Vegas.... Here we come.

Friday, March 23, Eric and I dropped Parker off at Regina's at 8:00 and Maisie off at school at 8:15 and then we were off to Vegas. It was a long drive, but we made it by 3:00 p.m. We checked into our hotel, Wild Wild West. A smaller hotel just off the strip. We relaxed for a bit and then headed out to Fremont Street. Fremont Street is the life of the party. It was one of our favorite things we did there. We listened to music, watched dancing, and just watched all the people. We were probably there from about 5:00 to 10:00. We did walk down to the famous Pawn Shop. Amazing how small the pawn shop really is. 

Afterwards, we went to the Stratosphere. What a gorgeous view of Vegas. You can see all of Vegas from the top. It's amazing how you can see all the lights and then all of a sudden they stop. Crazy how Vegas really is in the middle of no where. We enjoyed the views and then at the bottom of the Stratosphere we sat down and had some pizza. I kept teasing Eric because he never wanted to eat. By this time I was starving. Nothing like eating dinner at 11:00 at night.

Saturday we got up and headed to Hoover Dam. It's a 40 minute drive from Vegas. What a spectacular view. That bridge is amazing. I can't even imagine how they built that dam in the 1930's. 

Then we checked out the south end of Vegas and walked through several of the casinos. At 3:00, Eric finally let me eat at In-n'-Out burger. First time we haven't eaten there. Don't really get what all the hype is about that place. It was a bit to greasy for me, but at that point I was willing to eat anything. We went back and relaxed at the hotel for a little while and then headed to the Monster Jam.

Monster Jam started at 7:00 and was finished about 10:30. It was amazing. It was a sold out show to 40,000 people. It was getting to the point that we had no idea how one more person could possibly squeeze into those seats. It was a bit frustrating how many people came late and how many had to get in and out of their seats. We were at the very top row at the top of the stairs so we had to deal with everyone coming up the stairs. We had a great time and are all ready ready to go back next year. We hope to take the kids, because we know they would love it. We took a little nap in the car waiting for the traffic to clear out of the parking lot. We didn't want to fight getting out and then sitting in line forever.

Sunday was a little more relaxed. We didn't have a whole lot planned. We visited the Dolphin Habitat. Walked through a lot of the casino's in central Vegas. We ate for the first time that day at 3:00 at Planet Hollywood. We shared a hamburger. Took a cat nap in our car, which was parked in the covered parking garage at Bill's.  Then we went to the Piano Bar at the Paris Casino. The two pianists were very entertaining. Amazing that they could play and sing any song that was requested. Our two favorite things of Vegas, besides the Monster Jam, were Fremont Street and the Piano Bar.

We walked a ton. I calculated in 2 1/2 days we walked close to 20 miles. We had a great time and loved our mini vacation alone without kids, but it was sure nice to drive into the calmness of Cache Valley.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What a crazy but relaxing Saturday it has been. The wind has blown like mad for the last 24 hours. Raining on and off. Parker and I have spent most of the day cooped up indoors. Maisie ran around the neighborhood with a neighbor friend.

I cooked for the first time Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patty's Day. It turned out pretty good. Not something I could eat all the time, but once a year for something different. Parker insisted on green mac & cheese for lunch. It must have been good, cause he went back for more.

We ended the day with a trip to our favorite place, Twizlberry. I could go there everyday. I have gone nearly two weeks without sweets and just couldn't resist tonight. Definitely worth it.

Our own Monster Jam

This little video clip gives you an idea of our nightly entertainment. Parker puts on our own Monster Jam show quite frequently for us. He is so creative and imaginative. 

Monster Jam - SLC

We have always talked about going to the Monster Jam. It worked out this year that we would be able to go. Eric and Parker were so excited. They are obsessed with trucks and cars. We drove to SLC and had dinner at Crown Burger. Not sure I would crown it as the best food, but the price was crowned for a King. Afterwards, we walked over to the Energy Solutions Arena. The trucks were so loud inside the building. Good thing Eric came prepared and brought us all ear plugs. I was making fun of him, cause I didn't think we would need them. Our two favorite trucks were Grave Digger & Maximum Destruction. We had such a good time that on the way home I was looking up on my phone to find out when the finals were in Vegas. It just so happened that it was on Eric's long weekend in March. I didn't think that Eric was really serious about going, but a couple days later we were planning our trip to Vegas. First time we have ever left our kids home. 

My Blue Eyes

I just love my Parker's blue eyes. They are enough to melt anyone's heart. He is such a good sport to pose for a quick picture. Hard to believe he is 5 1/2 and will soon be going to kindergarten. Makes me so sad to think that my baby is growing up.

Couple of things about Parker:

He loves monster trucks.
Loves GRAVE DIGGER.
Can type grave digger on the ipad and watch youtube videos. And will watch the same movie over and over and over again.
Loves cars; especially mustangs and camaros. It is a competition in the car to see who can see the most.
Loves numbers. He loves adding numbers together and is pretty good at it considering he is not even in school yet.
He is beginning to pick out sounds in words. He amazes me everyday.
Loves monster trucks.
Loves hanging with dad.
Loves camping.
Did I mention he loves monster trucks? He has quite the collection of trucks. Doesn't help that his dad likes them to.

He's my favorite boy.

Camera Giveaway

One of my favorite websites is giving away a free camera. Check it out. Copy and paste link below.

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Christmas 2011

We spent Christmas Eve at Josh & Kirsten's for dinner. It was so yummy. We then came home and we over to Sallie's for a little bit. Christmas morning we woke up and opened gifts. Maisie got a new baby named Jordan, pretend school stuff, pretend checkbook, baby clothes, Little House on the Prairie books and Soul Surfer. Parker got two remote control trucks, a curve bow and arrow, Trio blocks, legos, Transformers 3, and hot wheels. Eric got Vortex binoculars and I got a flash and accessories for my camera. After we cleaned up and got ready we went to Grandma & Grandpa Julander's for breakfast lunch. The kids always like getting together with their cousins to see what each other got. Later that day we opened Grandma and Grandpa's gifts. We open them youngest to oldest.