Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hermanas and Halloween
What does it look (and sound) like when Neal girls get together? Read on. No one can say we don't have a blast together!
Heidi flew here to see us Utah dwellers. Nat and I (and Cam too) whisked up to Holly's house for two days full of laughing, talking, dancing, and lots and lots of music. Basically a non stop party (well, almost non stop). While I didn't get all the best photos of the times we had, suffice it to say these videos are pretty representational.
The highlight of the weekend was Holly's grown ups only costume party on Saturday night. Awesome! We had lots of food, guests, music, and activities. It was so fun! Grown ups scarcely ever have anything cool to do on Halloween and Holly wanted to change that. She's going to make it an annual tradition.
Catwoman and Mother Nature. (Holly and James were a Roman Goddess and Caesar but I didn't get a good picture of them together. You can see the back of them above. They were my favorite couple ensemble.)
By the way, Tyler couldn't have planned his costume better. Cameron wouldn't go near him and I was the one that had to keep taking him back upstairs and comforting him during the party.
Ambiance. Holly and I worked on the party for a whole month and it definitely paid off. The ambiance was amazing and everyone loved it!
There were four blacklights in the ceiling cans and we decided last minute to put these spooky pictures over their family photos. The blacklights were an awesome touch!
After everyone left, we relaxed a bit but kept the Halloween playlist playin' on.
The men: pooped out from partying. They basically sat and chatted the whole time we continued partying. James and Tyler have become very good buds and both now know how to keep themselves happy while their wives are busy being crazy with sisters.
We decided to be "scientists" and used the rest of the dry ice to play with and do our favorite thing: take pictures.
(Notice the really cool flickering lightbulbs in the chandelier behind us.)
Ah, it's so nice to have good quality girl time. And I seriously don't know anyone more fun that my sisters. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sisters!
Heidi flew here to see us Utah dwellers. Nat and I (and Cam too) whisked up to Holly's house for two days full of laughing, talking, dancing, and lots and lots of music. Basically a non stop party (well, almost non stop). While I didn't get all the best photos of the times we had, suffice it to say these videos are pretty representational.
The highlight of the weekend was Holly's grown ups only costume party on Saturday night. Awesome! We had lots of food, guests, music, and activities. It was so fun! Grown ups scarcely ever have anything cool to do on Halloween and Holly wanted to change that. She's going to make it an annual tradition.
Catwoman and Mother Nature. (Holly and James were a Roman Goddess and Caesar but I didn't get a good picture of them together. You can see the back of them above. They were my favorite couple ensemble.)
By the way, Tyler couldn't have planned his costume better. Cameron wouldn't go near him and I was the one that had to keep taking him back upstairs and comforting him during the party.
Ambiance. Holly and I worked on the party for a whole month and it definitely paid off. The ambiance was amazing and everyone loved it!
There were four blacklights in the ceiling cans and we decided last minute to put these spooky pictures over their family photos. The blacklights were an awesome touch!
After everyone left, we relaxed a bit but kept the Halloween playlist playin' on.
The men: pooped out from partying. They basically sat and chatted the whole time we continued partying. James and Tyler have become very good buds and both now know how to keep themselves happy while their wives are busy being crazy with sisters.
We decided to be "scientists" and used the rest of the dry ice to play with and do our favorite thing: take pictures.
(Notice the really cool flickering lightbulbs in the chandelier behind us.)Ah, it's so nice to have good quality girl time. And I seriously don't know anyone more fun that my sisters. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sisters!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Come Sail Away
Tyler and I were able to get away alone last weekend to Las Vegas. It was our first couples trip since before Cameron was born. What a blast! First, we knew it was a great vacation because of the fact we thought nothing of our lives back home (except for Cameron, of course) while we we there. Us on the ride home: "Oh yea! I have to do [such and such] this week!" Second, I am so glad that I can spend forever with such an awesome guy. We have so much fun together. I felt like a newlywed again, complete with PDAs!
Now, one of Tyler's co workers innocently asked, "Brother Merrill, what does a good Mormon do in Las Vegas?" So for those of you of the same mind, here's what! (Yeah, you know I photo journaled the trip with this entry in mind!)
The drive there was longer than I remember. But we burned ourselves a cd with our fave new artist, Owl City, to keep us entertained. And then of course there was plenty of philosophical and political talk between us.
Finally we arrived at our destination. I booked us a special at one of my favorite hotels from when I lived there, Green Valley Ranch. It's nice because it's not on the strip and I've heard it said that locals send there relatives there when they visit. So it is still very swanky but with a lot less people.
The lobby and the huge globe I meant to get a picture of Tyler standing next to. The hotel's "theme" was Mediterranian.
Our room wasn't quite ready so we toured the outside. Here's me talking with Natalie who was awesome enough to watch Cameron for us. I naturally was anxious about leaving him longer than I ever had before, but the report is that they had a wonderful time together and Cameron was a happy kid. It made it much easier for me to relax and enjoy myself.
You can kind of see the pool down below. Such a swanky set up! I'm so glad I booked this hotel.
These were our favorite features on the patio area: huge blocks that people laid inside to relax. You could have fit 8 to 10 people in one.
Tyler and I snatched one up once it became vacant and rested here until we were called to come get our room keys.
The room was equally swanky, and with a king bed, a treat for us. Unfortunately we slept horribly. Too bad!
That evening we browsed the shops outside the hotel. Then we stopped at The Cheescake Factory to split a pizza and cheescake. Delish! And since the weather was awesome, we ate outside.
Afterward, we walked the casino floor and looked in at all the neat bars and restaurants lining the edges. Of course we made funny jokes and comments the whole way about the idea of gambling. So no, we never touched a slot or card.
Our hotel package included breakfast each morning. I have always wanted to eat room service in bed so I was granted my wish. Good thing it was included in the hotel deal otherwise I would have NEVER paid $36 for Tyler and I to have two muffins, orange juice and a fruit plate each. Roomservice: what a luxury but what a price!
Of course we slept in late and laid around for a while. Tyler was able to watch quite a bit of sports too, something he has had almost no time for this semester. Here he is watching it in bed. You should have seen his face the first time we walked by the Race and Sports Book section of a casino.
We spent about four hours that morning/noon out at the swanky "grown ups only" hotel spa pool. We read the entire time (so nice!) and in the shade because I forgot sunscreen. Oops! I was able to finish Pope Joan and proceeded to tell Tyler for the next 24 hours how sad and romantically tragic a story it was. (But I like when books get to me like that.)
Here's the funny thing, all around there were luxurious places to lounge and lay (see behind Tyler?) but Tyler and I spent the whole four hours sitting up in various places so we could read. Everyone knows it is impossible to read for very long laying down or slouching. So no sun bathing or snoozing, but still my idea of vacationing.
Before going out for the night, of course we hit up In 'n Out Burger. DELISH! Still one of my favorites! I ate there every week the summer I lived there.
The final hurrah for the trip, we splurged and went to see Disney's Broadway of The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. It was Tyler's first Broadway show experience. What a neat show! I especially enjoyed some of the new songs written for the play. But honestly, I have to admit the money spent wasn't worth it for me. Maybe I'll think differently in the future, but I personally have a hard time seeing the same story done a different way, for example, I CANNOT read a book that I have seen the movie for. Same thing here, I already had the lines memorized from the movie so there was no discovery of story for me and there were parts I actually decided I liked the movie better. Bummer.
Afterward, we were lucky enough to find out there was a cool "sound lounge and bar" in the middle of the Mandalay Bay casino floor that had no cover charge!! And I heart dancing!! So never passing up a chance to dance and figuring it wouldn't cost anything, Tyler humored me and came dancing with me for a half hour or so. (I could have danced longer but we needed to get to bed.) It was such a blast! The floor lit up and interacted with your feet and there were video screens around too on which the DJ/VJ was also mixing the videos. I have to say I have never danced in a crowd where the average age was older than me, but I guess the 25-40 age group is my "peer group" now! It was fun and everyone was courteous and just there to have a fun time. At one point they played MJ's song PYT and everyone was singing it. It was so fun! I have never seen that before. But when I looked around I figured everyone there had grown up with Michael's music. And P.S. I heard lots of MJ everywhere I went. It's amazing what dying can do for your reputation.
We both loved the time we had, but after leaving we were both glad we don't entertain ourselves to death every weekend. The simple life is a good one. And we were both so happy to get home to Cameron.
Now, one of Tyler's co workers innocently asked, "Brother Merrill, what does a good Mormon do in Las Vegas?" So for those of you of the same mind, here's what! (Yeah, you know I photo journaled the trip with this entry in mind!)
The drive there was longer than I remember. But we burned ourselves a cd with our fave new artist, Owl City, to keep us entertained. And then of course there was plenty of philosophical and political talk between us.
Finally we arrived at our destination. I booked us a special at one of my favorite hotels from when I lived there, Green Valley Ranch. It's nice because it's not on the strip and I've heard it said that locals send there relatives there when they visit. So it is still very swanky but with a lot less people.
The lobby and the huge globe I meant to get a picture of Tyler standing next to. The hotel's "theme" was Mediterranian.
Our room wasn't quite ready so we toured the outside. Here's me talking with Natalie who was awesome enough to watch Cameron for us. I naturally was anxious about leaving him longer than I ever had before, but the report is that they had a wonderful time together and Cameron was a happy kid. It made it much easier for me to relax and enjoy myself.
You can kind of see the pool down below. Such a swanky set up! I'm so glad I booked this hotel.
These were our favorite features on the patio area: huge blocks that people laid inside to relax. You could have fit 8 to 10 people in one.
Tyler and I snatched one up once it became vacant and rested here until we were called to come get our room keys.
The room was equally swanky, and with a king bed, a treat for us. Unfortunately we slept horribly. Too bad!
That evening we browsed the shops outside the hotel. Then we stopped at The Cheescake Factory to split a pizza and cheescake. Delish! And since the weather was awesome, we ate outside.
Afterward, we walked the casino floor and looked in at all the neat bars and restaurants lining the edges. Of course we made funny jokes and comments the whole way about the idea of gambling. So no, we never touched a slot or card.
Our hotel package included breakfast each morning. I have always wanted to eat room service in bed so I was granted my wish. Good thing it was included in the hotel deal otherwise I would have NEVER paid $36 for Tyler and I to have two muffins, orange juice and a fruit plate each. Roomservice: what a luxury but what a price!
Of course we slept in late and laid around for a while. Tyler was able to watch quite a bit of sports too, something he has had almost no time for this semester. Here he is watching it in bed. You should have seen his face the first time we walked by the Race and Sports Book section of a casino.
We spent about four hours that morning/noon out at the swanky "grown ups only" hotel spa pool. We read the entire time (so nice!) and in the shade because I forgot sunscreen. Oops! I was able to finish Pope Joan and proceeded to tell Tyler for the next 24 hours how sad and romantically tragic a story it was. (But I like when books get to me like that.)
Here's the funny thing, all around there were luxurious places to lounge and lay (see behind Tyler?) but Tyler and I spent the whole four hours sitting up in various places so we could read. Everyone knows it is impossible to read for very long laying down or slouching. So no sun bathing or snoozing, but still my idea of vacationing.
Before going out for the night, of course we hit up In 'n Out Burger. DELISH! Still one of my favorites! I ate there every week the summer I lived there.
The final hurrah for the trip, we splurged and went to see Disney's Broadway of The Lion King at Mandalay Bay. It was Tyler's first Broadway show experience. What a neat show! I especially enjoyed some of the new songs written for the play. But honestly, I have to admit the money spent wasn't worth it for me. Maybe I'll think differently in the future, but I personally have a hard time seeing the same story done a different way, for example, I CANNOT read a book that I have seen the movie for. Same thing here, I already had the lines memorized from the movie so there was no discovery of story for me and there were parts I actually decided I liked the movie better. Bummer.
Afterward, we were lucky enough to find out there was a cool "sound lounge and bar" in the middle of the Mandalay Bay casino floor that had no cover charge!! And I heart dancing!! So never passing up a chance to dance and figuring it wouldn't cost anything, Tyler humored me and came dancing with me for a half hour or so. (I could have danced longer but we needed to get to bed.) It was such a blast! The floor lit up and interacted with your feet and there were video screens around too on which the DJ/VJ was also mixing the videos. I have to say I have never danced in a crowd where the average age was older than me, but I guess the 25-40 age group is my "peer group" now! It was fun and everyone was courteous and just there to have a fun time. At one point they played MJ's song PYT and everyone was singing it. It was so fun! I have never seen that before. But when I looked around I figured everyone there had grown up with Michael's music. And P.S. I heard lots of MJ everywhere I went. It's amazing what dying can do for your reputation.We both loved the time we had, but after leaving we were both glad we don't entertain ourselves to death every weekend. The simple life is a good one. And we were both so happy to get home to Cameron.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Let 'er Buck!
Better late than never! Here are a few pictures of our trip home for the 99th Pendleton Round Up! You know what that means, next year is the centennial! I fully expect all native Pendletonians within driving distance to be there for it!
To especially Cameron's delight, Natalie and Chris made the drive with us. Here is Natalie, the beloved.
Cameron did come with us to the rodeo on Friday but lasted only 15 minutes. Tyler took him home and I stayed home with him on Saturday. Here is a sweet picture of Cam with cousin Caleb, newly dubbed "The Cameron Whisperer."
Friday at the rodeo!
We spent the evening with Tyler's parents and, surprise!, his Grandparents as well! It was a very nice evening outside so we went to pick some pears and apples from the orchard trees.
Cameron particularly loved the activity, dropping apples into the box. In fact, when the box was full we had to get out another "fake box" with a few apples in it for him so we could take the full one away without him throwing a fit.
Here's a neat picture of four generations.
That evening we got a sitter and went out on the town!
Which included a stop at the ol' carnival of course. But not to ride rides, that's just how you "go out on the town" when bar hopping isn't an option! (Nice face mom!)
Here's the crew at the Saturday finals, a day that turned out to be blessedly overcast. "Caleb are you having fun?" "Not really." "No, you're supposed to say 'Let 'er buck, Uncle Ty Ty!'" Thanks Mom and Dad for having us down for the festivities! 
To especially Cameron's delight, Natalie and Chris made the drive with us. Here is Natalie, the beloved.
Cameron did come with us to the rodeo on Friday but lasted only 15 minutes. Tyler took him home and I stayed home with him on Saturday. Here is a sweet picture of Cam with cousin Caleb, newly dubbed "The Cameron Whisperer."
Friday at the rodeo!
We spent the evening with Tyler's parents and, surprise!, his Grandparents as well! It was a very nice evening outside so we went to pick some pears and apples from the orchard trees.
Cameron particularly loved the activity, dropping apples into the box. In fact, when the box was full we had to get out another "fake box" with a few apples in it for him so we could take the full one away without him throwing a fit.
Here's a neat picture of four generations.
That evening we got a sitter and went out on the town!
Which included a stop at the ol' carnival of course. But not to ride rides, that's just how you "go out on the town" when bar hopping isn't an option! (Nice face mom!)
Here's the crew at the Saturday finals, a day that turned out to be blessedly overcast. "Caleb are you having fun?" "Not really." "No, you're supposed to say 'Let 'er buck, Uncle Ty Ty!'" Thanks Mom and Dad for having us down for the festivities! 
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