Confessions

I wear my sunglasses at night.... whoops, nope that's just Chad.

I wear leggings as pants. There I said it. And I don't even care what any of you legging haters have to say about it. Nor do I care what you legging lovers as-long-as-it-covers-your-crotch have to say about it either.

I've blown through a season and a half of Scandal in 2 days. (2 weekdays)

I've put off getting my new driver's license as long as absolutely possible because I don't want to go take the open book test. For some reason I'm sure I will find a way to fail it.

There were 8 containers of ice cream in our freezer last night. All of them had just a little left. I finally threw them all out and replaced them with a full one :)

Nikki and Matt inspired me to do Insanity again. I did it one time 2 weeks ago and then forgot all about it because, blegh.

Whenever my lips get uber dry (all the time thanks to the desert) they disappear when I smile. Also I feel like lipstick looks ridiculous on me because I'm never used to seeing myself with color in my lips.

Weird lipless smile at the top of my favorite climb.

Thank You Girls of Vegas

Sometimes Vegas is just everything you want it to be.

A drunk girl in uncomfortable shoes and a barely there skirt who sits down in the middle of the hallway outside the club so she can do up her 5 inch heels. Chad and I both got a ridiculous crotch shot. Ri-di-cu-lous.

Another drunk girl (OMG so drunk) who could NOT keep her skirt down and over her buns. Seriously, at least the crotch shot girl was wearing underwear. This girl had a thong on at most, we saw all of her buns. ALL of them. Enough to where I can comment on her underwear. Her boyfriend/husband/"dude she was with" was not thrilled that she couldn't keep it under wraps and kept telling her to pull down her skirt. Bless her drunk heart, she tried a couple times but it was just so hard. And her skirt was just so short.

But really, the best pair in Vegas were 2 girls who left everyone in awe as they walked through the Casino. Girls and Guys alike were laughing, gasping, pointing, and whispering. We were all sharing in the ridiculousness together as we would catch one another's eyes and say, "Did you see that?", "Only in Vegas right?", "Take the picture, we did!" All of a sudden we were all friends thanks to these two. We were lucky enough to get to follow them for a ways, and while they were definitely entertaining it was even more fun to watch everyone react to them.

Thanks for the memories girls!

29 and counting

We headed down to Vegas Friday night for a long weekend/birthday extravaganza!

Val and Bill hooked us up with some free hotel rooms as long as we did the whole go to a Time Share Meeting thingy. 2 free nights in Vegas was well worth 3 hours of a hard sell. It wasn't so much a hard sell as it was three hours. Again, worth it.



After our lovely time share adventure we attempted to buy something off craigslist. It was a loooong drive to the McDonalds on the other side of town only to meet a man who refused to come down in price. At one point he offered us $15 off of the $650 camera. We practically laughed at him and then left.

From here we ventured out to Red Rocks. It's a national park right outside of Vegas that is supposed to have spectacular climbing. We thought we would check it out. As soon as we paid and started down the one way scenic loop we realized our gas light was on. Woopee. We didn't think it was a big deal since the loop was only 3 miles... until we realized it was 13 and we didn't know where the closest gas station was.

Sooooo, we turned around, popped on the hazard lights and started going the wrong way back to the beginning of the lovely one way loop. People were less than thrilled. The police officer who pulled us over was also less than thrilled. Fortunately he let us off with a warning and directions to the nearest gas station. Only after telling us repeatedly how lucky we were. We may not have won any money but we did get lucky in Vegas!

So to sum up Saturday, 3 hour meeting where they tried to sell us a $32,000 time share (LOL), driving all over the place to deal with someone who overpriced their camera by about $200 and then got pulled over after freaking out all the other drivers. We were tired and exhausted. So we splurged for dinner on the grossest $5 pizza from Little Caesars we've ever had and then headed out to reclaim our day/night.

Unbelievably tired.

We dressed up, got some (a lot) of caffeine, and spent the rest of the night soaking up Vegas our way. Basically, desserts, window shopping, lots of wandering and even more people watching. Sunday was filled with more of the same, in the best way possible. We finally tried the Cheesecake factory (OMG so good), took more pictures, and found some great art galleries. We finally made it home and into our bed around 4am Monday morning. We stayed put as long as we could and then proceeded to be as lazy as possible the rest of the day and night. Thank you MLK for the recovery day, it was glorious.

 

One Good Year Left

The best part about having your birthday in the middle of the week? It becomes a birthday week, not just a day.

Wednesday was slightly ridiculous at work. Two nursing homes, both took 45 minutes longer than usual, so we had a quick 20 minute lunch and got out 40 minutes late. Oh well. At least I got a nice surprise from Chad as a lunch time pick me up. These were in addition to the energy drink since I also needed a literal pick me up.

We had already made a chocolate cake on Sunday, foolishly thinking it would last until my birthday. Fortunately for us my visiting teacher dropped off a box of beautiful cupcakes. Also we drove through Swig and got my new favorite sugar cookies.

The real gem was dinner. We were going to go to Buffalo Wild Wings, but we just looked too fancy :) So we tried out a small Italian restaurant downtown. It was delicious. Everything was homemade and wonderful, even their salad dressings were to die for. So excited to have a place for fancier occasions in St. George that isn't Applebees. Ha.

We headed home after that and stuffed ourselves with dessert! It was a wonderful evening spent with my very favorite person! 

All of the batteries are dead

It started with the car yesterday morning.

Then the computer

Then the other computer

And the guys camera Chad was trying to buy off craigslist

Then the Apple TV remote

And the car again

And then again just for kicks and giggles. 

Obviously all the batteries could be recharged... Except of course for one. Needless to say we now have a new battery in our car which will let me get to work on time and allow Chad to make it to class today. 

Oh Mondays. You suck. 

 

The hubby replacing the battery in a suit. Cause that's how he rolls.

Vegas time!

Ash and Pat were here with us last week partying hard! Well, Pat and Chad were at the Electronics convention in Las Vegas. They went Wednesday and Thursday and then Ashley and I went down with them and we spent Friday and Saturday morning there.

Yup, the only one who couldn't figure out how to look at the camera while taking the picture. So hard.

 We stayed in the fabulous Treasure Island, we love it there since it's so close to the fancier hotels and the hotels rooms have been renovated pretty recently - super comfy beds and very clean.

We shopped until we couldn't shop anymore Friday night. We didn't stop until we all got something :) At one point Chad and I thought Ash and Pat had been kidnapped, we got a pretty good butt shot of a complete stranger, and we loss $21 total. Then we ate way too much food at dinner and wandered around the strip until way too late.

We slept in and got some of our favorite pastries at the Aria before heading back to St George. It was a quick but fun trip! Chad and I are counting down the days until we can go back... lucky for us we only have to wait 4 days :)

 

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

The doctor I saw at Planned Parenthood was slightly horrified at my leg. It was a lovely conversation starter as I sat there pantless and spread eagle.

Awkward:

• When it rains it pours, when it comes to my bloody noses. Seriously. It gushes like a freaking waterfall and refuses to stop until the entire bathroom is covered in blood spatter like a bad horror movie. So glad that this could happen at work. And yes, a patient came in as I was spraying the bathroom with blood. And no, there was no one else but me, myself and I to go and take care of said patient.
• There was this itty bitty woman who wanted to help the Dr. at a nursing home with one of the older gentlemen we were seeing. She put her hand under the man's leg (his leg was propped up on the Dr.'s lap) and the old pervy guy wasted no time making googly eyes at her and pulling his pant leg up as far as he could. The old lady was happy helping and moved her hands right up along with the pant leg. Luckily he could only pull it up to his knee.
• Taking a sip of my energy drink while rock climbing on Sunday and thinking, "what is this weird gunk in my mouth, Oh crap!" Yeah.... spat that stuff out as fast as humanly possible and discovered a little worm wriggling around in all my caffeinated spitty goodness.

Awesome:

• New Pillows. They are from Costco and they are a freaking dream come true.
• New mattress pad made with 3 inches of memory foam gel stuff. It's like I'm sleeping in a cloud. Seriously. It's outrageously amazing, and cross your fingers, I think it's helping with my angry back/hip.
• Christmas Trees. Yup, our is still up and we are still loving it. So is Penny.
• I'm up to 32 pushups in one shebang. Still working on a pullup.
• Headstands
• Bactine. Lidocaine is our friend.

 

Bang!

For New Year's day we went climbing! (shocking, I know) Starting the new year off with a bang! Chad climbed his beast of a climb, practiced falling (yikes), I practiced belaying the falls (kinda fun!) and then I tackled my first lead climb. Basically I slide my rope into clips along the climb, which means that it's gonna be a fun time if I fall above one of the spots I've clipped in at. Luckily, I did not practice falling that day. I don't have the mental strength for that yet. Phew.

I was sure I would fall the first time but halfway through my second climb I was really having a good time. It felt amazing to know that I climbed up that wall on my own accord. If a mountain lion attacks or the zombies come I can climb up that wall to sweet, sweet safety. Yes, I'm crazy. Either way I felt strong and absolutely awesome.

Friday was also Ah-Mazing. I tackled Puppet Strings out in Green Valley. There is an overhang that is my nemesis. It took me a bit to figure it out but I did! I got up and over that beast! I may have bloodied some fingers along the way, but I did it! Chad also climbed his project 3 times, a champ I tell you.

Saturday we hiked in a bit to a different spot, Shotgun Alley, where Chad first taught me to climb. We each climbed a few pitches while Rukia was able to splash through the river all afternoon.

Sunday we were beat. I could barely get my legs to move, between a slightly pulled muscle on one side and my son of a gun nerve on the other, it was quite pathetic. So we only spent an hour or so up at the Chuckawalla Wall before calling it quits and relaxing the rest of the day. And by relaxing I mean having a yoga/gymnastics fest with Kieli and Nikki on facetime. Oh facetime we really do love you.

It was sad to go back to work and school on Monday after such a fun weekend (and Winter break for Chad) but it's a little easier knowing that Ash and Pat will be here late tonight for a week filled with all things VEGAS! Not a bad start to our year at all.

Tales of the Traveling Corset

One of the best gifts given this year was......

Can't beat that.

My great grandma's corset makes it's rounds in the Portela family. It's the eternal white elephant gift that we all can't wait to get on our birthdays, graduations, or sometimes for no reason at all. At times it will make it's rounds quickly, other times it will disappear for months, driving my Grandma absolutely crazy wondering where it is. A couple years ago we started taking pictures of the lucky recipients in said corset and made a book that travels along with it. Pictures of your grandpa in a corset, priceless.

So we took my great grandma's corset for a little trip into the mountains, where of course, we had a photo shoot of our own.

Gently sliding the corset down the rope :)

Happiness

Celebrating the New Year at Green Valley

This past year was definitely one of growth around here. Lessons learned and then learned again. Lots of mistakes made, lots of failing. Plenty of new fears conquered, lots of new things tried, and some great accomplishments. It was hard, it was fantastic and it ended wonderfully. I'm still working on the person I would like to become, but I think that's something you never stop working at. Lots of progress was made in that department over the last couple months and I can't wait to carry it through in to 2014.

Rather than making specific goals that I can check off, Chad and I decided to take a different approach this year. My "goal"?


BE HAPPY

Be happy in body

Be happy in spirit

Be happy in my relationships

Be happy in who I am

I want to work more on doing the things that make me happy. Climbing, eating more veggies, playing the piano, sleeping in, painting my nails, yoga, dressy date nights, baking, hiking.... the list goes on. I'm excited about the shift in thinking that I've had, I don't need to check off specific goals, just work on one overall theme, happiness. Because, really, isn't that what it's all about?

Good luck with all of your resolutions and most importantly, may you have a Happy 2014!

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.  Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.  So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.  Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”  ― Neil Gaiman

Hail to the Victors

After failing to get a good family picture at Temple Square we tried again the next morning. Again, we were ridiculous and decided that it would be a good idea to do this outside, in the cold, without our coats on. Chad was determined and we all decided to buck up and do this thing. And do it we did. Pretty adorable if I do say so myself.

Christmas 2013

Oh Christmas, you were wonderful. We headed up to Provo on Tuesday afternoon just in time to go out to our favorite sushi place. The parents were good sports and treated us all to one of our favorite dinners even though it wasn't necessarily their favorite.

Ashley had to work Christmas and the day after, sad day. So we hung out and chatted, slacklined, watched a horrible movie (R.I.P.D. anyone?), ate cookies, grocery shopped and counted down the minutes to when she would return :)



We opened presents and stockings and all of us kids were absolutely spoiled. It was fabulous. Not to mention the grocery shopping trips mom took us each on to restock our pantries. Merry Christmas to us! I was dancing around WalMart like a little kid the entire time! In addition to Christmas spoiling I have a birthday in January so I also got a few extras at Target, hello polka dot jeans!

Speaking of birthdays, my dad's is the 27th. So there was even more celebrating! Dad took us all to Salt Lake where we shopped our hearts out at the new mall. After he reigned us all in we went up to the Joseph Smith Building and ate dinner at the very top, overlooking the Salt Lake Temple. SO FUN. Afterwards there were multiple attempts at pictures at Temple Square but it was cold and Tay and I may have had a hard time holding still. We managed to pull our ish together for some pretty awesome pictures on Saturday though.

We saw Enders Game (loved), ate our hearts out at Chuck-a-Rama, and played Pictionary until Dad couldn't take it anymore. The boys escaped at one point to go climbing at a gym and do some shopping of their own at REI. While the boys slacklined the girls got crafty and did some easy sewing projects. I can now crochet a square... and a rectangle. Bam! We all got our craft on and decorated our own ornaments this year, it was a good time.

Hopefully you guys had a wonderful Christmas and could spend it with those you love doing and eating all the other things you love. In other words, hopefully you had a great Christmas love fest like we did :)