Summer Vacation

Sorry that it has been awhile between posts. Last week we ventured to California to see Bryan, Karen and Mady get sealed in Los Angeles Temple. But we actually did something for the first time as a family. We took three days of the trip for just our family in Las Vegas. We've been on a lot of vacations, but this was the first time it was just us. We had a blast. The crazy thing is, Payge and Nate like going to Las Begas (that's how they say it) more than us. Terry was able to find a good deal online for The Orleans Hotel and Casino. One of the few family friendly places in Vegas, no smoking in the casino or hotel. Monday was our sight seeing day. We got up early and beat the heat to go tour Hoover Dam.

The kids kept calling it the place where the Transformers are. By the time we got there at 9am it was already 100 'F. So the kids were done pretty fast.

After the dam we took a trip to the Las Vegas Temple. That was fun other than the kids were hungry.

So that afternoon we went to Nellis Air Force Base (Terry's Uncle Dale works there) to get some lunch and check out the F-16's and A-10's (a-whacks). It was hard to see them because as soon as you would look up into the sky all you could see was SUN!! After that it was off to the Shark Reef/Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. The kids had fun looking at all the sea animals, especially the sharks because you would walk in a tunnel and they would swim right over you.

Finally we finished the night off at the M&M Factory and the water show at the Bellagio. The kids were troopers considering we waited till almost 9pm to let things cool down to 99'F. But they walked the Vegas strip all by themselves. Needless to say, by the time we got back to the hotel at midnight, they were sound asleep when their heads hit the pillows.

Tuesday was our lazy day. We made a few trips to the pool as well as the buffet, but for the most part we just relaxed (napped) in the room. Wednesday it was off to California to Auntie Shelly's (Michelle) to watch Transformer's 2 at the drive-in. We're not sure who was enjoying the movie more, the kids playing in the back of the car or Terry standing and cheering on the AutoBots!!






Thursday we went to Lancaster and we were ready to stay at the Motel 6 in town until Bryan remembered that he home teache's the sales manager of the Hampton Inn. What a hook up. They put us in a suite which is normally $129 a night for only $29. It was huge. Two kings beds, a couch with pullout bed, massive flat screen TV, desk, kitchenette and a big bathroom area. That made it for a nice stay in Lancaster considering the Monguls bike gang invaded Motel 6 that weekend. Terry finally got his In-N-Out!!! Double, double animal style!


Friday night we went out to go see Uncle Frank and Aunt Linda. And if you can't tell why, let's just say FIGHT ON USC!! (Uncle Frank has the grey mustache in case you are trying to determine between the USC twins)
Saturday we went to the Los Angeles Temple to go see Bryan and Karen take out their endowments and get sealed to Mady for Time and All Eternity. Always a special moment for us because it just brings back the memories of when we went through and got sealed on Payge's 3rd birthday. Bryan and Karen have a cute family. Glad to see them make it.

It was a fun trip even though we didn't go to the beach. We did however hit every outlet mall from St George to Barstow. If we could recommend any place to shop it's at a Children's Place outlet. We got 7 or 8 outfits for each kid for just under $100. Mardi even got some bling, bling at a jewelry store that was 80% off. You know you've been on a vacation when the kids actually got excited when we pulled up to Dugway's gate.