Vail Vacay 2011

For the fourth year now, we have been going to Vail, CO with Charlie (Dustin's oldest brother) and his family for a ski vacation. It is always so much fun! This year was a little bit different because we got our own condo and Sondra came to visit for a few days.

We always drive out there which sometimes, depending on the weather, can be scary! Last year we drove through an ice/snow storm through Kansas. Thank goodness this year was perfect! The only part that is no fun is driving the 6 (?) hours through Kansas with nothing to look at but open fields, the huge wind turbines, and the occasional police car waiting for you just as you top one of the "hills."
Every year we also stop at Chipotle once we get into Denver. It is my absolute favorite fast food spot. We finally have one in Fayetteville!!! From there we head up to Red Rocks to stretch and walk around a bit. This year was hysterical. Apparently it was warm enough (although not for me) to be our exercising. As in running up and down all of those stairs. If you've been there then you know what I mean. We always love Red Rocks though, it is gorgeous.


We finally make it to Vail after the 14 hours or so trip. It just so happened that everyones condo's were on the same floor and right next to each other. The Sandlin's in on room, The other Anderson's and the Ball's in one next to them and Dustin and I were right across the hall. Perfect. We had our space but also were close to everyone else.

The next day everyone was so excited to get out on the mountain. Me, not so much. Don't get me wrong, I love to ski but just not everyday. And certainly not the first day. I have to build up my confidence! haha. So, I just met everyone at the Chophouse patio bar right in front of the gondola. We usually all meet there at the end of the day to have a drink or two, or three.

Sondra had a few days off from work so she came to stay with us & we had a blast! She had just started snowboarding and I'm not an awesome skier so I thought we would mesh well. We had fun but she's way better than me and I felt like I was holding her back! Oh well, we had fun anyway!


There is an awesome hot tub and indoor/outdoor pool at Sandstone Creek Club and we visit it every night! We usually all eat dinner together and then everyone puts on their bathing suit and heads to the hot tub! The outdoor pool is neat too because usually it's snowing while we're out there. :)

Los Amigos is one of our favorite spots to eat lunch during the day. You can ski right up to it over in Mid Vail. I met the crew there for lunch one day and it was warm enough to sit outside so we all sat there and watched people ski down "Pepe's Face." It's extremely steep and you would NEVER catch me going down it!


On Sondra's last day to stay with us we decided we just wanted to do a little shopping. So, we headed over to Mid Vail where it started snowing on us! It was so pretty just walking around with the snow coming down. I could've sat out there all day if I weren't freezing to death.


That evening we got to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band play on the mountain! They're one of our favorite bands and it was Sondra's first time to see or hear them and she loved it!

The week came to a close and we all had sooooo much fun & can't wait til next year. Here are just a few more pictures of the week we spent in Vail.

Besties

If you know us at all, you know that we absolutely LOVE our dogs. But how could you not? They're the best.
Kush Mamma was born November 11, 2007. Which makes her about 3 1/2 years old . She is a great dane and we didn't expect to get her. We weren't even thinking that we needed another dog. At the time we had Bronco and he was all we needed. BUT, when MB (Dustin's mom) didn't want Kush as a birthday present, we kept her. At first she was a pain in the ass. She didn't listen, ate holes in the wall, ate the carpet, at the couches, and don't forget - she absolutely would not poop anywhere else but the stairs! This behavior went on until she was about 2. Dustin definitely mentioned a few times about finding her a new home. I wouldn't let that happen. I was committed and I loved her more than anything. Right about the time we moved into our new house is when things changed. She became the perfect pet. She listened! I always knew she had it in her. These days she's happiest when she is chasing anything that flies or runs in the back yard, standing by the fire in the fireplace, and curling up in bed with us. So precious.


And then there is Denver. Nugget, Nug Nug, Nugsteroni, and lately Den Den are his other names. He doesn't listen so it really doesn't matter what you call him. He is an English Bulldog. Born September 11, 2009. That makes him almost two years old. He's awesome. Stubborn and handsome! When he eats you'd think that he's never eaten before. He sleeps with us and loves to lie in the opposite direction of how we sleep. Drives me crazy. He's been such a blessing in our lives ever since we lost Bronco. Denver could never replace him but he's the best dog in his own right. Don't know what we'd do with out him these days!

Sondra's Birthday!

Today is my very best friend of 13 years birthday! We were just awkward little 12 year old 7th graders when we met during dance team try-outs. Since we were taller than ALL of the girls trying out, they stuck us together in a try-out group. Little did they know by doing that, it would be the beginning of a life long friendship.
She has been there for me through everything. Through crushes, boyfriends, breakups, moves, and marriage. I know that when ever I need to talk to her, all I have to do is pick up the phone. This didn't use to be the case. In junior high we practically lived at each other's house. In high school we were ALWAYS together. Never missed anything. In college we decided to live together. Boy was that a mistake! haha. Sometimes you love someone but that doesn't mean you can live with them! ANYWAY, now she lives 13 hours away from me and I hate it. She's living her dream though, so I can't help but be crazy happy for her!
We've come along way since 7th grade and she's a beautiful, caring, loving, friendly, spontaneous, & crazy about life kind of woman. Anyone would be lucky to know her. It's amazing that I get to call her my best friend. I appreciate our friendship more than ever. Happy Birthday Sondra! I Love You.

New Year's 2011

We started the year off right with a trip to Chicago to see friends and see Pretty Lights! Neither of us had ever been there before so it was an adventure to say the least. Once we arrived in Chi-town we rode the "L" (?) train to get to Brent & Melissa's house. They are awesome and let us stay there for the weekend! The train was an experience in itself. We figured out we had about 13 stops before ours. These so called "stops" were ridiculous. You have about 5 seconds to get out the door before it takes off flying again. I was scared. Remember, we had had two luggage bags with us also. Whew. Well we finally made it to what Melissa calls hobo square or corner or something like that. And that it was. It could've also been called pigeon square. My goodness, there were dozens of them! Brent picked us up there and drove us to his house, which is so cool. They live in the bottom floor of a house and it is just so awesome. I loved it.
Jan. 30th was the first night of PL. We met up with everyone at Brent & Melissa's before the show which was at the Congress Theater. The line to get in was soooo long and you would have thought we were being searched like we were going to prison. It was serious. They were throwing everything away. Including glow sticks, i mean really? It's a good thing that DVS is amazing and it was one of the best PL shows. Spaniol had the idea to go up to the balcony to watch & it was by far the best seat in the house! After the show we basically walked all the way back to Brent's before we got a cab. I think we were in the cab for a total of maybe 3 minutes. oh well.

The next day we ate at Gino's East and it was delicious. Some of the best pizza I've ever had.

So that makes this day Jan. 31st. New Year's Eve. After we ate, the girls walked around the mall area. Everything was so pretty. All my favorite stores all in one place. After that we hailed a taxi and went back to Brent's to get ready for the big show! Everyone was in party mode and so fun. Again we were searched like criminals. We had a small mishap about getting in and past security but the night managed to go on. We ran up the stairs to the balcony to claim our spot once again. It was taken so we just moved to the other side of the balcony, no prob. We had a blast. At midnight, balloons fell from the sky and it was awesome!


Since we were with a bunch of TCU alums, we of course had to watch the Horned Frogs in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Scott somehow found a TCU bar in Chicago and we all headed there. Long story short, we had the biggest bar tab ever, Spaniol "had" to leave early & we were singing "We are the champions" at the end of the game. So. Much. Fun.



The next bar we went to was crazy. We were all having a "great" time and then my husband decided that he had an awesome idea. He thought he would be the door guard guy. He was i.d.ing everyone and wouldn't let the "boyfriends" in the door. Wow. We needed to go home.
We left the next day. Hungover and all. We rode the L again back to O'Hare. I ended up having to sit by this Funion eating chick who was on her cell phone the entire time talking about some guy that she caught cheating and beat that ho's ass. Her words, not mine. Needless to say everyone practically cheered when her stop came. We made it home safe and sound.
Chicago, IL - check. Pretty Lights for New Year's - check.