Vacation....Day 1...California via Las Vegas

And were off....Our first ever family trip by plane....whew...I felt like I could take a deep breath once we were finally through security! Getting a family of 6 ready for 8 days away is no small task...but we did it. This day had been a long time coming....6 months ago we bought tickets to visit Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mary in Las Vegas and then continue on to their house in Pasadena for a few days also with a stop at Edwards AFB to visit some good friends along the way, and then on to a few days spent at Disney also.


Here we are...I guess we were quite the sight because there was a large Japanese tour group in the airport also....and one lady in particular came over, sat 4 chairs away from us and just starting snapping pictures of us and then laughing......it was just a tad bit awkward...I was so tempted to get my camera out and start taking pictures of her right back.....



The kids all ready to go....All the girls have flown at least once in their life as a baby.....but this was a first for Eli (not that any of the girls remember it).....so the anticipation was building.


Eric and I were both a little unsure how Eli would do.....he can have a tendency to freak out in uncertain situations...and although he was a little nervous as we took off....in the end he LOVED it!


Were here....Grandpa Ron and Grandma Mary's condo in Vegas.....it was a very lovely place. (To nice for my rowdy crew if you ask me....) but we loved our time here.....


The view was AMAZING.....they are 3 floors down from the top......





The pool.....and it was heated...even better!


We spent the first afternoon parked poolside....swimming.







There were even some "noodle" spraying wars going on.....


Before dinner we spent some time at the putt putt course.....




And the view once it was dark....the Vegas Strip being just the West of them about 2 blocks. It was a great first day!!

Vacation Day 2......

Today we woke before the sunrise...no surprise to us...but it did seem really early!! The view was pretty spectacular.....






After our early morning rise it was off to the "Strip"...there really can be no better time right to visit the strip than early on a Saturday morning!?! Our one and only stop was the Bellagio.....


If you never been to the Bellagio it's a "Must See" on my list....they have this incredible indoor flower garden that changes with the seasons.....this was probably my favorite...the fall colors, fall flowers....it was amazing!





Look at this apple...made completely out of roses!!



Such sweet faces!!


The talking tree was a huge hit with the kids.....



And there was this pictures...designed like a painting with real flowers....





No stop to the Bellagio would be complete without a visit to the chocolate fountain.....


And then after some chocolate crossiants....we were off......off on another adventure...this time headed for Edwards Air Force Base to visit some good friends that used to live in Rapid City with us....


But not without a stop first out "In and Out Burger"......


The entrance to Edwards AFB.....this was really fun to see where our friends were now living...and although it really is located in the middle of the desert with very little around them....I really enjoyed being able to visit them and their home!! Thanks Pattersons!!


Amanda took us on a short tour around the base first before heading "home"......As we drove by these model planes Eric knew everyone one of them....I don't know what a single one is called....so just enjoy the "planes"......






And then there is Louisa....what a sweet little girl!! She is the brown eyed, brown haired version of her siblings....and the last time I saw her she was a mere 8 weeks old.....


Oli and Eli....


Ana and Alayna.......


A little dance party.....


And the beginning of our attempts to take pics of all the kiddos together.....



Thanks Thanks Thanks...Amanda for hosting us for the night.....wish we were closer!!