lovely summer nights

When I got out of the car tonight, it was the nicest, balmiest summer night.  I love nights like this.  It makes me feel like I live in a small mid-western farm or something.  The crickets are chirping like crazy, there was a big, green grasshopper on the wall, and the stars are out in all their glory.  Tomorrow we are going to set up the tent and camp outside.  Owen asked Loren yesterday if we could camp outside, so we can  have a campfire.  He's such a sweetie, of course we said yes.  We want to go "real" camping this summer so this will be a test run.  We've been camping with Owen, but Liam hasn't braved the great outdoors yet.  We have a new, big tent in which we should all fit, even Liam's travel bed.  I'll keep you all posted.

name dropping

So I forgot to mention that when we went to Las Vegas we saw Tana.  We were there for fun, but she was there for work.  I also have to say that she got me some great things from her trade show, especially a reusable shopping bag that is so big and handy -  I use it all the time.  The best part is that I can fold it up and put it in my purse.  Unfortunately we have no pictures with Tana (I don't know why, except that she was pretty busy so we only got to see her for a couple of dinners).  We love seeing Neenee, and wish she was closer!  

pro pix

Yesterday we took the boys to get their pictures taken.  We don't have a studio picture of the two of them yet so we thought now would be a good time.  Liam is such a smiley baby, we thought this would be a breeze.  Wouldn't you know, we get the boys dressed up, get them in front of the camera... and Liam bursts into tears.  For some reason, Liam didn't like taking pictures with Owen.  It might have been the big fluffy fliffer-fluff that the photographer was waving in his face.  When he saw those colored fluffs coming at him, his bottom lip trembled and you could see the tears starting.  We managed to get really cute individual pictures, but I want "brother pictures".  I'm going to give it a few weeks and try again. The pictures are great though, don't you think? 

poor neglected blog

So much has been going on lately!  We have been on the go-go-go.  Vegas was a blast.  We stayed at the Stratosphere, this is the third time now.  Whenever we go to Vegas, we check in, then hit the Strip after a short rest.  That first day, when we see the other hotels (Mirage, Caesar's Palace) I always vow to stay there the next time.  We walk through the casinos, check out the pools and that's when I realize why we always stay at the Stratosphere - the pool is [basically] empty.  At the Mirage the pool was FULL of people.  It was standing room only, and no kids.  The pool at the "S" is nice with room to swim and play.  Yes, you have to drive when you want to go to the strip, but I think it's worth it.  Besides we are not gamblers or drinkers (not since the boys anyway) so we are happy to swim, visit the white tigers, swim, have dinner on the Strip, then home by 10 or 11.  Boring to some, fun and relaxing for us.  

  We also got some great tickets to a Dodger game.  We invited Erica and had such a good time.  I think good seats make all the difference to my enjoyment of a game.  Here are some pix: