So, we wanted to take the kids somewhere fun for a little family getaway and relax (I can say we did not do much relaxing on the trip). We jam packed every minute of every waking hour with fun and exciting things throughout the city! We had a great time and so did the kids.
Of course we had to go and visit Coke World with dad - and pick up a bottle. I think that daddy was a little disappointed that they did not have the huge bear out in front, but we managed!
We brought home another bottle of Coke to add to the collection.
On to what was a dream for the kids, M&M World. Alex was mesmerized by all of the different options available and McKaleigh bought herself a full pound of her favorite colors.
After checking out all of the candy, we went into the theater and watched a 3d movie about 2 M&M's. Alex had a little trouble keeping his glasses on and right side up!
Directly after visiting both M&M and Coke Worlds, we wandered into an enormous video arcade. There were lots of games and daddy made sure that he split his time up between the big kids and Alex. Alex enjoyed all of the games, whether he was really playing them or not - he just hopped from game to game and had just as much fun. Daddy was really patient, playing all of the fun games that the kids wanted to play.
Day 2 of fun brought us to the Forum Shops and FAO Schwartz. I think that the kids had a ball picking out all kinds of "wish list" items, and we even made a few purchases for Christmas. It was so much fun watching their faces light up as then went from level to level looking at all of the wonderful things...I even found a "Charlie and Lola" isle of toys and was instantly smitten.
After doing some shopping we decided to take the kids to watch the moving statue show and have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. In the beginning Alex really liked the show, but after a few minutes of fire and mist shooting out everywhere...
He was in tears.
Every morning, like clockwork, Alex would wake up about 6am. We wanted to let daddy get a little more sleep, so we would go down to the hotel breakfast and then directly out to the pool and jacuzzi. It was great, because the jacuzzi was so warm (and big) that it served as kind of a mini pool. I think we went swimming 2x every day we were there.
Here is our reader, sitting by the pool with a good book. Our McKaleigh loves reading.
Daddy and Alex chatting poolside.
For some unknown reason, Alex liked taking his towel, wrapping it and sitting in the jacuzzi.
We also visited the Mandalay Bay Aquarium - which was a hit. Brett and I would have liked to stay longer, but Alex was ready to go after awhile. Notice the Gator right behind the kids...It was large and they were so close!
We were able to pet horseshoe crabs and rays...Alex did not think that was very cool, but I did!
We also visited the Bellagio, dad's favorite, and it was decorated so beautifully. For anyone who enjoys fall weather and decor - it was breathtaking. There were so many things for the kids to see and do and they especially enjoyed the water show outside. I really think they would have watched it over and over - even Alex.
After all of the downtown fun - we wanted to take some time out and visit Grandma Judy and the Mean and Wicked Uncle Mark. It was really great to sit at their house and relax.
After visiting, we had a fun family dinner at Macayo Vegas - a family must when visiting Vegas. It was really great for me to visit with my aunts, uncles and cousins.
The day we left for home, we stopped in Cedar City to visit one of daddy's best friends. He wanted to go 4 wheeling with the kids - Here are Anna and I just watching the action.
Dad and Colton getting to go down the big hill!
Dad and Alex preparing for a ride - Alex loved it so much he had to go twice!
Dad and McKaleigh getting back from their ride. This was so much fun I think it might have put a "buggy" idea in dad's head. He really enjoyed riding out in the desert with the kids.
We were so glad when we pulled into our driveway Saturday night...after such a wonderful time. I think that no matter where you go or what you do, it is always good to see home.
Alex found one that was just the right size!
Colton spent most of the time visiting the "spooky room" that is set up in one of our favorite pumpkin patches. There is scary music, and really scary guys set up in a dark room.
Here are McKaleigh and dad weighing all of the options and trying to find a pumpkin that will be just the right height for carving.
Here are the kids trying to get through the hay maze out at Wheeler farm. Even Alex did pretty good, but it was really fun watching him get to a dead end and try to figure out where to go next.
Our little family on the wagon.
Grandma Cindy even came up for a day and hobbled around the farm with her cast on. It was really great, because she does not get to see these kind of "holiday" things very often.
Another fun activity was the Scarecrow Festival down at Thanksgiving point. All Alex wanted to do was ride the train - which of course had a long line, but daddy was a trooper and waited with him.
Meanwhile, McKaleigh and Colton took him to the Fishing pond and he got a great looking pair of Vampire teeth!
Finally on the train after all that waiting!
Daddy and the kids also rode the Spider Speedway bikes, daddy had Alex on his lap...Looks like McKaleigh is in the lead with her funky fishing pond hat!
Near the end of the day we went to see the Giant Pumpkins...maybe we can grow our own next year!
It has been a really fun couple of weeks taking in all of the Halloween sites, but I think I am ready for a rest until Halloween Night !
