#hungergames2012...

If you know me you know I have a tendency to become slightly obsessed with certain things, some would call it addictive personality disorder, I simply call it love and devotion. Such is the case with the Hunger Games books. I had first heard about them through my friend, Stone, a good 3 years ago, but it was not until about a year an a half ago when I was working graveyards that I finally decided to read the first one.  Not gonna lie, to me the premise sounded terrible and not anything I would be interested in but I had 8 hrs to kill and nothing better to read so the hunger games it was. 1 chapter in and I was HOOKED.   I could not put it down, nor could I shut up about it. Pretty sure I read all 3 in 5 days. Honestly something about these books just infected me and I spread it around like the flu in daycare. A few months after reading it I heard they were turning them into movies, while I was hesitant at first after seeing a couple of the castings I became just as excited to see the movies as a 12 yr old twilight fan. Since all my girlfriends had read the series and were just as obsessed as I was we began joking around that we should meet up to watch it together.  Ha ha ha that would be so funny and great but we would never actually do that...or would we?

Cut to March 24th, 2012...Moses Lake, Washington.

Me, Megs, Jax, Stone & Jamie enjoying the beautiful scenery that Moses Lake has to offer...Gotta love that beautiful water tower and potato smell.

I've decided I will never not travel with Jbass, this girl comes prepared! here we are enjoying some homemade bloody's from a Mason Jar.

Enjoying reuniting with a toast at the Moses Lake golf course. Thank God we were the only ones there!

These ladies light up my life (and apparently my eyes)!

Also this post would not be complete without a shout out to our driver, entertainer, and Moses Lake tour guide, Al.  The cub made the trip very informative and fun, so to him I would just like to say "Hi."

I hate to brag...

Aren't these two the cutest little boy and girl you ever did see! 

This is my nephew, Louis, who I call Quattro and my niece, Magdalene.

I love thier smiling faces and how happy and joyful they are. This also makes me thankful that they have eachother to grow up with and I know they will share such happy memories together, just like my siblings and I did.

Thanks for the picture Sheila!

 

PS: Aren't footie PJs adorable!?!

Miracles happen...

Miracle #1

On Friday afternoon, Bobby and Diane welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Reese Ellen LaBelle, into the world. Mommy, Daddy and Baby are all doing wonderful. No word yet on brother, Trapper :)

She is the sweetest most precious little thing you ever did see! I just want to hold her and snuggle with her all the live long day!

Miracle #2

We got Jim to go to the hospital. Which if you know Jim at all this was a HUGE accomplishment. It was touch and go for awhile but he lasted a solid 30-40 minutes before having to leave to throw up. The important thing is he made it.

And Miracle #3

Jim actually held Reese!!! In the 8 yrs Jim and I have been together I have never once seen him hold a baby that is less than a month old. And here he is holding little Reese who is less than 5 hours old. My husband is growing up :) Sorry I had to take lots of pics to prove this actually happened. I'm 100% not joking when I say Jim was probably blacked out he was so freaked. (Hospital + newborn = heart attack)

Jim and I are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family and are so excited about all the recent additions and future additions to that group.  Next up: Harper Mae Snyder!

Here's Megs and Chris getting their practice in

And finally to prove we are not really all that grown up, at all, here we are joking around with the pads they send home with new mom's. Jim's nightmare may be hospitals but these are mine. Seriously terrifying!

Congrats Bob and Diane! We are so happy for you and love little Reese to pieces!!!!!!!!!

Anchors Away...

At the beginning of the February I was lucky enough to go to Vegas with The Girls for Landis's bachelorette party.  The weekends festivities happened to coincide with the Super Bowl so it was perfect timing for a little fun in Sin City!  8 of us gals met up from across the country: Stone, Dawn, and Jax came from Seattle. Megs, Jamie and I came from Spokane. Landis arrived from North Carolina and Carrie came from NYC. We planned our arrivals perfectly and all landed within an hour of each other. to get things started on the right foot we all met up at the airport bar to make sure everyone got in OK (and for some spicy bloody mar's-obvi).

From the airport we headed to our AMAZING suite at The Cosmopolitan! Thanks for the sweet hook up Jbass! 

After settling into our room we decided to take a looksy around our casino and try to get some food. We stopped at the chandelier bar (its literally inside a chandelier) for a celebratory toast first and then we hit the strip for some food and fun.  

After lunch it was back to the suite to open presents and try and get 8 girls ready for our first night out on the town. Not a very easy task with only 3 bathrooms, but nonetheless we succeeded!

Isn't landis the cutest bride to be you ever did see

Once out, we got our obligatory d-list celeb sighting out of the way. For those wondering its Dr. 90210. Never even seen the damn show but let me tell you I was excited at this moment (ps:I was also intoxicated)!

Once over that "excitement" it was time to dance!

Our second day started a bit later than our first. We hit up the buffet at our hotel and let me tell you this is not your old country buffet...not to mention it was a hangovers dream! well a dream for most of us, for Dawn I think it was more of a nightmare :)

After lunch Dawn, Carrie and I ventured to try and find a place to watch the Super Bowl. We had backup reservations at an English Pub off the strip but we really wanted to find someplace close and fun (and not outrageously expensive) to watch the game. As luck would have it we found it in our hotel. Poolside, lots of tv's, a bar nearby, seats for 6 (jamie and jax both left that morning), not over crowded and not super expensive. #winning!

From the game we knew we needed food badly but we still needed to get ready for our last night out. Back to the suite we go! We got ready and then headed to Scarpetta for some DELICIOUS food and wine. We even worked in a game for Landis to play while we ate...lets just say it was informative :)

With dinner done it was time to hit the club for our last night out!  We tore up the floor and had a great time.

Alas all good things must come to an end. The next afternoon (after a few mimosas and margs)

it was time to head back to reality and remind my body what its like to not have alcohol flowing thru its bloodstream 24/7.  Lets just say that took awhile, i had quite a bit to recover from :)

I love these women so much and can not wait for the wedding, in June, when we cal ALL be together again!
ps: WE MISSED YOU FULLER!!!

McLaSnydOle Xmas #5...

Early in December the LaBelle's graciously hosted our 5th (or possibly 6th) annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange. We feasted on prime rib, cheesy potatoes, yummy veggies, snacks, wine, whiskey, champagne and so much more. It was all SO GOOD!

After dinner it was time for presents. For the few of you who read this you probably know the drill but just in case I will refresh your memory. The 8 of us draw names (boys get boys, girls get girls) and we each give each other a regular gift and a gag gift. The gag gifts are always hilarious however not for public display; however I will tell you there were some that will live in infamy this year!

Below are a few pics that are OK for public viewing:

not real sure what Ally and I are doing here

by the looks of it you would think we were swingers ;)

Ally and I enjoying our wine while Megs and Diane enjoy some baby gifts!

The McLaSnydOle's

Jim opening his annual bottle of Jameson

Chris breaking in Baby Snyder's Bib

For new year's eve the whole crew headed up to Bobby's Grandparents lake cabin at Priest Lake to celebrate. I, unfortunately had to work, but from what I heard a great time was had by all. Hopefully next year I will be able to attend! If you want to see more about their time at Priest you can check out Megan's blog here

Hopefully you were able to spend some quality time with your friends and family this Holiday season. It really is what the season is all about :)