Last Day in Vegas!

Well sorry it took so long to add this last day didn't mean to keep you in suspense.  By this time the kids are really tired and we are a little concerned about the weather back in TX. Amarillo was calling for 6 inches of snow and we were worried we would be stranded.  We were a little stranded because once we arrive in Amarillo at 7 am the bus couldn't come to get us due to the ice and snow on the ground! So 2 parents and a husband came to the rescue in 4-wheel drive vehicles. 

Vegas here we come!

We left the hotel and head to cross Hoover Dam.  Well there are security check points that you have to drive through and most of time they just smile and wave you through.  NOT US! They stopped us and want to go through some luggage so I get it at.  At the same time the other half of the group drives by and points! They checked 3 bags and then I loaded them back in the van and we were off to Las Vegas!!!!
We made it throw the Hoover Dam traffic quickly so we made a special stop at the Ethel M  Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden. It is located...

 

Ethel M Chocolate Website

Let me tell you the sample chocolates they gave us were delicious. 

 

as you can see everyone purchased something to eat!

 We head on down to the Strip!First stop Circus Circus! We rode roller coasters, people watched and played laser tag! To shop at Caesars Place and see the Fountains at Bellagio.  At Caesars Place  we ate dinner at Planet Hollywood and window shopped.  It was interesting!  Blake found the Nike Store and was in HEAVEN! The kids loved the show at the fountains we actually stood there for 2 shows before heading to the Airport. I think the kids were overwhelmed by the lights and all the different types of people.

 

You know we had to have this picture! We stopped for it on the way to the airport for our 12:45 flight.

The kids were beat by the time we boarded the plane.  We all tried to sleep some more than others but the plane was so small and the ride was bumpy.

We made it to Amarillo by morning, 7am.  There was snow on the ground and ice in Childress.  The kids were so patinent waiting for our rides to arrive.  I think Micheal was actually snoring!

I know this is a Spring Break we will all remember!

SAC Grand Canyon 2010

Day 4

We drove to Page Arizona to float down the Colorado River.

Colorado Plateau

After riding on the bus down a 2 mile tunnel made in the 1950's we walked down to the dock to get on the boat.

Our guide was a Native Navajo named Adriane. He was very informative about the river and the dam. The water temperature is 47 degrees.
And yes we did get a little wet.

Half way we stopped and the kids decided to swim in the 47 degree water. Needless to say they didn't swim long! The water was soooooooooo cold! But they thought it was fun!

They were freezing!

These are called the floating rocks, caused by erosion they look suspended in the air on small pedestals. The  gang really have fun exploring the rock formations. The kids went up higher and further than I did!

Tabbi doing cheer stunts on the top of rocks!

Then off to Vertical Release Indoor Rock Climbing!

Blake making it up the pole in the center!

Tabbi and Joe racing up the wall.

Checking gear before climbing the wall

Day 3

We first started out at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The kids really like the native Navajo Painter that was featured in the Gallery. I was so proud they knew the layers of the Earth.

 The kids favorite part was the paintings.  The kids actually tried to correct the docent but not to their face.  I was proud!

Next we made the 2 1/2 hour drive to Sedona Arizona. To ride mountain bikes. THE KIDS FAVORITE SO FAR!!!!!

 OKAY I NEED TO EXPLAIN THE NEXT PICTURE .  ALL AROUND SEDONA THERE ARE VORTEXES ( IF YOU BELIEVE) THEY ARE MARKED BY GROUPS OF ROCKS. MICHEAL BELIEVES THAT HE WALKED INTO A VORTEX AND IT MADE HIM PUKE! SO THEY HAD TO GO TRY AGAIN TO SEE IF IT REALLY WORKED! WEIRD!

The gang at the Sedona Red Rocks! They loved it even though we were all sweating!

      Micheal while puking he touched a catus and had to have Alexis remove the stickers!  What a wonderful guide!

The whole group after shopping and dinner in Sedona Shops







Then off to the Lowell Observatory.

The refracting telescope in this building was the one that discovered Pluto! We saw mars through it during our turn.

The telescope looked very vintage. Although looking at Mars made us feel very small. We also got to see a new nebula forming on the belt of Orion.

We are on our Way!

Well all the kids did wonderful flying... I think they all enjoyed it. We had on little scare on the Tram ride at the Las Vegas Airport, Brandi almost didn't make it on but her little elbows held the doors till her buddies could pull her on before the tram took off. We ate a bite for lunch and headed toward Hoover Dam.

 112 people died in the process of building the Dam.

Day 2 

We left early this morning and headed to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. First stop was as the Cameron Trading Post, on the local Navajo Reservation. The off to the Watch Tower built in the 1930 by a women. Our first view of the canyon also.

Amanda, Hannah and Alexus our guide in the Watch Tower.