My Latest Project

With the winter months closing in on us I decided that I had better think of something to keep my hands and mind busy. So I decided to crochet a blanket for our little one on the way...problem is it only took me a couple days so what am I going to do now??

JUST KIDDING! :) This is actually a picture that I stole from the Internet...I WISH I were that good! In all seriousness, I really have decided that I am going to crochet our baby a blanket, and I am SURE that it will take me AT LEAST until April when the baby gets here!

I have never actually crocheted anything before. I learned HOW to crochet once, and didn't have the time and patience to practice and get good since I was still in school. So that poor spool of yarn and crochet hook got stuck in a box and forgotten...until now.

Those of you that know me well, know that I don't do crafty. I don't sew, I don't quilt, I don't scrapbook. I don't have a problem with any of these things...they just simply don't interest me enough to spend the time doing them. However, with the baby on the way what a PERFECT motivation to make something. And I figured if I posted it on my blog I would have to follow through since all of you reading this are holding me accountable and I am sure expect updates on the progress.

Therefore, with the help of you tube videos I, Sarah Atwood plan to crochet our first born a cute little blanket...wish me luck! :)

What Happens in Vegas...

So remember how I told everyone I was so excited that my Dad surprised my Mom for her birthday with a Vegas vacation? Well the other part of that story, and why I was so excited for them, was that Travis and I, as well as my brother and his girlfriend were ALSO in on the surprise...in fact, we WERE the other half of the surprise. We showed up at my parents hotel Friday morning as the "shuttle"they were waiting for and gave my mom the surprise of her life. Needless to say she was shocked and even shed a few happy tears :)

We had a great weekend as a family! We spent lots of time exploring Vegas, walking for miles, eating great food, watching interesting people, and sharing plenty of laughs. The end of the weekend came much to fast, and I was sad to see us all part ways on Sunday morning. The only thing that made it easier was knowing that Travis and I will be back in Iowa for Christmas in a few short weeks. Here are some pictures of all the festivities...


Matthew, Jana, Dad, Mom, Travis and I in front of Ethel's Chocolate factory. We got to watch how the little Dove chocolate hearts were made and even got a few samples...YUM!

Hoover Dam from the parking garage...this was REALLY amazing to see in person. It makes you feel so small! Unfortunately, we did not see any Transformers while we were there :)


The bridge that they are constructing that will be a new route over the dam..it is MASSIVE!

The Wynn and the Encore...VERY classy hotels, some of my brother's favorites. I also think he said that these are where the show "Las Vegas" take place?

Trav and I in front of the Excalibur. I just think this is the NEATEST building all lit up at night...it made me feel like I was in a cartoon or something.

This talking animated tree was part of the conservatory display inside of the Belagio Hotel. I took lots of pictures in this place, none of which does it justice! B-E-A-UTIFUL!

View of the Paris hotel from the stairs at the Belagio.

My mom would have had no idea that this "statue" inside of the Vinitian was a real person if we hadn't pointed it out to her...it is INCREDIBLE how these people can stand so still for so long!

The Stratosphere. We all decided that we would rather NOT fork over $16 a person to take the elevator ride to the top...so we just admired it from the ground :)

The Trump Tower...no significance, other than that I think I took an awesome picture of this building as the sun went down!

Coincidentally, one of my lifelong BFF's and her husband were in Vegas at the same time as we were! Our trips only overlapped by a day, but they were able to join our family for dinner on Saturday night.

Such a fun trip! I have the BEST family and I really wish that we would have had more time to explore, see a show, and spend more quality time together. Love you guys and let's for sure do it again sometime!

My Knight in Shining Armor...

Here he is and some other guy up on a pedestal sporting a metal suit...

10 reasons why my husband is the best husband in the world:
1. He loves me unconditionally, through all my bad days and crazy hormonal moments
2. He INITIATES cleaning 80% of the time or more. I am a good housekeeper, but he has to jump start me most of the time
3. He helps me clean our 3 bathrooms, even when he has plenty of homework to do of his own...because he knows how much I LOATHE that chore
4. He compliments me daily and tells me he loves me multiple times a day
5. He makes an effort each day to make me smile and laugh
6. He makes me feel beautiful
7. He tells me that I am an amazing wife and that I will be an amazing mom (I hope he is right!)
8. He is a gentleman..pulls out my chair, opens doors, etc
9. He is kind to others (he is never afraid to help someone in public that looks like they need it)
10. He usually has my lunch ready and waiting when I come home for lunch hour each day

Please take note that this is only a small list of reasons why Travis is the best ever! I would keep going, but I may make him blush. I wish that all women in the world could be as lucky as me, and I am not sure what I did to deserve him. Thanks for all you do babe! I love you mucho grande!

Isn't she lovely?

Can you believe that this lady is turning the big 5-0 tomorrow?


...I can't either! I don't think that she looks a day over 25! :) I just wanted to give a shout out to my fabulous mom and tell her how much I love her and that I hope she has an awesome birthday! My dad threw her a birthday party tonight and can you believe that it was the first birthday party that she has ever had in her adult life? Trav and I wished so much that we could have been there with them to celebrate (but since we are flying back for Christmas this year there was just no way we could afford it) She also got the very first BIG surprise of her life for this momentous occasion. My dad planned a Vegas getaway for the 2 of them! With temporary loans from my brother and I (in order to keep the purchases from appearing on his bank statements and such) he was able to keep this a secret from my mom. He arranged her time off from work and everything! My parents have never been to Vegas and they are SO excited! I am so lucky to have such great parents! Have a great trip you guys! I can't wait to hear all about it!!