Last year when I was just starting out in my photography business, I so badly wanted to attend WPPI {Wedding & Portrait Photographers International}.  It ended up falling over one of our already planned vacation dates, so I set out to make sure I attended it this year.

And I did.  In Vegas.  And CJ came with.  And we had a blast!  Yes … a blast!  ;)

In going to the show, I was mostly interested in the tradeshow and looking into a few specific things for my business … so I decided not to take any of the classes or education programs.  I’m glad I didn’t.  I know I missed some really good things, but it was quite overwhelming and I think my plan was perfect for this year and getting my feet wet.

And besides, spending some extra time with the hubby ended up being just what the doctor ordered!  My health took a nose dive last week Thursday.  Mostly my arms and legs … just started getting pretty heavy and weak.  In fact, Friday I got a cane.  :(

I didn’t end up having to use it, but I did a great deal of dragging my feet while walking.  Anyway … Saturday morning, I was feeling stronger, although exhausted, as we boarded our flight to Las Vegas.  I slept most of the plane ride, and we laid in bed most of the afternoon when we arrived.  Grabbed a quick dinner and back in bed.

Over the next couple of days, I started feeling stronger and am feeling back to my normal {albeit, exhausted} self.

Anyway.  I wanted to share … I don’t think CJ and I have laughed together this much in a long, long time!

A few random stories:

• I got back to the room one afternoon and noticed the housekeeping services card stuck inside a drawer on the desk {exhibit below}.  I didn’t think too much of it and took it out.  So we’re sitting at dinner later that night and CJ goes incredulously, “I found a hidden camera in the room!”  I thought a minute and started laughing, “You mean the TV remote thingy?”  See, our TV was hidden in the desk and comes out when you turn the TV on.  What CJ thought was a hidden camera {and so cleverly covered up}, was actually the source that the remote “reads” to turn the TV on.  We got some mileage out of that this weekend!  In fact, I think I may use that one for life! ;)

• Then there was the time CJ was laying out some plans for the afternoon and I told him I was “down” with the plans.  Now come on, who among you has heard me say that before?!  Well, apparently, not CJ.  He was dumbfounded.  “You’re what?!” he asked.  And then proceeded to ask me to, “run that jive talk” past him again.  Ohmyword!  Should I admit my husband is the guy that wears black socks with his sandals?  His older daughter calls him the German traveler.  And yes, I might just be busting my gut right now laughing!
• Let’s see … then there was the time we were shopping and the clerk noticed my purse {that has my girls proudly displayed on it} and was surprised I had four girls {oh! and she thought Taylor was me, so that I only had 3 girls! … and yes, I bought something from her} because my belly didn’t look like I had 4 kids.  And yes, I had a bit of a blousy shirt on … but still.  What does my hubs say?  “Oh, that’s cuz she has a blousy shirt on.”  Really CJ?  He begged me not to Twitter it, but I did.  And I told him he was in all sorts of Twitter-trouble.  And we laughed about it.

Some of the other things aren’t coming to mind … but what I do remember is that we laughed a lot.  At each other and at ourselves.  And it felt good.

Another highlight of the weekend?  I got to catch up with this lovely lady!  I met Cathy at Me Ra’s Discovery Workshop last year and feel like we’re kindred spirits.  We’ve kept in touch and continue to support each other.  It was great to spend some time talking about our businesses and where we’re headed.  Then we took head shots of each other {cool advantage to having photogs as friends!}, and then we walked the tradeshow together for a while.  Her hubs was with her and it was great getting to know him and listening to his advice for us.

Ain’t she pretty?  Bonus is, she’s beautiful on the inside too!

After a long weekend and wishing I could instantly morph home Tuesday … I came home to these awesome goodies!  Besides all the hugs and kisses from my littles {and teen}, these totally lifted me up!

I’m sure you get it from the note … but these are from my lil’ sis.  Do you see the lemons in the water?  How totally clever!  Love it!  Thank you Trishie!

And then happy mail galore!!  I got these from my bloggie friend Katherine … totally surprised me!  Here’s her jaw-dropping post on her cupcake “theme of the week.”  Thank you Katherine!  The girls gobbled them up!  They’re also super curious how you baked them in the jars.  Hmm … I’m thinking I’ve got a project around the corner!

Lastly, my bestie Heather sent me this!  I’m a lucky, lucky gal!  Thank you Heather.

Thank you everyone!

Downside to the weekend?  Awesome mom-of-the-year moment … and I wasn’t even in town!

The three year old had a birthday party to go to … one of her besties and she was so excited to attend!  The timing was towards the end of church, so my dad took Hunter out a little early and took her to the party.  I had even emailed the mom and told her Hunter would be late because she had church, etc.  So Sunday afternoon, I get a call from my mom that dad’s outside Chuck E Cheese, but they have no party listed for her friend.  Hmm.  What to do?  I’m halfway across the country.  I have no phone numbers, plus the party’s already started.

I thought maybe I had the wrong day?  The wrong place?  But there’s only one Chuck E in our town, so that didn’t make sense.  I could vividly see the purple invite, but for the life of me, couldn’t remember any of the details.

Turns out the party was at the local gymnastics center.  Gymnastics … Chuck E … easy mistake, right?  :(