Saturday, July 30, 2011

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead!

Which witch you ask? The Stupid Bar Exam.

Yes, it is finally done. It was a long four days. Sean, Brent's brother, was kind enough to rent Brent a room right next to the UNLV campus where he could be only 5 minutes away from the test and really be in the zone. I got one phone call a day to let me know how he was an how he was doing.

Overall he feels really good about the test. He says there is just really no way to know. He feels good and I am sure he did wonderfully! He did get the luxury of going out for lunch every day!

Luckily, my mom was in town to keep me company. I feel really bad because I was (and still am) a little ball of stress. I know the bar is stressful on the person taking it but it is also stressful on the people living with them. I tried to make Brent's pre-bar life as "without worry" as possible. Obviously I am not perfect especially since I have been having a hard time adjusting to the move, location, job, school, cars breaking down and a few other things. I am sure my mom thought I was just miserable, I know she did because I was sick of being around me!

My mom came down to take care of her little nest egg. I can really say that my mom is the best handy-man I know. She came in and fixed up just about everything that needed to be done! She did have to take some homework with her, but even that she has finished and now needs to get it set up!

One of my biggest blessings during this time was being called to serve in the Young Women. I can honestly say that I work with an amazing group of girls! At 12 and 13 they already have such strong testimonies of our Heavenly Father. They are so open to learning and letting me become part of their lives. I have never seen a group of teenage girls get along so well either. The leaders have been really welcoming and have let me just jump in and participate. I am really glad that my Heavenly Father let me work with such wonderful people!

So in the two days that Brent has finished the bar, he has kinda hopped back and forth from different hobbies that he enjoys. I can find him reading, checking baseball stats, and watching videos to learn more about his camera with in a ten minute time frame!

I am glad the bar is over so we can get back to normal, but to be honest, I am not sure either of us knows what this new normal is.... Wish us luck on the journey!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Coca Cola and Fountains

Last weekend we did a lot of Strip walking (LV strip people!) and so when we headed back out Saturday evening I was a little nervous. Luckily, Anne, Brian and their daughter Cora (who are LV natives) and they brought some new fun things to the table!

The first thing we decided to experience was "AROUND THE WORLD" from Coca Cola. At the Coca Cola factory on the strip they offered the "Around the World" which is 16 different cola's that they make from around the world.
We purchased one for the 6 of us and it turned out to be just right! They gave us a little sheet telling us the name of the drink as well as the country it was from.


Everyone about to enjoy on this wonderful treats!

Brent and I enjoying this treat. It was so hot and I really look like it is a million degrees out too!

I like most of the drinks, except the one from Italy that EVERYONE hated! It was called Beverly and I am not sure that anyone actually buys that one even when they are in Italy.

This is what happens when the around the world is finished! I can't wait to have other people over to try this! It is a great way to spend an hour.

On the way out there was a Picture Coca Cola Bear. He was nice but the eyes would blink and it FREAKED me out! Cora was not thrilled with him either! She got a sticker out of it and was then pretty thrilled.

One of the few places on the strip that actually lives up to the hype is the Bellagio Water Show. We have been three different times and each time it is a different song with different choreography. I really enjoy it and will be happy to accompany anyone to one of those shows!

Here are family pictures of everyone in Attendance.

Brent and I!


Erica and Spencer

Brian, Anne and Cora!

After the show, we decided taking the tram back to our parking lot was a better idea than walking! We walked through a casino to get to the Tram. It had amazing decor. Brent and I decided that we really need to go to one casino and walk all the way through it. I think it will provide some great date nights when Brent actually has some time!

At the metro show I made everyone be one of the wall guys. I said that they would be happy once it was blogged. I think they think I am crazy.
It was a great night on the strip. I really enjoyed hanging out with Erica, Spencer, Anne, Brian and Cora. I am sad Erica and Spencer couldn't stay for longer and that Anne and Brian will be leaving back to Law School in August!

A Berry Birthday and Lazy Sunday!

There are two things that I love more than others: Lazy Sunday's and BIRTHDAY's!!! One Sunday the 3rd was Spencer's 24 Birthday and a lazy Sunday. Spencer had purchased an entire bag of frozen barriers and requested that I use all of them for his birthday.

Always up for a challenge I made a very Berry breakfast of waffles and eggs.

After church we really took advantage of the "lazy" portion of the Sunday.

Well some of us, Brent continued to study for the Bar hard! He has been working hard all the time.
Erica and Spencer watching some television. It took a million shots to actually get one of Spencer looking normal... well as normal as he could.


I had a relaxing day preparing a Berry rich meal. I made a great Berry salad with a raspberry vinaigrette, and a nice Berry syrup that I drizzles over some yummy chocolate torte (which was purchased at Costco.)

For Desert Everyone request Berry milkshakes. I was more than happy to oblige, except we didn't have a Blender! With a mixing bowl and a handy attachment I was able to make some milkshake goo.

Spencer started work at the capital on Tuesday, so they headed home on Sunday. We did get in a few fun games of Mr. X! They are always welcome back to stay as long as they would like!