End of Jenny's trip

During Jenny's last couple of days here in Vegas we went to the Cheesecake Factory and it was such a nice, relaxing evening (James had a babysitter!). It was cool enough that we even ate outside and we all ate way too much yummy food! (Sorry these are so dark---I hope the next iPod has a flash with the camera.)

 We had fun asking Jenny embarrassing questions! This was Jenny getting embarrassed!

We took a few picture before Jenny had to fly back home to New York. We already miss her and can't wait until we get to see her again!

My painfully squinty eyes! Sorry dad. 

Don't mind James' creepy stare in this picture. He must have been sad his Auntie was leaving!

Park with Auntie

Jenny, James and I walked to the park that is down the street from our house.

We've had so much fun playing with Jenny. She couldn't understand why people live here because it is so hot. It was about 105 degrees when we were at the park. Maybe she has a point...

I think James looks so much like my brother John in this picture!

The Vegas Strip with Vivian

No, her name isn't Vivian, it's Jennifer. But I like to call her Vivian and many other nicknames. Brian thinks it's strange and doesn't understand how we come up with Jenny's various nicknames; i.e. Vivian, Viv, Vivatronics, Det, Doopa, Jenny-doopa, Niffer, Niffertiti, etc. Some of the origins I know and others I don't, but I guess you could say we are....creative!

So we started at the north section of Las Vegas Boulevard and drove south. Brian wanted us to drive by all the federal buildings, courthouses, and the jail. Jenny and I were only mildly interested. Sorry Brian. Our first stop was the Gold & Silver Pawn which is featured on the History Channel's Pawn Stars. Awesome show by the way. 

And we thought this guy in the background was Rick Harrison, but after I zoomed in I don't this it is. He looks just like him, so I figure it must be his brother. (And yes, I was one of those creepers that pretends to take a picture of my husband but takes one of the guy in the background.)

Then we headed over to Fashion Show Mall which is an awesome, but always busy mall. (I hate crowds.) Then we strolled around Caesars Palace and window shopped at the high-end stores at The Forum Shops.

It was a fun day and we got lots of walking in, but not very many pictures!

Staying Cool

So it's no surprise that Vegas is hot. But it is really hot! 

To stay cool we use lots of AC and pay the electric company obscene amounts of money. But sometimes we like to change things up and pay the water company lots of money instead. And we use water to cool off! 

We have water gun fights.  (James' favorite---he loves guns. And thanks Jenny for being a good sport!)

James getting pwnd by Jenny!

Water hose wars.

Hose and gun wars.

Hang out by the pool. Kiddie pool, that is. It's so hot that even I sometimes get in with James. I don't think the whole family would fit though...

A Special Visitor

Brian's second-cousin once-removed stopped into town for a visit this morning. Apparently his cousin has a lot of friends in North Las Vegas because we only got to see him and didn't have a chance to visit. This was the best picture I got. 

Did I mention he's running for President? He spoke about fixing the economy and the middle class. He even talked about what he will have accomplished by the end of his second term. I like his confidence! Mitt Romney really is as handsome in person as he is on television. 

At least I did get a few cute pictures of Brian, James and me!