Vegas Vacation

Wow! Where has this summer gone? The last days of summer always make me a little melancholy. I absolutely love the summer and always hate to see it go, but then, school starts and everything gets back into a routine, which is good. The kids & I just got back from our vacation to Las Vegas. We went with my sister and 2 of her kids and also my mom. (Lon didn't get to go, they are very bogged down at work :-( he & I will go later this fall :-) The kids have always begged to go to Las Vegas, since Lon & I go every year, but I wanted to wait until they were a little older and this year, everything just fell into place--we had a free room (lon & i don't gamble that much but we do get our room comped and a few free buffets!) and one free flight, so it wasn't that expensive and it was fun for the kids and I to save money in our "Las Vegas fund" all summer. They kicked in a large portion of their allowance, which was good for them. We had an absolute blast!! The only thing that would have made it better was if Lon could have been there. (and less crowded of course!) I always forget about the crowds, even during the middle of the week! Usually the crowds don't bother me that much because Lon will be in the sports book or at the tables and I will head out on my own to do whatever, either shopping or .....well its always shopping!! But this time we had a group of 7 and it felt like I was dragging a ball and chain around, trying to make sure everyone was with the group. Plus, my mom has sciatic nerve pain in her leg and she always lagged a little behind. It was so sweet though, Gracen and Addie (my neice) always stayed back with her so she wasn't by herself.
First thing on the agenda was to head to the Rio for their seafood buffet! All the crab legs and lobster you can eat! My kids (especially Barrett!) were in heaven. It was hilarious to watch Barrett cracking those crab legs, shells and juice were flying everywhere. Mother said she got a crab juice shower! Anyway, that was fun since lon & i don't usually do buffets (except for breakfast) they are usually pretty crowded and gross and there too many fantastic restaurants in Vegas to waste your time at a buffet. But, this was a whole different trip than what lon & i usually take.
Next, we went to the Coke and the M&M stores, they always have cool t-shirts and souvenirs. (that they are extremely proud of!! Oh well, it was vacation!) And while we were down that way, Barrett & Corbin rode the rollercoaster at NY,NY. It was a full day, we were exhausted, especially Mother!
We were staying at the Mirage, where the dolphin & white tiger habitats are. The dolphins had just had a baby in June, he was soooo cute, his name was Sgt. Pepper, going along with the whole Beatles-LOVE theme of the Mirage right now. Gracen said that was her favorite part of the trip. Also, our room looked right out where we could see the volcano erupting, pretty nice.
There were a few things that we did that, though I'm glad we did them, I don't feel the need to ever do again. One was the Hoover Dam, the traffic and crowds were a nightmare, plus, I'm terrified of heights. As far as I was concerned, we couldn't get out of there fast enough! Although, I gained enormous respect for the men that built it, very scary! Two- was the Stratosphere, the hotel that resembles the Space Needle. Again, like I said, I'm terrified of heights. Barrett & Corbin even rode one of the rides on the top! So scary and I don't EVER want to go back. and 3-the downtown area, that place is skanky and nasty and every casino reeks of cigarette smoke. Yes, all casinos have cig smoke, but the newer ones are much better ventilated. The Fremont Street Experience was not that impressive, no need to ever go back.
We also spent time shopping at an outlet mall, which was typical of EVERY outlet mall I have ever been in, no need to go back there either. But, the Fashion Show Mall is great, I go there every time we go to Vegas. And swimming, the Mirage pool is beautiful, with palm trees and waterfalls. Plus, the pool is always good free entertainment, you would absolutely not believe what people will wear to the pool when they are on vacation! Potbellied old geezers in speedos are a common sight!! Mother, Cristi & I laughed so hard our sides hurt!! And what is a trip to Vegas without going to a show. We went to a magic show on the strip that had white tigers, it was OK, but not as quality of a show as Siegfried & Roy used to be.
It was fun to watch my kids reaction to everything. They have really led a sheltered life and have rarely traveled outside of TX/OK. There are some cultures that have no concept of "personal space" and will run you right over without a second thought or stand really close in an elevator. I hadn't thought to warn the kids about that and it was funny to see their reaction and watch them stare at all the "different" styles of dress! Eye-opening for them.
Overall, it was a fantastic trip. The kids had a blast and really made some good memories with their cousins and Granny. Now, they can quit nagging Lon & I about going. :-) Oh, I almost forgot---I got a PF Changs fix!! We ate there for lunch on Tuesday, it was delicious!! Kung Pao shrimp and Gen. Chang's chicken! But, somehow, not quite the same without Lon. We will definitely have to hit it again when we go back!