What Happened in Vegas?!?!

This year Nathan and I decided to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary a little late this year. (in part because we were slightly distracted with Ryan and Morgan's wedding, but we didn't mind) We booked a condo in Las Vegas for the beginning of June. I was counting down the days with excitement!

So what happened in Vegas?......I will tell you!

We spent the day traveling on Thursday June 6th. Even though it was a 9 hour drive we both were so happy to be going on a Vacation that we didn't mind too much.  It was clear when we entered into Nevada, we were already dying of heat when we pulled up to the condo. After checking in we decided to hit the strip and find some dinner. Being the awesome wife I am, I took Nathan to eat at 'Hooters'. I have to say it was kind of fun and the 'wings' were not bad ;) We didn't stay too late on our first night but we did wander and admire some of the casinos. I even had the chance to try my very first slot machine! It was a "Wizard of Oz" themed machine and honestly I still don't know how to play it. I must have done something right because when I put in a dollar I ended up winning $12. Haha I was so happy that I called that good enough. One of my favorite free attractions to see is the water show in front of the Bellagio we had to do that our first night there! To end our first night Nathan and I decided to ride the New York New York roller coster. We sat right in the very first cart and I screamed the whole time, but what a thrill !

Too funny not to share !!!

The next day we slept in a little and after having some breakfast we spent the rest of the morning out by the pool. It was so hot that we couldn't tan for very long before getting into the water to cool down. We took our time getting ready and then took the shuttle back to the strip. We shopped around a bit before heading to Mandela Bay to eat there buffet dinner. It was kind of expensive but so worth it !!! After dinner we had some time to kill before our show, so we went into one of my favorite stores...the M&M store! I love all the merchandise and the giant candy wall full of every color of M&M I have seen! We even stayed to watch the 3-D movie 'I lost my M in Vegas'. We had reserved tickets to see the 'Blue Man Group'. I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much. It was so interactive and had some cool effects with lights and sounds. Our seats were super close to the stage but not in the splash zone (thank goodness). I really liked the end of their show when they released some giant balls from the ceiling that we passed around like it was a party. There was even tons and tons of toilet paper being tossed everywhere (we were covered by the end of it). What a cool show, we both would go back in a heart beat. We had to wait for a little bit before our shuttle came back to pick us up and since our feet were starting to hurt we decided to sit down at only chairs in Ceasers Palace, the casion. We sat there for a couple mins before i realized that my machine appeared to have some credits left on it. Curious if it did I hit the collect button and I can't believe it but I got a voucher for $57.00  Nathan could not believe the luck I had. Haha I really think I could make it big time in Vegas!

Saturday we started our day off as the day before, tanning by the pool for a couple hours before getting ready and heading back to the strip for the evening. We walked through the botanical gardens in the Baligio and watched the Fall of Atlantis in Caesars Palace before eating dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.  Nathan was determined to try his luck at a slot machine as well, so we found a 'Lord of the Rings' themed slot machine for him. He placed in $5 and just when I thought he was about to lose it all he made his way into a bonus round and before we knew it he had $230 !!!! We were a little greedy and wanted to see if we could win more but when he was at $200 we cashed out. We must be a couple of the luckiest people I know! Well our show for that evening we saw Ray Ramano in his stand-up comedy act. He was really funny and we laughed really hard at his jokes about him and his family. At the end of his show he showed us some extra clips from 'Everybody Loves Raymond' that were hilarious! I had my fingers crossed that we would get to meet him but maybe next time.

Sunday was our day to come home, but we still took our time doing so. We spent a couple more hours out by the pool before we decided to check-out. And just to rub it into my mom's face a little we ate a Round House Table pizza....and it was Good! Nathan and I had an amazing time in Vegas and I hope to make it back there again really soon!

.....a May Wedding!!!

So we made it to May and the days seemed to fly by and the wedding was here before we knew it! Ryan and Morgan were married and sealed for Time and all Eternity on May 17 2013 in the Bountiful, Utah temple.  I can't tell you just how beautiful it was and I am extremely proud of my brother and Morgan for their decision to be married in the Temple. It was a very emotional, but spiritual day for everyone. The coolest thing I think I have ever seen is when the sealer himself changed clothes to come out to meet Morgan's parents and take a picture with Ryan and Morgan! We took lots of pictures of the happy couple with family and friends. We enjoyed a great luncheon at a reception hall called the White House not too far from the temple. What a full day, but while Ryan and Morgan headed off to celebrate their wedding night the rest of us hurried home to make sure the reception was a set up and ready for the next day. Kim Harding did the decorations for the gym and it looked amazing!!! Nathan and I had a job too. We were assigned to help with the slide show and music for the evening. I have to say that I think Nathan and I did a great job with the video. Texas Roadhouse even catered for the event (naturally) and it was delicious. The night was perfect and Ryan and Morgan were a picture perfect couple! Congrats to Ryan & Morgan Newsom! 

Oh and I think we are going to have an easy time remembering everyone's Wedding Anniversaries: Ryan & Morgan-May 17th, Nathan & Ashley-May 20th, and Mom & Dad-May 31st. Apparently we all thought that May was the month to be married!

April {Bridal} Showers Bring......

So I really have not got the hang of keeping this journal up very well. Let's go back and discuss what happened in April. We have all been super busy getting ready for the upcoming wedding of Ryan and Morgan! So Morgan's sister, Haylee, and I decided to throw Morgan a bridal shower. We both looked up ideas on Pinterest and decided the theme for the shower should be a Circus! Haylee and I had such a fun time planning out all the details and games we would play. I volunteered to create the invite while she prepared all the decorations. We spent so much time preparing and planning that when it came to the actual day we were so exhausted. Morgan loved everything and she had a great turnout with her guests! We played a couple games including "Kiss the Stud" and a Panty game (Morgan had to identify what panties best represented the person who brought them). We all had so much fun enjoying all the food and laughing with both family and friends. I think it was a hit and I hope to be able to plan another party like this in the future! To see Morgan so happy means that all the hard work Haylee and I put into this party was all worth it. I can't begin to say how lucky I am to be getting a wonderful sister like Morgan. Here is a few pictures from the shower...