Ella, Dad will take you out!

The slide is fun at the Excaliber, when it's open...

Day one- Let's get the hell outta here!

Waiting for the plane at Sea-tac. Everyone was excited. When we got to Vegas, it was hot- for one day to be exact. The kids got the use the pool and the slide only a couple of times. We had lots of fun and needed relaxation.

Derek and Ella at the pool- having fun. It was so windy that the chairs were being lifted up and carried away, but still hot.

Taylor catchin' rays.

The M&M factory is always a hit. Ella did eat a pound of them and had a big tummy ache for a while. I think it was the new flavor- Cherry. Tasted like cough syrup, Yuck.

Day 2- All around town

Chuck needs to audition.

The new Palazzo hotel is pretty nice.

Derek and the "Governator"

Cingular Bars...

Day 2. Continued- Ella's got a grill

So Ella got a grill out of a sucker and she gave us her "gangsta pose" for about an hour for each picture. I thought I would pee my pants it was so funny. She is crazy.

Day 3 Part one- Hoover Dam is Cool

Check it out- they are building a new bridge that will now make it so that you will not drive over the dam.. We don't want the terrorists blowing up the dam and flooding California!

Lake Mead - We decided when we come back, we are going on a rafting trip. Looked like so much fun.

My Abbey Road...

This is the best. Watch closely- These little guys were hanging out on the cliffs behind the dam. I can't believe how tame.

ALMOST to the Grand Canyon- we settled for a Taco Bus and Pony ride.

Day three was a grand adventure for sure. Our mission to see the Grand Canyon failed due to lack of research. The closest point of the Grand Canyon is the West rim of course. Only a one and a half hour drive. This is where the glass bridge is located that goes out over the canyon. Not many people know about this, and for good reason. Most, including the Brady Bunch, view the Grand Canyon from the South rim, just above Flagstaff. This was a five hour drive though. We did not not want to go that far, so we decide to go the the West Rim. Yes, everyone we asked either did not know what we were talking about, or told us we should go to the South Rim. No way, we just want to drive right up to the edge and take a quick peek and return to the hotel. Famous last words... Just over the Hoover dam, the drive takes you through no-whereville, taking a turn onto a 17 mile dirt road into a Indian Reservation. The tribe owns the land on the entire West rim. Just prior to getting to the canyon, you run into a parking lot. This parking lot is just shy of being able to see anything. You must pay $20 bucks to park- fine with us.... then you find out how much it will to "view" the canyon- Helicopter ride for $280 each, or tour bus for $80 each and then manditory buffet dinner at $50 each, skywalk glass bridge for $30 each, (no pictures allowed of the canyon as you must purchase them) How can you sell pictures of the Grand Canyon??? Chuck was so mad we actually turned around and went back. He said it was the principle of it... I laughed so hard!! Oh well, we had plenty of adventures that day. The canyon has eluded us but we will be back. The only family in the world who would let a Taco Bus upstage the Grand Canyon.

Absolutely, Chucks favorite part of our trip- The little Taco bus in the middle of no-where that served up these babies. I have to say- in the middle of a desert, not bad at all.

This is what you come upon when you turn off the main road to make your way to the Grand Canyon. 17 miles of nasty gravel road. I noticed that most cars turned back. We pressed on...

The road to no-where took us right through the Joshua tree forest. I noticed these cool pods on the tree and made Chuck pull over and pick one. Yes, I did smuggle it back, through the state line checkpoint and in my luggage. I am going to try and plant it and then Washington State will become riddled with scraggly Joshua trees and quickly become a desert- It's all my master plan.

Taylor's enthusiasm for the ranch was just overflowing.

Derek made a new friend who kept trying to bite him.

We may have come short on the Grand Canyon, but Ella always seems to luck out on the horse rides. In the middle of the 17 mile dirt road, there was this cool little ranch that was by reservation only, but the owner set Ella up with a horse ride. This kid has all the luck.

The capper was this amazing Burger Chuck had at the Boulder Cafe in Boulder City on the way home. Yummy place to eat in a cute town.

Day 4- Wandering the streets.

Just after Chuck told Ella the monkey grabbed her butt. She wanted nothing to do with it at that point.

Day 5 wasting time, we stopped by the Flamingo. I think we decided that is where we will stay for the adults only trip in August. Chuck was pretty fond of the topless pool that can be seem directly across from the Rapid Roulette table ( His new favorite game). Ella found some little friends. Very cute little guinne hens (sp?). Basically we let the kids run around all day until party night for the adults kicked in. We are real hard core- Spent dinner at Emerils new place Table 10, which had astonishing food! UMmm, that Lobster pot pie was amazing..... then we had a few drinks, and fed the slot machines tons of money. This trip to Vegas, we were losers!

Day 5- Ready to go home!!!

2:00 in the morning at Sea Tac was actually warmer than our last day in Vegas. Long trip- tired kids. Now it's time to catch up on homework.

Little League is Fun- Adding to Nicci's Post

So I just read Nics post about Owen and Little League. That is such a fun age for baseball! Just wait until they get about 12 and 13- they actually can really play and it gets exciting! At Owen's age, we used to get excited over a walk (Hey, he got on base :) ) Taylor went a whole season without a hit back then, but he got on base almost every time with a walk and boy could he steal bases! Just doin' his part!!

Derek is in the 13 and 14 year old division now and here is my pain. It is great to watch, but I have to say so little league compared to Centralia! Also, the parents drive me freakin nuts. First, there is the parent that is standing behind the plate telling each one of our kids, "Don't swing at the first pitch- take a look at it." and every kid listened to him as the first pitch went by- always a strike. When I watch a game, I have to worry about my husband giving a beat down to some idiot parent the whole time as they all try to coach our kid.

The best part are the mom's in the crowd. Favorite quote, "We just want this to be fair for all the boys, and fun." Who cares if little Johnny sucks and commits 10 errors in a row- he really wants to be short stop. F- that , stick his ass in Right field dammit! I want to see my kids team win. Mom's these days are creating a bunch of sissy's!! (Not directed at you Nic!!) I specifically remember in Centralia witnessing a bench clearing brawl at Wheeler field and the parents standing up and cheering it on! Those were the days!

OK, there is my venting session. Till tonight when I have to watch Derek's team give away a late inning lead just because the worst kid on the team thinks its a good time to learn to pitch.

How pretty is this?

Wow, my husband has talent. I think his waterfalls are quite nice. This is the latest- he can really pack them into small spaces. You would not know how hard it is to get the right flow and no leaks. I love it that he found something that actually gives him a creative outlet. I believe we all have a creative side whether it be painting, cooking or decorating. This is Chuck's artsy fartsy coming out. Don't tell him that though... The coolest thing is that it makes his customer's so freaking happy. It feels good to have a profession that gives people such satisfaction.