Dinner with the Girls!

As if we needed an excuse, but the girls went to dinner tonight for our birthday! As usual, good food and even better company!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Mommy and her beautiful girl!

Today was a great birthday...of course, it had to start with going to work, but then it was fun after that! We went to dinner first, then shopping for a little while and ended the night with some ice cream! A perfect ending to a wonderful day!!!

Pool fun at the Hoppers!

Superstar...on our way to Grandma's!

Doing a little coloring before heading out to the pool!

Sweet Sully, taking a nap! Doesn't even know what he's missing yet!

Taking a much needed break in the shade!

After playing in the pool all morning with Kaleigh and Parker, we headed over to Dina's so Daddy could help cut down some trees. And, since we were alread in town, we talked to Derrick and Angie to see what they were up to, and they invited us over for more fun in the sun! Stella and Olivia got back in the pool, and continued to have a great time! Olivia is sure not going to have trouble falling asleep tonight!!

Lazy Day in the Sun!

Jumping beans!!!!

Action Shot!!!

Two peas in a pod!

Splish, splash!

Such sweet little faces!

Taking some time out for a little baseball!

After spending the night at Aunt Shell's, the boys were up early and heading to the golf course...again. So, what's two girls and three kids to do...play in the sun! We headed back to the deck while the kids played in the pool and sprinkler again! So much fun, and nothing better than soaking up some rays!!!

Story time with Daddy/Uncle Shane

Once upon a time....

This was so sweet, all the kids were very intently listening to Shane tell them a story. The were holding on to every word, and he was surprsingly very good at telling one off the cuff!

Cheap pool....check!

Now that's a little girl excited about swimming in a cheap pool!!! Aunt Shell and her kiddos!

Hmmm....I think those are happy faces! Perhaps the water is a little cold!?

Dunkin' are heads...always fun!

I believe this is a special trick of sorts???

Since the boys were going golfing this morning, I decided to buy a cheap pool for the kids, and head over to Aunt Shell's for the day. The kids had a wonderful time in the pool, Shell and I got some sun, and all was well in the world! We couldn't get them out of the pool cause they were having so much fun....who knew with a $10 pool!? After golfing, the boys came back to the house and we spent the rest of the afternoon there, and ended up havinga late night playing cards, so we crashed on the couch! Of course, the kids were ecstatic that they could have a sleepover, so it was a lot of fun for them too!

Daddy to the rescue!

One of their favorite things to do, throw rocks and pine cones in the creek!

Three Muskateers!

Nosy, nosy, and nosy!

Cheeeeeese!

Tonight we went to Nana and Papa's tonight so Daddy could put in their new air conditioner. He is such a great guy and always helps family and friends, and tonight was no exception. So, as Daddy was busy at work, we kept the kids occupied and reminisced about our trip to Vegas!

Home sick!

So, I realize many people will question this, but we got back from Vegas and I had to stay home sick. I was already starting to feel it while we were there, but felt the need to show up on Monday so I wouldn't get a hard time. I was miserable all day and people knew it. So, I didn't go to work Tuesday, went to work to get my aircard Wedensday to check in, and on my way to work on Thursday, I was still miserable and called in on my way....basically I was told to turn around and not come in. So, I worked from home Thursday and went to the doctor Friday. I was feeling better, but still felt off kilter a bit. So, I went to see Dr. Link and he gave me some much needed medicine. So, I am on the uphill...but what a miserable week after the wonderful one we just had in Vegas!!

Our Last Day!

After a long and wonderful evening, we did sleep in a little this morning and didn't get up until around 8:00. Rather than go out for breakfast, we ordered room service, which was extremely nice. We met up with Shell and Tim and headed to the pool for just about an hour, still trying to take advantage of as much sun as we could get.

After soaking up some sun, we went back to the room to get ready. We went to lunch at the ESPN Zone, which the boys absolutely loved and Shell and I actually enjoyed it too! The food was awesome, just as it had been at every place here thus far, so we had a great time. We ended up taking the monorail back over to the Mandalay Bay to visit the shark aquarium. The first thing we said about this place was the kids would love it!! So, of course that prompted us to get them a few souveniers! Wouldn't have felt right without getting them something!

After the aquarium, we took the monorail to Caesar's Palace to meet up with Mom and Marc. We walked around sight seeing and taking it all in, and eventualy made our way to the moving statue show, which was pretty neat. Again, something I think the kids would have loved.

After a while, we went back to the Venetian for dinner. This time, we went to an Asian restaurant called Tao. I was a little hesitant as Tim suggested this place, and to be honest, I wasn't quite sure I would know what to order. But, I trusted and went in and it turned out to be really good. I was somewhat surprised that I ventured out as much as I did and tasted things I never thought I would try. But, we were in Vegas, so take advantage!!!

After dinner, we decided to go downtown to meet up with the rest of the gang. We wanted to experience Freemont Street and see the light show. The bad choice of the night ended up being the bus ride. First of all, we sat and waited for quite some time before it showed up, and then they packed us on the bus like sardines. I could not believe the amount of people they had crammed onto that thing. It was like we were on candid camera or smething, and it was a big joke. It was unbelievable, but we finally made it.

We met up with the rest of the group who had made it their for dinner, and walked around for a little while. Most of the boys ended up at the craps table, which I happened to enjoy watching. In fact, I started being the official dice roller and made the boys some money. So, that was fun. And we did see the awesome light show which featured Queen and Kiss. So, wouldn't have been my first choice of music, but it was Freemont Street and still worth it!! Shane ended up getting into a poker tournament, so I thought I had lost him for at least a few hours, but luckily for me (not him), he was out fairly early. But, while he played, I stayed with the girls and played some slots. No big winners while we were there, but we had fun nonetheless!!

Around midnight, we decided it was going to be an early flight in the morning, so we ought to get home. We took a taxi this time to the monorail, and then made it home!! We packed as much as we could and then crashed. What a wonderful trip! There was so much anticipation prior to getting here, and Vegas delivered!!! We are all ready to go back again!! The pictures from our last day are listed below.

Last Day Pictures!

Daddy taking advantage of the room service.

The only picture of me in my suit that will ever be shown!

Silly boys!

Shark Aquarium at Mandalay Bay

More sharks...

Shell and I actually managed to touch the sting ray. Yuck!

Mommy and Daddy on the strip!

The boys at the ESPN Zone. We couldn't get them to do a fighting pose or anything fun like that, so this was all we could get!

Mommy and Aunt Shell weren't afraid to pose!!!

The statues at Caesar's Palace

More statues...

Caesar's Palace

Freemont Street

The boys looked so serious about their game....

...the girls, on the other hand, were just there to have a good time!!!

A Celebration!

After the beautiful wedding ceremony, we took the limo to The Venetian hotel for dinner. We made our way through the hotel and to Wolf Gang Pucks for a few drinks before our dinner reservations. We had such a nice visit and were all in such great moods after the day we had so far...it couldn't possibly get any better...and then we went to dinner!

Mom and Marc had made reservations at Delmnico and there simply isn't a better way to describe this dinner other than it was truly an "event." We knew it was a celebration, so we certainly didn't hold back. Steaks all around, with sides, drinks, desserts, etc. It was amazing and probably the best meal we have ever had. As the meal was being served, we each had our own waiter set the food in front of us so that it all came at the very same time. And, even better was that any time any of us got up to use the restroom, the waiter came to the table to refold your napkin and place it back on your lap. Really!? I have never been to a nicer place, and actually could get very used to a place like this! Although, we did feel a little out of our element, but nonetheless, enjoyed ourselves to the fullest and had the best time at dinner.

After dinner, we did a little more walking and went to the Bellagio to see the fountains and lights. What an amazing show! The evening kept getting better and better! I could have stood there all night just to keep watching because it was fascinating to see, but we had reservations to see a Cirque de Sol Lei show. We saw "O" which is the water show, and again it is truly hard to put into words how amazing it was. We had awesome seats, on the balcony, where it felt like we were the only people in the entire place. Again, we felt like we were being treated like royalty all day, which I truly feel was Mom and Marc's intent. This was truly the reason we were all there, this day, and they made sure it was unforgettable!!! The show was spectacular, and although Shane leaned over half way through it and said, I really don't get it, I thought it was great. So much to see, and you really never knew which direction to turn. Just as something big was happening center stage, all of a sudden, something else would happen out of the corner of your eye to catch and move your attention elsewhere. Awesome!!!

Well, after the show, I think we were all ready to head back and get some sleep. It was the most fun filled, wonderful day and even though we didn't want it to end, it was hard to stay awake any longer. Except of course for the long walk back home....where was the cab when you needed it. We finally made it back and crashed!!! The pictures of Day Three are listed below.

Day Three Pictures!

One of the live statues at the Venetian.

Inside the Venetian...

More pictures as we were making our way through the hotel.

The scene as we were seated at Wolf Gang Pucks.

The girls!

Not the best picture of the gang, but we did ask the bartender to take it...not the sharpest crayon in the box!

Just the kids...imagine how happy Mom was to get this picture!

Mommy and Daddy...taking advantage of getting some pictures since we were all dressed up for a change!!

Our seats at Cirque de Sol Lei....amazing!!!