Las Vegas Weekend

 I don't remember when we bought Luke Combs tickets for this weekend in Las Vegas, but it was probably 6 months ago.  Gator wanted to go so I was talking to the boys about it and they wanted to come too.  Don't have to ask me twice, I set to planning a weekend away for all of us and it was so fun!  We rented a house with a pool, and made some plans and waited for the weekend to come.  Life is so busy, but we mostly didn't worry about life this weekend, we just played and had a great time.  Owen and Kylee started it off with the some awesome exciting news.  I've been sworn to secrecy, but I can write it on here since it is just basically my journal.  They are having a baby!!  They told us in the most fun way.  It was almost midnight Friday and the 4 of them just got into town.  Owen & Kylee had brought scratch off tickets for everyone saying they wanted to start the Vegas weekend off with some gambling.  None of us even suspected anything at all, we just scratched off our tickets.  They all did theirs first, then I did mine and it said "Guess what, we're having a baby".  I screamed, we cried, we hugged, it was so much fun, and is so surreal.  They are really early, but we are so excited to have this baby in our family.  I can't believe I am a grandma.  

The whole weekend was fun, but with the news we got Friday, we were all on cloud 9.  Saturday morning we woke up and Owen, Kylee, Gator, and I went to the temple to do baptisms.  I've been a million times with Gator, but I haven't actually done baptisms myself for over 35 years probably.  I love going to the temple with my kids.  

We spent the day in the pool.  I'm going to admit something totally not like myself, but it felt so good to lay in the pool with the sun on my face.  I think I was just really happy to be with my kids, and to be a mom and a grandma.  Although I got fried, which doesn't feel the best,  it was the perfect day.  We just swam and played until it was time to get ready for the concert.  

We all showered and put on lots of after sun lotion and got ready to go to the concert.  It was at Allegiant Stadium.  Kylee and I were last there to watch Owen play football.  The concert was insane.  I've never been to a stadium concert, and I am not sure I am up to going to another one.  My hearing will never be the same.  It was so loud and the energy was insane.  71,000 people broke the record for Allegiant Stadium attendance.  We had so much fun, and amazingly got out really quick.  Most of those 71k people went to party more on The Strip, so we went the opposite way and went back to the house to make grilled cheese sandwiches.  

We woke up on Sunday and Owen & Kylee went into town to go to Bass Pro Shop.  We met them at The Museum of Illusions.  This place would've been really cool, but I honestly think we were all on stimulus overload from the concert the night before.  We had fun, but I actually got a little nauseous with all the funky illusions.  We stayed for about an hour, then went and walked The Strip.  It is much safer during the day then it is at night for sure.  Kylee had never been to Vegas (except for the game years ago), so we had to go to M&M world and a couple other shops.  We got ice cream and went back to the house to swim, chill, and nap.  

Orange is totally Owen's spirit M&M.  

I had planned one more activity and this one was really cool.  There is a ferris wheel called The High Roller.  We walked on some of The Strip (definitely enough of that) and it was a maze to get to the entrance, and once we got there, we had to figure out what to do with Davis's knife that he had on his belt, but once we all got on, it was awesome.  It took about 30 minutes to make a full rotation, but at the top we were 550 feet up in the air and could see all of Vegas lit up.  It was so cool.  

This morning we peeled ourselves out of bed and drove home.  Owen and Kylee stopped in Beaver to see Dave & Sheila, Davis, Kin, Gator, and I just drove straight through to get to all the dogs.  It was an amazing weekend, I loved it all.  It was so fun to be with everyone and just be able to hang out and spend time together.  I have to go to bed so I can get up for work in the morning.  Just a 4 day week, then it is spring break, and Gator and I are actually going on another road trip to Milford.  

Quick visit

 Owen and Kylee came into town for a concert tonight.  They dropped Steele off and we went out for a quick dinner before they went to Salt Lake.  Sadly Davis & Kin had plans and couldn't join us, but next weekend we are all going to Vegas for a trip and another concert.  March has been a busy month already, and we still have more fun plans!  

John Michael Howell

 Gator and I went to a concert last night.  It was a fun evening, I love that Gator still asks me to go with her to a concert.  It was at the same place as Alex Warren when we went to him last year.  It is a small room and standing only, but we learned that it is better to stay in the back by the door and fresh air.  It is not very often I go anywhere on a week night, and I was tired all day at work, but it was worth it.  Good music and a fun night with Gator!

Party(ies)

Gator wanted to have a birthday party where they could play all the elementary school PE games.  Like a parachute, scooters, dodge ball and jump rope.  I had planned a family dinner to celebrate, but she also planned a friend party Friday night.  I went in and out of the gym, but I didn't think she would want her mom being there taking pictures, and she failed to take any, so there are no pictures of her friend party.  She said it was so much fun, a lot of friends showed up, and there were donuts and Dr Pepper. All the things needed for a fun party.  Then last night we had a family dinner.  We took all the same games, and they were a riot.  We made pasta for dinner, had ice cream, and everyone write a letter for Gator tell her how much they love her.  Her friend Averee got like 30+ letters from her friends, and I worked on the family.  It was such a special gift as she gets ready for graduation and moving to Idaho for college, she'll be able to take all the letters with her and always see how loved she is.   

3 Adult Children

 Gator is 18!  It is crazy to think that I have 3 adult children.  I don't remember this from when the boys turned 18, but during the night (right after midnight) I received 3 emails from doctors and Apple stating that my daughter is now an adult and on her own record.  I took a couple hours off work and went to pick up Gator and we went to Kneaders for breakfast, she's already made a dating profile online, Brady's mom made her and some friends lunch, and she's got 2 parties planned for the weekend.  Happy Birthday Gator, keep rolling with the changes that are coming this year, there is a lot in store for you.  Thank you for the awesome daughter and friend that you are. 

Night to Shine

 Gator and Brady went to the Night to Shine again this year.  Their group was a little smaller with Brady's brother being on his mission, but that meant that Gator got to be buddies with Brady and crown him "prom king".  

Super Bowl

I'm glad I got this picture of us before we went in, because as soon as the game started there was not as many smiles.  The Patriots finally made it back in to the Super Bowl, but after the way they played tonight, I am not sure how.  It was a terrible game all the way around, but the company was great, and so was the food.  I just wish the Patriots would've shown up.  

Senior Sweethearts

 Another "last" for Gator😢.  She went with a group of friends tonight to the Sweethearts dance.  We did another scavenger hunt activity for their day date today.  I'm not sure if there are any pictures from that or not, I was lucky to get any of the evening I think.  The pictures are the last thing any of them think of.  I am grateful Gator has had a year full of fun experiences and memories.  3 1/2 months and she will be graduated and ready to leave high school behind and begin a new life in college.  I refuse to think about that yet. 

Happy Birthday Davis

I went out to dinner with Davis tonight for his birthday.  He chose The Pie.  Gator couldn't go because she is home prepping for a colonoscopy tomorrow, still trying to figure out her gut.  Davis turned 23 today!  Never has the saying "the days are long, but the years are short" rang more true as I watch my kids grow and turn another year older each year.