Family Vacation: Part 1

Wow! That took me forever to get through our vacation pictures.

There were too many to choose from, so as a disclaimer, there will be a lot...

When trying to decide on a family vacation this year, we knew we wanted to go early in the summer,

Before baby number three makes an appearance.

Michael searched the internet for the best vacation destinations with small children,

And San Diego was in the top ten places to go.  

The drive from our home was too far to make in one day with our kids, 

So we broke it up and stayed in Las Vegas.

Let me just tell you,

That Las Vegas was HOT!!!  It was 111 degrees while we were there.

On our way into town, we stopped at an outlet mall.

Once we got back out to our car, the thermostat said it was 122 degrees in the parking lot.

I just have to ask, how do people live like that?

We spent a lot of time at our hotel (Circus Circus) watching all the Circus Acts and playing games.

We all had a blast watching the shows.  There were some pretty amazing performances.

Maxwell entertained every stranger he met with his charm and personality (I'm serious).

Michael played the same game about five times so he could win that bear for the kids.  Kathryn loved it. 

We bought bus passes and went to a few of our favorite places.

We went to M&M World, where we watched a 3-D movie and bought over-priced M&M's to share.

 

  

We made a pit-stop at the Venetian for some amazing Gelato.

I've been craving it ever since Michael and I were in Vegas six years ago.

We watched the gondolas and listed to a classical band.

At which point, we finished off the ice cream and Max got way too loud.

So we left to appease the crowd of people trying to listen to the beautiful music.

And rode the bus some more.

On our way out of town, we stopped by the Las Vegas Temple.

 

 We loved walking around and seeing all the native plants, trees and flowers.

So different from where we live.

This plant/tree was one of our favorites.  Doesn't it look like a giant pineapple?

Kathryn wasn't quite so sure about it.

It was a beautiful, peaceful morning.

And the perfect way to start out our second day of driving.

Sweetness

I love when these two are sweet to each other.

Kathryn asked if she could sit by Max, so he patted the ground next to him.

She sat down and put her arm around him and he cuddled into her.

Reality

Vacation is a blast.

But getting back to reality is not:)

For Michael

 

Happy Father's Day sweetheart.

We love you and we are so grateful for all that you do for our family.

You are an amazing father and a wonderful husband.

Number three

Baby number three is on the way.

They are telling us it's a boy.
Michael says he still needs better proof.

Due date is August 26th.
At my rate, that will be around the first of August:)
We are all nervous, happy, and excited to add another to the clan.

Our Memorial Day

Our Memorial Day Weekend:

-Visit with old friends who are moving across the country

-Movie and shopping with sister in-law and the kids

-The brothers play a round of golf

-BBQ at grandma and grandpas with (a lot of) the family

-Fishing trip for the boys (and some of the girls)

-A boat ride and tubing, courtesy of Michael's brother (thanks so much)

Of course it was so fun to be together with family and friends.  

And it was a perfect and busy weekend.

(P.S.  Michael is not a fireman. However, he is currently the fire commissioner for city council.  I love it!)

Winter wear

The kids found our winter clothes box this morning.

It provided some entertainment for awhile.

 Of course, the most fought over item was the ski goggles.

I can't even remember the last time I wore those...or if I even wore them at all.

But Max sure liked them. 

      And by the end, he had little black flecks all over his face from the disintegrating padding.

      They are really, really old.   I ended up throwing them away when no one was watching.

And this was about the point that they both lost interest.

It was fun while it lasted.