Technical Difficulties

Hi all, I know I said I'd blog almost daily but its not as easy as it sounds. We bought my new netbook (and it is lovely) but it has Windows 7 on it (and technical DH didn't bring XP). Neither of us can work out how to reduce pics for me to blog my photos. Can anyone enlighten us? So I've just downloaded picassa and fluked this pic but can't work out how to upload multiple pics. Grrr.

Anyway, we had a good but tiring trip over. In Auckland my cousin picked us up and took us home to her little piece of paradise just out of Auckland. She had even made Harry a birthday cake - dinosaurs and all he thought he was super special. Thanks Onz. (Pics of cake to come) The boys slept 9 and 10 hours on the 12 hr flight. Unfortunately we didn't but we arrived and made it to Temecula to our hotel. We have enjoyed beautiful weather (not very suitable for the clothes I bought), high 20-early 30s each day and NO FLIES!! We met with some friends in Temecula dn had a lovely time with them. Yummy Mexican for tea in massive proportions (would have inserted pic here).

From there we drove to Las Vegas. Slight change of plans. Kids were extremely jet lagged (no I don't want to talk to you at 2am Harry nor do I want to retrieve the books you have "posted"into the hotel foyer under our door! So we have postponed Disney to when we thought they'd enjoy it more. The drive was good. Interesting things to see (carloads that would never pass Oc Health & Safety in Aust.) Impressive cars and amazing freeways. Then came the desert and then a meca in the middle. We arrive on Dusk and the lights really are grand.

We stayed at the Stratosphere Resort (thanks hotwire cheap tickets). We've had a blast exploring vegas. Not quite the same with 2 small boys but grand all the same. Highlight the Bellagio Water Fountains by night - WOW - fountains to music and lighting (would have inserted pic here but alas!!!) Jake called them the "water mountains". Boys also loved the monorail and going up the Stratosphere tower - awesome views. Went to The Shark Reef at Mandalay Boy yesterday - the touch pool with stingrays was a bit of a hit and of course the sharks. Boys wanted to swim but alas water was too cold for Mum & Dad. So we had a hottub. Went to the Las Vegas Outlet Mall today - obviously forgot I am now a Mumma, hence wasn't quite as relaxing and productive as before, but still good and got some bargains.

Anyway, as we leave Vegas tomorrow, I am sure we will be back. SO much more to explore and kidless might be in order. So many shows to check out. We are heading up to Santa Barbara but breaking it up with a night in Victorville. Should check out Old Calico Ghost town on the way. Looking forward to that. Boys in bed "recharging their everyready batteries" and I had better head that way too.

Hope to correct our technical difficulties in the next few days then you can get to see our pics. Love to you all. Mel xoxoxo