Vegas 2011-Part 2

This trip was quite different from last year because our group split up a lot. Charles, DJ and Joe spent the majority of their time gambling and sleeping in. Jen and Casey had other friends vacationing in Vegas at the same time, so they hung out with them a bit. Deana wasn't feeling great so she usually went to bed early. It was different, but that didn't stop Craig and I from having an amazing time.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I was the only one there who was a mother, so Craig was sweet to help me celebrate that day. He told me that the day was mine and we would do whatever I wanted. We invited everyone to join us. Deana, Jen and Kaylyn took us up on our offer and off we went. our first stop was the dolphins!

We went to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. I don't think I've ever seen a dolphin in real life before. It was so much fun to watch them play.

We were even lucky enough to see some trainers come out and have the dolphins do some tricks. Right after this, Brayden called from my parents' house to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. It was so sweet. I really want him to come with us next year so he can see all of this. I think he'd love it.

Next, we went to the Secret Garden portion of the exhibit. It wasn't nearly as large as the area with the dolphins, but we saw some really cool cats.

I was starting to miss my little boy, but I really loved spending my day with my wonderful husband and awesome friends. Once we had finished up at the Mirage, we drove ourselves to the mall just south of the Strip.

Before we left Utah, I had mentioned that I really wanted to try an oxygen bar someday. I had heard that they were rather interesting and really relaxing. Well, we found one at the mall. None of us had every been to one before so we tried it out.

It wasn't quite what I had expected. First off, it wasn't the most glamorous thing I've ever done. No amount of jewelry could have made that nose piece look good. And the air was kind of cold, but the variety of flavors was great! Jen and Deana did this with me and we had fun sampling the different flavors until we each settled on our personal favorites. The lady running the booth had a few other relaxing toys that she shared with us while we sat there. the head scratching one was my favorite.

Meanwhile, while we were hooked up to oxygen, Craig and Kaylyn tried the water massager. Once you lay down on this thing, a piece a plastic is the only thing separating you from the deluge of water spraying at you. Craig said it was pretty awesome. Next time we go, I want to try that one!

On our way out, Jen bought me a cookie that said "Mom" on it. It was so sweet of her. For not being able to see my son today, I had a really great Mother's Day! When we got back to the hotel, Dorothy and Gary had arrived so we all met up with them to show off our room and then enjoy the last few minutes of Happy Hour and the Margarita Bar.

This morning, we met up with the rest of the bowling league to officially finish their season. It was fun having Craig on the Matiyasics' team this year. I felt like I was supposed to be there rather than just being a tag along.

After bowling, most of the group went to the New York, New York to ride the Manhattan Express, but it was closed. After goofing around at one of the little shops inside, we went back to the Orleans for swimming, dinner and gambling. It was a really great evening. I learned two new games; Let It Ride and Texas Hold 'Em. Well, I've played Texas Hold 'Em before, but this one was played between each player and the dealer. Craig had a lot of fun at the Blackjack table with Joe. We had a great time and it was a great way to end our vacation. Now I'm ready to go home and see my boy.

Vegas 2011-Part 1

Here we are, back in Las Vegas! That means it's time to start having a good time.

We all drove up last night, but with a combination of people getting off work at different times and needing enough room to drive DJ and Kaylyn (the Matiyasics' cousins from Florida) back to Utah after, we rode up in three different vehicles. Deana rode with us and we got there first. Joe rode with Charles and they arrived next. Casey and Jen rode up together and got there last.

We were staying in style on this trip. Last year, we hated having to move to a different hotel in the middle of our vacation, so this year we stayed at the Orleans from the beginning. But we didn't stay in just any old room. We got ourselves the Louisiana Suite complete with two separate bedrooms and a living room/kitchenette in the middle. It was great having so everyone in the same room.

 

This picture is showing off two things. First, we were listening to Dane Cook on the drive down yesterday and his bit about old fashioned pictures really stuck with us. He mentions that no one is ever smiling in those pictures. They just look stoic and creepy. So that kind of became the theme of our weekend. This picture is our attempt at all looking stoic and creepy. Second, one of Deana's coworkers mentioned that you could buy liquor at the Costco in Vegas therefore saving yourself a ton of money. So we hit the Costco this morning after picking up DJ and Kaylyn from the airport and loaded up. Here, we were also showing off our plethora of alcohol. Now that everyone was there it was time for the party to begin!

Vegas 2010-Part 2 at the Orleans

Yesterday marked "Day 3" of our Vegas vacation. Since we had to transfer hotels we didn't have the luxury of sleeping in. Problem is, check out from the Stratosphere and check in to the Orleans didn't really coincide, so we had some time to kill during the afternoon. That meant it was time for Tori, Tyler and Deana to join Craig and I shopping on the Strip.

The shuttle from the Orleans dropped us off outside of Billy's Hotel and Casino. As soon as we stepped off the shuttle, we smelled a brilliant offer for lunch; hot dogs! They were seriously yummy. I know Craig's face contradicts that, but I promise, they were delicious. I honestly have no idea why Craig is making that face.

The first shop we hit was the Coca Cola Factory on the Strip. Even though I'm not a Coke fan, I still bought a hat. Honestly, I love the thing! Someday I would love to decorate my game room with "Coke" stuff from this place.

After, we went next door to M 'n M World. This brilliant building is four floors of pure chocolate bliss. I never get tired of this store. A basement wet bar would look great decorated from this spot.

This is also where we found Brayden's gift. I can't wait to see him in this shirt. I'm sure it will fit better on him than it does on Craig.

Once we had checked into our new rooms at the Orleans, the entire group met at Mandalay Bay to visit the Shark Reef Aquarium. We had to hike quite a way through the hotel before we found the first sign that we were headed in the right direction.

The aquarium was pretty cool. Craig's favorite part was the tank holding all the jellyfish. They were oddly beautiful as they slowly swam around. My favorite part was getting to touch a stingray. I can't even begin to explain how weird they felt.

Before we hit the Strip for the night, we stopped at the restaurant inside of the Hooters Hotel and Casino. Dinner was pretty good, but I don't think any of us will forget the show going on behind us at the hotel's hot tub.

Last night, we were able to see a few of the shows on the Strip. We saw the exploding volcano at the Mirage and the Sirens at Treasure Island. I had never seen these shows before. It was pretty cool.

Craig's and my final stop before going back to our hotel to play was the Tequila Bar to get us a Margarita. The glass cup that came with it was awesome. Truth be told, later that I night I lost this one at the Craps tables, so we had to buy another one before we left. Oops! After this, another really, really late night gambling began. I'm starting to get used to seeing the sun before bed. 

Today is our last day in Vegas. Tomorrow we get to drive back to Utah. None of got to sleep in again this morning. We had to get up in time to meet up with Charles and Deana's bowling league. Most of us, Craig and I included, got up in time to eat breakfast, but not Deana. Therefore, her breakfast consisted of mixed drinks at the bowling alley. True friends don't let their friends drink alone, so I joined her.

After another lazy afternoon spent hanging around the pool, we were out on the Strip again enjoying our final night in Vegas. My goal this evening was to make it to the Bellagio to see the dancing water fountains. This is my absolute favorite thing about Vegas! I could sit there for hours. I'm glad that the majority of the group was willing to come with me. A sidewalk vendor was selling these floral leis that lit up and we couldn't pass them up. Craig gave up his to Deana so she could join us in our picture. What a nice guy!

Tomorrow, it's back to real life. We had an incredible time and I'm sure we'll be back in Sin City this time next year.

Vegas 2010-Part 1 at the Stratosphere

Our big vacation this year was to accompany our friends on their trip to Las Vegas. (Brayden stayed with my parents.) Deana and Charles are on a bowling league with their parents and the league finishes up the season in Vegas. Last minute, Dorothy and Gary decided not to come with us, so it was just a bunch of mischievous young adults playing in "Sin City". Our friends, Joe, Tyler and Tori, also drove down with us and the Matiyasic's cousin, DJ flew in from Florida.

There were enough people that we had to drive down in two cars. We left yesterday right after work. Joe, Tyler and Tori rode in Charles' car and Deana rode with us. We took our walkie talkies so the two vehicles could communicate easier. We played silly games, like I Spy and 20 Questions, the whole way there. It was so much fun!

Charles picked up DJ from the airport and we all met up at the Stratosphere to drop our bags off at our room. Even though we didn't get to our room until after midnight, we still got all dressed up and then hit the Strip.

Charles, Deana and DJ were here last year and they all wanted to hit the horse racing table at the MGM. It's only of the last gambling machines in Vegas that still spits out quarters rather than printing out a ticket. The only problem is, you can't get much further away from the MGM than we were and still be on the Strip. (We found out later that it was about a 3 mile walk.) The above picture was taken as we were resting our feet on one of the rare trams.

As a tribute to last year when Deana got lost in Vegas, she had us stop in front of Caesar's Palace to take a picture like we were looking for someone. I attribute this to how long the walk was to the MGM.

Finally we made it to the MGM and found the (at this point) infamous table. Since it took quarters to play, Craig wandered off to find a cashier that could break down his paper into coins. While he was gone, this guy came up behind me and put his arms around me. For a second, I thought it was Craig, until I noticed that this guy was wearing a watch. Craig doesn't wear a watch. Everyone had a good laugh and they enjoyed telling Craig the story when he got back. Anyway, we had a lot of fun betting on the little horse races, but slowly, one by one, exhaustion over took us and we wandered off the find taxis to take us to bed.

Who knows what time we woke up this morning. I'm impressed at how much sun the curtains were able to block out. Once we all finally woke up, we got ready to head out to the pool.

It was a bit windy and the water was quite chilly, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a water volleyball game. After, we all jumped into the massive hot tub to warm up.

Back in our room, the boys got really silly. The bathtub was pretty large and they wanted to find out how many of them could fit. Besides Craig, it doesn't look like they are wearing anything. I assure you they are each wearing swimsuits, but it made for a really great picture!

Once again, we all got dressed up before we headed out on the Strip again. What a good looking group!

I love this picture for two reasons. #1-Deana and I look awesome! #2-I love Charles' face in the background.

Tonight on the Strip was so much better than last night. I feel like I'm actually prepared to be here.

As we passed under the "Eiffel Tower" we stopped to get some drinks. You can't really tell, but I'm standing under the Paris balloon while holding a ceramic cup look-a-like.

For dinner, we stopped at Fatburger. This place is beyond delicious! I highly recommend it.

We had a ton of fun and we even ran into a few friends! I'm pretty sure the sun came up again before we headed back to our room. Tonight is our last night at the Stratosphere. Tomorrow we are headed over to the Orleans to meet up with the rest of the bowling league.