On Thursday Oct 1, 2009 I took an adventure.   That days was when James, Travis and I would leave cold, dreary, Seattle and head to the warmer climate of Las Vegas while Molly would end up staying home with Stubs.  Molly parked the car and we walked us to Security where there was no line.  She walked with me and the boys as far as she could and then we said farewell for a few days.  We took off our shoes and Travis walked through the security first, then James, both went very easy and waited for Dada.  Now my turn, again no problem.  We got our stuff together and walked to our gate.  James holding Travis's hand while daddy carried 2 backpacks, the carryon bag, and the car seat.  We then loaded the plane on pre-board and then were off.

Once landed in Vegas we had to hike for what felt like an eternity.  Again, James and Travis hand-in-hand while daddy carries everything.  We took the elevator down to baggage claim where Nana was waiting.  Hampa went to put more change in the meter and and we started walking to meet him by the car since he wasn't back yet.  We were crossing the crosswalk and Hampa almost walked right by us until I caught his attention.  We boarded the car and off we went.  The boys went to bed around 10:30 or 11:00 but were not out until later than that.

On Friday morning around 6:15 the boys woke up and rang the doorbell at my parents "big house".  They call it the "big house" because my parents have a small casita un their court yard where we stay.  The boys do call that the "small house".  We then ate breakfast and did things around Vegas.  We went down to the strip and enjoyed some short-time at M&M World.  The boys were very excited to see the M&M characters and to get some M&M's but they were really excited to see the race car on the upper floors.  We may have some speed-demons on our hands when they hit 16 but hopefully they will grow out of it by then.  Unlikely though, they are boys.

We then continued on the strip and hit up the NY NY arcade for a period of time.  Travis and I drove the race car there to get the thrill out from seeing the real race car.  I let him steer the car and he did suprisingly well.  Then it was off to the RainForest Cafe.  They enjoyed the fish, the sounds, and especially the lightning sound.   They had a good day.

On Saturday we went to Lake Mead.  Here we fed the fish some popcorn, animal crackers that were smashed.  The fish were huge and Travis kept looking over and we thought he was going to fall in.  It took 30 minutes to get there but the feeding of the fish lasted maybe 10 minutes.  Next time we need to bring more food but it was definitely worth it for the boys showed great joy in doing it.  The reat of the day we stayed at home and enjoyed playing outside.

On Sunday we stayed around the house since the wind was incredibly strong and didnt want to do anything around the town outside because the San Bernadino fires were filing the Vegas Air with smoke.  With my asthma that is not a good thing.  We decided to play inside and then go in the hottub.  Then we decided to let the boys watch a movie in Nana and Hampas bedroom.  Now this was a surprise.  James and Travis found some water bottles and poured them on their bed.  It was soaked.  So they had to unfortunatly sleep in another room but my mom decided to sleep on the sofa.  Not a good night sleep.

On Monday it was a day to relaxed and prepare to go home.  It went quick as we went to the Green Valley Ranch for a buffet.  James ate a lot of churro's and beans.  While Travis kept stealing Hampa's egg rolls.  It was definitely a treat.  By the time we got back it was nap time where Travis slept for about 2.5 hours and then we went to a "big" park to play for an hour.  Then again home and packed and then got to the airport around 5:20 for the 7:15 flight.  My parents helped us through security just like Molly did and off we went.  Same again James and Travis hand-in-hand, while I carried everything. 

We did the pre-board again and we lucked out that the seat next to us was left empty (thanks US Airways Gate person).  We then sat, and sat, and sat some more.  The time we were supposed to leave had passed.  The air conditioning on the plane was out while we sat.  The flight attendants were just standing around up front talking.  By now it was over 45 minutes late.  Then the pilot came on saying they were grounding the plane and that they got us another plane at gate B6 and that we needed to go there.  So we deboarded the plane that was at A12.  B6 turns out to be at the other end of the terminal.  So again, I needed to take Travis and James to another gate when I was relieved to be on the plane the first time for there was not many places for them to hide.  Though James was a trooper yet again and walked besides me.  Travis rode on the carry-on while I hauled him and the car seat, backpack, to the next gate.   It was a long walk and having knee surgery only 2 weeks ago did not make this more enjoyable.  We got to B6 and we shortly pre-boarded.  At last on the plane and we took off for home.  While in the air they announced they would be coming by with their beverage and snack service.  They also stated that they would be charging for the alcohol (which I don't drink) as well as for the snacks.  They GAVE nothing for the inconvenience.  I know airlines are struggling but come-on.  Doing something for customer satisfaction.  Everyone on the plane was complaining about this.

At last home at about 11:00 where mama met us and gave us all hugs and a ride home.  It was a great trip minus the fiasco at the End with the airline.  I called US Airways to complain about the lack of service and/or assistance.  The response I got was "Poor planning on your part" in regards to travelling two kids on my own and the fact the Las Vegas airport did not have the golf-cart type service.  I was a really irked.  I am going to use up my mileage and Molly is two for everytime we've flown US Airways there has been some fiasco.  From the time we went to Hawaii and had a lay-over in Vegas that was supposed to be an hour that turned out to be 4 or 5 because they didn't have a crew to this.  Sorry US Airways, you have lost in this one.