Girls (and boys) just wanna have fun

Last weekend I joined in Anne's birthday celebration at a few of the metro area's downtown hotspots. Most of the people in Anne's group had been to Chiang mai Thai on Hennepin Ave, but what a jewel that I got to discover! The green veggie curry was excellent and gluten-free. Plus, I've never met a spring roll I didn't like. There were tables waiting for the guest of honor here, where we watched some dancers in their very bright and revealing costumes, gave some tips (Lady Gaga was amazing), leaving me to wonder where it all goes in those outfits? The Shout House was quite popular, considering basically every song is a crowd favorite. There were some heavy metal covers that even sounded great on the piano.

Some sweet

Made some delicious sweet potato pancakes this morning, topped with real maple syrup and toasted walnuts. Bon appetit.

Vegas vaycay

Outside the water show at Bellagio

Livin' it up at the Ghostbar. Went to bed at 6am MN time. I was quite proud of us. Must have been those $12 cocktails...

Us at Caesar's Palace. The dealers were wearing fake gold chains.

Outside our hotel. Had breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi with Jenna and the mushroom and brie egg white omelet was perfection!

The conservatory in the Bellagio--celebration of the Chinese New Year.



We're already talking about the next trip. I'm thinking white sand...

Ringing in the new year

The past year has definitely been one of change and transition. Between us losing some very close friends and family to Corey's new job, we've had some time to reflect and realize how lucky we are. The multiple holiday gatherings really hit that message home, too. New Year's Eve was spent in good company; during the day we went bowling with the Wallaces and CB; I had my usual performance of several strikes followed by several gutter balls. Maybe I should do some research on double-jointedness and bowling. That night we had dinner a new, very hip restaurant in town that I've been meaning to try since its October opening. The restaurant and adjoining theater is supported by a local foundation that supports and develops arts and culture. Corey had a bison burger and I had the tofu curry rice bowl--so yummy. Later we met up with Justin, Niki, Kenny and Rikki and had drinks at the Blackwater. I had this delicious minty martini that was served with a candy cane. That day was a step up from our recent ritual of a 12:15 am bedtime on New Year's.

Blessings on christmas

Apparently everyone and their mother (truly) takes pictures at our family functions, so I really don't have any pictures to show for from our Christmases with the fams, beginning on the 21st and ending the following weekend. This included several dinners, some games, and a spectacular light show. I should have taken pictures of our deck and how much progress one makes after 3 hours of shoveling, but pretty much anyone in the Midwest had the same visual image outside their door Christmas Day. Thankfully, it was a safe trip back to our house that afternoon, where we spent the evening in dry clothes, with the fire on, opening a few small, sentimental gifts and playing board games. To being grateful for the abundance the holidays remind us of...

Happy birthday, coach

Last night Colleen had a birthday party for Coach. She wanted to host an event where friends and family would come together to share memories with Maddux and Josie. She had a journal that people could write down their stories, and then someone was videotaping as people around the room would recollect a touching or a funny story. There were lots of kids there and the most important impression I got in the room last night was how important his family was to him. Happy birthday, coach; you're missed very much.

Working for the weekends

...which could almost apply to any time of the year, however, it seems like lately we've been jamming in lots of good busyiness on the weekends. This Friday I took my mom to our annual Christmas concert since I decided not to splurge on the Nuctracker tickets. Saturday our friends Nick & Anne were up to go skiing and we tried Sala Thai, which I'd never been to. It was excellent--esp. this dish we tried that had squash and potatoes in the curry sauce (I can't remember the name). We did a little Christmas shopping with my in-laws yesterday as they very generously brought us a fresh tree they had cut down that morning; the house smells amazing. I spent the rest of the day pulling out Christmas decorations and listening to Christmas music while doing it, which is a tradition from my family. I'm really looking forward to all that's coming up--lots of separate family Christmases, due to peoples' traveling schedules, a few holiday parties, more cookie baking (I made these gems last week with my cookie ladies), and hopefully light tours.