Happiness is....: January 2013

After a very long work week, Nick and I were discussing what to do for the long weekend (since he had Monday off) we were really craving some sunshine and blue skies, so what do we do...head to Vegas of course! In less than 12 hours after deciding to go, we loaded up our car, and headed out of town. We usually don't plan trips so last minute, so it was kinda fun to throw all our stuff in the car and just leave. We also convinced some of Nick's family to go with us.

We drove clear past Nephi before the gross inversion finally lifted, and we saw our first bit of blue and sun. Nick was so excited about the good weather in Vegas, that he rode the whole way in shorts and a t-shirt.... a decision I think he regretted when we stopped for gas and it was -6 outside!

We were so excited when we arrived, and the temps were in the mid 60's! It was amazing. I think I have been a little vitamin D deficient, so a little light therapy went a long way. We ended up staying at the Las Vegas Hotel, which is right off the strip. It was nice, I think its a 3 star hotel, I think we would stay there again, and with the rooms being an amazing price of $31 a night who could complain? Vegas is a great place to vacation, because it works on any budget!

We had a ton of fun on our spur of the moment trip... we will have to do it again soon!

Kaylee at Circus Circus

After much coaxing nick finally got Kelli (who is vegan) to try his hamburger (over a pound of meat ) at Hash House a Go Go... this place was amazing.. I have never seen so much food on one plate before. You can defiantly share here!

Jason, Rachel,Cozi, Ella, and Kelli on Fremont Street

Fremont Street... its cool, a lot to look at,
but also a lot of hobos...

Nick decided that the food at Hash House a Go Go wasn't enough, so he got fried twinkies, and chocolate dipped bananas!

Kaylee finally got tiered enough to fall asleep in the stroller

When Kaylee and Cozi decide to stop tormenting each other they have a great time!

The kidos were getting a little sick of the Strip, so we decided to head over to Red Rock Canyon. It was beautiful, and the girls had so much fun! It was the perfect day for it.

The girls loved the tunnels!

Jason, (nicks older brother,and his family) Rachel, Cozi, and Ella

Hiking around at almost 7 month pregnant really did a number on me... at the end of the day my ankles were swollen to the size of my knees!

Dinner with the whole Crew... Buffet style of course! We hung out with Steve and Pam (nicks dad and step mom ) quite a bit, and even got to watch Finding Nemo in their home theater!

Water fountain show at the Bellagio

Kaylee loved the M&M Factory... we got to watch a 3D movie and everything!

Matt (nicks youngest brother whom we call "uncle daddy" because he helps out so much with the kids!!)

On our last night we ended up at the Rain forest Cafe at MGM Grand. Its a little bit pricey, but a perfect atmosphere for the kids.

Kaylee told us this was her very favorite special place to eat!

Okay, so I really am the WORST blogger in the world! I guess life just gets to busy, (and being lazy doesn't help!) I am determined to do better, since I don't keep a journal or scrap book (I have tried... ) typing on the computer is just easier for some reason.

Here is a update of what is going on with the Witzels. Sorry to those of you who didn't get a Christmas card from us, I ordered them, put them in envelopes, wrote names on them, and that's about as far as I got. Maybe one day I will get things together!

This past year (almost) since I posted last has gone by so fast. For those of you who really know us, you know that we can't stay put very long, without traveling somewhere. Vacations are what keep us sane! This past year we had some pretty good times.

In June we hooked up our travel trailer and took a road trip to San Francisco, (with Nicks sister and her cute little family.) We had a blast. We stayed in Lake Tahoe (amazingly huge, and very pretty), on the beach in San Francisco, and stopped in Yosemite National park on the way home. (I think staying at the beach was my favorite part!)

Since we didn't quite get our "feel" of camping... In August we decided to head out again, this time to Yellow Stone National park. I hadn't been since I was little, so I was pretty excited. We again went with Witzel family, including Nicks mom. We had a great time seeing all the animals (buffalo), hiking, and searching for bears. With no luck in the bear department on our way home we stopped at the Bear Habitat in West Yellowstone. It was really cool, and the kids loved seeing the huge animals.

The rest of our summer was spent camping closer to home. Mostly up Logan Canyon. It is one of our favorite spots.

In September, I started to not feel so great... and happily we found out that I was pregnant with baby #2. Kaylee was so excited to be a big sister. We are looking forward to our new "little" addition in April 2013.

With the news of being a daddy once again... Nick decided that we had better get in one more kids free vacation before baby #2 keeps us at home for a while. Nick (being the awesome travel agent that he is) found flights to Kauai for $300 round trip (the only catch was we would have to drive to California.) So in October we packed up our little car, and after ditching Kaylee at grandmas, we headed to the west coast. Our trip was amazing. And after being so prego sick it was nice to relax on the beach. For those who have never been to Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands we HIGHLY suggest you go. Kauai and Maui are our favorites.

Our travel year came to a close with Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with the Witzel clan. It was nice to not have to cook thanksgiving dinner, and enjoy some amazing weather.

Our Christmas season was filled with family, fun, and of course snow. The only downer was the 2 people missing who are on missions... our family seems a bit small with them gone, but we are of course already planning trips for when they get home! '

And now the beginning of a new year... I'm sorry but I absolutely HATE January!! I wish that right after Christmas it would automatically turn to spring! Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, but I think it should go when Christmas does! At least I am looking forward to when our new little one comes. I am very excited, and very very nervous. I am terrified of anything "medical", and a simple blood test can send me over the edge, so the idea of delivering another baby has keep me up at night. So in order to keep my mind off things I spend a lot of time shopping for cute new baby things with my mom and sisters!

Kaylee has sure grown up a lot this year. It seems like she has grown a whole foot! Her attitude had grown with her height as well, and we are continuously being tested. I never knew a 3 year old could be so moody! We thought it would be smooth sailing until her teens, but boy were we wrong. She told us for the first time the other day (while driving in the car) that we are... quote "wrecking her life", because we "wreck everything!" Sadly that won't be the last time we hear that one! With every out burst and tantrum I am reminded to call and apologize to my parents! Despite the moods, we do have great times as well. Kaylee has been taking dance class, and will start swimming lessons next month. She loves to color, and says that when she is older she is going to be a veterinarian who paints. She is so excited to be a big sister, and has almost mastered how to change a diaper (thanks to baby alive that she got for Christmas!)

Nick has been keeping really busy with work. He loves it! I don't think he could of picked a career that was better suited for him. He comes home with crazy stories, about the insane people that he has dealt with. His brothers probably know more about his work stories than I do... I think he edits them for me (for witch I am thankful) I worry a lot about his safety. There are some great benefits of his job however, we get a free take home car (and free gas!) That seems to help the monthly budget a tad. I also love the schedule he is on. He works 4 days a week, and has a 3 day weekend. Nick works hard, and plays just as hard. For Christmas I got him a certificate to get scuba certified, so he (of course) is planning our next great adventure to somewhere exotic. Nick is a great provider, and an even better dad! We are so blessed.

Well, that was a little bit of what our year has been like. I really am going to try and post more often, so that I don't have a novel to write once a year!

Here are a few pics throughout the year.