Family, Fun, and the Fourth!

The first weekend of July could not have been much better! We were able to fly back to Kansas for the 4th of July, spend some time with family, and witness a beautiful wedding of two great friends!


We arrived on Friday and headed to Blue Springs, where Erin and Cindy live. We enjoyed watching the kids swim in the pool as we got ready for Family Pictures and a Night at the K! We were able to get some good pictures at a nearby park, and for once, everyone was there and ready to smile! (You are crazy if you think it was that easy to get 16 people, including 6 kids, all looking and smiling at once) But it actually went pretty fast and we were able to get a couple of good pictures!

We then headed to the Royals game! My dad had gotten tickets for everyone a month or so before, so all we had to do was arrive and enjoy! Because I was not home last year during baseball season, I hadn't been to a Royals game that was so packed! I was used to the Wednesday night College Nights of sit wherever you wanted. It was such a fun experience to see and spend with my family! The kids did an amazing job and we all watched the excellent Fireworks Show after the game.

Saturday we were up and at them for the start of the 4th! Mainly because kids don't sleep in. We were able to hang out with everyone, shoot off some fireworks, play some yard games and grill! We did exactly what the 4th of July is all about!

That afternoon we headed on the Brad and Emily's wedding at Edgerton. They were the first people we met in Fresno, and have been great friends ever since! She is from Kansas City, and we were so happy we could be apart of their big day. Emily looked stunning, and I am not sure I have seen a smile on Brad's face the way he looked that day. Thank you for the awesome party that we could enjoy!

Sunday and Monday brought lots of family time. Whether it be cards, outdoor baseball, or races, we got to enjoy many laughs and fun. You never know what you will get with the Keeley crew, but it is always a good time! All the little ones are growing so fast, and it is fun to watch them interact and see what they come up with next.


I am lucky to be able to also return for the 2015 Keeley Family Vacation next week! Looking forward to a great time ahead!

Vegas!!

 How do you even begin a blog about a Girls Trip to Vegas? I guess, let's just say, it was a great time! We have been trying to plan a trip for months to get the whole gang back together. We finally decided on a date and went with it! It was so much fun catching up with friends I haven't seen in months/years. You would have never known it had been that long. (I think Social Media helps with that) So many changes in life has led us all over the United States, but one weekend in Vegas takes you thru so many memories and created new ones that I will never forget.




Day 1 was loading up groceries and heading to the pool. (You will find we did that a lot!) We enjoyed the poolside at the hotel with DJ included and then headed back to start getting ready for Night 1. With everyone coming from different Time Zones, we were a little nervous how late we could last, but it is Vegas and we did awesome! We started around the New York New York area and enjoyed the night.

The greatest Taxi Driver you will ever meet!!

Day 2 was early pool time, moving around to make sure the sun was able to hit us at all times. Another Day with the DJ, Music, and Games. Saturday Night was the night we had decided to get all decked out and make it a night we will never forget. And we did JUST that! Somehow, we ended up at a table for the iHeart Radio Concert at Cesar's Pool Party, listening to Nikki Minaj, Chris Brown, Nick Jonas, and David Guetta. It seriously was awesome. Though we may not have been front row, we were still in, and making the most of it!

Getting into iHeart Radio Concert!

Day 3 was another pool day! It was beautiful weather the entire trip with lots of sun. We headed to Fremont Street for the beginning of the night to see a different side of Vegas. We ended up back on the strip and enjoying the views of Las Vegas Blvd.

We had to head back on Monday, but left with many laughs, memories, and stories! I think this needs to become an annual event!!

Weekend Getaways!

The last couple of weekends we have been able to have some fun. We are traveling California and I am loving it! Here are some pictures of the weekends we have been enjoying!

Michael (Keith's Brother) was able to join us for a 3 day weekend enjoying the sites of California!

Michael trying his first oyster! (He was not a huge fan)

Checking out the Golden Gate!

Catching an A's game before heading back to Fresno.

This last weekend we headed down South to Oceanside. This is the San Diego area and stayed with a college friend of Keith's and his wife. (Jason and Jen). The boys had to make sure to get a round of golf in, rain or shine. Luckily, we didn't have any rain and it was a fun day on the course!

Had to get a game of Golf in! (Ramona, CA)

They took us down to La Jolla to the Cove and went around a fun shopping and restaurant area. When we went down to the Ocean, there were numerous seals everywhere. They smelled terrible, but it was very fun to see!

Seals were excited to pose for their audience!

Picture by the Ocean was a must!

Thank you Jason and Jen!!

Patio Rooftop Site Seeing
Can't get much better than that!

I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks of summer and a little relaxation!!

West Coast Mini Vacation

With this last weekend being a 3 day weekend for me, I was really wanting to go out and do something fun! I wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been and enjoy some of this beautiful California weather. After MUCH discussion with my co workers, I decided on Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach. Although, I did not know exactly what to expect from any of these places, I was pleasantly surprised by all. I am trying to plan another trip out to continue with such a fun area!

To begin with, Keith and I stopped in Paso Robles for some wine tasting. We had heard they had some great wineries around there, and again was not sure of what to expect. This is a little less than two hours from us, so we woke up early Saturday and began on our way. About 15-20 miles outside of Paso, there begins a winery about every 1/2 mile on both your left and right sides. I had looked into some of the reviews, as well as suggestions, so we kind of knew where to begin. When we began, we walked in like we had no idea what was going on, because we didn't have any idea what was going on. I learned very quickly, that I am not the most classy person to have ever wine tasted. I was loving the Saltine Crackers they placed in front of you! We went on cave tours, tasted whites, reds, and learned all about growing grapes and building vineyards. We had so much fun trying something new and going winery to winery. We hit 5: Robert Hall, Vina Robles, Tobin James, Eberle, and Wild Coyote. These places are all so unique and fun in their own ways. It is amazing how many Wineries there actually are in this area. We learned there are around 300 wineries just in the small area. I do not know how anyone could come close to hitting them all!

Later on that night, we drove into San Luis Obispo. This is also where Cal Poly University is located. They had a very "artsy" downtown with a lot of fun restaurants, shops, and bars. Again, there was no way we could even begin to hit all the places that were suggested. This is a town I would really like to go back and see what it has to offer. The downtown was just the beginning and it was so fun to walk around.

Saturday we hit up Pismo Beach. A very "beachy" town. I loved this town because of all the surf shops, casual wear, and fun atmosphere. We walked out onto the Pier, walked the boardwalk area, and were able to hit up some fun little patio stops. I couldn't imagine living near a beach. I do not know how any would go to work. You could tell the "lifers" and the "tourist" very easily, and I believe I would fall into the "lifer" stage very quickly if I ever got that opportunity. What a fun way to get to spend a three day weekend!

Easter was very laid back and enjoyable. A nice Sunday brunch, a dog park visit, and outdoor enjoyment were taken in by all! I hope you had a very Happy Easter!

Robert Hall Winery

Robert Hall Cave Tour

 Winery #2

3rd Stop!

Eberle

Beautiful View

Pismo Pier

Love this view

Lunch Stop! Highly Recommend!

Easter Brunch

Dog Friends!

February/March Madness

     Another month is passing by so quickly. I cannot believe it is April. So much to talk about in one blog! I guess waiting a little longer isn't a bad concept, I have no worries of what to add! February was mainly filled with lots of basketball, as always. This means, Keith is out and about and busy as ever, and I am catching any game I can, but also finding new things to do in Fresno. I am absolutely loving the weather!  Who knew you would be able to do so many outdoor activities during these early months. I have enjoyed being able to take the dog for a walk, bike ride when I can, and lay out by the pool as much as possible. This whole job thing however, is taking a toll on my lay out times, which means weekends are key.




     Fresno State Women's Basketball team finished regular season with a 20-8 record. It was such a fun season and great games to watch. We headed to Las Vegas for their conference tournament and lost in the semi final game. Because of the great season we had, we were invited to the WNIT. We beat San Francisco to head into Round 2, where we lost to St. Mary's to conclude the season at 22-10. Although you never want to end your season on a loss, the season was filled with a lot of positives and a great 1st year at Fresno State.




     Las Vegas was overall a great time. How can you not enjoy being in such a crazy atmosphere for a week. Both my parents and Keith's were able to join us for the week and catch two basketball games and lots of laughs. We were able to do all that we wanted and only left with a little less than I came with ;). We wont talk specifics. My parents set me up with great lodging, and we were so close to everything in need. UNLV put on a great tournament and we were able to find our own entertainment when we were not watching basketball. We were very "touristy" on the off days and enjoyed, the Pawn Shop, Eiffel Tower and its amazing view, Bellagio Fountains, and Fremont Street. It was a bit wild, but a whole new side of Vegas I had never seen before. It was such a great atmosphere with the Mountain West, Pact-12, and WAC conference tournaments going on. College basketball fans were everywhere and made for a very memorable trip.




     My new job has been going great! We are gearing up for two major events that both come in the fall, but have plenty of planning to do. I have enjoyed the people I am working with, and being able to open myself up to even more new things here in California. I still miss home and the people there. My family recently celebrated two very special birthdays. Little Reese (Matt and Jana's) turned 3! She is growing more into an adult everyday. Her amazing laugh and smile can make anyone melt. I love receiving pictures and videos of all my nephews and nieces and the frequent Face time of watching them play. Our sweet Keeley (Mitch and Christy's) also turned 1! How can that be? Her adorable outfits and bows keep me laughing continuously. I would love to see her closet and count how many times she wears an outfit, I am not sure I have seen her wear one twice!






    The next couple months do not have a lot of plans, but some fun California adventures on their way. We are looking forward to making some fun stops, as well as a trip home this summer!

Preparing for Game 1

Game 1 Victory!

Bill, Keith and Jan

The whole clan!

Kim and I ready to cheer on the Dogs!

View from the Eiffel Tower

Fremont Street!

Dad in the Pawn Shop

Finding new things to do in Fresno! Wine Festival

Keeley's 1st Birthday



Happy Birthday Reese!