Vegas, Halloween, Auntie

Jeff has been busy growing a mustache in his extra time since I’ve been working lately. (Well, maybe he’s been working on his company lots too). Work is now slowing down but I was up in Edmonton last week and off to Portland next week for a conference. Added to the odd evening work function (AsTech Awards), he’s really been a good sport and keeping Willow company while I’m out gallavanting. Jeff is definitely in the running for husband of the year (HOTY). Cooking and even cleaning the house! I guess he’s really upped his game lately as his birthday approaches. I owe him a huge treasure hunt this year!

After the conference, Jill, Mark, Jill and I got away to Vegas for few days. When you are burnt out Vegas isn’t the best place to go as it’s not very relaxing, but it sure is fun.

The first day we went disc golfing. We played the first round as a group and then Jill and I went shopping and to the pool while the guys stayed to play several more rounds. It was a hot sunny day and then the weather went to crap. Went to the Hoover Dam the next day and to the outlet mall. That evening was spent at Penn and Teller. Great show. I always wondered if Teller was really a mute or not, and I got an answer at the show. He just acts as a mute but he can actually speak. They are magicians who show you a few tricks afterwards, which is cool.

New bridge being constructed at Hoover Dam

The next night we went out for a really nice dinner at Mix, on the 64th floor of Mandalay Bay. Expensive, but worth it! I got lucky the first night on the slot machines and Jeff did well at blackjack on the last day and made $150 killing time before our flight. For once we actually came home with money from Vegas.

Having just got back from Vegas, we had a pretty low key Halloween. I dressed up as an M&M and Jeff as Flash. We got about 60 kids. We carved pumpkins…Jeff had to buy the biggest pumpkin he could find and I bought a medium sized one. My mom grew one this summer and gave it to us, so it seemed obvious to carve a pumpkin in a pumpkin in a pumpkin:

We also made pumpkin seeds, but instead of roasting them and then just sprinkling them in salt, we soaked them overnight in a salt brine. By far the best roasted pumpkin seeds we’ve ever made! We also made a huge batch of pumpkin soup and pumpkin muffins. I don’t think carving pumpkins are the most ideal for cooking and baking, but the soup and muffins turned out pretty good.

Just had dinner with my sister and Matt. Next post, I’ll tell you if she’s having a boy or a girl and post some pics.