Fall Reno Trip

We spent October 23-26 in one of our favorite places...Reno! This trip was fairly spontaneous, planned only a couple weeks in advance, and only a couple weeks before Shaun and I left on our first solo cruise in nearly three years. The girls were starting to feel pretty sad about not being able to come on our cruise, so Shaun and I made the enormous sacrifice (ha) of planning a little mid-week Reno getaway to enjoy some family vacay time before ditching the little people for a week.

Though we have been to Reno many times as a family, this trip was unique in a couple ways. First, my parents and brother came along this time so it was a real family affair, and second, we spent the third night of our trip at the Grand Sierra Resort, where Shaun and I have stayed only one time before, way back in 2009. Our goal was to sign up for their player's club and [hopefully] start receiving the same kind of free room offers that the Peppermill currently showers us with. Our mission was successful and it's safe to say we will be braving the snow to return to the Peppermill AND Grand Sierra in the very near future! ;)

Excited kiddos killing time in the van while waiting for our room to be ready

Eddie checking out the scene in the Peppermill lobby while we waited to check in. You can't tell in this pic, but he attracted quite a bit of attention from the passers-by. :)

First night dinner at Ruby River

Eloise swiped Papa's reading glasses and Mom's phone for an important call

Ready to swim in 60 degree weather

Swimming with Papa in one of the Peppermill's three pools... the one so warm I call it "the bathtub"

This was one time I didn't mind that Eddie is no fan of swimming

We had fun playing pool-side while staying dry :)

I tried in vain to get a nice pic of the girls with Uncle Jesse. The eye-roll from my big-shot eldest says it all.

Avalon practicing her swimming skills with Papa. No more floaties for this girl!

Oh so happy!

A morning swim calls for room service pizza and mozzarella sticks for lunch

The next day--after Nana and Papa and Uncle Jesse headed for home--we checked out of the Peppermill and headed over to Grand Sierra. We took a little walking tour of the hotel while Eddie napped in the stroller and I snapped this pic of Avalon checking out the pool area, which is currently closed for the season and under construction. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's up and running next summer!

We stopped by the movie theater in the Grand Sierra and spontaneously decided to see a flick (Finding Dory)! It was our first movie theater experience with the kids and they did great!

Eddie kicked back in his stroller for the movie. I thought he would fall back asleep but he stayed awake and was quiet for almost the whole movie, until he got restless and started hollering a little towards the very end.

Our last hurrah in Reno was lunch at Taco Bell before heading home on Day 4 of our trip. It was another fun little getaway in the Biggest Little City in the World and we're already looking forward to our next visit!