Labor Day Weekend

We spent our Labor Day weekend with Cody's sister and brother -n- law and their three kids. KyLee was really excited to see her cousins and show them around Vegas. On Friday Cody had to work and KyLee's was in school, so the rest of us decided to take the kids to lunch and then we took the kids over to Bass Pro so they could see the Mermaids. They were kind of dissappointed that there were no Mermaids, but we did get there in time to see the diver do the feeding show. We watched them feed the sting rays and the sharks and then we walked around so they could see all of the wildlife that they have show cased in the store. Our neice Payton loved the mountain lions and would point them out everytime she saw one. That night we decided to take the kids over to the park so they could run through the water park since it was so hot during they day. They had so much fun. Sawyer didn't want anything to do with the water so the only way we could get her to go in was for KyLee to take her and run around in the water. While we were at the park, we decided to go down on the grassy hill and play tag in the dark. It was really fun, even the adults had a good time. Sawyer just kind of watched us like we were crazy. On Saturday Cody had to work for a little bit so I was in charge of the activities. KyLee and I decided to take everyone out to Bonnie Springs Ranch. It was a perfect day to take them out there. It was a nice cloudy day so we didn't have to worry about the kids being out in the sun all day. When we arrive to the ranch we hopped aboard the train that took us out to the ranch. All the kids liked the train ride and thought it was neat to be on a train. Once we arrived to the ranch, we did some shopping and checked out a few of the little buildings and play areas that they have for the kids. While we were waiting for the melodrama and the hanging show to begin, Matt and Cheyanne decided to do an one of the old fashion black and white western photos. We had a lot of fun getting them dressed up in their clothes. Their picture turned out really cute. Cheyanne and I had to laugh though at the photo and Matt and Bradin's shoes. Those two refused to put on cowboy boots and so their tennis shoes were showing. I don't think anyone who looks at the photo will notice, but we had to laugh. The melodrama and the hanging show followed soon after their photo shoot was over and the kids really liked the show. After the show was over we asked the cast members if the kids could get their picture taken with them on the hanging platform and the cast members were really great and they let us take a few pictures. We spent about 5 hours out at the ranch. By far the longest we have ever spent out there. I had to laugh, we were waiting to get on the train and Cody called me to see where we were and I told him we were still out to the ranch, and he said, still....okay..... again, by far the longest we have ever spent out there. The kids really enjoyed themselves. When Cody got home that night and we let the kids rest for a while we decided to take them out to the strip. Cody wasnt happy about going to the strip on a Saturday night on a holiday weekend, but somehow he was talked into it. We parked at the Excalibur and we walked over to the New York New York so they could ride the roller coaster. Cody and I stayed back back with the little ones who couldn't ride and took them over to play the arcades. We won Sawyer an Elmo doll while we were waiting. She was occupied for the rest of the night. Once they were finished with their rides we walked outside so the kids could see the lights on the strip and I got some really cute pictures. They loved the lights and Payton said it was the best city in the world!! On Sunday we decided to take the kids out to see the Hoover Dam. Our nephew Daxton was totally excited for this, as this is where they filmed the movie Transformers and he is a huge Transformers fan. We should have realized that a holiday weekend it would be busy. Oh my... It took us almost 2 hours to move 4 miles. This place was packed!! The kids had a good time for what they got to see. We decided againt the tour and the visitor center because there was "so" many people. We explained to them about the Dam and read all the history of the Dam that was outside the visitor center. They thought the Dam was pretty cool, but we didn't have to worry about them getting to close to the walls. I think they all had a little height fear when they saw how far down it really was. I definitely want to go back again and take the kids. What an awesome piece of history to teach KyLee. That night we decided to take them to the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus. This place was crazy with people, but they got to enjoy all the rides that they had there. Poor Sawyer, there was not much that she could do. She loves Sponge Bob so she got her picture taken with Sponge Bob and Gary. We also played some games and I won her a stuff bear. She wasnt to thrilled, she wanted to go back and see more of Sponge Bob. In the past she hasn't been to happy about rides at places like C.E.C so we didnt put her on any rides until the very end when she saw the Merry Go Round and got all excited. All the kids went on the Merry Go Round with us. She was a litte nervous at first, but once it started she was having a great time. Everytime she would pass Cody she would do her little "hi" in her little high pitch voice and wave her hand. She was sad to see the ride end, so much that she started throwing a fit when I lifted her off the horse. We definitely had one busy weekend. Lots to do and lots to see. We are so glad they came to visit. We love you guys and miss you already!!!