Las Vegas - 50th Anniversary Trip

For my parents 50th anniversary my sister and I decided to take my parents on a trip to Vegas. We didn't tell them about the trip, in fact they thought they were babysitting my kids while we went to Vegas with friends. We finally told them near the end of June so they had a bit of time to prepare for the trip. 

Day 1

On August 7th the six of us (Mom, Dad, Dana, my Aunt Nancy and my husband and I) met at our place and we took a car to the airport. I got lucky and was randomly screened when we arrived so everyone sailed through security except me!! It wasn't too bad and I met up with everyone on the other side. Our flight was uneventful and we arrived in Las Vegas just after lunch and got checked into our rooms at the MGM Grand. Once we got settled we headed out into the Strip to see the sights. It was hot - and I mean a hot like no Canadian has ever experienced at home! We stopped at a pizza place called 800 Degrees and ate some delicious pizza before continuing our exploration of the Strip. We stopped and a few of us tried our luck at the machines. As usual the machines ate my money and I got nothing in return. It's a good thing I'm too cheap to put much in!  My hubby was on a roll and winning and I sat with Dad when he hit it big! We were pretty tired so eventually we turned in for the night. 

Day 2

I'm always awake early in Las Vegas because of the time change. So we got up and we're out on the Strip by 6am ... yup pretty early!! I try and wait till it's light out and the night crawlers have retired for the night, although we still see some interesting sights at that time of day. It's my favourite time of day to wander - it's cooler, there are no people around and I can take pictures without the crowds. We met up with the rest of the family and ate breakfast at our favourite breakfast place Fat Tuesdays. Then made some plans for the day. We wandered through a few stores and then headed for the pool. The pool at the MGM Grand is beautiful and I'm happiest floating along in the lazy river. It's hot enough that I also don't need to come out for hours!! I managed to snag an unaccompanied tube floating along the river and I was set. We spent a few hours floating and then we headed back to the room for our evening plans. My mom, aunt and I were headed to dinner and a show and my dad, sister and hubby we're heading for and Irish pub with some live music. We had dinner at Casa Nova in the Venetian and it was delicious - beyond delicious in fact. The best part was we got 50% off the food because we bought a coupon at the 1/2 price ticket stand in the Strip. So we had three delicious meals for $47.  Then we went and saw Cirque du Soleil - Mystere at Treasure Island. I've seen that show before but it was still good the second time. After that it was time to retire as we had an early morning the next day. 

Day 3

Today we got up early to catch a tour of the Hoover Dam. We took a VIP Tour which allowed us to travel on a small bus with only 13 passengers. Much nicer than a huge tour bus. Our driver was named Brenda and she was very informative and man, oh man, could that woman talk!! I don't think she took a breath all day. She was an excellent guide and made a few extra stops so we got the most from our day. We stopped at the Las Vegas sign for pictures. Then we went through Boulder City and saw some of the original buildings from when the dam was built. Finally, we got to see the Hoover Dam up close and take the tours. It is absolutely huge and learning how it was built was very interesting. The amount of concrete used to build it, how they diverted the Colorado River so they could build it and the different jobs and pay scale were my favourite facts to learn. Matt and I walked across the dam and I was terrified being up so high but I couldn't miss the chance to walk across it. It was so hot there it felt like the skin on the backs of my legs was melting!! We also got to walk across the new bridge "The Mike O'Callahan/ Pat Tillman" bridge which was built for cars to get across. They are no longer allowed to drive across the dam to get from Arizona to Nevada. The bridge took ten years to build and its huge. It was a whole new level of terror to walk across this bridge. I had transport trucks zipping past on one side and absolutely nothing on the other side. Matt loved it and kept hanging over the edge to get a better look!! 😳 We got some great pictures and then headed to Lake Mead to pick up the others on our bus. I kinda wish we'd paid the extra to take the cruise on Lake Mead and see the Hoover Dam from the water. On our way back our driver took us to a little park at the base of the mountains to see some big horn sheep that come down in the summer to eat the grass. It was really neat to see so many of them and not really in the wild either. When we arrived back at the MGM Matt and I headed to the pool to cool down and relax and the others met us down there. After we relaxed by the pool we went back to the room to prepare for dinner. We ate at Emeril's New Orlean's Fish House in the MGM. Again we had discounted coupons which made the meal more affordable. The food was delicious!!!! After dinner Mom, Nancy & Dana went to see the gardens and fountains at the Bellagio, the boys went to gamble and I was unable to "people" any longer (it was a very long loud day) so I headed back to the room for some peace and quiet. 

Day 4 (our last day)

Again I was awake early and watched the sun rise over the Strip. We were up and out again by 6am. We went to the casino so Matt could lose a bit more money. I won $10 so I was pretty happy!! We walked down to see the gardens at the Bellagio and I took a bunch of pictures with no crowds in sight - in fact we were the only ones in the garden! It wasn't as nice as I've seen it other times. I think the fall garden is my favourite!!  Then we took some pictures of the fountains at Caesar's Palace and walked back. We'd already walked 5km before 8am. We checked in with Mom & Dad and found out Dad had won big the night before ... Matt was not impressed since he was on a losing streak!! We went to the pool for a bit then checked out of the MGM and moved all our stuff over to the Monte Carlo for the day. Our flight was leaving at 11:45pm but we still wanted a home base for the day. So we booked one room at the Monte Carlo because it was cheaper than extending our stay at the MGM. I went and did a bit of shopping with Mom & Nancy and before we knew it, it was dinner time. We decided to return to Casa Nova in the Venetian because it was delicious!!  We had another awesome meal and by that time my feet were killing, I had walked close to 15km today I wanted to relax before catching the plane. Nancy and I went back to the hotel while others stopped to gamble a bit. The losing streak continued and it was finally time to pack up and head to the airport. We had a great trip and I'm looking forward to our next for my parents 60th ... 

AR - Summer Camp

This week I went to Muskoka Woods and I'm gonna tell you about it ... We left at 11:00 for Muskoka Woods - early I know! When we got there music was playing and everyone was dancing - FUN!! Then we went to check out my cabin. My cabin was called The Phramacy. When I got to the cabin I saw Gabby so we got the same bunk. Me on bottom her on top and I was okay with that. Then we got a tour around camp to find out about the camp and were our skills were. After that Mom and Dad had to leave and I didn't have a hard time saying goodbye this time. After they left we went to opening show it was so fun! Then we had our swim test I passed (of course). Then we headed to bed. So I guess you want here about my skills. Fine! So my first skill was the Kraken Racer. It's this huge water slide that you race on. I had Sierra, Gabby and my brother with me there so it was extra fun. Then I had cake decorating. We learned how to decorate cakes. The cake I did was a mermaid cake. What the mermaid was doing was she was sticking her tail out of the water. After those first skills we had to have lunch. Then I had Venture girls. That's where we try two activities cause we're not fully free to choose everything yet. After venture girls I had Tubing I thought it wouldn't fun but it ended up being fun because 1) it was a sitting tube 2)

Gabby and Abby (from last year) were in it. On the last day we had FRIDAY FINALE!!!! The morning of pick up I said goodbye to all my friends and left. Then we went to Laura's cottage and went swimming for a little bit. And that's the end of my Week at Muskoka Woods.

JR - Summer Camp

So last week my sister and I went to Muskoka Woods summer camp for a week. I did the kraken racer, which is a big water slide where you have to get the best time to win.  What I liked about the racer is that you got to race your friends and try to beat them. Next, I did paddle boarding and I learned that you have to paddle on both sides of the board or else you'll just go in one direction. After paddle boarding, I had marksmanship where I got to shoot a gun at a bunch of targets.  I learned to never point your gun at someone. After that skill I had API which is a fitness program where you get trained to become stronger and faster. I learned that I could do a 3min plank and bench press 65lbs. After all our skills we had dinner than we had evening program where everyone from senior high would play one big game together. First night we did Kamati where you have to try not to get tackled but you have to say Kamati the whole time there and back and try and get points for your team. Second night, we did the Thunder Dome which is 4 corner dodgeball. I learned that you have to keep your head on a swivel so you don't get hit. The third night was messy four corners where you had paint all over you and you were trying to get paint on other people's board. The fourth night there was a thunderstorm, so we just played board games in the dinning hall. On Thursday, we had conquest which is four corner capture the flag it was my favorite program because we got to run around the whole camp. The last night we had Friday Finale which is a bunch of games and dances. My favorite part about camp was definitely the API because they taught me some fitness stuff that I could do at home. 

SR - Long Point Provincial Park - July 2017

July 9

It's been awhile since we've added to our blog. It's not that the 4Robertsons haven't been busy but it seems we save our blogging for our summer adventures. We really should Blog all our adventures ... Today we had an early start and headed to Cambridge for the final day of the boys soccer tournament. They played a great weekend of soccer but sadly it came down to goal differential and we did not advance on to the finals. From the tournament we headed to one of our favourite provincial parks - Long Point. Once we arrived we got set up and headed for the beach. The kids played in the waves but stayed close to shore because it was as really windy and the water was quite rough. After that they were exhausted and everyone had a little siesta while I read my book. We had dinner then went for a walk on the beach. We stopped to get ice cream ... $4 for a single scoop ... that's nuts!! We won't get ice cream there again. We came back built a fire, played washer toss and some boche. "A" fell and hit her head at the park but it didn't slow her down. She threw her washers while holding ice in her head. After the kids sat in the hammock and sang songs they knew while we sat and enjoyed the campfire. Suns down and we're heading to bed. Night all!!

July 10

Laaazy day!! We got up had breakfast and headed to the beach. It was another windy wavy day. We stayed for a bit then went back for lunch. It was a bit cloudy with a bit of rain in the afternoon. The kids learned to played Mancala (I'm still the Mancala champ!!), I read my book. Then it was nap time for all. We got up, the kids played at the park, we had dinner then went and found cheaper ice cream. There are no cheap ice cream places here!! When we got back we made delicious s'mores with chocolate caramel cookies over the camp fire. Then it was time to head off to bed. 

July 11

Today was a beautiful beach day!! Woke up early and read my book for an hour before anyone else woke up. We had breakfast and then set-up camp on the beach. It was sunny, hot and the water was calm. The kids had fun on their inflatable donut and mermaid toys and played in the water most of the day. Even I took a turn on the mermaid for a bit. I managed to get in a morning walk on the beach. We headed back to the camp site around 3:30 for some quiet time. J had a long nap and A went to the park and hung out in the hammock. I got to read my book some more, even Matt had a nap. We had octo-dogs over the fire for dinner and then the kids and I went for a long walk on the beach. They're having their evening swim and then it's more s'mores and some campfire popcorn.  Night!!

July 12

Site #240

Our stop in paradise is over we packed up the camper before the rain came but still managed to get a long walk in on the beach. We had a wonderful time at one of our favourite places and we had a perfect site this year. Large site with lots of room to spread out, a pull through (always a bonus), I could see the kids at the park while I sat by the camp fire and we were pretty close to the washrooms. But best of all we were steps from the beach and I could hear the waves crashing in as I slept.  On to our next adventure ...

JR - Long Point Provincial Park - July 2017

July 9

So when I woke up today we had to get up really fast because I had a soccer game at 9:15. We played The Darlington Force and we beat them 2-1 in a close game but sadly we didn't advance because of the goal differential. Once we left the field we got Harvey's for lunch and headed to Long Point Provincial Park. We arrived at 1:10 and were able to check in early so we unpacked and went to the beach to check it out and go for a swim. We had dinner around 5:30 then we went for a walk and got ice cream 🍦. To end the day off we had banana boats by the fire 🔥 and played Bocce ball. Good night everyone 😘

July 10

Today once we woke up, we had breakfast around 8:25, we had cereal and porridge. We went to the beach after and went for a swim and when we got back from the beach it was already 11:30 so we had chips and salsa with meat and cheese wraps for lunch 🍴. After lunch we kinda just laid around until 3:30 then we played some bocce ball and went to the park until dad started to make dinner. We helped set up the table. While we were Eating dinner a cute little dog 🐶 came and stood on the top of the sand dune.  After dinner we went for a drive and check out some of the houses before we got ice cream 🍦. We came back and went for a swim, then we had a fire 🔥 and roasted marshmallows. Goodnight everyone 😘

July 11

Today once we woke up it was already 8:25 so we slowly got up and had breakfast, I had cereal. After we cleaned up we got our bathing suits 👙 on and went to the beach for a while. We came back to have lunch. Then we went back to the beach 🌊 and played in the water before mom came in and joined us for a bit. When A and I returned to the campsite it was 3:30 so I took a nap till four something then A and dad went to get ice and ketchup for dinner. After dinner we went for a walk on the beach before playing in the water 💦 we got back to the campsite and made popcorn 🍿 and s'mores on the campfire. Goodnight everyone 😘

AR - Long Point Provincial Park - July 2017

July 9

Today we woke up really early to go to J's soccer game. They won but we didn't have enough points to continue. We stopped at Harvey's for lunch. I got chicken fingers and a chocolate milkshake. When we got to Long Point we put up the trailer and put everything in it. Then we got our bathing suits on and went to the beach. At the beach I fell asleep sunbathing after playing in the waves. After that we went for a walk on the beach. We found a big sand hill and made slow-mo videos of me and J jumping. Then we got ice cream. When we came back we started a fire and me and J went to the park. While me and J were at the park we were playing grounders and I fell and hit my head on the slide. Now I have a big bump on my head OUCH🤕. Sorry I have to go and eat my banana boat. BYE BYES

July 10

Today we woke up and I had to use the bathroom. So I made dad come with me. I had frosted flakes for 🍳 and J had corn pops and Mom and Dad had porridge. Then we decided to go to the beach 🌊. Me and J went in and when we were done we raced back to shore. Then me and Dad went back to the trailer to take a shower 🚿.  After the shower I went to he park and played. Then I laid in the hammock and fell asleep 😴.  We went for a drive and got ice cream 🍦. When we got back me and J went to the park and met two kids. We played with them for awhile until they had to leave. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. Me and J went for a evening swim. It was cold but fun!! Then I had another s'more and went to the park where me and J played for awhile. Then we went to bed💤

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                 BYE BYES!!!!

July 11

This morning I woke up. But I was just sitting in bed for awhile because Dad was still sleeping 😴. I had Rice Krispies for breakfast 🍳. After breakfast we  blew up the donut floaty🍩 and the mermaid floaty 💘, then we were off to he beach 🌊. Me and J went in the water 💦 with the floatys. It was fun!!! After that we came back and had lunch🍴. Then we went back to the beach 🌊 and I got sunburned OUCH!! We came back to our site and I played at the park. Then me and dad went to get wood, Ice and a Freezie YUM. We had Octadogs for dinner and I had a s'more for dessert. It was delicious. After dinner I went to the park and met a girl named Castle and we played tag. Now I got to go brush my teeth. BYE BYERS 👋🏻