"Look at these people: blinded by glitter and the almighty dollar." Let me start off by saying that since the day Justin graduated from law school, I have wanted them to move to Las Vegas. So basically it was all my idea. One of my family's favorite movies is Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase. We can quote the whole thing. And I've seen it about a billion times, but during this trip was the first time I got to see it IN VEGAS. It enhanced my viewing experience completely.
Riley and Talia came down from Utah to join us for a relaxing weekend in 75 degree weather. We had an amazing time ... it's just too bad that we couldn't move into the new house. Oh well, just another reason to plan another trip to Vegas, Vegas, Vegas.
This picture was taken by an Elvis impersonator. No joke.
Sissy helping Justin with work.
This is the bottom floor of Justin's office. Justin's first real job out law school: Woods, Erickson, Whitaker & Maurice. 6 out of the 8 lawyers at Justin's firm are LDS. Pretty random, but not really. Since there at 26 stakes and two missions that cover the city of Las Vegas. Isn't that crazy? I love to think that there are armies of Mormons surrounding the strip.
BYE, BYE ... Can you say "bye, bye?" BYE, BYE! One of the best quotes from Baby's Day Out ... which was one of the few movies in the Curran movie library, along with Big and Dick Tracy.
I had to get some pictures of Justin's first office. He's got a pretty nice view of the parking lot :)
So photogenic. I love it.
This is Justin at his desk acting like he's actually doing something. We brought Cafe Rio to the office for lunch. Hello beef salad. I can't get enough.
The Junior Junction Preschool has an actual train car in front of it. Isn't that amazing? How do you go about getting a train car into your front yard? I should have asked Mrs. Whats-her-name how they got it there.
But regardless of how it got there ... it's really cool.
Bubba holding Camryn's Pulaski Mariners bat.
I brought Bryce a Pulaski "baseball shirt" and Sissy a little bat. Also notice Justin's new cap ;)
I was worried she was going to hit herself in the face with it.
Even Camryn's a Mariners fan ... she just doesn't know it yet.
Bienvenidos a Hoover Dam. This picture was staged, if you couldn't tell.
Talia and Camryn were distracted by something. Check out the AMAZING bridge they finished in the background.
Bryce was really tense in this picture because he thought I was going to throw him off the edge ... something that Riley had attempted earlier. Bad idea Riles.
Riley rockin' the "cool dad" pose.
Engagement picture at Hoover Dam? Not a bad idea.
I love this picture ... we were looking down and wondering how it would be to jump off into the water. We decided it would hurt. Bad.
Riles and Talia ... contemplating the amazing creation that is the Hoover Dam. Yeah right.
"Welcome everyone. I am your dam guide, Arnie. Now I'm about to take you through a fully funtional power plant, so please, no one wander off the dam tour and please take all the dam pictures you want. Now are there any dam questions?"
Cousin Eddie: Yeah, where can I get some damn bait?
Riles pulling a Morgan.
We cruised around with the double stroller. Nice peace sign Talia. Haha.
The Las Vegas temple grounds are beautiful. The grass is amazing.
Bubba running after his ball.
I pressured Riley into climbing a nearby tree. He did it, of course. Good thing his legs are about as long as the tree.
Impressive. He did it quite easily. I was even surprised.
All I can say is that Morgan would be proud.
I put this picture up solely because of the woman in the gold pants in the background. She was taking glamor shots with her son around the temple grounds.
So cute. Sadly, this photo shoot was cut short when the temple security guy came over and gave us the boot. Apparently these grassy areas are just to look at, not to have picnics on. Ooopsy daisy.
He's photogenic when he wants to be ... just like his cousin Olivia.
Riley looks like a combination of Rodg and Garrett in this picture.
Baaaahaaaa! We made Riley and Talia do fake engagements. My family has a terrible habit of scrutinizing engagement pictures ... and this is one of my LEAST favorite poses. They pull it off perfectly.
The whole crew.
Great family shot of the Townsends.
I really like this candid one ... except you can't see Justin's eyes.
I photo-shopped Riley's face into this one ... NOT. That's just how he looks.
We're best cousins. Kind of like best friends, but it's a closer ... because there's a blood bond ;)
Gorgeous couple in front of a gorgeous temple. Can't go wrong with that.
I wouldn't mind getting married here ... just for the pictures.
Bryce had run away at this point.
We had the opportunity to see the Lion King at Mandalay Bay while we were there. It was AMAZING. We all loved it. The costumes were fantastic, the singing was amazing, and best of all ... the Rafiki character spoke the click language! What?!? Riley felt right at home and he even teared up a little bit after the Circle of Life performance. You can take the boy out of Africa, but you can't take the Africa out of the boy :)
We took some shots before the show. If you take a picture with a flash during the show ... they will kick you out without hesitation. I almost learned that lesson at the Donny and Marie show.
#1 Musical in the world ... that's what they all say. I guess it was probably #1 at some point in time, but I doubt it is right this second.
"I put a dollar in - I got a car, I put a dollar in - I got a car, I put a dollar in - I got a car, I put a dollar in - I got a car."
Clark Griswold: "It's the number one family destination in America ... There's first class entertainment, beautiful scenery, and all the shrimp cocktail you can eat."
Riley and Talia were getting their groove on as we blasted music on the strip.
This was me sticking my head out of Riley's sunroof while listening to Born to be Alive. Classic.
