A Multi-functional Weekend

On Friday, May 11th, Aaron and I left with Riot for Vegas. 

Thankfully, we were able to leave Olivia in the capable and very willing hands of Lala and Auntie Lisa.

Although we did not love the 6 hour bus ride (who would love a 6 hour bus ride?!), we had an absolutely fantastic weekend. 53rd floor suite at the Palms, go-kart racing, Hugh Hefner suite (the Palms), the Palms Pool (amazing in 95 degree weather), all-you-can-eat buffet at the Rio (crab legs and shrimp was where it was at!), shopping at the Strip (my Mother's Day gift from Aaron), and partying at the Rain Nightclub with a special performance by Jabbawockeez. Talk about incredible. We were among the very few sober, but don't worry - we took advantage of the open bar for endless cups of Coke. We loved spending time with friends - new and old - and we're looking forward to the next company trip. Thank you Riot Games!!!

Don't ask me why this is the only photo we took of us in Vegas.

The view from our suite, looking at the other tower. 

We left Vegas (on another 6 hour bus ride) on Sunday, May 13th - Mother's Day AND Aaron's birthday. Woo-hoo, and happy day to us, right?! Aaron was a sweetheart and made sure I was as comfortable as possible so I could sleep. Bus rides and my stomach really don't get along. I was so thrilled to get off that bus! Seeing how it was a dual-celebration day, we opted to go out to dinner! P.F. Changs. Yum. Restaurants are always entertaining with Livi around, that with some awesome conversation and delicious food made for a great evening. 

I love this photo. Love it. Totally captures their cute relationship.

A little blurry, but we're all in there! 

We then headed home to open birthday and Mother's Day gifts. Aaron came away with all the Mission Impossible movies on Blu-Ray, birthday money, a daddy/daughter book from Livi, and a new game for his PS3. He was one happy birthday boy. It's hard to turn 29...only because you know it's the big 3-0 next year!!

Aaron had already given me my Mother's Day gift in Vegas (doesn't get much better than a shopping spree), so it was all about Mom. She had come up with this amazing idea to create a photo tribute book of Grandma Helen and the women in our family to give to Grammy (her mom) this year. It has been an especially difficult year, having lost Grandma Helen. We got to work collecting photos, thank goodness I have archived so many!, and within a day or so, we had finished the book. It is beautiful. We come from quite the legacy of amazing women. We have taken generation photos with each first daughter - Clara, Helen, Rosemary, Laurie, Kristen, and Olivia. So, we gave a copy of that book to Mom. Dad, Lisa, Jordan, Michelle, and I also chipped in and purchased Mom a necklace with a charm of her kids' names, and another charm with her and Dad's names with their wedding date. It turned out beautiful. We girls got quite emotional during that. 

 Aaron's Key Lime Pie from CPK was saved for the next day, we were quite full after our desserts at P.F. Changs (gotta love their mini desserts!).

Another highlight - we got to talk to Allison!!! She is serving her mission in the Houston Texas East Mission. She left on March 21st, so not too long ago, but it seems like a lifetime ago. Although she's a bit homesick, we can hear her love of the work and her desire to become the woman Heavenly Father knows her to be. Talking with her brought a flood of memories back to not only me and Aaron, but Lisa as well. We will be anxiously awaiting our next call with her on Christmas Day. 

A busy, multi-functional weekend - but definitely one to be remembered.