Spring Break Trip 2013

Well, it's been a while since we've been on a vacation.  Pretty much over a year.  Last year, I was pregnant with Ruby, and we were pretty much stuck at home.  So we have been looking forward to the fun adventures we will be able to have from now on.  

Chris planned a spectacular Family Vacation for our Spring Break.  He researched everything, planned it all out, got tickets, etc... And I have to say, that it was an amazing trip!  

We pulled out trailer down to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada.  Pretty much an hour out of Las Vegas.  It's the farthest we've ever pulled the trailer.  But mostly because we weren't ever sure the kids could make that long of a trip in the car.  They surprised us, and were so so good, that we've decided to plan some fun, further from home trips in the future!  

The campgrounds are first come no reservations.  The first day we got there, it was late in the day, and the campgrounds were full.  So we heard of a field about 30 min. away that people were camped out in, and camped there the first night.  The next morning, we got up and headed back to the park.  There were plenty of spots to choose from.  Spots free up everyday, but by the end of each day, they fill right back up again.  

Our first full day we spent in the park.  Exploring, and hiking.  What a beautiful place!  The only way I can describe it, is that it would be a mini Arches NP.  Super fun.

Our Campsite was amazing!  We had lots of cool rocks to climb on.  And an arch of our own.  There are spots with power, but we had our own.  And there were nice bathrooms, and showers too.  Each campsite had a covered picnic table, and huge tent spot besides.  I was very impressed!  We loved camping at Valley of Fire!  We stayed the whole time, just taking day trips to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Circus Circus Las Vegas.  And each night, we would return to our trailer.  

Some of the local wildlife :)

This rabbit, bounced through our camp each night while we were out by the campfire.

I LOVE this picture!  The whole family.  Sitting in the arch in our camp.  I just put my camera on the tripod, and whala!  

Our next adventure, was a day on Lake Mead, and at Hoover Dam.  Another fun tripod pic!  

The boat was amazing.  It was a southern style paddle boat.  The dock was amazing, all painted and made to look so touristy.  The dock, and building were on the water, with a cute little snack shack.  They also served snacks, and you could take breakfast and dinner cruises too.  We took the afternoon cruise, because we had plans for eating in Boulder City.  I think the cruise, was Chris' favorite part of the day.  He already wants to go back and do it again.  They obviously shot this photo that you could purchase when you got back to the dock.  And I thought it was fantastic, because it's hard to get the whole family in a decent picture.  

A view of Hoover Dam from our boat.

Ruby and I with the Dam in the background.

After our cruise, we headed over to the Dam, for a different look.  I would have loved to go inside the Dam and tour it, but you have to be 8 years old, and none of our girls were old enough.  So, someday, we'll be back!  They've built a super amazing bridge, that passing traffic can take, and we went up on it, and walked across taking pictures of the Dam.  What a view of Hoover Dam.  You can still drive across the Dam if you want to though.  

For dinner this night, we drove a few miles into Boulder City NV.  Chris had found a really awesome burger joint on a foody website, and we went.  It was one of the BEST Burgers I've ever had.  Amazing food and service!

I think my girls favorite day, was the day we spent at the Circus Circus Adventure Dome in Las Vegas.  They rode rides until we dropped.  Over and over again.  I purchased a picture and video of them riding  the little roller coaster, Miner Mike!  It was one of their favorites.  We did stop for a lunch break, and went down in the casino to the buffet.  This was Bree's absolute favorite meal of the whole trip.  She was so excited, that she could go around and pick out all of her favorite foods to eat in one meal.  

Our last full day on vacation was spent in Valley of Fire State Park again.  Hanging around camp, going to see the petroglyphs, etc...  We didn't get to explore the whole park by any means, but that just gives us a reason to go back again someday.  What a great trip!  The girls were so good and we all had an amazing time.  It really was so awesome to go on vacation again.  The weather was in the 80's the whole time, and we wore shorts and T shirts and we were actually hot.  I can't wait for our next adventure!!  

I have so many more pictures, but hopefully these few, will give an idea of our amazing trip!

Each girl got to pick something out at Circus Circus.  We happened to find a little stuffed animal named Ruby, from the cartoon, Max and Ruby.  So here is a picture of Ruby and her little friend Ruby :)