Girls Trip to Las Vegas

October 7-13:

My sister DeNae had a fun idea to get together as sisters and enjoy a nice break from the kids.  She chose Vegas because it is warm and there are a million things to do that are fun if you don't have kids with you:)  It was DeNae and her friend Andrea, my sister Paige and I.  We had so much fun seeing shows, eating yummy food, walking on the Vegas strip, zip lining 500 feet up off the ground and just chatting and laughing and shopping, lots of shopping!  It was such a fun break from reality, it was super hard to come home!

We stayed in the really beautiful Palazzo hotel.

The suite was so comfortable with a huge living space as well as 2 very comfortable beds.

The only problem with the view is that I had the stinky Trump Tower right outside my window!!

Fun photo

The best part of staying in a pretend "Italian" hotel is all the gelato!

We spent a few hours walking around Fremont Street which has all the old casinos...

...we had to keep a close eye on Paige so she didn't go hog wild with the slot machines:)

Famous "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign

It's a requirement to get pedicures if you are on a girls trip

The first show we saw was the Penn and Teller magic/comedy show.  It was super fun and some of their tricks were amazing!

We had fun at the "7 Magic Mountains" art installation outside Vegas

We had so much fun being sill

This was such a fun site to visit because of the stark contrast between the brown desert all around and these vibrant neon colored sculptures.

Paige, her friend Jess and I tried our luck at black jack.  It was super fun but you could tell I had no clue what I was doing...still fun

Our second show was the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil show.  It was amazing and wonderful and fantastic.  The music of course was great because it was all Beatles music but the show and the performers were amazing.  I definitely need to bring my boys to one of these shows, they would love all the acrobatics.

Showing our silly side again

Enjoying a nice frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity's 

This was our only picture from our "spa" day.  I had never been to a spa before where you change into a robe, they have relaxing music playing as you wander from sauna to hot tub.  We loved the "Roman Baths" which had 3 pool ranging in temperature from very cold to very hot.  My hot stone massage was amazing.  It was a very nice relaxing way to spend a day in Vegas

From relaxing spa to insanity zip lining!!!  This zip line takes you from one tower of the Rio casino to the other.  You are 500 feet up in the air sitting in a seat with only a lap belt for protection.  It was crazy scary!!!

Our faces as we left the tower.  There was just nothing to hold onto.  No arm rest or shoulder strap.  So you zip from one tower to the next but then you get pulled back up to the original tower and at that point you are sort of leaning forward because of the momentum of the ride.  Won't ever do that again but I'm glad I did at least one crazy thing while in Vegas!

We took a few hours to attend  a session at the Las Vegas temple.  

Our third and final show was called "Baz" and it featured songs and scenes from movies directed by Baz Luhrmann.  It was a fun show and some of the voice talent of the performers were simply amazing.

Our last night in Vegas we walked the strip and enjoyed the water fountain show outside of the Bellagio Hotel

Overall it was a great trip and a fun time to spend with my sisters DeNae and Paige and DeNae's friend Andrea was a hoot and basically fit right in with the crazy Johnson girls!  Mom's just need a break every once in a while and a glamorous girls trip to Vegas is just what the doctor ordered:)

Happy Birthday Oma

October 5-9:

Hyrum's mom (Christa Durtschi) turned 80 years old on September 29th and the only thing she wanted for her birthday was for all of her children to be with her.  So, Hyrum and his siblings planned a fun weekend trip to San Diego, California.  No spouses or kids were invited so it was just Oma and her 6 kids.  I think she had a fantastic time and was very happy to see that all of her kids made the time and effort to be there.

Hyrum took this photo so he isn't in it but this is Oma with 5 kids

They spent a day out kayaking in the ocean

This was a group of Durtschi's so of course they went hiking:)

Enjoyed walking around Balboa Park and Gardens

Here is one of the whole group.

Katrina, Emmett, Jason, Hyrum, Andrea, Oma and Jacob

I'm so happy Hyrum got to go and spend some time with his family.  They are all so fantastic and I know it meant so much to Oma.  

Random September

Took the boys to Oaks Park for a day.  It was HOT and sunny and I think I spent about as much on water as I did on the tickets!  Julian invited a friend to come along so he didn't have to ride alone...Mommy doesn't "do" amusement park rides:)

Started on the outdoor remodel.  Hyrum took out a window and reframed for a double French door that will lead to our new outdoor deck...it's a work in progress

Another season of soccer.  The boys played hard and enjoyed their team, especially Townsend really loved soccer this year.

Townsend "Action Shot"

Emerson ready to kick the ball.  I don't know how they could play with their hair in their face the whole time!

Julian had fun this year but he gets tired easily.  I was happy if he committed to play at least until half time in the game:)