Happy Late Birthday to Me

My mom bought me this fun bracelet when we were at the NFR in Vegas and it just arrived yesterday (as the charm had to be soldered on). I love presents in the mail!

Hopefully it will bring me luck in 2012!!

Plaza Lights

As a little girl my mom and I used to go stay on the Plaza in Kansas City for my birthday weekend to see the pretty lights and shop. This year we had the chance to stay there on Christmas Eve Eve and enjoy the gorgeous lights.

And take in a Chiefs game on Christmas Eve.

It was a great way to start the holiday festivities!

Sunrise

Every now and then it feels good to take a moment and enjoy nature’s beauty. Easy to get so carried away with life that you don’t notice the small yet pretty things!

Merry Christmas!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday with their friends and family. I am enjoying every minute of mine. I always feel so blessed and lucky this time of year.

A Holiday Welcome

Every year I love decorating the outside of my home for the holidays. Sadly I am sans lights as no outdoor electrical outlet.


This year I felt like I had won the lottery as stumbled upon a grocery cart full of cut evergreen branches at a local tree stand/grocery store. I inquired and was told I could have them for FREE!! Yay for me. I think the manager thought I was bonkers.


Now we just need a TINY bit of snow and it will feel like Christmas. Aeisha kept a lookout for neighborhood bad guys while I decorated :)

Three Days and a Wake Up

Till Christmas morning!!! I am very excited for Christmas this year; My house is fully festive with Christmas cheer, I get to host my entire family for Brunch, I have fully enjoyed shopping for special presents for all those on my list, and have taken a lil extra time to wrap each package pretty.

We were even blessed with a lil dusting of pretty snow this morning to make things feel even more like Christmas. Just a few more presents to wrap and then it’s time to fully enjoy the holiday festivities.

My First Jackpot

Over the weekend I experienced my first Jackpot for Team Roping. In all honesty I had no idea what a jackpot even was until a few weeks ago! Still not sure I get the full concept as seemed very chaotic to me. I do know I loved the small relaxed atmosphere, the chance to chat with the cowboys between rounds, and watching a certain cowboy take 3rd! Guessing this may be the first of many Jackpots I attend…I should probably take my camera next time!

Santa Photos

Have you taken your child for their photo with Santa? I am LOVING all the Santa photos floating around facebook. Some are so precious and some are just downright hilarious. As a Y Board Member I helped take Santa photos a few weeks ago and it was WAY harder than I expected!! Some kids are petrified of Santa, others can’t sit still, madness I tell you. So kudos to all the parents, the Santa’s, and the photographers out there!!!

Habitat for Humanity

As seen here (and many other places) – the Mayor of Omaha and our Mayor made a bet over the IA v. NE football game. The looser had to build a home for habitat in the other town. So really there were no losers!

Iowa lost. So Mayor Hanafan recruited several of his favorite council members :) – the police chief, Community Development Director, and a few others and we spent a portion of our Saturday working on a Habitat home in Omaha.

I was tasked with the very skilled and difficult task of painting doors. Obviously I am lacking in home building skills so was happy to paint. It was very rewarding to know you are a part of something so great as providing a home to a family in need! Plus a great reminder at Christmas time that not everyone is as fortunate as I am.

I am hoping next year we have the Omaha crew in Council Bluffs working on one of our Habitat homes!

The End of the War in Iraq

Today the US Military formally ended the war in Iraq. Troops are coming home, bases being turned back over.

Thank you to all the men and women that fought for our freedom in Iraq. An even bigger thank you to those that kept me safe during my few years in this country, your hard work and dedication is why I am still here today.



Many many memories in this place for me and I hope someday its safe enough to go back for a visit.

There are lots of wonderful Iraqi’s and so many historic places throughout Iraq. This used to be a travel destination for the Middle East. If I ever had children (or nieces/nephews) I would love to take them to see the eternal flame, Babylon, the Tigris River, and all of the palaces I once worked in. Along with allowing them to experience the culture of this region.




Sadly I have several friends who never returned home – to them I am forever grateful as they made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you.


Best of luck to Iraq in their quest for freedom, stability, safety, and becoming a country united not divided.

Festive on Fremont Street

Loved the light and sound shows on Fremont Street – my favorite was the Christmas version.

So festive. The massive Christmas tree was also a hit.

Not quite the same as the Christmas Markets in Germany from last year but still very fun.

NFR Rodeo via my IPhone

Thank goodness for Instagram and the Iphone! I present you the NFR Rodeo:

I didn’t bring my actual camera as was afraid they weren’t allowed in the rodeo. And honestly the action is so fast I doubt I would have successfully captured many photos anyway.


We had an amazing time at the rodeo and I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday weekend with my mom! Can’t wait to go again next year.



*Bonus we had friends who happened to be in town as well!

Twinkle Twinkle

I seem to add a tree every year.

This could be problematic if the trend continues!

I have a neighbor with approximately 25 Christmas trees….

It’s just so tempting to throw up one more tree, string a few more lights, and bask in the magical glow that comes from Christmas lights.

Boots, Cowboy Hats, Wranglers, Horses, and Bulls…

What happens when you combine this:

with this:

And hopefully a whole bunch of hunky cowboys??? I am about to find out!!!