Summing up summer. Thus far.

Did you miss me?  
Jeff has been asking me when I was going to post on this blog again.  But there's been a lot going on, in fact, too much.  Too much that it's a little daunting to think about how to post about everything WITHOUT going beyond twenty paragraphs.  
Maybe it will go beyond twenty.  Suck it up, babies.  You've got an entire workweek to get through.  So let the good times, or the reminiscing of the good times, roll....

The first weekend of June, Cole got baptized.  It went well.  Jeff did a great job, and Cole felt special, and we ate Einstein bagels and cold cuts.  You know--celebration foods of the highest quality.  I wanted to thank Sharon and Rene for getting our banquet ready for us, while we were at the church.  I don't think I thanked them on the big day...I have a tendency to stress in those situations...and I was overly worried that my house was stinky.  It's an ongoing fear I have. Oh, and the middle and bottom pictures were from my sister in law, Gabby.  She did fantastic. 

Mid June we went on our family vacation, to Las Vegas. Now, before you're a bit grossed out at our lack of diversity and such when it comes to getting out of Utah, remember:  We are new at the whole entire vacation thing.  And we're not overly poor anymore, but unfortunately, we aren't overly abundant in moola, either.  So we did the Las Vegas family vacation for the second time.  This trip we stayed at Circus Circus.  And I was kind of worried that it would be really trashy and dirty and so on and so forth.  But, it was actually perfect for us.  We fit right in.  Along with all the Germans and Swedes and guys in banana hammocks at the pool..(possibly both were the same?), it made for interesting days.  Honestly though, the kids and Jeff and I had a lot of fun.  We spent an entire day at the Adventure Dome, and we all felt as if we'd puke at least once.  Even Syd.

Puke feeling aside, it was a fun day.  Cole wasn't too disappointed when it was over.  But it was nice to be in a place where our room was.  We went and put Syd to sleep in our room, and Riley and Cole turned on iCarly.  (And watched the same episodes they'd seen at least four times since we got there).  We still had an hour before the amusement park closed down, so Jeff and I decided to go on a couple rides by ourselves.  I think that was the first time since before Riley.  And it was awesome.  

Five bucks later, and we had the above picture--cause we had to commemorate the event.  Obviously.  But luckily it wasn't cheesy at all, just romantic and super-rad.

I was excited for the day when we'd get out of the casino, and take in sights on the strip.  We got up and got dressed and went and parked in parking for Caesar's Palace.  We saw the fountain, and took the kids to see the fish in their ginormous tank.  I thought it was fun, but the kids were missing iCarly, and Jeff was tired.  And then I did the unthinkable...I suggested we go see MORE sights, and go to other casinos.  I was thinking the Bellagio, and MGM Grand, and more...but we got to the next casino over, crossed the boardwalk, and everyone started whining about how hot it was.  And how they wanted to go back to our room.  Jeff included.  I was pretty disappointed in them. I also had to twist arms to get this picture, and I tried to sweeten the deal by telling them that everyone will see how much fun we had if I could only get some pictures of stuff.  And then Jeff told me that the only people that take pictures on vacation are the people that are bored enough to take pictures.  At that, I gave up, and we went back.  I went for a walk by MYSELF, cause I was so ticked with my boring spouse and offspring. When I got back, I was really surprised to see the family laying on the beds, and watching Nickelodeon.  We all went swimming for a while, and then we got some Kripsy Creme donuts.  I pretty much thought that day was a bust, but the next was enjoyed by all.     

We went and played the games and everyone was pretty great at winning stuff.  Except me.  I'm quite incapable when it comes to all that stuff.  Everyone wanted a monkey.  But I wanted one most.  And then Jeff won one for me.  And Syd took it.  And then Cole won one.  And he kept it, and Riley did the same.  Unfair, right?  I had to hold Syd while we took a time out to watch the African gymnasts.  And that blissful smile I'm wearing?  It was appreciation for their superb talent.  And SO many muscles.... 

So that's a lot of pictures, but it doesn't mean I was bored.  The kids had fun, Jeff didn't work AT ALL, and had fun, and I got a tan and had fun.  It was a relaxing week.  The only somewhat sad part for me was getting a dose of reality.  As we were walking in Caesar's Palace, I saw this guy...and I'm pretty sure he was the product of the descriptions of so many of the sleazy books I read.  However, in real life?  It doesn't work for me...built, leather, (it was 107 degrees out, so that was kinda overkill), long hair, pretty face....and all I could think was:  "Is he a stripper?"  The thought of all the time that man spent on his hair...well, it wasn't just as sexy as I thought it would be. (And fyi?  I was wearing cutoffs, dirty flip flops, and sweating like I'd been running a couple of miles...so I'm sure he was noticing me, as well.  But I'm a happily married woman, so that was the end of the story).

Anyway, we're still new at this vacation thing.  One of these days we will venture out of the Las Vegas area, and try to entertain ourselves in a different way.  But until then, we love it.  Not too far to drive, cheap, and a various amount of activities close to our living space.  Maybe one of these days we'll be more adventurous...until then, Sin City seems to be the place for us. 

Anyhoo, I'll post about the end of this month later.  It's late, Dudes.  I'm getting tired, and those of you that are working, I'm betting your lunch break is right around the corner.  You're welllllcome!