Vegas Baby

Friday night we arrived at the California Hotel which caters to Hawaiians. It's like going to Hawaii without the ocean (especially since all my cousins and some Auntys were there). The kids were tired, but we dragged them to Freemont Street anyway to enjoy the lights and the crowds. After a little dancing to the bands and over stimulation of lights we called it a night. Saturday we went to Town Square Mall where we did some shopping and the kids enjoyed a really cool park with fountains and a treehouse. Aaron could've stayed there all day. After some breakdowns, we decided to go back to the hotel for some "quiet time." Unfortuneately, my kids decided to show their true colors and not sleep. After another buffet, we set out for the strip. There are kid things on the strip, but so much walking and if you have a stroller, you have to take about 5 elevators to get anywhere-kind of a hassle. So after M&M World and the Coke Factory and Gameworks we were done and more than ready for some shuteye (after another 5 elevators back, of course). Sunday provided more rest for the kids. After breakfast with the family we found a sacrament meeting, then headed back to the hotel where all the kids fell asleep together. Instead of sleeping like we should have, the parents watched 1/2 a season of the Justice League on Brad's laptop (If you know what that is, then you know it was a little ridiculous and yes, my family is full of geeks, Brad now one of them). We finished the day on the bus with my cousins who payed for it to take us to the different attractions on the strip-this is the way to go. We visited Ceasars Palace, the Bellagio fountains, and the Stratosphere (the ride was closed, thank goodness!) Monday was kind of sad due to our impending departure (except for when I won $60 on a machine). It's interesting to get together with my Father's side of the family. I don't know them very well, but they are very open arms and I feel like I find another piece of my puzzle around them. I'm glad that my kids are able to meet them at a young age and grow up knowing a little more of their history. But next time we go to Vegas, I don't think it will be a kids included trip:) For all the kid-friendly hype, I don't think it really is a kid place. Plus, the casinos all smell like smoke.