Christmas in Vegas

Clark and I spent Christmas in Las Vegas with Mom and Dad Tobler, Amy and Jeff, and Jake and Steph.  We missed you Chad, Janet, Kyle and Kim.  And all the little ones, too.

 It was a festive affair.

Complete with delicious dinners, including Clark's special orange chicken.

The master chef himself.

We indulged in Amy's delicious cupcakes.  I have never had peppermint frosting...it was amazing but unfortunately, no one but Amy will ever know the recipe.

 We visited the new Hoover Dam bypass and walked the entire length of the bridge.

It was a long way down, and if I wasn't so scared of dropping our camera into the water 800 ft below, I would have taken a picture of the distance from the bridge to the water.

What a handsome man.

 

Standing in two time zones at once.

The only picture we took together in Vegas.

Monday I took the opportunity to go shooting with the men.  I happened to get a rifle for Christmas so it was nice to test it out.  Clark liked testing it out as well.

Clark shooting Jake's Sig Sauer.  It was pretty thrilling to shoot.  A future purchase, perhaps?

We also went to a Vegas show (Vegas! The Show) but I didn't have our camera in tow, hence no pictures of the strip.  We took some fun family pictures up at Mt. Charleston with Jan's new camera so hopefully she will post the pictures on her blog soon.  Some of the family photos turned out pretty cute.

On our way home we had the lovely opportunity to drive into a blizzard.  Fun. Stuff.

Welp, that was our Christmas!  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas spent in the company of loved ones and/or friends!

Season's Greetings From Our Family to Yours

Clark really wanted the greeting on the picture to read: So what have you done this year?  

Clark thought it was hilarious,I thought it was a little much.  Honestly, so many people we know get to do way cooler things; we're just thankful for this life we lead together and for the experiences we've been blessed to share! And, we have done and seen some pretty amazing things in 2010.

We started off the year of 2010 in Salt Lake City.  (Due to the nature of our great country's economy, Clark was only able to acquire a nursing position in Salt Lake City in August 2009.  I ended up moving as well at the very end of December 2009 and thankfully our house rented out right away.)  Both working as nurses at LDS Hospital under the same manager but on different floors, we've had quite the time trying to sync up our schedules.  But by March we were able to take a mini vacation.  We spent our 2nd Anniversary in Denver, Colorado and hit the slopes at Loveland (picture).  In May, Clark and I drove down to Moab to explore a couple of Utah's most well known national parks: Arches National Park (picture) and the Canyonlands National Park.  At the very end of July we took off for the wonderful California coast.  Amazingly, Clark's 1997 Chevy Lumina made the trip there and back and is still running strong.  We were able to meet up with family in Monterey and spend time in the magical, eclectic city of San Fransisco (picture).  In November, Clark and I met up with my parents and my younger brother and his wife in Maui (two pictures) and Oahu.  It was a great trip and we only wished my older brother and my older sister and her family could have joined us.

In addition to the above trips, we were able to take several weekend trips to Las Vegas and Idaho Falls to visit with Clark's side of the family.  We also were able to visit my side of the family in Pasco, WA (I'm craving Viera's Bakery right about now).  We've been snowboarding up at the Canyons Ski Resort in Park City and have ventured off into the Wasatch Mountain Range for some cool hikes.  I'm still running and have completed a few half marathons this year and Clark has found a band to create musical fusion with.  They have played several show around town and played in a local music festival in September.  I've decided to advance my education and have applied to a few graduate schools for nursing.  I am awaiting responses from two schools, but so far the University of Pittsburgh wants me!  We are currently awaiting registration numbers so we can apply for visas and travel nurse to Australia.  We are looking forward to a Las Vegas Christmas and to the adventures that await us in the new year.  I can't believe 2011 is just around the corner!

 Here's wishing your holiday season is decorated with peace, love, laughter and joy!  Merry Christmas!

Love, Clark & Rachel

Photo shoot with Gretchen Doodle

Gretchen's days are numbered.  No, she is not dying or suffering from a physical ailment.  She probably has diabetes though, but we're not positive.  We have elected to find Gretchen nice, new parents since we will most likely be leaving the country in the next couple of months.  God willing.  Many of you may (or may not) know that we are wanting to travel nurse to Australia before I start grad school next fall.  Our paper work is in and we are just awaiting our nursing registration numbers so we can apply for visas.  It's a headache, and I just hope all the time we spent collecting proper documents and getting papers notarized will not be in vain.  We're hoping to leave by February, March at the latest.  If for some crazy reason, the laid back Aussies can't process our registrations by March we may have to bag the whole situation.  But we have a back up plan: if we don't travel nurse to Australia, we will backpack Eastern Europe.  Either way, we'll be leaving the country for a while and we can't take Gretchen.  

And I'm sad about this.

We've had Gretchen over two years.  I saved her from kitty death row and gave her to Clark as a birthday present (surprise!!).  Most feral cats can't be tamed that well, but I think Gretchen is an exception.  She has come a looooooooong way.  She has developed quite the personality and loves to play games, follow us from room to room, jump up on the computer chair with me, and purr.  She love to watch movies with us, and whether she's hungry or not, if we are in the kitchen snacking, she will too.

Oh my gosh, I sound like a crazy cat lady.  I feel like we're kind of giving up, like we're not doing all we can to keep her.  But I don't see any other solution as we do not want to place a burden on family and I don't want to bring her back to the Humane Society.  So, we've placed ads on Craigslist.  And we've gotten a few people interested.  At least I know we'll find a safe home for her; I assumed it would take months.  She may be gone tomorrow.  Clark keeps asking if I'll cry, as if that is something to be ashamed of.

Last night I got all sentimental and wanted pictures with Gretchen.  Clark thought I was crazy but I insisted.  So he took pictures of me playing with Gretchen but cut out my face on most of them.  Something an 8 year old or an 80 year old would do.

Family photo.  She did NOT like the sound of the self timer.

Miss Gretchen Doodle, we will miss you.  I might miss you more than Clark will. 

Necessary indulgences

 I've purchased three new pairs of shoes since December 1st (technically Clark purchased a pair on my behalf).  I realize that Christmas is a time to give and not think of oneself.  I get that, and I try to play by those rules.  However, the said shoes that have been purchased are essential to maintaining my well being and moderately high quality of life. And these dang holiday sales are almost too good to be true.  Companies sure know how to advertise, that is for sure. Clark tried to make me feel guilty for indulging in the consumer sport of online shoe shopping.  Nevertheless, I am a woman.  I need (many) shoes for multiple purposes.  That is just the way it goes.    

Pair #1:  I have been searching...and searching...and searching for the perfect pair of closed-toed oxfords that aren't too masculine looking.  I envision myself wearing these shoes in the future, with a baby on my hip, preparing dinner over the stove while simultaneously vacuuming the carpet and dusting family portraits.  Whew.  Does not sound like simple times in the future.  I'll just envision myself donning these shoes to go to the grocery store, church, or something like that.  The responsibility of the latter vision doesn't scare me nearly as much. Kudos to mothers past and present who can keep a household fed and intact.  Don't know when I'll be up to that challenge.

Oh, so cute!!

Pair #2:  I swear by Danskos.  They are the only shoes I can wear while working.  I love coming home and not having shooting pains up my legs.  Totally awesome.  Wanna hear the huge plus?  They were a steal.   And I'm sure they'll last me just as long as my last pair: roughly 3.5 years. 

 Pair #3:  Technically I don't have these boots in my sole possession... yet.  They are sitting in a Cabelas box taped thoroughly shut so I cannot open them until Christmas.  Unless it snows more than four inches.  At that point in time, Clark will begrudgingly allow me to tear open box (he currently refuses to wrap the gift in Christmas wrapping), lace up these boots, and dance around gleefully.  Clark, thank you for this Christmas gift.  Thank you for purchasing these boots when I told you to and for allowing me to look over your shoulder the whole time to ensure that you purchased the right size.  I love you.  I am thrilled to almost have a pair of boots that will keep my little toesies warm on a cold winter's day.  

Just for the record, I do care about other people and not just myself (Clark, stop making me feel guilty).  I am a sucker for good deals and I am super stoked on these shoes.   That is all for now.

Oh, Holiday Cheer...

Yessum, we are getting filled with the Holiday Spirit over here in SLC!!  Clark and I are pretty excited to be together this Christmas.  Though I do work Christmas Eve, we get to spend the morning of Christmas together and then drive down to Vegas to meet up with some other crazy Toblers.  It'll be a pretty dang good holiday. So here's what we've been up to the last few days...basically a whole lotta nothin'.  And it has been glorious.

 Hanging tinsel garlands around our windows...

 Admiring the miniature ornaments on the tree...

 because they are just too darling...

 Reflecting on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ...and displaying the nativity I snagged from Mom Tobler's grab bag at Christmas in 2008...

 Displaying my all time favorite Christmas decoration... oh, cute German houses, you get me every time!  I love it so much I keep it out year round and only light the candle during Christmas (thank you Dagmara!)...

 Drinking maybe too much of this to keep my insides warm...

 Though Clark always chooses hot cocoa...

 Enjoying pomegranates not only because they are they filled with antioxidants, but because they are festive...

 Allowing the sweet vocals of Jewel to grace our home each and every day... 

 David wants to send you season's greetings...

 So does this guy...

 We're keeping busy making and taking important calls...

 And learning important jazz scales...

 But we're keeping warm, thanks to our appropriately named Heatdish...

And taking naps when and where appropriate.  

 This is our version of spreading holiday cheer.  Go get yoself some!

Our Modest Christmas Tree

Ain't she a beaut?  Good thing I have never invested in a normal sized artificial tree.  We wouldn't have room for it.  This three footer is perfect, just in desperate need of a tree skirt.  A project I foresee in the next week or so?  We'll see.  

Nothing like simple tree decoratin' and Christmas Vacation to kick off the holiday season!

Zee best bread EVER

I just want to preface this post by letting ya'll know that shoveling snow is a great winter/fall workout.  It has been snowing since 3 am and I'm getting ready to shovel our walk again.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I actually enjoy this responsibility and all I request for Christmas is a pair of insulated snow boots.

Anywhoo, I'm not one who typically posts recipes but I would be remiss if I did not share this one particular, mouthwatering, SIMPLE, bread recipe.  I have been using this recipe since well before Clark and I married and it happened to be my only contribution to this years Thanksgiving feast (a couple at Church took pity on our poor souls and invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. Once again, I have evaded preparing and basting a turkey.  Whew.).

Anyway, this recipe is called Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread and any recipe that bears an East coast state's name AND pumpkin is a total green light in my book.   For the record, I will never try a recipe that has under 100 reviews and the recipe must also have a 4.5 star or above rating.  Well, Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread has over 4,000 reviews and basically a perfect 5 star rating!!  This bread is goooooooood.  I always add 1/4 tsp extra of all the spices.  If I wasn't out of brown sugar I would make some tonight.  Maybe if you aren't out of brown sugar you should make some on my behalf.  Just sayin'.

Sorry no pictures.  Don't be a slacker.  Just click on the highlighted recipe name to take you to the recipe link.

A very normal night on my own--Glamour Shots style

What do you do when your husband is at work all night and you are bored out of your mind and nothing is opened other than Wal Mart?  (Let's be honest here, Wal Mart is never fun unless you consider having fun standing in line for 40 minutes to purchase a simple item such as chap stick.)

I do what any normal 27 year old female would do:  

1.  I go to the hospital gym to run and work out.  Running in 10 degree weather turns my feet to ice and is just not feasible--or smart. 

2. I return home to watch Zombieland on Netflix whilst I eat dinner.

3. I consider playing the geetar but finish my current novel instead.  

4. Before I take a shower I decide to apply dark eye liner and poof my hair... for the hell of it, of course.  Man, black eyeliner, neutral eyeshadow and three bobby pins can really go a long way.  

5. Then I decide to capture myself on camera.  Because it is only natural to want to capture such beauty (????) on camera.  It retrospect I wish I would have had some wild colored eyeshadow, mascara, blush and lipstick at hand.  You know, to really play up my new appearance.  Out of those four items, the only one I own is mascara.  And it was downstairs and I was too lazy to fetch it.

Please don't think me narcissistic.  I was simply having a gay old time by myself and I was thoroughly amused by the pictures.  Ri-dic-u-lous!  Reminds me of waaaay back in the day when Whitney and I would dress up in ridiculous costumes and take pictures.  HA! Obviously I haven't outgrown that stage of my life.

 I call this one, "The Ace."

 I call this one, "Kissy Face."

 I call this one, "The Dilemma."

 I call this one, "The Nose-Picker."

 I call this one, "The Tourist."

 I call this one, "Sundevil Pride."

 I call this one, "The Face of Revenge and Distrust."

 I call this one, "Exasperated."

 I call this one, "Holding Still."

 I call this one, "Playful."

 I call this one, "Searching for Enlightenment in Bad Lighting."

 I call this one, "The Partial Profile and Poor Posture."

I hope you found some amusement in my glamour shots.  Thanks for browsing.