Viva Las Vegas!

Warning: Major picture palooza ahead. Read at your own risk!

On Thursday (the 18th) we packed the van and headed for Vegas! Doug's Mission President is now the Las Vegas Temple President and they had planned a surprise mission reunion for him. After going to Boise in January and Oklahoma in February and leaving the kids home both times we decided that we'd better bring them. They were SO good! We only made two stops on the drive down. I was amazed at what good time we made. After we checked into our place we headed to get some groceries and then planned on swimming. As I walked out of the grocery store the wind had picked up so bad that it swung the cart around and completely scared Brinley. So swimming was out. We spent the evening grilling hamburgers and just hanging out which was nice after the drive.

Friday we hit "the strip"! We started at the Bellagio to see the botanical garden and the water show. The kids loved the garden. There were giant ants and bees, ladybugs, a frog and snails all made from flowers. So cute!

After the garden we headed out to see the water show and the kids were mesmerized. That has to be one of my favorite things about Vegas. It amazes me how they can make that water dance, I think could stay there all day and watch it!

The walkway from the Bellagio lobby down to the strip and along the front of the pool is lined with speakers and they play Italian themed music constantly. Emily just couldn't resist. The entire way around the Bellagio she danced and twirled and kicked. People had to move aside to give her more room. (I'm glad it wasn't too crowded at the time.) I just giggled and snapped about 30 pictures of her. It was so cute!

After watching the water show we headed to Caesar's Palace to wander the shops and show the kids the "Zeus" show. Emily had put her boots on without socks and had an almost instant blister so Katie and I spent a while trying to find a store that sold socks. We finally found Gap and Doug found some flip flops for Emmy so of course Katie and Nate wanted some too. It's good that we also got some socks because the flip flops made her toes hurt and she still hasn't hardly worn them! We watched the Zeus show, which the kids thought was kind of scary, went to the Cheesecake factory for lunch, and after a little more wandering went back to our room to swim.

(Yes, she did have to potty, but its the only swimming pic I got of her.)

We left at about 5:15 to head to the Temple. Doug had looked at a map at home and was pretty sure of how to get there. WELL...not quite. By the time we arrived at 6:25 and they were supposed to meet at 6:15 he was a bit frazzled. Doug and I both have some family in Vegas, but unfortunately no one could watch the kids. So Doug went in and we hung out on the Temple grounds. Nathan had to use the bathroom and the only building on the grounds was a little distribution center that DIDN'T have a bathroom we could use. We had to go in the Temple to use the bathroom in the front lobby! I felt so uncomfortable with all of us walking in the Temple in our street clothes. Of course they were very nice and it probably is the norm without a visitor's center there. The kids and I spent a few minutes in an outdoor atrium in the Temple. There were some little water fountains there and we really enjoyed it, until the kids started wanting to feel the water - time to leave! Unfortunately that was not our only trip to the bathroom that evening. Rather than the 7:00 session, Doug's group decided to do the 8:00 session. An extra hour to entertain the kids! Doug had called me and said that one of his buddies offered to bring him back to our place if I wanted to take the kids back. Are you kidding me!?! There was no way I was driving across Vegas by myself, no, thank you! We walked several loops around the Temple, took some pictures and then drove to the only store close by, then I turned on a movie in the van and all of the kids crashed. Doug had a wonderful time in the Temple and wished they had planned more activities. It was nice to meet Pres. Ballard after they had finished the session.

Saturday morning we hit the outlet mall for a while - gotta get my shopping in! Went to lunch with one of Doug's companions and his wife. And after a little more shopping (more like wandering, we didn't buy much) we headed back to go swimming. The kids couldn't get enough of the pool! We originally had planned on driving home Sunday, but Friday evening it was a unanimous decision that we should stay one more day.

Sunday morning we headed out to finish seeing the strip. We started at Excalibur and then headed to Mandalay Bay. From inside we could see some of their pools and the kids wanted to go so bad, they had a wave pool! We tried to explain that you have to stay at the hotel to use their pools, and Katie asked why can't we just stay there for the day? :-) Then we found a tram that went to the Luxor and then back to Excalibur. Nathan said that riding the tram was one of his favorite parts of the trip.

We took the kids to Rainforest Cafe for lunch and then tackled M&M World. Wow! Four floors of craziness. The kids wanted to get some colored m&m's - $13/lb.! I told them they could pick two colors and I would get them a few. Emily chose two shades of purple, Katie's were hot pink and turquoise, and Nate picked maroon and teal?, that was quite the combination. We also tried some coconut m&m's (they were really good) and after all was said and done we still got just over a pound. Doug and I were glad to get out of there!

Our last stop before leaving Vegas was to go to the Silverton. They have a huge fish tank and the fish were awesome! We got there in time to see them feed the sting rays. The diver was connected to the microphone outside the tank and could hear the questions and answer them. Katie asked him about her favorite fish, a spotted sting ray, and he told her that it was called a "honeycomb sting ray" because of the spots or a "whip tail" because its tail can grow up to six feet in length and they can be nearly 200 pounds! Shortly after the feeding session there was a "mermaid" swim. She was really cute with all of the kids. Emily loved watching her blow air bubble kisses. Unfortunately the pictures of her didn't turn out so good. After the Silverton we loaded up and headed to St. George to stay for the night. We figured it would break up the drive a little bit and we'd get home at a reasonable time. Not so!

We couldn't leave St. George without the kids getting to swim. It was gorgeous even at 9:30 in the morning. So by the time we dragged them out of the pool and got dressed and loaded it was noon. Then we decided we wanted to go see the Temple before we left and why not take a quick tour through Brigham Young's winter home. It was really neat! And of course the Temple was beautiful. Emily had to smell nearly every flower before she would leave.

We finally drove out of St. George at 2:30. The drive home wasn't quite as fun as the drive to Vegas but the kids were so good and that made the trip just that much better! We had a wonderful time, we haven't had a real family vacation, besides camping, in I don't know how long. Can't wait till we plan the next one!

Party Time 2

I wanted to post some pics from the baby shower of the ladies having fun, so here's an additional baby shower post.

Party Time!

Today we held a baby shower for Hailey and Jaxon at the Firth City Hall building. Not to toot my own horn, but it was SO FUN! My mother and I have been planning it forever it seems, so it feels really good to have it over, but it turned out great. The decorations were so cute and the food was yummy! We started out with a candy bar game: match the candy bar name to the pregnancy term. Conception = Skor, Delivery = PayDay, Hospital Bill = 100 Grand and so on. Then we had a Relay Race. #1 had to fold a pile of baby clothes, #2 found a pacifier in a bucket of packing peanuts with their feet, #3 had to run with a balloon between their ankles, and #4 drank apple juice out of a baby bottle. We were all laughing so hard! And Grandma Skillings - you cheat!! She took the nipple off after a couple of sucks and just drank it! Our last game was to get a plastic baby out of an ice cube. Without sucking on it or crushing it. Most of the ice cubes instantly were placed in the cleavage, I won't mention where Briannie put hers!! Bad girl! Then we opened presents and had a light lunch. We served Italian pasta salad, my 12 layer jello - in coordinating colors with the party, rolls and a yummy punch. Dessert was cupcakes that looked like rattles and the ladies got to fill little containers with candy from the centerpieces to take home as a thank you. We filled canning jars with assorted blue, green, and yellow candies. I told the ladies that they could fill their containers after they ate and as soon as I went to help with food there was a "rush" to the candy. Girls like candy, what do you do! We had a blast! Love you Hailey and Jaxon!

Jaxon Ty Smith

Jaxon is here! He was born today at 8:45 this morning by c-section. 7 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches. He is just like his parents were, long and skinny. And so cute! Congrats Hailey and Justin!

Pea Pickin'

This year Doug planted peas for Del Monte so we had to go out and get some for us. Nothing like 60+ acres of sweet peas. It was such a beautiful night. We picked about 1/2 of a 5 gallon bucket. Not too many, but enough to enjoy creamed peas and potatoes a few times. Which we are looking forward to.




I love Idaho. The sunsets are gorgeous, look at those beautiful pink clouds. There is nothing better than standing in the middle of a lush green field in the cool evening air enjoying nature's beautiful artwork.

July 4th

We always do the same thing on the 4th of July. Start the day with the parade, hang out at Grandma's for a while, come home for a rest, then head over to the green belt somewhere to have dinner and people watch while waiting for the fireworks. Pretty much the norm, and it was a fun day. We also always celebrate Hailey's birthday, which is on the 5th, while we are all together. And I get to make her cake! This years cake turned out really cute. Usually I do something Patriotic because she loves it, but with her being pregnant I had to do something different.




I wish I'd gotten a picture of her with the cake. She laughed and thought it was cute. I was a little nervous. You never know what reaction you'll get when dealing with pregnancy hormones!



Playing cards and enjoying some fabulous food while waiting for the fireworks.




Me with my sweeties. Unfortunately Doug had some farm work to do and didn't meet up with us until almost dark.



Everyone ready and waiting for the fireworks to start.

The last couple of years my grandparents have met someone and gotten us a spot on that persons yard for the fireworks. I don't know how they do it! This year we were able to watch the fireworks on Dr. Orchards lawn. I guess my grandparents and uncles know him well. It was such a nice spot and they invited us to their family barbecue! The food was amazing and we had such a good time. My favorite part of the day is the fireworks with Klassy's radio program in the background. How blessed we are to live where we do. We have so many freedoms that others only dream of. I am amazed at the sacrifice that has been made for our country by so many. It is a great blessing to be an American!