Viva Las Vegas!

I would have posted earlier, but I haven't had much time to play with the new blogger layout.  Once things settle down a bit, I will put more effort into my photos and my blog.  Thanks for being patient and I hope you are enjoying our travels these last few months.

Jade and I flew into Vegas on Tuesday.  Jade has work to do here and I have shopping to do!  We also have many friends that still live here and it's always so nice to reconnect and spend time with them.  The first night, we took it easy.  And by easy I mean, I bought a bottle of Three Olives Cake Vodka for me and a bottle of Glenfiddich for Jade.  Seriously, this is good stuff.

I mixed it with diet sprite, but I've also had it with diet root beer and orange juice and pineapple juice with a splash of cranberry!  OMG!  So good!

Our next day we spent shopping at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.  Jade found some great deals on suits and ties.  He always looks so nice.  I found a great steal on a python purse from Coach.  Originally $525, but I got it for $300!  By the time we got done shopping, we were famished, so we met some friends at The Palm inside The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.  I had the most delicious Filet Oscar.  I definitely recommend trying this place if you are in the mood for a great steak. 

The husband is waiting on me.  I will post more later.  I hope to take more pictures these next few days and give a better account of my shopping trip at The Forum Shops and our night at Bellagio watching "O", a Cirque du Soleil show.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I flew to Seattle to spend some time with my brother and his girlfriend.  While we were there, we took a sea plane to Victoria and a helicopter to Vancouver.  We had perfect weather the entire trip.  We spent 3 days in Victoria and visited Butchart Gardens.  Jade and I always try to visit a botanical garden every place we travel.  There is something we both love, and really appreciate the way flowers and plants make us feel.  Watching The Botany of Desire has totally changed the way we look at flowers and plants.  Butchart Gardens was by far the best botanical garden we've ever been to.  I recommend visiting if anyone is ever in Victoria and watching The Botany of Desire if you want to feel inspired by nature.  

 This is the view from the upper level.  I love the mountains in the distance.

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The yellow and the purple colors look beautiful together.

Me and my wonderful husband in front of the dahlias.  

 My gimpy brother, Dan and I.  He had shoulder surgery two days before, but was a trooper and a great host.

Jade standing in front of the rose gardens.

Posing for my hubby.

The best part of Butchart Gardens wasn't the flowers and plants, although they were beautiful.  It was an event that happened while we were there.  My brother proposed to his girlfriend, Jackie, with a gorgeous Tiffany's diamond.  She was so genuinely surprised and thrilled, and I couldn't be happier for them.

I was creepin' and got a few shots of the special moment.

I ordered Adobe Photoshop, and I hope to edit these photos and make something special for Dan and Jackie to remember this day, but I have been impatiently waiting to share this news with everyone and anyone who will listen/read. 

It was an unforgettable day with great company.

I will edit all my photos and upload more of our adventures in Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver!  Any ideas on the perfect photo gift for Dan and Jackie to remember and cherish this day?

Summer update

Wow!  It looks like I've been away from my blog posting duties for awhile. In my defense, I was really busy with my job, graduate school internships, and assignments, keeping up with our garden, and taking care of my two babies (the four-legged kind).

Last time I blogged, I was headed to Tampa for one of my best friend's, Katie's,  bachelorette party.  Tampa was the funnest girls trip EVER!!!  Here are a few pictures.

We went out to Ciros, a Speakeasy in Tampa, our first night and tried Absinthe, chicken and waffles, and old fashioned cocktails.

The next day we headed to the beach for some sun, relaxing, and more cocktails.

I never wanted this trip to end.  Sunday we said our goodbye's and made plans for another girls trip soon.  I love all these girls.

The bachelorette, Katie, and her prince, Seth, were married last weekend, Sept 10, 2011.  Another great night with great friends!  This picture is a group of some of the best of So Long Saloon, and the bride and groom.  I can think of several greats we are missing though.

Jade came home from 2 months of working in Mexico.  I missed my husband so much.  I've always known that I love spending time with him, but I sincerely appreciate him and our days spent together more than anything now.  I didn't realize how much I would miss having him around and his presence.  He makes my life so much better.  Everything I do is easier with him by my side.

Our first date together when he came home was to Capitol Grill in Kansas City.  It was de-licious.  We ate like fat kids and drank like kings.  We were fortunate enough to try the Wine Extravaganza.  $20 a person for all you can drink... yes please! 

This was the description of our favorite wine... NOT!  Does this mean poop?

But this by far made up for everything.  It put my coconut pie to shame.

Capitol Grill was our first date together when Jade got back from Mexico, but we have done so many other fun things too.  We went to a concert and saw Bush, Incubus, and Jane's Addiction.  No pictures were taken there.  We were just grooving with the music!

We also went to the Yankees vs Royals game at Kaufman Stadium.  The Royals won too! 

This little boy sat right in front of us.  His chants, "Go Billy (Butler)!" made me want kiddos. 

Another fun trip Jade and I took since he's been home is to Seattle, Victoria, BC, and Vancouver, BC.  We did so many activities that I will save this story for another blog post.  Jade and I are currently in the middle of (nowhere) Missouri in a cabin.  It's nice to be able to do nothing and relax for a few days.  I hope to get caught up on some blogging I've missed this summer. 

PS... I'm a University of Central Missouri Graduate School Alumni!  Whoop Whoop!  I received my window decal (not my diploma?) in the mail yesterday.  Now, PhD?  Anyone who wants to way in on a 27 year old starting a PhD, your advice is appreciated.