Vegas Baby, Vegas

After 4 peaceful, ecofriendly days in Zion NP we headed down to the alternative world of Las Vegas.
Our first stop was the Natural History Museum where we saw huge dinosaurs that roared and moved at the press of a button. Then we introduced Ella to the Circus Circus Casino where Greg spent much of his childhood. She really enjoyed watching the acrobat and juggling clown.

The true motivation for our trip to the SW was to reunite with some of our old friends from Seattle. We all rented a huge house a few miles off the strip and had a great time rehashing old memories of ski trips (where the bus broke down) and white water rafting (with a terrifying dump in the rapids.) Ella also got to reunite with one of her first friends Eli ( Eli's grandmother came and babysat for the kids!)
Ella and Eli at the entrance to Seigfried and Roy's Secret Garden
New Years Day 2005, Eli 1 week old, Ella 1 day old
The dolphins in the Secret Garden were awesome. They seemed to be drawn to the kids.

Ella and a white tiger
A very cool white lion
Tim and Janine in front of the Bellagio with a sleeping Ella
The craziness of the Vegas Strip swirled around us but exhaustion overtook Eli and Ella.

Craftsteak in the MGM Grand was the most decadent meal we have ever eaten. It was served family style and the kobe beef was amazing! I'm a big Top Chef fan so I need to add that this restaurant is owned by Tom Colicchio.
Me, Alyssa, Amy, Janine, Tim, Andy, Ty, and Greg is taking the picture. What a great meal! After dinner we headed to the Bellagio to watch O by Cirque du Soleil.
Ella added two new state stickers to the map in her baby book where we keep track of her travels. The current tally for this 3 year old= 34 states, 2 providences.

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH day 3 & 4

Monday started with a cold walk to Weeping Rock. And Ella engaged in one of her favorite activities- throwing rocks in water.



Ella was so proud of herself. She did her first full "hike" all by herself- not having to be carried- hiking 0.2 miles up and then back down this hill. For such a little hike it had a great reward- a beautiful view of Zion Canyon.
On Tuesday we were ambitious and decided to try a 3 hour "hike." (although Zion had a lot of steep, amazing hikes they are not exactly preschooler friendly and most were closed for the winter d/t snow and ice.)
Resting, there was a lot of resting.


The Court of The Patriarchs. The official half way mark in the hike, but for us it was the turn around point- and the hike still took us 3 hrs.
Can you spot Greg? He's on the trail in the center of the picture.
Ella and I are on the bridge to the left of the guy in blue.

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH day 1 & 2

Ella playing on the lawn in front of Zion Lodge, where we spent 4 wonderfully peaceful days.

Ella and Greg walking down to the river
Ella found some really cool tree caves to play in as well as beautiful red sand.


A perfect place for a nap

While Greg watched the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl, Ella and I opted to go for a little hike to the Emerald Pools. The waterfall that feeds the pools had turned into ice as had much of the pool itself but we still found it beautiful.

Unbelievable sunset at Kolob Canyons