{Emerald Caves}

Last Saturday we checked off one of our Vegas bucket list goals!  A gorgeous kayaking trip on the Colorado River (a very flat part of the river with no current to be precise) was the best way to spend a Saturday!

We went with Caitlin and Richard - Caitlin found a sweet deal through Outdoor Rec on Nellis to rent both the Kayaks.  We drove for about an hour to Willow Bay Marina in Arizona - the launch point for our adventure!

These photos were taken shortly after we launched!

It was a peaceful place to Kayak - it wasn't too crowded when we took off (although we did see a large tour group on our way out).  We had fun reminiscing our canoe trip on Causey Dam in 2010 when we were dating :)

Emerald Caves didn't disappoint!  The area where the sun hit the water was beautiful and created a shimmery green emerald effect.  So nice to get away and enjoy God's creations!

{Christopherson's Vegas Trip}

This past month we had the privilege of having some of our favorite cousins come to town!  The Christopherson clan always brings adventure when they come to visit and this time was no different. 

Calvin really appreciates his cousins Quincy and "Coll-no" (he can't say Collin - but his pronunciation is so cute I don't have the heart to correct it).  He looks up to the older boys and loves to be around them!  If he turns into as great a young man as those two kiddos are I'll consider myself pretty lucky. 

We stopped by "Seven Magic Mountains" in the desert as one of our outings.  It's a pretty neat little art project right by our home - Calvin enjoys running around the stacked boulders! 

The boys with their eyes closed - such a great shot :S

Calvin & Aunt Jana enjoying the blustery day!

Somebody get this kid a selfie stick already!

The little school bus that Calvin loved at the outlet stores!

Nike outlet store is one of our favorite places to visit.  Last time Jana was here we were wandering around the Nike store trying to kickstart labor!  Ah, the memories! 

The boys and I also visited an indoor trampoline park - it was a hit.  They loved the obstacle course, Jacob's ladder, jousting, zipline and of course all the trampolines.  

For one of our adventures we visited the Pawn Stars store on the strip!  It was tiny - they make it look SO much bigger on the TV show!  Still kind of cool to experience!

Jana & I went to lunch at a Thai food restaurant... while we were there Mike called (he was in Alabama with Mario at the time watching the Crimson Tide's Spring Scrimmage)... So we got talking about the team, who was at the scrimmage and who look good, etc... as soon as we got off the phone this guy sitting in the booth next to us got up and went out to his car.  He returned with all of this bama swag - turns out he was the recruiter for the University of Alabama!  What are the chances?!

It was so fun to have the family come visit!  I am beyond blessed to have them as my people. 

{Vegas Bucket List}

One of the emotions that moving brings about is reflection - as the date comes closer and closer where we leave our Nevada home and embark on a new adventure I have been feeling particularly reflective.  There are moments when I feel completely overwhelmed with gratitude for the experiences we've had here and the people we've met along the way.  We still have a few more weeks left here and during that precious time I am determined to fit in a few more goals from our Vegas bucket list and spend time with our dearest friends! : )  The next few posts will be dedicated to Henderson and the wonderful home it has been for us.

We have enjoyed time with the Vidrines the past couple weeks - soccer time with the boys, barbecues in the evening, and some super hero themed parties have all been part of the past few weeks!  They have become some of our dearest friends out here and we love that family! Featured below are some of the fun times we had at their pool and our joint soccer sessions at Longevity Sports.

Another part of Henderson I have really enjoyed is the workout classes offered at EOS fitness.  They are fun because usually Caitlin will go with me or I'll connect with people from the ward.  The other day I did a fun PlyoJam class with Katie - it is so much better to sweat with a friend! 

I know I have said it before but... our ward... oh my goodness gracious.  What an amazing group of people in this part of the Lord's vineyard.  I believe the Lord's promise wholeheartedly that you come to love those whom you serve.  So working with the women in the Acacia Ward Relief Society has exposed me to some of the finest women in the world.  I will be forever grateful for my experiences here! 

More to come on the topic of Henderson Bucket Listing! :)