Fun Times!

We've been having the best of times with family and friends here in Colorado.  Despite being caught up in all the hullabaloo from the holidays, Baby V's dedication and my promotion, we've been able to get out and just have some fun.

My best friend, Chrissy, finally got to meet my family after seven years.  Up to this point, they'd come to know her only from what they'd hear about our experiences growing up in the Army together.  I was so glad that my family finally got to put a face to her name.  Because she was only here for four days and she was "stuck" sitting through all the parties/events we had going on, we didn't get to do much sightseeing.  But we did get to take her to the Garden of the Gods on her last day here.  We didn't take too many pictures because it was so cold out, but we got the signature "balancing rock" photo.

I wish we could crop that guy out of the photo.

That same evening, Malu, his brother Vaea, my sister Roz and I took her to The Melting Pot in downtown Colorado Springs.  Both she and Vaea had never eaten there before and we thought it'd be tons of fun.  It definitely was...and we ate sooooooo much.  I love, love, love fondue!  Chrissy said she enjoyed it and Vaea seemed to have fun with it too.

appetizers...cheese fondue and spinach/artichoke dip. yummy!

vaea trying out the appetizers.

malu getting ready for the main course.

my goodness, the meal was fantastic!

We spent the rest of the evening playing guys vs. girls Catch Phrase at home.  Chrissy left early this morning and made it home safely.

She's planning on visiting us in Germany in the fall.  Oh, I hope time flies by.  I miss her so much already.  Today, I spent the entire day with my sister and had a great time.  The fact that we have under a week left has definitely started to set in.  I miss my family so much already.  I don't know how I'm going to be able to leave :(



Memorial Day Weekend Wrap-Up

All I can say is....what a weekend!  It was a blast and judging by the all-day nap I took today, it wore me out.  But it was all worth it.  My BFFs of over 7 years--Chrissy and Melody--came to visit for a well-deserved girls' weekend and these are highlights from each day that they were here:

~Friday~

Lunch at La Terraza for authentic Mexican food since Mel requested it, having come all the way from Alexandria, VA. 

Pedicures and shopping at the mall.

Late night movie--Robin Hood.  Weren't too thrilled.  It was the longest movie ever!

Late night dinner at IHOP with Joy! (In the picture...Melody, Chrissy, Me and Joy)

~Saturday~

Southwest New Mexico Wine Festival just outside of Las Cruces, NM.  Chrissy and Melody drank; I ate!

My friends, Jennifer and Chrissy, throw me a surprise baby shower at Jennifer's house.  All my lady friends from work were there...it was so much fun! 

Another beautiful lady bug cake!

Thanks to Jennifer for hosting such a wonderful party.  Here I am with Jennifer and her sister, Vanessa.

What was also cool was that Jennifer asked everyone to bring me childrens' books with written dedications to my baby girl in them.  What an awesome idea!  Now Vaiosina's got a little library!

Of course, we ladies are all picture-taking fiends.  These girls are the best!

~Sunday~

The "maternity ward" as we're referred to at work.  Me with Laura and Leah at the baby shower.  Only I put this on Sunday because Leah went into labor early Sunday morning and her baby boy came into the world at around 6:30 p.m. that day.  So happy for Leah and her husband Jay!

As Leah was in labor, Chrissy, Melody and I helped ourselves to a scrumptious breakfast at the Crave Kitchen & Bar.  By far, my favorite breakfast joint in town (and Chrissy's fave too).

Unfortunately, later on that day, Melody's visit came to an end.  This was the final group picture. 

Chrissy and I went to see The Back Up Plan later that afternoon and finished the weekend off with dinner at Olive Garden.  Yum yum!

~Monday~

Chrissy leaves early this morning and I spend all morning into the early afternoon sleeping.  I was knocked out!  All the excitement wore me out.

Went to visit Leah at the hospital.  Didn't get to see the baby, but she is doing extremely well.

Honored our Nation's heroes--past and present--for Memorial Day and thought of my hubby in Iraq.  I love you sweetheart.

Now dreading going back to work.

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And that's all you guys!  Whew!  That was a lot.  Thanks to all of my friends who made this weekend extra special.  Hope you guys have a blessed and wonderful week!

Wordless Wednesday: I want.....

A glass of SWEET wine so bad!!!

I can't wait until this baby is out of my tummy!

These pictures were taken at the Mesina Hof Winery in Eastern Texas in Spring of 2008. I was visiting my best friend Chrissy at Fort Hood, Texas. This winery was a few hours away from her house...toward College Station. Her mom, Peggy, also visited at the time.

Saturday Wrap Up & Jack Johnson

What's more stupid than going to Ross in El Paso on pay day weekend? Uh...actually standing in the hella long line at the Ross in El Paso on pay day weekend. That was me. But honestly, every Ross in town is crowded in this city on any weekend. A lot of that happens because, honestly, Mexicans come from across the border to partake in the good specials. And why not? Ross has got 'em! But I had to buy these clothes today and the line was all the way to the back of the store. No joke. It took me about 35 minutes to get to the register. And the only reason I went is because I called my mom crying (yes, again--raging hormones!) this morning because none of my shirts fit me anymore. She said, "go to Ross and find some shirts. you'll feel so much better." And I did...and all it took was that 35 minute wait, and about $160 dollars worth of clothes (okay, so I got two pairs of shoes too). But in all honesty, I did get about 12 shirts. And I hardly ever buy a shirt that is more than $10.

I just got back from my friend Jennifer's house. She showed me how to make some enchiladas today and they were fabuloso! We also watched the movie "Brothers" and I can see why my mom tripped out when she saw it. That guy (Tobey McGuire) was crazy! And it's a good thing I watched it with them and not by myself. I get silly scared about movies like that when I go to bed.

During the movie, my best friend Chrissy drunk dialed (yes, Chrissy, drunk dialed) me twice from a wine festival she's at in...well, I don't know...but it's in Texas. But the first time she did the conversation was like this:

Chrissy: what's the name of that guy who sings the song that plays on your blog?

Me: What?!?! (there was loud music playing in the background)

Chrissy: wait, let me say it louder because it's so loud in here (and she asks me again...louder this time)

Me: Jack Johnson

Chrissy: OMG Jack Johnson! Michelle, he is here singing that song right in front of me!

Me: Are you serious?

Chrissy: Yes! I was singing the song and he noticed me singing and asked, do you know this song, and I'm like, yeah dude. My best friend has this song on her blog! (or at least that's what it sounded like she said; for all I know it was her friends that were asking her this question)

Michelle: No freaking way! Get me his autograph for Malu! He's so hot!

Chrissy: He's totally hot and he's tall too!

Yes he is, Chrissy. Yes he is. I love Jack Johnson. But only because my husband got me in to his music. Heck, he plays it all the time on his guitar and sings the songs to me too. But Chrissy said that she's going to get me his autograph and his new CD that is on sale there. To say I'm jealous is an understatement. I can't wait for Malu to call. He'd be excited to hear about this.

So while Chrissy is rubbing elbows with Jack, I'm just going to cuddle up on my couch and watch one more movie with my Lucy girl and hopefully sleep my allergies away. Anybody got some good ideas on how this preggo woman can fend these allergies off?

Getting to Know You Sunday & More

And what a great Sunday this has been . Heck, the whole weekend has been wonderful! Chrissy and I have been joking around about how she's been earning her keep since she arrived on Friday. Not only did she help me unpack the rest of the boxes I had left to go through...the nursery is ready for me to work on. And of course she got me about halfway through that by putting together the crib and diaper table and organizing all of the baby shower gifts. To say that I am thankful is an understatement. I honestly don't want her to go home. But my friend, Joy, showed up last night to help Chrissy unload a lot of the boxes--so she gets a lot of credit too. What did I do? Hmmm...I like to say that I directed the entire process. Yeah, I did, while most of the time, nibbling on a variety of yummy snacks--like the pan of rice crispies treats I made last night.

Before I roll into this Sunday's questions...I'd like to share some photos of how the house has progressed to today. Because I couldn't unpack all of the house by myself (most of the boxes were too heavy for me to move), I had to wait on people to come to visit from out-of-state to help me out. Like my parents....and now Chrissy, with help from Joy. Here is what the baby's room looked like before:

complete chaos

Chrissy and Joy unloading the crib from the car

Now the room is clean enough to fit the new crib!

I am so happy! And that's not all that's been great about this Sunday! Remember my IHOP story from last weekend? Well, my friends Melissa and Maddie called last night to invite Chrissy, Joy and I to breakfast at IHOP for this morning. Of course, I quickly agreed. At the time, we had 12 people going, and she said, "see? now you have 1 + 11 people to go with you!" I love her. We had 10 people...and it was fabulous. Sooooooo thankful for great friends!

Finally....on to the questions:

1. Mens chests..hairy or hairless? I like a little hair and Malu has just that.

2. How often do you run red lights? Not too often, to be honest. If I do, it's only because I hesitated to stop at a yellow light only too make a last minute decision to keep going.

3. If you could raid any celebrity's closet..whose would you raid? I'm watching a movie with Hillary Duff in it right now and I love everything she's wearing. Would love to raid hers. I also wouldn't mind raiding Jennifer Aniston's closet either.

4. Would you rather have more followers/friends on Facebook, Twitter, or your Blog? I would love to have as many followers/friends on my blog as I have on Facebook. I've promised to do a giveaway when I hit 75!

5. What makes you feel sexy? When my hubby tells me that I am that, or beautiful, which he does often. I do feel sexy after a good day at the spa!

6. I get excited when...........? My hubby calls; when I get home to my Lucy girl; I leave work, especially after a long day; these days, when my baby kicks me and I can see my tummy move; I think about my move to Germany (I also get nervous about it); when I shop at World Market or Target. There are tons more, but this is what comes to mind at the moment.

7. Are you the "outdoorsy" type or more "indoorsy"? I am a little bit of both. While I spend a majority of my time indoors, I love getting outside and getting my hands dirty during a fun camping trip or going fishing, especially when it's with Malu. Gosh, can you guys tell I'm missing Malu a lot right now?

8. Would you rather have your dream home or a million dollars? I'll take the cash any day! I could find my dream home for a lot less than a million dollars and do something great with the rest of the money after buying it.

Well, happy Sunday everyone! Thanks for sticking with me through this long post and have a fantastic week!

Sweet Treats from a Sweet Friend

I usually hate Mondays, but I couldn't help but be in a good mood today, despite how exhausted I was the entire time (thanks little baby!). And why? Because I have such great friends at work. I really do. One particular friend, Joy, whose name truly defines who/what she is--knowing how strong my love of lady bugs has become as of late--brought me back these ADORABLE chocolates after spending this past weekend in Oregon.

OMG...are they not the most darling little chocolate truffles you've ever seen? And they are just as delicious (if not more so) as they are cute. As you can see, they come in a box of six and I fought the urges--all day--to devour them all. But I was a very good girl and I have enough to last the entire week. God, please give me the strength. Thanks so much, Joy! You're the best.

Speaking of Joy and good friends--she and I share a common friend, my best friend Chrissy! And it just so happens that Chrissy will be visiting us this weekend. She'll be staying with me and helping me get this nursery started--or at least just cleaned out so that I can get it started. I love having visitors, so I can't wait!

Aside from getting these chocolates and working all day (well, sitting in boring briefings all day long), it was a typical Monday, but not a manic one. It was, to be honest, rather uneventful, but still long enough to tire me out! I definitely don't foresee it getting better in the coming weeks!Before heading in to work, I was able to mail out my April package to Malu. His packages have been getting to him in a week's time, on average; which means he'll be getting the cool DVD that a friend made of our baby shower. It's not the same slide show that I posted, but it has all the same pictures and music. Since email is hit or miss with this guy, I know he'll finally enjoy seeing pictures of me and the family. I can't wait until he gets it. Of course the mentioning of my hubby makes me want to post another flashback photo of the guy. Hey, you have your husband deploy back-to-back and I'm positive you'd do the same thing!

Finally, on a total random note, it hailed this afternoon and I'm so glad I thought to put the Jeep Commander in the garage last night. I have the windows open right now and it smells like it's going to rain. Gotta love El Paso weather! Well guys, good night! I'm hittin' the sack!