Vacation Part 2: Bryce Canyon

We drove 4 hours from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The drive took us through beautiful deserts and rock formations. We stayed at a hotel right outside the National Park. We went for an amazing hike through the hoodoos and tall rock walls. We also went to most of the scenic overlooks, ate lunch at the Bryce Canyon lodge, and picked up some souvenirs. We even got to see some Utah prairie dogs!

It was so fun to return to a place that made such an impression on me when I worked there when I was 19 years old (over 20 years ago now!). It brought back so many memories to walk the trails of Bryce Canyon, but it was so meaningful to make new memories with Stanley, Lisa, & Matt.

Vacation Part 1: Las Vegas

We went on a super-fun vacation last week that started with a trip to Las Vegas. We stayed in a beautiful resort called Tahiti Village. The pool area is over an acre in size and has an 1/8 mile lazy river. We spent a lot of the time swimming, but we also ventured to the Las Vegas strip for an amazing dinner at Gordon Ramsey Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace. We stopped and watched the Bellagio fountain and saw the Chihuly glass exhibit in the lobby.

On our way!

In the airport when we arrived.

Las Vegas fountain

Stan was not a fan of casinos.

Another beautiful fountain

Las Vegas Denny's with palm trees outside.

Las Vegas Lego store

Resort pool

Tahiti Village Resort

Tahiti Village pool

Gardens in the lobby at the Mirage

Shirley Temples (Stanley's new favorite drink)

Such an amazing dinner!

Chihuly glass art ceiling at the Bellagio

Bellagio Fountain

Bellagio Fountain

Videos of the Bellagio Fountain:

Lisa's Field Day

I was lucky enough to sub for Lisa's class on field day, so I got to see her in action. It was a fun morning!

End of 3rd grade

The final days of school are here. Stanley had an open house and performance last week. (We missed Lisa's since she was recovering from surgery.) Stanley showed off his art work and projects, and the students all sang songs. It was a fun night!

Last days of 3rd grade and kindergarten

Stanley's longhouse

Native American mask of a coyote that Stanley made

Stanley & friends ready to perform

3rd grade songs:

Lisa's surgery

Lisa had surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids on May 29. She was having trouble breathing through her nose, which was leading to other issues like not swallowing properly, speech problems, teeth not growing correctly, poor sleep, etc. Once the surgery was over, the doctor said she only had 10% airway due to the size of her adenoids. So, now she can breathe so much better! She said that food even tastes different! The journey to heal was rough at times, but she's all better now.

On our way to the surgery center

Fox is all prepped

Before the surgery

Little patients

Poor little one waking up from anesthesia.
She only wanted daddy.

Lisa was looking forward to a ride in the wheel chair.

At home recovering

Calm activities while healing

Lisa painting a rock for the garden.

Stan & I went to Camtown Youth Festival while Lisa was
at home resting. It was a fun time!