Our Home Away From Home

So.... we just got back from our 10th trip (in 8 years) to Las Vegas & I am already ready to get back. We left last Saturday & came home Wednesday. My brother & his wife decided to join us as well as Johnathan's dad. We had such a great trip with everyone! Thank you mom & dad for watching the girls. What a blessing for us to get away and spend some time together. We stayed at the Palazzo (can't pass up free rooms) & it was unlike anything we have ever seen before. Here are a few, ok, a lot of pictures from the trip. Enjoy!
Our Hotel.
Our room.

SATURDAY:
Johnathan at a $5 Wheel of Fortune (one of his favorites!)

My Coconut Margarita at Gardunos. YUMMY!!!

Matt & Leah with their margaritas.

SUNDAY:
Us in the foyer of the hotel.

Matt & Leah outside of the waterfalls at the Wynn.

Playing slots at the Luxor.

The strip at night. So Beautiful!

The Jackson's in front of the Venetian Hotel.


Matt winning over $100 on a nickle slot. His face says it all; it was priceless!! After this he was hooked!
MONDAY:
Matt at Paris.


All of us at the Venetian. One of the most beautiful hotels!

Dinner with Michael at Spago! YUMMY!

My little brother & I.

The minus 5 bar at Mandalay Bay. Let me explain this bar.Everything at this place was made out of ice, even the glasses we drank our drinks out of. It was literally 5 degrees below zero but it was still soooo much fun! The longest we stayed in there was probably 30 minutes b/c we got too cold, even with the jackets on.

Tuesday
On Tuesday morning everyone left except for me & Johanthan. We decided to stay 1 more night & who wouldn't with a free room. Unfortunatley, I was up all morning with the flu(Johnathan had it the 3 days before me); however, we made it to the Broadway Production of Jersey Boys. It is about the music group from the 50's, 60's & 70's called Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons (Walk Like A Man, Oh What A Night, Sherry, Earth Angle, Big Girls Don't Cry, Who Loves You are just a few of their songs). I know that this is not my generation of music but I have to say it is some of the best music I have ever heard (unfortunately, a lot of the songs Johnathan hadn't ever heard before. Sad isn't it?). Man they were good!! The show was one of the best shows we have ever seen. We have been talking about it non-stop since we got home. We can't wait to see it again!

A Yummy Recipe!

My friend Ashley (actually, she is one of my sisters close friends, but I can call her my friend too) is doing a recipe swap & has asked me to share one of my most favorite recipes. I'm actually not sure if she has tried this recipe, but apparently my sister has raved about it to her. I know the title may sound a little over the top but it is one of the easiest meals to make. I actually got the recipe from Johnathan's Aunt & Uncle in Plano when we visited them this past summer. I can't wait to hear what you think! Also, here is her blog if you want to go & check out the other recipes in the recipe exchange http://ingramgang.blogspot.com.

BRAISED CHICKEN IN SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM SAUCE
4 skinless boneless chicken breast, halved
2 tablespoon oil from oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
2/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
Bowtie Pasta

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to skillet and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add white wine, cream and tomatoes and bring to boil. Cover skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to plates & cover to keep warm. Add basil to sauce in skillet. Increase heat and boil until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon, about 2 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; spoon over chicken and serve over bowtie pasta. Serves 4.

Sick (x2)

We have been so fortunate this winter when it comes to illness in our house. However, early Monday morning (3:20 am to be exact) Bailey ran into our room saying that she couldn't breath through her mouth. Scary? Yes!! Once we got her calmed down we started breathing treatments. One bad thing about the breathing treatment machines is that they aren't very quiet & when you live in an 850 sq. ft. house it tends to be even louder. That being said, Addison woke up right after we started Bailey's treatment. It was good she woke up though b/c she had the same chest cough & runny nose that Bailey had. So right after we finished with Bailey we gave Addison a treatment. For those of you who don't know about breathing treatments they are a nightmare. Not because they are hard for the girls to do but because it "wires" my girls and when I say "wires" I mean they are bouncing off the walls (again, tough on a mom in an 850 sq. ft. house who can't leave b/c we are sick). Also, I am a little O.C.D. when it comes to having my house picked up & clutter free; however, yesterday I couldn't have cared less about what my house looked like, just as long as the girls were content. Here is a little peek in the girls room from yesterday.

The Sweetest Things Ever!

Here is a sweet picture of our girls with their cousins Mia (the oldest) & Eisley. They were all wearing their Valentines Day shirts so I thought I would share it before Valentine's Day passed.

Spring Gymnastics

The girls started their spring semester of gymnastics a couple of weeks ago. They were so excited! They have a new teacher & she is wonderful!! Hopefully I will have updates once a month of their progress. We are actually not allowed to go in & watch their practices except for the last Tuesday of each month, which is fine with me. They get a little distracted when we are there watching. Here is a picture of the girls with Mia on their first day. Enjoy!

How could I forget about New Years?

So, I was downloading pictures from my new camera yesterday when I came across pictures from New Years. How could I forget to post about our New Years trip!! Even though I am super late with these I am sure you will enjoy them none-the-less. We decided at the last minute to go to Plano & see Johnathan's grandparents, aunt, uncle, & cousins. We had such a great time!! Lori (Johnathan's aunt) made the best drink. I don't even remember what it was called but I do remember that it was YUMMY!!!!! Good thing we were staying in that night. I was also able to meet up with my cousin Brenna at The Cheesecake Factory. What fun times! Here are a few pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

The girls with Nini & Ryan.

Bailey playing Guitar Hero. Doesn't she look like a natural?


Addison on the Piano. Again, doesn't she look like a natural?

Johnathan & the girls in the hot tub. Yep, it was warm enough for the kids to get in the pool. Gotta love living in Texas in January!

The girls with Gran & Gramps at Taco Diner (one of the best places to eat in Plano!!).