The drive there was uneventful--I didn't throw up even once! We left at about 9am and arrived in the early evening. Ellie soaked through a pull-up, but it wasn't anything a bath and a load of laundry couldn't fix.
Dan and Aranne's house is beautiful, friendly, and wonderfully comfortable. We felt very at home there. It's changed a lot since we were last there (the decor, not the friendliness level!)...I guess 5+ years can do that. We've got to get out to visit more often!
Holly and Mike A. were also visiting, and it was great to see them. Ellie made the most of her time with Grandma by begging to sit on her lap for every meal and to play with her every non-eating second. I've got to say, it was nice to not be the only go-to adult around during the day!
Ellie loved Easter Morning. As the only kid there, she really raked in the goods.
Easter dinner was scrumptious, and the weather was nice enough that we were able to eat outside. Actually, the weather was nice the whole time we were there. It was warmer in Las Vegas than I expected, and I didn't pack enough short-sleeve shirts for Ellie and myself. Wasn't much of a problem, though, since Dan & Aranne had this thing called a washing machine...in their house! Imagine that! We didn't even have to use quarters! It was super cool! Sure beats student family laundry rooms.
Monday morning the two Mikes headed off to do some male bonding in Death Valley. Mike-the-Older-and-Wiser was feeling sick and coughing a lot, but he hung in there and went anyway. Mike-the-Younger-and-Better-Looking (as he calls himself in response to his father's self-decided nickname) was enthused and ready to conquer some sand dunes or whatever it is you do in Death Valley. He'll have to post about that later. Maybe he can also write about how our trunk latch mysterious broke while they were driving 50 on a bumpy dirt road....
In any case, back to Las Vegas. My goal was to be able to say I'd taken my preschool daughter to a casino in Las Vegas for Spring Break, and happily that goal was accomplished when we went to go see a laser and water show at Sam's Town. Ellie loved every minute of it and still talks about it. I had to pick her up and carry her on the way out--those slot machines looked really shiny and fun, apparently. She asked what the people were doing with them, but I managed to distract her with a well-timed treat. I wasn't really sure I wanted her explaining "gambling" and "slots" to her preschool friends the Monday after Spring Break.
Other fun goings-on included feeding the fish at the marina, swimming/relaxing in the hot tub (the water was warm, but not hot, so Ellie could get it), visiting a spiffy new water conservation themed museum (that sounds SO much less cool than it really was!), starting Twilight (never begin reading a book your friends recommend at 10pm, no matter how low your expectations might be), and just talking and relaxing.
Mike and I reluctantly (and belatedly) packed up luggage and daughter on Wednesday, leaving around 3pm. The drive seemed longer on the way back...maybe it had something to do with getting home at 1:30am.
Anyway, it was a great trip, and one that we'll have to make again sometime.
1 comment:
Again... we are SO glad that you guys were able to make the trip up to visit. We know it is long but we were glad to see you and glad you had a good time. You are always welcome back! We love you!
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