It all started a few weeks ago at Chris's favorite store in town, Bass Pro Shops. We walked passed a table where they were selling vacations like we have many times before - only this time we stopped to listen to them and decided on the spur of the moment to purchase one. We had up to a year to use it, but as we got thinking about it we decided now would be the best time - before this prego body gets any bigger and before the baby comes so we don't have to worry about him on the trip. So we called my mom to see what she thought about us flying her out here to watch our other 3 babies.
And she agreed, Welcome Grandma! She flew into Denver Sunday afternoon last week. I tried to tell her all that might would be beneficial for her stay, although I know she would've figured out how to manage our wild children without any info. And then we left at 4:00 Monday morning to catch our flight into Las Vegas, Nevada. I wasn't really nervous at all because I had Chris by my side through it all, but believe it or not, it was my first time ever being in an airplane! It was awesome! It felt so weird taking off - but it was so amazing looking down below!
Chris rented a car for us while we were there, we walked up to choose a car and first thing he saw was this Camero - so he hurried and grabbed the key before someone else did. We drove to the Bluegreen Resort Hotel, checked in, got some lunch at Subway and then to the salon for pedicures and manicures. We were there for a couple of hours, it was so nice to have my swollen legs and feet pampered a little. Chris enjoyed his too! His toenails ended up a little shiny, but supposedly they just put a nail strengthener on him.
After our pedicures we drove around a little and ended up going into The Orleans. We watched the new pirates movie and then ate at the buffet. Chris had plans for us to drive into St. George, UT the next day to visit the town where I went to college. But he suddenly came up with a different plan. Why not get up early and drive through smoggy Los Angelas, California instead?
So we ditched Vegas for the day - besides, he needed a good excuse to drive this sports car all he could. He even got the transformer to talk to us a few times! He's lucky we didn't have an officer talking to us.
The smoggy drive was well worth it, I just got my first flight in an airplane and his toes touched the ocean for the first time. We went to the Santa Monica beach, a place we would love to go back someday.
The beach was SO awesome! It honestly wasn't very warm, but it was beautiful, relaxing and just absolutely amazing. There was so much to do, people going up and down on the sidewalks on bikes, roller blades, and skateboards. There were food booths, volleyball nets, playgrounds, and rings and bars for people to do gymnastics. We ended up renting these chopper style trikes for a few hours to cruise along the beach. People smiled at us and took our pictures! We stopped for a break for a hot dog and water for lunch.
Then we went onto the pier for a couple of hours. We thought the kids would love seeing a roller coaster over the ocean. It was awesome! We just walked around, looked at the booths, watched people fish and enjoyed watching the waves crash.
I feel 10 months pregnant, and these pictures show me why some people think I am due any day now...sadly I still have quite awhile to go!
He is a hottie - did I mention that he is mine?
For dinner we ate at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant on the Pier. It was a really neat place to eat! Chris ordered the shellfish dish and I got the mahi mahi. And we found out there is one of these restaurants downtown Denver, I know Chris is hoping to go!
We returned our trikes and headed back down to the water. Chris went out exploring while I laid on the sand and listened to the sound of the waves. It was so relaxing - if only I could've gotten this bulging body in a comfortable position! We of course had to write our names in the sand. I am not sure how our footprints look like they are raised instead of sunken in!
We had such a great time! I can't believe we waited this long to leave our children to just be the 2 of us for awhile. This was our first getaway without them - in fact we have never had a whole day or night for just the two of us in almost 9 years! Our time away from home was short, but we made the most of every minute we had together. This little trip has been one of my most favorite times with Chris. I love him so much and am so greatful for the spontaneous part of him, it makes life so much fun. I always enjoy being with him, but since we've added kids to our marriage we haven't made time for us a priority (mostly my fault - I thought it was impossible for me to leave my kids). Now spending time with Chris has been at the top of my list. We have been making a consious effort the last little while to get time alone and the last month has been wonderful sharing time together. I crave to be with just him! This mini vacation was perfect except for being a little short. The only thing I wish was different, is the camera that I took! I can't speak for him, but I had a blast being with him, experiencing some firsts with him, laughing with him, and relaxing with him. This trip was just what we needed! Thanks babe! I loved it and will ALWAYS remember it!
We got back from the beach to our hotel in Vegas super late, or maybe it was early morning, I can't remember - who cares, it was a wonderful day! We had to get up in time to go to a presentation, which was part of the vacation package deal. That took up a few hours of our day, but we ended up getting free tickets to see the afternoon Mac King Comedy Magic Show at the Harrah's. It was hilarious! It was a clean show, something I would love to take my little kids to. Mac was so entertaing, he had us laughing throughout the whole thing! Then we had a few minutes to run around Caesar's Palace for a few minutes and then went back to the Harrah's to fill up on another buffet before sadly turning in our camero and heading back to the airport.
We were exhausted and didn't get home until 2:00 in the morning, but it was so worth the exhaustion to get the most out of our vacation. I had one of the greatest times of my life with my best friend and I can't wait until we get to do it again! Heck, I'm excited to get a babysitter just for a few hours or even just get the kids to bed early so we can have some more time for just the 2 of us.
A big thanks to my mom for coming out to watch our wild children for us, without her we would have never been able to go. They were stuck in the house for a lot of the time because of the rain, but I'm just greatful she didn't have to experience the sirens going off for a tornado warning! She got to know my kids better, whether that be good or bad, I'm not sure!!! My kids don't get to see our families very often anymore, and Kyrie hasn't had much time with her at all, but Kyrie finally decided they could be friends. I know my kids loved spending their first week of summer break with her and they were sad to have her leave! I'm sure she was glad to get back home though, I know she doesn't like to leave my dad. Thanks for your help Mom!!!
