Week 6 - 3rd Annual Lake Mead

SUNDAY

We made a last minute decision to head out Sunday morning instead of Friday.  Of course morning turned into early afternoon so my dad was kind enough to meet us at the Acton Market with the pack n play and we were able to grab a sandwich for the road.

Gage spent a good hour crying on the way there and it turns out he caught the lovely hand foot mouth - poor guy.  So while waiting for the Evans to finish up at the Urgent Care in Henderson, we paced an outdoor mall.  Yes, the outdoor mall in 110 degrees cause a few fights among us all.

We ended up eating on our own at Cafe Rio and then the rest of the family got their first taste of Neilsen's... their first taste of this trip, that is.

 MONDAY

At about 10am we all headed out to the lake and Cole was not prepared for the wind smacking him in the face.  I guess he forgot what it was like back when he was four months old!?

Andi was often with her BFF, Cory.  Yep, she can totally drive now.

Finally, what they've all been talking about FOR A YEAR - hanging in the lake with their friends.  The cool thing was this year Cody and Lauren and their family were able to join us.  So fun being with everyone!

Can you tell their happy to be there?  Yes, Ryan is waving at the camera.  He's a character.

Our first day out so kicked their butts.  The drive from the lake to the Hacienda is about two minutes... they couldn't make it that long.

Dinner was low-key as we dined at a local pizza joint.

Two days down, four to go.

TUESDAY

Arriving late Monday night, the Barron's joined us on the lake Tuesday.  Melanie is a hit with everyone making our job so very easy.

Cole really took a liking to Hunter.  We would often find him "hugging" the baby when unattended.  Hugging, smothering, same difference!?

This man was content if the wind wasn't smacking him in the face, if he had caught a morning nap and if he was sitting on the boat eating.

We had to bribe Jackson to ski, yet again.  Last year he tried once, got up and never tried again.  This time he had to try twice, getting up on the second try, knew it was fun but wouldn't go again.

Ryan willingly got the skis on.  No tantrum here - totally showing up Jackson.  But when he didn't get up his turn ended in tears and a refusal to go again.

We were all so excited when the Milhoans made it out.  Everyone was finally there - well everyone but the Ball Family; we so missed them this year!  And, uh yeah, we're at Neilson's again.

WEDNESDAY

Andi and Cole came tubing with us and Cole had a blast until again, that wind started smacking him in the face.  Andi was by far our most courageous child on the tube.

Wednesday was our GNO but before leaving, I had to perform my motherly duty of smothering my dry child in lotion.  It's for his own good; why does he fight it so?

Dinner was late but delicious.  We tried out the Cosmopolitan Buffet at $35 each but oh so worth it.  Seriously, delicious.  I have never been a fan of buffets but it turns out, you get what you pay for.  Delicious.  It was such a fun night hanging out with the girls and experiencing Vegas through Melanie's eyes.  Love that girl.  The only downer was not getting a group shot of us all!!!

THURSDAY

This morning we stayed in bed a bit longer and took our time getting out the door.  With plans to go out on the lake that evening, we decided to head to Hendersen to eat at some wing place.  Delicious - Andi of course loved 'em.  This girl is crazy.

While waiting for "our ride", Cole chilled in Ryan's seat.  He loves being a big boy.

By this point, everyone was getting the hang of things.  It was nice.

Anderson Family
Mead 2012

Remember I said Andi was the bravest - turns out Jackson was the most brave when it came to cliff jumping.  This kid that had a freak out any time the tube or skis were mentioned, had no problem climbing up and jumping off on his own OVER AND OVER again.  Andi took some time but went.  Ryan struggled the most.  Finally Andrew jumped with him but as you can see, he more so threw Ryan off the cliff.

Ryan, Gunner and Cole couldn't quite make it past 9pm.

FRIDAY

With Andrew's late nights in the casino and mine staying up reading, we had no energy to rise that morning with Cole.  So, he took full liberty to feed himself breakfast.

I forgot my camera charger and at this point, it was dead.  So as we were showering in the Evans' room, I had to use my phone to capture Cole entertaining himself in Hunter's seat.

Our last night of Cafe Rio/Neilsen's.  My favorite dish that week was the coconut shrimp tacos!

We were the last ones standing that night: Evans, Milhoan & Anderson children.