Hi my lovely friends! I apologize for being a bit MIA lately. Since my parents left last Tuesday (sad face), I’ve had to get back into the swing of things. You know, cleaning and cooking again lol! I’ve also been busy working on some projects that I can’t wait to share with you soon. But I’m so glad that we always have CTM as a way to reconnect and let you know what I’ve been up to.

My dogs are goofy. Every time I open the freezer, they come running into the kitchen in hopes that I’ll either accidentally drop some frozen veggies or give them an ice cube “treat”. Seriously? What dog likes broccoli and cauliflower? You would think then that they would eat anything, right? Well, only if it’s prepared just right. Last week Hope wouldn’t eat her food like usual. She didn’t seem sick or anything, so we weren’t sure what the problem was. Then I thought “hmm maybe she doesn’t like her bowl…” so we tried putting it on a plastic plate instead. Chomp. Chomp. Chomp! She gobbled it right up! What a goof ball.

Growing up in Wisconsin, I no doubt had a very strong midwestern accent but after 7 years here in the southwest, my accent has since faded. Now my parents tell me that I have an accent. Yea right! They say things like Ore-GON and Ham-MOCK. Too funny. But Joe says that after I spend so much time with them, my “Wisconsin” comes out. Guess you can take the girl out of Wisconsin but never take the Wisconsin out of the girl :)

I think I’m a 25 year old trapped in an 85 year old lady’s body! Even my dad said that Joe + I are the “youngest old people” he knows. After a long day of work and working out, we usually like to veg out on the couch with our favorite shows. We recently implemented a “common screen only” rule meaning if we’re watching TV together, that’s the only screen allowed (no laptop, no Iphones, no video games, etc). Otherwise it usually just ends up being Joe watching TV or playing Angry Birds on his Iphone while I continue to work on my computer. The problem is, now that I’m not busy working on my laptop, I fall asleep after about 10 minutes into a show LOL! So Joe is still hanging out by himself. Well, I guess that’s what happens when you’re 85 ;).

Right now Joe+I are in Vegas for the 2011 WPPI conference : 16,000 photographers all coming together to learn, network and grow. Awesomeness!!! But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous. Let’s be honest, Vegas is not the Kokes typical scene! Most people experience Vegas by staying up all night, taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffets and have an all-you-can-drink mentality. This is how the Kokes roll in Vegas: We drive 5 hours because flying is more expensive and waaayy too easy. We get a free upgrade to “The Hollywood Suite” probably because they can tell that we’ll actually be in our room instead of partying all night. We roll into our new suite with all “the goods”: 4 Whole Foods grocery bags full of all the good stuff; apples, bananas, gluten free bread, peanut butter, jelly, 24 pack of water, lettuce, yogurt, granola. Do we know how to party or what?? Night one, we decide to “hit the town”. Window shopping at the MGM Grand followed by a walk through the casino. All the way until 8:15pm baby! It’s Monday morning, Joe’s at the gym by 6:30am, I’m getting ready to make myself breakfast in bed. The question is: Can Vegas handle the Kokes? :)

Wish us luck at the conference. We may get crazy and stay up until 10pm one night! I’ll be sure to give you updates next week. Lots of love! Stacy xoxo

Hanging out in “the living room” of our suite

California King comfy bed. Sigh.

The goods. Mmmmm