Xander's last AAU basketball tournament: Vegas 2019

Michael and Clare dropped us off at the tiny Bellingham International Airport. 

Hanging with Josh before our flight.

Joined by Nick and Cade.

Climbing up into our plane!

Our hotel didn't have a room with two queens by the time we arrived, so they upgraded us.

Xander loves sleeping on foldout couches (weird!), so we didn't move the next day, just stayed put in this lovely room.

The elevator was right outside our door, which was actually a plus. The main elevator banks closer to the center of the gigantic hotel take forever to get you where you're going. This was practically like having our own private one.

We ran into the Watt family looking for a late dinner in the hotel.

I've lost count of how many baseball/basketball trips I've been lucky enough to go on with this fabulous human!

Snuck in a little pool time the next day before they're first game.

Snacks in the Concierge Lounge.

And heading over to the convention center.

The first game was rough, and we lost two of our best players to injuries. 

It was really hard to see Josh hurting at the first aid station after the game. The boys circled around him in support, including Cade, who also was less seriously injured, but also out for the rest of the tournament.

Walking back to our hotel.

The official airing out of the uniform. Ha!

Happy kid.

Xander and some of his teammates really wanted to head to the strip and hit the high-end stores: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace.

They had so much fun window shopping.

Both games on Saturday were fantastic -- won the first one in overtime and the second by just three points.

Stopping in the Concierge Lounge before the second game.

We ran into nearly all the rest of the team on the monorail ride over.

We always have to buy the official tournament shirt when we're in Vegas.

Late dinner in the sportsbook casino -- plenty of games to watch while we waited.

Xander went off every night with his teammates to play X-Box in Dylan's room or roam the hotel. (I stayed in and watched Netflix. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.)

Our last D-BLOCK game!

Zack tried (and failed) to photobomb us, so I let him and his dad into another shot.

Clapping their way back to the bench after warmups one last time...

Josh (in a wheelchair) and Cade (on crutches) were both able to be there to cheer the boys on for their final game.

Although they didn't win, Xander had a fantastic game: five three-point shots and some nice defensive plays.

Even in the midst of what was turning into a tough second half (they were tied at halftime), the boys and Reggie could smile.

So proud of these boys!

One lasts D-D-D-BLOCK chant, using Josh's head. :)

Monorail ride back to the hotel.

A quick snack.

We met up later with most of the team and headed out for one last Vegas adventure.

Also headed over to Fremont Street. What a trip.

The boys wanted to zipline, but it was already 11 o'clock and the waits were too long.

There was still plenty to see.

Heading back to our room for one last hurrah.

While I packed for our early departure the next morning, the boys goofed around.

Bye, Vegas!