Las Vegas

We spent a fun couple days in sunny Las Vegas. Sam had an interview down here so we decided since it was so close we would just make a little get a way out of it. We went down on a Wednesday. Dax did pretty good on the drive down. He cried for about a hour because he wanted out if his car seat. Once we got down there we only had about an hour till Dax needed to go to be so we ate at Chipotle and walked around the gardens.

Dax loved all the lights and things to see and wouldn't sleep pretty much the whole trip until he couldn't stay awake any longer. While Sam was at his interview we shopped, and shopped, and shopped. I've decided Vegas is great for shopping since it has everything you could possibly want all very close to each other.

Fashion Show Mall

Milk break

We stayed at the Trump Hotel. We loved it! Super fancy, you have to use the valets and bell hops which was new for us. We absolutely loved the bathroom and want our future house to have one just like it! You know it's nice when there is a tv in the mirror! It was on the upper part of the strip which sucked for when we had to walk a ton to see a lot of the sights, although I didn't feel as bad eating as much as I did because I know I walked it off). But nice because it was away from the crazy night life scene.

Once Sam got back from his interview we hit the strip. We didn't have time to really explore all of the hotels. While I have been before and think they are pretty cool to see, it was Sam's first time and decided there were other things we wanted to do more. Top on the list were M&M world and Coca Cola world. At Coca Cola world we did the around the world tray. 16 sodas from all around the world. Some were really good and some not so good. One thing is for sure is America uses a lot of sugar!

We ate at the Luxor which is at the end of the strip so it was a long walk. We also stopped and watched the fountain show at the Bellagio. I was excited for Dax to see it but he had passed out by that time.

We also took Daxton for his first swim. We're not really sure what he thought about it. He didn't scream but he wasn't acting really excited either. Though I'm sure in a couple years we wont be able to get him out of it! 

DIY Baby Moccasins

I have been loving the baby moccasins and finally found a couple patterns on Pinterest that I really liked. Thank goodness for Pinterest right, it has everything you'll ever want! I've made my own tutorial for those interested. It was a fun little project but it wasn't without some headaches. :)

What you'll need:

-Some kind of leather like material(you'll want it to be durable, this is on the outside)

-Cotton material for the inside lining

-Thread

-1/4" elastic 

-Tissue or wax paper(I used tissue paper)

Note: Some people used special needles and feet but I wanted to complete this project at the lowest cost possible.

I started out by choosing my fabric. I went to Joann's and they had a couple options. Not as many for boys. I'm sure that if I went online I could find a lot better selection but since I didn't want to wait I just went with a basic brown color. I'm not sure what the correct name of the fabric is, I just call it pleather. The liner fabric can be any kind of cotton.

I got my pattern here and went to work.

I pinned and cut out each piece. Then I cut the fringe.

 You start by sewing the fringe and toe piece together I used a 1/2" seam allowance. Then sew the heel piece in half using a 3/8" seam allowance. Thread the elastic through and then secure it on the ends by sewing it.

 Then sew the heel piece to the fringe in a U shape as shone above. This part was confusing to me until I played around with the pieces and figured it out. I suggest doing the same. After that add the toe liner piece so that it will sit on the inside.

After you've folded the liner piece inside you are ready to add the sole. Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the liner and the outside to the rest of the moccasin with the liner facing out. It's best if you can do this step using a serger. It will give you a better finish. If you are like me however and don't have one a regular sewing machine works fine.

I would suggest reading a couple different tutorials before you start because each is going to give you different ideas which will help. Also use the tissue paper on top whenever you are sewing the pleather on the outside. I didn't start this way and it was a mess. It wouldn't go through my machine and then the threads would knot. Once your done sewing you just tear the tissue paper off.

Dax now has cute little moccasins and wears them most of the time even though he is still getting used to wearing shoes.

Half Triathlon

Don't worry, I'm not crazy enough to do a half triathlon. At least not all at once. I enjoy working out but sometimes I have a hard time pushing myself and staying consistent. I never had this problem growing up. I was always playing a team sport and so it was always easy to work out, and hard. There is something about mixing the working out with having fun and the competitiveness. I'm a very competitive person so I would push myself. But when it is just me that's not the case.

One day when Sam and I were at the gym we saw a flyer for a Indoor Half Triathlon. The catch was you could do it whenever you wanted and it didn't have to be completed all at once. I really liked this idea because I would be competing against someone to win, it would be a good workout, and I could work it around taking care of Dax and work.

Sam and I decided we would have our own and have since decided to make it a tradition. The winner gets to pick a prize of their choice. It has been a lot of fun and it's helped me to exercise  harder and more often than I usually would. I love finding ideas like this that help me to be active! If you have any other fun ideas let me know. Or just let me know what helps you to be active. I need all the help I can get! :)