Viva Las Vegas!

As Weston previously mentioned, we went with Marc's high school baseball team to Las Vegas. This was Ellie's second round trip journey on an airplane. We were a lot less nervous to fly again because we knew what to expect and also because Weston's parents were there to help with her. When we arrived at the airport, we took a shuttle to the new rental car center and Weston waited in Dollar Rent-a-Car's line for an HOUR to get our car. Our pickins were slim so we drove a black PT Cruiser for the week. What a weird car! Tuesday (our day of arrival) was pretty much wasted after that, but we toured the casino, went grocery shopping and ran some other errands. It was our only day without baseball games so we had to try to keep busy.

Wednesday Marc played at 8:00 a.m. and it was a good game. Marc was playing first base for the varsity team. He's only a sophomore so we weren't sure where he'd be playing, but he played varsity the whole tournament. Ellie was a little antsy and I was horrified she would get sunburned so what I saw of the game was great. After the game, we went swimming at the most windy pool I've ever experienced. The hotel we stayed at was a giant tower and the pool was right to the side. The lifeguard explained that all of the wind that hits the hotel tower blows right down to the swimming pool. It was freezing! The pool temperature was fine, but as soon as you got out the wind froze your skin. We didn't swim for very long, but it was fun to see Ellie crawl around.

Thursday Marc played at 3:00 so we decided to tour the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and cactus gardens. They weren't doing anything that exciting, but we got to sample chocolates. Mmmmm. We then headed to the strip to walk through M&M world and the Coca-Cola Store. Grandma and Grandpa bought Ellie an M&M outfit so she can look like Yellow. We bought her a pink baseball hat in the Coke store. We got back to the hotel with just enough time to get ready. Marc had his game and we had family pictures scheduled with a friend that lives in Vegas. We thought we'd be done in time to catch the end of Marc's game. We missed it all, but they did win again.

Friday Marc played at noon at the College of Southern Nevada. They had the coolest stands to sit in. They were made of great big red rocks and there were no seats. You could either sit in a camp chair or sit on the rocks. It was great for Ellie because she actually got to crawl around a play a little. Marc's team stayed "in the game" until the fourth inning. They lost to a tough California team. We were upset, but seemed to forget about a lot of the disappointment with orange cream slushes from Sonic on the way home. We continued our therapy session by going to the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus. Ellie rode the carousel for the first time and some nice man gave her a stuffed tiger. She pretty much stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Marc went on the rides. We finished our long night at Fazoli's to celebrate my birthday. 

Saturday's game was to determine third place in the tournament. Marc pitched for four innings in the middle of the game. They lost to a local high school team and took fourth in the tournament out of 16 teams. Ellie enjoyed her first tastes of lime snow cone from Grandpa. She wasn't quite sure what to think of it. After the game we shopped at the outlet stores nearest the airport. I found my dress for Jimmy's wedding and bought Ellie a dress also. It was then time to return the car and head to the airport. At the airport, Weston found a shirt that said "Potty like a Rockstar- Las Vegas." Of course we had to get it for Ellie. The flight home was later and Ellie was a little fussy, but we made it home alive and tired.