Las Vegas!

This past June we went to Las Vegas as my graduation present. We went with Mary and Scott. We got the VIP treat to and from the airport in a LIMO. This was my first time in a Limo and it was cool. The limo driver said that he had just dropped off Hulk Kogan that morning. That was neat!

We stayed at the Caesar's Hotel and it was a nice hotel! As we were waiting in line to check in these greek characters came up and we could take pictures.

We had fun seeing all the sites and taking pictures.

Me and Mary  had to go by the new store in the Miracle Mile, SUGAR FACTORY. We got some cool bedazled lolipops.

We even took a Helicoptor ride over the Grand Canyon. This was my first time in a Helicoptor and I was very nervous but it was actually alot of fun, (aside from the fact there was no AC) it was  a pleasant ride.

We went downtown to Old Vegas where Kent tried on this hat. I told him it made him look like Guy Feririr ( mispelled I know).

I even ran into an old friend from here in Dallas from my old job.

Cake Pops!

My book that I ordered from Amazon came in a couple days ago. The book is called Cake Pops by Bakerella.

Of course, I had to read it cover to cover first and there were alot of great tips including that I could thin out my chocolate by using vegetable oil (a great tip, as my white chocolate for my cakeballs was too thick and I didn't know how to thin it, this worked great!).

2nd-I wanted to make some but which should I make first. I decided to make the pool party bears since I am going to Lana's friends pool birthday party this weekend to take with us. (Below is Bakerellas bears)

3rd Step-Off to the store for supplies. I had some supplies already I just needed to get the teddy grahams and gummy lifesavors. I baked the cake (white cake) part the night before since it has to have time to cool, then added the frosting (creamcheese) and put it in the fridge to chill overnight. I thought it would be fun to color the cake instead of leaving it white so it would look like water when bit into (and the person eating it will get a nice surprise).

4th & 5th Steps: Roll into balls and freeze for 15 minutes then mold into shape using small cookie cutter ( I forgot to take pictures of these steps)

6th Step: dipping them in chocolate and adding final details.

For my 1st attempt they turned out pretty cute (not as cute as Bakerellas but pretty cute: next time I know to thin my chocolate down a little more). As I was wrapping these I thought these would go cute with beach ball cake pops.

My COZY Space

Yes! My cozy space is my bathtub! After a long day like today its a place I can RELAX. Tonight was one of those days. I stayed busy all day cleaning baseboards with toothbrushes and making some scrapbook crafts (posting those soon).

Kent works at night so after he left, I put Lana to bed and made myself a nice HOT BUBBLE BATH, in my cozy space.

Tonight out of my handy pretty container that holds all my bubble baths (from Pier 1), I chose Moonlight Path (by Bath and Body Works) I love their bubble baths and pretty containers that look good next to the bathtub.

and of course no RELAXING bath is complete without a small glass of wine (ahhh!). Also surrounding my bathtub is some fancy soaps that came from "Paris" that smell divine. I found a cute little martini glass at target on clearance for $1.50 that I thought would hold these perfectly.

Above the window I put up a rod with a curtain, and of course being the crafter I am had to sew on by hand the black buttons on each loop to give it that final touch.

So tonight I turned off the lights, lit the candles, put on some music (Jim Brickman) and relaxed tonight in my COZY Space.

(I may have to repeat this tomorrow as I have a full day of making a Luau Birthday cake and will be on my feet all day :) )

Lana's Wall of Animals and Dolls

One afternoon Lana got bored and decided to line as many dolls and animals up on the  hallway wall. It was so cute. She then sat at the end of the line and said all her dolls were in time-out. What they did I do not know but it made for a great picture.



Scrapbook Retreat Summer 2010

This summer as well as the previous 4 summers I went on a scrapbooking retreat with Mary and Inez and some  other friends of ours that have gone all these years. We always have such a blast! We scrapbook all night long, drink wine, get in the hot tub and of course gossip and giggle for the entire 4 days that we are there.

The past 2 years we had our retreat in Bowie, TX at Hobby House Hill. This has turned out to b our new favorite scrapbook bed and breakfast.

The back of our shirts said "The art of spending $50 to showcase a $1.50 Photo" I loved this expression because it is so true excpt my photo's don't cost $1.50 more like $.33.

This year at the retreat I got about 40 pages completed. Now to finish the year and get the pages in my scrapbook. I like to finish an entire year before putting them in my albums because I often don't work on them in sequential order and I like to put them in my scrapbooks in monthly order. To view some of my pages before I put them in my scrapbook I have an area in my scrapbook studio where I can place some of them to view every day.

Now for the FUN pictures. LOL below I have posted some of my favorite layouts from the scrapbook retreat.



Sorry about the last picture it was turned ( i took it on my iphone and couldn't get it to turn right)

Simple Perfect Mornings

This summer since I took some time off work before beginning my job search again I enjoyed some simple mornings outside on our back patio in my lounge chair by the pool enjoying my breakfast of oatmeal with fresh blueberries and raspberries and coffee with sweet italian creamer (my all time favorite) and reading my daily devotional before Lana wakes up. These morning were quiet that allowed for reflection and the best part of my day. The best part of my mornings is reading my devotionals and quietly reflecting and praying.

On these mornings it was great to sit outside before it got too hot and just relax before my day begins. Sofie would find different spots to sun herself. This picture of her by the pool is my favorite.

On these mornings I loved looking at the tropical plants we have planted by the pool and the different insects and other animals I could see.



Graduation Day!

This june I finally completed my MBA degree after a year and a half of hard work. I even managed to graduate within the top 5% of my class and was asked to speak at the Graduation ceremony. Being as I hate speaking in front of people let alone a few thousand with my picture on the jumbo tron I passed but being asked to was a BIG honor.

The graduation ceremony was held at the new Cowboy Stadium! It was awesome, especially to have the opportunity to walk on the field and see where the football players hang out. The waiting area is AWESOME, with big screen tv's and what looked to be a bar.

Lana got all dressed up for mommy's big day and looked so cute in her dress. Of course she picked the "twirly" dress.

After the ceremony we had to go out the opposite way we came in and ended up having to walk around at least half if not more of the stadium to get back out front.



Being the middle of July it was very hot, and th sun was very bright which is why we are all squinting.

After the ceremony we headed back home to my graduation party where of course I made the cupcakes and goodie bags.