Playing hooky from school

May 18 and 19 we took advantage of two days that Cindy had of use or lose vacation time and went to a concert. She has always wanted to see Celine Deon so as a Mother's Day gift we planned to go to her show in Las Vegas. It was a cold morning and had some light snow the day before.

We rode the train to Salt Lake and then within an hour were in Las Vegas leaving the cold behind. Not wanting to spend time in the city we drove to Hoover Dam to explore this engineering feat.

We walked over the dam and looked down the 700 feet to the Colorado River below. Cindy got a little nervous looking straight down.

Years ago the road across the dam was the only way to get to Arizona and the last time we were at the dam that was the way we traveled. Now a new bridge has been built which bypasses the dam.

We walked  over to the Arizona side and then came back. Cindy had to rub the foot of the statue which is to give you good luck.

We had some ice cream at a shop near the dam and then we did a hike across the bridge.

We then stopped in Boulder City and walked into some antique shops. In the one shop they had a toy truck that I had as a kid. I had to get a picture of it because who knew I played with antiques?

They had an old service station that was not operational but they have preserved it and made a park around it.

We then drove to Las Vegas and a large dust storm was taking place so you could hardly see anything. We checked into our hotel and then thought we would find a place to eat. In the past the buffets were the way to go and were very reasonable. Not so today. There was nothing under $40 a person. We had gone to four different casinos with no luck and were frustrated by all the peddlers on the street. We watched the fountains at the Bellagio and then went and found a chain restaurant and had dinner.

The next day we slept in and had breakfast and then decided to go to Red Rock Canyon and go on some hikes. We did the Callico Tank hike which started off in a wash and then we went into a canyon. The desert was in bloom and it was so pretty. Also the temperature was in the 70's and perfect desert hiking weather. That is not the typical temperature in May.

We climbed over rocks and there were rock stairs in some places as we worked our way to the top.

We then made it to the "tanks" which is a small pond with no outlet. Working yourself around the pool along the rock edge you get to a point where you look out into the valley and see Las Vegas.

The sky was so blue and there were wonderful views

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We then went and saw some pictographs in the stone in another area of the park.

We then headed back to Vegas so we could get ready for the show. We decided to have dinner at 5 so we had time to not be rushed. We went to Ceasers Palace where the show was and had dinner in the Cheese Cake Factory.

 We then went to the show after dinner. It was so good and so well done. We enjoyed every minute of it and glad we did it.


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We walked by the fountains again on our way back and headed back to the hotel at 11:30. Way past our bedtime but well worth it.

May Activities

The month of May brings many things. The first is that Josh and Maddie moved the wedding up from August to June 17. That is very eventful. The next is all the flowering trees that happen and they leave their white and purple petals on the patio.

For our road it also meant it being closed off a week as a new subdivision is going in across the street and they cut water lines across the road  for the new homes. We had no way to get in and out of the house during the day with this work going on.

It is also a time for the 2nd grade talent show and with Payton being in Cindy's class this was extra special. Payton played the piano for her talent. That was followed with grandparents day and the songs that the classes sang to the grandparents. Again an extra bonus for us.

Finally it is the start of baseball and softball. Both Connor and Payton play the same nights but at different locations.

Jazz Game, Dinners and Concert

We went to the first game of the NBA playoffs held on April 21. It had been several years since the Jazz had made it to the playoffs. When we got to the arena they had white t-shirts on every seat for everyone to wear.

It was such a fun time and it was great being with Cindy. Even though they lost this game they ended up winning the series with the Clippers.


























The next week we had dinner on Wednesday night for work at Tokyo Station and then Friday for Shannon and Nic's birthdays at Tepanyaki. Saturday night was the Johnny Mathias concert in Salt Lake so off we went again. We went early and had dinner  at the Lion House and walked around Temple Square before we went to the concert. The tulips were in full bloom and it was a great stroll around the gardens.

The concert was wonderful even though we were some of the younger people there.
The next Monday we took the grandkids to see the Little Mermaid play at Weber High. They enjoyed it and the school does such a fine job.

The middle of the week the Big Boy steam train made it into Ogden. It is always impressive when the train is here. It is so large and to listen to the noise as it starts off is something you just have to see in person. Shannon brought the kids to watch as it was to leave before they had to be in school.

We were right by the track and the steam engulfed us as it went by.

Jump Off Canyon Hike

Nic and Shannon went to a moto cross race so we had the kids for the evening. With the snow this year there was a waterfall in Jump Off Canyon. It was a nice evening so we went on a little hike.

We made it to where there is a little waterfall before you get into the mouth of the canyon. This was Cindy's first hike on her new knee and while she was a little hesitant at first she had no problems.

There were also wild flowers along the way and it was an enjoyable first hike.