Easter in Las Vegas

I can't really think of a better oxymoron than Easter in Las Vegas.

But that is what Fred and I did. We had originally planned on going to San Diego to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary, but Shannon and her family had Spring Break and wanted to come so we didn't mind changing our plans. I really didn't want to drive all the way to San Diego for a short weekend trip anyway. It's too far!

Fred and I had paid for a trial membership to World Mark Resorts when we went to Disneyland with Corinne and Ben way back in September of 2015. Our trial included I think 20,000 credits. 

We used some credits when we went to see Scott and Jess in April last year. All four of us stayed at their Resort in New Braunfels and then Fred and I continued on to the cruise to Cozumel.

So back to this. 

We drove to Vegas after I got off work on Friday. I don't know why we were rushing to get out of the door. By bedtime both Fred and I realized we forgot some key items. His pajamas and my prescriptions. I usually pack them the night before in my luggage and set out only what I need in the morning. Well I didn't do that. Luckily none of my medicine is life or death and I got along just fine.

It was just annoying that we both managed to forget something this time.

Saturday morning we drove out to Hoover Dam. We just drove over the bridge. It was backed up to actually go down to the dam. Neither of us wanted to wait in the line.

We drove back into Boulder City which is the little town that used to be where the people lived who worked on the dam. We wandered around the street and looked at a few little shops. 

We took a picture at the little park just before climbing back in our car.

We drove back into town and parked on the strip. I wanted to ride on the High Roller. It's the big ferris wheel thing. We did absolutely no planning for this trip. So when we saw it was $25 a person. I lost my enthusiasm. Maybe next time when we can get a discount ticket or something. So we left and drove to Town Square right as you enter the Strip and ate at Claim Jumpers.

After dinner, we went back to the Resort and had to change rooms. They couldn't put us up in the same room for two nights. The first night we were on the 4th floor and had a great view of the pool and gardens. The 2nd room the view was a wall. 

Next we went to the Las Vegas 51s Triple AAA game. The weather was perfect and it was a good game. 

51s won 4-1.

The resort is located just down the street from one of the big Outlet Malls. This mall is where we would go eat whenever we came to visit Shannon. She worked just around the corner. It was all very nostalgic. I had to take a picture of Chipotle. This is where Shannon took us to eat one and it was our first time eating at a Chipotle.

We checked out of room at noon and headed home. 

Not death defying excitement, but I always love to get away with Fred.

Next Vegas trip we well plan ahead. 

General Conference weekend with Corinne's family

Corinne and her family came down for Conference Weekend. 

We had to transition to new sleeping arrangements now that my Dad lives with us. 

Spencer and Henry slept in the office and Richard and Garrett slept in the living room.

That means that Fred can't stay up until 1 or 2 am "watching tv" (sleeping).

Here we are for the Saturday morning session.

Ben and Corinne had some Conference packets for the boys to work on.

They worked on them and did some quiet playing. 

We think the boys did really good for Conference. 

 I took a picture of Fred. 

 Henry would wander down to Grandpa's room. 

Henry is quite taken with Grandpa Burke. 

Grandpa Burke thinks Henry is a kick.

Fred has been stocking up on some new outdoor toys for the boys. 

The boys seemed to like them. The weather was perfect this weekend.

 Henry and Spencer put together their Golf Toss.

 Usually the boys come in the summer when it is too hot to even go outside.

This spring weather was fantastic!!

Next we packed up and headed to the Tonaquint Park. 

We bought tickets to ride the train last weekend when we took Shannon there.

The line was quite a bit longer today. The park was a whole lot busier too. 

Lots of families probably visiting for Conference weekend just like us.

 On Sunday after the morning session, we went to our neighborhood park. 

We took our wagon full of toys.

 Garrett was playing with the big styrofoam airplane.

 Mom and Henry were playing with the bubbles.

 This is a great shot of Spencer tossing the styrofoam plane. 

 After the park, we headed to the Daly's for a little musical performance.

Spencer played first. 

 Next was Garrett.

 Richard played last.

Corinne made us dinner Saturday and Sunday nights. I always ask Corinne and Ben to do the cooking when they are here. That way the kids get to eat what they are used to plus I don't have to stress about it. Then I also get to enjoy eating something new and different and yummy. 

Monday morning I went to work. Corinne and the family stopped by my work to say goodbye.

Two moments that meant a lot to me this trip.

When they arrived Friday night, Spencer came in the door and came straight to me and then Fred and gave us both a hug. No prompt from parents. That is meaningful.

While everyone was giving hugs goodbye, Garrett just held on and we hugged for quite a while. 

 I noticed.

Shannon's Spring break visit

Shannon and Mima and Buddy arrived at 1am Friday morning after driving for about 13 hours. She wanted to miss the snow storm coming in. Brian was going to come, but his grandmother passed away the previous weekend and he flew out Friday morning to attend her funeral in Bremerton.

I went to work as usual on Friday. Fred, Shannon and the kids came to see me at work at lunch time on Friday. Unfortunately all my favorite people except one or two weren't at work so I couldn't introduce them to many people. 

We took the kids to Del Taco for dinner and to the indoor play area.

Saturday the RV Sales place was having an open house. They had bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, drawings and FREE food. So we went!

After the RV show, we went to the cheap theater to see Moana.

Sunday was church. Then we visited the Daly's. I took the kids back to the house while Shannon and Fred visited a little longer. The kids played outside with the cars.

I took Monday off work. We took them to the new park in town. It has the only rail train in St. George. It was pretty cute.

After naps, we took the kids to the Washington Rec Center to the pool. I took pictures and read my book.

Tuesday morning they were loaded in the car by 7:15 am and headed home. 

It was a really nice visit. It went by really quickly.

The best moment was when Mima said to me "I love you Grandma".

It was so sweet and not prompted by Shannon. She just said it on her own.

Evan's Blessing Day

Evan's Blessing Day arrived  and we all met for a wonderful breakfast made by Jess's Dad.

 Jess knows how to make everything beautiful and festive. 

Evan wore the blessing outfit that Jess's brother JT wore. Evan has his middle name ~ Thomas ~

 Getting dressed.....

 I'm thinking this Mom is mighty happy and glowing today!

 Here we are after Sacrament meeting is over. 

 Jess's family here.

 I like all the pictures of us with Evan so you get to look at them too. 

It was why we went. 

  Here is all of our family.

 All the men in our family. 

 My babies all grown up. 

 I'm a munchkin. 

 Corinne and Shannon wanted to get the house cleaned up for Jess and Scott before we left.

The three of us ~ it's our love language.

 Here are a few pictures of the lodge we stayed at. It had three bedrooms. The girls shared a room, my dad had his own room and we got the master room downstairs. It was really nice!

 Time to go back to reality.

 It seemed like we had this trip on the calendar forever. It was so exciting to anticipate going to meet Evan along with the added joy of having Corinne and Shannon come too.

I don't think anything could have made the trip any better (other than lasting longer).

Scott and Jess are such wonderful partners in parenting. Evan is so blessed to have them. 

He is such a darling and sweet natured little boy. 

I'm so excited to see how he grows and develops his personality. 

So much in those eyes. I can just see it!!!