Las Vegas Once Again!

The Hubby and I just made our 8th trip to Las Vegas! Our favorite place to vacation. Baby Girl got to stay with her Mimi and Pappy while we were gone.

We had a great trip filled with food, fun, and plenty of gambling. We didn't hit it big, but it was a great vacation of spending quality time with the Hubby.


We stayed 3 nights at the Rio. The Rio is just off the Strip. We like staying here because it's not near as busy as being on the Strip. 


The Rio recently added a KISS themed putt-putt golf course. We played and it was fun, but I am horrible! 

September is a huge month for us. We both had big birthdays (3-0... let's not talk about that) and our anniversary. So we both decided instead of buying gifts we would do something fun in Vegas. We decided to see a show and we picked Absinthe. 

It is SO worth the money. If you get offended by ANYTHING, please do not see it. It is acrobatics mixed with crude comedy. We had a great time! We saw this show when it first opened back in 2011 and we still loved it.


While we were waiting for the doors to open, the Hubby had a huge hit on a KISS machine. It's probably because we had played KISS putt-putt earlier. Who knows?!?

Here are some pictures from us visiting the Strip.






We rented a car while in Vegas, so that we could make a day trip to Laughlin, Nevada. It's about 1 1/2 hours from Vegas. It is right on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona. 




We did a river tour while there, it was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Vegas for the day. 

We also got 5 more $1 chips from the casinos there. The Hubby and I started collecting $1 chips from every casino we have visited. We have about 100 of them now. I did have to buy some flip flops from one of the gift shops in Laughlin because my sandal broke while we were walking! 

We stayed at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas for two nights. We love the Downtown area. It's just so much more relaxed. The Golden Nugget has an awesome pool. We were able to do the water slide that goes through the shark tank. It was fun but cold! 


We had a great trip together. It's always nice to spend some one on one quality time together. It's easy to get caught up in the day to day things with parenting, work, coaching, and being busy and it's easy to forget why you do those things. It's all because two people fell in love and decided to create a life and family together. It's easy to loose sight of those things, but quality time together brings everything back into perspective!

Until next time Las Vegas!

Time is Flying By...

Wow does time fly. Between baby, work, and life, I don't have a lot of spare time! When I do get it you will see me watching junk TV or taking a nap.

We have been busy! Baby girl turned 1. O-N-E! I cannot believe it has been a year since she was born. She is officially 13 months old. She is stubborn, funny, and a talker. 

 She still won't walk. Just refuses to try, even though she can walk with toys and up and down furniture. She gets that from her dad. I know I'm not stubborn at all! 

We went on our very first family vacation! We headed to Atlantic City in June. We had a great time. We won some money, enjoyed the weather, and had fun.


Cassie loved walking the boardwalk. She loved that everyone wanted to talk to her.

We celebrated her actual birthday with a mini unicorn cupcake and SHE LOVED IT!

She hated the ocean, but loved the sand. We couldn't keep her out of it.

 

We had such a fun time! It was different from our other vacations, but we had a blast and can't wait to go back!


She also went to the zoo for the first time. 


We took a mini trip to our old stomping grounds of Evansville. 





She was still a little young, but it was fun and HUMID. Whew! We met my parents there and spent the day having fun!

It's almost time for the hubby to start school again. Time just flies by, but we are trying to enjoy every minute!

Until next time,

Kara
Mixed Feelings for Sure...

Mixed Feelings for Sure...

I am not one to post much about politic things. I think it's best just to keep my mouth shut about how I feel about politics, because it just starts arguments between friends.

Well Donald Trump will be our 45th president. I have so many mixed emotions about this...

I am scared for the possibilities that he brings with no experience. I am scared that the people who got out and voted were fueled by hate, not change. That they were scared because they are getting left behind by technology, scared because people with education are bypassing them for more opportunities, that social norms are changing and it's not acceptable to them.


I am scared that people think it's okay for Donald to have mocked a disabled reporter, to have said demeaning things about women and it be okay, to be openly hateful to people of other cultures and that being considered American pride.

I want a world for my daughter to be kind, accepting, understanding. We are not all the same, we have different opportunities, different upbringings, different intelligence levels and that is okay. It's okay to be different and accepting of others.

I am tired of people putting certain jobs and positions in our society up on a pedestal. People forget that there is honor in all work in being a teacher, working in social work, serving food to people in a restaurant, working in a factory to build vehicles, etc. People need to stop separating everyone into tiers of who is better than who! Take pride in what you do, because every job is necessary to make our society function.

In a day and age where children are growing up believing they deserve the moon without doing much to earn it, where parents would rather use a TV as a babysitter or blame someone else for their child's mistakes, where people graduate college and believe they should have all the luxuries that our parents had after working 20+ years. I really hope that people evaluate what is important. It's important to teach our children morals. Being kind to everyone, even if a kid is different than you, caring for those who aren't as fortunate as we are, working hard and taking pride in your accomplishments. 

We are choosing to concentrate so much on everything negative instead of being positive.

I really hope that Donald Trump surprises us all. I hope he surrounds himself with people who have experience and truly want what is best for the American people. But today I have mixed feelings for sure and I am worried for things to come....

Songs I am Obsessed With Right Now

Maybe I am the only person, but when I hear a song I like on the radio I kind of get obsessed with it. I just want it to come on all the time! Or I go home and YouTube it over and over!

Here are a few of the songs I love right now!

This song by the Chainsmokers is awesome. It has such a great beat and it's always on the radio right now!



Dan and Shay are a great country duo, but From the Ground Up is such a beautiful song. I absolutely love it.


Florida Georgia Line has never put out a bad song. It took me a few times for me to get into this one, but I really like the song. It's another I love to sing when it comes across the radio (which is quite a bit).


I hope you enjoy your day! 

Until next time,

Kara







I do not own the rights to any of these songs or videos. You can find the videos on YouTube.

Let's Catch Up!

WOW, it's been over 6 months since I have last blogged. It's pretty crazy how life can get super busy and things like blogging get pushed to the back burner.

Let's catch up on life. 

In March, I switched to a new job. I now work for a Foster Care company. I help license foster families. It's such a rewarding job to know that we help families impact children's lives everyday. 

In June, we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Cassie.



I was scheduled for a c-section, but she decided she wanted to come early and so my water broke and off we went to the hospital! Talk about throwing plans out the window!



The delivery went smooth and mommy and baby did wonderful. It was a HUGE adjustment to having a newborn. People do not tell how different life is, I don't know if you can comprehend until it happens.



She is now 3 1/2 months old and growing like crazy! She has started to laugh and talks all the time. She can roll over but would prefer not to be on her stomach. She is always wanting to sit up and won't lay back! 

We absolutely love her, but people do not tell you how hard it is. I'm not going to lie, there were a few days I wasn't sure if I could do it. You are tired, she is crying, there is nothing you can do to soothe her... it is hard. But I think we are over the hump of colic crying, but that period of time sucked. 



Now it's a lot of fun getting the smiles and laughs when she sees you.

She is a girl after her Mom & Dad's own heart. She loves The Office, this is her laughing while watching!



The Hubby and I just celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. It's crazy to believe that we have been married that long! We celebrated by spending a night away. 



We golfed, went to the casino and ate dinner! It was great having some one-on-one time together. PLUS we came out ahead as winners! #WINNING

I am back in my work fantasy football league this year. I was 2-0 until this week. Ugh, all my players decided to get together and suck this week! 



But you can't deny how cute she looks rooting on the Colts!

I am hoping I can get back to blogging again. We are starting to get a routine down and Cassie is starting to play more and more. She really prefers that someone sits with her and talks, that gets the most laughs and smiles!



It won't be long and the Hubby will be coaching basketball. I can't wait to see how she likes the games. We took her to the local football game and she loved it. She is nosey and was looking around and watching people.



I hope all has been going well for everyone! We are hanging in there and figuring out this new adventure together!

Until next time,

Kara

Happy Friday!!!

It's Friday and the weekend is almost here!

I used to watch American Idol and I remember watching Kelly Clarkson win. This week she performed at the last season of American Idol and it was awesome. 

This song is so powerful and beautiful. 


It breaks my heart to hear this song and imagine as a little girl what that would feel like to feel unworthy or unloved.

I was so lucky to have an amazing father who loved my sister and I unconditionally and always put our interests first. I am now lucky to have two wonderful men in my life and soon to be in my daughter's life. My father is getting promoted to Papaw and my husband to Daddy. 

After listening to this song, I reflect and realize that my daughter and I are so lucky to have my hubby. He is such a good person. He is passionate in everything and that includes his fierceness in loving and protecting his family. 

I am thankful everyday that he and I are in this together and we can't wait to welcome our little princess.

Until next time,

Kara

Throwback Thursday

When I was younger, my parents constantly said that time flies by. Well I have always wanted life to hurry up and get to the next thing, but it's true, time really does fly by.

I found this old picture of the Hubby and I when we started dating in college. 


We have been together almost nine years. It's crazy how I feel like it was just yesterday, but I can't remember life before him.

This year will really be a big year to remember. Our little girl (yep you heard me right! A LITTLE GIRL!) will be here before we know it!

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This precisely describes our feelings! I cannot wait to see how this becomes our best year yet! 

Until next time,

Kara


Book Recommendations for January

I haven't felt much like reading in awhile, but I still have a couple book recommendations for you!

Frostfire- Kanin Chronicles by Amanda Hocking

If you loved any of my recommendation for Fae novels, like this one, or these, then you will love the Kanin Chronicles series by Amanda Hocking. 

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It was a great adventure, mystery book. It's got a strong female character Bryn, who despite all odds, succeeds at whatever she chooses!

You are rooting for her the entire time, even though sometimes you just want to smack some sense into her! This three book series is worth your time!

The Frostfire description is:
Hidden deep in the heart of a snow-covered wilderness lies the secret kingdom of the Kanin—a magical realm as beautiful as it is treacherous...
Bryn Aven has never fit into Kanin society. Her blond hair and blue eyes set her apart as an outsider—a half-blood unable to hold a respectable rank. But she's determined to prove herself as a loyal protector of the kingdom she loves. Her dream is to become a member of the King's elite guard, and she's not going to let anything stand in her way...not even her growing feelings for her boss, Ridley Dresden. A relationship between them is strictly forbidden, but Bryn can't fight her attraction to him. And she's beginning to think he feels it too. Meanwhile, there's an attack on the kingdom—one that will test Bryn's strength like never before. Finally, she has the chance to confront Konstantin Black, the traitor who tried to kill her father years ago. It's up to Bryn to put a stop to him before he strikes again. But is she willing to risk everything to protect a kingdom that doesn't accept her for who she really is? And when her mission brings her closer to Ridley, will she be able to deny her heart?


Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

I have been on the wait-list for months of books, so I'm always trying to fit in filler books. I always get on Goodreads to see book recommendations based on past books I have read. This was a recommendation I received. 

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This is a young adult novel, but it's fun to read and I could see myself reading this when our child gets to be 9 or 10. They would really enjoy the adventure that it holds. I haven't read the whole series, but the first couple books were really good!

I also love when stories tie in Greek mythology. I just find it so interesting! Plus, you never know when that trivia will come up on Jeopardy or trivia night!

Here is the description for Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief


Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

These are some fun reads! It's nothing too serious, but who really wants to start off the new year with something depressing or sad? Not this girl!

Happy Reading!

Until next time,

Kara

Cowgirl Cookies

The Hubby received a Cowgirl Cookie jar for Christmas from one of his students. I decided to make them for Christmas.


I don't know the exact recipe, but I know this is really close to all the ingredients that were in the jar. The student layered all the ingredients in a mason jar with a cute note attached.

Here is the recipe!

Cowgirl Cookies

1 1/3 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

If you were giving this as a gift, you would layer all your ingredients in a jar.

If that was the case you would want to include a card that stated the following:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease your cookie sheets and set aside. 

In a medium bowl mix 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 egg, and a teaspoon of vanilla. Dump in the jar ingredients and stir together. You may have to use your hands to complete the mixing. 

Shape into 2-inch size balls and place 2-inches apart on your cookie sheets. Bake for 11-13 minutes in your oven. Allow the cookies to cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheets before you transfer them to wire racks to cool completely!

These are a yummy, chewy cookie that everyone seemed to enjoy! They also make a fun gift!


Until next time,

Kara




Recipe source from Allrecipes