Viva Las Vegas With Some St. George Thrown In

I arrived in Vegas late Wednesday night. I didn't sleep a wink on the plane and by this point had gone about 40 hours without sleep, minus the few catnaps I had sneaked in. I was so so tired, but completely wired. Rachel is pregnant and just getting over the first trimester yuckiness, so she had sent Don to pick me up since my flight came in around 11 PM. When we got back, I was able to tour their lovely new home that I had yet to see, and then I headed to bed. I didn't sleep well, but it was SO nice to be in a bed instead of a chair!

The next morning was really fun to see my niece and nephews and get to play with and love on them. I had really missed them. Rachel had set up a bunch of hair appointments for me, so I cut hair all morning and then we headed to Cafe Rio and met Don for lunch. It was yumminess in a tin. Love that place. We headed home where I did more hair (I think I ended up doing 8 people that day. Yikes!) and then Rachel and I ran a couple errands, made dinner, and put the kids to bed. We headed out to Claim Jumper, one of my most favorite restaurants ever, and got dessert (which they are well known for. Delish with a capital D). It was great to finally get to sit, relax and chat with my sissy. I sure love her.

The next morning (Friday) we were up early to get ready to head up to St. George for a couple of days. Rachel had gotten a baby-sitter for her kiddos for the day (and then Don would be home, of course) and my parents were driving down from Salt Lake. We were staying in their vacation home, just the four of us. On the way up, we talked about how this might be a once in a lifetime chance and we'd better take advantage (just kidding mom and dad :) But seriously, we were excited to be able to spend some time with our parents without our other siblings or spouses, or grandchildren. It is a rare and cherished opportunity (because there are 6 kids in my family).

We met up with them at my sister-in-law, Jenny's, new sugar cookie shop, The Sugar Cookie. It was the grand opening (the timing of this trip was planned a bit around this particular weekend of her opening, 11-11-11) and I was excited to see my in-laws, all of which had come down to support and help Jeff and Jenny in their new business venture.

I got to see all of my cute nieces and nephews on Andy's side and all of my wonderful sibling and parent in-laws. It was so much fun and so good to see everyone. And the cookies were terrific. Jenny's shop is really great. If you're ever in St. George be sure to stop by, you won't be sorry!

After we were done visiting at The Sugar Cookie, my mom and Rachel and I headed off to start what I like to call Power Shopping. We are very good at it. It's where you just shop and spend and shop and spend as fast as you can. I think we shopped for about 5 or 6 hours and then met my dad at The Olive Garden for dinner. It was really fun to talk, just the 4 of us over soup and salad and pasta. I love when my dad is in a chatty mood, I always learn something new that I didn't know before. Then we headed back out, and shopped for another 3 or 4 hours. Let me tell you, it was fun stuff. I got half of my Christmas shopping done, and I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard. Ahhh, mom and Rachel? I looooove you.

I was making fun of this vest at the time, but now that I look back at it, I think it's kind of cute, and I kind of want it....

After we were finished shopping (let me rephrase that, after all of the stores were closed and no one would let us in anymore...) we finally headed home to the house and watched a movie and talked and Rachel and I slept in the same bed just like the old days. We laughed.... and laughed.... until it turned into cackles and we were practically hysterical and we finally fell asleep.

The next morning, my mom and Rachel and I headed to the temple. It was lovely, as always.

After that we shopped some more (duh, what else?) and then we went to Pizza Factory for lunch.

WHO did we happen to meet there? Why, my best friend Cristan of course, who drove down to St. George from Salina JUST to see me. What a gal.
We laughed some more (seriously, I probably burned a million calories this weekend just from laughing) and recounted the good ol' highschool days and old boyfriends and funny experiences. I think my parents were enlightened to a few things I had done that they were unaware of. Hey, it's been 10 years. That's long enough, right?

We said our goodbyes to Cristan and then Rachel and mom and I headed out to do more.... you guessed it. That naughty little S word. After we were finally finished (but not really, when can you ever be finished shopping?!) we headed back to the house and cleaned up and packed up, said our goodbyes to my lovley parents, and then headed back down to Vegas. It was such a fun and fabulous weekend. Can I go back now?

More trip to come...