Viva Las Vegas! Viva Mom!

Spring has sprung which means two things...I get out in the yard again and my mind starts to wander.  We love to travel and making memories (at home and away) is a big priority to me.  So, as I have begun planning vacations, campouts, get togethers, concerts and more, I realized I haven't even documented all of our adventures from last year!  I need to get this done!  I need more hours in the day!  I need, I need, I need!  Here goes...

 

In October, we took my Mom and Grandmother to Las Vegas to meet my brother Scott and his family.  The purpose, to celebrate my Mom's 70th birthday!  70 years old is nothing to sneeze at!  She's 70!  Whoa!  70 seemed like a benchmark worth celebrating, so, with Las Vegas being midway between Scott's family and mine, we decided Vegas is where we would party.  Unfortunately, Jim and his family were in the process of moving up to Utah and couldn't afford the time away so they couldn't join us.  We understood, but we did miss them. 

 

 

 

 

These two are best of friends and bestest cousins.  They're fun to watch. 

 

Grandma enjoyed spending her time with the Grandkids. 

 

 

 

 

Grandma Grandma joined us too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scooter finally found a canned Diet Coke that quenches his thirst.

 

 

 

Leah loves all things Paris, so she always gets so excited when she sees the
Eiffel Tower on the strip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The burger joint they named after me.  ;)

Two Water Monkeys

 

These three mermaids love each other. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As an ex-gambler, I am not a fan of Vegas.  When I gambled, I found a purpose there, but otherwise, it's an embarrassment of indulgence and it's culture is one of mimicking real culture.  Like I said, I'm not a fan.  Now, add the Dad side of me and I become even less of a fan.  I don't need my kids to see 99% of what goes on there.  I'd rather be somewhere else with my family any day. We made the best of it though.  We did take the kids to the M&M and Coke stores, enjoyed the atrium at The Bellagio and the Water Fountains which were unfortunately not going on.  We had a great time with the family at Fat Burger and headed home after that.  All that walking was not good for my Mom or for Grandma.  So, we called it good and then went swimming with the kids, back at the resort. 

 

A week before our planned and booked trip to Las Vegas, the awful tragedy happened wherein dozens lost their lives, hundreds were injured, thousands had their lives changed and we all felt the pain and sorrow of those who were suffering.  Even today, 8 months later, I don't even want to type about it.  It literally made me sick to my stomach and still does today.  It made going to Vegas a bit more solemn.  There were signs of the tragedy everywhere and our minds were pricked to remember often.  A memory we would all rather not have and a reality that this world is different than it has been before...a much more sad and sick place.  From that, we gain resolve and perspective, but it comes at too great a price. 

 

 

 

 

 

We wanted to stop at the makeshift memorial and pay our proper respects.  With Grandma and the kids with us, it proved to be too difficult a task.  I think most difficult would be the following conversations with my kids.  Leah and I had already discussed it in some detail and it was a painful conversation.  I think that is the suckiest part of being a parent, killing the innocence of a child.  It is hard to explain to them that some people are not kind and loving.   That reality has to be explained sooner or later, but it just really sucks to put that burden on them. 

 

For my Mom's birthday, she asked that she can watch the kids.  This accomplished two things; 1) She got to spend time with her grandkids, which is her favorite thing in the whole world, and 2) Sarah and I got to go out on the town with Scott and Cynthia.  I think it was a fun night for everyone...

 

Arts and Crafts time with Grandma.

 

Sillyness always ensues when these kids get together or when they're with
Grandma.

Make Up Night!

Grandma didn't give the boys make up, but she did give them some nice
eye blacks.

Even going to bed is fun with Grandma.  I bet they all sang "Grandma's
Feather Bed".

I love this picture.  They both look like they're having so much fun.

Eventually, they fell asleep.







 

Scott and Cynthia took us to a German restaurant called Hoffenbrau Haus, which served authentic German fare in a beer garden atmosphere.  It was a party.  Lots of singing and laughter.  I am pretty sure Sarah and I were the only two in the place that weren't drinking, but we had just as much fun without any of the consequences.  :)  We will be going back there.  It was a hoot!

 

 

The live band played great music with a slight German flare, or a lot of
German flare, such as this song played with an Alpenhorn.  Every song was
a well known song that everybody could sing along to, and boy did they!
Everybody was standing on their tables, mugs in hand, singing away.  At
one point they even stopped to play the U.S. national anthem and every person
stood, saluted and sang along. What a fun place.

It's hard to tell, but we're standing on the benches as we sang "Piano
Man" by Billy Joel.  The seating was communal just as at a beer
garden.

The food was yummy.  Especially the pork roast.

Scott pushed his beer in front of me and took this picture to use as
blackmail someday.  Of course, everybody who would see this knows
I don't drink, but I thought it was a smooth move.  Good try, Scooter!

We enjoy hanging out with these two when we get the chance. 

Sarah's Schnitzel

They have a tradition at this place that if you buy a shot of Jaggermeister
for yourself or if someone buys a shot for you, then you get spanked. 
And they spank HARD!  Even in that huge place with the music blaring,
you can hear that paddle hit the patron's backside. 



 

 

 

The next day was my Mom's Birthday.  Cynthia (prepared for anything and everything) brought some decorations to decorate my Mom's room then we all got ready for a LONG WAIT to get into Hash House A Go-Go.  Then, we walked up Fremont street.  That was a mistake.  Talk about a million awkward questions and conversations with my daughter and son!  Everything that is wrong with Vegas and America is on full display on Fremont Street.  It is an attack on all the senses.  We had to walk to the other side though in order to accomplish Mom's 70th Birthday, bucket wish list item.  She zip-lined down Fremont Street!  What a brave woman, eh?!  Cynthia, Grace and Leah went down the lower and shorter zip line, while Scott, Mom and I went the full distance from the higher side and in Superman pose.  It was a hoot!  Great job, Mom, Leah and Grace!  I was so proud of you guys. 

 

 



 

The end of the line for the Zippers.

SLOTZILLA!!!  The starting point for the Zippers.

 

Leah all harnessed up and ready to Zip!

Two brave girls!

Three brave girls

 

Mission Accomplished!  No fear!

Apparently weight wins every time.  I beat the others.  Me on the Left.  Mom
in the Center and Scott on the Right.

Our final night in town we celebrated Mom's birthday.  We had cake, sang "Happy Birthday" and opened presents and the kids played together while the adults played cards. We may have also fit a USC game in there somewhere.  ;)  The following morning was Leah's birthday.  We reused Mom's decorations, had donuts for breakfast, sang "Happy Birthday", opened presents, packed and then headed home.  Leah did so much for her birthday throughout the month, but the only thing she seems to remember is how we made her sit in a car for 6 hours as we traveled home.  Spoiled little girl. 

 

 

I know a short trip to Vegas doesn't begin to repay my Mom for what a great Mother and Grandmother she is, but it is a token of how much we love her and how fun she is.  Happy Birthday, Mom!  May you have many more!