VEGAS, Baby!

Jason and I had a blast in (Laughlin) and Vegas last week!!!

It was a WONDERFUL little get-a-way for just the two of us and we enjoyed the heck out of sleeping in, spending uninterrupted time together, visiting with great friends, and just doing what we wanted to do when we wanted to do it!

The first few days of our trip involved flying into Vegas, renting a car, and driving about 90 miles south to Laughlin, NV, which was just like a mini-Vegas. Jason competed in a National Power Lifting meet out there and I got the chance to just sit back and watch all the lifting take place....keeping up with not only Jason, but the competition and the whole environment....

(Now, this might not sound like a big deal, but usually I have NO CLUE what's going on at the meets because (when we go) I'm manning three kiddos with coloring books, toys, snacks, drinks, potty breaks, naps, dirty diapers, etc...Which doesn't leave time for me to do anything but catch 2 and 3-second glimpses of Jason's lifts.)

THIS time I was able to not only watch EVERY second of Jason's meet, but I was also able to swim and lay out at the pool before hand....my own little piece of heaven and definitely out of the norm for me!

Jason did FANTASTIC and I couldn't have been prouder of him. If you've never been a power lifting meet, it's A LOT of waiting around until one's flight and lift times are ready. Then it's a couple minutes of lifting and MORE waiting. I don't know how they do it....lots of down time.

But, it's so awesome to see Jason in his element...loving lifting, focused, determined, amped up, intense, and excited. It's his little piece of heaven and something that brings pure joy to his life. It was wonderful seeing things go so well for him and unfold the way they should have. Jason trains hard and does all this while still working full-time, coaching, pitching in around the house, and, most of all, being a fabulous Daddy!

AMAZING.

(Bench Pics...all three lifts....I'll get weights from Jason and update ASAP!)

All 3 dead lifts...

1st place, Baby!!! Way to go....I'm proud of you!!!

After a few days in Laughlin and a successful power lifting meet, we packed up and headed north back into Vegas, where we met Erin and Jeff for a couple of days in the city that never sleeps.....

Good-Bye, River Palms. On to the Flamingo....

90 miles of desert driving. Not a living creature in sight. Too HOT! 115 degrees.....

Heading to return the rental at the airport after dropping off all of our bags with the Eblings. And, yes, I navigated the strip and all the Vegas traffic...it actually wasn't too bad!!!

Once we checked into the Flamingo, we spent a majority of the time at the pool, gambling at our own hotel, sight seeing, trying new foods, and laughing....great times! (Erin has the pool pics and will be emailing me them..I'll get them up ASAP....what a fun way to spend out first day in sunny Vegas!)

We mostly walked, but did cab to the Pawn Stars shop...we're big fans and couldn't pass up the opportunity to sneak in a little visit. We were expecting lines, but surprisingly, didn't even have to wait a minute. Walked right in....

One of those "been there, can say we did that" type of things!

Going for a spin on the big wheel...

No luck for me on the only game I played in Vegas...Deuces Wild...ha! (On a happier note, I did win 50 bucks playing it in our Laughlin casino...along with a $70 slot machine win!) Big gambler, can't you tell. Ha!

Jason and Jeff playing a little black jack...J won a little bit! 

Overall, what a great trip! Way to go with the lifting, Babe, and Eblings...thanks for hanging with us in Vegas! 

As much as we enjoyed our trip...we've love being home and back to reality!

Someone's extremely PROUD....

of her DADDY!!! And the fantastic job he did in his powerlifting meet this past weekend...

I mean, seriously, could this pic get any cuter?!?! It's written all over her face...the fact that she loves her Daddy more than anything and gets excited when he gets excited!

Jason entered another power lifting meet, in the 242 lb weight class, in the push/pull category. That, for those of you who don't know, is where he only competes in the bench and the deadlift contests, not the squat. He did wonderful and got first place overall in his flight/category. You should have seen Tylee's reaction when she heard his name over the loud speaker. She said, "Boo-Ya!" and seriously lit up like she does best. The cutest part was her clapping and jumping up and down. She definitely had a blast of a time heading over to accept the award with him. What a special time for those two!

Miss Tay had fun clapping, eating grapes and string cheese, and "brushing" her hair, which she happenes to be doing in this pic. She loves brushing/combing those little blonde strands on the top of that cute little noggin for hers. I'm seriously hoping we can at least get a clippy in by her 2nd birthday!!!

Pic of Jason and his little sweeties. Trey would have been right there with them, but he's in Bloomfield staying with his Aunt Lori and his cousins, Damen & Caden. So it's just the girls for the time being...although they definitely miss him!!

My FAVORITE pic of them together....they seriously both are the BEST!

Congrats, Jason, on your 1st place finish...I know you always leave saying you want to put up bigger numbers, but that's just that inner drive inside of you. That drive that's always pushing you to train harder and lift more. That DRIVE is what I hope the kiddos pick up from you. I love you for being the best Daddy and for teaching our kiddos about determination, strength, dedication, passion, and a genuine love for what makes one happy. You are the BEST example for them and a role model they'll always look up to. I'm proud to have been out there cheering you on and excited about the fact that you and Ty had such a special time together as you waited for the results. This is a moment she'll hold onto forever and a special memory that will help shape her into the young girl she's growing up to be.

Always & Forever,

~Julie

Go YANKEES!!!

And, I don't mean the MLB team found in New York!!! (You all know I'm a Cardinal's fan anyway!!!)

Trey's officially started the Spring/Summer season of 6 and under coaches pitch baseball and he's on the Yankees. He's sporting number 6 and seems to already be having a blast and learning lots!

Our number one goal is to have FUN and learn something new each time we play. Something that we actually remember and put to practice when we are playing in the yard/park and improve on in the next game. Tonight marked his second practice and they had fun working on grounders, hitting batting practice, and getting in some tee work. It was so cute watching him out there....with a bunch of other five and six year-olds that are pretty much all in the same boat.

I forgot my camera (I know, VERY unlike me) for BOTH practices so far, but I promise to snap a few pics at the next practice. They only have one more and then the real fun begins. 12 games from now until the end of June....I think there's lots of fun in store for this little group!!

I did sneak a few pics at the team photo session this past weekend. I have to say that they were all looking pretty sharp....

Trey Man waiting for his team to get the call. He's excited to put his baseball glove from PaPa Steve to good use this season!!!

The boys checking out all the gear they had in common....and, I have to say, that listening to these boys have some major discussions was hilarious!!! So neat to see all their little personalities and see Trey making some new friends up here....

Still waiting...so patient!!!

Group pic time.....great shot, guys!!!

Posing for the individual shot....

And, we ended with a trip over to the school grounds for a little swinging :) Can't beat that...and all taken care of before 9 am.

After the pics and quick trip to the grocery store, the kids and I were off to cheer Jason on at his power lifting meet. Unfortunately, there were SO many people signed up for the meet that Jason had to wait around over 5 hours to lift. We didn't even get to see one of his lifts, but we get to see him!!!!

Go Daddy!!! We are proud of you and bummed we missed your lifts. Although, I'm sure it was waaaay easier to focus your thoughts once we made our "quiet" exit....

Judging from the above pics, which included Tylee serenading the audience, after she wore out her coloring hand, and Tay-Tay suffering from a major case of "Mommy forgot the Binky," but I've eaten every snack in the bag, blues...you can tell it was definitely time to wish Daddy the best and be on our merry, ready for a nap, way!!!

So, Daddy....keep rocking the weights and the power-lifting world and Trey Man, keep working hard at baseball practice. I know the games will be a blast and, you just never know, you may grow to love the sport!!! I'm super proud of you both and am excited for the many more meet and game watching moments in my future!!!! 

Love you BUNCHES!!!

Jason's Big Dawg Push/Pull Powerlifting Meet....

was a huge success!!!

This past Saturday Jason put on a lifting meet over at the YMCA. This happened to be the 3rd or 4th meet Jason has organized here in town and everything went off without a hitch....

Jason did a fantastic job announcing.....

And, even found a way to get involved in the lifting himself....here's a shot of his opening lift.....

Miss Taylen hanging out and cheering on her Daddy :)

The kids and I were able to be there for the entire thing (which isn't always as easy as it sounds considering the kids love to run around and be wild....between playing b-ball, soccer, and running laps on the track upstairs, they seem to be good at being in 10 places at once) and we only had to take 25 potty breaks....

All joking aside, we were VERY proud to be there cheering on the lifters and watching them work hard and enjoy doing what they love to do. This meet featured a variety of lifters ranging from high school students up to men in their late 30's.....Jason brother, Nick, was a guest lifter and put on quite a show for the audience as he deadlifted 700 pounds, not only once, but for FOUR reps!! It was absolutely AMAZING!!!

Way to Go, Uncle Nick! Good Luck at Nationals in a couple weeks!! We know you'll give 'em heck!

In addition to Nick's deadlifting excitement....this meet also featured a group of kids from the high school here in town. A few months ago, Jason started working with this weightlifting club after school 3 days a week, teaching them all things weightlifting and keeping them involved and active. Jason has always enjoyed working out and powerlifting himself, so this really has been a great fit!! Below are a couple pictures of the group...they definitely had a great time!!!

Posing with their trophies....

And showing off their guns!!!

Jason,

I'm super excited the meet went well...I know how hard you worked putting it together!! I'm proud of you and hope you realize just how important you are to all the students and athletes you influence on a daily basis. Not only do you have a tremendous heart, but you have complete dedication to whatever you do, including both teaching and coaching. You truly continue to amaze me each and EVERY day!!! I love you!!!

One last shot from the fun afternoon....

Ty, Jason, Trey, and Nick posing for a little cam action after the meet!!!