Thanksgiving 2009. Wow, I can't believe it's already over, and Christmas is just around the corner. Sam and Heidi had the family over for Thanksgiving, which was very nice. They are great hosts, even with a house full of people and kids running around being wild and crazy. I helped a little bit in the kitchen, but end up spending more time with my nieces and nephews and playing with them. I'm very grateful for my funny family, and the time we spent together.
Sam and Matt (wearing their 3-D glasses), playing a game on the Wii. The girls setting table number two for Thanksgiving dinner. Carter sneaking olives before dinner. Carter loved the olives, especially eating them off his fingers! Keeping Andrew and Carter confined and busy while Thanksgiving was being prepared. Andrew and Carter looking out the window for the dogs, Max and Copper. My dad had fun taking pictures of everyone. Making the final preparations... Sam has told me they have lots of close-up pictures of the side of my face or hand, but I seem to have lots of pictures of Sam pulling faces while I take pictures. My cute nephews. Andrew eating ice cream, and Carter eating pumpkin pie.
On Friday, November 13th (Cassie's Birthday) we went to the Gingerbread Festival at Thanksgiving Point. Some of the gingerbread creations were amazing! Even though Andrew was some what interested in the gingerbread houses, he was very fascinated by the train table that was set up there. I think he could have stayed all day and just watched the trains.
Halloween afternoon we went to Sam and Heidi's to carve pumpkins. It was fun to see the kids so excited, they could hardly sit still (especially when we tried to take their picture). Although, I can't say I blame them, I remember as a kid being so excited for Halloween. When Sam and I were younger, we would draw a map of our neighborhood before Halloween, so we could map out the fastest route to get the most candy.
Heidi was a wonderful host. She made Carrot Chowder (always a favorite), rolls, caramel popcorn, cupcakes, and a bunch of other snacks. Thank you Heidi so much for all your hard work!
Carter (aka Carter boy) and his pumpkin. Helping Carter gut the inside of the pumpkin. Carter and Andrew, my two cute nephews! Karlee, getting ready to go trick-or-treat! Kortney, also very excited. We tried to get a picture with them both looking at the camera. I'm just glad we got one where they were both standing. They we so hyper and just running all over the yard. Andrew loved chasing Carter and trying to "catch" his tail. The two little fairies... Katie and Kortney. Trying to get the kids to stand still to take their picture. Abby and Andrew. Abby and Carter. Carter kept giving Abby hugs which was really cute. Little Abby. All my nieces and nephews. Dan, Andrew, Cassie and Abby. Cute family picture. I also have to laugh at Sam and his funny face in the background! All the pumpkins we carved. Happy Halloween!
Friday morning there was a Halloween Parade at Karlee and Katie's elementary school. I went and picked up Cassie, Andrew and Abby, and then we met Sam and Heidi and the rest of the family there at the school. It was fun to see all the kids costumes, some where very creative.
Kortney, she was dressed as a fairy. (Also in picture are Sam and Andrew, the firefighter) Abby, the little U of U cheerleader. (Also in picture are Cassie and Heidi.) Katie, dressed as a fairy , she is so photogenic! Karlee, in her poodle skirt. Wow she's growing up fast!
I had an opportunity through work, to go to Las Vegas and attend the Inga Ellzey Dermatology Coding Conference. For those of you that don't know, I work in a dermatology office, and have been coding of some of the charts. Inga Ellzey Practice Group, Inc. is recognized as the foremost consulting company in the nation to teach dermatologists and their staff the intricacies of coding, documentation, and reimbursement strategies. The conference was held at the Rio Hotel.
A view looking down the hallway to our suite. (All the rooms in the Rio are suites.) The view reminded of two things 1) the hallway on the cruise ship, only wider 2) the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland, we just needed the floating candelabra.
The Rio Hotel.
The view from the Rio parking structure, looking towards the Las Vegas strip.
On Friday night after the conference, there was a cocktail party on the top floor of the Rio Hotel in the Voodoo Lounge. (51 floors up in the sky!) I think Marilyn and I were the only ones not walking around and drinking something, at least that we saw. Maybe the other non-drinkers showed up later, or not at all. We went up to see the view and then left.
Looking down from the Voodoo Lounge at the swimming pool area for the Rio Hotel.
View from the Voodoo Lounge, looking towards the Las Vegas strip.
Looking down towards the portion of the Rio Hotel where our room was.
Marilyn and I work together, and both of us attended the conference. We were tired after a long day and week.
After the "cocktail party", Marilyn and I went to the MGM Grand to see the show KÀ. However, before the show we had some time to see the Lion Habitat. While we were there, some of the trainers were in with the lions, which made it a little more exciting, since the lions were moving around, and not just laying there, like I've seen in the past.
Friday night we had the opportunity to see KÀ - Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand. I felt like my mouth was hanging open the whole time. It was unlike anything I had every seen before, and was absolutely amazing! Check out the website:
Looking up at the top of the Rio Hotel and the Voodoo Lounge. During one of the breaks on Saturday, Marilyn and I walked around and saw the pool area. It was nice to get outside and away from the smell of cigarette smoke. This picture is for you Tiff, since we know it's where you'd want to be. After the conference was over on Saturday night, Marilyn and I took the shuttle to the strip. The shuttle dropped us off at the Paris Hotel and then we walked over to the Bellagio Hotel to see the sites and have dinner. The gardens or Conservatory as they are called in the Bellagio Hotel. The gardens in the Bellagio are amazing. One of the empolyees at the restaurant told us they change them five times a year. This Grand Patio at the Bellagio. It was gorgeous! Too bad the picture isn't better at showing how beautiful it is. The Bellagio's Jean-Philippe Patisserie, which has a 27 foot high chocolate fountain - WOW! (I downloaded the following images of the Patisserie and the chocolate fountain from Google images. I was having so much fun looking around that I didn't take any pictures, I also wasn't sure they would work with all the glass and reflection.) This garden scene behind the front desk of the Bellagio. The Paris Hotel. The fountains in at the Bellagio, wow! It is a popular attraction. Every picture I took someone seemed to stand in front of me, so ignore the backs of those peoples heads. Marilyn not quite so tired. Our suite in the Rio Hotel, it was very big!
Oldest to youngest: Karlee, Katie, Kortney (red head) and Carter
My niece and nephew (Dan and Cassie's kids)
Abby and Andrew
Certified Dermatology Coder
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