Weekend in Vegas!!!

Josh had a some time off from work this past week so we decided to escape to the warmth down south. It was beautiful weather--65 degrees. We stayed at the Circus Circus hotel which was horrible! The only thing I can compare it to would be a place most of you would not know what I was talking about. It was a place we stayed at, on one of our trips back east when I was little--a dive called "Teds Motel" in Nebraska. (my siblings would know what I was talking about:) Just remember, you get what you pay for and in this case we got exactly that! The kids didn't mind of course. They had so much fun playing with their cousins. It was nice to see my brother Landon and Nena. Thanks for showing us a good time while we were there.

The kids got to cram together in this bed. This didn't last long. Gracie kept kicking everyone and laughing so she end up between Mom and Dad in their bed. Bet you know how well I slept :) :)



We were the first ones at the MGM to see the lions so we had an excellent spot. When the trainers brought the lions out, one of them came right up to the the glass window that Gracie was standing at. The lion brushed her face right up against Gracie's face. She didn't even flinch, she laughed.





We took the kids to see the 3D movie at the M&M store.



Watching the water show at the Belagio.







The kids had fun playing the arcades at New York, New York.



Like father--like son :) :)



Me and Matthew on the arcade roller coaster.







This is what Gracie picked for her prize with the tickets the kids won. Kinda says it all about Vegas, doesn't it?



There was a circus show that we took the kids to see. They thought the clown was so funny. I hate clowns! I think they're creepy!!!!







Riding the rides at Circus Circus.











Before we came home we went to see Hoover Dam. The kids kept trying to hop up on the ledge and look over. It scared me to death. The boys thought it was cool that the movie Transformers was filmed here.



On our way home we got caught in the horrible storm that came through Sunday night. It was VERY trecherous and scary!! I am so grateful that Josh was driving and stayed so calm. I would have never made it on my own. It was white out conditions and we couldn't see more than a foot in front of us from Cedar City on. We drove about 30 miles an hour from Cedar City and it took us about 9 hours to get home from Las Vegas. Our home had never looked so good when finally made it!!!

Happy Birthday Ellie!!!

I don't know what it is with my kids and wanting to go swimming in the middle of the winter, but that's what Ellie wanted to do for her birthday party with friends and cousins. Here they are before they got in the pool and when they were swimming. Ellie was in heaven--she missed out on the last swimming party for Zach's birthday because of stitches on her finger.







Thanks to Josh for being the trooper and getting in the pool with Gracie and to entertain all the kids. I'm a party pooper when it comes to swimming. I told him he needs to smile a little so he doesn't look so miserable in all the pictures but I don't think that's going to happen until he gets those braces off :)





I love this picture of Eli and E.J. They look so cute in their goggles.



We took the kids to get some ice cream after swimming. She got spoiled by all the great gifts she received from everyone.





I had to get a picture of Ellie with this cute necklace that her cousin E.J. and Eli gave her. It had candy, chapstick and 6 dollar bills for her turning 6 years old. I thought this was such a great idea. I know we've all struggled to come up with present ideas for other kids--not knowing what they have or don't have. Thanks for such a cute idea Elicia!



It's become a tradition that on the kids birthday they get to pick what they want mom to make them for breakfast. You could imagine how happy I was when Ellie asked for fruit loops....she could have picked anything and she chose fruit loops :) :)



Ellie got this new outfit for her birthday. Doesn't she look so cute?!?!?! My little girl is six...I can't believe how fast the time flies!



I made her this butterfly cake for her birthday. It took me all day to make it but was worth it when she got home from school and said, "Mom it is SO CUTE, thanks for making it for me."





Ellie has been asking for a Nintendo DS since Zach got one for Christmas. She had been playing with his whenever she could get the chance. We have been teasing her telling her that they are too expensive and that she probably wouldn't be getting one. So, when I was wrapping her presents I decided to disguise it in a bigger box. The picture below kind of shows her reaction when she opened the box and saw that it was a box of cereal. She honestly thought we got her cereal for her birthday. As you can see in the other pictures she was really excited when she looked inside and saw that there were some presents and that she did indeed get her DS.









Ellie with her cousin Saige and below that, more cousins singing Happy Birthday to her. We hope you had a fun couple of days celebrating your birthday Ellie. You are such a big helper to mom and dad and are very special to us. We love you and hope you had a Happy #6!!!!

Hooray for Gracie!!

Gracie has been officially potty trained this past week. It's such a relief to start getting through this stage--it can be SO frusterating at times!! On the other hand, it's sad to see my baby growing past another stage. I wish I could keep her little forever!!!!!