For Colby's 30th birthday we headed east to Vegas for a long weekend with some great friends!   Since we were traveling on Colby's actual birthday, we celebrated at home the night before with balloons, gifts and cake! We love birthdays around here, and since it was a big birthday, we went a little over the top! But if you can't celebrate big birthdays, what can you celebrate? It was a very apple birthday for CL.. an iPad mini from me and Apple TV from my mom.  (he got a gift from his parents, but it didnt arrive for 2 weeks after his birthday, and an ecard that went to spam. he didnt find it for a while.when in doubt, send a real card.)

 

 

Colby and I left bright and early on Friday so we could have some extra time to relax before everyone arrived. We unpacked at the Palms Place and headed to Caesar's for Lunch. We settled on Gordon Ramsey's Pub & Grill for lunch and it was meh. Not the best meal nor the worst. We wandered around the shops for a while before heading back for a nap. and some gambling. 

We met up with Jared at the hotel and Joe and his girlfriend Jackie came and picked us up for dinner at Paymons- one of CLs favorites! After dinner, we met back at the hotel to get Carmen, then we all headed to Fremont Street for some cheap tables. I have never in my life sat at a table and gambled, partially because I dont know how to play any games nor do I like losing money, but i participated this time and it was actually pretty fun! we spent the evening at Binion's then headed home for the evening.

 

 

Saturday we had a cabana at the pool, so no surprise that we spent the entire day out there. It wasn't as hot as i expected, so it was actually pretty pleasant. The shade, and mango coladas didn't hurt either. it was a really fun afternoon just spending time with everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

that night we had dinner reservations at STK Las Vegas in the Cosmopolitan. It was super crowded but we got our table within a few minutes.. right next to Kendra Wilkinson of Playboy/Girls next door fame. The guys (and girls) obviously loved it.  Dinner was super yummy and Colby got to blow out some more candles. It was really the highlight of the weekend!

 

After dinner, we headed to the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan. It was so pretty and sparkly, it was hard not to stay away.  or in Jared's case, it was hard not to hug the sparkles! :)

 

Sunday we all slept in (obviously) and headed out for a late lunch. We ended up at the Venetian after walking the strip. We knew we had to get Carmen and Jared back to the hotel by a certain time to get them to the airport on time, so we ate, wandered, and stopped to play a few more hands of blackjack.  we headed back to the hotel and said our goodbyes, then headed to our room to relax before getting ready for the evening. it was raining (i know, in the desert) so it was a low key evening. We decided on seeing Zarkana at Aria, so we headed that way for dinner before the show- but not before playing a few more casino games...

We ate at this fancy teppan restaurant and it was delish. Just what we needed-- veggies! haha. Zarkana was really beautiful, like any of the cirque du soleil shows. CL and I both really enjoyed it.

 

 

this is what happens when you ask strangers in vegas to take your photo in front of the sign... le sigh.

Monday, CL had two work appointments (yup, always working) so I slept in, and leisurely got dressed and packed before he picked me up for lunch before heading to the airport. I hadn't asked for anything the whole trip, so he let me pick lunch- and of course I said Serendipity! I hadn't been to the Vegas location, only the NYC one, so it was fun to see this one. We shared a huge frozen hot chocolate and headed to the airport!

 

we came home to a birthday card from his grandmother and a surprise box from our awesome friends the Jones'! CL was absolutely THRILLED to see some Austin Beerworks beer and a shirt from his favorite BBQ restaurant- Stiles Switch. Thanks guys!!   CL had a great weekend and we are really blessed with awesome friends that came out to celebrate with us and who called and sent gifts! 

The Rolling Stones: 50 & Counting Tour

Im so bad. I can't believe that I haven't shared this! As part of our anniversary celebration (you know, back in May- oops!), I was able to score (literally-- I was able to get the $85 Fan tickets!) to the Rolling Stones 50 & Counting tour! CL has been a lifelong fan of the Rolling Stones, and this was on his bucket list of shows to see, and when they announced their tour and there was a show in San Jose of all places, it was meant to be. When I told him that I was able to secure tickets, we were both super stoked! Then the waiting began! The day of the show seemed to drag on, we carpooled and headed home after work and quick let the dogs out and changed before heading up to catch the train to the  HP Pavilion (which is now the SAP Center).  Since we bought the fan tickets, we did not know where our seats were located until we got there, checked in and recieved our envelope with the tickets in them. We were so nervous- they could be in the pit, in the nosebleeds, anywhere. To our suprise, we opened the envelope to see this:

 ROW 1.. as in front row! We quick located our seats (amazing!) and grabbed something to eat. CL didn't want to drink as he "wanted to take the whole thing in". He's so cute!  

 

 Basically, im about to post a ton of photos and say that it was, hands down, the best concert i've ever been to. No lie.  John Fogerty and Bonnie Rait came out and played a few songs, as did one of the original members of the Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We both really enjoyed ourselves and are so happy we had the chance to see them before they stop touring or kick the bucket.. we weren't sure what was going to come first! haha.

 

If you ever have a chance to catch them live, GO, you won't be disappointed!

My 28th Birthday!

Well its been well over a month, but my 28th birthday was just as special as I coud have imagned it to be. It was the first real celebration since we have been in California, so it was a little weird just being the two of us, but Colby made it a really great day.
We spent the morning opening gifts and funfetti waffles. 

 

We really didnt have any plans for the day so we went and hung out at the pool. It was a beautiful day and it was actully pretty quiet. I guess people here don't really celebrate the 4th like we do back in Texas. Who knows.

That evening we had dinner reservations at Quattro at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto. I thought it was funny that the restaurant at the Four Seasons in Austin is Trio and this one was Quattro.. 3.. 4.. haha get it? 
Dinner was delicious and I even got a pretty dessert with a candle.

 

 

  After dinner we headed to Shoreline Amphitheater to listen to the San Francisco Symphony and watch fireworks. I hate using the word shit show, but it was. There were SO many people both in the amphitheater and the surrounding area that it was a mess.

 

the music was beautiful and the fireworks were stunning. Something about fireworks just never get old. 

It was a beautiful day and I know that this will be the best one yet! Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!

oh jeez.

goodness. where does the time go? i keep attempting to post but in the midst of being super busy doing nothing really, I just haven't had the time. 
I will however promise that i will catch up on my 28th birthday, and CL's 30th birthday weekend in vegas- soon. i will say that it was a great time. 
we have almost been living in california for 8 full months now. i can't believe how quickly time flies. i feel like we have only scratched the surface and and i feel so blessed that we get to continue this adventure. i will say i've learned a few things about northern california/californians that are way off; ahem: - NorCal: "omg it's so hot out" Me: "no, its 85. shut your dirty mouth." -Whataburger > In-N-Out Burger. Hands down. -there are no breakfast tacos, anywhere. -no one, i mean, no one can drive here. it's worse here than houston or austin. no lie. -people out here are all extremely self-absorbed. everyone thinks they are the next big thing. and its annoying. just because you live in the silicon valley doesnt mean you have a hand up on being the next zuckerberg.

and yeah.
i figure since i only posted once in july, im already doing good with one post for august! especially since i need to catch everyone up vegas!