North Carolina VACATION!!!

We just returned a fabulous vacation to North Carolina! Some of our Best Friends, Noah and LaShae, moved there for school last year and we promised them that we would come for a visit! We were so excited to go and spend time with them, but also, we were stoked to be able to spend all that time together after not seeing each other for 5 weeks (see post below). Michael was a little weary of another 5 hour flight, since he had just done a long flight not 2 days before, but I told him I would entertain him so it wouldn't be half bad =). I like to think I am pretty good entertainment. lol.

Before we got there LaShae and I decided that we would have a little Birthday party for the boys, Noah's was the 20th of March and Michael's is April 3rd. We had a cute little cake for them and had them open their gifts. The boys were so good to pose for us with the cake. =)

On of our first days out on the town, we went to the Raleigh history Museum. It was pretty cool - (can you tell the guys were just loving all of the photos?)

They gave us the grand tour of their new city, and of Noah's campus. It really was all so beautiful, it was a pretty rainy day,(as it was for all but 1 day we were there), but still pretty warm. (Just REALLY humid. My hair loved that game).

That afternoon we packed a picnic and went to the nearby lake to rent a paddle-boat, it was such a fabulous work out, and such beautiful scenery!

That night we went to a DELICIOUS Sushi restaurant where LaShae had some amazing hook ups! The owner goes to the dentist where she works, so he gave us free sushi sampler and free dessert, it was SO YUMMY! Seriously, some of the best I have ever had!

That night we went out on the town and had a blast! We went to a piano bar where we of course sang and danced along. It was such a great place, you walked down from where the pianos were, to a dance area - so of course LaShae and I had to go get our dance on... this random guy walked up and put this mustache in my nose then gave the glasses to LaShae and told us anytime we come back down to dance we had to wear them. It was so funny to walk back over to the boys with these random things on. SO Much Fun! The next morning we headed to Myrtle Beach - which was about 3 hours away from where they live. It was so wonderful to see the beach! I LOVE the Ocean!

The next day we went back to the beach, Michael and Noah had so much fun playing with the little board that Michael bought at the souvenir shop. They were so funny. After a while they got to where they could they could ride for about 3 seconds... pretty good =). As we were leaving the beach, Michael was so sweet and gave the board to a little kid that was standing with his brother that already had a board - he was so excited and just didn't say anything as Michael gave it to him, like he couldn't believe it or something. Then he ran over to his mom and started to tell her, really animated, how this strange guy just gave him the board. My husband is just way too cute!

After the beach we headed over to Ripley's Believe it or not aquarium. It was awesome! Check out this Shark, doesn't it look so creepy? lol, I was laughing so hard.

They had some really cool fish, and fun things to look at. It really was such a fun day!

That evening we headed back to have our last dinner with the Steele's. It was such an amazing trip, we absolutely love the Noah and LaShae. It was so nice of them to let us stay at their home, and to show us such a great time. What a wonderful vacation... now we just get to do all of the laundry (it really is amazing how much laundry 2 people can go through). =) And I am SO happy that Michael is now home to stay!!! Yay!!! We have had so much fun spending every moment together.

Alaska

Well, my VERY good looking, hard working Michael just got home from 3 months in Alaska! Yeah, I know, crazy right?! He left on January 3rd, and the first 6 weeks or so he came home every 2 1/2 weeks for 3 days. But the last 5 weeks he stayed there to just get the job done. So we went 5 weeks with out seeing each other! Luckily, he was able to call me once a day, usually in the evening for about 10 minutes =) He went there to do some work - each year 2 guys from his job go there for 3 months, and this year he was asked if he wanted the opportunity, so of course he took it! It was so crazy, he worked anywhere from 12 to 18 hours a day - 7 days a week! Needless to say, he is a very tired boy! 35 days of working straight will do that to a guy! Even though most of the time he was working very hard, or sleeping, he did have some fun times, and was grateful for this adventure . . .

These are some of the gorgeous scenery that he was able to take in while working in Alaska! Breathtaking!

He asked me if I wanted him to do it again next year and I said not only no... but HECK no! I made him promise to never leave me again for that long EVER. Oh man, I feel like we are complete babies about this, I feel for anyone that sends their companions or loved ones to away for an extended period of time! They are incredible!

We are so grateful that Michael has such a great job, especially during these very hard times. And we are so thankful for all of our family and friends that helped keep me company, and busy - But we are SO happy that he is now home - safe and sound!

GREAT FOOD... and okay friends =)

In all honesty... I LOVE these LADIES TOO DEATH! We have been friends for pretty much FOREVER! Even if we go months with out seeing or talking to each other, the second we see one another, it is as if only a day has passed! Kandace got her Mission call so we all went to hear her speak. She did such a great job, we are all so excited for her!

Then on Tuesday night we all got together at the OG - YUM - to chat and hang out before she leaves next week. I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends like these. I know we will be friends forever!

Birthdays!

Yesterday we had Brady's Birthday dinner! Can you believe this little guy is already 5 years old! Dang! He sure is a smart little stud muffin. . . look how cute he looks with the awesome Batman cape that my amazing mom made for him!

A couple of weeks ago it was also Kami's birthday (I know, I am such a slacker!) I just wanted to give her a quick Birthday shout out on the good ole' blog =). We really are so happy that Erik married such a cool girl! Seriously, Kat, Trace and I are SO lucky to have such great sister-in-laws! We love both you and April! Hope you had a fabulous birthday!

It was a lot of fun to get together for Brady's birthday. Toria even made him a pin the EYE on the Donkey game =). It was so much fun! Here are a few more pics of the great day. . .

We sure do love Brady! Happy Birthday buddy!!
Aren't my parents so dang cute?!

ADDicT

I am addicted to many things: Shopping, Desperate Housewife's, sleeping, and of course Michael (just can't get enough of him!) But the thing that I am most addicted to: CANDY!!
Seriously, LOVE IT! CAN'T EVER HAVE ENOUGH OF IT!!! I have always loved candy, and I know what you are thinking, "everyone loves candy". . . but I am pretty sure I take that love of candy to the extreme. At work, I am surrounded by it. My job duties include making Costco runs to make sure that we have enough goodies and snacks for all trainings and classes (and there are a lot!) So of course there is always candy not even a step away. On my desk I have a cute little dish that is always full of Peanut M&M's. Then at home, I pride myself in my candy basket. Anyone who has ever been to my house knows that there will always be candy to snack on. I just love it.
My average day, I have at least 6 or 7 pieces of candy (this could be a mini candy bar, or a handful of hot tamales, or M&M's or just a Laffy Taffy or Tootsie Roll). But it isn't just a piece and I am good, it is a handful. And this is EVERYDAY!
So I decided last Thursday - after my first meeting of The Biggest Loser Challenge that I am doing, I decided that enough is enough! I work my butt of going to the gym 5 or 6 times a week but I don't see any kind of a difference. Well HELLO! Its all of the candy you eat! So as of today it has been 1 week and 1 day with NO CANDY!!! And I haven't even had any real cravings either! The first day was the hardest, I am so used to just grabbing a handful as I walk to take the mail around, or as I am sitting at my computer for 8 hours a day.
So there you have it, I just thought I would take a moment to brag - because you know, this might NEVER again happen in my lifetime! I was thinking maybe I will go until we go on vacation at the end of March - that would be 1 month! Maybe?. . . Eh, maybe not =). I will let you know.

The Bachelor

OH MY GOSH! CAN YOU FREAKING BELIEVE HIM??? WHAT A JERK! I was seriously so dang mad! Yes, I know, this is just a TV show, and I shouldn't get that passionate about it, but come on! How can you be SO shallow!
I have been watching this season from the start, and I have always said how perfect he and Melissa are together! I have loved them as a couple from the start. I even loved him! I felt for him, and thought he was such a wonderful man, and father. I was so excited when he chose her! But then he did that. Oh man, I was so mad that I accidentally swore at the TV. (Just ask Kathrin & Tracie). We were supposed to be having a "Bachelor Party". Thanks for ruining it buddy!
What a JERK!
What do you think? Do you like Molly??