(August 1-5)

We spent the first week of August in Vegas. Please remind me next time I want to go to Vegas in August exactly how hot it is. It was ridiculous.

Monday, we got to visit Erin at work. Jameson was occupied by taking pictures of Erin. He wanted her to take pictures at the same time, which made it difficult to talk sometimes.

I think we left the mark of children in her office. A little formula on the chair, and a mess. Thanks for letting us invade your office and see you at work, Erin! Jameson loved his bag of goodies.

After our time with Erin, we got to go over to Aunt Dar’s house for Hayden’s birthday. I can’t believe he is 12! I remember when we would beg to baby sit him, and then, we would finally get to only to have him cry the whole time. Well, that’s not true. Who ever he would stop crying for, that person is the only person who could hold him the whole time. He wouldn’t go to anyone else. So if you were the lucky one he stopped crying for, it was lots of fun.

Jameson wanted to help blow out the candles, so I think we lit some more.

And, Ella got to meet Aunt Dar.

We had a great time, and ate some yummy cake. I’m glad we were in town and able to celebrate with Hayden on his birthday.

Tuesday, Christina came over with the kids, and Grandma let us go swimming. She entertained the babies, and watched after them till they joined us in the pool. For as long as I can remember, Grandma has sat by the edge of the pool, watching us swim. It doesn’t matter how hot it is, she never complains, and doesn’t even care when she gets splashed.

That night we went to Erin’s for dinner. She made us some yummy pasta, and even invited visitors. Her mom and Marc came to see us, too. Erin also bought Ella a fabulous tutu we had to immediately put on her.

We had a great time, and then got back to Grandma’s and got ready for bed.

These two are actually becoming friends.

Wednesday, we got up and met Christina and Jenna at the park. It had a splash pad, but no grass. The “no planting grass” in Vegas just makes it extra hot. I think it was 108 degrees that day. Preston was worn out after running around, and decided to get warm by laying on the cement.

Kayden and Jameson found a shady spot to eat their snacks.

By noon, it was way to hot to stay outside. We headed over to Jenna’s to play for the afternoon. I stopped by McDonald’s to pick up lunch and a smoothie. Let me tell you, their Berry smoothie was my only saving grace on this trip. I haven’t had one since, but on those hot days in Utah and Vegas, it was delicious. I highly recommend them.

After giving the babies some naps, we went swimming at Jenna’s neighbor’s. Jameson really got into swimming on this trip. He actually ventured out into the pool where he couldn’t touch, and could swim around. I wasn’t so sure, since he just had floaties. He doesn’t quite get that you have to get your legs behind you and then kick. He did awesome, though.

Laura was practicing snorkeling for her trip.

We had so much fun with them. I really wish we got to see them more. After swimming, we headed back to Grandma’s. We took some naps, and then met Dad and Weston for dinner. After dinner, we went and checked out Dad’s apartment. Jameson loved the shark head dad got him. I think it was broke before we even left that night.

Thursday morning we got all ready to leave. Weston and his friend, Ethan, came to pick us up. After some spectacular packing by Weston and me (mostly Weston), we got everything in the truck. The kids did great on our drive, and we made it to Sacramento around bedtime. When we got there, we found a new gate being installed around the pool. Thank you Don and everyone else for installing that. It took a lot of stress away, knowing the pool was blocked off.

We had a great time in Vegas… even if it was ridiculously hot.