Sunday, November 29, 2009

Jazzbones

Chance's band is now called Society's Voice. I can't remember if I have mentioned that. They are really getting good.
The band consists of four members.
Chance (13 years old)~~~~Chris (16 years old)

Sean (14 years)~~~~Zach (14 years)

This time they were playing at Jazzbones in Tacoma.

Here is Chance's awesome guitar solo... to bad he isn't standing in the light. You can't even see him. But, you can hear him and he says that is all that matters.

Way to go Zach!Chance's "ex-girlfriend", Taylor, played in a band following Chance's. They were really good. Taylor

They were amazing!!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Apple Cup

This year we went to the Afework's house to watch the Apple Cup.
Sophie and Coby are diehard Husky fans.

I LOVE your shirt Soph and nice moves Chi.

Beautiful boys...Malachi. Gunnar, Coby, and Isaiah.


Boy will be boys...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

One Night In Vegas

As soon as Thanksgiving dinner was over we had to drive back to Las Vegas for an early flight home. We told the boys that we were going to go to the hotel and get ready for bed since we had to get up so early the next morning. They pleaded and begged for us to drive "the strip" so they could see Vegas in lights. They still had no idea we were staying at the Luxor...they still thought we were staying at the Best Western by the airport. We finally agreed.
They were in awe of all of the fancy hotels and lights. Then we made a turn into the Luxor parking garage. Chance said, "what are you doing? Why are you driving in here?" We still kept up the charade and told him we were going to park and take a walk on the strip. After we found a parking spot (which took forever) we realized we were going to have to tell them we were staying. We didn't want to have to take two trips to the parking garage...it was miles away from the hotel check in desk. They were so excited...especially Chance. He was is shock and couldn't believe it. Before our trip he asked if we could stay at the Luxor but we told him it was way to expensive and that it just wasn't going to happen. He was thrilled, to say the least. We got a room in the actual pyramid part so our windows were at an angle.
My three little Egyptian mummies...
They no longer allow you to take pictures inside the hotel. I was so mad (and of course I complained to the security guard). That is ridiculous. Why do they think we wanted to stay at the Luxor? I guess it is for security reasons.
This was the view from our deck. There is a tram that takes you from the Luxor to the Excalibur.Gunnar loved the knight in shining armor.ExcaliburThe Strip...MGM
Chance thought this building was awesome. It had a huge guitar on the side.

The street performers were on break. One posed for the camera while the other continued puffing on his cigarette...lovely. Gunnar insisted that we walk all the way down to Paris. He wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. It was so far from our hotel but we figured he probably wouldn't be coming back to Vegas for a very long time.


The older boys were a little uncomfortable walking around Vegas. Coby said, "I see why this is called Sin City". They had a hard time not looking at all of the billboards and the flyer's littering the ground. Poor kids. They were actually ready to go back to the hotel well before we made it to Paris.

Bellagio

After we finally made it there we realized we were way to tired to walk all the way to the other end of the strip. We decided to hail a taxi. The boys thought this was great. Their first time inside a taxi cab.They got new Las Vegas hats (and Gunnar got an Elvis Beanie Baby).Back at the Luxor.John and I bought some dice that was used in the actual casino and the boys stayed and played 10,000 in the hotel room while John and I played in Vegas for a night.We had so much fun!!

Thanksgiving 2009

Dave and Jen
Gunn and Cobes
Jaime and Chance
Coby was winning every game so we were convinced it was because of his special money rings he made for himself. Melodee even gave him a $5 bill from Canada.

Grandma's hair was very long. It went all the way down to the middle of her back. Cousin Karl (who is a big time hair stylist who had been working out of London) gave her a stylish, hip, new hair cut. It looked so good. She even had a little bang.

Gunnar loves his great grandma...

Karl with grandma and John.



My three sonsGrandpa carving the turkey.


Aunt Lori has a huge swing in her yard. The boys loved it.

Gunnar ready for dinner.

Sibling love
Dave with beautiful wife Lori and gorgeous Melodee with boyfriend, Jeff


Grandpa couldn't believe that Chance was taller than him. And Coby wasn't far behind.

I am so glad we got the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with John's family. I love them dearly and wish we were able to see them more often. I am so lucky to be a part of this family. Thank you grandma for letting us come and spend Thanksgiving with you. We love you so much!!