*Road Trip 2013*

On May 4^th, we packed up our Focus and set off on a twelve day road trip adventure.  Our first stop was at Nevada’s Wild Horse State park.  It was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing.  Until the wind started to blow.  We had arrived around noon and sent up camp, had lunch, drove to town for some milk and then went for a nice adventure walk when the wind really started to pick up.  Next thing you know, we watch a nearby tent snap and the campers pack up.  As we sat discussing our options, our tent poles began to snap.  Tyler rushed to disassemble our tent as I loaded the car and Issac sat crying.  Issac was really upset that we weren’t going to be camping, sleeping in the tent and having hotdogs and smores over the campfire.  Once we explained that our tent was damaged and promised to go camping this summer, we hit the road.  We drove until the Sunset and found cheap hotel in Elby.  The kids were happy with a little Disney Channel and a bath.  In the morning we continued on to Uncle Don’s house in Las Vegas.  Sunday, Tyler & I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary on the road to Vegas.  The drive was beautiful and the road was empty.  Arriving around two in the afternoon, we had spent about 5 hours in the car so Uncle Don & Ashna walked with us to a nearby park so the kids could burn off their energy.

 

We spent the week enjoying the weather and spending time with the Neeley Family.  Everyone was so welcoming and it was wonderful to meet more members of Tyler’s extended family.  We tried to do our family adventures during the day so that we could spend the evenings with Tyler’s Uncle Don & Aunt Pam. Tyler’s cousin Ashna is a 21 year old Nanny so on Monday we meet up with her at a super cool park.  Tuesday we adventured to the strip with the kids.  We walked around, had lunch and visited the M&M world. 

 

Wednesday we drove to Hoover Dam.  It was so amazing and beautiful.  After walking across the bridge over the Hoover Dam, we had lunch a Longhorn Sheep Park on Lake Mead.  We are told that Longhorn Sheep freely roaming the area, and there are signs warning so.  However, in the 2 hours we were at the park, there wasn’t one single sheep in sight!!! Another Mom at the park said she was sad for us because it is such a cool experience but we still enjoyed our time at the park. 

 

Thursday we did a tour of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and adventured our way through the Botanical Cactus Garden in Henderson.

 

 

 

.  Friday, we enjoyed a trip to a splash park with Ashna and Trevor during the afternoon. 

Saturday we took the kids to the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef & aquarium with Cousin Trevor.  The kids spent the majority of their time at the sting ray exhibit and then in the shark reef.  It is so cool to see their facial expressions as they watch the animals swim around.  Issac is full of questions and we almost needed a tour guide to answer them all but thankful he accepts a “I’m not sure buddy, we’ll have to look that up in a book at the library.”

 

Then Saturday Night we left the kids with cousin trevor & Aunt Pam while went to the Fremont Experience with Don and Jerrica.

 

Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day with a trip to the park with the kids.  While we were at the Park Uncle Don made each of the kids a cake.  Don made a Lightning McQueen cake for Issac & a Cookie Monster cake for Josie.  Then he made a delicious fried chicken dinner for everyone.  It was a nice relaxing day and a perfect end to our week in Las Vegas. 

 

Monday we drove seven hours to Sandy Utah.  Utah was a quick stop but seeing that Tyler’s Grandparents live there, we couldn’t be so close & not make the trip.  We spent the night at his Uncle Dave’s house.  Monday we spent the day with Tyler’s family.  Spending our time and celebrating with a big BBQ dinner with Tyler’s Uncle Dave, Aunt Angie, Uncle Chad, Cousins Paul and Shay and then his Grandparents Don & Cindy Neeley.  It was a quick one day stop but worth every second.  A Big thanks to Dave & Angie for hosting us and for hosting everyone over for dinner. 

 

It is always good to spend some time with family.  But by Wednesday morning we were all ready to go home.  Tyler & I switch off drivers whenever we stop.  We arrived home around eleven pm Wednesday night.  We spent Thursday & Friday relaxing and unpacking.  We had such an amazing vacation.  The kids loved everyone they meet and Tyler enjoyed the time off work while I enjoyed a few less diaper changes.  We really could not express our gratitude to the Neeley Families; both in Las Vegas & Sandy.  We love you guys and will cherish our memories with you for years to come!!! XOXO