Las Vegas Day 3 - Bass Pro Shops & Phantom of the Opera

I think this was the day I missed Josh the most because we decided to go check out the Bass Pro Shop located in the Silverton Casino. I took a lot of pictures to try to make it up for him not being able to go there. But he did go to the one in Denver earlier this year, so don't feel too bad for him. ;)

One funny thing about today. The original plan had been to come home on Wednesday, so John and his friend could be there for their 1st day of school on Thursday. But that morning we started joking about staying through until Friday. (My mom had to book the condo for a week anyways.) We were all okay with it, we just had to convince Wyatt's mom. I think we were ALL surprised when she agreed. But I think that's because I told him to ask for a pony, so he could get a puppy. AKA, he started by telling him mom he got married in Vegas, but she couldn't come home until Friday. We were all thrilled when she said yes. :)

After we were done exploring there, we went back up to the strip to explore some of the other casinos. 

Inside the Paris Casino.

Tonight was the long anticipated Phantom of the Opera. We left the boys at the condo and went. I had a complete blonde moment and thought it started at 7:30. When we got there at 7:20, we were saddened to learn it started at 7:00! But as soon as we were in our seats, I didn't care anymore. I was at The Phantom of the Opera! If I had a bucket list, it would be on that list. We set up in the mezzanine, which was a great view for the Chandelier disaster.  As we were leaving, I took a picture. Apparently, they don't like that, because someone got after me before I could have my mom take another one with me in the picture. But still, I have photo proof that I was there. 

Las Vegas Day 2

Sunday, my mom decided to take us to see a few of the casinos, M&M World and the Coca Cola Store.

At the Luxor Casino.



At M&M World.

When we went to leave the Coca Cola store, we saw you could get your picture taken with the bear. They do it in front of a green screen and then photo shop in a different back ground. Also, I should mention that he was the biggest flirt! And John was less then thrilled to be in the pictures.



That night, we decided to go watch the pirate show at Treasure Island. I still don't know which place was my absolute favorite, but this one is defiantly high on the list. 

After the show, we walked down the street to watch the volcano at The Mirage. We didn't end up going quite far enough, so we didn't see the entire thing, but still, most of it. 

After the volcano, we started to walk back to the car. On the way, we saw Captain Jack Sparrow. I had to have my picture with him! I've never done anything like that, so I didn't realize, they expect a a tip. When he mentioned they like tips, I asked where to put it. In true Caption Jack Sparrow fashion, he said, "Wherever you want, love." So I put it in his shirt.

Las Vegas Day 1

A few weeks ago, my mom mentioned that she was planning a trip to her condo in Las Vegas. I remembered that Dallon & Natalie had seen Phantom of the Opera on their honeymoon, and that it would only be in Vegas through the end of this summer. So I checked online and found out that Phantom of the Opera would only be in Vegas for a few more weeks. I wanted to go so bad! So I decided to invite myself on my mom's Vegas Trip. She agreed to pay the hotel in St. George and the condo fee for the week and I bought the tickets for her and I to go to Phantom of the Opera. I was so excited!

A few weeks later, it was finally time to go! We left the hot, dry weather for Utah to go to the even hotter and drier weather of Nevada. Josh had to work, so it was just me, my mom, my youngest brother John, and his best friend Wyatt. 

On Friday, we drove as far as St. George. We couldn't check into the condo until Saturday, so we spent the first night in St. George. That night, I introduced everyone to the yumminess of Sub Zero ice cream. They all LOVED it!

The next morning, we did some grocery shopping and then headed to Vegas.

I was fascinated with all the power poles!



Following is a few pictures of my mom's condo. She actually had a double one so the boys could have their own side. 

That night, we decided to go check out Fremont Street and watch the light show. But when we got there, we discovered the light show had been cancelled for something else! But it was still neat to see Fremont Street. I had some culture shock that night, but after that, Vegas wasn't so overwhelming. 

Book Club - "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

This month, it was my sister's turn to pick the book. She mentioned she wasn't sure what she wanted to choose, so I told her about the book I was originally going to choose, before my grandma's book came out. It was "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. 

This is actually the 3rd time I've read this book. When I was very young (like 5th grade or so), my mom read this book to us. She told us that one year, my sister's teacher, insisted parents read a book with their child. The only requirement was that it be a Newbery  Medal Award book. My mom loved this book so much, she made sure to read it to each of us when we were young.

Then a few years later (I think it was the summer of my freshman year), I was in a summer program called Upward Bound. Each summer, I would live with my high school peers in a dorm in Provo. To keep us in line, we had an adult supervisor that lived with us. My first year, that "den mom" decided to read us a book. She choose "The Giver". I couldn't remember it exactly, but I remembered it was a good book. Each night, we would read a little bit. As we got towards the end, the suspense was too much! One of my room mates decided to swipe the book one night so we could finish it. She crawled into the room on her belly, snatched the book, and we stayed up to finish it. Then she crawled back in to put the book back. Of course we loved it, but the next night, when our den mom finished it, she was disappointed in our reaction. I guess its like opening your presents before your birthday. Its just not as exciting the 2nd time.

As I read "The Hunger Games" they very vaguely reminded me of this book. But since it had been YEARS since I read this book last, I decided to read it again. I had it chosen as my book, but the day before I told the group, my grandma's book came out, so I choose it instead. I decided I would just wait the 4-6 months until it was my turn again. So when Vanessa seemed stumped, I mentioned this book in hopes she would choose it so I wouldn't have to wait. ;)

Vanessa served us a dinner of kabobs grilled outside on the grill. It was delish. I love book club so much and can't wait for next month. 

August Tuck Swap

This month, our theme was Prim. I'm still not sure what that means, something older looking and lambs, and salt box houses and, well I'm not sure. I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I searched for Prim Bowl Fillers on Etsy. When I saw a few owl things, I decided that would work. Then I found this cute tutorial on Pinterest and decided to use it. 

This is the tuck I gave to Jessica.

The back is actually fabric from a skirt. After getting to work one day, I realized it had some holes in it. I tried to keep my shirt pulled over the worst one, but someone else saw it too. I was going to throw the skirt away the second I got home, but then I remembered, I still needed some fabric for the back of my tuck so I cut it up for that. 

This month, I received Laura's tuck. She does this really cool punch needle thing and I was thrilled to see she used that skill for my tuck. I LOVE it!

This month, I was also in charge of the giveaway. I decided to make some more owls. Then it didn't seem like enough, so I went through my card stash and selected a random few. Then I threw in a notebook, a room spray, and two decorations I wasn't using anymore. 

 I put them all in a Thirty-One bag. Felicity won that drawing and seemed thrilled, so I must have done a good job. 

I decided these owls were too cute to giveaway, so I made double so i could keep some for me.

My owl tuck.  

My mini owl family.