Cheesecake Factory - LV, NV: Dinner with Tracilee

Photo Title: Friends Forever
People: Calvin, Karissa and Tracilee

My best friend from graduate school, Tracilee, is in town so we met her for dinner tonight.

We LOVE Tracilee. She's been such a good friend for years. I've cried with her and laughed with her more times than I can count.

And, she seriously is HILARIOUS. Calvin and I laugh the entire time we're with her.

Anyway, so tonight at dinner we laughed A LOT and caught up on each others lives. (She moved to San Francisco and I miss her terribly!)

During dinner Tracilee gave me the most sincere and personal gift. She gave me her grandmother's Book of Mormon.

The interesting thing about this is that Tracilee and her family are not Mormon. Her grandmother, however, was baptized Mormon a few years ago. Her grandmother also passed away about a year ago.

When Tracilee was cleaning out her grandmother's house, she opened the night stand. The two things in her grandmother's night stand were: The Book of Mormon and licorice.

The Book of Mormon had her grandmother's notes inside it and it was an old, 1961 copy that someone had given her years ago (obviously).

It was such a sweet gift. Tracilee was VERY close to her grandmother and giving me her Book of Mormon was so sentimental. I cried.

This exchange is just one example of my relationship with Tracilee. We're complete opposites in so many ways (I'm tall with long brown hair and dark eyes; she's short with short blonde hair and blue eyes. I'm Mormon; she's not religious. I'm married; she's gay.) and yet we respect each other's differences and connect so well.

Tracilee is one of my best friends and honestly a lifelong friend.

Spring Mountain Ranch - LV, NV: Aida

Photo Title: An outdoor play: Culture + Nature

People: Justin, Megann, Wayne, Betsy, Karissa, Calvin, Melissa and Todd

We met up with some friends at Spring Mountain Ranch to see the play "Aida."

Calvin and I missed the first part of the play because we stopped by a wedding reception but the second half was really good. :-)

After the play, we sat with our friends and ate dessert while all of the other people headed to their cars to fight traffic.

I brought dessert to share...and I also brought Amish Friendship Bread starters for my friends.

They all teased me mercilessly about baking bread in the first place and now I'm passing on the starters... Oh how I've grown up!

Church - LV, NV: Jhon and Kim Mosley's Wedding Reception

Photo Title: Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Mosley
People: Jhon, Kim, Karissa and Calvin

One of my former roommates, Kim, recentely got married and her wedding reception was tonight.

Calvin and I had just returned from camping, showered, met with our piano tuner, and then rushed to stop by the reception/open house on our way to a play at Spring Mountain Ranch.

Luckily the reception was an open house so lots of people were coming and going.

We were able to spend a few minutes talked to Kim and Jhon to congratulate them and then just before we left, my FAVORITE little girl of all time came with her family (I like her parents too ;-).

Makenna!

I adore Makenna. She is the cutest little girl and has a great personality - and an adorable little voice that melts my heart.

At Kim's reception, they had these little bags for guests to fill with M&Ms. I helped Makenna fill her bag and afterward she was so excited and said, "Thank you, KC. Oh thank you!" (How could I not adore her?!?!)

Then Calvin and I had to leave because we already had friends waiting for us to go see a play.

I love attending wedding receptions. I especially enjoy weddings now that I'm married because I know how wonderful marriage is and I want everyone to be as happy as I am.

Kim is a great person and I'm so glad that she found Jhon to share her life with. I truly do with them all the happiness in the world!

Lee Canyon - NV: Camping with Friends

Photo Title: Playing Cards in the Mountains

People: Betsy, Wayne, Shane, Shane, Calvin and Karissa

This morning we woke up and the boys started playing horse shoes right away.

Then they made breakfast while the girls held baby Tristen. (The nice thing about camping is that the guys like to do all the work.)

After breakfast we went on a short hike (Shan has a bad ankle and Calvin is still having problems with his knee).

After the hike the boys played horseshoes...again....

Then we sat around the table and played cards as a group.

Finally it was time to pack up and go home (Calvin and I have A LOT going on today...)

Alas, our "Friends Camping Trip" 2008 is over.

Lee Canyon - NV: Camping with Friends

Photo Title: A few of our Camping Friends

People: Karissa, Calvin, Travis, Shan, Wayne, Betsy and Bea

This weekend we went camping with some friends. We've gone camping with friends every year for the past six years - so it's a tradition.

A few months ago Calvin and I bought these HUGE marshmallows when we were in Mexico to bring on this camping trip. They were seriously the biggest marshmallows we had ever seen - it was great!

Then, to prepare for the the trip, I packed the marshmallows and made our tin foil dinners (chicken, potatoes, peppers and onions).

I threw some stuff into our duffle bag and when Calvin came home, we changed and drove to the mountains.

Our friends had already set up the tents and equipment so we were able to relax when we got there.

We cooked our dinners, ate s'mores with the HUGE marshmallows and then ate some of Shane's pineapple upside down cake from the dutch oven (delicious!).

We sat around the fire and talked and laughed....

Finally we all went to bed. Everyone had air mattresses except for Calvin and me. We slept on the ground - OUCH! We really weren't prepared (and honestly, I'm a little camped-out after spending a week at Girls Camp a few weeks ago.... I'm not ready to camp again until next year.)

Home - LV, NV: Baking Amish Friendship Bread

Photo Title: Friendship Bread

This morning I also made Amish Friendship Bread. I don't actually own bread pans so I made it in a round cake pan. It turned out yummy!

Amish Friendship Bread is a genuine starter bread. You have to get the starter from a friend, add the ingredients to the starter to make our own bread and three bags of starter to pass off to your friends.

It tastes like a cinammon and vanilla bread - almost more like a dessert - and really, it's yummy!

Home - LV, NV: Hor Air Balloon Over Our House

Picture: Flying Over Our House

This morning I was bringing the trash out to the street for the garbage truck to pick up - and I looked up to see a hot air balloon right above my head.

I ran in, got the camera (of course) and took a picture in time to see the hot air balloon over my house.

Random, I know.

One of the things on my "to do" list is to ride in a hot air balloon.....

Fuddruckers- LV, NV: Calvin's Birthday Day

Photo Title: Family at Fuddruckers

People: Karissa, Calvin, Travis, Shan and Tristen

Today was Calvin's actual birthday.

When he got to work this morning his boss and co-worker had decorated his office for him. Then, he said is was a pretty normal/busy day besides the 50+ emails he received from people at work telling him Happy Birthday and the text messages/phone calls he received from family and friends.

When he got home from work I had his birthday presents all layed out for him. First, he saw Rock Band (a video game where you actually play the drums, guitar or sing as a band). His brother Jeff bought him Rock Band for his birthday.

Then he saw the piano bench I had recovered for him. He was so proud of me!

Inside the piano bench he found a certificate from my parents. They paid for a piano tuning session for him. The piano tuner is coming on Saturday.

Then, on top of the piano was a card from me and a new Wii game he wanted "Super Smash Bros."

Next to my gift was a card from his parents.

After being thrilled by his presents, he was so excited that he went upstairs and changed out of his suit so he could play with his new presents.

It seems like the perfect birthday...except for one thing: I had no dinner ready. I didn't expect him to be home so early!

I told him I was sorry and he said, with a grin on his face, "I'll solve the problem. Let's go eat at the new Fuddruckers that just opened." Smooth eh?

We called my sister and brother-in-law (Shan and Travis) to see if they wanted to join us. They said they'd be over in half an hour.

Calvin and Terry (our nephew) started playing Rock Band.

Then Travis came over and played a few games with them...

Finally we left for dinner.

At Fuddruckers Shan and Travis gave Calvin his present. They gave him a gift card to eat dinner at either a Mexican or an Italian restaurant...and ties to match. They purposely bought hideous ties to give Calvin with his gift card. It was hilarious!

They included a "Mad Gab" notebook for him to play travel games while he went to "Mexico" or "Italy" for dinner - while wearing one of his ties of course!

They also gave him pictures of Tristen leading up the last picture of the baby sitting by a "Happy Birthday" sign. It was SO CUTE!

Dinner was good and the staff gave Calvin a free brownie dessert and sang to him for his birthday.

After dinner Calvin came home and said, "This has been my best birthday ever!"

I agree with him - he was spoiled rotten.

Calvin's birthday celebration included:

Saturday
- sushi and a show

Sunday
- birthday party with gifts from friends that included a gift card to eat at McDonald's (Calvin's "comfort food" is McDonald's)

Wednesday
- lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant, newly covered piano bench with the piano we received a few weeks ago, piano tuning session, Rock Band, Super Smash Bros., dinner at Fuddruckers, gift card to another dinner, Mad Gab.....

AND GREAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS who celebrated with us and wished Calvin a Happy Birthday in their own unique ways.

Yanke's House - LV, NV: Calvin's Piano Bench

Photo Title: Me with a Staple Gun...
People: Karissa and Rachel

Tonight I went over to my friend Rachel's house so she could help me cover Calvin's piano bench. (His birthday is tomorrow and this is one of his presents.)

We worked hard but I am THRILLED with the outcome. I changed the yucky knitted cover to a black leather cover.

Pretty impressive? I think so. (Especially for my first fabric/covering project ever!)

Home - LV, NV: Typical Day with Baby Tristen

Photo Title: Baby and Me "Working"
People: Tristen and Karissa

In July I started babysitting my nephew during the week. My sister had to go back to work (she's still putting her husband through school) and it was easier for me to stay home to do my job (Public Relations Consultant) than for her stay to home as a social worker.

So, we made the arrangment.

It was difficult at first to figure out how to get my work done with a baby...but I've figured out how to be very productive during nap time! ;-)

And, little Tristen is such a good baby. I work on the computer almost all day and he doesn't mind sitting on my lap while I work.

Here is how a typical day with Tristen goes....

First, his dad drops him off around six in the morning. He's wide awake.

I bring him to my bedroom and play with him while we talk to Calvin.

When Calvin is almost ready to leave for work Tristen and I go downstairs and make him breakfast (just something quick) to eat on his way to work. (Yeah, I know, most people probably eat breakfast at home but Calvin would rather get a little more sleep than wake up earlier to eat breakfast at home.)

Then Calvin plays with him for a second (he makes sure he makes Tristen laugh at least once before he leaves for work).

After Calvin leaves for work, Tristen and I jump on the computer to check my email.

Then it's time for him to eat. I feed him a bottle, burp him and put him down for his morning nap.

During his morning nap I jump in the shower.

Then, I get out of the shower and get back to work. (I still wear sweats though - because I get to work from home and who knows when Tristen might spit up.)

When Tristen wakes up we play for a little while. (He is so dang cute!)

And then of course we get back to work. A lot of times Tristen will play on a blanket on the floor in my office. He watches me work.

Then I feed him again and put him down for his afternoon nap. I get back to work. (I am so much more productive when he's napping so I do as much as I can.)

When he wakes up from his afternoon nap I carry him on my hip and pick up the house. He's a good helper. ;-)

Then we play again (he really is a happy kid) and wait until his Dad comes to pick him around 4:30/5:00 PM.

After Tristen leaves, I pick up the baby stuff and put it away (I made him his own little room in our loft), finish work projects, and start dinner....

It's very interesting for me to stay home with a baby. But, I can't really say I'm a stay-at-home-mom because I still have a full-time job.

I've been invited to meet up with people during the day now (which is something I was never able to do before unless it was on my lunch break) but I can't go. I have to work. I can't really have play dates, or lunch dates or anything during the day because I have to get my work done.... So I'm still not a typical "stay-at-home-mom", I guess.

I don't mind not going out during the day. And working from home, although difficult, has been pretty cool too (I take conference calls in my pajamas).

I seriously adore Baby Tristen. He is so much fun and I love him more than I've ever loved any other baby - probably because I get to take care of him and watch him grow every day.

So, having Tristen during the day has definitely changed my life. For the better.

(P.S. Calvin says I should probably be more specific in my prayers to have children. As I've been praying for children our 16-year-old nephew Terry moved in and I started watching Baby Tristen during the days. I prayed for children and now we have a teenager and a baby... Nice huh? ;-) The Lord answers prayers in the most interesting ways.... )

Home - LV, NV: Calvin's Birthday Party

Photo Title: Making a Wish
People: Calvin and Karissa

Tonight we had a few friends and family members over to celebrate Calvin's birthday. (His birthday is on Wednesday but it's pretty difficult to get people together during the week.)

I made homemade carrot cake (my mom's recipe that Calvin LOVES) like I do for him every year. (Although I substituted the oil for apple sauce this time to make it "healthier"... It still tasted about the same so I think I'll always do this now.)

We talked, laughed, played the Wii, played with everyones kids, and had a good time.

Just how birthday parties should be...with friends, family and lots of laughter.

Planet Hollywood Hotel - LV, NV: Keeping up on the City Center Construction

Photo Title: Tired...but not too tired to check out construction projects

People: Karissa and Calvin

After the Gordie Brown show, Calvin and I were driving out of the parking garage...(or so I thought)...when my husband pulled in to a remote corner on one of the floors. I was so confused.

My first thought: Seriously? You want to park and make-out? You've got to be kidding....

But as soon as he parked the car, Calvin got out and walked to the edge - and then I knew what was going on...

He was checking out the construction site of one of Vegas' huge projects: City Center.

Calvin loves following the development of cities, looking at new buildings, and keeping track of construction projects. I'd say it's one of his quirks.

He knows about every project in Las Vegas and we regularly drive by them so he can see the progress on the construction. (It's pretty cute actually to see my husband "study" the sites.)

So, we got out of the car and looked at the City Center project for a few minutes. Calvin explained how the towers were going to look and sorts of things to me...

And then Calvin's birthday date night was complete: sushi, a show, and looking at construction.

Planet Hollywood Hotel - LV, NV: Gordie Brown Show

Photo Title: Gordie Brown's Last Show in Vegas
People: Karissa and Calvin

After our sushi dinner Calvin and I had tickets to see Gordie Brown (an impressionist.) I donated blood a few weeks ago to get the free tickets.

Gordie Brown is going on tour after tonight so the show we saw was his last show in Vegas.

The show was okay. We get nervous going to comedians/impressionists because no matter who it is, they always seem to get dirty really quickly - like telling dirty jokes and stuff.

For the most part Gordie was pretty clean and funny - but he did, sadly, throw in some off-colored jokes.

Since it was his last show in Vegas there were a lot of other performers, producers, directors, etc. in the audience and he walked around and talked with them so that was pretty cool.

Cafe Wasabi - LV, NV: Sushi Birthday Dinner

Photo Title: Sushi....Mmmm....
People: Kelly, Steve, Karissa and Calvin

Tonight (after the karate tournament and after shopping for fabric) Calvin and I met up with our friends Steve and Kelly for sushi.

We love, love, love sushi. It's too bad it's so dang expensive!

We decided it was okay to splurge on an expensive sushi dinner tonight, though, because we were celebrating Calvin's birthday (which is on Wednesday).

Calvin couldn't have been happier: good friends, good food and the chefs let us hold their knives... ;-)

Hancock Fabrics - LV, NV: Fabric Store Experience

Photo Title: Martha Stewart Watch Out!

People: Karissa

After the karate tournament Rachel and I went to a fabric store.

I decided to recover the piano bench we got a few days ago with our free piano...and I had no idea how to do it. I wanted to do it for Calvin's birthday (which is this Wednesday) so Rach offered to help me. (She has an entire craft room in her house. Craziness!)

We went to the store (Rach knew where it was) and basically I followed her around while she got the materials we needed.

I talked to everyone though and told them how it was my first time in a fabric store. Everyone laughed but then all of the employees were EXTRA nice to me because I was a "newby". It was cute!

Primm Resort - Primm, NV: Karate Tournament

Photo Title: Karate Kids
People: Kandace, Karissa, Laura and Rachel

This morning my friend Rachel (who also happens to be in the Young Women's presideny with me) and I drove to Primm, NV (about 45 minutes outside Vegas) to watch one of our young women, Kandace, in her karate tournament.

Kandace's mom, Laura, is also in the Young Women's Presidency AND she does karate with Kandace so we got to watch her as well.

It was so cool!

Rachel and I were clueless, which made it completely hilarious. We had no idea what was going on and all of our knowledge (or guesses) came from the movie "Karate Kid" that we had seen when we were kids.

We had a good time, though, and everything impressed us.

We especially liked playing with Kandace's weapons. Kandace laughed and rolled her eyes as we pretended to fight and attack her. (Good role models, I know! ;-)