Spring Break 2009

We spent the week of Ethan's sping break down in the land of (g)litter, glam and gale-force winds – Las Vegas.

Britt and I had ever taken the kids on such a long drive before (roughly 630 mi.) and were a bit curious to see how they would handle it. We figure that if we want to see all these places that we have in mind then we need to just load the kids up and go. They'll get used to it. Anyway, the kids did great and there were only a couple of meltdowns.

Highlights of the trip were:
• Playing at the Adventuredome in Circus Circus. A full-on indoor theme park including a roller coaster (which Ethan could not get enough of), water slide, merry-go-round (which Madeline could not get enough of) and tons of other goodies. Oh yeah, and we got lost trying to find our damn car afterward.
• A day spent hiking outside at Valley of Fire. A state park that hosts a natural playground of red rocks sculpted by the wind. Caves, gullies, petroglyphs, boulders, etc. that the kids and adults had a blast playing in.
• A day of dad, Ethan and Mike bouldering (climbing big rocks w/o ropes) near Red Rocks. Oodles of fun just a stones throw from town. Unfortunately, we didn't see any wild burros though (they reside there).
• Fremont St. in the old part of the strip. You have to see it to apreciate it. Madeline put on a performace for this group of small, elderly japanese ladies who just could not get eough of her dancing. It was classic! Plus, I ran into my cousin Greg and his wife Ericka who now live in Grand Junction, CO. A pleasat surprise, yes!
• Eating at the Rainforest Cafe in the MGM resort.
• Swimming outside in the hotel's heated swimming pool in the afternoon sun.
• Madi's Care Bear taking a flying leap for freedom out the car window.

It was a good time had by all and I hope the kids learned a few things about what lays outside of our small little white-bread town. I know it always makes me appreciate living in this smallish town whenever I return from Vegas – the downtown/Strip area is just crazy and I would shoot myself if I had to endure that environment on a daily basis. Fun place to visit but…

More pics from the trip can be viewed here.

Oh, and if anyone happens to find a blue Care Bear along the interstate in St. George, make sure to give it a good home.