We survived the heat - Vegas 09'

Gabe and I met my parents and brother and his wife for a few days in Vegas. We had such a great time eating tasty food, walking the strip together, and I even learned to gamble. I am really conservative and don't enjoy losing money, but I am so proud of myself for playing at the $5 blackjack table .... can't get better than having my Dad and husband as a teacher!

Here are a few (actually A LOT) from the trip. Sorry, too many to choose from.

Getting to our hotel - Paris - and dying from the serious heat. I am use to the evenings cooling off dramatically in Seattle, which did not happen in Vegas!

Day 1: Mom found the best breakfast place, La Salsa Cantina, for $3.99!!

The adventure began as we walked in and out of each hotel on the strip.

We stopped in for a treat at the M&M store

I look over to the guys getting into trouble .... and at least five people taking their picture!!

MGM Grand and the lions

I learned slots are actually fun depending on the machine.

My Grandmother wanted us to play the 25 cent slots, using 3 credits, and see if we could win big with her $20. After picking the perfect machines, we turned her money into $100 and had a blast.

105 was wayyyy too hot - gotta love the "Cool Zone" that had a mister built into the fan.

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden

We went to see the Cirque du Soleil show "Ka" - maybe I should be an acrobatist in my next life.

It was amazing, but "O" is hands down my favorite show.

Day 2: Mom and I shopping and looking over at the guys on their blackberrys :)

After playing craps and blackjack, we made our rounds and played roulette next.

We found this electronic version that was entertaining, but I have come to the conclusion that roulette is kind of lame.

After a day of staying in doors, we went out on the town for dinner and fun.

Dinner with the fam at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

This place had delicious food and a cool atmosphere with loud music. Our only disappointment was them not playing 100% Buffet, which would have put Gabe in his "happy" place! I was looking forward to him proving he knows the lyrics to all 50 albums!

I have this same picture with Gabe when we were dating and went to the Jimmy Buffet's in Orlando!

at The Mirage watching the volcano show

Last evening together!

I was amazed by the people gambling their life savings away, and the willingness of others to share that they were $7,000 poorer. We were also entertained by the clumps of people stumbling into the hotel at 4am while we were waiting on our shuttle to the airport. I am definitely too old to function off of no sleep and still playing catch up from only two hours the night before. Vegas is a special place that's for sure!

It was so nice to get to spend time with my family since I don't get to see them as often living on the other side of the country. Thanks for such a pleasant trip together, lets do it again soon.

LOVE!