Out with the old 2011 in with the new 2012

We sure ended 2011 with a bang, it all started out Friday night, Tom and I picked up Grandma and headed up to mom and dad's, Grandma got a Christmas present from Chris and Kristi, 20 one dollar casino chips and she wanted to try her luck, so me and Tom, mom and dad and Grandma all went down to the casino. They like me along so I can get them free drinks, I know that's not the only reason but it's a good one. I was the DD! Dad scored some free buffets from a guy he knows at the moose and is a Casino manager, so we scored big! We got to the Diamond Jo about 6:30 or so and got a few drinks then headed to the buffet for dinner. Everything was delicious!

 So during dinner we discussed our game plan. Mom suggested we all chip in $5 and either go to a $5 machine or a $1 machine. We decided on a $1 machine that way would get a few more pulls. We finally found the $1 machines and chose a Double Bow Tie machine, we got to play for awhile and were down to our last few spins and Grandma spun and hit for $800!

We were all so excited and walked away with $160 each, it was awesome, it was a great start to our night since this was the first that we gambled. I pretty much took my money and ran, I have baby furniture I'm saving for. LOL Tom went and played a few more slots and Grandma wanted to use her $20 chips yet and she wanted to play blackjack so her and I went and found a $5 table and I found a good one, well a good dealer, Bruce, I remembered him from when I worked there and he was super nice and always seemed to have a good time. Grandma pulled out her baggie with her chips and the few people at the table were like OMG but it was all cool, we played for quite a while however we didn't win anything. Dad gave me $20 to play with and when that was about gone he threw in another $20 we played on that for awhile, we had a blast, the dealer was calling Grandma - Grandma and helping her out as much as he could. When it was his time to for break the next dealer was not as nice so we decided to leave. Grandma ended up losing $10 and I ended up losing $14 so not bad. We played a few more slots then called it a night. Tom and I got home about 11:00. It's always great to leave with some money!

Saturday was New Year's Eve and we decided to spend the night at home and make ourselves some Steak and Lobster. First the kids wanted to go bowling so off to Cherry Lanes we went. I thought I would give it a try and it wasn't too bad. We bought 3 games each and Tom and I split the one, so he bowled the first and third game and I bowled the 2nd game, it was fun but crowded.

Micayla bowling! She was out of practice but finally got her game on about the 3rd game.

Brandon showing us how it's done.

Brandon and Micayla loving on each other.

And Tom, well, its tough for both of us. LOL

I don't think we'll be going the PBA anytime soon but we had a fun family outing. Once we got home I took all the Christmas stuff down and thanks for the help of Tom and Brandon it wasn't too bad. It's nice to have everything down so now I can concentrate on baby stuff! Brandon went to work about 5:00 and Micayla was off with some friends, so Tom and I made steak and Lobster, it was so good.

 

After dinner we relaxed and watched a movie and tried to stay awake to see the ball drop. Tom ended up having to pick Brandon up from work and take him to his friends house so he wasn't home by the time the NY ball dropped, and we were in bed by the time midnight our time rolled around. LOL But it was still a great night.

Sunday, New Years, is always a special day, for one its the beginning of the new year and it's also Dad's birthday. Mom always has an open house style party and dad's sisters and their families all come over and we get to play cards or dice. This year we played Left Right Center, lots of hooting and hollering.

Look at Tommie's headband, it's Olivia's, Sara Hilby's daughter. He won like 3 games in a row, Noreen made him move seats.

Taylor and her cousin, Aunna, we dancing, they were showing us there moves. I didn't get a picture of the 2 of them dancing but I did get a pic of Taylor and Dad dancing, it was so funny.

Nikki, the one egging them on.  Go figure. LOL

And finally, I had to get a picture of the wall in mom's basement. This is finally complete after 2+ years.

Overall we have no complaints for the lovely weekend we had. Tom's off to work tonight and tomorrow starts the day from hell at work. January is crazy but I'm ready for it!