Spring Break Part 2: Ruby's Inn

After leaving Las Vegas, we headed to Ruby's Inn (located just outside of Bryce Canyon) for the annual Lifferth family retreat - always guaranteed to be a good time. We look forward to this event every year. It is one of the few places big enough to accommodate the Lifferth clan. But, I wonder...if the ENTIRE Lifferth family actually came, would it be big enough?

For some reason, I just don't seem to break out my camera enough when we go down. And every year when we get home, I am disappointed with my piture selection, or lack there of. Part of my excuse for not taking many pictures this year was because I didn't get to go on any hikes like I normally love to do because I was stuck in my room doing homework (remember my oh-so-nice professor?). Plus, our trip was cut short this year (we left before the sun came up on Sunday instead of staying until Monday) so I could get home to study for my big test Monday morning.

There is so much about my family that I really can't quite capture with a photo: their laughter, their friendship and love, the ease that I feel when I am around them, the great conversations. However, here are a few memories I actually did capture -

My dad suggested we play a softball game this year which was a great addition to the normal activities and will hopefully become a tradition. I sat out for most of the game because #1 - I had two sick kids on my hands who really needed "mommy", and #2 - I haven't played softball since I was 12 and knew I would look like a fool. However, about 3/4 through the game I decided I wanted to see if I could still hit a ball, so Brian took over "sick kid duty" and I went in the game. I am sure my teammates weren't too happy with the trade, but they were all too nice to say anything! Just in case you are wondering, softball wasn't my strong suit when I was 12 and nothing has changed! Oh well, it was still fun. And yes, I did hit the ball...kind of.

Brian took the kids swimming and I was so happy to see Ashlyn enjoying herself this year! (Last year was a different story.) Trent on the other hand, did not enjoy himself as much. (Maybe next year for him?) I did not join in the fun here because #1 - I took advantage of the break from kids to do some homework (are you noticing a theme here?), and #2 - my mail-ordered six pack hasn't come yet.

On Saturday night after the traditional potluck, a few of us nerds broke out our cameras and had some fun with Matt's assortment of lenses. Thanks Matt! My favorite? The semi fish-eye. We are one good lookin' family!

Only 51 weeks until next year!!

Spring Break Part 1: Viva Las Vegas

I had spring break last week, so we took advantage of my week-long break (which wasn't really a break since my professor decided to schedule a test on the day we got back, which meant that I had to spend way to much time studying on our vacation - bummer! anyway, back to the story) and headed down to Las Vegas on Tuesday to visit Brian's sister Stacey.

On our way down, we stopped in Washington for lunch and indulged in some In-N-Out = YUM-O! We went through the drive through and, and then found the local park so the kids could run around and stretch their legs.

The weather was perfect and we were amazed at the GREEN grass! Being kids, Ashlyn & Trent found water and had to get their feet wet, which lead to...

You can't really tell, but he does still have his diaper on. After spending 1 1/2 hours enjoying the blue sky and sunshine, we continued our journey. We got to Vegas around 3:00, which was really only 2:00, so we had a few hours to waste before Stacey got off work. We drove down the strip a ways and then took the kids to Circus Circus. We had a great time there, spending only $7.50 and walking away with a stuffed puppy for both Ashlyn and Trent. After sufficiently absorbing enough smoke into our clothing to make anyone believe that we had all just smoked a pack, we headed to Stacey's home. Stacey had dinner ready for us -so nice- and we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and conversing.

The next day, Stacey unfortunately had to go into work. So, we lounged around for a bit and then took the kids to the shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Good times. The only stress came when we got to the touch pool. Ashlyn loved putting her hands in the water, but wanted nothing to do with actually touching the sting rays. Brian, being Brian, decided that she really needed to touch one, and shoved her hand in the water when the next one swam by. Ashlyn screamed and shouted, "I did not want to fluff it!!" Side note: Ashlyn calles petting "fluffing" e.g. - "I want to fluff that dog" "I fluffed a horse", etc. Needless to say, everyone in the vicinity, except for Ashlyn, was amused by the situation.

After Mandalay Bay, we went to watch the fountains at the Bellagio.

Once again, Ashlyn found some water to play in. Take a look at her face - pure joy.

We also saw proof that there is beauty to be found in sin city ;)

We got to spend all day with Stacey on Thursday - Yeah! We went to In-N-Out again. This was only Stacey's 2nd time going there since moving down 9 months ago - CRAZY! I don't think she was converted. Oh well, the rest of us enjoyed the greasy goodness!

After lunch, we went to The Cupcakery....mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Let's just say it's a good thing that place is 5 1/2 hours away or I'd be packing on some serious pounds.

We went to another park later that night and let the kids run around some more while I sat on bench and did more homework - dumb test. The next morning we packed up and went for a late breakfast before heading out. We had such a fun few days, thank you Stacey!

Besides doing too much homework, the only other downside to our getaway was Trent, Ashlyn, and Brian all getting sick (I took my airborne) and passing it on to Stacey. Sorry Stace! Hopefully seeing this sweet face made up for it!

My Little Pony Party

We celebrated Ashlyn's 3rd birthday with a "My Little Pony" themed party. If you know Ashlyn at all, then you know that she has a thing for horses - particularly "blue horses". All she asked for at Christmas was a "blue horse" (Santa spoiled her and brought two), and all she wanted for her birthday was another "blue horse" (lucky girl got two more!). So of course we had to have a pony party.

Here are the higlights:

We started off the night by making rainbow mobiles.

Ashlyn sampled the rainbow jello before dinner.
*She also sampled the pizza and the frosting on the cupcakes :)

Brian put "beauty marks" on the kids.

I sent out coloring pages with the invitations for our coloring contest.
Madi and Emma were the big winners. Madi expression was absolutely priceless when I told her she won and I really wish I had a captured it, but you can still tell from the following picture that she was pretty excited.

We played 'put the beauty mark' on the pony.

Ashlyn got spoiled with presents, and lots of ponies were included.
Thank you to everyone!

Ashlyn also got her first bike!

We had rainbow cupcakes for dessert, at least that is what they were suppose to be. When I was making them Ashlyn asked what they were, and when I told her they were rainbows she said, "Um, I don't think so." Oh well, at least they tasted good!

All the girls got their own "My Little Pony" to take home.

Oh wait...no they didn't, but they were suppose to. I ordered them online on the 27th of February and they didn't come in time. Very, very frustrating. Lesson learned: either order at least three weeks in advance, or be willing to fork out the extra $10 for priority shipping. I had to throw these together at the last minute. Dang it.Happy Birthday Ashlyn! We love you so much!