Monday, June 27, 2011

Las Vegas - Day 2....If you didn't think I was crazy before, this might persuade you.

Even I'm starting to wonder.

The vacation fairy arrived while the kids were sleeping.

A variety of snacks, books, coloring books, crayons, candy and a Zhu Zhu pet for each kid.


They love these things.  So happy they love them now at $2.50 each instead of the crazy amounts they were going for a couple of Christmases ago!

(Hey, look! There's my husband in his boxer shorts!  And, a bottle of vodka.  We're all class around here!)

After opening their treats, Laine took a swim in the bath.  She's obsessed with it.

Ordered breakfast in.

Cheers!


One of my many ways to save money while traveling.  Bring your own lunch for site seeing!

Ham sandwiches and tortilla spirals.

Can't get enough of the fish.

Thanks for cooperating, punks.

We headed out around 9am to cruise the strip. 

Less people out in the morning and more stroller friendly.

New York, New York.

On my long list of what Blake won't let me do in Vegas.

Thunder from Down Under.

I can't even type it without giggling.


This is actually first on the list.


Ice cream breakfast at the Sugar Factory? 


First, we toured the candy.





The restaurant is super cute.

And, even though I only took one bite......it was heavenly.

Please don't get in the way of Lainey and her ice cream.  K?

We were treated to an impromptu fountain show early......the usual rounds don't start until 3pm.

Lovely views.......enjoying Vegas while munching on ice cream.


The remains.


The Flamingo was next.

And, this is where I wish my kids had not ever learned the alphabet.

Carter cruises right on over.......oooh.....it's soft.

Enter Mom:  "Oh my Lord!  Don't touch that thing!"

Checked out the habitat.

Pretty cool.


One of my favorites:  The Venetian.





Mirage!

We took the tram from there to Treasure Island.  The pirate show has become quite scandalous and is not kid-appropriate.  So, we skipped that one.

We sat at the very back so that on the return trip, Jack would think he was driving the 'train'.

He loved it. 

(Carter took this pic....and many others......he's getting quite good!)

Forum Shops.

At Ceasar's Palace.

Fabulous shopping.

Chocolate coins for the kiddos.




Saw the Atlantis statue show. 

I missed the live statues that were there when I visited last time.


Years ago, Aunt Sandy named Carter, "Cartier" and he's never forgotten it.

Another favorite:  Bellagio.

Everything is so pretty.

A glass sculpture on the ceiling.

The atrium.



Carter took the little ones into the aviary.




And, Laine was out.

I wanted to be, too.

Here I am rethinking walking the entire Las Vegas strip in one day.  MGM........down to Treasure Island......crossed over......and back. 

Lord have mercy.

Kick back, baby girl.

I really can't blame her.  We walked at least 5 miles today.  In the 110 degree dessert heat. 

Seriously.

We stopped by the lion cage in our hotel on the way back.

Yall have seen a lion before, right?

I took a picture of Jack instead.  He loved it.

And, then after I recovered a bit from our multi-mile jaunt in the heat of the dessert, we headed out to the pool.

But, first.....the lions again.....since Lainey was asleep for the initial visit.

We walked through the exhibit and saw a baby for just a moment....then he disappeared into the back.


Finally at the pool!


Told Lainey to do the "Vegas, baby" pose.  Precious girl had to think about it first.



I have 3 little fish and they're all over the pool.




Visited the Academy Pool this time.


Lainey was jumping like a fool.


And, so proud of herself!



I was exhausted.  And, burnt out on kids. 

Was tempted to crawl into this bar, order a martini, sit under the table with a napkin over my head and not claim the three punks calling my name at the door.  They can't enter 'cause they're not 21.

It was tempting.


I reasoned through it, though, and headed 'home'. 


Ashley and Rider joined us for dinner and dessert in the hotel.

And, there was a love affair sparked.



Rider brought our kids his binoculars to use at the Hoover Dam.  Lainey challenged every fear in my body by lurking around the balcony with them.  You know, to see things.

The audacity of her.


Ashley brought me this shirt.

I love Ashley.

That's not just any "panic", yall.  That's Widespread Panic.

Yeah, boy.


Long day, folks.  And, we have a busy one tomorrow, too.

*Hoover Dam.

*Train Museum and train ride.

*Swim with our neighbors from San Diego at the hotel.  They're in town!

*Date with Blake while the kids go to Ashley's.

*Bellagio fountains at night.

Good thing we walked nearly all of Las Vegas today!  No time tomorrow.

Later, folks.  I'm crashing in 2 minutes.

12 comments:

Kittie Flyn said...

lainey's rock star face/pose is so stinkin' adorable! it cracks me up!

your photos make me tired just looking at them. i can't believe everything you're doing! it's amazing! :)

Jodee said...

Oh my word! You are going to need another vacation after this vacation! How do you do it?!

Love, love, love the Bellagio!

Dee Stephens said...

One of my favs was Venetian when I lived there too. They use to have a great lounge in there but now they've turned it into a cheesy club. I'm SO not a club person.. even when I lived there.
Hoover Dam. Girl, if you thought it was hot on the Strip you just wait! Not a lot of shade out there either! Bring LOTS of water!!!

Brittny said...

I am hot and exhausted and not jealous because walking 5 miles in 110 degree heat sounds like torture. But I'm glad you are having fun!

aunt caroline said...

I'm tired just reading this! And, it's 1215 and I'm still in my jammies! Ha! Looks like you had fun though. What a trip! You always make the most out of everything you do, and that's why I love you!

donatelli98 said...

You are insane woman!! Don't melt - we have had heat advisories here the past couple days!

The Lenzers said...

can I get some of that? Not the ice cream, but the thunder from down under!!! worth every calorie! HA

Allyson and Dave said...

I have never heard of the Sugar Factory but I must go there...like now. It sounds like my kind of place. And the Thunder...I have always wanted to see them. Funny story...a friend of mine went with few girls to Thunder from Down Under for her bachelorette party many years ago. One of her friends "hooked up" with one of the guys from the show. All I can say is eeeewwwww. That is for looking and not touching.

merrilee said...

I am tired from just reading this post. Looks like a ball....you have inspired me to plan a trip there. Las Vegas with children--no problem!

Shawn said...

Stopping by from IA, love you and your kiddos!


I'm exhausted just reading all that you did. I'm impressed that you brought your kids to Vegas. I've been twice and had a big enough challenge just chasing my husband around!

Heather said...

man--- I'm ready to take the kids to vegas. so fun! I'm so glad I read your blog! y'all are fun!

Kim said...

So much to see, the kids are troopers for soaking all that up in one day!