Melanie's 30th Birthday Weekend in Las Vegas!

Last week, January 9th, I turned 30...yikes! I hear from almost everybody that the 30s are better than the 20s, so bring it on! I'm ready! For the big day, Matt surprised me with a trip to Las Vegas and my parents watched Madison for the weekend...our first time away from her. While it was very wierd to be without her and we missed her terribly, I have to admit that it was nice to focus on us again and have a little break. We also knew that Madison was in good hands and having a great time! While in Vegas, Matt and I enjoyed visiting all the amazing hotels, eating world class food, walking The Strip, drinking great wine while enjoy the incredible views, and pulling a few slots (not many though...we are not gamblers). Overall, we had a great trip and I had a wonderful 30th birthday!

Cesar's Palace...a HUGE hotel with great shopping!

One of the bakerys that we walked by had these amazing little desserts...we shared a chocolate one!

Pulling my one slot!

Birthday morning...ready to walk The Strip.

One of Vegas' new hotels is called City Center. It's actually a cluster of 3 hotels and this was some of the amazing decor in the Cosmo hotel. Vegas hotels are incredible to look at!!

Outside the Bellagio...see my extra wrinkles that 30 gave me?!?

We had lunch at one of Wolfgang Puck's many Vegas resturants...it was in the Venitian hotel and we got to enjoy lunch in "Italy"

Watching the gondolier rides in "Venice"

Such a cheesy picture, but I had too...holding up the BIG 3-0

Right before sunset we went to the Eiffle Tower Resturant and sat at the bar which overlooked The STrip and the Bellagio Hotel fountain show. It was an incredible view, we talked with a nice couple, and enjoyed great wine...it was so relaxing! Not a care in the world!

The fountain show

Watching the fountains as the sun set

"The Eiffle Tower" at night

"Italy" at night

My Vegas present...

We stayed at the New York New York hotel...its amazing! We were too scared to ride the roller coster, but we had a great view of it and The Strip from our room.

Christmas Vacation

This post is LONG overdue, but better late than never...I had originally thought that I would only post a few photos from our Christmas Vacation, however I took way too many photos (as always) and had too many that I wanted to share...so enjoy! We had a great time on our trip which started off in Arizona with the Podd Family and ended in Durango for New Year's with the Fargo Family. A long, but wonderful trip with family and friends!

The first day in town, we visited Nana at work and went to lunch with her...notice the matching outfits on the kids..guess who got those for them :) Who knows that Pam and Greg Podd love matching outfits ?!? :)

Madison and Nana love!!

Carter and Madison get along really well and love each other so much! They love to hug and kiss each other and are best cousins forever!! It is so nice that the kids are so close in age (6 months and 1 day apart).

Cousin love!

After a long day of shopping and lunch, the kids were done! They could not wait to get home for their naps

Trying to share the chair...

Carter is trying to perfect his spoon skills with Cheerios :)

Feeding Uncle Robby

Bugging Carter as he is nicely trying to color...I think she may be trying to lick his head!!

"I'm going to get you Carter!!"

Christmas Eve day dress from Nana and Papa

We had a nice brunch with my Great Aunt Catherine and Great Uncle George

Handsome boy Carter in his Christmas Eve outfit

Our silly girl in her Christams Eve dress...she was a real ham that night!

Classic! Reading a book with the bear! Look at that face!!!

A pony?!? This is cool! Carter got one too!

Standing on top of her kitchen from Nana and Papa

Christmas morning family photo

Cousin Tatum and Madison...they sure love each other!

The day after Christmas, we flew to California to attend the Fargo Family Christmas Party. We had a great time seeing everyone, and Madison got to play with her 2nd cousin Noah again

The men...Tim, Mike, Matt, and Bob

(Mike and Bob are Tim's brothers)

Grandma Bettye and Mitzy...didn't Grandma look so fancy and beautiful in her silver, sparkle shirt?

Loving on Cousin Noah...how sweet!

In the airport that night...a happy girl as always

"YES!! I did it!!!"

At that time, Madison was still practicing her walking skills. Now she is a full on walker!

"Look at me...no hands!!"

Srunchie face!!

Reading the instuctions to one of her new Christmas toys :)

Loving her new tunnel and hut

Smiley girl :)

Hey! You forgot your baby!

Madison loves pushing her new stroller from NanaB. She pretty much loves to put anything in it

In Durango...Madison loves playing with Grandpa's hat!

Ellie in her element...she LOVES the snow!

Such a stylish girl! Waiting for a table at Steamworks...

Cool guys... Danny, Cousin Andy, Grizzly, Tim

Being silly with Uncle Danny

Tim and Cindy get their grove on to 70s music!

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2011! Can't wait for a great year!