A way out West!!!!

Here we go again!!!! Another trip for Grandma & Emily. We took a long weekend and headed out west to Albuquerque to see Jackie and family. The trip started out a little rocky at the airport, but we finally made it out there, actually had a decent flight...if you take stinky man, tourettes girl and the babies out of it!!!

Here we are on the bus on the way into Ohare.

Here's the kids...together again.

First day we headed to a mall, Jackie and I got pedicures while we sent the kids off to shop around. Then we spoted Santa...too early, but thought it a good photo op.
Ok, so I'm a little tickleish.

Jake & Hunter with Santa. Santa and the girls, Anna & Emily.

Later that day, we head to the tram. That was very cool.

They had a really cute restuarant there, so we stayed for dinner.

Me tasting Jackie's margarita. It was ok.

Next day was "Old Town", we couldnt pass up this photo op for sure.

Jackie by her chili peppers

A beautiful old Catholic Church...Emily went to Church!

Can you see the hidden mickey?

Emily and Anna love hats.

Any kind of hats!!!The locals selling their jewelry. Cool stuff.

Had a nice lunch w/a great desert...Flan....yummy

Just a quiet moment for Emily. I like this shot.

That night we took the kids...including Hunter's little friends to IT'Z, a glorified Chucky Cheezes. They had fun and us adults went to the Elephant Bar for dinner. Yum Yum...Mongolian Beef...very good.

So this is the end of the trip and our final pictures. Sad to go, but we had a great time and are looking forward to going back next May for Anna's graduation.....in the motor home!!!!

Tower of Terror 13K

Inaugural Twilight Zone

Tower of Terror 13K

OK, Who's idea was this!?!?!?! Amber....... Well this is what happens when you procrastinate and miss the chance to get into the short race, someone talks you into the big one. What was I thinking?!?! Although I knew it would be a challenge, it was one that got me wondering if I could do it or not. Actually, I just wanted to finish and live to tell about it! As you know, I only do it for the BLING!

Just me and two of my friends, Amber & Jonathan, oh yeah and 4,000 other people!

These were the mile markers along the way...wish i'd stopped for 8, but i just wanted to finish and not waste time.

This was on the sign oustide of the Wide World of Sports.

run, run, run, run......

Thank you Jesus, it's over, and I made it! You're right, I look tired....I was!

A nice guy took this pic for me after the race, he got down on his knees to get the Hotel sign in the shot....we had to help him back up...he ran too.

Last but not least......Da BLING!

Fast Forward 37 years!!! Yikes....

Happy Birthday Kerri

If Kerri thinks time has gone by fast with her kids, she should be in my shoes!!!! We all went out to dinner last night to celebrate Kerri's 37th birthday. I dont know where the years have gone, but I must say she DOES NOT look 37!!! And just cause I'm her mommy, doesnt mean it isnt true....cause I look 37! hahaha!!! Ok, seriously folks.... Here are a few shots from last night. We went to a local Japanese restaurant, JMK Nippon.

Here is our offical time of birth shot.....5:33 pm

Our Chef, the food was great.

Sushi....no, i didnt eat it.

Kerri's happy birthday song in japanese, Mitch liked it!

The Birthday....fruit? A perfect diet dessert!!! One last shot of mom & daughter in front of the falls.

Tattoomania....can you take it?!?!?!?!

Well I didnt realize what a tattoo adventure this trip was going to be!!! They were everywhere! The trip started out with a visit to Kat Von D's new shop, High Voltage. I must admit, i was a little disapointed when we first walked in and didnt see anyone from Kat's show, LA Ink.....then Kim walked in. So we took a few pics and went along our way. Still exciting.

Me & Kim

After Kat's shop, we headed to Dana Point to Leeayn's tattoo shop, Raygun. Her guy, Ryan I think, took at look at my old tat that was looking a little shabby and proceeded to draw me a new one. He had done great work on Leeayn, so I was comfortable with his work. I was a bit nervous, but after the outlining was done, it went really well. Here's a few shots from the day.

You can see the old tattoo under his outline work.

Hard at work.


Lookin a little ugly!


Wholly cow, he did a great job!!


I just love my ladybug.

After we got back to the hotel, our valet, who was a retired Marine (didnt look like a Marine) asked us what we had been up to and we told him about our tat adventures...he proceeded to tell us about his!!! Of course he had to take us into the back room so he could take his shirt off! He was fun and a cutie. He had some symbols on his right arm, which he called the "good arm", they meant Mother, Father, Brother & sister. Then his other arm was the evil arm and then his Grimreaper on his back.

E-VIL arm

The severed head represents his sisters old abusive boyfriend, which he went and "took care of things", as he said after the boyfriend hit her one night.

Here is the tat on my BFF Hillary's back....aka "Squishie" .
Her and her sister designed this tattoo. Note the center is a lady bug, which you will see more of on us gals with Tats.

This is Lizzie from my beauty shop....i just think it's a cool Tat.

Since I've totally gone off in space here.....here is a real Tat of Hollyann's that she got while visiting us last fall, and Kerri's...uhm, not so real tat!! She is such a Bears fan tho, if she got a real one, it would be a Chicago Bears one I'm sure of it!!! The next three are holly's too, the last being my fav.

This is my high school friend, Kirby's tattoo, it's in honor of his son.
More to come......