July in Colorado part 1

On our drive out to CO, we decided to spend an extra night in Las Vegas to have a mini-vacation and spend some time in the pool.  The kids were super excited to stay in a castle and were pretty unaware of the less sweet aspects of Vegas.  Every time we walked through a casino we got a few looks.  There were families there, but not too many.  And each time I saw someone with a baby in a casino, I would wonder who would bring a baby to Las Vegas!?  Then I would look down and remember I had a baby.  

Anyway, we were able to enjoy a buffet, a good morning at the pool, and we watched the fountains at the Belaggio.   The kids l-o-v-e-d the water slide!  It was one of the first times they've played on a big slide and they had a great time.  It was definitely the highlight of Vegas for them.  Both kids were fearless and brave, easily the smallest and youngest partakers in the slide fun.  Lucy swam for the first time, too, though her time was limited because there was zero shade to be found in or near the water.  

Our second day of driving was loooong.  It was 12 hours of driving plus many stops.  The kids did very well, all things considered, and we spend the last few hours with the big kids asleep in the back, me with my hand on Lucy's chest to calm her in the middle, and Luke driving in the front.  We were very glad to arrive.  

We got to start our time in Colorado with a Fourth of July BBQ at Mimi & Pa's house.  It was all of the Sykora, Huffman, and Tallon grandparents plus grandkids galore.  Lucy was super cute in her patriotic outfit.    We especially enjoyed being with Cass, Alex, and Noah on the day between their pre-op appointment and her major heart surgery.  They spent the rest of the month in the hospital, so it was a treat to have some time with them before that journey began. 

No fireworks this year due to the recent fires in CO.  So, our celebration was complete with food, family, and a slip 'n slde!