Viva Las Vegas

A couple weeks ago, David and I got to go on another all expenses paid getaway thanks to his job. This time he won a quarterly contest and the prize was a weekend at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. His boss, Scott, hosted the trip and brought one DM and three reps (and their guests, of course). David and I flew in early to have an extra night to ourselves and a full day at the pool on Friday. It was so nice to just be together. We realized that it was our first real time alone, with total freedom, since having Grace...nowhere to be, no one to meet up with, and no baby to get back to. So we made the most of it! We ate dinner at one of the million restaurants at our hotel and then hit up several of the other major hotels/casinos, before finally landing back at the Foundation Room atop Mandalay. There we got my favorite picture of the weekend due to the awesome view:


We spent the following day by one of the many pools and were gradually joined by the others as they arrived. That evening, Scott took everyone to dinner at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms Hotel, where we ate probably the most incredible meal David and I have ever had. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The group went up to Ghostbar afterward where I got to stand (or be dragged, actually) over the glass window that looks 55 floors down. Not my favorite! The rest of the skydeck was pretty cool, though, and our group had a lot of fun together.









Saturday everyone kind-of went their own ways to shop, sight-see, relax, etc. Dave and I decided to check out the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay and then go see the lions at MGM. The aquarium was cool (although our pictures didn't turn out that great), but the lions were one of the highlights of our trip...we must be getting old! Despite the pandemonium at MGM due to it being a fight night - Mayweather vs. Mosley - the lion habitat was pretty clear, probably because they were just laying there like duds. We were patient, though, and after a while the trainers came out to feed them. Of course, everyone started swarming then, but we were right up front as they threw meat on the glass. Pretty crazy to have them two feet in front of you! That night, David and I went to another amazing dinner with Scott and his wife, Linda. They're a really great couple and, although they live in California, we look forward to hanging out with them again.








I told David on our way to the airport the next morning that I don't think I've ever left Vegas sad to be going home. It's so much fun, but you can only take so much! Plus, I'd started getting sick the day before we left (and almost backed out) and the drugs they'd loaded me up on could only do so much. And I was just ready to see Grace who, from what my mom had said, appeared to be getting sick as well...bless her heart. So, needless to say, the following week was not fun. Luckily we had a great trip!

Eight Months

Well, here we are again, me trying to blog about Grace at eight months when we're almost halfway through May! New things happen so quickly at this age...much has already changed in the last two weeks. Luckily I have a frame of reference to help me remember what she was doing as of May 2nd, since DeeDee and GramB kept her that weekend while we were in Vegas (next post).

Grace had the army crawl down pat and could get just about anywhere...grunting the whole time. She did seem to know that there was something more to it and would get up on all fours, but just fall back down frustrated. She could easily go from lying down to sitting up (she doesn't like being horizontal unless she's asleep) and from sitting to army crawling. She'd make the 'm' and 'd' sounds, among others, but not specifically say 'Momma' or 'Dada' and associate it with us. She'd just repeat them over and over - ma ma ma ma ma - during bored or aggravated moments. She had three bottom teeth (not sure where the other one is) and four top ones trying to poke through. She was eating a wide variety of pureed fruits and vegetables, and totally hooked on puffs. The only thing she'd refuse to eat was peas; she despises peas and promptly spits them out or gags. Poor David, he loves peas. She was (and still is) just incredibly busy, and nosy. She'd just about give herself whiplash trying to check out other people or things. She'd also fight you when it came to cuddling or rocking...she doesn't have time for that! What can I say? She's quite the character.

Social Butterfly

Grace has had some good times with friends lately. Here are a few cute moments captured on camera:

Checking out her guest, Sam

Luckily he doesn't mind her grabbiness

Who knew babysitting was so much fun?

Kisses from Dylan

Kisses from Reed

Classic Grace...food on the face and drool on the dress

Already can't keep their eyes off each other :)

One of the bigger turnouts at playgroup

Always going for the sports toys

I smell a double date someday!

Grace's New Friend

The day after Easter, our best friends - Jason and Jessica - had their second little boy...Colton Donald Blakely. David and Jason have known each other since they were in diapers, served as best man in each other's weddings, and now live seven miles apart. Jessica and I never had a choice when they introduced us almost six years ago! Thankfully we hit it off and became fast friends. The four of us do nearly everything together, so it's cool that we'll now have kids in the same grade. I realize it's a long shot that we'll someday be in-laws (since they'll surely look at each other like brother and sister), but the odds have got to be better now that there are two Blakely boys.

Spinning with Marmi to pass the time

Poor Reed...he knew something was up

Pretty sure he loves me :)

One lucky little boy

Don't be getting any ideas yet, Dave

Totally oblivious to all the excitement

Several weeks earlier, I (along with Jessica's best friends from high school and sister-in-law) gave a shower for baby Colton in our home. This was my first time actually providing the locale and, despite freaking out on David once or twice during the get-the-house-perfect process, it turned out just fine!

Jess & the hostesses

Yummy Grimaldi's pizza

Yummy animal print cupcakes

Jess & me...

...and at Reed's shower two years ago (weird)

Easter

This is clearly old news now, but I can't not blog about it because it was such a nice holiday and we got some good pictures. :)

Friday afternoon, Grandpa and Granzie came up to spend the night with us. We hadn't seen them since Indiana, so it was a much overdue get-together. Kyle and Kody were supposed to join them, but bailed at the last minute due to Kyle being sick and Kody having better things to do. Just kidding, Kody! We met Kim and Charles for dinner at Cyclone Anaya's that evening and then enjoyed a nice, leisurely day shopping and watching basketball on Saturday...

Modeling her new tiara from Granzie

Trying on hats with Grandpa

Saturday evening, GramB and Papa John came up to spend the night and then join us for Easter services at Watermark. Their house was in the process of being remodeled and totally torn apart. Poor Mom. We again joined Kim and Charles for dinner at Villa-O, and then at Pappadeaux's for lunch after church on Sunday. Grace finally got to wear one of the adorable dresses Aunt Kimmie bought her before she was born (thank you, Sissy)...

Hangin' with Papa John

A group shot

Checking out her Easter loot

Not as sure about this bunny

Our little family

We spent the remainder of Sunday at Aunt Christine's and Uncle Bryant's house with their sweet little clan (we decided four kids officially makes you a clan) and DeeDee and Poppa. Our nieces and nephews are always so much fun! We jumped on the trampoline, got a good game of kickball going, and also played a little volleyball. Most exercise I've had in a long time (and much needed after our gluttonous weekend)...

Loving on Brookie and Aunt Christine

Finally, a picture with Luke

DeeDee and her grandkids (minus the original, Jordan)

We are so thankful to have such a wonderful family. Even more, though, we're thankful for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, without which we'd have nothing.

Eggstravaganza

Our friends, Amy and Cooper, hosted our playgroup the week leading up to Easter and put on quite the party. We got some fun pictures that the babies will surely kill us for someday, especially the boys. Us moms thought they were adorable though!

The Bunny Pic

Grace and I accompanied our friends, Stephanie and Sam, to get the little ones' first pictures with the Easter Bunny. He was so creepy I could barely make eye contact. Thankfully, Grace didn't seem to mind.