Day 2 Vegas!

 Day 2 we were up BRIGHT and early....grabbed our rental car....loaded it down with everything we needed and set OFF!

This was the BEST day!

We had some ideas of what we wanted to see/do but no plans....just the road and us!

The road trip was so fun! We talked, laughed, pulled off to this stop and then saw this and watched that....for example....ALL the dust bowls we saw! The rattlesnake Tyler ran over. The cow we had to stop for to cross the road. The Joshua trees that Emily was so amazed by. The route 66 experience, the longest road in America with no stops that was just bare land and dust since we were in the Mojave (or Mojave) desert! The antelope we saw, the beautiful almond and pistachio trees, Chris turning into DJ Chris (and all of his trivia questions)....all the things....just so fun!

We started off with the Hoover Dam. It was AMAZIGLY impressive! To think that in 1936 they did what all they did! It only took them 5 YEARS to build it as well. My mind....just blown. I dont think it could all be done that quickly and hold up like it has this day and time and to think they had nothing back then and built this! We took a tour of the inner workings and it was so neat to learn the history!

Only 96 people died while working on this too! Unbelievable! 

The view....amazing and pictures just doesnt describe it!

This was from the other angle with the water. Just beautiful!

We loved our first stop!

This was looking down at the bottom of the dam. Below is where we toured!

This was inside the picture above. The turbines generating the power and water. Just crazy! 

After the Hoover Dam we headed on and ended up on Route 66....or what is now Route 66. It doesnt exist any longer due to highways and interstates coming into existence but we enjoyed the nostalgia of what was left! 

Route 66 could take you anywhere back in the day!

We ate lunch at Mr. D'z on Route 66! It was an 'original' diner! The food was just okay....but it was neat to feel like we were back in the day!

Parked out front. Picture that police car back in the day!

Next stop...the Grand Canyon! It will have its on separate post next!

After that....we made it to the sign! I have to say....it was smaller than I thought it would be!

Love this picture!

This cracks me up!

Next up....Pawn Stars! We were disappointed it was closed especially because we thought its open 24 hours but the actual shop isnt. But we looked in the windows and it all looks exactly like what we see on the TV show. We didnt get to meet any of them.....bummer...but it was neat to be there!

Right down from the Pawn shop....was a wedding chapel so of course we walked down and checked it out!

Us love birds!

This cracks me up too! One of the workers came out and told us how and where to pose for the pictures! We did as he said! ha!

Then....yeah...it was a long day...but we were all soaking it up.....headed to Fremont street! Talk about people watching at its finest! All the lights....music...the longest electronic overhead motion screen that constantly changed with beautiful scenery was amazing!  The view we had above us on this picture was ocean waves! We ate at an amazing restaurant inside the Golden Nugget casino and then walked around for a bit before calling it a day!

It was the best day! 

Vegas!

 We got the girls D.O.N.E. with all the end of school things so Tyler and I jetted off with Emily and Chris to Las Vegas for a few days and we had a great trip!

We are now back, tired but reliving and laughing at all the fun we had!

We were soooo excited! Taking off!

Our lunch view! We ate right across from the Bellagio and enjoyed this view, the food was amazing and people watching along the strip! 

Then we walked around and went in and out of all the different casinos/hotels! I just cant wrap my head around how BIG they all are and how unique and intricate too!

My travel partner!

Every place we went in.....was so detailed and planned out!

We had the best time with Chris and Emily!

This was at the Cosmopolitan hotel. Just beautiful! This was a HUGE chandelier! Just SO fancy in there! 

This was at the Venetian. Just amazing! Everywhere.....sooooo detailed!

Us two.....this was our 'turning 40' trip....so this picture...perfection!

Our crew!

End the night with this view at the Venetian before heading to the room to unpack...........and CRASH because we literally threw our luggage into the room and took off at the beginning! 

FYI.....this view....is INSIDE a building! Yep, that sky is not real............soooooo cool!

Stay tuned for the other fun days!

Lily's end of the year celebration day!

 For marking the last day of school...

Lily had her 'End of the year celebration' where she went through and showed her Daddy and I her notebook full of all the reports and awards and scores that she has done throughout the year.

She also showed us her big end of the year project that she completed.

It was on Lillies since its her name and she loves flowers........per her! :)

She was so proud to show us her stuff and get one last and final picture with her favorite teacher, Mrs. Smith!

{And....no you are not going crazy....the 'last day of school post'........Lily was wearing a pineapple dress. Well, it is a rainy day and she decided she didnt want to wear a dress...but I had already taken pictures!} :) So.......now she is wearing this...though it is the same day of school! :)

Showing off to her Daddy!

Love my girl!

Her big school project!

So proud of her!

Schooolll's out forever!

 Well....school may not be out forever....

BUT

school's out for SUMMER!

{Name that tune!} :) Lily has been singing it all morning so I thought it was fitting to have the end of school sign have that saying! ha!

Lily and Alexis have both had a great school year!

Cant believe Lily will be rounding out her elementary days soon and Alexis will be a Freshman!

Soo....you know the story....Alexis refused an 'end of school year picture' for me...

her last day was this past Thursday since semester exams were Friday and then this week so she has enjoyed sleeping late and relaxing at home. She actually has been a big help by doing some cleaning, etc for me while she has been at home!

So...today marks Lily's last day!

She is growing up so fast! She loves the fact that her foot is as big as mine...she loves that she is growing up!

Notice a friend in the picture! :)

Then Tickles wanted to pose with Lily!

Sweet Lily!

5th grade bound!

Spring football game and her 1st freshman experience!

 It is ALL she talks about....

I am a FRESHMAN now!

I am in 'official high school' now {her exact words}

She is so excited and was so excited about the Spring football game last night as she got to cheer as a Freshman!!

Jacksonville BLEW Wellborn out of the water! We looked so good so it is going to be an exciting football season this Fall!

It was a struggle....she literally ran around the truck two times from me and then I told her we werent going to leave until she let me...........then she did. I got a picture! :)

 Cant wait!

These Freshman are so excited and it was so fun watching them!

In action!

She is so proud that she gets to be a flyer! She has been basing too so she has enjoyed learning that role and knowing what she does as a flyer really affects the bases so it has been a great experience.

She's pumped she's on the front row too! :)

Grey graduated pre-k!

 Yesterday afternoon Grey graduated from pre-k! 

Time if flying so fast and it is coming up on time for him to actually start 'real school!' Kindergarten is coming up!

He looked so adorable!

Cant wait to watch him grow! Love this little guy!

Field day 2022 and I just give up!

All the end of the school year things are happening and BOY do they like to pack it all in towards the end!

I saw something funny on Facebook that said....'The school is literally trying to kill parents at the end of the school year for all the things their child has done to them during school.'

I believe it! :)

Yesterday marked Alexis' last day of her 8th grade year!

She was exempt from ALL semester exams due to her awesome grades and her attendance.

Do you think I got an 'end of school year' picture of Alexis............

NOPE......................

she flat refused and even if I tried she was hiding behind her book bag and wouldnt let me take a picture.

Lily had her fun day yesterday. It was full of games, face painting, Kona Ice and just FUN! She came home saying it was the BEST day!

And today marked Field day 2022!

This day is always a BIG day as Lily is SO competitive. So much so that she HAD to have a field day actual shirt...not just wear a red shirt since her class is Team Red. 

She wore a red scrunchie in her hair....has red sunglasses in her beach bag as well as ALLLLL the things stuffed in that bag. Sunscreen, beach towel, fan, water sprayer, a frozen water, a frozen Body Armor, an unfrozen Body Armor, two snacks in case she needs them and I just dont even know what all else she stuffed!

Do you think I got a picture of Lily allll decked out in her team gear?!

YEP!

SEE it!

She looks like she is literally dying and in pain for me to TAKE ONE PICTURE!

Look at her face!

Her face was literally screaming at me...'MOMMA, I am NOT taking a picture!' As she literally said that to me before and after I took the picture! :)

So....I give up....

I may have to end the blog....

because both my girls are miserable for me when I ask them to smile.

UGHH!! :)

Lily is bound and determined that her team is going to beat all the other class teams today so we shall see!

Go TEAM RED!

When golf starts up!

 Tyler's JSU golf league started back in action yesterday afternoon so that means...The Rays (minus Brandon) and my crew (minus Tyler) and The Messers (minus Chris) meet up to eat dinner because it is our excuse to not have to cook since the boys are out having fun! :)

So, here's to our first week of no boys allowed! (except for Calhoun!)

The Messers were not able to join this week but Im sure will fall into the mix as the weeks go along!

We enjoyed an outside dinner and capped it off with a yummy treat at Dugger Mountain!

The kids were super excited! Cant you tell! :)

And to make it an even better moment...Tyler said him and his team played really well too!

Wordless Wednesday!