Vegas

Miss Kasia went and planned a Vegas trip, about 2 months ago. When you've got that itch, there's not much that can stop it. Invites were pretty open, but it ended up being her, her cousin Justyna, Justyna's friend V and myself that signed up. GIRLS' WEEKEND :) We left on Thursday night around 8:30pm and arrived around midnight. We made great time. We stayed in a suite at the Luxor and on night one, we gambled. V stayed in the room, she was super tired. The 3 amigas hit up slot machines for a while, Justyna went back to the room after a while, then Kasia and I were left. I played the blackjack table and Kasia played Texas Hold 'em. We didn't get back to our room until 7am!

Here's a little glimpse of our room, and on the right was my bed for the first night. Our suite had one King size bed and we didn't want to pay the extra $30 for a cot.

Friday we got a late start since we went to bed so late. We headed over to Tao Beach (pool party) since we were on "the list." We got free vodka + mixers for a few hours. The place was pretty busy...hot bodies everywhere and good dancin' music. That night we were supposed to go to Tao (on "the list" again) but 2 of our ladies took too long getting ready so we showed up at 12:02am, which is 2 minutes passed the cut off to get in on the list!!! We could have got in line and paid the cover, but decided against it. We tried out one club in the Venitian for about 10 minutes but weren't feeling it...then went back to the Luxor and hit up LAX for maybe 15 minutes...but weren't feeling it again. That place was ghetto packed and didn't play good music. We decided to call it a night. My friend, Art, strolled into our room around 6am and passed out on the floor, wastey face. *"knock knock"...."housekeeping!"* haha

Mmmmm, nothing like a delicious $25 sushi plate for breakfast! We got to Tao Beach early on Saturday morning to grab a spot on the lounging chairs. We spent a few hours here before heading back to our hotel to get ready for some rock n roll :)

I treated the group to a $65 bucket-o-beer (6 of them) and $45 pitcher of yummy frozen spiked lemonade. Prices are ridiculous, but not so much when your buzzin'.

We had a great day!

We rock it hard.

V, Art, and Kasia having pool play time.

Hey hot mama!

Now that's a gooooood time :)

We made it to the street music fest! Those are TRUE Unwritten Law fans.

Damn, i love my boots!!! I was probably more excited about wearing them than the show. Ok, a close second. UL partners in crime!

Unwritten Law. They rock.

Hottest ladies there. No really. It's not that hard to be though when the crowd is missing teeth, and looks like something the cat dragged in.

Our LAST night...Saturday night. Dresses and heels are on, time to party...at Lavo. On "the list" AGAIN :)

Kasia had some trouble trying to take a clear pic of me with my rad camera ;) You get the idea. Shiny silver Matix dress with matching silver heels :)

We headed back home on Sunday, left around 10-llam and made it back without traffic. LUCKY, because I've heard some horror stories. Back to reality now.

Oh, I almost forgot to say...
I missed MY MAN like crazy!!! And I texted him all sorts of crazy things, haha. There was one point where all I could think about was his arms around me, kisses and cuddles. AND I missed Roxi! He spilled the beans when I got back that he had missed me, too. We went out for a delicious Sushi date on Sunday night :) Thanks, baby! XO

the River, yo.

2 weeks ago I had my spring break...a week off from work...sooooo.....
Oooohhhh my FIRST trip to the "river." It was...awesome. Our friend Mikey's dad was renting this little river rental for the weekend and Dom and I were invited to party :) Dom and I had to leave town after he was through with work on Thursday evening and we didn't get there until around midnight I think. Of course, people were still up having drinks. We slept in the same room as Mikey and his brother Johnny. Mikey SNORES...is an understatement. That guy growls, gurgles, chokes, talks, mumbles, saws logs, calls out to grizzlys...oh man it's loud. Earplugs helped a little, but after the first night Dom and I decided to camp out with an air mattress in the back of his truck for the next two.

We started off our Friday morning with Dominic's tastey Bloody Marys. I can honestly say I haven't had any better :)

After spending some time lounging, relaxing, and playing with the dogs we all loaded on a few boats to head out on the water. Dominic's neighbors were staying with their good friends at their river home and I believe there were 2 other homes of people that were part of our big group, too that went out with us. I know a few of them from high school and mutual friends. Roxi even joined our boat ride...she wanted to be in the picture (or just come over to mama).

What can I say, Dom just makes my hair stand on end :) Blah blah, ya ya windy boat ride, ok.

The sexy Captain and their firstmate....but...which one is which???? ;)

A BOAT LOAD of fun right there. We're stoked that we're almost to our destination....

The famous RoadRunner!!!

Rad.

This is one of about 7 pics that Mikey took of us.

Part of the group...complete with RoadRapers :)

Another group shot. This is about the time of day when I start losing a little of my memory. I don't remember much of our first trip at RoadRunner's.

I definitely don't remember the Steve Sandwich.

And here we have Dommer, the Cherry Bomber! This guy was all about Cherry Bombs (cherries soaked in some crazy alcohol...Everclear maybe??).

He was poppin' em in everyone's mouth. I have lots of other random pics where you can see him in the background, feeding them to anyone around. Looks can be deceiving...I do NOT like them cherries!

Mikey and I..right before heading back home.

Steve...coooool hat!

We're definitely buzzin' and lovin'....yup, we were all sorts of yummy.

That night Dom and I passed out so EARLY...around 9:30pm. We were out. I guess a bunch of the group headed to the casino on the water and partied til late. This is the next day on the water...and another trip to RoadRunner's for lunch and of course more boozin'.

On the way back, Johnny and Heather took a dive. He mooned us and she flashed on the way down. Pretty funny. I'm so jumping next trip.

Beautiful evening.

Late Saturday night, we all headed out for a midnight boat ride to RoadRunner's again, had more RoadRapers and Cherry Bombs. Then we all went to the casino. I lost like $20 or $40 and I think Dom lost some, too.

Overall, what a great trip. The only complaint was that it could have been a little warmer. It was nice, but enough to really give a nasty sunburn. I came home with color, Dom just a little. We had so much fun together, with no issues or drama...just straight up smilin'. On the way home we stopped by a local cafe for breakfast, then stopped by Casino Morongo with Mikey and Johnny where Dom scored like $120 from Blackjack. Way to go. It was a long drive home, but worth it. I want to go back....like now :)

A shakey Easter

Here is the project my 2nd graders did for their Easter project. We painted an "artistic sky" with acrylics on canvas and then painted blue flowers along with white "highlights." Even thought everyond did the same project, they all came out with a different personality :)

I also started my famous clay handprints with my 4 year olds. This is just the beginning stage. These take a lot of work, 2 trips into the kiln and 3 coats of glaze on all 40 of them. They will be finished just in time for their Mother's Day gift.

The day beofre Easter, Dominic and I went to a nursery to buy some flowers. He wanted to plant them and beautify his garden before Easter guests arrive the next day. I love his GREEN THUMB :) ...AND the work, heart and patience he puts into his garden that he created from scratch...with his own two hands.

And wherever Dominic is, Roxi isn't too far away :)

While at the nursery, I decided to build my own (with Dom's help, of course) flower arrangement for my mom's Easter gift. It wasn't cheap, but to me the process of personally choosing the flowers and wooden pot, and then fitting everything in just right was worth it. Hers is the one on the left, Dominic made this beautiful arrangement on the right.

After I left Farmer Dom's, I headed straight home to make these Easter-Chick-Butter-Sugar-Cookie-Eggs. What? I was really happy with the blue and yellow icing I painted on, but I was in such a rush to finish and it was already about 9pm that I just plopped on chocolate chip eyes (which I think are far too big for their size..like owls) and squeezed on orange beaks with vanilla frosting. They look a little silly, but tasted great and Dominic's family loved them :) A few of them also made their way into the Easter basket I made for Dominic and for his dad. Roxi even had an egg in there (full of dog treats).
That night, Dominic and I dyed our first Easter Eggs together. We used rubber bands and pieces of tape to get certain looks and designs. Not too bad...I don't even remember the last time I did this. Now it's egg salad sandwiches all week!
On Easter morning, Dominic came to my house for a special breakfast that my stepdad only makes on this day each year. It's called Eggs Goldenrod and it's delicious. Pieces of bread are stuffed into muffin pans and baked for a few minutes so that they take the shape of a flower. A light gravy is made and includes chopped whites of hard boiled eggs, then it's poured in the bread. The hard boiled yolk is crumbled and sprinkled on top (looks like pollen). Potatoes, bacon and fresh fruit were served on the side. It was a nice morning with my guy, brother and parents.

Then, it was a ham and sausage Easter dinner (at 3pm) at Dominic's house. There were 11 of us along with the really good food I've come to love and expect from such a great group of people. I think the sweet potatoes are my favorite dish. There were a lot of great conversations flying across the table, it's hard to choose just ONE to follow. Some might find it offensive, but I appreciate how they all speak their mind and tell you their honest truth..and some even get into debates over differing views, lifestyles and opinions. At some point during all of this, there was a 7.2 earthquake right across the border into Mexico. People in the neighborhood felt it here, but since we were all deep in conversation, none of us did. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing and cuddling...perfect way to end any day.

Sunday brunch

The day after get-togethers, we decided to have one more with our friends Jon, Noelle and their little man, Chase. We ate at a country club's golf course in Lake View Terrace. The buffet was awesome, but their desserts could use some work. It was nice to eat outside and enjoy the view and the perfect weather.

The MEN of the house :)

Chase was checking out the golfers...we think he was trying to talk to them, too.

This little man was on the move! He was crawling everywhere, and the concrete floor against his bare knees didn't seem to bother him.

See that adorable smiling face???

Ya, it's to DISTRACT you while he has a go at your purse! Sly guy ;)

A little help from Daddy.

A little love from Mommy.

Noelle said he usually doesn't crawl in grass. He thought about it for a bit...

...and off he goes...LOVING it :)
There, now we can see some of the view. After brunch, we headed over to Jon & Noelle's new property to check out some of the land. They're going to have an awesome set up once everything goes through and all the hard work to fix it up is complete.

Great day, overall :)