What happens in Vegas…is pretty tame, actually

We decided to not push our luck, and broke up our Utah trip into two parts. We did this at the last possible minute, booking a hotel the day we left. Loren’s brilliant idea? Circus Circus in Vegas, baby! Actually, this was a fabulous idea. The only problem was that we got in at 11 at night, and had to stand in line for an hour! What a ridiculous city! I could not believe there was such a line at that hour of night. The kids were a little unsure of the situation, so I did what any good mom would… changed them while we stood in line and then plied them with Fruit Roll Ups. What? It was midnight and they had been in the car for five hours. Don’t judge me.

After a nice rousing rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Bob the Builder” at 4 am (courtesy of McKay, who sings himself to sleep) we all woke up at a nice leisurely 9 am. Heaven. We decided to get the wiggles out before driving another 5 hours, so we took them on a few rides…

And then got $5 worth of tickets and let them play a few games. You can tell Logan/Daddy had some good times. The kitties they won are named “Lightning McQueen” and “Racecar.” After a manager saw the boys fighting over Racecar, he gave a kitty to McKay as well.

Just look at the joy.

We got a great big convoy…

Now if only we could avoid the car ride.

Getting out of the heat!

One Friday we decided to get out of the heat and head up to Flagstaff. We went ninety minutes north and went from 110 to 82. Ahhh....

One of the activities we tried was the lava tubes. Perhaps a better idea in concept than reality. I think the kids will really like the caves when they are a few years older, but it was cold and wet and they had to climb down a bunch of boulders. Logan wanted to get out right away. It is kind of strange when you think of it, he wants to climb all over everything until he has permission...

We also stopped by the Pioneer Museum so the boys could see the trains. They loved it, of course. They were sad they couldn't go in the trains, but we got plenty of smiles just for getting up close.

McKay kept asking where Thomas the Train was.
Logan picked up this little passport booklet at the visitor center--a former train station. He carried it around everywhere, and when I was reading in the hotel that night he decided he wanted to read his book as well.

It was too cloudy to go to the observatory, but we had fun going to a small Greek restaurant and checking out the shops. Loren grew up in Flagstaff so we saw his old house, elementary school and playing fields.

August has just started so I wouldn't be surprised if we had to go back!

Random Dimply Cuteness

Is dimply even a word? These didn't fit any where else, but he is just too cute not to share. I posted several entries tonight, so settle in with a nice glass of ice water and scroll on down. Unless you are still in Montana, then maybe a hot chocolate.

There is a picture in Loren's baby book that looks exactly like this! Change the eye color and it is a little spooky! Both cuties!

Ah, love my boy!

Don't Judge Me (Nerds Part Two)

Well, I don't dress up in costume and wait in line for a movie to come out, because that would be way too nerdy. However, throwing a party before a movie comes out? Totally fun!

Mary, Lisa and I (aren't we cute?) decided that we needed to throw a party in honor of the movie Eclipse (now in theaters!)

We got together some of the biggest Twilight fans we knew (looking awesome, ladies), and had a great girls night in. We played some Twilight Scene-It, had a very intense Jacob v. Edward debate, and listened to a very entertaining and educational PowerPoint presentation on Stephenie Meyers. We might have also learned how to stalk her, but I can neither confirm nor deny. You will have to check Lisa's blog. And her directions.
We also had awesome themed foods. Here is some lovely red soda.
Some puppy chow and Emily's chocolate muffins.
And, of course, red hots and vampire cookies. We also had fortune cookies with movie quotes, apples and red velvet cake. Thanks, Mary for the great job on the food. Lisa, nicely done on the entertainment. Thanks for coming ladies! (PS--We still haven't seen the movie yet, but are planning for next week... who's in?)

Science Center (Nerds Part One)

So, we had free passes to go to the Arizona Science Center. It was air conditioned, it had hands-on stuff for the kids to do... sounds great, right?

The kids had a great time! Maybe the adults did as well.

McKay really liked these dots you stepped on to play different types of music and sound.

Logan liked seeing how much weight dad could lift. We also listed to a little science show, had a little weather demonstration, and put our faces online. All in all a cool day.

Father's Day!

This year we had a pretty relaxed Father's Day. Logan and I made a little tape measurer out of a mac-n-cheese box (thanks, Family Fun!) that said "You rule, Dad" when you pulled out the tape. Loren also got a candy thermometer, 2 polo shirts, and some beef jerky. Mmmm... Father's Day goodness!

Teeth Time

A little explaining. First, I let the kids brush their own teeth, but then I "finish up." I brush while singing the ABC's. Second, whenever the kids get hurt we inject them with "medicine" by making our fingers into a pretend syringe and making a "kkkshhhttt" sound. You'd be amazed how long that has worked. I found McKay doing this while I was getting dressed.