not my best idea to take her there. She spent the next two nights sleeping on the couch. I probably won't take her to another haunted house unless it's in Disney.

Miss Alex

Denise and Cody

Belle

Marcus, Denise, Peyton, Cody, Belle and Scott

A big bunch of fun!

Saturday, October 17th, Amy, Blake, Tony, Mikki, Bob and I went out to celebrate Blake's birthday (I won't mention how old he is.), Our 10th Anniversary and Tony's new job. Although, we made Tony go home with Mikayla after dinner. Sorry, Tony! We started our night at CanCun. I know, I know. Nothing new there but, Mikki picked and it's been a long time since she was there. And, as you also know, I will never turn down a chance to drink margaritas. I heart margaritas! After dinner, we ventured to the old Wildwood. It's current name escapes me but it's something Nascar themed. We had a great time playing darts and pool and an even better time annoying the drunk by the fake slot machine. He left, we won. He should have known better than to tell us to be quiet.

Amy and Blake

Bob and Jen - The real reason I married him, he likes my Colts! :)

Blake, Amy, Mikki, Jen and Bob

The girls I would be lost without!!!!

Jen and Amy

Jim and Angie's Wedding

Jim and Angie celebrated a renewal of their vows on October 10, 2009. They were originally married on October 8, 2005. The ceremony was beautiful and included their dog as the ring bearer. Too cute. Alex and I had a blast at the reception. It was so nice to get to check up with family you don't normally get to see. :)

The beginning of the ceremony

The Cake

Bevy and Mom

Britt and Gayle

Be not concerned with the amount of glasses as I was protecting them from the clean-up. Instead, be concerned with the sippy cup and syrup. lol

Sam, Jeff, Bevy, Jen and Jim

Mom with her granddaughters

Jim and Angie

Me and my baby girl!