Our Dog Emma: Escape Artist

When we leave the house we always put Emma in the kitchen. All that separates her from freedom is a baby gate. For the last few weeks she has been escaping. Today we decided to set up a camera and this is what we caught. HaHa!!! We laughed sooo hard especially when Fishy made a cameo. Enjoy!!

Easter Fun!

Kyle and I returned home today from an amazing vacation in Myrtle Beach!! It was amazing, we got lots of sun and definitely kept busy. Here is a recap of what we did (lots of pictures coming)

Saturday: We got to Myrtle Beach around 2:00 and immediately went to play some miniature golf! After we finished we headed off to our hotel to check in and get settled. We had reservations for Medieval Times at 6pm and all I can say is we had a blast!!!! We were front row for all the action and our knight even threw me a rose. It was an amazing time and I recommend it to those who have never been (even the food was outstanding!!)! Here are a few pictures:




All the Knights






Us and the King

Our Knight!


Sunday: We headed to breakfast at my favorite place, Hot Stacks. After breakfast we played a few more games of miniature golf and then went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium. I always love going here, the exhibits are great and you can't go wrong with their military discount. After the aquarium we spent the day at Broadway at the Beach, we walked around and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. We ate dinner at another favorite, Senor Frogs (they have the BEST nachos ever!!!) and then headed off to the movies to see "Scream 4". It was ok, not one I would probably see again but good enough I guess.








Shark Tank






Me!






Kyle trying to get the sword out lol






 Us <3


Monday: This was the day I had been waiting for. We headed off to Bobs Watersports to go parasailing. It was amazing!!!! We took a banana boat ride to the speed boat that took us to the parasail boat. We were parasailing for about 30 minutes. The guys took pictures for us as we were up in the air. We saw everything from jellyfish to sea turtles. We were about 200 ft in the air. It was so peaceful and calm, such a fun experience. I definitely want to do it again. That night we headed off to the Rise Against and Bad Religion concert at the House of Blues. Kyle loves Rise Against and I bought the tickets as an early birthday gift for him. It was a great show and I was stoked I got to see Bad Religion again.

Getting Ready

 Here we go!!

We had a blast!!!

Bad Religion






Rise Against






Us at the concert


We were sad to leave today but so glad to get home and see the animals. This weekend we get to see Everclear play at the Dogwood Festival, I am sooooo excited!!!!!!


I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and have a great week!!!

busy bee

Well this last week or so has been pretty busy around our house. I'm still getting into a routine after my mom's passing, it's hard to realize how much things change. I had my first counseling session this past Monday. My counselor is a very nice older gentleman and it seems like a good fit. It has already helped and I'm looking forward to go back on May 2nd.

Kyle has some time off before deployment so we are trying to make the most of it. We are headed up to Busch Gardens tomorrow for the day with some good friends of ours. We also get to see my brother and his family tomorrow night, they offered to let us stay so we don't have to drive back to NC so late.  Saturday, we are heading to Myrtle Beach! We are looking forward to some time away together to just relax. We have a few things planned already and we can't wait.

I know Easter is going to be hard for my family but we will all make it through. I know my Dad, Lisa and Kylie will have a good day with some family friends (I love you guys!). I am going back to Vegas in June because we are going to be having a celebration of life for my Mom. It will be great to get together with family and friends to share good memories.

I probably won't update again until after we get back from the beach, so I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Easter!!



learning to cope

Well, this last week has been nothing short of heartwrenching. I never thought that I would be 25 years old and saying goodbye to my Mom. She was always the strong one, always taking care of everyone else and never taking time for herself. Over the last week we wanted to do the things that she loved and just honor her memory.

Sunday, we headed out to the drag races to spend the time together as a family. To re-live all the amazing memories that we made there as a family. We know that she would have loved every second.

Monday, we headed to a local casino, Sam's Town. My mom loved to play nickel video poker and eat at TGI Fridays. So we all had dinner there and then spent the next few hours playing in the same spot she did. Man, I felt that she was there and it made me miss her all the more.

We enjoyed time together as a family and told great stories of what an amazing woman she was. We didn't have a funeral for her because that was her wish, but we will be doing a celebration of life at some point in the future.

Here are a few pictures of me and my family:

Lisa, Dad, Mike and Me

I love them!

I will never forget what an amazing woman and mom she was. I will love and miss her every single day of my life. I know she is looking down on all of us and guiding us. Thank you, Mom, for your love, guidance, and unending support. I love you so very much!!

Here is her obituary that was printed in the Las Vegas Review Journal:

Kathy Niswonger



KATHY NISWONGER Kathy Kay Niswonger, 54, of Las Vegas, passed away March 31, 2011. She was born May 17, 1956, in Upland, Calif., and was a 41-year resident of Nevada. She loved spending her weekends at the drag strip with her race family. Her biggest accomplishment was being an amazing wife, mother and grandmother and was loved dearly by those she took care of. Kathy was a strong and beautiful woman that was a huge influence to those around her. Kathy was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Phillip Niswonger. Kathy is survived by the love of her life, her husband, of 30 years, Joe; daughter, Lisa Glass and her husband, Chris; granddaughter, Kylie; grandson, Grayson; daughter, Jennifer Smith and her husband, Kyle; son, Micheal Niswonger and his wife, Rachel; grandson, Micheal; granddaughter, Taylor; son, Anthony Niswonger and his wife, Jodi; granddaughter, Katelyn; and grandson, Jacob. A celebration of life will be held at a later date by invitation only. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cancer Treatment Centers of America who lovingly took care of Kathy until the end.




I love you, Mom!! Rest in Peace my beautiful Guardian Angel.






My last picture with my mom.


I have been having a hard time the last few days, especially since I left Vegas. I contacted Military One Source today and they have set me up with a grief counselor. I am waiting for the to call me to set up my first appointment. I am really hoping it will help.


I hope you all are having a good Monday!

We Honor You

Today was an amazing day, my dad, sister, brother, husband, and niece headed out to the NHRA races to watch my brother in laws team race. We wanted to do something that my mom loved and that was it. It was amazing to see this on Doug Kalitta's Top Fuel Dragster:





We honored you today, Mom and we hope you are proud. We love you always and forever!


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