First Blog Post! Vegas and Utah here I come!

Hello All,

So I have never done a blog before so this might take me a while to get used to writing in. I know that I am leaving soon for my mission to Phoenix, Arizona but I wanted to get this started before I leave so that my mom or someone else in my family can keep it going for me while I am gone.

So this last week I left on Wednesday to fly to Las Vegas and meet up with my dad before we drove to St. George, Utah for family reunions. So on Wednesday night, my father took me to see the Phantom of the Opera in the Venetian Hotel. They had their own theater that had been built and it was so amazing! The actors and actresses were amazing! Our seats were so close and you could feel the emotions coming from the actors and actresses as they sang of anger, sadness, love, betrayal, and the eternal music of the night.

 This is the sign that you see as you walk into the theater. So AWESOME!!!!

 This is on the floor walking into the theater.

We were sitting in section 1 Row N. They were amazing seats.

On our way out of the theater and the Venetian Hotel, there was a musical performance going on in the square in front. It was so cool! Here are the videos of the performances.

 

Then to top it off, as we were walking back to our hotel, we walked by the Bellagio and decided to watch the fountain show. It was amazing! They did O Holy Night in Latin and then in English.

Then on Thursday,  I went shopping around the malls in Vegas, went to eat at Buffets with my dad and just had a great time sightseeing in Vegas.

 Here's the Las Vegas Strip from my airplane!

 There was this awesome turtle rock sculpture in the airport.

 And here is a lizard one too!

 Waiting for the Bellagio fountain show to start.

 Sitting by a fountain in the Paris Hotel Mall.

That night, we picked up my Uncle Steven and took him out to P.F. Changs for dinner and then drove the 2 hours to St. George, Utah. Friday morning consisted of spending time with my dad, uncle and grandparents and getting ready for the Christmas Party for the RV Park that my grandparents live in. It was a great time meeting all of my grandparents friends and hearing them talk about how amazing my grandmother is with all that she does for the people at the RV Park (she works in the office at the park). That night, my brother Chris and his wife Maressa got into town and we watched the Pixar Short Films. It was sooo funny! Then on Saturday, we got up early and went to breakfast, went shopping at Costco and then went back to the Clubhouse at the RV Park to set up for the Family Reunion Christmas Party.

 Here is one of the finished place settings. Isn't it cute? :)

 Here's the room looking from the head table side.

Here is another view of the room. I think it turned out pretty well.

After we finished decorating, my brother, sister-in-law, cousin, and myself went shopping at the mall close by and looked at the various stores to just look around. It was a lot of fun to just hang out with the younger crowd. Then that night we had the Christmas Party and it was pretty fun. I didn't know most of the family and some of them didn't seem really social. But overall it was a lot of fun to see other family that I didn't know. Near the end of the festivities, they wanted to get family photos so here are a few of them. 

 From left: Uncle Steven, Grandma Donna, my cousin Amanda, Grandpa Ray, Me,my sister-in-law Maressa, my brother Chris, and my Dad Sterling.

 All the cousins together :)

 The grandparents with all of their grandkids.

 Me with my brother and sister-in-law. Love them both so much!

 Grandpa Ray with his grandkids.

Grandpa Ray with his granddaughters.

After the party, we went downstairs and watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" with Jim Carrey. It was so fun to be able to spend time with just the immediate family and have some good laughs.

Then on Sunday morning, we had breakfast at our rental and my dad and I got packed to make the drive back to Las Vegas so that I could catch my flight back to Washington. We all said our goodbyes and my dad, my Uncle Steven and I made the drive back to Las Vegas. 

 Here is the plane behind us getting ready to turn and take off behind us.

 Beautiful Mt. Baker while flying into Bellingham on Sunday.

Another photo of Mt. Baker.

All in all, the trip was a lot of fun. I wish that my mom and sister could have come but they had other things that they were obligated to be doing.  And if I ever get the opportunity to go back to Vegas again, I am DEFINITELY going to see The Phantom of the Opera again! It was so awesome!

Anyways, I hope that everyone is having a great Holiday season and are enjoying your time with friends and family. Love you all!