Williams - Vegas Sisters Weekend

Sisters Weekend in Las Vegas

All of Herb's Aunts, girl cousins, Herb's sisters, and sisters-in-law met in Las Vegas for a sisters weekend. I took Sage and Abby and we flew in on Friday night. On Saturday we went to breakfast, swam in the awesome hotel pool, saw the broadway musical Wicked, went shopping, and saw the Bellagio Water show. Too fast but so fun to see all the girls. I believe there was over 40 girls all together.

 The Lazy River

 Tesa and Sage

 Ashley and Abby

 Tesa

 Kelsie, Sage, and me. Dessert from Serendipity. Not worth the price!

 Wicked all together

 Taking a picture of the palm trees for Herbie. He calls them Hawaii trees. He asked if they had coconuts on them when I showed him the picture.

 Aunt Alisa and Herb's mom

Bellagio Water Show

Williams - Last days of Summer

 Welcome to the family, BOB!

 Annual Oregon State Fair Day

 Boating on the Willamette River in Downtown Portland

 Abby's first ride on the tube or should I say couch!

 Off to school. It is starting to turn chilly in the mornings and by noon it is 80 degrees again.

 Look a likes

 Soccer season has begun. And so far no rain. Hip hip hooray!!!

Williams - First day of School

First day of school for Herbie and Sage. Sage is in 3rd Grade and Herbie is in Kindergarten. He rode the bus on his first day. Can't believe he is already old enough to go to school. I remember when he was 2 and how he cried and chased after Sage's bus on her first day of Kindergarten. Now it was Nora's turn to watch him go and she is so different then him because she just waved and smiled and didn't shed a tear. In fact she just played with the hose and got wet instead. Abby just stared at him with her big brown eyes.

Herbie came home so excited about school. He told us that he knows why Sage loves school so much and we asked him why and he said because all they do is Art! He also told me afterwards that he didn’t think he would like it but he ended up loving it. He keeps telling everyone that he got to have 3 recesses. I think he considers PE recess. On Saturday, he was so excited about school that he asked me what time he was supposed to catch the bus and then I had to remind him that he didn’t go again for two more days.

Charles Ingalls

I hereby interrupt my grieving to bring you Charles Ingalls, one of the world's hottest and most perfect men.  I watched a lot of Little House while growing up and confess I still watch Little House.  He's the perfect package, inside and out.  Not Michael Landon, folks, but Charles Ingalls.  I want him.  Always have, always will.

I think I married Brandon because he reminded my subconscious of the ideal man I knew during my formative years.  Manly, able, hard-working, kind, honest, humble, sinless... virtuous, lovely, and of good report.

Dear Everyone:

We finally got our internet back after over one month without it. I feel like I missed out on the world for a time. soo...

Dear Alana:

Holy crap I am so terribly sorry- like crying and feeling horribly helplessly sorry for you.  I ran into your mom today and when I asked how you were, no wonder she said not good.  She didn't mention anything.  Leave to your mom to be the pinnacle of discretion.  So few people on earth are discrete anymore.  I guess social media makes it pretty impossible.  I visited the site you provided and read about your baby's condition.  Will you go the full 9 months?  Do you need anything?  Babysitting?  Cupcakes?  A movie?  Dinner?  Should I call or just sit over here wondering about you.  This news is furthering my already HUGE gratitude for my 2 healthy kids.  Life is a miracle and we are so blessed to be given families.  So many people who want children have hardships gaining them.  Just the whole process of growing and delivering healthy babies is wretched and scary.  It really is like passing through the valley of the shadow of death to give birth.  I will be thinking of you for quite a while.  Actually- it is kind of weird that I ran into your mom and then learned about this because for some odd reason I kept thinking of you this week.  You popped into my head on Monday and haven't left since.  Carry on my dear friend.  You must.  I'll send chocolate.

Dear Ciara:

I can't come and it sucks.  I've been trying to figure out how to get to Vegas all week.  The major obstacles are this:

• We do not own a car that works (seriously-I have borrowed an old funeral van to get to work)
• We are in overdraft until our next paycheck
• We have no child care
• I work

Seriously bummed about this.  I cannot believe you will be this close and we can't get together.  I need some serious friend and reminiscing time asap. I work so much this year that I can't possibly find anyone to watch my kids when I don't work.  They go to bed at midnight and I have to wake up at 6 am.  Plus, Annie is crazy. Please can it be Christmas vacation already?!  But we are happy.  In need of a spa getaway, but happy and busy and poor and tired.  Is it too early for me to be going grey? I miss you.

Dear Jenny:

You going down?  Heather and Brad Nelson came over and hung out at my house on Tuesday.  We talked about what a free spirit you are.  What are you doing these days?

I keep putting this off.  But I looked at my calendar and realized this coming Monday is the day we had planned to meet you, Ciara, in Las Vegas.  I haven't even talked to Jenny about the trip but I won't be able to make it.  A few days ago at my ultrasound, Brandon and I found out our baby has anencephaly.  I'm going to carry my baby to term and then we'll bury him next to my Dad and brother.  I see two different doctors on Monday because I have only been with a midwife this pregnancy.  I'm still throwing up and constantly nauseated at 19 weeks, though with Ben and Anika the sickness ended at 12 weeks.  But even with no appointments or barfing, I am certainly not up to the day date... hardly leaving the house.  I could have postponed breaking the news forever... it sucked to actually type the words.  I'm so sad and scared.  Thought I'd better fill you in so you're not expecting me Monday.  But I love you all... God bless.

Williams - Ramona Falls

7 miles and 5 tired hours later.....maybe I was a little too ambitious with choosing this hike. 7 miles is a long way for four children but we survived to tell the tale. Herb carried Nora and Abby up the mountain even though I offered to carry Abby. Abby in a front pack and Nora in a backpack. We had to stop about every 5 minutes to rest for Herbie and Sage and they complained a lot but for the most part they did great. I was so proud of them for accomplishing such a tough hike. Maybe next time we should start before 3pm and only hike a max of 3 miles. Good Times!

 Crossing the raging river

 One sexy man!

 Enjoying the reward!

 slowly walking and stopping and walking

 Beautiful Mt. Hood in the distance

Resting after our climb

Williams - Wings and Waves

Wings and Waves back in July. Here are a few pics from our exhausting and fun day.

Williams - More Summer Fun

 self portrait

 playing slap with Grandma Williams

 my little mermaid

 trampoline sleepover

 ward campout

 shopping at the outlets

 Herb's work picnic

Abby's first swing