Ice Skating Update

The kids are doing awesome in their ice skating lessons!

Anden's group is really progressing and learning all sorts of skills.

He lucked out and only has 5 kids in his class.

Anden is by far the youngest and least experienced.

But you would never know.

He is so determined and keeps right up!

Taylee's group, on the other hand, has about 15 kids!

They just work on being cute and not falling down!

In true Taylee style,

she has her teachers wrapped around her finger.

They rushed over to me to tell me how cute and funny she is.

She's such a character!

 

Back to School

Little Miss Thang

is finally back to school!!

Taylee's preschool takes 6 weeks off for the holidays.

Let's just say we are ALL ready for her to go back after that long!

She pranced in like the celebrity she is.

Her adoring fans friends were waiting at the door

with huge anxious grins

and to quickly hold her hands

as she paraded around the classroom.

She gave me the "you can leave now" smile

and bounced off with a friend on each side of her 

holding her hands

and reveling in her presence.

This kid cracks me up!

Viva Las Vegas - Day Four

Day Four:

It was Martin Luther King day.

Which just happened to mean an extra day of vacation!

The kids of course woke up early and ready to play.

Lyndsay quickly entertained them with cartoons in her room!

We got ready and headed over to Silverton

to check out Bass Pro Shops 

and another Aquarium.

The mermaids weren't on display that day.

So we hit up the gun games instead.

After that we headed to a cute park.

Taylee might have been a little too large for the baby swings.

But she loved it nonetheless.

We had to drag the kids away from the park

to go home for lunch.

Then we packed up and headed back to Anthem.

We were so sad to leave!

But we'll hopefully see the Gravens again soon!

Thanks for a super fun trip!!

Viva Las Vegas - Day Three

Day Three:

We all got up and went to church.

The kids took turns fighting over Kyrrigan

and video games

and snacks

all during Sacrament Meeting.

At least we attempted being spiritual right?

Afterwards while Kyrrigan was napping,

we headed out for a quick lunch and to another skate park.

The kids are addicted to their scooters.

So I made a wise decision and let them bring them on the trip.

I quickly learned it doesn't matter if we

are somewhere exotic or at home,

all they want to do is find a dang park to play.

  

After Taylee did a front flip over her scooter

and landed on her head before completing the flip,

we decided it might be time to head home.
(thank heaven for helmets!)

We drug the kids out of there 

and on to the next event!

We decided to venture down to the Strip

to see the Caesars Aquarium and Bellagio Gardens.

 

Since it was Playoff Sunday,

we decided to stop and visit these hunks! 

Then we walked over to Bellagio to see the Gardens.

The current exhibit is Chinese New Year.

Anden is obsessed with money lately.

Guess what his favorite part of the exhibit was?

The Chinese Money Tree

He asked if we could have one of those in our backyard.

Oh how I wish, I wish.

We took a break for a bit to rest our weary feet
and for the kids to try and contain Kyrrigan.

Then we finally wandered our way back to Caesars Palace

and on home.

Later that night we lit sparklers.
It's a tradition to have fireworks whenever we're in Vegas!
The kids always remember.
So Lyndsay & Aaron came through for us!

After we conquered making circles,

we had a heart a thon.

Ryan still seriously thinks his "pacman" won the best heart award.

Finally the kiddos headed to bed.

Taylee never stops moving.

While awake or asleep.

When I checked on them later

I just laughed.

She wiggled her way out of the covers and was facing the other direction.

I quickly stopped laughing when I realized 

I had to crawl into that same bed with the wiggling munchkins.