Red Rock Canyon- inside the visitor's center

So yesterday we took 234 photos at Red Rock Canyon. It was our first time there and it was BREATHTAKING. It was one of those day trips where the whole time I thought to myself how happy and glad I was that we can call this place home. Forever. So thankful to live in Las Vegas. There is no place like it. And trust me...I have circled the globe more times than I can remember. Of course, Europe is a different world, but I haven't seen a place like this anywhere else.

Anyways, I didn't go for my morning run before our trip so we could leave early in the morning and by the time we got there and I saw the hiking trails and people out for a hike, I was ACHING to go on a hike. My legs were BEGGING me to take them on a hike. Its such a weird feeling. Still is. Just thinking about it, my legs are screaming to feel like jello!

I decided during that trip that when my mother in law gets here at the end of this month, within the first few days of her arrival we would leave the kids with her and Nick and I would go on a day date and take a hike. haha. Literally. I already have the trail picked out!

Our first will be the trail on the top left hand corner- La Madre Spring.

La Madre Spring is a moderate hike. 

Should be an easy hike for me since its pretty similar to what I do on the treadmill daily.

Its 3.3 miles with about 600 feet in elevation.

For me, that's on the easy side. But we will start out easy.

And my long term goal is to finish each and every hike trail in Red Rock Canyon.

So, onto a few pictures from the day. Just a few.  Out 234 I edited about 100 pictures.

I wont show them ALL to you at one time.

We will start with the drive into the park and then inside the visitor's center.

My sister standing with an Eagle. These birds are HUGE.

  Never would have though Red Rock has mountain lions!

Dad and kids playing with rocks inside the visitor center.

Check out the view behind them!

Tomorrow- pictures as we left the visitor's center.

Still cant believe we LIVE here.

Today we sign papers for the house!

House is done.

Signing away tomorrow!!

Kayla is in ballet!

Tuesday Kayla had her very first ballet class. 

I was more nervous than her. She was just excited.

We got the YMCA as the older girls were still in class and Kayla watched. I took that chance to explain to her she will go in there when it's her turn (which she impatiently waited for) and that Mom would be outside the window on the bench watching. She asked if I could go in with her so I thought for sure it would be an issue. I was wrong. The door opened, the instrustor's assistant let the little girls in and Kayla was the first one in there, no questions or hesitation. She looked at me couple times and that was is.

I couldnt believe it.

Since she liked it I would like to actually sign her up for it and get her into the dress code. 

She needs the social skills, she needs friends other than her brother and our family friends, and she needs practice with following directions. 

I cant believe she is ready for this!

After class everyone was really hungry. Dad ran 6 miles that day and all he had time for was a pop tart. Kids didnt eat because at 4:00 I had to wake them from naps and head out the door 15 minutes later. Mom didn't eat much because the dinner in the crock pot didn't turn out so well.

So off to Cici's we went, where both kids, both parents, probably ate more then they should have. 

100% DONE

Guess what...

Really, guess...


Signing paperwork on Monday for the house.

Thursday at 10 am is our walk through, final.

Friday we CLOSE.

I dont have current pictures. I will tomrorrow.

But this means its 100% complete.

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!

Sisters on the strip

So, before my sister leaves Las Vegas (long story) I decided yesterday would be a good day to take her downtown to see the Bellagio fountains. Its a must see for anyone before leaving Las Vegas. It was an epic FAIL. The fountains were not on- looked like they were being cleaned. But we had a good time anyway walking around. I shot a couple hundred pictures and edited 88 of them. They all turned out AMAZING. I must say my photography skills are highly improving. :) So, yes, Im going to OVERLOAD you here, with pictures. Get over it. And then enjoy.
                                             (cell phone picture here, not great)

                                      Bellagio entrance from the parking garage.

Worlds Largest Chocolate Fountain, inside The Bellagio.

(cell phone picture here, not great)

                                                       
                                                  Water Sphere inside The Bellagio Conservatory

                                           I am loving these dwarf sunflowers inside the Bellagio's conservatory.

         
                                                    About the water sphere

                                                   My little sister

                                    My shy munchkin and myself in Bellagio's conservatory

Kayla pointing out the lady bugs look like her pillow pet. 

                                     About the lady bugs- made from 400 fresh carnations- replaced daily.

                                                               I love this flower cart!

                                      Again, the sunflower dwarfs.

                                                 The Bellagio's view of the Eiffel tower.

                                                 Paris Hotel and Casino- view from The Bellagio

                                                      My sister

                                       My sister

                                                  Myself and my munchkins

                                               Being silly.

                                        The Bellagio

                                   
                                   Paris Hotel and Casino, where Gordon Ramsay's STEAK is.

                                            Fountains a no go today. Very disappointing.

                                      Mama and Caden with Elvis, in which Caden was not a fan, but Mama was. Elvis works for tips only, but when he found out we were a military family, he thanked us for serving him and the country and let us go without paying him a tip!

The Eiffel tower, Paris Hotel and Casino- I love the sun flare and flags on these pictures!

LOVE them.

Love.

                                           Inside Paris Hotel and Casino.

Here is Gordon Ramsay's STEAK restaurant, my sister and I considered for a minute to go eat there, until I saw an appetizer or bowl of soup was an easy $17 alone. And a meal was $56 easy per person.

And thinking about taking my booger head Caden in there....very very scary. Not a good idea when one is building and trying to furnish a very big expensive house. 

  Thinking Holly Madison's PEEPSHOW at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino could be a future date night?!

                                  Wall full of famous people's hands. Charlie Sheen, Sandra Bullock, Shaq, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Jay Leno, George Clooney and some others...Plant Hollywood Hotel and Casino.

                                   The trashy side of Las Vegas...

                                 
                                                   Its not everyday you see some dudes swimming in the Bellagio Fountains with a view like that. Unless they are drunk and into the motto what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and they are trying to get arrested and kicked out. ha.

(So I didnt make you suffer through all 88  pictures, lucky you)

Pretty amazing that only 9 miles from the Las Vegas strip, we call HOME.

Again, how in the world have I become so lucky and blessed?

Hard work pays off. The harder you work the better it pays.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post about Kayla's very first ballet class!