One of the hardest parts about being a military family is having MJ grow up so far away from family. This is especially true about his cousins. Some of my best memories about childhood are playing with my "built-in-best-friends." As I've grown older, I've lost touch with many of them, but it's still nice to remember those days . . . but it also makes me sad that MJ is not going to be able to experience that like I did. So welcoming family into town is one of the most joyful things we get to do these days, and we recently had the opportunity to welcome Jonathan's sister Allison and her daughter Katie to Vegas for a few days. And, since Alli was really here for a work conference and Jonathan was working the whole time, MJ and I got to spend a few days, just him, I, and Kate.
On our first Vegas outing, I took the two of them to Spring's Preserve. This is a natural oasis in the middle of the city. The first people settled in the Las Valley because there were natural springs under the ground, giving them fresh water in the middle of the harsh Mojave Desert. However, by the 1960's, Las Vegas's growing population had nearly sucked these natural springs dry. Spring's Preserve grew out of a desire to protect what remained of the natural springwater and habitat of the valley. It's now a 180-acre plot of land in the middle of the city with botanical gardens, museums, and a park. The museums are very hands-on, and you can learn about everything from Las Vegas history to living sustainability in the desert. And I think it speaks very highly of the place that MJ (who's almost 15 months) and Katie (who's 9) BOTH loved it.
Here they are exploring a compost heap in the sustainability center.
MJ driving a car of the future . . .
This was one of my favorite exhibits. Here, Katie is getting ready to learn about flash flooding.
Here comes the flood! Notice Katie is no longer standing next to railing. ;)
Not scared at all of the spider exhibit.
A little hesitant to go into one of the old train cars from the Nevada railway . . . but if Katie would do it, so would he.
"Riding" the train (the pictures in the windows moved, not the train itself).
Absolutely LOVE this picture: the two of them watching Old Nevada through the train windows.
Digging for dinosaur bones. I honestly think the two of them would have stayed in this spot all day.
Help from Kay-Kay to see the rabbits.
I promise he really does love Katie. There was too much to see to sit still for a picture!
Ummmm . . . you do realize that's a big snake, right?
More sand.
Never too old for the sandbox!
Katie trying on a turtle shell.
Following Katie into the train!
Love their goofy faces here!
I imagine MJ was a hobo in a past life. I could almost hear him singing "Jimmy Cracked Corn."
The next day, we took a jaunt out of the city. We drove through Red Rock Canyon so Katie could see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and then went on to Bonnie Springs Ranch. This place used to be a stopover for wagons headed west to California on the Old Spanish Trail. Now, it's been turned into a "living museum," with an old west town, petting zoo, train ride, and gun shows.
Here, Katie gives MJ a lift to look into an old wagon.
Checking out an old mining cart.
MJ in the middle of the old west town. Honestly, all he wanted to do was sit down and play with the rocks.
Taking a break from exploring.
Katie cheesing it up. She said she wanted to be this lady because "at least she's dressed." (The other option was a lady in her underwear in the bath house).
We hit Katie's jack-pot with the petting zoo. She literally petted every single animal in there and got to feed a few of them too. She was little grossed out by this pig though.
Feeding the donkey.
This deer was her favorite. Unfortunately, it wasn't interested in eating the animal food. It only wanted her shirt! Luckily, she laughed it off, and I didn't have to explain to her mom why she was now terrified of deer. ;)
I was a little wary about letting MJ touch any of the animals, and I made him stay in the stroller the whole time, out of fear he'd find a piece of poop and stick it in his mouth before I could stop him. But I did let him touch this goat . . . and then I doused him in hand sanitizer.
Getting ready to ride the train! They are both watching the conductor.
Again, he really does love his cousin. But the train was pulling out the station, and there was no time to stop and smile for the camera. ;)
Thanks for coming out, Allison and Katie! We hope you come back really soon (and bring the rest of the family!) :)
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