Winter Daze.

I love winter in the desert!

Not to mention it's probably pretty obvious that I am still unemployed. Who has time to take pictures of their backyard during the day? Only the unemployed. Oh well. Keeps me off the streets (or the strip, not that I'm tempted, but doesn't keep me away from SHOPPING)!

Our plum tree that we didn't get a single plum off of last year because of the greedy birds. Maybe I need to dig out Alan's BB gun?

Life of leisure...to be a dog!

Our Little Buddy

Our friend Chris came from Seattle for a visit. He has never been to Las Vegas, so we showed him a few places. The first stop was Lake Mead. Saturday, during the day, was beautiful and we had a chance to do a little driving around. By late afternoon the weather was turning cold and windy. By the time we made it down to the strip that night it was raining, but it actually was to our advantage because we were able to drive down the length of the strip without much traffic!

Alan and Chris overlooking the Hoover Dam.
Boulder City Brewing Company--great place for beer!
The conservatory at the Bellagio. It's the "year of the rat", so Chris and I posed in front of the flower rat. We had fun walking around the casino and the "boys" enjoyed looking at all the girls trying to get into the nightclub. Shelly enjoyed looking at all the jewlery at Tiffany's figuring out what she wants for her birthday (yeah right, how 'bout a job first?!)

REAL Guitar Hero

Maybe we will have to change the name of this blog so I (Alan) can jump in from time to time. I have to write something here about our friend Eddie. He looks nothing like an old rocker/country/blues guitar picker, but that is what he is. He has been a professional musician for most of his life and has played with some of the biggest names ever, including Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. He plugged in his guitar when we came back after dinner and he played everything from the Beatles to Dave Brubeck and made it look easy. Eddie doesn't like to brag and he doesn't have to; he can play the guitar with anyone!

Dinner on a Friday Night...

A good time was had by all! We went out to Famous Dave's with our friends, Eddie and Ginger. This was my first trip to the famous BBQ place and while I'm not usually a big fan of chain restaurants this one will be worth going back too!

Windy!

Although it is MUCH calmer now, Wednesday night brought in the craziest wind storm we have had since we moved here. Our patio doesn't look too bad, but we will have a little cleaning up to do this weekend. It was so windy airplanes were grounded at the airport and WORST OF ALL Alan and I had to have our tennis lesson cut short! When dust is blowing in your eyes and blowing the balls all over I guess it's time to call it a night!

Spring has Sprung???

Today's temp out on our patio. Got to love the fact it's only February 11!

Lola, the Princess, soaking up some rays.

Family Fun in Utah

This past weekend Alan and I went to Roy, Utah to help celebrate niece Lileigh's 2nd birthday. Mom, sister Erin, brother James, and his fiance Aimee all came down from Seattle to help with the celebration, so it turned into a mini-family reunion. We had a short visit but a good time. There was a ton of snow everywhere but thankfully, it wasn't on the roads!

I fell in love with Jake and Rikki's new dog "Chase". He is a Puggle (Pug/Beagle mix), and I kept threatening to steal him. Because, you know FOUR dogs just wouldn't be too many! Okay, so maybe I won't steal him but I will be happy to babysit him anytime!

Here is the birthday girl, Lileigh getting ready to blow out her candles on the cake.

Rikki said the binkies are going to have to go and Lileigh will be cut off soon now that she is two!

Nephew Jaxon having fun on his slide. He is a wild boy!

Mom and Sister, Erin

Jake and Rikki

The sunset when we where about an hour from home on Sunday.

Thou shall not covet...

another dog's toy! Tug saw me put this dog toy on the table. It is a present for "Chase" the newest dog in our extended family. He was going crazy whining and trying to get it. When my back was turned he jumped on the table. Of course, I had to document it, but all I have to say is boy Alan's gonna be po'd seeing the dog on the dining room table. Tug you are in trouble!

NOT So Pretty in Pink!

Poor Tug. He is such a pathetic creature. My friend, Nannette, gave me this little t-shirt for him, and he wasn't pleased about it one bit. I didn't have the heart to keep it on him when he was rolling around trying to get it off! Guess PINK isn't his color!

Waiting for Daddy...

Willy cracks me up. Since I have been home during the day he goes to the window about 4:15 and waits for Alan to show up from work. Around 4:45 he will run to the door and look out that window and then run back to the chair to look out the big window. Repeat the process until Dad is home! Crazy!

I am now a BLOGGER

Okay, scaring myself here with this whole blog thing. What a commitment. However, I'm feeling a bit to old for the MySpace page, and I want a way to feel like I'm keeping in contact and am connected with my family and friends. I'm not much of a writer (I leave that up to Alan), I just thought it would be fun to post "stuff" now that I live so far away from my family and lot's of my friends (but am making new friends in this town--here's a shout out to ya all)!

I can't believe we have now lived in Vegas for just over 14 months and Alan and I both still like it as much, if not more, than when we moved here. Of course, things aren't perfect....I'm currently looking for another job after being layed off (yes, I am looking for my THIRD job in 14 months), my dogs are still crazy, I'm out of shape, and our vacuum cleaner is broken. BUT on the plus side the sun shines pretty much year round, I have been taking tennis lessons, and we have many, many fabulous restaurants to go to! Life doesn't get much better!

Hope you enjoy my attempts at blogging and I would love any comments, feedback, ideas, or a link to your blog (hint, hint)!