As I continue catching up on past blogs, I just realized that I started marveling over the fact that it is already November when I realized it is actually DECEMBER. I could make some cliche remark about time flying by but surely, it is just because I'm getting old and don't need to trumpet that fact. Despite this geriatric onset, we spent 5 days in Vegas in honor of Jo’s 21st (finally!) birthday. We arrived on Tuesday night and were picked up promptly at the airport by Janie and Kaylee. We then hit the nearest liquor store to ensure our cups would not be empty for any length of time. We then checked in to our room at the Imperial Palace. I had to laugh a little every time I told someone where we stayed: the place was a dump. The bath tubs didn't drain, the A/C was loud and emitted a weird odor and a host little flies took up residence in the bathroom sink. Not to mention the only functioning elevator was a death-trap. A few stories were shared with other lodgers (survivors) about getting stuck between floors and clanking stops that felt a little uncertain 18 stories up. None of this though would dissuade the masses from taking advantage of a cheap room on the strip as the hotel was packed with veterans and wedding goers (I guess 11-11-11 was a hugely popular day for nuptials). Since we got in so late, we spent the first night taking in the flavor of the place after a few Jack and Cokes in the room. In lieu of a proper Vegas show, the IP showcased the talents of their dealers who all impersonated famous singers. These "Dealertainers" imitated everyone from Tina Turner to Kid Rock to Toby Keith and even Lady GaGa. All of them, like the hotel, sucked. All of them, like the hotel, were oddly endearing after several drinks.
At least we had a view of a nice hotel...
The next morning we met up for breakfast at the Hash House A-Go-Go which has been voted several times "Best Breakfast in Vegas" and, conveniently, was also located in our hotel (so I guess it wasn't *that* sucky). That afternoon we had to run out to Henderson and pick up a cake for the birthday girl's party that night and then spent the rest of the afternoon on the strip, taking advantage of our central location.
I give this bennie 3 stars
Enjoying a cigar as we roam about
Palazzo faux waterfall
That night we celebrated to some shitty service at the Cabo Wabo Bar n Grill inside the Planet Hollywood. Even the free Karaoke couldn't make up for our disinterested waiter. (AKA: Delta Bravo.) The guy was so lame, I thought briefly about writing a letter to Sammy Hagar.
Mom, Jo, Aunt Tina, Matt Ryan, Me Sharon, Dad Uncle Steve @ Cabo
After dinner, we decided to cross the street to take in the newest hotel on the strip, Cosmopolitan. I was intrigued because they had started running bizarre commercials the week before we left. I wasn't necessarily wowed by the joint, however, as we walked through the main casino floor, I was impressed by the band playing in the lobby which, turned out to be Mates of State. Best free show in Vegas!
Hippest Commercial of 2011.
The joint was really shiny. Crystals!
Thursday we all hopped in the minivan and drove to Hoover Dam. None of us had ever been there before and I don't know much about it so I had no expectations. For just walking around and looking at a bunch of concrete, it turned out to be a really fun day. Also, the most ironic thing happened when we stopped at the gift shop - THE POWER WAS OUT! (seriously!)
Engineering. It's just awesome.
"Look how low the water is!"
Crossing timezones
My dam hubby
That night, the girls had planned to take Jo to her first official Vegas show and we thought, what better than Chippendales?! She spent a good deal of time fretting over whether they were going to, as she put it, "shove their junk in her face" but over all, the show was pretty tame and I think the birthday girl ended up enjoying herself.
Having a sip from her b-day cup
This show was more of a present to us old and married chicks, I think..
We got to spend our last night with Janie and Kaylee. By then, I was pretty sick of the strip, I must admit, but Janie got us in to a comedy show for free. We all four ate dinner together and then the grownups enjoyed the show at the Palms for a low-key evening to wind down our week.
Labor Day weekend typically wraps up the summer and so it was in 2011. We spent that time planning and preparing for what has become the annual Schoessler Family Oktoberfest and Golf Tournament. (AKA "Golftoberfest") We hosted the whole shin-dig here in Portland this year as rather than in Sequim as in years past. Matt took on the role of head of the party planning committee which was challenging for him but also fun and rewarding. We had a great time coming up with ideas for games, prizes and menu items.
We kicked off the weekend events with a seafood boil at our house Friday night. I believe the final headcount ended up being nearly 40 strong. It was a blast and went off pretty well, given the fact that I had to work and did not get home until after 6:00. Still, we had it all pretty well prepared and ready to go as family friends arrived and we were glad to save the out-of-towners the trouble of having to cook a meal or find dinner on the road.
The next day was the golf tourney which was held out at Gresham Golf Course. I did not attend, opting instead to spend the day with my sister-in-law "preparing" for the Oktoberfest activities (our preparations included and ended at drinking a bottle of Cava and half a fifth of Goldschlager before 2:30PM). Here are the golf shots I managed to glean from various cousins:
Poppo and Kendra show us the pink balls!
The grand pubah of the party got to play to golf, too!
That camera, right there in Lynn's hand, had all the good pics
Is this Team Russ or Team Bloody Mary?
Nana's Babes is the team name. Don't you forget it.
Coors and Buds. You. You are from Sequim.
Jesse, Bill, Julie and Poppo. I see you back there, Duane!
When golfing ended, Oktoberfest began. Uncle Ted and Aunt Velda opened their doors for this part of the party as they have the most room and seating. I think we topped out at over 75 people for the actual feast, and that was before the neighboring Cuban family arrived to help us do the "Bailar de Pollo!"
A very belated "Danke Schon" to all that helped in planning. It was a great event and I am already looking forward to 2012 in Sequim!
Since travel was not on the menu much for 2011, we kept busy most weekends by working on our patio remodel. Now, being unemployed for a year plus, I watched a lot of HGTV and DIY Network shows. A. Lot. The problem with watching so many hours of do it yourself TV programs is that I am just the gullible sort who believes I can do what the professionals on TV just as easily and painlessly and with with the same result. Needless to say, I was in for a rude awakening:
After breaking up the old concrete patio, this was what was left. A blank slate.
The next order of business was moving the spigot - no easy task.
My husband thinks I look funny, driving the truck.
Next, we dug. We dug a lot. Every night for over a week. I hate shovels, now.
We got really familiar with the folks at Portland Sand and Gravel...
Excited when the pavers arrived. However, they are 33 lbs. EACH!
My man, running the compactor. That's 3 truckloads of gravel!
After.
Our new flower garden on the east side of the patio.
Our other plantings in front of the shed starting to sprout...
The corner near the spigot
Tootie rests by the firepit, enjoying the finished product.
I was really lame about blogging this summer's activities but then again, this summer was pretty lame. For starters, it didn't get hot in Portland until the middle of August and then, we got a crazy heat wave in September. Secondly, because of starting a new job, I wasn't allowed to take any vacation time so the usual camping trips and mini escapes were few this year. Also, since it took a while to catch up financially from being unemployed so long, it wasn't like there was any room in the budget for frivolous spending.
Nonetheless, we were able to get out of town a couple times and even caught a bit of it on camera. To recap:
Father's Day - Port Townsend
My first ever trip to a junk yard! Dard got a new seat for Father's day.
Tootie loves her Narn and Dard's house.
It was a gorgeous weekend. Caught a hummingbird in the fuschias.
Smaile, Narn!
The garden was in full bloom.
Fourth of July - Bend
Enjoying the patio at the Cain's house.
The next morning we hiked around the hood, bringing class to Central OR.
James was our tour-guide. We however, did not find the park...
Our hosts took us to the river to cool off.
This pic is almost too hot for the internet.
The river was a bit too swift for swimming so the kids played in the sand.
We strolled around the city the next day, stopping for lunch at Bend Brewery.
We shopped around at an open air market.
The Bills girls found some flowery barrettes
"Want some ice-cream, little girl?"
Those barrettes were the must-have accessories of the weekend.
