Viva Las Vegas!!

A few weeks ago I drove to Las Vegas to visit friends. It turned out to be the most amazing vacation! It was about a 7 hour car ride, and Johnny did super, finding lots of ways to entertain himself.

I first stayed with Chris and Stacey. Chris was one of John's best friends from the Air Force Academy, and was his best man at our wedding. I barely knew Stacey, but what better way to get to know each other than staying as a house guest, right?? And just as we both had anticipated, we became instant friends.

The best part was that John's other good friends, Andrew and Stephanie, live only a few houses away! These two couples are some of the neatest people I have ever known, and it was an amazing few days.

Johnny just loved being able to play with Miles and Tyson, and Ella and Leighton! Having so many kids around his age is unusual for us, so it was fun, fun, fun!

Steph, Stacey, and I took the kids to the Children's Museum. The kids loved it, as did the adults -- when it's 115 degrees, ANYTHING is better than being outside.

Stacey and Stephanie

On the 24th, I stayed with my good friend Ursula. I met her through TAPS in Washington D.C. in May 2009. Her husband was part of Raider 21 that crashed in Guam in 2008. She was also pregnant with her first son, who is only two months older than Johnny. My friendship with her, and Cheryl (another girl whose husband was also part of Raider 21), has been life-changing and heaven sent.

Ursula was throwing a big party to celebrate the 2-year anniversary of the Raider 21 crash, and to honor her husband. It was my first time at a Samoan family party -- WOW! They are SO awesome. What incredible, welcoming, kind people. Johnny was instantly adopted and loved by everyone, and we had a blast.
One of the activities she had planned was a balloon launch. We all wrote letters to a loved one who had passed, tied it to a balloon, and all let them go at the same time. Johnny helped with our note to daddy.

Gemini, Ursula, Guahan, Cheryl, Emily, Johnny

Johnny had a hard time sleeping, and when he woke up super early, Cheryl entertained him with her super shnazzy iphone. She is gonna be the best mama!

When it was clear Johnny wasn't gonna go back to sleep, I took him for an early morning walk around the neighborhood. This posh area had a putting green in the middle of the houses! Very cool.

The last part of my trip I spent with my old roommate, Heather, and her parents. Also some very awesome people. I have known them for over 10 years now and always enjoy the chance to stay with them. They were so good with Johnny!
When it came time to come home, I was so sad! I didn't want it to end! It was a week of love, friendship, and memories. I feel so blessed to be able to call such amazing people my friends.