Viva Las Vegas

I just got back from a really quick trip to Las Vegas. My friend, Liz, was going to a Harry Styles concert and she just wanted a friend to come along for fun. So I bought a last minute ticket and we took a late flight out of XNA directly into Vegas. we left Thursday night.

Once we landed in Vegas, we got an uber and went to the hotel Liz had booked. Unfortunately, after checking in we discovered the hotel room was disgusting and so we checked back out and made our way to a different hotel. We found a room at "The Sahara" and it was gorgeous and clean and so wonderful. We got checked in and then promptly passed out, because at that point it was 3 am. 

The next day we slept in and then went downstairs and ordered a delicious breakfast. Then we checked out and hopped on the sky tram and went to check in to a different hotel for the rest of our stay. 

We checked into "The Paris" hotel and it was so beautiful. The entire hotel is designed to look like you are in Paris. It was gorgeous. Even the ceilings were painted to look like the sky. It was so pretty. 

and this stained glass window was amazing. 

We went to our room after exploring a bit and took naps. And then we were back up and ready to explore. We went to the Venetian hotel and did a gondola ride. It was so fun and our gondolier sang to us. It was awesome.   

We explored the Venetian a bit more after our ride. 

And I had to get some macarons before leaving. They were so yummy. 

After our gondola ride, we went back to our hotel for dinner. We ate at a delicious restaurant with patio seats and watched the Bellagio water show while we ate. The food was delicious. 

This was right outside where we were eating. The hotel was so pretty, inside and out.

 

After dinner, we walked over to the "High Roller Observation Wheel". Its basically a big ferris wheel, but instead of little seats, they were big pods and it was massive. 
Sadly, once we got there Liz didn't want to do it anymore. So I went alone and it was awesome. 
By the time it got to the top, you could see all of Las Vegas. Such an amazing view. 

When I got off the wheel, Liz and I uber'd over to "Fremont Street" and did the old Last Vegas strip district. This was definitely more Liz's scene than mine. It was loud, it was crowded. There were people everywhere and it was craziness. It was an experience. 

Fremont street is the original Vegas strip. 

 

After we finished, we uber'd back to our hotel and hit up the casino. I had my first (and only) experience gambling. I lost $9 and it was not fun. I only played the small nickle slots and then I tried a dollar one. I lost everything immediately and it was not very fun. I have no desire to do it again. lol.

Then we finally went to bed. It was another late night and we got to sleep around 2 am. The next day we slept in again. Then we got breakfast and decided to explore some more. 
We went to the "Cosmopolitan" and got to see their beautiful chandelier lounge. It was gorgeous. 

   

Then we went to the M&M store. I wanted to see it and get my kiddos some M&Ms. It was so fun. The wall of m&m wall was amazing. 

 After the m&m store we walked through "the MGM Grand" and caught the sky tram back to our hotel. 

We grabbed dinner and then Liz left for her concert. She was so excited and she had a great time. 
Meanwhile, I explored a little bit. I watched the Bellagio show again but from closer up. It was awesome. Then I grabbed some food and went back to the room to read and relax. 

Liz got back late and I was almost asleep. We talked just for a few minutes and then I was out. 

Sunday was our last day and we got up early to and got crepes for breakfast. They were amazingly delicious but so huge. I couldn't finish mine. 

Then Liz stayed behind and I went to see the Famous Las Vegas sign. I had been looking forward to this photo op since we landed in Vegas. 

 

Then I came back to the hotel, I got us a late checkout and then went to the pool for a couple hours. 

The pool was gorgeous. I read, relaxed and cooled off without any kids. It was wonderful. 

 

Eventually it was time to pack up, catch an uber back to the airport and board our flight home. 

It was an easy, quick flight home and we were home before we knew it. 
We had a great trip and someday, when my kids are older I would love to go back with them. 

Chris' new calling

 We've had some changes in our home recently. Chris was called into our ward's bishopric. 
He was asked to serve as the first counselor.  He accepted and was set apart this weekend. 
He will be serving with Braden Moore as bishop and Johnathon Welker as second counselor. 

While this calling is very time intensive, I know that it will be a blessing to our family and to our ward. 
When Chris was ordained as a high priest and set apart he was given a blessing. During his blessing he was told that his family wouldn't suffer because of his service. We would still have time with him and he would be able to find the time to be successful at work and in other aspects of his life. 

Our old Bishop was called into the stake presidency and while we will miss him as bishop, he will be wonderful in the stake. I am excited to see our ward grow and come together under a new bishopric. 
I have no doubt Chris will do great. He has such a servant's heart. He finds such joy in helping others and he's an inspiration to us. I know Heavenly Father has great things in mind for him and I'm just glad we can be along for the ride. 

Tanner's Epic Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Tanner's 12th birthday. It seems crazy that my oldest is 12 years old! 
Tanner is such a great kid. I hope the teenage years don't change that, but for now we are enjoying his happy personality and cute sense of humor. 

On his actual birthday he had school, but we ended the night with his favorite dinner and night swim at the pool. He loved it. 

For his party theme, he asked for a gaming themed party. Dad recently fixed his old xbox and him and Tanner have been having fun playing together. This theme was perfect for him. 

This cute boy is so laid back, he was very chill about his birthday.

 His only request was a bundt cake. Easy peasy. 

I made this controller banner for decoration and it is one of my favorite things from this party. 

We had kettle corn popcorn (Tanner's favorite) and I made little controller cookies. The cookies were a huge hit. They were fun to make and looked so cute. 

Green punch and the bundt cake were our other food items. 

Tanner loved his cake. It was a white chocolate and raspberry cake and it was so yummy!

I sure love this kid. He's been such a good guy and I'm glad he's my first. Hopefully he will take it easy on me over the next 6 years or so. 

We had Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura over, as well as Uncle Joseph and his family. We missed the Allreds but we had a great time celebrating our boy. 
We opened presents, ate food, order fajitas for dinner and let the kids play. 
Happy Birthday sweet Tanner boy. We love you so much!

Back to Public School- First Day

Today my sweet kids started school. Well the older three started school. Benson starts preschool after labor day. 
Tanner started 6th grade at Ardis Ann Middle School. This will be his only year of middle school because we home schooled last year, but he's excited. 

Bailey started 5th grade at Ardis Ann middle school too. This is her first year in middle school and she's really excited to be back in public school. 

 

And Tucker started 2nd grade at Elm Tree Elementary. He is a little more hesitant to go back to public school but I have no doubt he will do great. 

  

After school we celebrated with a little back to school party. 

I'm so proud of these cuties. I know they were all a little nervous this morning and wearing masks in school is new for them, but they are resilient and I know they will do great this school year.  

 

After being home together for the last 17 months, it is definitely strange to have them back in school full time. But Chris and I both feel like this is the best place for them right now. 

I know they will thrive and learn so much this year. I can't wait to see what goodness comes this year, regardless of COVID and all the strict regulations.