LAS VEGAS!!!

So, we made the trek out to Las Vegas on the 10th and came home on the 16th. We had not been to Vegas since Bill and Rachel (my sister) and their family has moved there. Ryan drove out with me and the kids on Wed. and then flew home on Fri. to get back for work and to continue on our next home project (upcoming blog). Then Angie and dad were driving out on Sun. so Angie could come out to babysit Olivia and Aaron while Bill and Rachel went to Jackson Hole for Rachel's b-day. Dad drove back home with me on Tues.

So enough of the logistics... driving out on Wed. was a long drive. We got away late and we didn't arrive at Rachel's house till 2am. It was a long day! We got to bed and then the next morning got up and went to see Olivia at her dance class. The boys got to swim at the house with the dance class and they had a great time.

We went back to the house and Ryan started not to feel good. He ended up kind of being out of commission for the rest of the afternoon. Rachel and I took the kids to a park. All the parks there have a water play area and they are all covered. They are very nice. We had great weather the whole time we were there. It never got hotter than mid-80's and there was always a breeze. That night we took the kids to the strip to see the fountain show at the Belagio. We also showed them the garden inside the hotel. Very beautiful and the water display with all the flowers was great! All the kids were done after that. Absolutely done and exhausted. We did stop at Cold Stone on the way home. Ryan was able to come with us. He had stomach issues. Bill had been out of town on assignment and came home that night.

We woke up the next morning and went to a dance recital that Livi had. It was very cute and the boys didn't quite know what to make of a bunch of little girls dancing around. Soooo out of their element, but they had fun none the less. Rachel took Ryan to the airport and I laid down and took a nap with Chase. I told the kids that if they needed me to come get me. It's nice their house is at the end of their road in a cul'd sac with no neighbors right near so it is pretty safe and nice. When I woke up Rachel had just gotten home and she said that when she pulled up all the kids were outside Evan was flying a homemade kite, they had made a robot out of boxes, there was a water for sale sign taped to the garbage can for the workers in the subdivision, and they had done chalk on the sidewalk. It's great to know that they are old enough to watch out for each other and it was cute to hear how Evan kind of took charge and came up with all the ideas for the kids. Later that night we went to another park with the kids. The kids also made a restaurant this afternoon. Lots of fun with great treats to use, but of course a good size mess that no one wanted to clean up.

The next day, Sat., we got up and went to one of the Ellison's favorite places, Red Rock. It is a beautiful group of rocks with a big red stripe running horizontally through the middle of them. Completely desert though. Something we are not used to. Bill was a trooper and carried Chase on his back in a hiking backpack. Chase loved it! Thank you Bill!

It was a great adventure, we had a great time hiking with our cousins,

Olivia, Ethan, Chandler, and Aaron

Rachel and I

saw a big fat lizard,

and it was exciting to find out we had gone the farthest than anyone else who had come to visit! Woo-hoo!! Good job boys!

The kids started to want to be carried so we left. We went home took baths and then Rachel and I ran some errands.

The next morning Bill and Rachel packed and got ready to go on their trip. They left and I had my kids and their two all day. Six kids under the age of 8 and the day ended with me still in a good mood. I was proud of myself. The kids and I made cookies, made a sign for Aunt Gee and Papa,

"We love Papa and Gee"

went to the park, made dinner and everyone was bathed before Gee and Papa got there at 8:45pm. I was quite proud of myself.

Monday morning we got up and Gee made crepes. She took Livi and Aaron to swim lessons and when they got back we went to Target. Got back and we took all the kids to Red Rock casino for the buffet. The kids enjoyed picking out whatever they wanted. Then we all went bowling. It's a 72 lane alley. The boys always love bowling with Papa. It was a lot of fun! Then if that wasn't enough we went to the mini grand prix and drove the cars and some other carnival rides.

Gee and Aaron on green stripe and Chan on purple.

We had a very big day but lots of fun!

The next day I packed up, dad packed the car and we were off. We even got 20 min. down the road and got a call from Angie that I left my glasses, curling iron, and contact case. So, we had to turn around. Aaaagggghhhh!!!! Chase had woken up with a fever and so we fought that the whole way home. It was a very long drive home and I give kudos to dad for putting up with my boys for all their potty stops. Sorry dad. We made it home finally and we were all happy for a safe, fun vacation.

A big thank you to Bill and Rachel for having us and showing us the sights of Vegas not usually seen by tourists. And a big thank you to Olivia and Aaron for giving up their beds and bedrooms so we would feel at home and comfy. We had a great time! Chandler and Ethan did not want to go home, and Ethan is a home body!