"she's getting so big"

i've been catching myself saying this lately. i guess i've been realizing how much olive has grown.

although she'll always be my baby, it seems like she's growing a little faster than i'd like lately.

she's tall, she's running around, climbing on things, jabbering, singing, playing at the park, sitting at the table, coloring.

this is kid stuff!

when did this happen?

now, if only her hair would grow half as fast as her legs...

reunion in VEGAS!

let's talk about mishelle and jen for a minute. (i so wish i had a picture of us from 2000, but they're all in storage...boo.)

the first semester of my freshman year at college i attended a program called "quest" on vashon island, wa. we stayed on a farm/orchard on the puget sound and we took classes like we would have on campus only our professors were ferried in daily, and we had hands on advertures mixed in with class time: ie. the space needle. backpacking the olympic penninsula, mt. st. helens, victoria b.c. etc. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!

i met mishelle and jen there and have adored them ever since. although we only spent a short time together on that quirky island. i've always cherished their friendship and considered them both the type of friends worth hanging on to. i can't believe it's been 10 years since we were there.

(way to pose for the picture baby girl!)

well, spencer, olive and i took a quick trip to vegas last week and we met up with mish and jen and their families. AND, we finally got to meet each other's kids. yeah for olive (15 months), daxton (9 months) and itty bitty ezra (7 weeks).

it was my first time to sin city, and i'd heard mixed reviews about the place. it seemed like either people loved it or hated it.

i've decided it depends on where you go and what you see because we had a great time, and i would definitely go again.

the hotel was AMAZING and for a killer price (thanks mr. trump, despite your awful hair, your hotel did not disappoint). the shopping was incredible. the food was delicious. phantom of the opera was impressive. (thanks to the worlds #1 dads for babysitting!)

the bodies exhibit was fascinating. the gardens and fountains at the bellagio were a sight to see, not to mention the other hotels.

and...i found a cupcake shop that gives "happy cakes" a run for their money. delicious and worth every bit of that $3.75. aubry- add it to your vegas to do list "the cupcakery".

it was so fun to take a quick vacation, especially with good friends.

can't wait to see you all again in utah this summer!