Canada 2012

   I started a job share with another mom at work, so I now have every other week off.  It is great because we can go on vacation any time we want and I don't have to ask for time off.  So, I decided I would take Colt to the island since I had some time.  Justin couldn't go, so it was just Colt and I on the very long drive.  We stopped on the way up, because no one would let me go otherwise, and stayed the night.  We made it there the next day and Colt was perfect in the car.  He watched Mickey Mouse the whole way up.
   We had a lot of fun while we were there.  He was able to ride in the boat a few times.  We also went to church by the old general store.  They had a tie and buy after church.  Basically a garage sale out of people's boats.  I bought Colt a stuffed loon like Grandma and Grandpa have at home and a watering can.
     Grandpa got Colt a Dock Demon fishing rod and we tried to teach him how to fish.  But he just wanted to dip the pole in the water and swing it around.  Grandpa did manage to get one in the net and put it on Colt's pole. He LOVED dropping it in the water and then trying to reel it back in.  His other favorite activity was throwing rocks off the front of the island. 
   After 4 1/2 days, we decided to head home.  We did the drive in one day this time.  Colt was perfect again.  Thank goodness for Mickey.  I was exhausted but we made it!  Not to mention, we had so much fun.  I am sure the island will be a special place for him just like it is for me.

The old church

Watering raspberries with the can I bought

Bath in the sink, just like when I was growing up

Just a little love

The view

I got the pool for free at the tie and buy

Throwing rocks off the island

That is his fish!  A little sunfish

Trying to fish off the boat... with a real hook!

This is how you go 12 hours... Mickey, Timbits, a blanket and his baby elephant

Vegas 4

    We kept the last day pretty low key.  We went to the outlet mall on the north end and did some shopping.  Justin really wanted a new watch, so he was on the prowl.  Then we came back and got ready for our goodbye dinner.  We went to Senor Frogs and then walked back to the Bellagio to see the fountains one last time. 
    We had such a blast and we were so thankful to be able to spend time with some of our best friends.  It was so nice to have a vacation, but we were ready to come home and see Colt!  He was a little crazy when he saw us at the airport.  He ran in circles for a good half hour, but settled right in to us by the time we got home.  Thanks Dad and Delaine for taking care of him. 

Our beautiful room

The view

Senor Frogs

Bellagio fountains

Vegas 3

     Day 3 was perfect!  Liz and I went for a run on the strip in the morning.  When we got back, Justin wanted to go too, so I went again with him.  It is nice to have a change of scenery.  After that Justin and I walked down the strip and explored a little by ourselves.  We got to see the M&M store and get some stuff for our pool day!
     I really wanted to do things on vacation that I don't get to do while I am with Colt, so a pool day was a must.  I NEVER get to sit by a pool and do nothing.  I also promised to read The Hunger Games, because I never get to read either. 
    After that, we got ready for dinner.  Jodi, Tim, Justin and I went to dinner together and then went to see Ka.  Trent and Liz went to dinner and then to see La Reve.  I was amazed at our show!  The set was UNBELIEVABLE.  It was huge.  The stage rotated and went completely vertical at one point.  I can't believe people are that talented to do acrobatics while the stages moves, let alone all the other things. 

  After the shows, we met up at Serendipity 3 for dessert!  I tried their famous frozen hot chocolate.  Let's just say, my hot chocolate and Jusitn's sundae cost $23!!  Then we went to the Flamingo and the old saloon and gambled the night away. It was well past midnight when we realized that was 3 am in Indy. We had an amazing night.

taking a bite of the M&M

Going on a date

The waterfall in front of Aria

Going to see Ka

The theatre was gorgeous!

Dessert!!

Wheel of Fortune... the game that consumed us all

 

Vegas 2

    On our second day, we walked to the North end of the strip.  We started at the Bellagio botanical garden.  It was simply gorgeous!  Then we walked to the Paris, Flamingo,Venetian, Palazzo, and Caesar's.   It was the European Soccer cup so the Venetian and Caesar's were packed with Italian people cheering for Italy.  It was really intense and so much fun to watch at their sports book area.  The Paris was gorgeous and their breakfast buffet was amazing!  Too close to pick a favorite hotel today.
     After walking around all day, we went back and got ready to head to dinner and Freemont Street (old Vegas).  Liz and I decided to go ziplining right away.  It was GREAT!  Freemont Street is covered by an LED screen canopy, so we got to zipline under that.  Then we walked around and took in all the sights and took a shot at gambling at the old casinos.  We had much better luck there than in the new part of town.  And the casino's were so much more fun. 
    We watched street performers and ate deep fried oreo's.  Every hour they have a video light show on the canopy.  As the night wore on, the crowd got a little more interesting, but we had a blast.  We may have lost Trent for a little while though ;)  But we got him back.  Freemont Street was my favorite part of the whole vacation.

Botanical garden

So pretty

Entrance to the Bellagio with my Bentley waiting!

Prim and proper at the Paris

Flamingo

Yea buddy

Venetian... it looks like a postcard

Sports book at the Venetian

Murals at the Venetian

Let's do this!

Our ziplining view

The light show!

Justin, Tim and Trent

Gambling... Old Vegas style

Me and Jodi

Vegas 1

    Justin and I have not been on vacation, or anywhere, without Colt since he was born.  So, when our friends proposed the idea of going to Vegas, we were all in.  I was really nervous to have us both away from him for 5 days, but he was able to stay with my Dad and Delaine and he is very comfortable with them. 
    We got to Vegas Tuesday evening with just enough time to get somethign to eat and go to sleep.  Let's just say I was hungry and therefore, not very nice.  We ate at Diablo's- a Mexican restaurant on the strip.  It was pretty good. 
     The next morning, we work up pretty early, and explored the city.  We walked through all the hotels on the South end of the strip and took in all teh sights.  We saw Monte Carlo, MGM, New York New York, Mandalay Bay and Excalibur.  My favorite of the day was New York New York.  I loved the huge slot machine!  The girls also went to see the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.  It was so cool.  And there was no line to get our picture.  And they even have someone there to take your pictures for you and make sure the line doesn't get out of control! 
     That evening we started our 24 buffet pass!  Wow- there is a lot of food!  And after dinner we were able to catch the Bellagio fountain show.

Plane ride

Part of the canyons

Our beautiful hotel

First night gambling

BIG slot machine.  I won...$5

Me, Jodi and Liz

Justin and Tim

First night out for dinner

He's mine

I like food... ok?!

Paris

Bellagio fountains