This past weekend, post-StandDown, I headed off on a fun weekend trip with my mom to Laughlin, Nevada! Laughlin is like a mini Las Vegas for old people. (Emphasis on the old people part.)

My Aunt Leslie & Uncle Dave where chaperoning my Grandpa & Grandma on their last big gambling trip out west, while my Uncle Duke & Aunt Linda were flying from Florida to San Diego first, before sneaking into town with my Great Aunt Teresa (Grandpa’s sister), to surprise Grandpa! Then there were Grandpa & Grandma’s gambling buddies, Bob & Cathy, plus of course my mom & me. It was a fun group!

My mom and I got to Laughlin around 7PM…and of course Grandpa could not wait for us for dinner, so the younger crowd ate together. It was seafood night at the buffet! I made a killing with my plate of mashed potatoes, cornbread, honey dew, and Jello. Worst buffet night EVER. The company was excellent though! We had a good laugh trying to figure out what time my Uncle Duke had to leave the hotel the next morning to run a race across the border in AZ, due to the time change.  We also had a good laugh at the fact I can’t hear anything & kept mishearing everything….23 will do that to you, I tell ya!

After dinner, my Grandpa broke a slot machine & then everyone went to bed.  (When they opened it to fix it, I peered in, hoping to find an Intel logo, but I didn’t see any.  Bummer!)

The next morning, my Uncle Duke went to run the 5K race, while I slept. I felt bad for not running with him, but I never get to sleep in & I was wiped out from StandDown. I made it up to him by spending the whole day with him, my Aunt Leslie, my Aunt Linda, and my Uncle Dave. We went to Oatman, AZ, a teeny little town…..to feed donkeys.

There were other things to do besides feed donkeys, but that was essentially the main attraction.  I had a lot of fun!  I hang out with my Aunt Leslie & Uncle Dave every time I’m in Minnesota, but I don’t hang out with my Aunt Linda & Uncle Duke as much.  It was really nice to spend time with them & goof off around the little Western town.  I was very thankful I spent the time with them!

The boys dropped the girls back at the hotel & then went to buy some booze for their nighttime shenanigans.  I made the mistake of leaving my camera unattending with them….

Then it was off to a night of more laughs at the buffet & more gambling!  (Once again Grandpa couldn’t wait for us to eat & ate before us.  Boo!)

The next morning, we all met for breakfast at the restaurant– finally Grandpa could wait for us!  Hallelujah!  He did get ornery at everyone & yell at me, but I know it is his sickness and he can’t totally control his meanness.  He is mean….and then forgets he was mean.  I got a bit frustrated though & reminded him I had driven a long way to see him & that he wasn’t being pleasant to be around.  Once we were seated at the table, he seemed to calm down a bit.

Finally, post breakfast we said our good-bye’s 😦

It was an awesome weekend and as I said earlier, I’m very thankful that I could make the trip to see everyone!  Spending time with my family is one of my absolute favorite things to do.  No where else do I feel as content and comfortable than when I am with my family!  Even if we weren’t always together– like when I was reading in the hotel room one night by myself before bed– I still felt such inner joy knowing everyone was so close.  I really wish we lived nearer to one another; but perhaps the distance is what makes the times we spend together so treasured.

I am looking forward to seeing them all again as soon as I can!  (Although that likely won’t be until Christmas grrr.)