Viva Las Vegas

For Spring Break, we packed it in like usual... I took 3 days off work, David didn't have school, and we went to VEGAS!!  (March 14 - 18)

The last time I went to Vegas, I could have been like 12?  And David went there off and on to visit his great grandmother, but never made it to the famous strip.  And finally we have a chance to take a mini vacation.  So, of course, we wanted to go to Vegas right?  (that was written sarcastically)

We actually planned this trip with Eric & Amanda (my bro and his wife).  While we all wanted to go to California, D and I couldn't imagine a 14 hour car ride when really the purpose was to relax and hang with the siblings (especially for such a short trip).  So, Vegas was the half way point between us.  And they had spring break a week after us, so we went before them and we had 2 days together and then they stayed after us.  My mom came too and came on our time schedule since her break was the same as ours.  So really, this little trip became the first vacation of our little family.  And depending where D and I end up over the next few years, it could be our last for a good while.

Here are our favorite memories from the vacation:

• Our longest road trip so far as ACDC (I guess that means we do more flying than driving)
• Luckily didn't have car problems, just a sunny drive - bought sunglasses in Vegas for the drive back - which the drive ended up being snowy rather than sunny - but we still used the sunglasses
• The hotel was "fine" but the staff were rude and unhelpful, making the hotel worse, but we paid for what we got I guess
• Our GPS got us a little lost, apparently he didn't know Las Vegas or hadn't been updated recently - we found Mom at the airport after driving back and forth several times on the freeway per our GPS
• Our daily routine (when it didn't rain the last day) - Gym, Eat, Swimming, Get ready, and then out to for a drive or to the strip with Mom
• Swimming in the "heated" pool, I did it even though I froze
• Walking down the strip our first night - David got to experience his FIRST casino!  (no we didn't win anything, or even play anything)
• We visited the outlet mall our first day there
• And also found the Las Vegas temple and saw David's grandma's old home
• Went to our favorite real Italian pizza place - Settebello Las Vegas :)  And were able to take E & A there too for their first time!
• Saw "The Blue Man Group" on Friday night when E & A showed up
• Found our future dream home
• Took lots of pictures by the waterfalls on the strip
• Saturday we tried to take the monorail to the south side of the strip, but the monorail wasn't open where we went so we drove to the south of the strip.  Then had to still park forever away and walk.
• When the rain storm hit, David was the saint who ran back and got the car and picked us up from the monorail which apparently only works one way....  He's the best, just sayin
• Breakfast craving took us to Denny's and then we played games in the hotel before leaving the next morning

It was a great first family vacation.  Glad that everyone could come!