Baby Blessings = A Trip to Vegas

My two newest nephews (Jesse and Jack) were going to be blessed the same day. I hadn't planned on going because I couldn't afford the plane ticket. But on Wednesday my sister Molly called and asked me why I wasn't going to come. She the offered me one of their Southwest passes (her husband Bruce is a flight attendant). How could I refuse - especially since I hadn't even met Jack yet. Beyond just wanting to be there for my two nephews big day my uncle Randy was in the hospital I wanted to be there in case he was going to pass away. Well Molly mailed the passes right away so I got them Thursday. Friday morning Ryan and I got up early and headed to the airport. Apparently mid-March is a really bad time to fly stand-by, everyone in the world (or at least Texas) seemed to be on Spring break. I spent the day going from one gate to another hoping they would call my name as one of the stand-by passengers who could get out of Dallas Love Field. I finally got on a plane at 4:30 that was heading to Vegas vis Oklahoma City and then Denver. When I got to Denver I was told I wouldn't be able to get out of Denver that night, but it was likely I could get on the first flight the next morning. Luckily my best-friend Wendy Lewis Reni lives in Denver now. So I called her up and asked if she would like an overnight guest. She and her husband and cute baby Dash came and picked me up, took me to dinner, and then to their cute house. It was so nice to get to spend time with my best friend (I have two best friends - other than Ryan - both named Wendy/i), and get to know her husband and baby better. I think it was meant to be. Saturday morning Wendy took me to the airport. I was very lucky and got on the flight, which was great because it was the only flight that would get me to Vegas in time for the baby blessings. It was so nice to be with my family for such a special experience. I had a lot of fun with my family the whole time I got to be in Las Vegas. I had dinner with some of them, learned how to make bread, had "Taco Tuesday" (when my sisters and mom get together to hang out and eat tacos - they make a special effort to do them when I am in town - I lvoe being with my family), had a picnic at the park with them, went to my niece and nephew's track and field meet, and just enjoyed spending time with them all. I have the best family in the world and I am so grateful for them. Oh, and even though my uncle is still in the hospital, and likely won't make it much longer, one positive thing about that is that his 3 sons were at my parent's house the whole time I was there, so I got ot spend more time with them than I have in years.

Me holding Jack at the blessing

David, Maggi, Jack, Jesse, Jenny, Cam - right after the two blessings.

Taco Tuesday - it happened to be St. Patrick's Day. Back row - Mindy, Ethan, Missy, Maggi, Jack. Front row - my mom, me, Molly, Timothy, Jenny, Jesse (Emily wasn't feeling well - she and Mindy are both pregnant, and so she didn't make it.)

Playing at the park with my nephew Seth (Emily's youngest)

My family lined up and feeding ducks at Sunset Park