Ryan and Katie's Duet

Ryan and Katie are in the children's choir at church. They have been practicing for their big choir concert which will be on Father's Day. The two of them sing a part of the song "Thy Word" by themselves which they were able to sing in church this morning. I recorded it off my phone, so it is a little hard to see, but they are in the front row, on the far left hand side. You can at least hear them sing. I'll have better video from their choir concert next month (if I can only figure out how to upload it!).

No More Training Wheels

Ryan finally got the courage to take the training wheels off his bike. Within two days he is riding on only two wheels. He is very excited!

Las Vegas - Last Day

We took the kids to the BEST park ever! Madeira Canyon Park is a brand new park (opened on 5/16) and has a splash pad, enclosed toddler playground and a big kid playground. It also features basketball courts, 2 soccer fields, 2 baseball fields and lots of green grass. The kids had a blast playing in the water, eating lunch at the picnic tables and playing at the playgrounds. It was a great way to end our vacation in Vegas!

Las Vegas - Day 5 Outlet shopping

Today we went to the Premium Outlets. The best store there was the Disney Store Outlet where I can get Minnie tees for only $2.99. What a bargain!

Las Vegas - Day 4 Candy Factory and MGM

I was too tired to blog yesterday, the Lakers took every ounce of energy remaining after our day. We started yesterday at the Ethel M Chocolate Factory (for all of 15 minutes). There were only 3 people who were making candy on the back conveyor and they are remodeling half of the candy kitchen. So, we got our free sample of candy and were outta there. We then were off to MGM to view the lions and to eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. After lunch we stopped off at the M&M and Coca-Cola stores and then headed to Caesar's Palace and the Forum Shops.

The best part of the candy tour

One of the many MGM lions

Rainforest Cafe

Vegas Day 3 - Hoover Dam

Absolutely incredible! Hoover Dam is such an amazing construction marvel! We did not take any of the tours, but instead visited the visitor's center. Inside the visitor's center, there was the history of the dam, why it was built, why it was built where it is, and how places like Southern California get electricity from the dam. Ryan was able to learn about the generators and turbines that move the water through and create the electricity. They are also building a bridge that crosses the river so people who want to go directly to the Arizona side can do so without getting caught up in the dam sightseeing traffic. The highlight was going up to the deck to view the massive dam, especially the side where the water rejoins the Colorado River. We will definitely go back and next time take the tours!

The Bridge over the River - It will have an incredible view of the dam!

Water intake towers

Where the water lets back out into the Colorado River

Las Vegas - Day 2

Our house here in Vegas does not have a pool, so we decided to get the kids a small pool for the backyard.

On the Road to Las Vegas

On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at the Calico Ghost Town. Calico was developed in 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. Calico boomed during 1881-1896; but the end came to the silver rush in 1896 and by 1904 Calico had become a ghost town. It was hot (about 100 degrees), so we want to go back in the fall when it is a lot cooler!

Calico's schoolhouse

Old mining shaft

California Adventure/Disneyland

On Wednesday, we took the kids to California Adventure for half the day and then over to Disneyland in the afternoon. It was gorgeous with the weather in the high 70's. Once we got past the parking and the tram, it was a great day with light crowds. We ate dinner at the new Big Thunder BBQ, where we had huge cupcakes for dessert. It was great that daddy got to take the day off to play!

A picture with the big cheese

The girls' favorite

Even a princess needs a nap!

Katie showing off her new pink ears

Waiting for the Playhouse Disney show

Katie eating her cupcake

Natalie trying to figure out where to start