Vegas, Disneyland and St. George Trip

I widdled down the pictures from about 500 to however many are in this post, which is TONS! But hey, we had a blast and want it well documented!

VEGAS!

We started our vacation by driving to Vegas and staying at the newish South Point Hotel and Casino. It did not disappoint. We had a great time! Dave and I have always loved Vegas. This hotel offered us a free buffet breakfast (which was super nice) and their pool was to die for, and the weather was fabulous! I got to lay out while the boys swam.

Landon couldn't wait to try out his new goggles he got for his birthday.



Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

We saw this exhibit while looking for hotels online. It was sort of expensive so I just took the kids in while Dave looked for a parking spot on the strip. It was awesome! We saw some great white Sharks, hammerhead shards, sawfish and much, much more. We will definitely go back.

No trip to the strip would be complete without visiting M&M world and the fountain show at the Bellagio. Landon and Dawson both loved the fountain show.

We also like to make sure we visit the botanical gardens at the Bellagio when we go. Every time they have a different theme, and it's usually gorgeous and amazing. This one is by far my favorite yet. It was so cute! They had a bug/gardening theme. So fun!

BEACH!

The first day we got to California we decided to hit up the beach. It was fun, but very windy! Landon loved running with the waves and collecting seashells. Dawson had fun playing in the sand.

There was a very long boardwalk with a restaurant at the end of it called Ruby's. It was neat looking out the windows and being surrounded by the ocean while we ate.

There were tons of windsurfers out, Landon thought these guys were awesome.

DISNEYLAND!

Two VERY excited little boys waiting to board the bus to Disneyland! (I think the bus might have been one of the highlights of the trip.)

Landon loves Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

This would be the only female character Landon permitted us to visit. Don't let this smile fool you, he was NOT happy to see her at all. She signed his autograph book and he later ripped her page out. Stinker.

Dawson saw Winnie the Pooh probably 5 times, he loves him. He also fell in love with Tigger who was playing a fun game with Dawson while waiting in line to meet him. Dawson would yell "HEY!" and Tigger would make a spitting noise at him. Dawson thought this was awesome.

We all agreed this was the lamest ride ever. I already knew this, but wanted Landon to go on it once. He would joke the rest of the time and say "It's a Small World is the BEST RIDE EVER! NOT!" Or he would threaten Dawson the whole trip "If you do that again, I'll make you go on It's a Small World over and over again!"

Splash Mountain was Landon's favorite. We went on this one lots.

The Winnie the Pooh ride was Dawson's favorite, I now hate this ride. Ugh, how many times can you see Huffalumps and Woozles?! (or however you say that).

Toy Story Mania at California Adventure was also a favorite, what a fun ride!

Landon and I getting ready to get on the Hollywood Tower of Terror.

We saw this driving to St. George from California. Crazy huh?

Overall California was A BLAST! Landon went on every ride he was tall enough for! He had no fear which made it fun for Dave and me. He did everything twice so that Dave and I could each experience the rides with him. Dawson was fun and cute with all the characters. It was so sad to leave, we cant wait to go back!



St. George!

It was nice being able to stop in St. George to break up the drive. My parents, Joseph, and the Mills' family met us there. We all stayed at my Grandparents winter home they have there. It was (as it always is) a great time!

We went to this really fun park, the kids went twice they had so much fun!

We spent most of Saturday and Sunday hiking in Snow Canyon and the Dixie Rock.

At the top of the Dixie rock


We also went to the Mountain Man Rendezvous.. which was odd, but fun.

Right by the St. George Tabernacle they have this really fun splash pad, we spent a few hours there letting the kids get wet. Landon spent most of his time laying in the sun, I kept asking him if he wanted to swim and he said "No, I am just really enjoying soaking up the sun!"

We all went Lizard hunting and found lots of Lizards with Uncle Joseph's help. Landon was really proud that h spotted 4 on his own, but needed Joesph to catch them.

Rylund and Landon like to match. Amy and I got these shirts for them at the outlets, they thought they were pretty awesome being twins hunting for lizards.


Overall... WHAT A FUN TRIP!!!!!!

He's FIVE!!!

Landon had a great birthday! A week long Birthday full of (dinosaur!) parties!

First party was at preschool! He wanted to make blue dinosaur cupcakes, with blue sprinkles along the side only.. not the top. Hey.. his vision, I just created it.

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We celebrated his Birthday on the Saturday before because he was only having a cousin party, and the bulk of the cousins were going out of town. So he got to wake up to his dinosaur decor before his birthday, he loved it!

All of the Bruderer family came over for this party. We had a pinata, which the kids always love. If you'll notice, everyone is in blue.. that's because Landon told everyone if they didn't wear blue, he would pinch them. Also.. don't mind the big scab on his forehead. That was Dawson's birthday gift to Landon. Dawson got a little swing happy with his new Easter bat.

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On Landon's actual birthday he woke up and got his gifts from us. A new Dinosaur game for his Leapster, and a Dinosaur Dig kit. See pics below. He wants to be a Paleontologist when he gets older. He absolutely loved this gift!

Later in the day my mom watched Dawson so Landon and I could go to lunch and a movie. We saw 'How to Train Your Dragon.' Super Cute!

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Ross Family Party!

Since Landon has a cousin with a birthday 4 days apart, we always celebrate together. Since it was Dave's actual birthday as well, he got to celebrate too! (But don't feel too bad for Dave, we celebrated his birthday the day before by going to a movie and getting chinese takeout.)

Landon getting his annual Birthday Spankings from Grandpa Ross. He hates them.. can't you tell? :)

Landon at age 5:

Is infatuated with dinosaurs!

Loves to be with his whole family, and can't stand when he is separated from us.

Favorite food is fettuccine Alfredo and chocolate milk.

Favorite Color is blue and turquoise.

Loves to wear his hair in a mohawk.

Favorite movies are Jurassic Park (with mom and dad making him cover his eyes in the people eating parts) and The Land Before Time.

Loves going to Cabelas, but hates the Doctor.

Still loves his office supplies, and anything in quantity.

He loves to dig for hidden treasures outside.

His best friends are Rylund (cousin) and his brother, Dawson.

He loves hunting and fishing.

Loves camping and hiking!

Happy Easter!

Two handsome men in their Easter clothes.


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Clinton City Easter Egg hunt= The COLDEST egg hunt I can remember. I was frozen by the time it was over. Dave went with Dawson, and I went with Landon. The cold didn't phase Landon. He doesn't mess around when it comes to Easter egg hunts. I think he had the most out of any kid I saw.

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Easter Morning

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Easter Lunch at Grandma and Pa Haycock's
(and another Easter egg hunt)

Again, check out Landon's loot! He seriously doesn't mess around. My grandma put 50 gold coins in the eggs this year. Landon found 4 and Dawson got 1! They were so happy!

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Easter Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Ross'
(again, another egg hunt!)


Dave's parents are awesome. His dad went and purchased a whole bunch of fun little toys and treats and hid them around his yard. This was so fun for the kids!

Giving grandpa loves after a fun Easter Hunt.

Showing Grandma the goods.

Artistic

Both of my kids have a natural talent when it comes to art. It's no wonder where their talent comes from.

St. Patty's Day!

My Birthday

My birthday was awesome this year! It made me realize how blessed I am to have such a great family, and good friends!

The morning started with Dave, Mike, Rory and Jim (my bro's in law) coming to hang sheetrock. Some would say this isn't a fun birthday, but progress on our basement makes me VERY happy! :)

Then, my sweet friend, Melanie, brought me this fabulous cake. I mentioned to her at Christmas time how much I love this cinnamon pudding cake. She gave me the recipe, I tried to make it and it flopped! (surprise, surprise). Well, I was very happy to eat this for breakfast on my birthday! Thanks again!

Landon got me this beautiful frog necklace. I know you all wanna borrow it, right?! There's a story behind this. About a year ago we were at Target and Landon saw this necklace. He wanted to get it for me SO BAD. I told him maybe for my birthday, knowing my birthday was far away and thinking he would forget about it. Well, target STILL had it, and no.. he didn't forget. So now I am a proud owner. I love it still though, he is such a sweet boy.

Dave, Landon, Dawson, Cecily and Jaycee all went shopping for me and got me this shirt and a cute necklace. I love it.

One of my favorite parts of the day? Coming into my bathroom to get ready and seeing sweet notes from my boys on the mirror. Landon's says: "you are pretty, love Landon."



The next day (Sunday) we went to my parents house for the annual "birthday dinner/party"!
We all look forward to this. I picked grilled hamburgers for my birthday dinner and wanted Costco's DELICIOUS chocolate cake. My birthday is the only time of year I can justify eating this. My parents and Amy were out of town for the weekend and were going to be there just in time for the party, so Lori and Becky got everything ready for it. Thanks guys!!

I got a lot of really funny, and really sentimental gifts this year. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.

This is from Robert and Kari. Yeah.. thanks guys!(one says BUTT the other says BACK) They also got me a way cute shirt and necklace!

K, so anyone who knew me around 5th-7th grade time frame would know how I loved to wear cartoon character shirts. And lets not forget I was JUST A TAD bit overweight. I HATE PICTURES FROM THAT TIME FRAME! My family just loves to find some of those jems and blow them up, hang them in random places, just to make me mad. Becky thought she was clever when she made me a brand new 'Marvin the Martian' shirt. Right before I opened this I opened a new wallet from Lori with a nice photo of me back from the day wearing an awful 'Marvin' shirt. Thanks guys!


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This is another story. This is from Joseph. When he was about 5 years old he gave me a pine cone mounted on a sour cream lid. He wanted me to display it in my room, and I did. I was probably 15 at the time. When we moved into our new house and I got my new room I kinda put it in a drawer and forgot about it. Joseph didn't. He was all torn up about the fact that I didn't have it displayed. I hurried and put it back up on my shelf. Well, now comes the time that I am engaged and packing up my room (like 4 years AFTER all this). I then threw the pine cone away. Joseph is about 9 years old about now. About 2 days after I threw it away he came into my room and demanded to know where it was. I FELT AWFUL!!! I had to tell him I threw it away. I guess I really hurt his feelings. Anyway, he was thoughtful enough to make me a new one. He wants this to be displayed in my house as well. I wont throw this one away. It reads:"To Cami, Love Joseph"

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About 6 years ago for one of my birthdays Becky decided to make me this blanket. She wrapped it up and gave it to me unfinished, and said she would get it done soon. Well, every year after I would say "So, is my blanket done yet?" it never was. It kinda turned into a joke. So she finished it for me this year. :) About a year after the blanket, for my birthday she started painting me some sunflower paintings for my kitchen (she is an awesome painter!). She wrapped the frames with unpainted pictures in them, and said she would get them done soon. Well, she didn't and it too turned into a joke. So this was the year of finishing things for Becky. The wait was worth it! She instead painted me these AWESOME paintings for my living room, and I love them!!!

Thanks again to everyone who made me feel very special and loved on my birthday!