We went to Nevada last Thursday to visit Mike's family for 9 days.  It was a lot of fun, we hadn't been there since last October for Mike's brother's wedding.  As the kids get older, the car ride is much easier, besides the dvd player (we have only had that for 3 years, what a saver!) we played some games and to mix things up, I got a pack of world landmark flashcards. Mike and I thought that was lots of fun, but the kids not so much.  I must be getting old.  Anyway, the 8 hours through Oregon/Nevada is really BORING.

It's not a vacation without a nap and Mike provides the perfect pillow for Isa.

This photo doesn't do Lake Tahoe justice-it's a beautiful bright blue.

Hannah and Mike with Cecee-Carol's dog

Carol and Charlie just moved into a new house 2 weeks before we came, so Carol had lots of home projects for Mike-he installed 2 new toilets and a dog door, hung some hooks in,  moved furniture and hauled some stuff to the dump.  In between helping unpack boxes, we managed to go up to Lake Tahoe twice where his sister was camping, take the kids miniature golfing in Reno and on Monday took the kids on a "surprise" adventure! 

Survivor: The Ride  (Hannah did NOT like this one)

Off Highway 88 in California-look at that beautiful background!

My favorite ride: the sky tram-easy, cool and slow!

This carousel was 2 stories high!

Taylor walking through the waterworks course

We drove to San Jose via a beautiful scenic route on highway 88 through the El Dorado National Forest (that might be our next overnight trip) to stay the night and took them to Paramount's Great America.  I used priceline and got a sweet deal on a 4 star hotel-the kids thought it was very "fancy", as Taylor said.  It was so much fun, we wanted to stay longer at Great America.   We were there for 9 hours, and then had the drive home back to Carson City, and didn't get home until 1am.  Taylor and Mike road all the big roller coasters, I couldn't believe they did them all.  They were pretty brave!!  Hannah and I stuck to the smaller rides, but my little adventurer tried 2 rides that even I wouldn't go on and got off the ride upset and crying.  We diverted her with cotton candy and all was well. 


We had a great time and really enjoy visiting all of Mike's family.  The kids always love to visit and play with their cousins. Kody, Jacob and Katie are all growing up so fast-we really enjoy getting to spend time with them on our visits. Hannah and Taylor got to spend a night at camp with them, and we took them all swimming Friday night before we left Saturday morning to a great pool with a waterslide.

Kody and Taylor chillin'

Jacob and Taylor practicing a tackle

The cousins hanging out after some fun swimming

These bathing beauties could spend all day at the beach and in the water at Lake Tahoe.

Now back to reality-unpacking, cleaning and LOTS of work.  Boys and Girls club is over and I have 2 kids at home with me for the next 3 weeks while I try and get tons of work done!!!  That will be fun.  Hopefully I can wrap up work and do some fun activities before they start school on the 30th.