Monday morning we woke up in time to say goodbye to Frankie as he headed out the door for another long day at his convention. The boys and I went to breakfast with my parents and then decided to ride the Monorail down to the end of the strip and check out some of the Hotel/Casinos/Attractions down there! We went all the way down to Mandalay Bay because we thought about going to see the Sharks in their Aquarium but it was so expensive so we went for Ice Cream and played a few machines instead. That evening we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson again and went to Fremont Street to see the Light Show. It is a giant tv screen (the Worlds Largest to be exact) that covers the entire street and shows a movie (more just music an pictures) on the hour every hour. Colton thought it was pretty cool. And we also enjoyed some deep fried Oreo's while we were down there... YUM!! That night we were in bed early (well the boys were) - Frankie and I tried to win a little money but failed miserably!! Tuesday morning Frankie woke up early to get to the airport and catch his 9am flight home. Colton and I had big plans for our morning.... Grandpa Peterson was taking us and my dad out to see Hoover Dam while Mason stayed back at the Hotel with both his Grandmas! Hoover Dam was amazing... quite a thing to see. We first drove up the bridge that was recently built across the canyon and walked out onto it to get some awesome pictures of the dam. I am not a fan of heights and this things was way up there but I didn't go that far to chicken out!! Colton, my dad and I made our way all the way out to the middle of the bridge... Grandpa Peterson wasn't quite as brave, he stayed back on the solid ground. After taking in the breathtaking views from the bridge we drove down to the dam to get a closer look (and even crossed over the dam just to say we had been to Arizona on our trip). That afternoon the boys and I took in our first Vegas Show (thanks to my parents for buying tickets for us to go with them). We saw Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show which was full of amazing illusions, beautiful showgirls and laugh-out-loud comedy. Colton thought the show was great and as soon as it ended he said "Mom, let's go to another show tonight"! The kid doesn't realize how much these shows cost... needless to say we did not go to another show! That night the boys and I were on our own in Vegas as Frankie was already at home and my parents went out with some friends of theirs who were also in Vegas!! I decided to brave the strip on my own with both boys so we could go see the Pirate Show and I was regretting my decision a couple minutes into our walk but Colton listened very well and never let go of my hand or the stroller. We made it to the pirate show at Treasure Island and I am so glad we did, Colton though the show was amazing (although most of it was adult orientate) and all he did the entire walk back to our hotel was talk about how he was going to become a Pirate when he gets older and he is going to help the boy pirates beat the girls. For those of you who have never seen it, the Pirate Show consists of two giant pirate ships, one for the girls and one for the boys and they battle. Of course cannons are fired back and forth and the girls sink the guys ships and the boys ending up swimming over and boarding the girl's ship. The girls win every time but Colton didn't know that! We enjoyed dinner in our room when we got back to the hotel and all three of us were sleeping by about 9pm! Wednesday morning we woke up and packed up and put our luggage and car seats into Baggage Claim at the hotel and met up with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson one last time. They took us down to see M&M World and New York New York. Colton loved M&M World. Him and I saw a 3D M&M movie while Grandma and Grandpa did some shopping with Mason. They bought Mason a Giant Stuffed M&M and Colton a Slot Machine (or lottery as he calls it) that dispenses M&M's when you win (and even when you lose)! Then it was time to get back to the hotel, eat some lunch and say our Goodbyes, which were so hard. I don't usually cry but I did this time, it was so much fun spending every day with Grandma and Grandpa Peterson. We don't get to see them nearly as often as we would like being as they live in Vegas and airfare is not cheap! We are already planning a trip back next year... and hopefully every year just so the boys can spend that quality time with their Great Grandparents but next time we will stay at their house so they don't have to drive back and forth so much and so we can soak in every minute possible with them while we are there!! The flight home went smooth as could be. Both boys fell asleep during take off and Colton slept for 2 hours and Mason 2 and a half and I think the only reason he woke up was because we started to desend and his ears weren't popping. We were back home and in our own beds at 10pm Wednesday night - sad not to be in Vegas but ready to get back to our everyday lives! Here are some more pictures and I apologize that there are so many but it was hard to narrow it down when we did so many things in these 3 short days!
New York New York... this place is just crazy!
Colton and my dad with Excalibur in the background!
Mason fits in well in Vegas - everyone here is sporting edgy outfits so why not him?!
Colton and Grandma and Grandpa found a place to rest at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino!
Colton enjoying some yogurt with more candy toppings than any kid could dream of!
Colton and Grandma on the Monorail back to our hotel!
What kid doesn't need a 2 foot giant gummy snake!
We found this guy down on Fremont street and he pulled Colton into his act - Colton thought it was pretty cool!
Great Grandma feeding Mason some french fries - she also got him hooked on ketchup on this trip!
Colton really liked his deep fried oreo!
The show on Fremont Street... it was actually quite cool to see!
Mason was quite exhausted after partying it up on Fremont Street!
Colton and Pop Pop at Hoover Dam!
It took me a while to move over to that railing for a picture... seriously it is high!!
Looking down onto the dam from the bridge!
Colton and Mommy, back on solid ground and off that crazy bridge!
Seriously, look at that - it is way out there and high above the ground!
Looking back to the bridge from my safe place!
The walkway back to our car from the bridge!
Colton decided to do a little rock climbing!
Look at how much the water has dropped over the years!
A view of the dam from the back - that bridge in the background is the one we just came from!
Grandpa and me at Hoover Dam
Just had to take a picture to prove that Colton has also been to Arizona!
My boys waiting for the pirate show to start.
The Girls ship!
The boys ship after it was hit and started to sink!
The boys Captain climbing aboard the girls ship!
Pizza and Fruit for dinner - sounds like a great way to end the night!
Mason loves his fruit just like his big brother!
My boys enjoying some down time for the first time the entire trip!
Colton and Great Grandma at M&M World!
Colton and Great Grandpa at M&M World!
Grandpa pushing Mason across the Brooklyn Bridge in front of New York New York!
Colton soaking up his time with his Great Grandma Gwen!
Great Grandma and her boys - this might be my favorite picture of the entire trip!
Colton and Pop Pop riding the train from the main terminal out to Gate D so we could get on our flight and go home. :(
What a busy time in Vegas! It sounds like you did a lot of fun stuff. Who knew that Vegas could be so cool to a kid?? It's nice that you have family there to visit - gives you an excuse to go back. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your kids are so cute.
I am super impressed with all that you guys did! What a fun trip :)
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