Easter...in Vegas?

So isn't Vegas the natural place to celebrate Easter? Probably not...but for us, it was great! Justin's parents really wanted to bump up their summer reunion so Justin could be there. Vegas was kind of middle ground for traveling purposes, so Vegas it was! We only hit the nickel slots, and the kids really enjoyed the strip...kidding (breath, Mom). We actually never made it downtown. Justin's parents rented a beautiful home where we...

ate
swam
played games
talked
ate
swam
colored eggs
hunted for eggs
ate
swam
Wii-ed
hiked
ate
swam
survived a family photo :)
played in the "castle"
ate
swam

Did I mention we ate and swam a lot? It was nice to have our own pool this year. Usually, the boys (as in Justin & his brothers) take about 2 minutes to scare anyone not belonging to our family out of the water. You'd think it would be the 15 grandkids bombarding the pool that would persuade other vacationers to come back "later"...but, no...it's the 5 grown men racing/dunking/attacking each other that, surprisingly, drives them away. Private pool...mmmm...good idea!

There was also a great courtyard that led to a "castle" tower. The little princesses would disappear for hours at a time, leaving us parents free to...well, eat! Calories don't count on vacation, right? Apparently, soooo not true! Who started that rumor?!

So...4 days & 5 pounds later, comes the end of another great family reunion. Until next year, thanks for the memories (warning: a billion photos to follow)...

we went a night early and stay in the "kid's suite"
at the Holiday Inn (don't let the super sad looks
on their faces fool you...they loooved it!)

this reunion fell right in the middle of several
cousin birthdays, including Eden & Ammon's

looove this photo--Abbie looks so grown up

perfect day for a hike

fun at the park

Grandpa's buddy...or so he thinks

"let's try the slide, Ammon"

"okay, Grandpa"

"wait, I'm not sure about this"

"don't let go!"

"you let go"

"HEEELLLLPPP!"
(notice the smiling faces at the top of the slide...
oblivious to the terror at the bottom)

Eden burst into tears when she couldn't figure out why
everyone was laughing at her (it's hard to zip up when
you "blossom" overnight ;)...the next morning
she is still scarred by the incident

Easter morning
(Ellie really wanted her hair to look like a fountain?)

we're almost all looking at the camera......the castle

the baby factory

aawww...what a perfect little family

psych!

good things...

1. cousins
2. late night games
3. my gym--anxiously awaiting my return