Las Vegas

Last month we were able to finally take a vacation with Michelle and Jason.  We had been trying for a number of years but couldn't get the schedules to work out.  They were going to Vegas for a long weekend and we were able to get vacation that week and meet them. 

We stayed at the Mirage which had a very beautiful pool.  Too bad at 105+ it was too hot to stay there for longer than a couple hours!

 

We visited one hotel none of us had ever been to the Rio!

 

This is the view from the Rio's parking garage.  Amazing view of the back side of the strip!

Darren really liked gambling at the Luxor since they had $5 table games all day! :) I liked it because when he lost, he lost less at a time!

We also spent some time at New York New York.

A few other pictures from the trip.

Best Bathroom

I don't normally go around snapping pictures of public restrooms I encounter but these restrooms at Public House in Vegas had me laughing so hard I couldn't resist.

First when you walk towards the bathroom you have this sign. 

Then the entrances to the men's and women's rooms.

 

And lastly, this was over my toilet.  Yes they really went there!

Monument Circle

My parents visited in late July.  We noticed that Monument Circle had be reopened.  Since we ate dinner down there my dad and I decided to go up in it.  The views from the top of the city were really nice.

The courthouse.

Lucas Oil Staduim

Banker's Life Field house.

Totally worth the $1 per person to ride the elevator instead of the 350 stairs.

View from the bottom.

Taylor

I took so many pictures of Taylor I thought she deserved her own post. Loving Uncle Jerry's lap.

Playing with ribbon. 

Looking cute.

With her uncle Ryan and her monkey.

Christmas in Kentucky

On Christmas Eve, with Darren in the midst of the stomach flu, we drove to Hopkinsville.  So gald to be with my family.

Mom's tree.

Steven getting some new art for his apartment.  UK, Bourbon and Keeneland, three of Steven's favorite things!

Darren getting another piece of autographed memorabilia!

The whole family picture and not a single one of us was missing.  Who knows if that will ever happen again.  And we even got Taylor to look at the camera!

Mom found a surprise in her package from Frank, the ugly ornament from the ugly ornament contest he couldn't find.  We all thought it was pretty cute.

Taylor's favorite thing to do was climb on the gifts.  Pictures don't do her adorableness justice!

Jerry excited to get an adjustable rake!

My aunt made these super cute penguin appetizers!

And I had an awesome Christmas and birthday.  My newest toy.  Can't wait to spend some time learning to take great pictures with it!

But another sentimental ornament from my mom.  Our First Christmas.  It was a success I'd say! :)

Christmas in Chicago

The weekend before Christmas we headed up to Darren's mom's house to celebrate Christmas with his family.  It was a great visit until I caught the stomach bug and gave it to everyone else!

Michell and Marlene and some Fireball.  If you haven't tried Fireball whiskey, I advise you to do so now!  Very tasty, makes you warm inside.

Jason & I.

Little did she know she was getting fireball for Christmas too!

2012 family picture. 

Opening gifts.

Now officially sisters.

St Lucia - Kim's Birthday

On Thursday was Kim's birthday.  We thought we should go out to celebrate instead of hanging out at the resort.

The dessert was amazing and beautifully plated.  Michelle's chocolate cake.

Creme Brulee and Kim getting surprised with a sparkler in her cake!

Happy Birthday Kim!

With these pictures, this concludes our trip to St Lucia.  What an amazing trip with some of the most amazing people!  Love to you all. Thanks for making it awesome!