Viva Las Vegas..

So.. this week Jason and I embarked on what we like to refer to as "THE DRIVE". The 8 hour car trip between lush San Jose, and the deserts of Las Vegas. We have made this drive MANY times..Jason lived in Vegas our whole engagement, we lived there for a year and a half, and my dad and little brother Cody live there now. This used to be a time where Jason and I would spend hours and hours telling stories and passing the time with conversation..but since we have 2 kids we like to do the whole drive overnight, so they are sleeping the whole time. Let me reiterate.."WE" are sleeping the whole night:) I really try so hard to stay awake for Jason, but I get so sleepy in the car even in broad day light, the shortest drive can knock me out. So, Jason, Bless his heart, made this trip to Vegas and back only with the company of his sunflower seeds. We went to Las Vegas for WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). A yearly convention where photographers all around the world head to the bright lights of Las Vegas to listen to other great photographers teach,and speak, and to see an ENORMOUS trade show of the latest photography products, albums,gear, photo labs..etc.. It's incredible.. We went to the trade show only this year..we were going to have limited babysitting time, and we were really anxious to compare the companies were currently use, to all the others that are out there.. This also was a week to visit my dad and Cody:) My dad tries to fly out to San Jose to visit us once a month, or every other month, but we hadn't gone out to visit him in almost 2 years..so we were very excited to stay with him at his house, that used to be "our house" when we lived in Vegas..the house we lived in when Ky Ky was born:) My dad took us to a great little shopping district called "Town Square" which in San Jose, would translate to a "Santana Row"..Where we had incredible lunch and watched the kids play on the most AMAZING little park in the middle of the shopping area..I hadn't posted any recent pics of the kids lately, so here is a few of whom we like to refer to as "brother and sister"..no one really has names anymore..just like the Bernstein Bears:)

My name is Ashley and I'm a Craftaholic.

Yes. I am. They say diamonds are a girls best friend. I say a hot glue gun is. When was the last time diamonds fixed your purse on your way out the door? Or glued the bow back on your Steve Madden ballet flats when your dog chewed it off? OR..when you had to comfort your daughter as you hot glue her dolls leg back into it's socket?? I know. It makes you re-evaluate the term BFF right? No, but in all seriousness. There are permanent places in ones kitchen for everyday appliances. The toaster. The microwave. The coffee maker. Blender. In the Maxwell house, there is a small blue and white object that permanently rests next to the microwave on a paper towel. Meet Glue gun. Best friend I've ever had. For some, the prospect of taking on 50 homemade birthday cards, 20 baby shower invites, or in this case, Valentines...would simply stress you out beyond belief. But ever since I bought my first hot glue gun in the sixth grade with my allowance, I learned to save the stress for the bigger things in life..like Algebra tests, BOYS...now babies:)There is something purely magical to me about a crafts store. I have to make sure I go alone, otherwise I am too self conscious about the time for whoever is waiting for me, or I feel bad for getting side tracked. The ladies at Beverly's always look at me funny sometimes because I never take a basket in with me, because I always think I am only getting a few things. But sure enough, with every new aisle, a new project comes to mind. Next thing you know, I am balancing a stack of paper, feathers, and yard of fabric...and people are tapping me on the shoulder handing me the miscellaneous nick knacks I am dropping in a trail. I just can't shut my mind down in crafts stores. Too many possibilities. Sometimes I get so excited and have to stop a minute to breathe. I actually find myself checking my heart rate in line at the cutting table. Its like spinning class minus the sweat. I love crafts. This week Hillary and I co-led our MEG group..(which is our Mothers Encouragement Group)..since it was the weekend before Valentines day..it was all about loving our Husbands:) AWWWW....She had contacted all of our husbands throughout the week, and had them hand make valentines for their ladies (no store bought cards!!) So after our little lesson about how to better love and appreciate our husbands we gave each of the girls the Valentines from the boys. It was so fun, because you could see each guys personality come through in their cards.. Kari's husband is an engineer, so he manufactured this 1/2 inch solid metal heart, with the writing engraved onto it..while others cut and pasted what they could find out of their wives scrap booking drawers. Jason of course..Mr. "Over the top creative" took it a step further, and hand made me a journal with the love note inside..Hello, I married a Martha:) It was beautiful..I felt so cherished. Anyways..since our "MEG" group always runs late because we feast on yummy breakfast, tell funny stories about our kids, and then delve into deep discussions about our lessons..I knew it was TOTALLY unrealistic to have time to sit there and MAKE each of our husbands valentines...So, I decided to make them the night before and just let the girls personalize them with their words..Not to say they can't make their own Valentines at home, but they all have way more kids then I do..and I'm pretty sure only 1 of them owns a hot glue gun:)o.k..and I just CAN'T say No to a craft. I can't. I can't. I can't. :)