Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hey baby, let's go to Vegas!

Can you name the singer!?

Back in June, Jeff and I decided to take at least one vacation, but it had to be close and we hadn't seen Jeff's parents for a long time. Last time we saw Jeff's dad was, well I can't remember......So Vegas here we come. Eric and Sharolyn (Jeff's younger brother) were going for a couple weeks so we decided to crash their party and meet their little girl - Kaibrey. 

We went the week of June 22nd (Jeff's dad was gone to Idaho to take care of his mom, next time we'll see him) - Jeff's mom's birthday and the day she lost her job......I hope we were a good distraction for her or maybe more of a motivator to find a job quickly to get away from her LOUD, LOUD boys and grandson. :)

We had a great time - walked the strip for 4 hours during the heat of the afternoon, enjoyed the first show of the Bellagio fountains for the day, walked to the M&M factory, cursed the construction, enjoyed some free snacks at a new art exhibit and an overly expensive fro-yo store (I had the last Coke....it was perfect!), a lame trip on the monorail that was supposed to save us time.....and cursed those handing out trashy fliers in swarms....Luckily they ignore you if you have children (there may be some moral code......) Those people would pass me up and head straight for my brother-in-law who was walking behind us....As soon as Lea started walking with him, they stopped attacking him. Which is good because I would have had a good smack-down with those individuals for handy my kid such trash!!! That was an exhausting day, but the kids were all great, we survived and are still talking to each other. :)
Image
Bellagio Garden - my favorite place to visit: Jeff, Abbey, Luke, Lea, Uncle Steven
Image
Image
Waiting for the fountain show to start - the first one of the day. We've never been to the Strip during the day....not sure what to expect.
Image
My kids, Jeff, Steven, Eric (& Kaibrey), Sharolyn
Image
One should always be aware of two things: 1: Mormons trying to imitate Capt'n Morgan and 2: billboards in the background.....lucky for me this was all we got and I didn't have to photoshop anything out....whew.....
Image
Steven trying to be funny with upside down bunny ears.....

Part of the show - my 2nd favorite place to be on the Strip. (I only have 2 places which I like.)


Image
One of the fountains was broken - the show went on anyway, then these guys came out to fix it. I was fascinated - looked like something out of a James Bond movie. :)

On to the M&M Factory.....which by the way is not close to the Bellagio......AND IT WAS HOT!!!
Image
Image
Image
Yikes!

Image
Looking for the monorail to make our walk shorter, we had to go to City Center - a new upcoming, over the top, ritzy, uber-expensive Shopping/Living place. This gorgeous water feature lined the entrance.

Inside there was this really cool display with swirling water tunnels - it was the entertainment we needed and bench for me to sit on - I was just about done. Although the free snacks at the art exhibit were just the pick me up I needed to keep going......plus this place was giving away free samples at the fro-yo place. And the stairs were gorgeous! But I didn't notice until we walked all the way down and looked back at them.

Image
Did I mention is was extremely hot and there was construction.......I can't tell you how irritating that was.....mostly the construction, then we backtracked on the monorail to find this really YUMMY/CHEAP strawberry shortcake place, only to find out that City Center now stood where it once was......so sad. So back again towards the Bellagio and to the car. We did have an enjoyable time together, but were glad to make it back to the car and take our shoes off.

Next adventure was to the splash pad at 6 pm. I love that we can still go at this time and enjoy the water w/o freezing....well some of us can. :) This was a different day... :)

Image
Love Jeff and Steven looking so "tough" under the water.....swings and Grandma trying to avoid the camera....got her though. :)

We (the big kids) went to a movie and left Grandma to enjoy her grandkids. Aren't we the best!?! Saw "Knight and Day" - pretty funny. And it's always an adventure when Jeff is driving......we missed a few stop signs, pulled through valet parking and back around, all the while Eric was trying to keep up without getting nauseous. :) Had to be there I guess - good times!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

It's HOT!

Saturday was a busy day. 
*We went to a funeral for a friends' baby - bittersweet. 
*Came home, Jeff helped our friends (BECKERS.......) move to their new home in Gilbert and was there to help install lights and just be good free labor. Not totally free - he charges pizza and soda. :) 
*My brother and sister-in-law came to go to the Temple and I enjoyed watching 8 kids by myself.....which is 6 less than when we host our babysitting co-op. Easy as pie!
*I went out for a night on the town....to Walmart - Jeff met me there on his way back from Gilbert. Why is that together we can convince one another to buy all sorts of junk, but individually, we are as cheap as the come!?!?
*Came home from our "date" to find the a/c not working properly. Sitting at cozy 82 and the a/c just running, no air coming out.

Sunday: Turns out if you wake up at 8:00 am for 9:00 am church and have a 4 people to get ready, and a 20 minute drive......you'll end up late for church. Oh well, what else is new!? We're trying.

*Found out another friend's mom was in a serious motorcycle accident and in Trauma ICU at a local hospital. Jeff went along to help give a blessing to her. 

*return home to still no cool air, but it could be worse. 

Monday: Jeff stays home from work, we go to the pool, several phone calls later and the a/c guy finally shows up at 4:30 pm only to inform us, they need to order a new motor.......great it's almost 90 degrees.....
*drive to Gilbert where the Beckers take pity on us and let us stay with them in their new home - it's HUGE!

Tuesday:*back for swim lessons, hurry home because the a/c guy is coming......supposed to be there at 10:30, comes at 12:30 - Jeff is waiting at home again
*we return from the pool to a lovely cooled home - sweet A/C!!!

It's been an emotionally and physically draining weekend, but one that's memorable.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

There's 104 days of summer vacation.....June party!

Image
This party was brought to you by Phineas and Ferb of the Disney Channel. A family favorite - even Jeff will watch it and sincerely laugh. :) It's Phineas and Ferb and the Backyard Beach party - LUCAS TURNS 4!!!

He actually had several little parties, but this was the boy party he'd been wanting and lucky for us, Walmart party section had all sorts of cheap party supplies for this theme. Birthday is actually June 10th.

Image

Image
Pizza, chips, fruit and BIG cupcakes
Chase, Mason, Ethan, Soren, Lucas, Jaxon, Josh (in the chair)
Lea and Abbey

Image
Water balloons, slip n' slide and backyard fun!

3 of my favorite photos:
Image
This big blow up water thing was about 4 houses away......we used a hose and a tarp for our slip n'slide :)

Image
The big Boys waiting for their turn........watch out kids!

Image
Awesome! Jeff, Scott & Steve - thanks for coming!! :)

I wish I could find one from a couple years ago at Lea's party - it was Jeff, Scott and Pete Sorensen - we entertain all ages!!

FAMILY PARTY:
Image
Nuff said

Image
Sweet looking Lightening McQueen

Image
Daddy gives the coolest gifts! Army guys, a whoopie cushion and nasty teeth........

Image
Time for dessert!

Image
Chocolate tort - yummy!!

Happy 4th birthday LUCAS!