Family, Food and Fun-Thankful for Thanksgiving!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.  We have so many things to be truly thankful for!  We were able to celebrate the holiday with my mom, step-dad, and brother this year.  They flew in late on Tuesday and stayed until Saturday night.  Tiernan was so excited for them to come and visit.  I let him stay up and come to the airport.  He couldn't stop talking about the planes and staying up late.  My family got in a little early and we happened to just bump into them.  Tiernan played shy for about 30 seconds and then couldn't get enough hugs and kisses from grandma!

We had a good mix of laying low at the house and finding things to in our busy city.  We started out the holiday by heading to Valley of Fire to do a little sight-seeing and walking.  Tiernan and Ireland were more than happy to watch for critters, climb rocks and dig in the warm sand.  We also spent some time exploring the little "Ghost Town" of Bonnie Springs.  Jim got to see the "wild" burros and the kids had a blast riding the train and exploring the petting zoo.  The last of our out and about adventures was to spend a little time on the strip enjoying the lights, decorations and a nice meal out.  Unfortunately it was all over in the blink of an eye.  We are all looking forward to our next visit.  Tiernan keeps talking about how he is going to fly on a plane to go see his grandma...

Valley of Fire

Cute little critter.

In search of the cute little critter.

Grandma and Ireland

Family fun, too bad Aaron had to work :(

Icky mommy, my hands are dirty...

Hehe

Didn't quite work out!

Hmmm, what's in here??

Love that face!

Bathrooms are interesting old or new...

Just like his daddy!!

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Bellagio

Okay not everyone looks excited about this pic, but I don't look like crap ;)

Ohhhhh fun!!

Las Vegas lights

Airshow

     Each year Nellis Air Force Base puts on a fantastic air show featuring the Thunderbirds.  We go each year and always have a great time.  We love that the Air Force has everyone park at the speedway and then they bus you by charter bus on base.  It moves quickly and eliminates long lines of traffic.  The kids love it because they get to ride the bus!  I have no idea how they can sleep through the tremendous noise of those planes but each year as soon as we put the "ear clubs" (as Tiernan calls them) on the kids they pass right out.  We had nice weather and a fun day watching our service men and women strut their stuff.  There were definitely plenty of nice looking men in uniform to gaze upon :)

Crazy Hair

Come on honey, enough with the camera we all want to walk inside!

What is this thing mom?

Mr. Serious for his pictures...

Looking pretty comfortable in the cockpit!

I don't look chubby I look tuff!

Bratty little monster girl!

Whatever works

Doesn't look too comfy to me but they slept for over an hour!

Super Dad

Practicing her pouty pick-up face.

Is someone a little crabby after their nap??

Shark Reef

     On the first full weekend of each month Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef gives teachers the opportunity to visit their aquarium at no cost.  We haven't been in awhile so we thought it would be great to take the kids and let them check out all the neat fish and sharks.  Tiernan wanted to dart from tank to tank so he definitely kept us on our toes chasing after him.  Ireland enjoyed the jellyfish and standing on the glass above the water.

"Yook it Daddy, a Crocodaddy"

 

 

 

 

 All of Tiernan's L's are Y's and one of his favorite books is title Crocodaddy. I love when what he reads about crosses over to his everyday experiences.

That fish is almost as big as my 2yr old!

My favorite people!

Wow! Check that out!!