Highlights of the Year 2021

The year 2021 has been an eventful one for our family! 

After having six adorable grandsons, I finally got my first grand-daughter.

(Respecting my daughter's wishes to not show her children's faces.
Scumbags on the internet ruin everything.)

My oldest son, Cody, turned 40! We celebrated with an open house. 

Cody loved having his friends from  Turn Community Services there.

Katelyn, who happens to be my youngest child, turned 30! What?! How?!!

Boyd and I went to Fort Worth, Texas to see my BF from high school and her family.

My sister, Camie, and her daughter, Lainey, came and 

spent a few days with me. We braved Vegas for a day.

Beverly and I went on our first girl trip without our daughters. We had a great time, even though we had to wear masks on the rides. (And we really wished the girls could've come.)

On a sad note, my step-father passed away. I am glad he's no longer suffering. 

CANCER CAN SUCK IT!

Boyd and I made the decision to cash in on the insane housing market in St. George and move out of town. We bought the cutest home in the perfect location and moved in the first Saturday of September.

Within a month, I landed a job as an EL Interventionist at the elementary school close to my home.

(Ignore the typo in my text.) 

Cody is adjusting to his new day program. He really wanted to be Goofy on Halloween. 

We've enjoyed a couple of snow storms (which rarely happened in St. George).

We hosted our first Thanksgiving in our new home and just ended the year with a very Merry Christmas.

Looking back, I feel blessed beyond measure!

Bring on 2022!

To you and yours...

Summer Las Vegas 2018

My husband and I spent a few days in Las Vegas last week, visiting my kids and enjoying limited time being "empty nesters". My son and his girlfriend took us to one of their favorite places to eat...Nacho Daddy. Nacho Daddy has  regular and vegan menus, which is one of the main reason's Casey and Kelly like to go there. Casey pointed out that Nacho Daddy is the home of the Original Scorpion Shot and asked me if I wanted to try it. Ummm. No. But the Nachos and raspberry tea were divine!

We decided to check out the Orleans casino after hearing that they are more generous with pay outs. I wasn't sold, but I am a cheap skate. Throwing money away is hard for me. So, while Boyd was enjoying tapping on the coy fish on an Asian style slot machine screen, I took a pic of the crocodiles out front.

Of course, the highlight of my visit to Vegas was seeing the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio. This summer's theme was 'That's Amore', inspired by the beauty that's found throughout Italy. Here are a few pics. I wish you could smell these flowers as well. The air is so fresh and cool and fragrant, a total contrast to the stench of the smoke filled casinos.

The picture above is an Italian rug made out of seeds, beans, chickpeas, corn, dried peppers and carrots, coconut, licorice sticks, acorns, pineapple rings, dried bananas and other natural flowers and plants.

Do you see that green hedge above? SPLIT PEAS. Billions and billions of them!

There were a lot of living lime and lemon trees. You can imagine the fragrances we were smelling. 

Last of all, I cannot post about this trip to Las Vegas without mentioning my favorite restaurant Famous Dave's. I LOVE this place. I put BBQ sauce on my BBQ sauce. :)

Spring Break Las Vegas 2018

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite places to visit in Las Vegas. Japanese Spring is the theme they have going now and, as always, it is beautiful and awe inspiring. Their horticulturalists and designers are amazingly talented! Here are a few of my favorite pics this trip...

Just look at the tulips! Gorgeous!

These huge flowers were made from Carnations. Pink Carnations are my favorite flower. 

L O V E

The Coy Pond was a fun touch. :)

Bellagio Botanical Gardens Spring 2017

Besides Dunkin Donuts (not even kidding here), one of my favorite places to visit when I am in Las Vegas is the Bellagio. Not only are the fountains spectacular, but the conservatory and botanical gardens are amazing!

This year Boyd and I were able to feast our eyes on the Japanese Spring arrangement where there are 65,000 flowers on display.

35-foot floral Kabuki figure

  

I hope we can go back and see the other seasonal displays this year. 

So. Much. Fun!

For more information, click on the bold links in the first paragraph of this post.