Spring Break 2012 - Las Vegas!

DAY 3

The weather got cold so we decided day 3 would be the best for going to the temple. Jenny and Tyler brought their recommends from home so we headed off to do Baptisms for the Dead. We were the only ones there. They had to find people to come down to the baptistry to help us which was really different from our experiences in the Provo Temple. It was neat to be in the Las Vegas temple together. We only wish Katy and Shawn could have done some with us.

Bret took Katy and Shawn to the Nellis Air Force base to watch the F16 jets take off while we were at the temple. One of the sisters in the temple told me I could bring Katy and Shawn in and through the lobby and out to the small garden/courtyard area in the middle of the temple. Katy was especially excited to actually walk into the temple. She had just said that morning that she couldn't wait until she turned 12 and could go with us. This is a picture of the kids in the courtyard together. This might be one of my favorites. I love that we were all together "in" the temple.

The wind was still blowing like crazy after the temple, so we headed down to show the kids the Hoover Dam. The whole time we were driving down there (and while we were there) the kids had a blast cracking Dam jokes. "I need to use the Dam bathroom" , "I would like a Dam picture" "Let's find the Dam Escalator, Dam stairs", "I see the Dam road", "Dam tourists, Dam sign, etc" I think Tyler was the most creative and got the biggest kick out of it. But they all thought they were so funny. Nothing like a little rebellion.

Looking over the edge made me crazy. I had to hold on to Shawn because I felt safer that way. When I think of it now I still get the "willie's". This is a picture of us standing on the dam with the new overpass bridge behind.

Afterward we headed to dinner and then back to the room for an American Idol party. We painted finger and toe nails and guessed who would be the next American Idol to be eliminated.

Stay tuned for our last day. . . It may have been the highlight of the trip.

Spring Break 2012 - LAS VEGAS!

DAY 2

At the end of the first day we decided to try something new we haven't ever done before. We headed down to Fremont Street in the old downtown area of Las Vegas. Bret remembered when he was younger seeing a cool laser show at night when it got dark so we decided to go try it out. They've changed it a little since Bret saw it . . . now it's like a huge rounded "TV" screen above you that stretches over about 3-4 blocks, and every hour they play a classic/well-known song and have images to look at while it plays. They music was loud and fun. Here are a couple pictures that show what it was like.

We walked back and forth on the road looking at all the strange people. We were a little surprised to see that Alvin had to stop for a smoke break. Kind of funny to see who's under the costume. My kids were a little disappointed in that . . . Jenny says she will never give a "mascot" a hug again because she doesn't trust who might be inside.

The next day we headed for the pool again to hang out it the sun but it turned out to be really windy. The kids only lasted for about an hour and then headed up to the room. It was a little too cold.

That night we headed to Caesars Palace to eat at one of our favorite places

- The Cheesecake Factory! -

We tried to check out the Volcano at the Mirage since we haven't seen it since they re-did it. But they cancelled it because of the strong winds so we headed inside . . . Bret had a little surprise for us.

Somehow he knew about a little yogurt shop at the Mirage so we walked the halls til we found it. This is one of the kids' favorite things lately. They love to pick their flavor of yogurt and then pile on the toppings.

Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel and hoped for a warmer day tomorrow.

Spring Break 2012 - LAS VEGAS!

DAY 1

Mid-80's with lots of sunshine meant a day at the pool and that's about all we did. We drank sodas, ate honey mustard with onion pretzels (thanks Kelly!), swedish fish, licorice, made colored sand bottles, swam, ran back and forth to the hot tub and soaked in the sun.

We had a true teenager with us this year. All she could talk about was "getting a tan". But she managed to keep her phone close by so she could keep up with what her friends were doing on their Spring Break. This picture above is a great one of her . . . her cute body in the sun with her phone in hand . . . classic!

Then came the pool party! A crazy DJ lady that sang parts of songs, had contests going for free drinks, the macarena and sand art! Katy and Shawn went for the Sand Art.

Seems like it never fails . . . I just wanted a picture of these two chillin' in the sun, but Jen had to make a funny face.

No really Jen . . . just a picture of you reading . . .

No really . . . put your book down . . .

Are you kidding me? Never a dull moment with these two around . . .

Jen finally decided to take a dip in the pool to cool off . . . Tyler wasn't far behind . . . he was like a tiger watching his prey . . . waiting for the right moment to make his move and then BAM!

But she will never go down without a fight . . . lucky for me it was a friendly one.

And they could practically pass for twins . . .

The day ended with all of us hanging out on our chairs . . . in the shade and Shawn wrapped up in a towel on my lap.

He told me stories and made some of his crazy faces . . . this is a little taste of what I saw . . .

Katy couldn't stand missing out and had to join in . . .

This is what Bret saw . . . :)

. . . and that sums up DAY 1!