My First Las Vegas Hike!

So I went on my first hike... well I have been on one other one that I can remember but that was so long ago. I have told people for years that I don't like the outdoors... but I wanted to see Red Rock Canyon and I figured I had to over come my fear in order to do it.

I asked Jon to take me, and surprisingly he was willing to do it. We did a simple, flat trail but ended up hiking in the dark. And you know what, I actually liked it. I was surprised and I think Jon was too!

Red Rock Canyon... when we got there... see how its still light outside.

Hey I didn't know things grow out in the desert! Just kidding but this is a pretty cool picture.

Scenic view of Red Rock Canyon...

Starting to get a little darker...

Jon said I need proof that I was actually out in the wilderness... and he was right. Now people can't say that I didn't do it.

Jon leading the way on our hike.

The Trail...

Getting a little darker... but still having fun. So I didn't want to turn around yet.

We stopped on a rock and I decided to see what I could get with the camera... obviously it wasn't much.

Yeah... I was adventurous and nuts all in one. Still out in the desert and its dark.

This was about 15 minutes before we started our hike back out.

We got back to the car at 9pm after starting at about 6:30pm. Jon was surprised that I made it that long and really I was too. It was fun. We saw the International Space Station and the Shuttle following it. But we didn't know it was that when we saw it in the sky. I found that out the next day when I went to work. And we saw a shooting start which was really cool... you know I have seen the sky before but seeing it without all the city lights and pollution it was a totally different experience.

Ian, Lisa and Terry's Birthday

Ian, Terry and Lisa have there birthdays actually all in 2 weeks of each other... so to make things more simple and really so the boys wouldn't have to worry about anything Lisa planned dinner and a party at Nine Fine Irishmen at NY NY. It was fitting since all 3 of them are extremely Irish.

We started with dinner at 8pm with the 4 of us and my friend Jon. We had a few hick ups during the experience, like we arrived 2 minutes late for our reservation so they gave away our table... then the hostess was a bit of a bitch (okay not a bit she was a down right bitch) then our waitress gave us a hard time about splitting the check. But all in all... we had a nice dinner. The food was great!

Lisa wearing the birthday crown I bought her for her birthday! The things you can get at the dollar store amazes me!

Lisa and Terry at Dinner... Before we got our food and after all the Irish people at the table (oh yeah that was everyone but me) had their Irish Car Bombs.

Me and Jon at dinner... Actually I am surprised that he let Lisa take a picture, you will see why later. But we got him in front of the camera once!

Terry and Lisa insist that they were breaking the wishbone... I just think they are fighting over the crown. I didn't get any for the boys... I should have.

A lot of good friends met us out after dinner... like Kotey and Candice.

This is just a cute picture of Lisa and Terry!

And its the picture I warned you about... I tried to take a candid picture of Jon talking to Will and Melissa but it didn't work out. He hates his picture being taken.

Danger, Melissa and Lisa

All in all it was a good night... of course I realize that it was actually Ian's birthday and I don't have any pictures of him. I guess I messed up. Oh well, he will be fine. But he did mention it to me. I did get everyone pretty awesome birthday gifts!

Happy Birthday Ian, Lisa and Terry!!!!!!

A Night Out at Revolution...

Gosh, so it seems like every one of these has been me partying somewhere. But let's face it, I do live in Vegas... well and that's when I bring my camera. My friend, Matt had his birthday party at Revolution at the Mirage. It was a lot of fun... It also was kind of a good by to Megan who moved to AZ a few days later.

Lisa, Terry, Me and Megan... its always a benefit when we have a table. Get to relax the feet and that night for some reason my feet were killing me.

Megan and Me... Gosh I am short. And I had heels on, guess there's no helping me.

Lisa and Megan with the free champagne they were serving. We were loving that, but it was only for like an hour or so it seemed like.

.

Matt, the birthday boy, and Me... he wore his sunglasses the majority of the time.

Tony, Me, Jay, Terry and Lisa

Here's Megan and Ian... it was kind of a going away for her as well, because she was moving to Yuma, AZ to become a reporter.

Me and Ian... of course we take this nice picture and right after he messed up my hair. I wish that someone would have gotten that picture.

Terry, Tony, Me and Ian... well Megan is hiding behind me. I don't know why Eric (he took the picture) didn't tell me that I was blocking her or why one of the guys didn't tell her to move.

Ian thinks he is such a stud... 3 girls all over him... well the real story is that I was trying to take a picture of Hetty, Courtney and Me and Ian jumped in.

So after a long night at Revolution... I got home at about 3:30am and only to get up and be at Eddie Bauer by 6am. It was rough, but worth it. Got to do it while I am young right?!

2009 Fire and Rain Fireman's Auction

Girls Night Out!  And for those that know me... that doesn't happen.  But surprisingly I really had a good time!  Megan, Lisa and Me decided to go up the Fire and Rain Fireman's Auction. 

What's not to like hot fireman for sale!!!!  Lisa got us into VIP sectio

n, while that didn't mean free drinks that did mean no wait at the bar. 

Once the show started... I say show because those guys were putting on a show, dancing and stuff.  Some of them did really good, others really shouldn't have been up there.  

Here we are with a few fireman... we got invited to dinner at the firehouse.  Gosh we really need to collect on that. 

The auction was at Rain at The Palms.  And really you would never have guess that the economy sucks right now.  They raised like $300,000.  Guys were going for $3,000, I mean they had great packages (I mean the prizes not other things), but still.

Lisa stole some Chocolate Covered Strawberries from one of the tables for us... They were so good.  

  

I looks weird in this picture but oh well!

All in all girls night was a blast!  Maybe I will even do it again!

Miss USA Pageant 2009

So Miss USA... an eventful night to say the least.  I got invited to go by Alicia, who got to judge the telecast.  Last year she judged the prelims... but this year she sat next to Perez Hilton on the live show on NBC.  

My ticket... I was in row M... in the center. 

We weren't supposed to take any pictures during the show so I actually listened this time.  But the show was so much different in person.  It went by so quickly, at home it seems to take forever to finish.  I went with Boze, Natalie, Hetty and Courtney.  

Right after Miss North Carolina got crowned Miss USA!

I was cheering for Miss North Carolina the whole time.  She may not have had the best answers all the time, but I figured Miss Ohio didn't make it anywhere why not cheer for Miss North Carolina.  

Plus after Miss California had her say with Perez Hilton's question... I wouldn't have cheered for her anyway.  

Great job... Miss North Carolina and lets remember she won not Miss California who is getting all the press right now.

Me at the Miss USA after Party at Planet Hollywood... Boze took this picture!

I loved this dress... I actually found it at Fashion Bug for like $40.00.  I was going to get it in black, but just couldn't when I saw this pink one.

  

Courtney, Hetty and Boze at the Miss USA after Party!

We had fun... VIPs and everything thanks to Alicia.  Don't know what the next event will be, but I will keep you updated.

Easter in South Carolina

Hello... figured that this was the best way to get some pictures out there.  Seems to work well for Karla.  So here you goes...

So my trip to South Carolina started off on Thursday (4/9)... Terry drove me to the airport on Thursday afternoon and finally arrived in Charlotte at 11pm (eastern time).  Keith had to pick me up from Charlotte and then drive the hour and a half to Greenville.  Everyone was asleep by the time I got there, which I figured.  My niece and nephews need their beauty sleep, and lets be honest I don't want crabby kids.  

The next day I got woken up by Kassidy and Kaleb wanted to see their aunt... Of course who wouldn't.  We then waited patiently (well as patient as me and Karla could) for my mom and Jim to come down.  

After a little lunch Kassidy had to show us her dance that she is learning in her dance class.  She did awesome!  Can't wait to see the final performance.  I am sad that I will miss it.  But I am sure Karla will record it for me.  

After Kassidy's performance sh

e wanted to take a picture with my camera... check out that, she got our faces.  I even helped and couldn't get us both in there.  She also fell in love with my sparkley head band... i didn't get that one back before I left.  She is lucky she is so cute, well and the fact 

that she is five!

Here's the picture after I got the 

 camera.... I had to get one.  But you know... Kaleb the little stinker wouldn't let me take a picture of him.  He kept on hiding his

 face...

So Mom and Jim also came down to visit... and I had to capture this part of the trip... Keith and Jim bowling on the Wii.  It definately was a sight to see. 

 

Well besides... my well needed vacation, I went down to see the newest member or my family, Karson James Gailey.  He is a cutey...  I ca

ll him my "chunky monkey."  Which mom quickly hated the whole time.  She told me that Chunky Monkey is an ice cream and would yell at me.  I just to

ld her at least it was an ice cream I liked.  

 

Me and my Chunky Monkey (Karson)  Gosh I was having a bad hair day!

Okay, Saturday we made our way to the park... Kassidy insisted on having me follow her around and go down the slide with her.  What I forgot is that I am not a kid anymore.  I ended up with a little bit of slide burn.  But it was a small price to pay for this face...

Kassidy coming down the slide at the park!  

Even Mom and Jim had fun at the park!

Easter Sunday... We got up and started cooking.  And Karla, Keith and I hid all the eggs for the kids to find in an Easter Egg Hunt.  Kaleb had to wear his sunglasses that the Easter Bunny brought him.  

Kaleb and Kassidy on the hunt for eggs during the Easter Egg hunt!

Kaleb during the Easter Egg Hunt!  Somehow he ended up having way more

 eggs then everyone else.  

Kassidy in her Easter Dress... She insisted on having 3 ribbons tied to her bucket.

All the kids with Karla and Kelly... checking out the goods.  What we didn't realize is that the chocolate melted while we were waiting to start the Egg hunt.  Ops!  Kassidy needed a little help with a couple of her eggs.  I had to tape some closed.

 

Family picture time!  Of course the only time that Karson cried while I was holding him was during this picture but it's okay.  

Its been a while since Me, Mom and Keith had a picture, maybe my high school graduation.