Historic Railroad Trail

We went to Lake Mead to hike the Historic Railroad Trail. It was a rail line used for the building of Hoover Dam. The track has been pulled up so now it's a hiking trail halfway up a mountain.





The kids were excited to get started. I told them there's a surprise at the end of the trail, (well the end for us. There's no way we were hiking the whole 7 miles!)





The scenery was absolutely beautiful with Lake Mead on one side and the mountains on the other.





After about a mile and a half of hiking we made it to our destination. (The kids took turns walking and riding in the stroller.) We only went to the first two tunnels, but they were impressive! The kids were super excited. We heard a Mexican free-tail bat, but we couldn't locate it.



On the way back Alex wanted to climb.

We all really enjoyed our hike and spending time together.

Marie-Anne

Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge

On Labor Day we went hiking at Pahranagat Wildlife Refuge. It was overcast and a whole lot cooler than the temperatures we are used to. The kids hiked farther than I expected them to! Even Alex said it was pretty.









On the way back to the car I used some tricks I learned from articles about hiking with kids. I threw a rock and told Sabrina to go get it. I asked who could get to the birdhouse first, Frank or Alex. And yes I ended up giving Sabrina a piggyback ride part way.

Marie-Anne

Mall Play Area

While Frank was out evangelizing, the kids and I waited at the mall's play area. The kids had a great time, but I was bored out of my mind. At one point there were at least 20 kids there. Some with babysitters who were NOT paying attention to the kids at all.



On the way out the kids got to ride a train in a min carnival set up near the food court. They were extremely happy about that!

Marie-Anne

Why Target is awesome

After the Not Back to School Party I took the kids to a Target near Frank's work. We each got an Icee, (Sabrina's first time having a whole one). Alex dropped his and as I was telling the cashier a worker showed up with a mop. Impressive.

While we were looking at toys Sabrina said, “It hurts. My body hurts.” When I asked her where she pointed to her throat and stomach. When we got to the front of the store she threw up. I tried to make my way to the bathroom when she threw up again even more. It was on her clothes, my clothes, the box of diapers and the floor.
A lady who I'm assuming is the manager was there immediately with a bag and giving other employees instructions. She kept Sabrina calm and handed me paper towels. She even asked if I needed to step away. Then she instructed another employee to get Sabrina a dress and me a shirt from the clearance rack. She walked with us to the bathroom and continued to help. I offered to pay for the clothes, but they gave them to us for free.

The response and customer service were outstanding. I will gladly switch to this store.

(After throwing up Sabrina was fine, she even twirled to show off her princess dress. She won't be getting a whole Icee again for a long, long time.)

Marie-Anne

Not Back to School Party

Yesterday we had the Not Back to School Party at the park. It was a lot of fun. There were games, water balloons, sponge balls, a potluck,and of course, the splash pad and play ground. I was thrilled that Alex actually played with the other kids. I spent most of my time with some other moms, but keeping an eye on Sabrina.

Marie-Anne

Themed Playdates

On Wednesday we invited a family over for dinner. Before they came I took all of the kids toys out of their room and replaced them with Alex's Imaginext toys, (with a few princesses thrown in). All four kids had so much fun and played really well together the entire time they were here.

Alex got his first Imaginext set a week before his third birthday as a big brother gift. He still loves Imaginext and wants more. I think this is the only toys from that age that still hold his attention. I also love Imaginext because the kids really use their imaginations with these toys.

Marie-Anne

Healed

After service last Sunday, Pastor Hart prayed for those who were sick. I had chronic back pain that was getting worse. So, I asked for prayer. Pastor had me sit in a chair and he lifted my legs straight out in front of me. One leg was noticeably shorter than the other. He called Frank up then as he prayed for me the shorter leg evened out!

Before this prayer I couldn't even stand long enough to do dishes without having to take breaks. I have been pain free for almost a week! God is a wonderful God!

Marie-Anne

Lied Children's Museum

We met the homeschool group at the children's museum. The kids had so much fun downstairs that after 3 hours we never made it to the upstairs science part. Of course, as we were leaving Alex said he wanted to go upstairs- not this time, buddy.

Marie-Anne

Swimming

A friend invited me to bring the kids for lunch and to let them swim. They had a great time. It was Sabrina's first time in a real pool! She had no fear. I think we should look into swimming lessons.

Marie-Anne

Red Rock Meadow- Calico Basin

For family night we went to Red Rock Meadow after Frank got home.





Hiking with small kids is definitely different. Sabrina fell asleep in the car and woke up very grouchy. At first I thought our hike would end before it began, but after a short piggy-back ride she calmed down. She enjoyed the rest of the hike.



The kids wanted to go higher than we did, but we knew that the return trip wouldn't be pleasant if we did.







Alex really enjoyed scrambling over some boulders with his Papa. Sabrina wanted to, but she's just not big enough. Alex wants to go back tomorrow, but that's not going to happen. We did tell him that maybe next time we could get a sitter for Sabrina and climb higher.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

The church had an outreach at the park this evening so my kids got two parks in one day. I am exhausted.

Marie-Anne

Mission Hills Park

We met the homeschool group at the park this morning.





Of course they enjoyed the playground.





They also had a blast in the sprinklers. (Besides a few kid scuffles for Alex. Afterwards he played with the same kid who kicked him.)

Marie-Anne

MLK Park

On Wednesday I took the kids to MLK Park after we dropped Frank off at work.

Marie-Anne

Visit from the Florida Crew

We had a wonderful visit from our Florida family. The only problem was it was way too short.









We went to Chuck E. Cheese.



The kids played in the rocky maze, played with the toys, and had a water balloon fight.

Before they left we went to Applebees.

It was a great visit, but as I said, much too short.

Marie-Anne

MLK Park

I took the kids to MLK Park this morning before it got too hot. By 8:30 it was getting hot so we left to go grocery shopping.

Marie-Anne

Family Night

Last night for family night we took the kids to Barnes and Nobles, Jason's Deli, and Toys R Us. We had some very happy kids.

Marie-Anne

McDonald's Play Place

We planned to go home after evangelizing, but some friends invited us to go to McDonalds. The kids were thrilled because it was one we haven't been to before. We actually drove past it about a week ago and Alex asked to stop. They had a lot of fun playing with their friends and they also made some temporary friends. The adults had fun with our friends too, (just in case you were wondering.

Marie-Anne

Apartment Playground

We went door to door inviting people to church at an apartment complex today. As we were wrapping up Sabrina saw the playground. So I took the kids there while Frank talked to some more people.

Marie-Anne

Nellis Meadows Park

We took the kids to Nellis Meadows Park this morning. They had the whole playground to themselves. Sabrina brought her “baby,” which is a green teddy bear. Both kids had a whole lot of fun. They absolutely love parks and I love the price.

Marie-Anne