what a week, what a year

may 9th, one year ago...


to celebrate this year, we headed to ...

originally, we had planned to take a trip to havasupai with some friends. unfortunately, the little indian tribe down there is scared to death of the swine flu. they closed the hike off and we weren't able to go. lucky for us, we had some great reservations at...


the stratosphere.

the one thing i was looking forward to most was great weather- and i was not disappointed. high 90s and not a cloud in the sky. i think i have been cold since september and my skin had pretty much turned transparent. viva las vegas...

our first night, we headed out on foot to see the sights of the strip. staying at the stratosphere means huffing it a few miles down the road to see things like:

the treasure island show. i had never seen the free street show before, but cade told me that he used to go here with his parents whenever they visited vegas. well- this show seems to have lost a little of its family-friendly flavor. the scantily clad sirens shook their booties as mothers everywhere scambled to cover their kids eyes. there was one seven year old girl who knew all the songs, dances and even the lines of the sirens as they persuaded the hunky pirates to come on board their boat. she's got a future in show biz.

next up was dinner at cheesecake factory. we love the vegas cheesecake factory and it was a great meal. cade got a burger that was at least 8 inches tall...




we continued our walk along the strip by heading to the bellagio to see all the tulips, fountains and butterflies. i love the bellagio because it has such pretty attractions that are classy and fun. too bad rooms there are one zillion dollars.





after all our walking, we decided to take the bus home to save our feet. the ticket lady told us that buses come once every 8 minutes. i can handle that! after chatting with a few germans, watching 4 fountain shows and seeing that tacky 'hot babes direct to you in minutes' truck pass us at least 8 times, the bus finally came. 8 minutes... or an hour... as long as i don't have to walk back, right?

the next day we took it easy by the pool.


i swear we didn't mean to- but we got a little crispy. when i look 75 years old at age 26, still love me.

that night we went to visit an old friend of mine who lives in las vegas. dawn and i haven't seen eachother in years and it was so fun to catch up. she has the cutest little girls and a beautiful new home.



we also decided to test our guts on the stratosphere rides. we did the claw one that dangles you off the edge of the tallest building west of the mississippi and spins you around. i won't lie, i was a little shaky.

the view from up top was fabulous.


our final day, cade gave me his gift. a book he made using all our previous blog posts. he did a great job and i love it. cade is such a thoughtful gift giver.


we then headed to the las vegas temple to celebrate how it all began. it had the most beautiful grounds and there were a bunch of weddings going on that made us all nostalgic.


it was a great weekend. this year has flown by and cade and i have had so many adventures so far. i love him.

we would like to congratulate shawnee and laina who had their babies this week and also say goodbye to brett and steph who are moving away to peru.



and finally we would like to tell our dear mothers we love them! it was great seeing them both yesterday and celebrating mother's day with them.

we love you leslie rae taylor and leslea rae bullough!