Las Vegas

Sandy started the week out with her mom. She flew in Saturday evening from her copy writing training in Florida.  Tom drove to 'Walmart International' airport in Bentonville Tuesday morning to join them, arriving without incident that evening.  We spent the next two days relaxing, visiting, dining with family, and attacking the list of honey dos.  Aunt Ruth invited us to join her and daughter Sheryl for dinner Thursday at the Towers; I had to borrow a coat since it was formal dining.  We had a delightful time of enjoyable conversation and food. 

Friday morning, we arose early so we could meet Sally at the Newport Beach Temple for the 8:30 session.  Normally we drive 5 hours to get to the Kansas City Temple, so we could not pass up the opportunity to attend a temple only 20 minutes away.  As always, it was great to enjoy the spirit that accompanies this work!

We rushed home to change, load the car, and hit the road for Las Vegas.  However, when we arrived at the house, Grandma informed us that long time friends from Switzerland had just arrived in the US and would be stopping by for a short visit.  We took a photo of us and Hans and Kristy Spring before we all left.

We did have a good visit and were not delayed too long.  But since it was lunch time, we just had to stop at 'In and Out' burger before leaving the LA area.  Sandy drove up with Cynthia and left just before us, while Grandma, Sally and I drove up in Grandma's car.  Beautiful scenery and a good drive, until we got to the Las Vegas traffic.  Love that rush hour, bumper to bumper, slow crawl traffic.

Sue and Steve arrived earlier from Utah and picked up the other Steve at the airport and Cynthia was able to pick up keys at the Polo Towers, where we are all staying while we were still stuck in traffic.  A last minute decision sent us to the Hofbrauhouse prior to our arrival at the hotel and we all arrived about the same time for a delicious German meal of wurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage followed by apple strudel.  Then back to our lodgings, where the wise thing to have done was to get a good night's sleep, but we choose to visit.

 Standing in front of the Ballegio talking tree.  Below-- some of the treats at the patisserie.

Saturday morning we slept in and then gathered to walk to Bellagio's for breakfast.  After a decadent breakfast of blueberry muffins, yogurt, cinnamon roll, chocolate croissant, and almond croissant we strolled back to the hotel.  No reunion would be complete without puzzles, and there were two that beckoned most of us to spend time seeking the right place for each of those pieces. 

After a tummy loving dinner of taco salad and chocolate chip laden brownies Sandy and I walked the 'strip' at night.  We stopped at the M & M store; if they can put M & M on it, they sell it!  Mugs, pencils, stickers, PJs, pillows and lots more.  You could get any color of  M & M's and have them personalized (Initials, etc) for a small fortune.  Or, for only $12.99 a pound, you could get any color or combination thereof.  We passed on all the above.  We also walked to the 'Aria' resort casino - a huge complex.  They have a magnificent fountain out front - we referred to it as a fireworks fountain.  There were multiple high power fountains that changed angles with a variety of sequences with different colored spot lights that from a distance, really looked like a fireworks display.  And behind that, was a captivating water wall.  Amazing what a vivid imagination can do with water.

This morning we attended the Hacienda Ward down the road from where we are staying.  Very friendly and welcoming.  Good testimonies. Sally and Susan went with Mom and Cynthia to an Episcopal service after Sacrament meeting. Good music there, I understand.

 Singing together.  And alphorn playing.

In the afternoon we sat around and sang for several hours.  We almost got through all the hymns before Tom heated up the spaghetti dinner Sally brought.  Yumm again. We visited and created a family medical history.  On the whole we're a pretty healthy family.

In the evening Sue and Steve serenaded us with the alphorns. They placed the ends of the alphorns out on the balcony of the 15th story of the Polo Towers.  I'm sure they were serenading all of the Las Vegas Strip for a half a mile.  It certainly was an improvement over some of the other music, sirens and motorcycle reeving.