Another Camping Trip

Our favorite camping trip every year is to the lake in Show Low. For whatever reason, Arizona only has a handful of lakes that you can swim in. This is one of them.

Unfortunately, we got there and it was super windy and smokey. There was a fire over 100 miles away, but it was invading our camp. We got all set up though and decided to make the most of it.

We bring bikes and the kids just play and hang out. It's great that they can all just be kids and have fun.

We walked down to the lake on this back path.

The adults decided to keep walking as it got really rocky and the kids went back up since they had their bikes. We planned to meet up at the dock. I know this pic is blurry and you can barely see us walking on the left, but I love it. I think it looks like a book cover or something.

Then, our "path" closed off and we had to go straight up. Our friends had their dog, so we are getting her up the hill.

We met up with the kids at the dock. This is the annual pic of the girls.

Moms...

Dad's and Ben... Everyone is paired off with friends their age, but Ben. Luckily, he could care less. He's cool doing his own thing and plays with them sometimes.

We were able to have a fire the first night and had smores and enjoyed a campfire for a few hours.

The next day, luckily the smoke was gone. But, the wind was still wicked. We still went to the lake though for a few hours, but it was really cold.

That didn't stop the kids from swimming though.

The adults just hung out on the shore. Still not a bad way to spend the day.

We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner, Lincano's.

That night, the smoke started to come back. It made for pretty pictures.

The next day, the winds were a little calmer, so we headed to the lake. Ben put a little circle around Noah.

We stayed at the water until about 1 when the wind red flag advisory started and gusts were over 30 mph. We went back to camp and then headed home around 2. I couldn't find Noah when we were ready to leave. He was up a tree with Savannah and Clara.

Noah is the little blue mark on the top. Oh brother, these kids.

Despite the smoke and the wind, it was still a great camping trip. The kids really love these traditions that we do every year. I sometimes think if they'll come here one day with their own kids. I hope so.

Birthday and Father's Day

David's birthday is always right around Father's Day. It kind of makes it nice. Well, he probably gets cheated somewhat. I buy a few gifts and just divide them in 2 piles. Oh well, he doesn't  mind.

The kids, well Emily and Noah, made David a cake for his birthday and we went out Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I didn't take any pictures of that. But, he enjoyed his cake.

A few days later for Father's Day, I made him lasagna. I only make it on Father's Day. So, he enjoyed that and we just relaxed and spent the day at home. For the first time in forever, we didn't go to the pool. We've barely gone this year. And, he didn't have to paint anything per his request after my Mother's Day gift.

It wasn't anywhere near as exciting of a day as he deserves. He's such a good husband and father and I wish I could give him so much more. Luckily, he's content with just spending the day with us. That's just the kind of guy he is.

Vegas

It's become our tradition now that every kid gets to go to Vegas for their 13th birthday. Ben wanted to do a similar trip to Emily, but that involves swimming at the shark pool and February is too cold for that. So, we waited until it got warmer and off we went to Vegas, baby!

We spent the night just a little outside of Vegas since rooms were cheaper and got Dairy Queen.

 The kids just like sleeping in hotel rooms.

 We got up early the next morning and got to Vegas. The pool at the Golden Nugget fills up fast and we wanted to make sure we had a place to relax.

 The kids are checking out the sharks and fish in the tank.

 I got this cute pic before it got too busy.

 Later, I caught Noah all by himself relaxing in the lounger.

 He's silly.

This was the view from our room.

Oh and Emily got bangs! She's been wanting them for months, but was so scared. She finally decided to do it right before Vegas. I literally said, "Are you sure?" She said yes and I chopped. I didn't want her to keep backing out. But, they look adorable and she loves them.

We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Nacho Daddy, and got nachos. Duh.

The guy at the table next to us was there on a date and he got so drunk he passed out. It's hot in Vegas and people just don't use their brains. They were downing a pitcher of margaritas. By the time the food got out, he was fading fast. The paramedics were called and they hauled him off in a stretcher. It was a good teaching moment for the kids. Sorry for the blurry picture. I was trying to be respectful, so I just snapped a quick over the shoulder pic.

Ben LOVED the dessert nachos. It's fried ice cream over cinnamon sugar tortilla chips. YUM!

We walked along Freemont street and this cute girl photo bombed Ben.

This is old Vegas, like 50 years ago Vegas. But, they've redone the entire outside so it's a huge outdoor area to walk around. There are acts and practically naked people and it's just fun to people watch.

They do a light show on the ceiling every night. It was cool.

We went to McDonald's for breakfast the next day and a homeless man started a fight with a biker. Um, bad call dude. There were so many homeless people there. Way more than I remember from a year ago. When the guy started saying he was going to throw out oil on the biker, I took the kids to the car. It was eventful breakfast.

Then, we headed to an arcade. Ben and Emily rode the roller coaster at New York, New York. They now have virtual reality too. You ride the roller coaster with a headset on and it gives you a different experience. They had monsters in New York City. I'm sure it was cool. I was in the arcade with these guys.

They were having fun killing zombies in this game.

Ben is like a mini me version of David. I watched them walk at the pool and their bodies are identical. Here the back of them looks the same. It's neat to watch.

We got pizza.

And chicken and waffles! That's my favorite!

And another guy got hauled off on a stretcher. He wasn't drunk, I don't think. Dehydration is serious in Vegas people!  Drink plenty of water!

We went to the Coke store and did got an international tray to taste. You have soda from 16 different countries and some are so good and others, not so much. The one from India has curry in it!  You could totally pick that flavor out. It was bizarre, but fun!

We went to the M&M store and David had me try a jalapeno M&M. I was ruined for the rest of the trip there. It didn't seem spicy at first, but wow, it hits ya!

Noah picked out some overpriced candy that I could've bought at home for 90% less, but whatever.

Then, we went to a magic show that was really awesome. After, we had dinner at PBR Grill. That stands for Professional Bull Riding. And you know what you get with the purchase of an entree?  A ride on their mechanical bull!  Emily didn't want to do it and David passed as well. 

Ben was up first. None of us lasted more than 10 seconds.

And Noah gave it a try.

I almost didn't, but then, I thought, cross it off your bucket list and ride the dang thang!  So, I did.

It's a lot harder than it looks.

Then, we hit up these pods that did virtual reality. It was so cool. Noah picked an easy roller coaster ride with pretty scenery.

These two went for the scary one. About a minute in, Emily says her eyes are closed and it's too scary. So, the guy changed it for them to this spinning roller coaster.

She liked that one better.

But, David wanted to see how scary the one Emily couldn't watch was, so he watched that one. The guy let me jump in and watch it too for free since two can watch at one time. It wasn't that scary, but this lady was cutting you up with scissors and the chair pokes you and makes you think it's happening. It's a trip. Then, David and I did the roller coaster one too since the guy gave us that one for free too.

Then, Noah got gelato. The rest of us were saving our dessert for later.

We walked along the strip.

I love the chandelier at the Aria casino. So pretty.

We headed to Bellagio to watch the fountain.

On the way back to the hotel, we were behind a few showgirls. They pose on the street and you can take a photo for a few dollars. At least these ones were dressed.

The kids rode the roller coaster again at night and we got dessert at the Hershey's store. It's so good. Like chocolate cookies with cream and Ben gets a Reese's cookie. It's just all good.

It was an awesome trip, and one I know we will all remember.