Halloween Festivities!

 This years we were so excited to celebrate Halloween. I think it is because we were so busy last year with Adam's store, the Walters wedding, and us still settling into our house and planning our own wedding - the holiday just slipped on by.  This year that was definitely not the case.

1st ~ We hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party at our house!

 

2nd ~  I dressed up at work as Tetris pieces along with some of my colleges for a luncheon we had.

3rd ~ Adam and I attended a Halloween party our friends were having. So Fun!

You got it! Adam was a Shower and I was his Loofa...

 And last but not least...We passed out Halloween candy to our neighborhood kids for the first time.  It was so much fun. We set up our fire pit out front ordered some pizza and gave candy out to about 80 kids!!

Labor Day!

So for Labor Day we decided it would be nice to stay close to home and just relax. Our holiday couldn't have been more perfect! We sleep in, relaxed around the house, and then decided to go to the wineries near our home for lunch since it was only 78 degrees outside and it had been a scorching 100 degrees the day before.  I was even proud of myself for bringing the camera along and snapping a few photos of the beautiful vineyards all in peak season ready for harvest.

View at lunch...

Tapas style menu...yum yum!!

 Another cute winery we stop at on our way home. It was a ranch style 

with live music, farm animals, and a picnic area. Crazier thing was our wedding song came on!?! 

Super surprising to us considering it's not a popular song you hear all the time.

Road Trip - Utah Wedding Reception!

So it's taken me awhile but I'm finally posting pictures from our Utah trip!  It was definitely exciting to bring Adam to Utah during the summer since he has only been during the winter months when it's -10 and snowing!

Side note for those that haven't traveled to Utah by car before....it usual takes us about 14 hours from our house to my parents.  Which consist of taking the 15 freeway for about 12 of them!!!  So you will see we love taking pit stops and scenic routes to entertain us along the way. 

First stop Valley of Fire! Did you know people actually camp here?!?! Valley Fire = HOT!!!!

 We took a few more stops along the way but nothing photo worthy....When we finally made it to my parents house we had a packed week!  Reception prep and party was number one, but took a few breaks to enjoy the great outdoors.  One day we took my parents ATVs through one of the local national forest...it was so fun and beautiful.  When went through canyons, waterfalls, and tons of cows!

I am sad to say we weren't so good in taking pictures at the reception. We had so many family and friends, some of which we had never meet before it just became to hard to capture.  However, the party was amazing and so much fun! My parent's (mom especially) put so much hard work into planning it. Thanks again!  

 I was able to take a few shots before the party started.  p.s. The cupcakes were amazing. 

 The next day we were able to squeeze in a few hours of fishing. Which I know my Dad was super excited for.  As ever summer growing up we would take a family fishing trip. Love ya Dad! 

 Adam first fish! 

 and the only one we got all day!!  The rest of us got skunked.....

Yes...you guessed right! 

We made it to the local county fair....a little bit smaller than ours...but it still had great food!

Moooo! 

 Then before we knew it...we had to make our trek back home.  It was sad leaving but we knew that we would be back in just a few short months for Thanksgiving. On our way back home we decided to take a new route that took us through the salt flats, the great salt lake, with a pit stop in Lake Tahoe for a night. It was definitely fun...but probably our last time home that way. Let's just say it was a beautiful scenic route but not the fastest....20 hours total..lol!

Morton's Salt Company...Wholly Salt!

Standing on the Salt Flats...

Made it to Tahoe!

 Somewhere between Tahoe and home...

Best raspberry shake in a little town called Walker...population 500! 
After that it was back to crazy freeways and mass population at home...

4th of July VEGAS Style!!

So for the first time in 10 years!!! I was able to travel somewhere for the 4th of July because I didn't have to WORK (I know crazy...but I love my job)...and boy can I tell you it was worth the wait!

Our wonderful friends Ricki & Geoff invited us to go to Vegas with Ricki's parents and friends. All I can say before you see pictures is that this type of Vegas trip is something neither Adam or I had every experienced and will go down in the history books as the best Vegas trip ever!! 

The weekend started off by flying in a private jet that the Palazzo provided for us.

Yes that would be our private plane and plush leather seats...the plane was insane...furnished with couches and sitting areas, lobster, cheeses, drinks, etc.

Not a bad way to start a Vegas trip...uh? 

I'm telling you the weekend just kept getting crazier...

when we had a line of private limo's waiting for us off the plane

  

We stayed at the Palazzo on the 48th floored...in the executive suite that had 4 master bedrooms, a gym, massage room, movie room, kitchen, and so much more. It made me want to start over on my decorating the moment I got home...it was HEAVEN!!!

 

 So once we took in all the suite had to offer. Our weekend was off ...we went from VIP section seats at the UFC fight, to private pool cabanas all weekend, to the best dinners and clubs vegas had to offer, and the best view of fireworks I (we) had ever seen from our balcony suite overlooking (or down looking as I would call it to all the fireworks on the strip and valley)

So I have to say I'm not into UFC fights but being their in person was really fun!!  I think it was partly to do with where our seats were. We were surrounded by famous people everywhere. Sad to say but I did become that crazy girl taking pictures with anyone and everyone that came in counter with our camera.  (I do blame Adam with the camera and our group for pointing them out..lol) 

Yes..that would be my favorite gay guy from Modern Family and to the right Gene Simmons

Yes...David Allen Grier and YES...I'm ashamed but "The Situation" from Jersey Shores! I had too...it was hilarious to see him in person...lol Who wears sunglasses indoors?

 

The group...and too the right sitting down our friends David...lol Okay I will stop...

Girls having fun at Lavo one night...

View & fireworks from our balcony on the 4th of July

I have to say the best part of the whole weekend though was the amazing new friends we made!

Everyone was so wonderful and fun!! Can't wait for another get together.

Ricki, Me, & Kathrine

The vegas gang on our way home...