Vegas, Baby!! and Grandma Hicken's visit

October 31st we took off to Vegas, just Nate and I. My mom was so nice to come out and watch the girls for us while we took advantage of the free trip I had won. I was really hesitant about it all though. Was it really going to happen? Who had ever heard of "Omni Airlines" anyway? So I was relieved when we saw the plane and just had to take a photo of it.

When we got to the gate we noticed we were "one of those things that's not like the other" -- we were the only white folk and the only ones under 50, or not toting along a senior citizen. I'm telling you, the wheelchair line for the plane was at least 15 chairs long!! Apparently, Vacations Hawaii markets to old Philipino/ Japanese Hawaiian residents. (And don't worry if you haven't heard of Omni air. It's a charter plane, but must be for pilot training because both ways had bad turbulence and hard landings.)

We got to the California hotel and got our *free* meal coupons, and ate like royalty each day!!!

Paying just a dollar or two extra, we got to go to some really good buffets. I came home with a belly for sure, but there will be plenty of surf this winter to shave that off.

Another BIG highlight was going to sleep when we wanted and waking up when we wanted. Or at least when I wanted; Nate got up earlier to do work.

We brought our skateboards and skated all around town.

We seemed to be the biggest show in Vegas, with so many people commenting on our big skupboard (www.skupboardhawaii.com), which is like a mini surfboard on wheels. I'll tell you, skating is the best way to see Vegas. We were too high to see the "newsstands" and too fast to be bombarded by the pimp card passers. Plus it was just fun, and helped us burn some calories before our next big buffet.

I will admit that Tuesday I tried doing a trick and fell on my tailbone, which put me off alignment and tore ligaments, I was in a lot of pain, but grateful I could still skate for the rest of the time. And grateful to see a chiropractor once I returned home.

We also watched the show at the Circus,

played at the arcade,

(having finally beaten Nate in air hockey, I had to post this photo!)

shopped at the M&M store,

went Go Karting

and rode the New York New York roller coaster, at $14 a head!

Here we are after the roller coaster, I with air-blown hair, and Nate looking like he had a near-death experience!) Way too expensive, but it was worth it.

And what's Vegas without a Wedding Drive- Thru? Had to get a shot there. ;)

It was wonderful being able to have time together without kids and act like, well, kids again, riding around on skateboards with no schedule or plan.

The girls had a GREAT time with Grandma Hicken, as did I when I returned home. She said she just wanted to make good memories for the girls, and I think she accomplished that. They all seemed so happy. When I returned, we talked, went to the farmer's market, the beach, played games in the park, played Pit, and went to a hula performance in the park. The night before she left Nate and I were tour guides for the Mormon temple open house. Mom got to take the girls on the tour of the temple, which they thought was amazing. THANKS, MOM!!

Mom the "tickle monster" with Elysse after preschool

Mom spent the whole morning on Tuesday preparing for a lesson on Egypt she was willing to give to Kezia's special location exploration class. She was able to enthrall the children.

There were 6 turtles on the beach while Mom was here with 6 in the bay! That's a record in my book. See if you can find 5 in the photo.