Thanksgiving 2012

We made Thanksgiving Tuesday in the Clayton family so that we'd have plenty of time to enjoy the leftovers before journeying back to Colorado.  Totally. Worth it.

Late that night Mike and I decided to venture to the beach and enjoy some mango goodness on the wall overlooking the ocean.  In the middle of our conversation fireworks errupted. 

 And we felt very, very lucky to be who we were, where we were, and for the life we lead.

Playing Tourist

We visited Pearl Harbor today.

 Informative video.

The Arizona Memorial was beautiful, but it's haunting to be standing over the ship where men are still buried from when it sank decades ago.  Actually, I felt it was downright disrespectful, to be honest.

 9 gallons of oil escape it every day.

Nest, we went to the Mississippi, which was a battle ship that served up through the Gulf War.

 My big guns.

 The computer room was a bit...antiquated.

 And the ship was very tight.

It was fascinating.

Rockin' Sushi

We ventured out for sushi and tried some new fare, including a roll with no rice!

 So tasty...it's stuff white people like.

Ala Moana Mall

I am not being sarcastic when I tell you that we ended up coming to this mall every day (except for Black Friday, which we watched from the balcony of Mike's parents) we were in Hawaii.  Whether it was to shop, stop for toiletries, try to find a late night happy hour, multiple trips to Longs, or the insufferable search for a cheap pair of flip flops, we were here for something (including Bubble Tea) every day.

It was fitting we start the first day of the trip with a farmer's market on the tip of the parking garage.  In the rain.  Which, oddly enough, it also did every day.

 My favorite was the koi ponds and the butterflies on the Neiman's ceiling.

Hi-Life

Some pre-flight breakfast burritos and mimosas!

 Aaaaand token plane shot.  Can't wait to get there!

When the cat's away

My best work yet.  And probably the most appropriate use for window clings.  Just sayin'.

Don't ever go on vacation around me.

Inside Jokes

I walked into work a little before 6:30am and found this note from "Steve Wynn" on my desk:

I burst into giggles!  In an explanation, I say "BAM!" all the time, to the point that it has caught on in the office.  I finally figured out due to the handwriting that it was Grammes.  He saw these soaps in the bathroom at the Wynn and immediately thought of me. 

"Admittedly, it's a little weird saying you were the first thing I thought of when I entered the bathroom," he said, "But I knew you'd get it."

I did.  It ruled.

What? I am!

Behavioral Training

"Sorry, Mom.  I loff you..."

Walking Dead Family Stickers

Only in Boulder.

Give them the bird

Life's little luxuries

One of my favorite things was discovering strip-view balconies off of the cabanas at the Encore Pool strolling dinner.  Probably the nicest meal I've been to with Ford Motor Company.

Catching up with old friends is a blast as well; we're three of the six people still left from our hiring class! 

And sometimes the loner heart kicks in and you just need a minute to yourself, sans shoes and conversation.  It was a great evening.

Devil in the Details

This place is unreal.

What isn't pictured is the ride & drive we took in the MKZ on the Las Vegas Speedway.  I opted to be a passenger with a couple of guys who really like to drive fast.  Upwards of 110 mph (75 pmh was the max we were supposed to be going) is when I started feeling the roller coaster rush of adrenaline.  It lasted for hours!  Totally the way to go.

Also not shown: the epic vintage 1950s dress I wore to the evening affairs.  So classic.  I love that thing!

Wynn

This is where I get to sleep (what little sleep will occur) for the next three nights:

 The 2012 Lincoln Meeting is being held at the Wynn, and already I'm impressed! 

We got all dolled up and then avoided everyone else and hung out as a region.  I love these trips cause it's like old times with Carp in Zone L!  Epic amounts of laughter ensued...along with tons of food.

Pieces of Flare

Tada!

I spray painted it red and painted gold accents where the metal "bamboo" stalks meet.  Luvs it.  And now that it's getting cold it's being put to very good use!

House Porn

I am in love with everything about this renovation.

Originally on Design Sponge.

Rescued IS his favorite breed

At least at the time this photo was taken...

Via

Date sundown.

It's all in the expression