Vegas Baby

We went to Las Vegas this weekend for Laura's National cheerleading competition. This was a huge thing. I mean thousands and thousands of people and girls running around in skimpy little cheerleading outfits.

It started out with us driving up there on Friday. Of course leave it to the cheerleaders to book this event the very SAME weekend that Nascar has a huge race in town also. So that means that all the rooms were booked OR what was left was charging highway robbery. I mean the Stardust crappy rooms that normally are $29 were over $200 a night. So Jim's Navy career came through for us and he booked us in the family lodging at the Nellis Air Force base in North Las Vegas. And the price for a 1 bedroom apartment with murphy beds in the wall for the kids? $31.75 a night!!!!! In Vegas! Yeah I was impressed too. It saved us probably close to a thousand dollars!

We got there Friday afternoon and when we arrived on base, the Thunderbirds were practicing. Of course Jack went crazy about all the *airmays* (airplanes in Jack-speak). Oh and Jim was just as or more enthralled with the airmays as Jack. It also allowed us to do some shopping at the base Exchange. Low prices and no sales tax - gotta love that.

On Saturday, Laura's competition started at 6 AM!!! She went on at 8 AM!!! Yeah early. Thank goodness her mother was the one to do the hair and makeup for this one. She did great as usual. There were 18 other first-place teams from around the country in her category so it was stiff competition.

After she performed we had 4 hours to kill before her awards ceremony. So we headed over to Caesar's Palace and went to the FAO Schwartz toy store. The boy was in heaven. I mean there were $30,000 Hummer battery-operated cars! For kids! I mean really give me a break. Besides the over-priced spoiled rich kid's toys, there were also Thomas tables, ride-on toys, the giant piano on the floor, cars, choo-choos, airmays. I mean it was kid heaven. Of course when it was time to leave, we had to take the boy out kicking and screaming.

We got back to the competition in time to see Laura take FOURTH PLACE in her category. I think that is great out of all the other teams. And were are really proud of her. I think she was a little bit bummed for not getting first place, but still even placing is a great accomplishment. One of the other teams from her gym got first place in their category, so I am sure there was some jealousy involved.

Anyway, we came home today. It was snowing in the mountains when we came home and was absolutely freezing. It was also freezing in Vegas being in the 30's. Brrrr Told as Jack would say. It was a fun weekend but it is always good to get home. I will post the pics a bit later. There are some of the competition and the enormity of the whole event. Also cute pics of Jack being enthralled with the toy store.