This dreary, rainy, cold, yucky Oregon weather has me dreaming of sunnier days and warmer weather. Truly I am a summer babe - although I do LOVE watching spring and fall roll in.  

But oh! The early mornings. The late evenings. Barbecues, sunshine, pool days, park days, fountain days, the smell of my babies in sunscreen and swimsuits. I. Love. Summer.  

We were blessed as a family over Valentine's weekend to get out of the rain and head to Las Vegas. It's the first time Daniel and I have taken the babes, and despite having to lug around two car seats we had an amazing time with those two. We were also accompanied by our dear sweet friends - Aunt Becca and Uncle Sterling. 

Both kiddos were troopers on the 2 hour flight down. Linus slept the whole way except for the last 30 minutes and Ruby played quietly - and by quietly I mean she opened and closed her window about a dozen times, put the tray table up and down a dozen times, as well as her arm rests.

It was a little windy and cold the night we got there, which was a little disappointing but the weather for the next two days gave us high hopes. 

Saturday night we hit up In n' Out for dinner, and since we were staying in condos (Daniel's mom owns timeshares in Vegas) we hit up a grocery store for a few meals/snacks/essentials.  

Sunday we walked the strip, and though it was 63 degrees it was WINDY which made it cold, and slightly miserable. After walking from Planet Hollywood back to the condo (a slightly hefty walk), we spent the rest of the afternoon lazing around and hanging out. Ruby got to play in the monster jetted tub (which she LOVED). And both babes - mom included got naps :)

That evening Daniel surprised me with front row, center seat tickets to the Jabbawockeez. :) They are a dance group. (The first time I ever went to Vegas I spent a good majority of my time holed up in my room glued to the TV watching America's Best Dance Crew. It was the first season, and the year the Jabbawockeez won. I was obsessed. Two years later they had a show at the MGM and Daniel took me for our anniversary. Needless to say, I became more obsessed. They are incredibly talented.) I was over the moon! Becca and I got the opportunity to have a ladies night and it was way too much fun. Their show only continues to get better, and they will always have a special place in my heart. (Future Katie goal, get Linus to be apart of the Jabbawockeez ;-) 

Monday was a perfect day. Sunny and 70! We spent the morning out at the pool. Ruby played and swam and floated around in that pool for 2 and 1/2 hours. She was in Heaven. That evening we took Ruby to the Aquarium at Mandaly Bay (a first for Daniel and I too - which there aren't a lot of when it comes to Vegas as we have been 13 or more times in the 9 years we've been married.) The aquarium was a lot of fun. She got to see little Dory fishes, and of course the sharks were her favorite.  

For dinner that night we took our little troop to the Rainforest Café for dinner. It was our early family Valentine's dinner - and it was almost a hit. We requested to be seated close to the elephants as they are Ruby's favorite, and away from the gorillas... But from where we were seated we could still see the gorillas and she just wasn't having any of it. It was adorable and silly, she practically ate in my lap, and was shoveling food in so she could get out of there as soon as possible. The indoor rainstorms about put her over the edge. 

To top off our evening Daniel took us to Sprinkles and we feasted on cupcakes while Ruby took yet another bubble tub in the jetted bath.  

It was sad to go home and leave the fun and sunshine behind. Both kids were amazing on the flight home, too tired to do much of anything but sleep and play iPad games. Which was nice cause it allowed Daniel and I to get some shut eye too.  

That evening Ruby, Daniel, and Linus passed out at about 645. Ruby slept until 730 the next morning. (Pure. Exhaustion.) We had an amazing time. I loved being able to get away for a little bit and connect as a family. I am definitely looking forward to many more fun short trips in our future.  

CHEERS! And Happy Tuesday! May it be sweet and filled with love wherever you are.