Viva Las Vegas -- Yarbrough Family Trip 2013

For the third year in a row we ventured off to the desert in the middle of the sweltering summer.  Let the tradition of the Yarbrough Vegas Vacation continue!  The first day consisted of pooling it, relaxing, and heading out to dinner with a little bit of gambling and a little bit of drinking.  We ended up going to a bar that was having a private party for Randy Couture's 50th birthday.  He rode the bull right in front of me, and of course I had no idea who that was (for those of you that don't know.... according to my friend, he will belong in the UFC Hall of Fame).  So we got to celebrate his birthday with him... kindof...  The pool was absolutely crazy, because there was this EDC .  Let's just say there were a lot more drunkards and whatever else came along with them as well as the most scantily clothed men and women then I have normally seen.  There was barely any room in the pool for Breslin to even swim!

The second day consisted of much the same, except we also did our traditional SteakHouse at Circus Circus, followed by a show.  Mom and Dad went to see Love again, and Christina and I went to see One (the new Michael Jackson one) at Mandalay Bay.  Brady stayed back and hung out with Breslin.  When we got back we did a little bit more gambling!

The third day mom had to leave early, so that left dad, Christina, Breslin, Brady and I to cruise Vegas.  We walked the strip, gambled, played in the pool, and hit up In n Out for dinner (since Christina and my dad can't get that anywhere else).  And then gambled a bit more.  I absolutely love sitting at the tables and interacting with the players and the dealers.  I sat at a Black Jack table for about two hours that last night (I would win a little, then lose a little, then win a little....)  I used to be intimidated by the tables, but now I love it.  I love going down there and hearing where people are from or just watching how the play the games.   So many people from different backgrounds end up in Vegas.  Ironically enough I met a guy who was actually in Nashville at CMA Fest the week before!  What are the odds that we were both at the same two things completely across the nation!  Absolutely Crazy!  Gotta love Vegas!

On our way to dinner

Summer Vacation Week 3 (Christina's visit to So Cal)

Ventura Harbor

After spending five days in Nashville and then five days in Michigan we headed back "home" to California.  Christina came with us!  We have spent days of just lounging by the pool and at the beach.  Rest and Relaxation.  With our summer cut short by summer school we are making the most of our June.  After our jetsetting back in the midwest we are having a bit of a "staycation" at Resort Burrill before we head off to Vegas for four days.

Breslin absolutely adores his Auntie TiTi and I am not looking forward to next Tuesday when we all go our separate ways, but until then we are spending some quality family time out here.  Christina and I have traded back and forth making dinners (Christina's Chicken Zinger Melts are to die for).  And of course we have to go out for ice cream pretty much every day, in addition to swimming and laying out.  We did spend a day of shopping and a movie (Man of Steel) which was awesome.  A little indoor time may have been needed due to somebody getting a nice little sunburn from the beach.

So far we have made the most of our summer vacation.  What has everybody else been up to?

Potter Park Zoo

Auntie Mitzi, you are really slacking on this pony thing....  Oma got Breslin a play pony for Christmas and now Breslin gets to ride a pony at the zoo.  Meet Ebony, Breslin's first pony ride.

Sisters in front of the bald eagles.

Mom and me

We were checking out the pigs at this point.

Cheese :)

Breslin riding a giraffe.  He climbed down off of that giraffe all by himself.

Burrill family portrait at the zoo!

On our last full day in Michigan the weather was absolutely beautiful.  We decided that we would spend the day outdoors.  We headed out to Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.  It is a relatively small zoo but perfect for a two year old to run around and have some fun.  Breslin rode a pony, brushed some goats fur in the petting zoo and saw lots and lots of animals.  He had a blast, but his favorite part was the peacocks, they were in full bloom, strutting around with their feathers out and calling for their mates.  Breslin was calling back!  It was hilllarious.

Lake Michigan, Unsalted

Mommy and Breslin

Trying to stay warm until the sun came up

Heading in for a walk in downtown Grand Haven while we waited for the fog to lift

Oma and Breslin saying "hi" from the lake

Pronto Pups.  If you have been to Grand Haven but never been to Pronto Pups you must go.  Good corn dogs for cheap.  According to Brady it is a must!

We were working on the most intense sand castle.... (and by intense it had three buckets of sand and 2 sea horses) and then Breslin knocked it over :(  All of that hard work!

Grand Haven is a main attraction for any Michigander.  Brady and myself are no exception.  Brady's mom (Corky) grew up around here, and I spent many a summer day with my school friends hanging out here.  This place has such good memories.  So we never come out to Michigan in the summer and we decided to share our little favorite piece of Michigan with Breslin, however the weather did not start to cooperate until about 1:30 in the afternoon.  Once the sun broke through the fog it was a beautiful day.  We splashed our feet in the water (because that was all we could do, Brady described the lake as "Lake Superior cold" I said it was "California Pacific Ocean cold," either way, we were not getting in), we picnicked with Jimmy Johns sandwiches, built sandcastles and caught some rays.

Dinner at the Williams

Christina, mom, me, Dawn, Alaina, and Megan

Dad, Brady, Breslin, and Michael (missing: Greg)

the original Graystone kiddos

We went over to the William's on Monday night.  This is the Williams that we have done New Year's Eve with every year for the past 25 or so years.  Whenever we get together it is an absolute blast.  It started back at 2424 and 2425 Graystone Drive, and now we are in East Lansing, Williamston, Lansing, California, and Florida and still remain as close ever. 

Austin graduated!

Christina, Becky, and me

Brady, Scott, Harmony, Maddy, Oma, Breslin, me, Pinka Mike, Christina, Austin, Becky, Avery, Aunt Joyce and Uncle Mark after our meal.

Congratulations Austin!

the Yarbrough sisters with the high school graduate

the Yarbrough family

Happy family

The Lindsey/Yarbrough/Burrill/Rairick family getting together to celebrate Austin's graduation!  I remember Austin when he was slightly bigger than Breslin, I can not believe that he is all grown up and going into the Navy!

An Elmo Party

Elmo and cookie monster cupcakes(made by Mitzi)

Dorothy goldfish for the goodie bag (made by me)

Little dorothy marshmallow pops (made by Mitzi)

Chips Ahoy Cookie Monster (made by Mitzi and me)

Elmo and Cookie Monster goodie bags (made by me)

C is for Cookie (made by me)

the fabulous dessert table

Banner (made by Mitzi)

Breslin is now 2.  Mitzi decided he was going to have an Elmo party, and boy oh boy did he!  Thanks to some help from Mitzi and Pinterest we were able to pull off a pretty darn fun birthday party!  We definitely had enough desserts to feed an army, but they were so tasty!!!!