Last but not least White Sands

We all had so much fun at White Sands. For a somewhat unheard of place nationally it is really incredible. It is really pretty to look out and just see tons of dunes of white sand. The kids (big & small) had a blast sledding down the hills but the trek up was a killer!

Madi asked if we could stay another day but we were eager to head back home with Grandma and Grandpa. They got their grand tour of our new house at 4 in the morning. Pretty sure we all slept like rocks that night! It was a week and we are looking forward to revisiting a couple of our destinations!

Sedona

The Sedona area is so beautiful. We had fun drving down the mountain looking at all the red rock. It was a fun drive to have the windows down and all chit chat as we made our way down. We were all dnapping pictures out our windows... I am guessing anyone watching us would have been laughing but it passed the time while we were driving.

Taking flight...

Marty desperately tried to get me to take a helicopter ride in St. Lucia but it was crazy expensive and it didn't seem worth it. Well, we were back at odds over a ride over the Grand Canyon and he convinced me. I do not like heights, like the roof scares me. Heck, most ladders creap me out. Well, I have to admit, I was wrong. It was really gorgeous to fly over the canyon it gives a great perspectice to see it from and thank you Katie for waiting until I was back to tell me how many crashes there have been! Needless to say, we survived!

Grand Canyon - Hello coldness

It is the annoyances of our adventures that always turn them into a story afterwards and make them memorable... So we are in the hot tub the night before heading to the Grand Canyon and two of the people we were chatting with said that if we were going to go to the Grand Canyon to catch it at sunrise or sunset. It is not to be missed. Well, sunset was not an option as we planned to spend half a day and get on with our journey so sunrise it is. If you are reading this and you actually know my family I don't need to say this but I will anyhow. We Are Not Morning People! But we decide, heck we are here we might as well. Well - we head out and are all bundled up but not enough for the bitter coldness of the Grand Canyon at 6:00a.m. (this was supposed to be vacation, right?) Well Marty decides the kids could use their winter coats from the car, even though they were already triple layered and I was nominated to go back and get them. So when Katie asked me if it was worth it to go that early... my response was ask someone else in my family because I was getting coats from the car only to get halfway back and they were on their way back and decided it was too cold anyhow. Agh -- I got up at 5:30 in the morning to sit in my van and drink hot chocolate. From what the other said the sunrise over the canyon was quite pretty... I just wouldn't know!  

 Still a little chilly... but we were starting to warm up! We even coaxed Grandma back out of the car.

 Madi and Drew even complete the Junior Ranger program and we are glad they did as they needed to attend a Ranger Program to complete the program and the Ranger program we went on led us to this point that was absolutely gorgeous! It made it so worth it. Plus they ended up with a badge which is ever so exciting!

Next stop... Hoover Dam

We made a quick stop at the Hoover Dam and stretched our legs a bit. Madi and Drew thought it was a lot of fun to stand in two states at once and also had fun "rock climbing." Next up... the grand of all Grand Canyons or as I like to refer to it a giant hole in the ground that happens to be pretty to look at.:)

Las Vegas

Madi and Drew had such a great time in Las Vegas! We packed a lot into the couple of days we were there. Madi was out cold by the time we made it on Sunday night. I promised I would wake her up to see the lights and I tried like 10 times without success. Even repeating over and over that she could see the Eiffel Tower from our room did not get her. In the morning she was bummed but we made sure to make up for it. We started by walking around and catching the hotels down one way. We caught New York, New York and the Excalibur from the outside. We rode the tram to Mandalay Bay and went in for a bit. We left Mandalay Bay and went over to the Luxor. Madi liked seeing the Heiroglyphics as they had learned about them in school. we then took the grand tour of the tram and rode it back and forth a bit -- for the er... fun of it?!?! We weren't silly, lost tourists... that was not it at all! Next up was M&M world. Oh my M&M merchandise. There were 4 floors and Grandpa and Grandma sure spoiled the kiddos with an M&M dispenser slot machine, a basketball for Drew, socks for Madi and notepads. Then it was time for lunch. The ever so yummy and filling Bellagio buffet and a water show after!

 

After that it was time for a little Paris action... This is as close as we are going to get until the kiddos are old enough to appreciate it. The only thing I really want to do in Europe is see the Eiffel Tower and Madi has become fascinated with it as well. We rode to the top of this Eiffel Tower a half size replica of the original. We watched the Bellagio water show from up there - twice. Drew was in such amazement each and every time.

 After that we really started to pack in the night. We caught the volcano eruption at The Mirage, the pirate show at Treasure Island and then attempted the sky show at the Rio. After waiting and waiting for it to begin, we asked someone and they said they only run them Thursday through Saturday. We stayed at Rio for awhile for a few slots for Grandma and Grandpa... We got to alternate on and off too and the kiddos played cards afterward. The we realized it was really late and we needed to book if we were going to catch the Bellagio water show at night.

 We did make it - Marty dropped us right in front of there - and it was the kids favorite. By the time we made it back to the room, it was late and we were "filthy" from walking all day. Madi and Drew took a bath in the jacuzzi tub which we turned on the jets a little too soon, spraying mommy and the entire bathroom. Within about 5 minutes of the jets being on they had bubbles halfway up the tub but had an absolute blast in them. They were bummed when they had to get out at 12:15 (um a.m.). Considering that was 2:15a.m. our normal time that was quite a day.



The next day was pretty low key. We walked a little again and ended up in the Cosmopolitan across the street. They had the most awesome decorations hanging from the ceiling to the floor so we had a little photo op. Then we were off to catch the storm in our hotel and catch the buffet at the Rio before heading out. Phew... I am tired all over again!

Spring Training 2012

The whole reason we planned this trip was to catch a Spring Training game of the Brewers! We were pretty excited to have Grandpa, Grandma, Kathy and Rocky with us. It was so fun and we look forward to going back! Before the game we were able to catch the players warming up on the practice fields. A few of them

even walked through the main front of the park to head in. We were able to catch Marcus Hanel, the Brewers long time bullpen catcher. He is also a Racine native and knows Uncle Ryan and Uncle Chuck. He told Madi and Drew that he knew their uncles and they thought that was pretty cool.

 We were there plenty early and were able to get all set up. Our seat turned out perfect just a few rows behind the dugout. We had been wondering for weeks if we would even get to see our favorite players as often they switch off playing and it is their "tryout" players during Spring Training. Much to our pleasant surprise they had their opening day starters on the field except for one outfielder who was injured. It was awesome to see all of them take the field. Drew's favorite pitcher even made it out there and they were able to watch him warm up. Unfortuntely, Drew missed him by a millisecond to get his signature as the game was ending. The Brew Crew actually pulled off a win with us in their stadium - a first time feat for them and us! :) Drew and Madi were also able to get some signatures from a few of their prospects after the game, Drew got a ball from a pitcher and also Marcus Hanel as well but they gave one to a little boy who had been waiting a long time for one.

We had a blast and definitely plan to catch another one someday!!! As for now the season is getting closer! Go Brew Crew!!!