Spring Break - Vegas Baby

April 2011 brought Spring Break. But you would never know it in Utah. It has been a crazy winter and Spring is fighting to get through. So our goal for Spring Break was to get out of town and be somewhere it was warm. Thankfully we have family in Las Vegas so we packed our bags and headed out.

Love having the Mini Van so the kids can have some leg room. After dealing with snow all the way down we were excited to hit St. George where it finally let up. At the Costco stop we got ice cream that I think the kids liked. John said we needed to go to St. George more often to get the ice cream. Hopefully on our next Costco trip he will not remember the goodness!

On our first full day in Vegas, Mark's sister, Kris, took the kids hiking. Mark and I immediately hit the Outlet Mall child free. That is until we arranged to meet my brother, Brent, and his daughter Lilly.

Kris is so kind and generous. She spoiled us on the whole trip. She even got us free tickets for Mark and I to go see Barry Manilow at the Paris Hotel!!!

I grew up listening to Barry because my Mom loved him. So I was so excited to go. He does an amazing show and we had so much fun.

Day 2 was Sunday. After going to church with Brent and his family (we were hoping Gladys Knight would be there, but sadly we missed her. But we did get to meet her daughter) We all got together to drive out to Hoover Dam

Have you seen the big new bridge they have?

It is pretty impressive! We walked across the bridge and got to cross over the Arizona/Nevada border in the middle

The Arizona side is not so exciting!

Sunday night continued the tradition of Kris and the kids playing cards before going to bed. They loved it!

Monday was our crazy busy day! We began at M & M World!

And headed over to the Coca Cola Store

Where we tasted 16 different flavors of soda from around the World. Very fun and glad we don't have some of those flavors here!

Next stop was The Mirage

Where we went to the Dolphin Habitat and Secret Garden

Then we headed over to Circus Circus for a little Carnival Fun!

Where everyone returned home with a couple of new stuffed animals!

For the afternoon snack we headed over to Caesar's Palace where the new Serendipity 3 had recently opened.

Can you say Frrrozen Hot Chocoalte anyone???

Mark thought this should be my new Facebook photo! Who knew they had multiple flavors?!? So we had to try the original along with a Peanut Butter version. All we can say is YUMMMMM!

We got ours To-Go so we could head over to The Bellagio to catch the water show.

Took a few pictures with The Paris Hotel that is across the street. Do you think Jessica can get extra credit for her French class??

And then headed inside The Bellagio to see the gardens -- Breathtaking!

And a stop to see the Chocolate fountain! But we had our fill of chocolate by this point.

And just when you thought we could not fit anything more in the day -- we headed back to The Mirage to catch the Volcano!

The kids were just a little tired at that point. So they really enjoyed when we got lost in Caesar's Palace trying to get back to the car!

But we got in all the sites we wanted to see that day.

Tuesday we slept in and did a little recovery. But I did have enough strength to head to my favorite store and get a few new pieces of clothes for my Spring wardrobe!

The one thing the kids really wanted to do was go swimming. It was warm in Vegas compared to Utah, but not that warm. But the kids really wanted to swim, so we went over to Brent & Kyleen's and hit the swimming pool with the cousin's.

They lasted about an hour, which is about 59 minutes longer than I would have lasted! The water was freezing. It felt like snow run off water.

Wednesday we packed up and headed back to Utah. The rest of the week was spent recovering. But it was a great Spring Break 2011 for our family!

Las Vegas, Part II

The Las Vegas trip continues to be a great trip!

I don't think this pictures needs an explanation

Let's just say my favorite stores did not disappoint, and I did not disappoint them!

This is what happens when you only shop for yourself once a year.

It is great having a daughter old enough to babysit so I could do some serious shopping

I love this picture!  My mom looks tired.  Brent and Jessica are excited.  And John is moving so fast it can't catch him.  That is pretty much his speed all the time until he lays down long enough to fall asleep.

We were waiting for this to start

My very talented Sister in Law, Kyleen, playing Mary Magdalen in Savior of the World at the Henderson Amphitheater.  You would never know in her big solo that her microphone was not working and she was trying to belt it out.  We were glad they got it working for her next song.  It was an amazing show.  The spirit was so strong.  And it was so beautiful to be reminded of our Saviors birth and resurrection so close to Easter.  If you are in the Vegas area in the next week, be sure and go see it!

Here is proof that I was actually there!

Saturday morning brought brunch at Egg Works .  A little place that was recommended by Food Network.  They did not disappoint.  I loved my Key Largo Crepe.  But Ashley's breakfast was the funnest.

We then spent a few hours with our cute niece, Hailey, at the Cinderella Pageant Open Auditions

She took home "Most Beautiful"  for the Tot division.

The kids finally got some pool time at 6pm on Saturday night.  But it was still 80 degrees and the water was warm.  Oh how I wish we could stay another couple of days and just lay be the pool.  Why do I have to be a responsible adult???

I've managed to hit several really great places to eat.  When traveling I try to eat at places I can't eat at when I'm home.  So to name a few . . .
In-N-Out Burger
Freeds Bakery (oldest bakery in Vegas)
Dunkin Donuts
Pei Wei
Cheesecake Factory
Egg Works

I would say Spring Break was a great success. Now for the long drive home. At least we won't have rain, hail, sleet and snow like we did on the way down!

Las Vegas Part 1

We left this . . . 

And we hear a heck of a lot of snow

To come meet these guys

And see this

M & M in 3D!

And play with her

 

Can you see how excited Ashley is in this pic

And my gorgeous Sister-in-Law, Kris, is hosting us

And squeezing some fun in on her lunch break.

And keeping John safe on The Strip

And then we did this with a different Sister in Law, Kyleen.

And there isn't more joy than this from my niece Hailey

Somehow these two dressed alike this morning even though we aren't staying with her

And the anticipation of a ride

The brave 3 year old rode this, even though her big 5 year old cousin, John, would not

And this face thought he could sweet talk me into spending more money on carnival games

But this was the reality

And she is hoping this will give her some road experience

And I didn't hear a peep from them once I turned out the lights tonight.