Christmas Bash

We went to Alan's work Christmas party Friday night that was held at the Green Valley Ranch. It was a nice affair with an open bar and delicious buffett.  Here are some pre-party shots of Alan and I. Alan looks very dapper in his suit while the look I was going for was "tarty". I think I pulled it off.

I didn't get as many shots of my friends as I would have liked. Here are a few though. This is Sally and Nena and we were all having a good time!

Landon and Danielle

Sally and her husband Jim

Thom and Michelle--they didn't stay at the party long as they had a flight to catch to Philadelphia.  I didn't envy them!

After the dinner, everyone went up to the casino. About 20 people or so each pitched in $21 bucks for a chance at the Mega Millions slots. Needless to say, we were losers like we were last year but it was still fun. Lot's of partying going on and Alan and I didn't make it home until after 1:00 in the morning. That is LATE for me because I can never sleep in anymore and I felt it the next morning when I woke up at 7:00!  Alan really works for a an awesome company, and I have made some good friends with his co-workers--we have lots of laughs together. 

Sweet Baby

Erica came into work last week to visit me and Tracy. We all worked together at our last job that ended up going belly up, and I have missed working with Erica. She had her sweet baby a few months ago and this was the first time I have seen him in person. Such pretty blue eyes!

Proud mommy and baby

So cute!

Shelly holding him--not quite a natural but it was fun...until he started crying. By the way, the warm and fuzzy outfit he is wearing is courtesy of me. I may not be a natural with babies but I can buy them cute clothes.

Snow? In Vegas???

Yep, it snowed and it stuck.  I was shocked I tell you--I really didn't think it would. We have lived here two years now and while it snowed once (tinylittlebit barely stuck), this is considered MAJOR snow accumulation in this neck of the woods.  Here is a picture of me and Tracy's car.  I realize this isn't much compared to some other parts of the country but for the desert?  Hell, yeah!

The view at my office complex.

Another view from the office.  Poor sad palm trees.  It's just not right.

Cuz, I can't drive worth crapola in the snow I got my car stuck in our driveway.  When Alan came home he was able to back it up into the garage.  Another sad thing was the windshield cracked all the way across.  I have had a ding in it for several years with no problem.  I guess the combo of me CRANKING the heat and the frigid temps outside was too much for the windshield to handle.  What a pain, I just got my windows tinted and now I will have to have them redo the strip across the windshield.  I know waa waa waa.

The view looking down our street.

The front of the house.

Our poor little spa.  I actually thought about heating it up and then remembered we had a major windstorm on Monday and there is a buttload of leaves and various debris in the bottom of it.  What?  No, I'm not cleaning it--to freakin' cold out.

BBQ'ing anyone? I am making steaks for dinner tonight but don't think we will be using this!

Well, my friend, Tracy and I had to go to Costco today because we are (hopefully) having a work party luncheon tomorrow. I spotted Maker's Mark which Costco carries only once a year, and I actually like it, so I was a good wife and brought some home to Alan (the tequila is always a necessity--we live in the desert--margaritas duh).  Must stay warm...

What a difference a day makes!

Sorry about the crappy picture quality.  I took these photos with my cell phone.  The point I am trying to illustrate here is how 24 hours can make such a huge difference in the Vegas weather.  While we did not get snow like the other side of the valley, we got lots and lots of rain and gloom.  Reminded me of living in Seattle.  However, this morning when I woke up the sun was shining!  Happy Day!!  We still have some rain in the forecast and cold temps for the next few days but I can handle it knowing the sun will be back soon!

Catching up.

Aunt Jeanne and cousins Aaron and Mat came to Vegas for the weekend along with a couple other friends. We met up with the family at the Yard House in Town Square. I hadn't seen Aaron in several years and it had been quite a few months since I last saw Mat and Jeanne, so it was fun catching up with everyone.

Alan and Jeanne

Aaron and Mat

Cousins

Aaron, Jeanne, Mat

We had a couple of cameras pointed at us so wasn't sure where to look. I think I look cross-eyed in this picture.

Don't know what these were--some sort of fish mobile thingie, but they were pretty cool.

More mobile thingies

The old lady went out.

Saturday night we decided to go down to old Las Vegas (downtown). We wanted our guests to see the light show at the Fremont Street Experience. We wandered around and decided to check out the Golden Nugget. My aunt, Jeanne, has been telling me about the cool pool and fish tank they have so I had to see it for myself. I want to come back and go swimming when the weather is warmer!

The tube you see in the fish tank is a water slide!

Seriously, do these fucktards think they are going to "save" anyone with their message of hate and fear. I loath people like this. You should have seen the other side of the red sign. Completely offensive and racist. They are lucky they don't get their asses kicked. Most people just ignore them like I did.

I think this was called the "Globe of Death". It's hard to tell in the picture but there were three motorcycles racing around the inside. Sorry about the shot of the bald guy below!

We left downtown and decided to stop by a neighborhood bar to see if our friend, Chuck was there. He was, so we drank. Here is a great shot of Lauren, Kate, and Alex.

We came home and played some music. Kate made Alex dance with him and it was cute.

Not more pictures of red rocks...

Yep, we had to make another trip to Valley of Fire State Park.  We brought the dogs along this time and they were happy to get out of the house!

Alan and his son, Alex

Our visitors from Australia, Kate and Lauren

Lauren

I'm not sure what kind of face Lola is making but I thought it was pretty funny.

Lola and Alan standing by more red rocks.  Imagine!

Shelly and the "kids"

Exploring

There is a staircase going up the side of a huge rock.  When you get to the top of the platform you see all these petroglyphics the Indians carved. 

Yes, that is a freakin' spider.  I thank my lucky stars that I was at the suv with the dogs and missed it!  I don't know who that guy is in the picture but he is a fool for sticking his hand that close to the MONSTER.

Another closeup.  Alan said it was really big!  Getting goose bumps thinking about it!

No trip to Valley of Fire would be complete without a shot in front of the "beehives"

My baby

For those of you that know Tug this picture won't suprise you.  Mr. OCD Dog is trying to get the road bumper up off the pavement.  He saw that thing and started scratching it like crazy.