Japan and Vegas

If you are wondering what Japan and Vegas have to do with each other, then you haven't heard about our last couple of weeks. Let me tell you what has happened. Two weeks ago we were able to go down to Las Vegas with our friends, Michelle and Trevor. We had a blast eating fantastic food and seeing all of the casino's and shows since it has been a while. Here are a few photos from being downtown Vegas.

Here we are standing in front of this waterfall at the new City Center (next to the Bellagio).

In front of one of my favorite shows in Vegas- the water show at the Bellagio.

Michelle and Lisa in Vegas.

As much fun as downtown Las Vegas can be, I think our favorite part was heading back to Michelle's parents house. We had the best BBQ and played games. It was so much fun I didn't think we were going to leave!

This last weekend, Shelli had a special guest come to their house. Kiminori, a chaperone for some Japanese exchange students, visited the St. George area and we decided we would all try to show him a good time. Kimi (that is what we called him) had a good time seeing around St. George, eating American food, shopping, playing games (especially blackjack), and shooting. Hopefully he doesn't think we are crazy and know that we all had a wonderful time getting to know him. Here are some pictures from shooting with Kimi.

Kimi posing with his gun and ears.

Kimi nailed this shot his first time and blew the pop can to bits. He was a dead eye at shooting.

Catch-up

There is a saying that the more joy you are experiencing, the faster time goes. Well, Jason and I have been having a blast so Christmas Break was just a blur! Jason and I loved having some time together during the holidays and despite the fact that we found several amazing deals for trips to Europe for New Years we both had responsibilities we had to do and couldn't run off on another adventure. Jason and I stayed up late on Christmas Eve and read to each other while drinking hot chocolate. We went to bed and the next thing I know I felt someone tapping my shoulder. Jason had been wide awake since 5:00am Christmas morning and had been a sweetheart and waited until about 6:30 to wake me up. I couldn't help but laugh and kiss him because I love how the holidays brings out the kids in us. Jason broke the rules this year and went above the bugdet we set for each other and spoiled me rotten! I told him he would get in trouble if he went over, but how could I get upset at someone who bought us tickets to DisneyWorld for Spring Break!! I have always wanted to go to DisneyWorld and Jason and I just love going to Disneyland that he figured we might as well enjoy it as soon as possible. New Year's was fun, and again, despite the fact that we could have spent it in Germany, we had already promised Jason's family that we would travel to Price, instead. We had a great time but knew that work and school would be starting soon. Jason and I like to keep busy and since we both go to school full time and work full time we do just that. Jason has been busy writing a compilation of several documents from the Henrickian era, and I have been busy studying for my Comprehensive Exam. In order to continue with my Master's Degree and graduate this coming May, I need to pass this exam that will take all day to complete and do so with a high grading scale. No pressure, huh! Sure, I am nervous, but I know that everything always works out the way it should be. Thanks to all of you that encourage us to continue on with school and succeed with our careers, despite how hard it might get or how rocky the road might be.

Fall Pictures

Jason and I just love being down here in St. George and enjoy the wonderful weather. I love the fact that if we want to take fall pictures we have to wait for the winter. These pictures were taken just before Christmas around town in St. George. We started out taking the pictures at a local park but got distracted by the playground, as you might see. Here are a couple of pictures and then a video with the rest of our favorite shots.

Snow in St. George??

That's right- you heard correctly. The recent cold spell that hit the state allowed us to awake to a town lightly covered in snow. Don't worry, because the snow melted within the day and all was back to normal. By the end of the week I was using the AC in my car. Here is a picture of the temple that you usually don't get to see in St. George.