A Weekend in Vegas

We celebrated Christmas this weekend.

In January? You ask.

Yup. Well, sorta.

For Christmas, the doctors at High Valley Dermatology gifted the providers with a flight, hotel stay, dinner, and show in Vegas. We were asked to find our own flights. So, trying to capitalize on a short time, we found flights that flew out of SLC Friday morning and returned on Saturday evening. We talked to my parents who were so kind to watch the kids all weekend, even offering for us to return Sunday instead of rushing home Saturday night!

Unfortunately for us, the only snow in the forecast for 2 weeks was on Thursday afternoon and evening... when we were driving down to drop the kids off and continue to SLC! It took a very long time. But we were blessed with safety and were able to arrive at our hotel shortly before midnight. After a brief wink of sleep, we headed to the airport at 6.

After an uneventful flight (isn't technology amazing? I kept thinking on the flight how spoiled we were to head such a long distance just to watch a show! And how incredible it is that such a thing is possible) we headed to Red Rock Conservation Area. Oh my heck what a gem of a destination!

Our first hike almost didn't happen cuz as we were driving the scenic route through the area to get to the hike, the scenery was so cool! There were these rolling red sandstone hills that we saw people climbing all over and thought how fun it looked. But we held tight and arrived at Calico Tanks and I am so glad we did!

This hike was so scenic and fun! There was so much the kids would have enjoyed on this trail and we must go back with them someday! The rock scrambling was a blast and the view at the top was incredible. 

You can see the storm that was brewing above our heads, but we paid it no mind. Just a few harmless sprinkles and a cold breeze.

A friendly fellow hiker offered to take a pic for us at the top. I love spending time outdoors. I feel like it knocks down so many barriers between strangers. 

And there is something about dead trees that I just can't resist! I don't know why, but I love them!

Next we headed up Ice Box Canyon which was also amazing! This one had a lot of boulder hopping and Chad eagerly tried out his new go-pro (a Christmas gift from HIS boss- don't we work for incredible people?) jumping from rock to rock. 

There were pools and a small tiny trickle of a waterfall at the top. We had to scramble up some slick rock to appreciate the upper pool... probably won't take the kids to the tippy top on this one.

Sky view from the pools LOL

After hiking we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up. They put us up in the Marriott Grand Chateau which was very posh! We met everyone in the lobby for dinner just before 6. They took us to this incredible Brazilian restaurant called Fogo de Chao. If you ever get the chance... Oh my goodness! The meat was so melt in your mouth tender and was seasoned to perfection! So so yummy. 

After we had crammed as much as we possibly could into our guts, they took us to the 500 ft ferris wheel. It was incredible to look up as it towered over us. Alas, sigh, it was not meant to be. "Technical difficulties" prevented us from getting on. BUT, I'm super grateful these occurred BEFORE we got on! So we walked some more, I'm pretty sure we covered 3-4 miles that night. We headed to the Bellagio for the 9:30 showing of "O" by Cirque du Soleil. The theater was massive and the stage was incredible! And they had purchased 5th row seats for us! I mean, we could see the expressions on the faces of the performers! What an incredible night. I didn't have enough eyeballs to follow all the talent: dancing, synchronized swimming, acrobatics, diving, even clowns for a little humor... it was all so incredible! We were certainly spoiled on this trip. I am so grateful for my job, for incredible people to work with, and also for their kindness and generosity. Holy cow! This trip blew my mind!

I also have to comment on the hotel bed... I didn't want to leave it! It was like sinking into a cloud after the short night before and all the hiking and walking we did that day! We flew back to SLC Saturday and were able to meet up with Valerie and Luis. Where we were spoiled even more! No one makes New York steak and potatoes quite like Luis and Valerie was super thoughtful to make Chad's favorite lemon bars. They even let us crash at their place that night.

We drove back to get the kids on Sunday. We were met with so many positives getting them. Apparently the kids had been so kind to each other, Jaedyn had rocked it with her assignments not even requiring any management, and the kids had shoveled out grandma's driveway and then the driveway of their neighbors! How amazing! We were spoiled once again when we arrived. Jaedyn had made brownies from scratch and Lilia had helped Grandma make a potato ham chowder. After dinner we hiked up to the cemetery to visit Andy's grave. How we all ended up with just tennis shoes for this in Idaho in January, is a mystery. But the kids were good sports once we turned off the road and were stomping through crusty 8 in snow drifts. I suggested turning back and they quickly vetoed me exclaiming that we were too close to turn back now. LOL. 

What a weekend of gorging ourselves on the beauty that surrounds us and on yummy food! I am so grateful my parents love my kids and are so involved in their lives. And that they are willing to take time from their lives to allow us to go spend some time alone every once in a while! 

 

St George with Helen

Bless my family and their willingness to allow me to take crazy adventures! And bless Helen for her willingness to do all the planning cuz we would be so lost if I was in charge! LOL Helen invited me to join her for a weekend of hiking in St George and the thought of sunshine was too tempting to resist!

Our adventure began in this hole. For real. Ok so nothing exciting really happened here but it was gross which made it an adventure all by itself. When we arrived, it was bad. Not wanting to put a damper on the start of the trip I told Helen we were not allowed to complain. I almost did so many times! Ew. But in the morning all attempts at a positive attitude were quickly abandoned when we looked up and saw what appeared to be blood splatter all over the ceiling above her bed. No worries, she prayed for extra protection that night. Our imaginations quickly took off explaining the puddle type red stains that were scattered in front of the door and we couldn't get out of the room fast enough. On the way out I kindly informed the front desk that they needed to clean the ceiling. They thanked us and later had the gall to accuse us of spraying soda all over the room, claiming it was still wet when we left. What a load of bull. First of all, I almost never drink soda, second of all Helen considers stuff like that practically poison. Third, it was bone dry when we investigated it closely trying to determine if the rust colored spots really were blood (soda didn't even cross my mind). I was really disappointed with their dishonesty.

But that is neither here nor there because what a fabulous trip we had after that! The next hotel, the Red Lion was so posh compared! They had a great indoor/outdoor pool that I may have to take my kids and revisit! LOL

We started out Saturday in Red Cliffs Conservation area hiking what I think started as the Red Reef Trail. We followed it up past the ropes and then instead of following the creek to the right as it was full of water, we went straight... straight up. LOL It was some steep bouldering but oh so fun and it put us above everything. We came out the other side and started playing around with super hero poses. Helen was pretty good!

Here's Spiderman

And Captain America... just imagine the shield

And Ironman at take off 😂

I did a pretty cool black widow... but you'll just have to imagine it because the pic was taken with Helen's camera. We laughed and laughed about Yalena (Black widow's sister) making fun of the pose.

I also broke the rock with my super strength.

And captured this super beautiful sun with my super stellar camera!

On Sunday, after church, we hiked Hidden Pinyon to Red Sands to Padre in Snow Canyon. This was another great trail! So funny though, as you come out you hike past an outdoor theater in the middle of nowhere. There are signs telling you not to pet the horses without permission. 

And Monday brought a close to our adventures with a quick jaunt part way down Silver Rim Trail which had to be cut short. I wimped out calculating the time it was going to take me to get home. Helen was a good sport and allowed us to turn around. Next time Helen!

 

Happy New Year!

Jaedyn had her first big party. And by that I mean, she hosted a boy-girl party! And I have very few pix to show for it dang it! Just believe me when I say, it was a lot of fun!

She had 10 friends, and one friend brought a couple bonus family members. I had been worried about an ice-breaker activity... totally a silly concern and I never should have worried. They are such a fun group of kids and it was loud and crazy from the moment they walked in!

Jaedyn had made red velvet cup-cones courtesy of Grandma Tina's thoughtfulness and generosity. We had chex mix, candy, waffles and ice-cream (per tradition) and cinnamon rolls. 

We started the games with a funny white elephant gift exchange. Everyone had been instructed to find something laying around the house. Oh my heck. There was hemorroid pillows, talking parrots, cans of beans (pictured above being sipped by the lovely Taya), handmade ornaments, used coloring books... the list goes on. 

The kids quickly moved outdoors and honestly spent most of their time out there. They played capture the flag, played on the zipline, went in the gym for foam sword fighting, ping-pong, and pop a shot. 

They came in to eat and played a couple rounds of a card game one of her friends brought before heading back out side again.

I could NOT believe the amount of ice-cream those kids put away! LOL It was awesome. It was such a fun night and the kids just seemed to have so much fun. In fact, a few days later one of the boys emailed Jaedyn and said he had such a boring life and wishes he was back at our party! LOL. Exaggerated, I'm sure, but I'll call the night a success! 

I am so grateful for Jaedyn's friends. They are such a good group of kids, not afraid to have good clean fun mixed in with some healthy teasing and play. Those kids know how to play! They've been good for her. I am very very grateful to them and to her. Love you Jae! Thanks for a fun party!