Purse Recycle, Part One

Ok, in the early spirit of spring cleaning and in hopes of a less cluttered 2011, I'm on a mission to reduce the number of purses I have (as well as many other things to come, so stay tuned!). It is not an easy mission. I got two more for christmas. One I bought for myself. I know, it is a bit of an obsession. Help me. Please!

So, I'm only planning to keep my favorites. But I hate to see all the others go into a ratty old bin at Goodwill to mix amongst the masses of junk. If anyone wants one (or two or three, don't be shy) they are yours! I'll gladly give/send/bring/ship them to you, just let me know what you like.

Brown/Bronze Kathy Van Zeeland Purse

12"W x 6"H x 4"D

Natural & Black(shiny) Guess Purse
(with removable shoulder strap)

12"W x 8"H x 3"D

Navy J Crew Bucket Purse

11"W x 8"H x 3"D

Black Leather (super soft!) Gap Bag with light purple lining

15"H x 14.5"W x 4"D

Light Green Ralph Lauren Purse

11"W x 7"H x 2.5"D

There you have it. There are more, but I haven't had a chance to take photos and measure them yet. Baby steps. Please feel free to pass along and share with friends!

Let me know if you see something you want!

Las Vegas!

In mid-June, in celebration of Kel's 21st birthday, we headed down to fabulous Las Vegas! The lights, the sounds, the massive-ness of everything - Vegas never disappoints!

The newly-legal gambler spent all night playing Poker and all day sleeping, so I have virtually no photos that he was even there....but he was.  The rest of us, however, did all sorts of shamelessly touristy things. Mom & I saw the one, the only, the fabulous, CHER! Unfortunately, no photos were allowed at all (and they were serious!) so I don't have any photos of the actual show. 

These were some of the costumes from her last tour. Trust me (I was on the 3rd row, so I know!) her costumes this time were just as amazing! She is flawless! Totally worth the price for such great seats.

And of course, we had to make it over for some yummies at In-N-Out Burger. I'm pretty sure the double-double is the only thing that got Greg through his all nighter on the strip with Kel! Yum, oh what I wouldn't do for one of their cheeseburgers and fries....

One of Greg & my favorite shows is Pawn Stars on the History Channel. Love it! Yes, we stood in line to go in the Pawn Shop...I really wanted to buy something, but yeah, we were a couple of grand short for anything in there! I settled on a totally tacky & completely fabulous pink Gold & Silver Pawn Shop t-shirt with a giant diamond ring on the front. It is my new favorite thing to wear.

My adorable husband waiting in line. We were told they were filming when we got there and they had just asked everyone to go wait outside. We're watching for an episode with a Rosa Parks letter and a cowboy hat, those were the items from that morning! 

Other highlights from the trip include: getting to meet up with my all-time-favorite boss Dan, exploring the new City Center complex & Aria Hotel, outlet shopping at Tommy Bahama (don't think the girls forced Greg to go with us, he was all over it!), exploring the wonderful Bellagio and having dinner with Uncle Billy & Aunt Coleen. Such a fun trip! I want to go back...this weekend. Or next. Seriously, again soon!

At the Bellagio Conservatory

World's Largest Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate literally comes out of the ceiling! Yum!

I think the Wynn & Encore are so beautiful. I'd really love to stay there next time...*hint, hint* : ) 

Thanks for a great time Vegas! Looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Gary & Carol Visit!

June has already been busy around the Jones house! Greg's mom & dad came out to visit the first week of June and we had tons of fun.

Dinner at our favorite steakhouse in Parker

Unfortunately, Greg & I had to work during the week so we didn't have time to go Rocky Mountain National Park or any of the other fun places around here. Thanks to Gary & Carol for being so easy going and working around our schedules. They even planted some new lilac bushes in the yard (can't wait to see the beautiful purple blooms next spring!) and cooked us dinner a couple of nights! But we did manage to get away early a couple of days and have plenty of fun on the weekend.

Saturday, Greg had to work during the day so Gary, Carol & I met up with my mom for lunch. Then Gary went home to watch golf and the girls went shopping and to see Sex and the City 2. So much fun!

Sunday we went down to Colorado Springs to see the sights. We started at the always impressive Broadmoor Hotel. What an amazing place! (And the only warm & dry day all week!)

Greg & Gary admiring the two gorgeous golf courses.
Maybe next time boys!

Then, after walking around the Broadmoor and a trip through the pro shop (who says men don't like to shop?) we drove through Manitou Springs and made it over to the Garden of the Gods. I've actually been to the Garden of the Gods several times, but it is just as amazing every time! 

It was a very warm and busy Sunday afternoon at Garden of the Gods, but we had a great time walking around. This is an absolute "must do" for anyone visiting Colorado! And surprisingly enough, it is completely free. Bonus. 

Finally, before Gary & Carol had to head back to the west coast we all headed to Coors Field for a Rockies game. It started out very hot, then looked like we were for sure going to have rain, but luckily we didn't get a drop! (June around here is about as volatile as it gets...warm, cold, hail, rain, tornadoes, anything is possible...and all in the same day!)

No rain, the Rockies won, and we all had a great time! Thanks so much to Gary & Carol for making the trip out to see us. We won't be making it up to Oregon this summer, so we are so glad they made it out to visit us!  

Graduation

Congratulations are in order for my baby brother who graduated college last weekend! At 20 years old (that's right, he hasn't even turned 21 yet!) he has a degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines. Impressive!

The New Graduate

CSM Stage with Diplomas

The few hours of his graduation were the only hours of a clear blue sky all weekend! But, luckily we didn't get wet and we enjoyed beautiful weather during the ceremony. (I think Mines knows what they are doing by having the ceremony at 9am!). 

Iconic School of Mines "M" on the Hillside

Greg & I getting ready for the ceremony to start. 

Post-Ceremony Hug from Mom

It was great to have family in town to help us all celebrate. Afterwards Greg grilled up fajitas for everyone...yummy! 

For now Kel is enjoying his summer vacation but he'll be returning to Mines in the fall to begin his PhD studies in Chemical Engineering! After that long-awaited 21st birthday arrives (May 27) we're taking him to Vegas for some fun! 

Valentine's Day

Make a Smilebox greeting

Slideshow: The Kitties

My first creation from smilebox.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Family

We are finally home & settled back in to our routine after our trip to Oregon. Unfortunately, we are both sick and no amount of medicine seems to be helping! Hopefully we'll back to normal in another couple of days. Some highlights of our trip:

The "grown ups" at Bella Union.

The germ monster! Good thing he's such a cutie pie!! Henry, you were such a busy boy with school & skiing & friends that we didn't get a photo. Sorry buddy, but thanks for fitting us into your schedule a little! : )

At the California redwoods....in the rain! We had a great day trip even with the rain. We always love spending time with mom & dad Jones.

I think this is Mt Hood. Someone was reading the entire flight so I had to entertain myself taking photos out the window. Not bad, considering!

We had great time with family and friends. Of course we were also glad to get home and see our 'babies'. They made it clear that they were all happy to see us too! Speaking of those crazies, hilarious photos & video to come soon!