The Dam Tour

So on our last day, before we headed back to Texas, we decided to stop by Hoover Dam for the famous Dam tour.  It was ok unless you get dam claustrophobic, then it's not so dam cool!  You just go way down deep in the earth, narrow damp hallways, you can hear the water rushing and you think for a second, if there is even the slightest crack in all these massive pipes, I'm a goner.  But the outside was pretty dam spectacular!

I loved this bridge outside the Hoover Dam

 And then just like that we were headed back to Texas!

Mr. & Mrs. Becker

Yeah!  The day was finally here.  Marisa would become Mrs. Joe Becker.  The girls were so excited for Marisa, but also excited to get all dolled up!

Here we are waiting at the MGM waiting for our shuttle to the wedding location.

 Don't they both look so grown up!

 Look at us!  We clean up pretty good!

 Liv was in heaven.  She loved all the lights and red carpets!

 Okay, so did we!

 Juj forgot her sunglasses, so I had to lend her mine - We started referring to her as "Hollywood"

 Photo Bomb!

And then they walked in and it was all waterworks from there.  Really makes you feel old.  We have known Marisa since her awkward early middle school year.  Since then she has been a part of our family, been there for our girls.  It's amazing to see her all grown up and getting married.

                                       

Presenting Mr. & Mrs. Becker!

 And then Sassafras couldn't contain herself any longer and marched right up there and said, "Now I'm getting married!" Which made my heart stop temporarily.  In the blink of an eye she will be at the alter.  Where do the days go.

 Then "Hollywood" decided it was a good idea and went up as well to pretend she was getting married.

 Love this picture of us with Marisa!

 And I love this one of Marisa - a gorgeous bride!

 And of course "Hollywood"

 Then it was time to party!

 After the wedding, we went back to our hotel, got in some comfy clothes and hit the town.  Well as much as you can "hit the town" with  a 5 year old and a seven year old.

Las Vegas or Bust!

Did someone say VEGAS!  Yes!  Thanks Marisa for getting married in Vegas, which allowed us to pull the girls from school and go to Vegas Baby!

 First night in Vegas - Heading to . . . . . THE MICHAEL JACKSON SHOW!!!!

 And yes, that is Juliana asleep at the show.  But you see, sometimes Juliana likes shows and movies just fine, and sometimes she doesn't.  And when she doesn't, she will cry and yell until someone walks out with her and then she's fine.  So before the show I told her, "Look, we all really want to see this show.  I hope you do too, but if you don't want to see it you are not allowed to scream or cry.  It wouldn't be fair if one of us have to come out with you, so please don't do that"  And guess what, she didn't want to see the show, so she fell asleep for the entire show.  And the music was so loud they actually hand out ear plugs if you want them, and even with all that noise she slept through the whole thing.  And I said Thank You Jesus - because the show was AMAZING!  Wish she would have watched but happy no one had to miss it!  (Well except Linda, Efrain, Micki and Gabbi - so sorry - that is a whole other sad sad sad story.)

Days at the Ranch

Every spring and fall we have the pleasure of attending horseback riding at Spirit Horse Therapeutic Center in Corinth, TX.  It is actually therapeutic for all of us.  It gets us into the country for a few hours, they are teaching the girls how to care for the horses, Juliana rides for about 45 minutes (which is a great exercise to work on her core!) and then at the end they allow Olivia to ride as well.  It is a very special place and they provide all of this at no cost to the riders.  They rely completely on donations.  Click the link above for more information or to make a donation.

This is our friend Marisa and her instructor Crystal

 Olivia's turn

And this was our last ride of this season.  Thanks Crystal for another great season, and helping Juliana get stronger each day.  And of course - thanks Peter Pan for always toting Juliana around and always being so gentle.

 And we were so glad that Tante Monica and Uncle Alfons got to go out for our last ride.

 So we asked a mom to take our picture, and after about 2 shots with her finger over the lens, 5 blurry shots, this is the best we got.  Juliana looking up and . . .

 Does my face look a little annoyed?

2013 Fun Run

Good Times with Chloe Bear

Chloe has been such a wonderful addition to our family.  We already love her so much.

She sleeps on our laps

 She watches tv with us.

 She loves bedtime stories

 She just loves to cuddle

 She even takes naps with us.

We heart you Chloe!