Viva Las Vegas - 50's style

The long awaited surprise arrived without suspicion. Dave and I put together a surprise trip for Barbara nad Charles for their 50th anniversary and on May 28th we left for Las Vegas. We surprised them in Phoenix by picking up my mom (my father was meeting us in Vegas - coming directly from a business trip). We stayed the first night in Wickenburg, AZ as a stopover to throw them off course. On May 29th, we arrived in Vegas at the beautiful Bellagio hotel and told them to be dressed and meet us out front at 4:10pm "and don't be early" (because Charles always is and he may have run into the others). This started them questioning, but still they had no idea what they were about to get into. All was running smoothly except that my mother had forgotten to pack my father's clothes which he asked her to do because he was at the aforementioned business trip. So, he had two "outfits" to wear (which were dirty) for the next 4 days.

At 4:00pm, in front of the hotel, a limosine picked up 4 other couples we had invited to come and took them to the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Shortly after, another limo picked us (Barb, Charles, Becky, Brent, Dave and I) up and took us there also. Upon arriving, Barbara's stomach began churning and she did not look so happy. We tried to assure her that it would not be bad and all be worth it - she did not believe. After a bit of anxious waiting, we were led to the "Doo-Wop Diner" where 4 other couples - all very good friends from their past who had traveled from PA, TX, TN and AZ - entered. This shows a bit of the emotion and excitement that filled the room.

After the guests got seated, The Fonz came in and performed a vow renewal ceremony. It was just the right amount of cheesy and sappy and funny. He did an awesome job - it could not have gone better! And even though Barbara was ready to never speak to us again, she admitted afterward that it was a wonderful surprise and she would manage to forgive us somehow for putting her through it all.

We spent the rest of the weekend touring Las Vegas together. We ate at some great restaurants - Marrakesh Morrocan, Wolfgang Puck' @ MGM Grand, and Maggiano's. We also saw some great shows - Cirque du Soleil's KA and Spamalot (a spoof on Monty Python's Holy Grail). We rode the rides on top of the Stratoshpere hotel (300+ feet off the ground) and had coffee at the highest Starbuck's in the world! Dave and I watched the fountains in front of the Bellagio for hours - my favorite. And my dad did some clothes shopping. We were all sad to see it end. We want to thank all the couples for traveling so far to be a part of this joyous occasion. We really appreciate their participation - Linda and Paul McMinn, Clyde and Eliza Walls, Brent and Becky Hardcastle (notice his spiffy new clothes), Richard and Helen Kelly, Ken and Jeri Guthrie, us and the happy re-newlyweds. Can't wait to do it again 50 years from now!

Too cold?!

To celebrate the beginning of summer, we planned a trip to Phoenix with a couple other moms and kids. Originally, our plan was to go to a giant water park in Mesa, but as the day approached, the temperature was dropping. We couldn't believe that on May 24th in Arizoan, the weather was grey, cloudy and 65 degrees! But it was no damper on our fun. We instead went to a place called Castles and Coasters and rode rides, went to dinner, and the Imax theater. We had a blast! Even the hotel room was fun - here the kids are "swimming" in the giant bathtub in the room.

The desert in bloom?

I had no idea that cacti actually produced flowers until I moved to Arizona. It is gorgeous here now. Here are some pictures from our neighborhood. I missed this prickly pear cactus when it was totally covered in blooms. It was amazing. The white floweres are from a Saguaro cactus (the tall ones with arms). Each bloom is only open for one day and then dies.

A Must See!

In May, we finally went to the Rooster Cogburn Osterich Farm. What a blast - it was so much more than I had expected and I can't wait to go back! Almost as good as Disneyland! We have been saying that we need to go ever since we moved to Arizona since it is near the freeway between Phoenix and Tucson and we must pass it at least once a month.
We got to ride a monster truck through the desert where we learned and saw all about osteriches, their nests and the surrounding desert. We stopped for a bit to "fish for osterich" - we dangles grapfruit from poles for the ostrich to eat.
After the ride, we fed treats to more ostriches, some deer and some lorikeets. Upon leaving we had to purchase an osterich egg to taste. They weigh about 4 pounds and are the equivelant of about 2 dozen chicken eggs.

We made omelets out of it (with tons left over of course!) It was very good and much fluffier than chicken eggs. Even the dogs loved it! You can be sure that anyone who comes to visit from now on will be taken to the Osterich Farm - it's a real unforgettable treat.

The Culmination of a Year

As many my already know, Noah has been growing his hair out and it is wuite long now. His whole reason for doing this was so that it could be as long as he could possibly get it for Crazy Hair Day at school. He has had this plan since last Crazy Hair Day a year ago. Well, today was the big day! We got up very early and went to a friend's house to have a Crazy Hair party - it was very exciting. At first, I was beginning to get very nervous that we were not going to get his hair to stand up (which is what he has been envisioning it would do). I was actually starting to think that we were going to have to keep him home from school since I was sure there would be a major breakdown about the hair not standing and also because he has been advertising this at school all year and I'm sure would never live it down if he went to school with not-Crazy Hair. His reputation was at stake. Finally, Aquanet to the rescue! All the gel in the world was not cutting it, but those people in the 50's knew what they were doing when it comes to Crazy Hair. It's amazing how happy a whole can of hairspray, tons of gel, and a little blue and silver (school colors) spray can make an 8 year old boy. When he got to school, his teacher and several others were all waiting at the door to see his hair. It was a big hit!




Here he is at the beginning of the day.

Here he is at the end. Still pretty crazy.

Karate master

Noah competed in his first karate tournament a coupple of weekends ago. We were so proud of him for finally coming up with the nerve to do it. He did great! He won first place in his group and was so proud of himself. Of course, Dave, Grammy, Pop and I were in knots watching it because Noah gets so upset with himself if he doesn't do things perfectly. I almost wish he hadn't gotten first to see how he would handle it - it's a problem we have really been trying to work on. It's this same attitude that kept him from wanting to compete until now - ifhe can't do something exactly right, he doesn't want to do it at all. Anyway, this was a huge step in his karate career to help him toward his eventual goal of getting a black belt. What a great confidence builder!

It's Official!

We are officially moved in now!

After a year and a half, a lawyer and suit, a new company, and three card tables and folding chairs, we finally have a real kitchen table! What a long story it has been - which I will not bore you with. Let's just say that it is so true that when you have to work at and wait for something, it makes that thing oh so much greater when you do get it. It's beautiful and we love eating at it. We had a party with several friends to celebrate the day we got it and even though it was a wonderful night to eat outside, we made everyone sit and eat at the new table.

We are back to eating outsde, but are looking forward to many meals to come at our perfect kitchen table.