Return To Mt. Charleston

On October 20th we ventured to one of our favorite places in Vegas, Mt. Charleston. We were nervous about what it might look like because, while we were away...not only did Mt Charleston experience fires (more than 30 square miles burnt) but also flooding. It was still FANTASTIC even though we could see some of the damage,

We decided to head to Mary Jane Falls to see how far we could get. The Mary Jane trail is a 3 mile hike (round trip) and it has 1,400 ft elevation change (one way)...not an easy hike for a 2 and 4 year-old (or a 42 and 36 year old who have not hiked much lately). To our pleasant surprise both girls made it to the top! Abby was a complete trooper! Abby not only made it to the top...unassisted...but she was also challenging Jim to keep going. Kera also did great she only had to be carried the last 100 ft. Here are a few pictures of our adventure up the trail!

The falls was not falling very much but the girls got splashed...I think.

Abby was again a trooper on the way down the trail...Kera needed a bit more assistance but we all made it, the whole 3 miles.

The girls sitting with the beautiful aspen trees.

After the hike we headed to the Mt Charleston Lodge for lunch....what a great view...

 

 

...and great outing!

Abby's School Field Trip



This Halloween season, Papa got to go with Abby on her school field trip...

... to the Pumpkin Patch...well sort of..

(more like the pumpkin parking lot...It is the desert after all!)



 

 

Abby with her friend Lexi

 

It's Pumpkin Head

 

Abby sliding down one of the bouncy house slides

 

Walt Disney tea pot prototype...rejected for obvious reasons, but quickly picked up and put to good use by the Carnies...only 5 tickets a ride!...

 

 ,

There was also a petting zoo with goats, lambs, ducks, chickens and fleas...

 

 Clarice rescuing one of the spring lambs...

(You think that if you save just one lamb, you will silence the screaming of the lambs???)

Abby on the swings

 

Pumpkins...courtesy of Wal Mart Fresh Market...

 

Abby and her pre-school class

(What a fun trip we had together!)

Happy Birthday Pepe and Grandma!

Two special people in our lives just had or, are having a birthday...Pepe and Grandma! Here are a few messages from the girls...

...first, Pepe...whose birthday was on Oct. 29th...

...second, Grandma Gwen...whose birthday is today, Nov. 1st...

Dance Class!

On Monday, October 9th Kera had her very first dance class; she was very excited!

 

Up until now Kera has watched her big sister doing activities and now, finally, she has one of her own. Her first dance class is a ballet/tap combo class.

She loved her first class and her teacher, Miss Sue. Now, we have two dancers in the family!

Abby started her new dance class on Friday, October 11th. This year her class is 100% ballet (instead of a ballet/tap combo).

Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday, October 6th we headed to our favorite local pumpkin patch in Las Vegas, Gilcrease Orchard. We have visited this orchard every year that we have been here and it is a gem!

2010

2011

 

And now, 2013...

 

 

Old Friend, Pizza, and a New Toy

On Sunday, September 29th I was able to have lunch with my friend Sue. We have known each other since 9th grade. It is always a good time with Sue! I don't think there has ever been a dull moment or lull in conversation when we are together!

 

One of the fun things about living in Vegas is that people like to visit!

On Sunday evening, after some pool time, we made our first pizza since being back in Vegas. Let me rephrase that, the girls made our first pizzas since being back in Vegas.

It reminds me of other times pizza had been made on this very same counter...

...wow how much our family has grown!(Abby's first pizza with Papa...January 2011)

On Monday, we bought a new toy!

 

It is a lot of work but fun getting resettled!

Home Sweet Vegas

As we were making our drive to Vegas we decided to check out the Medford, OR area. At one time we had considered moving there so, we wanted to check it out a bit. We ended up stopping in Ashland, OR for lunch and were enthralled with it. It is very picturesque! I wish I would have taken some pictures but, no such luck. We are definitely going to have to go through this area again for another visit.

On Friday night we found ourselves in Reno. It had been a long day and we were very happy to get out of the car!

On Saturday, after some more diving and some classic 2 and 4 year old break downs...i.e. TANTRUMS...we arrived in Las Vegas a day early. First stop, our house. We wanted to make sure that it was still standing and that our tenants had treated it well. We were very happy to find the house in great condition! We also wanted to drop Chewy and Billy off at the house so that we wouldn't have to pay anymore hotel pet fees. While we were at the house the girls loved running around and rediscovering their rooms.

I knew that Kera would not remember the house but, I thought Abby would remember it more. We challenged her to find her room and it took her a few tries but, she finally found it.

Abby in her room.

Kera in her room

Girls on our upstairs balcony

On Sunday we relaxed a bit and awaited my parent's arrival to town, they were coming to help us get settled back in to our house. My mom flew in first thing in the morning and my dad arrived late afternoon by car (he wanted a road trip).

We had a VERY busy day on Monday! First off, it was Abby's first day at her new school!! With all the traveling the day got off to a bit of a rough start...

...but, it quickly corrected itself...

 

Abby waiting with her class to do the flag salute.

While Abby was busy in school we awaited the arrival of our Pack Rat pods and around 10 the first of our 2 pods were delivered.

 

My dad and Jim did a great job unloading! So good in fact that we were able to get the other pod delivered early afternoon.

Luckily we were able to find Kera's bed in time for her nap!

What better way to celebrate Abby's first day of school and moving back into our house than with a dip in the pool.

Even Chewy got in on the fun! He did NOT like it as much as the ocean!!

 

On Tuesday we spent the day unpacking...with a bit of fun mixed in!

 

 

Tuesday night we all headed to the Hofbrauhaus for dinner...YUM!

 

 

Wednesday equaled more unpacking but we also had to deal with Forest Tent Caterpillars by the HUNDREDS! They were everywhere in our neighborhood but especially our pool, gross.

 

 

After a few days the caterpillars went away, thank goodness but they sure caused a mess!

 

On Thursday Jim headed back to work while the rest of us went to the Secret Garden.

 

And then in the afternoon, more pool time.

On Friday morning my mom flew back to Seattle. We had my dad for one more day. They were amazing help and we could not have gotten settled so quickly without them!!