Las Vegas

Katie planned a packed full day of fun Las Vegas things to do.  We started at Bass Pro to see the aquariums.  They usually have mermaids, but I guess there is a fungus in the tank so we just got to see the fish today.  Gavin’s life long dream was to see the Luxor hotel, so we walked around the hotel and even took a ride in the elevator.  He was beyond excited.  While trying to get a group picture, Carter and Renee were fighting over where they were standing.  Renee sat down to pout and Carter was kicking her in the butt.  All the while, they were both screaming and crying.  We ate fast food in the hotel and I spent a fortune to get the kids hot dogs.  We stopped at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign to get a picture and Carter was throwing a major fit.  He was mad because I wouldn’t let him bring a plastic fork out of the car.  Katie gave me a tour of her new house.  (She moves in two weeks from now.)  They have a pool there so we spent the afternoon swimming.  Everyone got along and there wasn’t fighting during that event.  Gavin did jump off the very back of their waterfall after I told him not to.  When I made him get out and get in time out I asked him if he knew why he was there he said, “Yes, but it was worth it.”  He can be so mischievous.  We all went out for pizza and then visited the Bellagio where we saw their garden, the Chihuly chandelier, and their water spray show.  All were very beautiful.   It was been so much fun to see Katie again.  I have been spoiled to see her twice in one year.

Mia, Renee, and George playing tea party.

At Bass Pro with the giraffe 

Looking at the fish

Mia and Gavin in the tent.

At the Luxor

Luxor meltdown (captured by Katie)

From the 27th floor of the Luxor 

Shadow puppets at the Luxor,

Outside of the Luxor

The most expensive hot dog we ever bought.

Not exactly the photo I had in mind. 

Gavin and Mia flying high. 

Having fun in Katie's new pool.

Carter helping Katie's workers sand the cabinets. 

Bellagio botanical garden 

Chihuly Chandelier

In front of The Paris.

Bellagio Fountain Show

The Hoover Dam

The kids woke up at 6am again!  I did my very best to keep them quiet in the camp, but it is a battle.  We got our camp packed up and we were on the road pretty early.  We stopped at Mather’s Point one last time to see the view.  I love that the Grand Canyon never looks the same.  The weather and the time of day change the light and shadow.  It is easy to see why people come from all over the world to see it.  On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at the Hoover Dam.  Neither Renee nor Carter were tall enough to see over the railing well, so I had to hold them up.  We got to Katie’s house in Las Vegas around 3pm and had a relaxing evening together at her house.  Katie made us chocolate fondue which the kids loved.  My kids are playing really well with her kids.

The Grand Canyon

Gavin on Mather's Point

The Hoover Dam

The new bridge that we drove over.

Monument at the Dam

View of Lake Mead

Chocolate fondue at Katie's house.  Olive, Renee, Mia, Carter, George, and Gavin

The Grand Canyon

The kids got up at 6am again.  We are not adapting to the new time zone well.  We did get to see elk again just behind our camp.  You can tell that they are national park elk, they weren’t afraid of us at all.  We got to Angle Trail at 8:30.  It took 30 minutes using the bus system to get there.  We hiked 3 miles round trip into the Grand Canyon.  Carter whined and complained the entire time down and then was as pleasant as can be on the way out.  My kids are very friendly and talked to everyone they passes.  They ended up making friends with another family and we finished the hike together.  The other mom asked if we wanted to go out for ice cream but I didn’t bring my wallet with me, so she treated each of us to an ice cream cone.  It was really nice of them and the ice cream was great after a long hike.  (We finished at noon.)  The kids worked on the junior ranger program for the Grand Canyon while we were sitting on a bench facing the rim.  We took the bus back to camp and after snacks we drove to the visitor center.  The kids got sworn in as junior rangers and we watched the visitor center video.  It felt really good to sit for a while.  Back at camp, both Gavin and Renee cut themselves making a spear with Gavin’s pocketknife.  I got to go through some of the photos I have been taking.  I rented a Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 lens.  I am loving it.  I will definitely have to buy one when I have an extra $2,200 lying around.  We went to a fireside ranger program but they couldn’t make a fire because of the burn ban.  Carter wanted to make comments and ask questions the entire time.  I have to put my hand over his mouth to keep him from talking.  All of my kids wanted to ask a ton of questions and make comments.  I often wonder if all kids talk all the time, or just my kids.

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Carter wouldn't be in this photo because Renee was in the middle.

Renee is mad in this photo because Carter got to be in the middle.

Start of the Bright Angle Trail.

1.5 miles into the canyon.  

About half way out.

Getting sworn in as Grand Canyon Junior Rangers.