THE Shark Reef

Yes, Vegas is known as SIN City, and believe me - there is plenty of "SIN" to be seen...but in the midst of it all there, there are a few gems.  One thing on our Vegas "bucket list" was to go and see Mandalay Bay's shark reef.  So we took a Saturday in February, and off we went!  It was really expensive, but it was really neat too!  The kids enjoyed seeing all the different sharks, fish, and touching sting rays.  Laura loved the jelly fish.  She could stand all day mesmorized - if you have never seen a live jelly fish live before- believe me, it was COOL!  Wow. 

We thought we had made it down to the strip unscathed by filth, however, on the way out - we noticed the interesting and offensive "ART".  On the side of the wall in the hallway leading in and out of the shark reef.  They have a whole row of  cement decorative "statues" of women's breasts protruding out of the wall.  At first, we didn't notice what it was, but when we did - Clay and Laura looked at each other and said, Look straight ahead and keep walking - we felt sick... it got even worse when  Preston, our curious one, who always feels the need to put his hands on everything ...found the interesting "ART" on the wall.  As he passed by - he started touching ..when Clay and Laura saw what was happening...they quickly STOPPED him, and picked up the pace to GET OUT!  Luckily, he didn't know what it was..thank goodness.  Wow...so Good family trip to the Shark Reef...just watch out for the "ART!"

Some call it a Swaddle..We call it a Miracle!

 Some people call it a swaddle...we call it a miracle!  With our 4th kid, we finally found the most amazing contraption EVER!  The velco swaddler!  We could never swaddle a baby like those amazing nurses at the hospital and we never had a baby sleep very well at night either....until now!  It seems the two go hand in hand!  Detric is a great sleeper and we swaddle him at night!  Waalaa... it is Laura's little key to sanity!  Sleep!  With 3 older kids and a baby..sleep is the most important thing these days!  Wow...wish we had this with the other kids, better late than ever!   (PS...when he sleeps, Detric's arms and hands are velcroed inside all snug...they were just released in several of the pictures!)

Lots of Love

 

Detric gets LOTS of love... ALL THE TIME!  There is an over abundance of hugs and kisses being given around here-- it doesn't matter if Detric is awake or asleep... the other kids feel the need to show their feelings and therefore proceed to fill his bucket with a smothering of love!  Mom and Dad's full time job is helping the little man get a little sleep and air to breathe with all the constant "demonstrations of love"

 

For Valentines Day, Clay and Laura got a date!!  They went out to PF changs for dinner and then headed to the Stake's Sweetheart Dance.  Clay and Laura were trying to remember the last "dance" they went to - a dance where they were there to dance; not teach something, do a floor show, chaperone, etc... a go and shake your own groove thing adult dance...well, it had been a long time and Laura and Clay quickly realized they were a bit rusty!  They had a great time, but the sad reality is.... we are better dancers when our audience is a 7 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old, and 2 month old kids!  This year, Laura made Clay a RED lemon meringue pie and Clay attempted to get Laura flowers!  He thought it would be fun to order online and have the flowers delivered to the house...well..it would have been fun but...the flowers were 2 days late and NOT what he ordered!  So, Clay went and got flowers himself and boy were they beautiful!  Clay even picked up flowers for Aparri - she thought that was the greatest thing ever!  When they started to wilt and die, she said, "I guess Dad needs to go and get me some more flowers!"  Funny girl!!  Laura is working hard to keep her orchids alive this year!  She read the instructions and she is religiously following them!  We will see how that goes!  Clay was mad and disappointed that the flowers didn't arrive ontime...Laura was ok...Valentines Day was extended several days.Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

 

Laura's a little wiser today

Laura had a great birthday...got completely spoiled by her family!  She got breakfast in bed...pancakes, cool whip, strawberries, and CJ's special eggs!  Yum!  Then she was totally surprised with the fantastic decorating job done by Clayboy!  We had to keep them up for days just to enjoy the ambiance of the room!  Clay gave Laura the best gift ever.... a "day off"  and $100.  This gift included a babysitter, which was hired for the day, and Laura could go and do whatevery she wanted for as long as she wanted!  In Laura's own words it was "magical."  After being gone for a little over 6 hours, Clay asked Laura...so where did you go? Laura replied, "DI" Clay then asked, "Where else?"  "DI"  "You mean, you spent over 6 hours in DI?"  "Yep, and it was the BEST DAY EVER!!!"  Plus, the day was finished off with a cream cheese pie...perfect day..DONE!

Mommy Time Too

Most days this little man is attached to Laura's hip...or not too far away..and as Laura was going through pictures, she realized...hey... I don't have very many pictures of me with my little man!  So...here we go - Laura and her newest little man spending some Mommy time together!

Daddy Time

 Detric loves his Daddy and it shows!  Look at that smile!  Detric and Clay were having a fun time talking and playing together, Laura couldn't help but capture the moment!  

3 Motorcycle Men and a Lady

 Everyone has some wheels to have fun with!  The boys and Aparri love to ride motorcycles!  They were all riding them around the neighborhood having a marvelous time.