In June we went with my sister and her kids (Kate, Nick, and Eric - in that order!) to Las Vegas for a night and a day (yes, insane, hu?). After gathering all the kids and loading the van, we left Cedar City (where my sister lives) late in the afternoon. We were lucky and had a room at Nellis Air Force base for about $25, so who can beat that? That night we went to Freemont Street to see the "Freemont Experience." And what an experience. It was way too loud for poor Elizabeth - who demanded we go into a store near by...we did, and as soon as we were in there, she wanted to go back out...that didn't work : ( The rest of the kids enjoyed it! By the time we got dinner and back into the room, it was midnight or so, and plans for a full day ahead!!

The next morning we got up and went to Hoover Dam. We were able to do the tour and see the movie in the new visitor’s center there. It's so impressive to see it - and this is my third time to do so! We also beat the crowds and most of the heat...yeah, in June!

That said and done, we went to the factory stores in Henderson. There is a Marshmallow factory, a Cranberry Factory, and a Chocolate Factory - all with samples - yum!

By now it's late afternoon and we head into town to see New York, New York and that area. It had just broken ground when I moved, so it was completely new to me and lots of fun to look around. We started at the Flamingo - looking at the birds and fish at the pool area. The MGM was next with its new foyer - with a new store that is based on rain forests and such. It was a fun kids store because most of the animals moved and talked!

We walked and walked - going through New York, New York, and then Excaliber. By this time we stopped for dinner and pictures. After dinner we walked down to the M&M factory/store, looked around. THEN the biggie one. We went to Treasure Island to see the show! We were so early, but after walking all day long, we were ready to just stand in one place and wait it out. Elizabeth LOVED the show - she wasn't even phased by the loud noises...this, the girl who cried in MGM when the store had a "thunder storm." THEN - we went to the Mirage to see the volcano go off and see the white tigers...are you tired now? We sure were. We headed out of town and made it to Cedar City at about 2am...WOW - long day!!