California/Nevada Birthday Adventure!

Whew! We are home. We made a trip to California and Nevada. We drove. Yes, we caravaned down with my parents through California to Nevada. My parents invited us to Nevada and California for the Summer Birthdays - Husband, Madi, my Mom and Grandma. In lieu of this invitation we decided to research a naturalist down there I had heard about - so it was like destiny for us to go. We were going to leave on the 8th but because of multiple reasons we left on the 4th of August. No rest for the weary.

We drove to Cali on our way down but I didn't get any pictures...we were exhausted. So, my apologies but I have plenty of everything else.

We stayed at the Eldorado in Reno, Nevada. We were tiiiiiirrrrrrreeeed. We made a pit stop in the hotel to relax when we got in from California then headed straight to the pooooooooollll to chillax.

Madi was a handful. Dev was in a life jacket unlike my dare devil. We actually left hers in Moses Lake. She listened much better than she did in Yakima that's for sure. Everyone enjoyed cool beverages and relaxation by the pool before it got dark and time for dinner.

NEXT STOP, back to California for some Six Flags adventuring.

Isa, Tyler and Husband rode the most gutsy of rides, the Medusa. Isa wasn't sure if she was going to ride it but she did it! Brave is what she is, there is no way I would've rode it. Since New York, New York rollercoaster in Las Vegas I vowed no more rollercoasters. It's not for me. On the other hand, Husband loves loves loves them. But, this time around he was a little sick - I teased him saying it was his old age. :) We let the little kids ride at Thomas Town and my parents took the big kids so they could ride the water rides. The lines were exhausting. But, so worth it. The kids were super patient and the joy on their faces made the wait worth it all.

This was such a cool little place. The kids were able to ride Harold the Airplane and an actual Thomas the Train with his coaches. If you remember Dev when he was 2 years old...then you remember his obesession with Thomas the Train. It was like meeting a celebrity for Dev. The kids loved Thomas the Train Town!

Gabby wasn't much of a rollercoaster rider either so her and Nana rode some smaller rollercoasters together. The biggest shock of the day? My baby boy, Dev Eddie riding the airplane ride by himself. Daddy and I were both shocked that he was okay to ride all by himself. Parents couldn't ride with the kids on this ride and he wanted to ride it so badly. I was afraid he was going to chicken out but he smiled and waved good bye to me. He is definitely more cautious than Miss Madi so to send him off on his own was a huge step. We spent all day at Six Flags then headed back to Reno that night.

It was Hot August Nights in Reno. So, we walked around looking at all the custom cars. It was H to the O to the T. We played in a little arcade at Harrah's - where my Mom beat the Pac Man Game's high score. The kids were so impressed with my Mom's video gaming skills. :)

In front of the Eldorado after a fun night at Circus Circus playing games.

We ate icecream. We played games. We arcaded. Husband and I were little kids all over again. We had so much fun. We watched the Circus like it was our first time.

A large Yo-Yo act with a big string and wheels. These girls were so talented. We had so much fun watching.

Then, it was time to head home. We made an early breakfast to IHOP. Dev's life long wish is to eat breakfast at IHOP. It was very exciting moment. He ate little Minions (IHOP doughnuts) from Despicable Me.

IHOP was everything he dreamed. At least that's what he said.

Madi and her new bear, Emma. Emma is definitely named after C6's Emma. We have an inside joke that Madi (who's words are limited) says "Emma!" because...well, let's just say she hears "Emma!" quite a bit from a certain C6 Momma. :)

We enjoyed our road trip but a few things we realized can't live without:

1. A Portable DVD Player
2. Lattes
3. Walkie Talkies when caravaning - much safer than dialing every rest stop.
4. My Nook (digital reader)
5. Nintendo DSis

We played I Spy. We talked about soccer (surprise, surprise) but most of all we had great conversation between each other.

Thank YOU, Mom and Dad for a great trip!