Farewell Vegas

We are finally heading home from our Vegas summer trip. We had way too much fun and are sad to leave but can't wait to see Seth. Stella and Lucas had so much fun with cousins and friends, and of course the spoiling of Grandma and Grandpa Waite. I had an enjoyable time hanging out with my siblings and friends. And am definitely grateful for my Mom for all the time off she gave me from my kids. I just got back from a weekend getaway to Reno to enjoy my high school reunion and all my girlfriends. I'll post pictures when I get home. My camera is filled with 300 pictures of our trip! Lots of memories. One thing I won't miss is the Vegas heat!

My parents

Stella with cousins--Lauren, Anne Marie and Sabrina

Family dinner outing--of course we can't get everyone in the picture

Stella and Nora

Homemade Baby Invite

I found Bird and Banner website on Oh Happy Day. I thought the hand-print diaper cloth baby invites were really cute and different.

Mirage's Secret Garden

Last week, we went to Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat with my friends Ashley and Charlene and their kids. It was fun but really hot and steamy, which is abnormal for Vegas. The kids really enjoyed the 6-week-old baby dolphin and the white lions.

New Songs

Check out Away Station's new songs and pictures. I really like "Something else" and the new version of "Look to the sky". Click here to listen.

Happy Birthday Dad

I feel lucky to be present for my Dad's birthday twice in a row. My Mom makes it into a huge birthday bash with lots of family, food, presents and singing. Too much fun! And what is his most requested present? Cologne. He got a few of those this year, again...and of course I was one of them, again. Happy Birthday Dad!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

My Dad's request for his birthday cake was a bundt cake. I must say that bundt cakes are not my favorite, but after I tried his cake, which came from Nothing Bundt Cakes, I have changed my mind. Their cakes are so moist and sweet--made from cream cheese and real butter. We devoured it. Sad there is not one near my house.

Happy Birthday Sarah

Happy Birthday to my long-time friend Sarah! Sarah is another friend that I've known since I was a wee-little four year old. We used to run around like busy little bees--always doing something, always into something. She lives in a tiny mountain town in Idaho and living the life as an amazing interior designer/artist (she did the artwork on my website) with her hunny Zach and dog Lucy.

Swimming

What do you do in Vegas with kids? Go swimming everyday. And that's what we've been doing.

Grandma Waite with Stella, Lucas and Nora (Marleen's daughter)

Uncle Stephen with Stella and Lucas

Me and my kids with sister Julene (pregnant with #5), Angelina and Isabella (Ashley's daughter)

Crewcuts Sale

J.Crew's Crewcuts is having a sale--additional 20% off sale items. And of course I had no problem finding a few items for Miss Stella.

Mutze Postcard

Mutze got new postcards, and my beautiful sister Marleen happens to be the main model. Her eyes are so blue!

Red Rock Canyon

For my long run this weekend, I ran the Red Rock Canyon loop. If you've been to Vegas and haven't been to the Red Rocks, it's definitely a place to visit. Lots of hiking trails. My parents live just at the base of the canyon. The loop is about 15 miles, and it's a brutal run since the first five miles is all uphill gaining 1,000 ft elevation. But it was a great training run with beautiful scenery. And I wasn't too surprised at the large number of bikers and hikers who were out at 6 a.m.

Grandma's Backyard

Stella and Lucas love playing in Grandma's backyard morning and night. Luckily right after breakfast and dinner it's not so deathly hot. There's lots of little things to explore--a secret garden, a tiny pond with fish, a waterfall, trampoline, baby pool, covered patio with lots of kid-size chairs and tables. Remember, we are in the desert and Vegas, so this backyard is pretty cool for the small lot sizes homeowners get out here.

Girl's Night Out

I need more of these...and I get super excited that when I'm in Vegas I'm sure to get in a few of these....

One of the places I love to eat while I'm in Vegas is Hannah's. It's a sushi restaurant, and they have some really good speciality rolls that make my mouth water. I crave it from a far. I met up with my girlfriends Libby and Ashley, who also favor Hannah's. Thank goodness the night we went was ladies night--50% off our dinner bill. We were stoked.

Girly Cousins

While being at my parent's home, I get to rummage through old pictures. I came across these that were take exactly a year ago during my Dad's surprise birthday party. I used to have my own version of these pictures, but lost them all when my computer got attack by a virus. How quickly I forgot! Anyway, my parents wanted to take a picture of all the girl cousins who were born within a year of each. That was six of them (and Stella was one of them)! Which means all my sisters and sister-in-laws (except Katie) were pregnant at the same time. It was too much fun!

Sample Sales

A benefit to living so close to the City are the sample sales. I bummed I'm going to miss one of my favorite designer Nanette Lepore's sample sale. Also Bergdorf Goodman is having their not-to-miss bridal gown sale. If I was a bride that would be my first stop to go. Click here for info.

{photo via: Neiman, Bergdorf}

Decorating Class

Not sure if you know, but Pottery Barn puts on a free decorating class every once in a while. I haven't been yet but hope to go in the future. The next class is on "Decorating with Color" and will be held July 29th. Call your local store to sign up.

Tea Party Set

Stella's been enjoying daily tea parties with Grandma Waite during lunch time. She gets so excited to sit outside on the kid's table and eat finger foods and drink orange juice, served on a little tray of course. Anyway, I thought this was a cute playdate child's tea set.

Libertine

I'm really digging Libertine's collection at Target. I picked up a few things for my trip to Vegas.

Sheerin O'Kho

I'm in desperate need of Sheerin O'Kho's face cream--it protects your skin from pollution, temperature change and dry air. The perfect Vegas package! I've notice a huge change in my skin, and of course it's breaking out. Not good for vacation.

Baby Aubrey

My sister Marleen just had her second baby girl last week--Aubrey Ann. She lives in Vegas, so I was so excited that I got here just in time. Aubrey is such a beautiful little baby and tiny! She's got a perfect profile and this cute little nose. Precious!

Happy Birthday Lauren

Happy Birthday Lauren! Here's some fun facts about my good friend Lauren: we've known each other since we were 4 yrs old. We've been friends ever since. Sometimes when we call each other we'll talk on the phone for over two hours. And it's all good conversation. She lives in Orange County. She has a MBA. She's a yoga instructor, massage therapist and a surf diva. She likes to ride her bike as much as she can. She loves to eat organic and fresh. She's a really good swimmer. She's concerned about the environment and wants to make a difference. She loves conversation especially when it's on a good topic. Sometimes she laughs so hard that she cries. Here's a picture of us out on the Strip last year when she came to visit me when I was in town.

Viva Las Vegas

I'm heading to Vegas with my kiddies for a LONG vacation to hang out with my family. I'm excited since I don't get home often. But it's going to be HOT--over 100 degrees of desert heat. So, air-conditioning is the way it goes down there. Of course I'm thinking how I'm going to go on long runs without passing out. While I'm down there I'll also go to my high reunion and see my old dear girlfriends. It should be lots of fun. And I'm also trying to sneak in a show on the Strip--those are always fun to go to. I'm bummed though because I always miss Elton John's Red Piano at Caesars. It's suppose to be a great show and he won't be playing in Vegas until October. Someday I'll see him play. I'll try to blog from a far.

A Showcase of Love Ones

This hallway looks like something out of Martha Stewart's house.



{via Cottage Living}

Growing Up Card

My parents sent this card to Seth for his birthday. I thought it was very appropriate.

Sparkling Bands

After I got my wedding ring, Seth and I planned down the road to add on to my simple diamond ring with a diamond band. Well 5 yrs has past, 6,7,8 and now 9. Hmmm, maybe I should pop the question again because these are just so beautiful!

Key Ring Locator

I have this huge problem of losing my keys. Whether it's hidden in my big bag, under a pile of papers or inside some toy car--without fail, I'm usually hunting my keys every day. It drives me crazy! The other day I lost my keys in Target and had to get security involved. It was terrible, and my kids were very unhappy by the time we finally found them. But I found out that Sharper Image carries an electronic locator for your keys with a remote. I definitely think I need this.