Vegas Baby!!!

This past weekend, my company flew us all out to Vegas for a party to celebrate some goals we reached.  I had a great time with my friends/co-workers!  Since I had my birthday on Friday, it was a nice birthday present as well.

Me, Freida, and Dionne with our Charlie's Angels pose.  Freida didn't quite get the pose right....  We laughed and laughed at this photo!

So the Paris hotel is like a dream come true for me (obviously) and on our way to the party, I saw this.  Couldn't resist....

Tammy and me at the BHAG party. 

Jessica getting down.  This girl has some moves!

The beautiful Eiffel Tower view from the Paris Pool.

Ann and I at the Paris Chateau nightclub

So Cal Trip

Last weekend Aaron had a conference in San Diego and so we decided to make a weekend out of it.  We went to San Diego and visited Aaron's Uncle Mark and Aunt Liz.  Then we went to Disneyland.  We had sooooo much fun!!

On the San Diego Harbor

Aaron's cousin Allie's daughter, Elle went to the Giants/Padres game with us. Such a cutie!

Petco Park!!

There were more Giants fans than Padres fans there.  Crazy!

We LOVED Elle.  Such a cutie!

We went to the Mormon Battalion museum.  It was very informative.  This is Aaron in a covered wagon.

Uncle Mark took us flying.  Here is our updated "millionaire photo."

Aaron looking all "official".

Uncle Mark took us jetskiing.

I LOVED driving!!!

Cars Land at Disneyland

Radiator Springs

Walker Kids Retreat 2012

Every year we get together with Aaron's siblings for a kids retreat where we do something fun and get to enjoy each other's company.  This year, Aaron's sister Emilee hosted.  We had a great time going to the Empire mines, going swimming at their favorite swimming hole and playing games at night.  Phil won the annual Mario Kart tournament and a trophy is being made for future tournaments.

Jared is Aaron's bud!  He loves Uncle Aaron.

Down in the Empire Mine Shaft

This is what the workers got in to go down the mineshaft but it looks like we're about to ride Splash Mountain at Disneyland!  Aaron, Dave, Nikita, Mel, Emilee, Me, Becca, Zachary, Jared, Kaylin, and Phil.

The owners of the mine (the Bournes) had this cottage built to look like English cottages in Cambridge.

The grounds were beautiful but very close in proximity to the mines.  They said the owner didn't mind the sound of the booming but was only concerned when it stopped.

This is one of the two gorgeous fountains on the property.

Walking on the beautiful grounds

Jared playing in the "gatorade water" as the kids called it because it was dyed blue.

Shane, Emilee, Mel, Nikita, and Dave

We were given calling cards to hand to the butler before entering the cottage.  It was cute.  The employees were all in character.  Except Mel and I got the same person!  Lame!

The servant's dining room inside the cottage.  This was one of the Bourne's more casual residences.  They had more lavish homes in the San Francisco and Napa areas.



Camping at Lake Siskiyou

This past weekend, Aaron and I went camping up at Lake Siskiyou (Shasta area) with our friends Jared and Caroline.   This campground is a place that Aaron's family used to vacation every year, so it's filled with lots of memories for Aaron.  This was my 3rd or 4th time going so I now have my own memories here.  Now we're carrying on the tradition of going (with friends and one day a family of our own). We had such a great time and it was fun to relax a little bit and just "get away".  We were "roughing it" so I only have a few pictures from my iphone.  But here are the highlights.

Nasty campers!  Love it!

Yes, we slept in a tent.  It's been a long time, but we brought a really nice air mattress and we both slept really well.  So I guess we weren't technically "roughing it" that much.

Aaron's Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter pose.  He did a great job chopping wood!

Beautiful Mt. Shasta.  This is our view from the lake.  So nice!





I love this sign when you first get in.  It says, "Smile.  You're here.  Lake Siskiyou".

We had fun teasing Aaron about his dorky headlamp.  He swears by it and it was actually pretty efficient.  His light was "hands-free" and he made excellent smores so I can't complain.  :)

Anti-Baby Shower for Sheila

A couple of my co-workers and I threw a BBQ/Swim Party for my good friend and co-worker, Sheila.  She had already had a formal baby shower with her friends and family, plus, we didn't want men to be intimidated to come, so we made it more of a casual affair.  A "celebration of life" if you will, but not in the funeral sense.  I hosted and we had a calorie fest and a good time!!

Sheila is all baby!!

Sheila and Tammy

Melissa, Sheila, and Carin

Sheila and Vlad

Delicious Mint chip cake from Baskin Robbins!!  Chocolatey goodness!

Me and Sheilee!!  I'm rockin' my post-pool bun.  Jealous?

Half Dome

On Friday, we hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with some of our friends.  It was an experience!  Hiking for 10 1/2 hours for 16 miles is strenuous and hard on the feet!!  I had so many blisters but I'm glad I accomplished this feat.  It was quite a challenge!  Cross this off the bucket list!

Aaron and I before the hike started.....with smiles still on our faces....  Just kidding.  :)

Our friends that we went with:  Anthony, Shirae, Kristin, and Doug

The beatiful waterfall at the top of the Mist Trail stairs of death...

What hike would be complete without Captain Morgan?

The trekking poles REALLY helped!!

The cables.  It's not as intimidating as it looks.

Victory!!  I can't believe I did it!

At the very top of Half Dome.  Aaron and I were the only ones that went all the way to the top.