Monday, August 29, 2011

Vegas!!!

"Why are you out walking around at 8 am?" (asked to us by a woman drinking a margarita at 8 am)

That is what it is like to go to Vegas with us Muskovich ladies!!  You get three workout-clad women walking down the strip at 8 am with coffee, shopping, sipping mimosas.  But, it was a perfect weekend and we did Vegas in our own style!!  You also get three women getting way too excited over winning $140 on a slot machine, three women playing blackjack based on what the wallet card Kate brought advised us to do on each hand, three women picking their slot machines not by which ones seemed lucky, but by where the waitress was most likely to approach them, and three women who somehow managed to come home from an amazing weekend in Vegas each spending less than $200!!!

Our weekend was so fun - thanks to Joe for planning it for us (but he got a Vegas oven mitt out of the deal, so really, he won too) and thanks to Beth and Kate for taking the weekend to go with me!! As with any trip, we laughed so hard and made so many great memories together - from discovering what it feels like to walk in 112 degree temperatures, to the lurking old man who sat down at our machine the second we got up to immediately win, to sitting behind the world's biggest Sugarland fan who couldn't stop dancing the entire concert, to the people watching which was at its best in Vegas.  We also learned how to get/use Players Cards (and let me tell you, if you only spend $100 gambling, they aren't worth it!), that you aren't supposed to lean on the glass of a roulette table or move someone elses' chips on the table, that there is ABSOLUTELY no rhyme or reason to how the slot machines determine a winning row, that Beth is the most strategic of us 3 when it comes to gambling (who would have thought?), that the tram only runs certain hours so you shouldn't wear heels if you need to get home after midnight, and that plastic snowglobes are a flight hazard at the Vegas airport and will get confiscated, so drain them first, and if your toiletries aren't really in a plastic bag, you will be escorted to the nearest store for a complimentary plastic bag.

The main reason we went to Vegas was to go to a Sugarland concert, and they didn't disappoint!!! With Sarah Barielles as the opening act (who surprised us with her talent, humor and total potty- mouth), the concert was one of the best we have been to! A lot of it was the actual entertainers, and a lot of it was the Dancing Queen in front of us as well as all the random people around us who kept us entertained all night.   We also laughed because Sarah Barielles was someone we thought would be SO FUN to hang out with and joked that she was more likely to be seen in the casino afterwards and then we did see her walking through the casino with a cup of bourbon.

Such a fun weekend away - maybe my awesome hubby who reads this blog will make a weekend kids-free, girls-only trip an annual birthday gift!!!

Shockingly, none of us brought a camera on the trip so all we have are a few not-so-great cell phone shots!  We should have used our big winnings to buy a disposable camera, but oh well!

Proof that we know when to walk away (sometimes you are forced to when you only have 5 cents left)

At the Sugarland Concert - it was amazing!!!

We highly recommend the Amazing Race slot machines!!!  You get to compete against all your fellow addicted gamblers to look for the "golden ticket."  It is a blast!  We also recommend the American Idol slots, which Beth had great luck on. 

Enjoying some sushi at Mandalay Bay to start off the weekend


Beth and Kate drinking the world's smallest $1 margaritas at Harrah's.  They were about the size of one of Lucy's sippy cups

Wish I could figure out how to rotate this one!  Anyways, drinking mimosas at the Wynn after a long walk down the strip

This is what Lucy thought of her souvenirs from mommy...

I should have bought her an over mitt! Next time.....
Lucy also got the cutest Vegas Princess towel from Aunt Katie that she used for her bath this morning, but wouldn't stay still for a pic so I will try tomorrow!

And, just for all those who keep asking "does this girl ever cry?"  Don't try to take away her oven mitt...









Monday, August 22, 2011

Baby Boom 2011 Continues!

This is the summer of babies!!!

Just a recap....
- Madeline Kate was born to our friends Katie and Pat in June
- Logan Ronnie was born to our friends Aaron and Erin in July
- Riley Shea was born to our friends Dave and Lisa in July
- Jayden Joseph was born to Brian and Jenny in July (a new cousin for Lucy! Yay!)
- James Walter was born to our friends Maggie and Drew in July
- Maddux Matthew was born to our friends Ericka and Phil just two weeks ago
- Ford Anderson was born to Leanne and Jeff only a few weeks ago as well
....and baby Nowak is on the way any day now, with the same due date as Lucy's

So, we are slowly making our rounds on the Tour de Babies, but we got to meet two of the little guys this weekend!!! We headed out to Palatine to meet James Walter, who could not be any cuter.  After that, we met Grammy and Grandpy (Bill and Chris) for lunch and Jenny/Brian and cute little Jayden met us at lunch so we got to dine with "JJ" who is the cutest (and quietest) baby in the entire world.  I don't think he weighs more than 7 lbs!   We are so excited for Lucy to have another cousin to grow up with!  We hope they are as close as Joe and Brian have been for the past 31 years!

Introducing James Walter Chyterbok
(Looks to me like Lucy was testing daddy, but much more on that later)

Introducing Jayden Joseph Lacny with his Great Aunt Chris

Not appreciating my flash

Our little cheetah taking a lap around the restaurant


Hope everyone had a nice weekend!!  In only 4 days (who's counting?) Kate, Beth are I are heading out to Vegas for an amazing birthday weekend thanks to the best husband in the world!!!!!! Much more on that later, as well as Lucy's newest milestone - protesting diapers, car seats and strollers.  






Sunday, August 14, 2011

Outta My Way!!!!


Lucy was surprised this week with TWO birthday gifts - and she is still weeks away from the big day.  I am wondering if a little girl can handle all the excitement that September 4th will bring judging from the look on her above face, enjoying her new bike from Aunt Beth, Uncle Rob, Abigail and Caitlin!  They brought it over this weekend so she could enjoy every last minute of summer left....it was the best surprise for both Lucy and us!  It has a little cellphone attached to it and a little spot for her water bottle, and has a cool little shade. And, since we were watching Caitlin and Abigail that evening, we spent a lot of time "taking turns" in the bike back and forth through our hallway.  So, I guess it was a group gift for the night! Thanks Wennerstroms!!!!!

Let me check this out....

I LOVE IT!

 My first spin

With my cool aunt and uncle

Two cuties enjoying Lucy's toys

I am so cool!!!

Lucy also got an adorable little outfit/shoes in the mail from her Great Aunt Mary on Friday which I need to put her in tomorrow and will take a pic! It is adorable and reminds me of Lucy!  Thanks Aunt Mary for always keeping me so well-dressed, all the way from Colorado!

Enjoy your week!









Sunday, August 7, 2011

Happy 11 Months Lulu!!!

In one month (actually less because of my laziness) our little monkey will be celebrating her big first birthday.  I should be excited but I am actually kind of sad! I spent so many months when she was a little baby waiting for her to get to the big milestones - the first smile, the first crawl, the first tooth - and now she is running around the house and I am realizing that are days with our first baby in the home are coming to an end.  Although we can experience the baby life again - we know it will never be the same as becoming parents for the very first time.  So, as excited as we are to move on to watching Lucy start sports, make friends and really develop her own personality - we are sad that this year is coming to an end.   We are so so proud of our little Lucy and are so grateful for all she has taught us over the past 11 months.  Lucy, we can't wait to celebrate your big birthday with you in a few weeks!!!! 

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT PAT!!!!  We had the chance to celebrate Aunt Pat's birthday today with her family and friends, and it was such a great afternoon.  Kristy (Martha Stewart) and John did so much work and the food was amazing.  Happy Happy Birthday Aunt Pat! We love you!! (I wish I had taken my camera to the party but we were a bit car-lagged from a 7 hour drive this morning from Northern Michigan after celebrating Chris and Arielle's beautiful wedding!)



Monday, August 1, 2011

Happy Birthday Ashley!

This weekend we celebrated Ashley's big "2" birthday at Lynette and Tom's house! This was Lucy and Ashley's first "playdate" and it was so much fun to see them play together! There was bubbles, swimming, cake/ice cream and tons of space for Lucy to show off her walking skills!  Ashley was the cutest little birthday girl, as you can see from her smile when we were singing "Happy Birthday" to her! We can't believe Ashley is already two, but had a great time celebrating it with her!

It's My Party!!!






Happy Birthday Miss Ashley!