Viva Las Vegas!

We were told that flying standby for a weekend in Vegas was a bit tricky . . . and so it was!  We had a hotel deal we bought months ago, but when the flights to Vegas on Friday were booked, they were kind enough to move our reservations to the next day.  The 9:30 am flight for Saturday morning looked good.  When we got up and checked the flights the 9:30 flight was way over-booked (I still don't understand how things change so quickly) but 8:30 flight looked better, so we rushed around finishing things up and headed to the airport. This was by far, the MOST stuff we had on the trip.  Since we were in a hotel, renting a car, we had to bring everything!!  2 carseats, 2 carry-ons, a pack and play, a double stroller, a backpack and a laptop bag (oh yes, we had 2 kids in tow as well - so 10 items total).  I love the double stroller for many reason, but it was difficult to push with one hand and the other on a carry-on, so I still haven't found the solution to my troubles of traveling alone with 2 kids.

The flight was short and Dave took the kids.  Jackson was excited and thus, was being a pill, and I forgot the much loved itouch, so it was a tough flight.

Since 7:30 we had moved the 10 items into the car, to the shuttle bus, through security, onto the plane, off the plane, onto another shuttle bus and into the rental compact car.  We were in Vegas by 10 am seeing the sights.  It has been a while since we've seen it so it was fun to remember and see all the new things as well.

Since we travel so much, we do it differently than most people.  Most people use their vacation to spend money and do as much as possible.  We know that every cent we spend is one less trip we can take, so we try and spend as little as possible so we can go to more places while we still have these benefits.  Thus, we spent our time doing anything free we could.  We saw a movie at M &M world, we walked the strip, rode a tram, eat at a buffet, saw the Bellagio fountains and gardens, saw the shows and games at Circus Circus.

Our first attempt to use our child as our photographer . . .he didn't cut our heads off!

This was the first time we have had kids in a hotel room.   Going to sleep was easy because both kids were exhausted and fell asleep in the stroller and car before we even made it back to the hotel.  Hallie had been awake since 7 am with only a 20 minute stroller nap and was still so pleasant, happy and smiley.  She is incredibly resilient and willing to be put through the ringer for no benefit to herself.  Jackson woke up at 1 am and couldn't get back to sleep in a strange place for 1 hour.  It was very annoying that we were so tired and he was loud and kicking us, etc, but finally he went back to sleep.

Sunday we found a church near the temple.  We walked in late and immediately Jackson was loud and annoying and Hallie started screaming.  It was totally embarrassing in a very quiet and reverent ward.  Jackson was taken out a mere 1 minute later.  And then the miracle happened.  For the first time in 3 years (yes, since he was 6 months old) HE FELL ASLEEP on Dave's lap.   I am still in shock to this moment.  Not only did he fall asleep, but he slept on the church couch for TWO HOURS!!  not waking up to talking, Hallie playing with him, singing or anything.  He must have been exhausted!

We visited the temple after church.  The temple grounds were beautiful as always.  

We were planning on leaving Monday morning early, but when a late Sunday flight looked open, we decided to head home and get a good nights rest.  There were 20 seats open and 10 stand-by passengers.  We packed up and then checked the flight again . . .now there were only 18 seats and 30 standby . . .REALLY? in only 30 minutes, it changed dramatically.  We were a bit late and were super stressed about getting to the airport and through security, but we ended up being just fine.  Dave and I sat 2 rows apart with a kid each.  Both kids were really perfect on the flight home, despite it being 2 hours past bedtime.  Jackson finally crashed on the car ride home, but Hallie held out and didn't fall asleep until she was snug in her jammies and bed at 10:45 pm.   I was so glad to sleep in my bed and wake up in my house to start the week.

Overall thoughts of the trip:  It was fun to see the amazing sights and lights and splendor!  We enjoyed being together and having a family trip.  Hotels are hard with kids.  Sundays are hard on vacation.  Vegas is stressful for flying stand-by.  I'd love to go back with just Dave and watch a show and do a CSI experience (I really love crime solving shows).  Any takers for watching our kids?

 This is Jackson watching the Trapeze artists.  Mesmorized!