What happened in Vegas

Going back in time for a bit. 

The middle of June, we drove (YES DROVE) to Vegas to meet up with my parents and a couple nephews for a few days.

The answer is "Yes, it's a very long drive." Our boys were so good. 

We took these pics especially for our friend Jaymee. She loves herself some In-N-Out burger. 

This was the purpose of our trip. Jason bought a motorcycle from my parents, plus it made a great excuse to go to Vegas. :) 

Our first stop the next morning was the Shark Reef. Jason was skeptical about going, but even he had to admit it was pretty awesome. The sign outside is interactive. As you walk by it looks like you're moving through the water. The boys had a lot of fun running and jumping around making it move. 

Ethan brought the camera so he could take some pics too.  

Jason took this in front of a big aquarium.  

There were people cleaning the shark tank! They even waved to the crowds watching them. Haha. 

Then we walked by the body art wall, and of course the boys needed pictures with the boobs.

Here's Daunte. 

Elliott had no clue how funny this was. 

And Ethan and Dominik had to be convinced, but then they couldn't stop talking about all the boobs they saw all over Vegas. Between the art, and all the advertising, they got more than their eye full. 

We even took the boys on the monorail. This is them waiting. 

The characters on the street were one of Elliott's favorite things. 

Ethan wasn't into it, but Spiderman insisted that he get a picture with the kid with the pink mohawk. 

My parents were awesome and kept the boys for us so we could go have dinner while they went swimming. Jason has been wanting to go to the Toby Keith Bar and Grill, so we went.  

Everything about it was country, including our drinking glasses. Our server was wearing booty shorts and chaps and the menu is covered with Southern Cooking Favorites.  

After we all made it back from a long day, there was relaxing. 

The next day, our first stop was Circus Circus. The kids all had a wonderful time, and so did Jason and I. Who doesn't love the circus? :) 

We watched a few acts, and they all played a bunch of carnival games. 

Even acrobats!! So cool. 

Elliott was the only one in our house who didn't have his own character drawing, so when we saw the guy doing them in Circus Circus, we had to get one.  

Then we went to Treasure Island. The cool pirate show is only at night, but the ships were cool. 

Daunte won that giant ball in one of the carnival games. He had to pack it around the rest of the day. Haha. 

Last stop was Cesar's Palace to see the moving statue show.  

That night, we all went down to Fremont Street. For whatever reason, I don't have any pictures (lame, I know), but the kids really enjoyed watching the overhead show and the concert. 

It was a really........REALLY long drive home, but we made it back just in time to pack for our next trip. That's the next post. I need to get caught up. :) 

Gift Exchange Post

Once again, I participated in a craft exchange hosted by Craftaholics Anonymous. We had a crazy busy month (more on that in another post), but I was able to make a few things for my partner. 

First were these little planters with miniature succulents. I found the idea here while searching Pinterest. Erica, Abby and I made them one evening while we were in Billings last week. I also learned a lot about succulents from the guy at the nursery. He was SUPER helpful. I did forget to ask him about shipping them though, so I hope they make it to her. :)

My partner is a crochet fanatic, so what better gift than polymer clay covered crochet hooks. I'm really starting to enjoy using clay. 

I also made her a chalkboard, similar to the ones seen here, but I forgot to get a photo of it.

I love doing these exchanges. 

random fun stuff

In an effort to preserve the awesomeness that happens in our family, here are some random awesome things that have happened recently.

I found this in Ethan's backpack not too long ago. It says "I'm tough enough to be a Guge" and yes, you MUST have a certain awesomeness about you to make it through life with a last name like that. Own it kid. :)

Elliott loves writing his name.  

For Ethan's last day of school, he and I made this for his teacher. I love how it turned out. 

We also made a card to go with it. 

And Ethan did the inside of the card all by himself. He wouldn't let me read it till he was done. He is such a thoughtful kid, and I hope he never loses that. It says "Dear Miss Larson, You have been a great teacher to me. I learned a lot over the year. I wish I could have you as a teacher next year. I like you as a teacher. Love your friend, Ethan Guge"  

Then, last Friday, we added a new member to our family. A new car!  

I LOVE IT!  

Next week, we will be in Vegas with my parents. I've been crafting my butt off getting some new fun things made for Kyah. I feel terrible that I don't have much for the boys, but there just aren't many fun boy things I can make. 

These flip-flops turned out so cute. 

And I think I outdid myself with the hair bows.  

She is going to be the envy of the preschool. 

I am loving our summer so far, but it already seems to be flying by.

weekend trip to sheridan

Jason and his "buddies", as he calls them (and everyone else really), planned a mountain bike trip in the Bighorns a few months ago. They all got new mountain bikes while they were deployed, and couldn't wait to get on them and take on the Tongue River Canyon. 

The trip is about 6 hours in the car. Ewwww. We stopped in Bozeman, only 1/3 of the way through the drive and this pretty much sums up our feelings. Haha.

But the next stop was a beautiful site. I can't tell you how much it sucks for this girl to not have a great craft store near our home. 

We finally made it, and Jason wasted no time unloading the bikes and starting to prepare them for the next day. 

They were talking "guy" stuff, but I couldn't resist the photo opp. We don't have a lot of pics of them together. 

Saturday, Jason and his buddies (hehe) left early for the mountain. The boys and I took advantage of the beautiful day. They first spent some time fishing with Grandpa and Tyler while I went to coffee with my good friend Jenny. It was a great morning. Then I took all three boys to the park so Grandpa could get a nap. 

These kids LOVE the sunshine.  

Nothing but pure joy. Oh to be a kid again. 

Elliott had to test out his spider skills.  

And nothing says "kid at the park" like running and jumping onto a swing............ 

And soaring through the air. Lol 

The guys called and said they were ready to be picked up. This was on my drive. I love those mountains. 

Dirty butts. They got rained on....... a lot. 

And Jason gashed his arm open. Ewww.

After we went to the "Welcome Home" celebration put on by Jason's friend's family (pig roast and other amazing food), we went back to Grandpa's. 

Elliott is SO big on his bike. He was riding up and down the hill by Grandpa's house. I was a nervous wreck, the hill is steep. 

Then Jason and I got ready for a Mommy and Daddy night out. Something we haven't done in years, literally.  

Here are the guys.  

And us girls.

It was a much needed night out for all of us, and such a fun time. 

Sunday was another long drive to get back home.

Sonic was a must have stop. 

And after a few hours, I gave into my sleepy eyes and let Jason drive. 

I am SO glad the guys planned this trip and let me (and the kids) come along. It was a short but super fun weekend.