Can we turn around?

Preparing for vacation is stressful, but everything seemed to be going as planned. I was able to work and get all my calls in, wrapped up last minute packing, got the dogs taken care of, and then stopped by Gabe's office to swoop him up on the way to the airport.

In the past, we have tried multiple parking spots, but we found that it is worth it to pay a little more for the employees to speak English as well it's a definite plus to not be concerned that our vehicle will be broken into. The area by Seattle's airport is not the safest part of town. This time, I decided to try a new parking spot that is about $5 cheaper a day than the place we normally park at, and it is only a 5 minute van ride to the airport. I thought we would at least give it a shot and drive by first to determine the sketchyness. At least we had a backup reservation elsewhere if this place didn't make the cut.

The place looked nice from the street, so we thought we would give it a shot! I walked up to the counter and told the guy it was my first time parking here and asked if he would honor the web-coupon. He said, "You don't need the coupon because we have a special for a dollar less than that quoted price.". FANTASTIC!! That's my kind of deal. The people were super friendly, accommodating, and happily drove us to the airport immediately.

Well, in the van Gabe and I were going through a mental checklist to make sure we remembered tickets, ID's, sunglasses, cash, etc (which I love because my Dad does the same thing!!) .... And then it hit me. I left a very important item at home .... My dang CHI straightener.

Bummer, we don't have time to go back home. Would it be irrational to change hotel reservations to be in the same hotel so I can share my sister in law's straightener??? Heck, I would be willing to even share a room with her and my brother if it meant I could use her straightener. Hubby was NOT a fan of that and actually said, "we are not sharing a room so you can have a straightener!!". At least he puts life in perspective for me.

My dear friend Katie recommended I go to the fashion mall and have a girl at the kiosk do it for me! LOL!!! Although, that would make for a good story.

Fine. I will let it go, but my hair is going to look rough in all my pictures. Sad day. I am almost over it and now ready to enjoy a little VACA!! Hope everyone has a wonderful week ;)

What is one thing you can't live without on vacation???

Vegas Shmegas

Headed to Vegas for a fun vacation with my family. I am meeting my brother and his wife, as well as my parents, and we are looking foward to a couple days of 100 degree weather of fun in the sun :)

I will miss my babies and will return soon .... not well rested I assume!

Secret Shopping Sunday: Mouth watering already

Secret Shopping Sunday

This past week has been pretty slow on the secret shopping forefront. Although, I am most excited and have been looking forward to my job tonight at Capital Grille! You can catch up on our last experience here, and I am just hoping it is as perfect as it was when we celebrated my husband's birthday. They are running a promotion called the Master Wine Tasting Event, and there are specific requirements that we will happily abide by. It reimburses for an appetizer, steak entree, any other entree (cannot be same entree as the first one), side item, dessert, AND wine tasting for two! We will definitely be ordering the lobster macaroni and cheese as our side ... good thing I stuck to Crossfit all week to prepare for this meal ;)

What more could a girl ask for as a perfect evening to end our weekend?!?! If only it was on a Friday or Saturday evening, but hey, I won't complain!

Making my rounds

Photo found here

Who would have thought that someone in the UK and INDIA would read my blog!!!

SiteMeter tells about the site audience ....

where they are located, what sites they came from, what sites they clicked to.

I could play on here for hours!

Show Us Your Life

Kelly's Korner most recently added "Show Us Your Life - Reception and Honeymoon."

Gabe and I didn't have the traditional wedding/reception, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

We got engaged April 06' and didn't want a long and drawn out engagement, so the plan was to get married less than six months later. When you know, you know, right?!?! :) I had just graduated college and happened to be looking at jobs in the pharmaceutical industry when this one opportunity in Seattle fell perfectly in the palm of my hands. We both come from a very conservative family and wanted things to be "official" before moving in together on the other side of the country, so we had a quick change of plans. Our traditional wedding turned into a twelve person wedding at a local Dallas conservatory that was just perfect. Gabe's dad is a preacher, and it was truly memorable to have Mark marry us. When it comes down to it, the fluff isn't what matters, but most importantly that we were becoming one and dedicated our lives to each other.

Here is a picture from our wedding day!

We then went on our honeymoon, moved two weeks later, and I was out of town pretty much the entire first two months training for work. The most challenging things one will experience in a lifetime we got to experience quickly: getting married, moving accross the country, getting acquainted to now having a roomate, new jobs, ..... If we made it through the first year, then we can for sure make it through anything!

Here are pictures from our wedding reception with family and friends.

My Sweet Momma planned pretty much everything with me 2,500 miles away!!!

My parents and older brother

Gabe's family

My parents sent us on a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands for our honeymoon,

and I loved waking up on a different Hawaiian Island each morning.

We went to Oahu, Maui, Hilo, Kona, and Kanai.

Hanging out on the boat

Black Sand Beaches in Hilo

Lookout from the Kilanea Lighthouse in Kanai

We saw a desolate beach from the lookout ... and asked a tour guide how to get there.

He gave us directions to the "secret" beach where we hung out the rest of the day.

One of my most fond memories was the Mt. Haleakala Crater bike tour in Maui.

We took a van to 10,000 ft. elevation, watched hands down the best sunrise of my life above the clouds, and then rode our bikes 28 miles to the bottom!

Playing on our bike :)

Eating at Cheeseburger in Paradise in Waikiki

Love you hubby!!!

Wine-Down plus Shopping in your Closet

My best friend Abby has a weekly Wine Down Wednesday post that is a great addition to her family blog. She has lots of updates of her life in suburbia with her precious 6 month old and husband that I am sure would love!

After reading her most recent post, I found these cute wine markers on Etsy that I would love to have. How creative to make these out of scrabble blocks and they're only $15 ... if only I was artistic.

Photos found here

Another blog favorite is Meredith's, which you can visit here. She also has a cute cute little boy that is always up to something! She just started a "Shopping in Your Closet" theme where everyone can participate with McLinky. How fun is that ... I haven't posted my little black dress yet, but will try to asap.

What are your favorite blogs right now?

I love finding new ones to add to Google Reader, which is an absolute life savor by the way.

If you aren't using it and you read a large handful of blogs, start today!!

Wedding Dance vs. Divorce Dance

I am sure ya'll have all seen this YouTube video ....

(I think my parents would kill me if I surprised them with this entrance!)

And this one is even better ....