Vegas Vacation Recap

Aaaahhhh!! Hi friends, I've missed you so much!

I can't believe it's been over a week since I've blogged! We were busy nearly every single second of this vacation. This is going to be a massive picture dump and recap of the major highlights of the trip. There were A LOT so get ready...

For the first few days, it was just me, C, and my parentals. Since my dad was there on business, he was gone most nights working the night shift. We spent a lot of time in the casinos, eating out (yikes!!), and Mom and I did get our nails done (tried gel for the first time, and I love it).

Some highlights from Monday through Thursday included:

• Winning $200 on a $1 slot machine! I have to tell you that I put in a $20 bill, bet two times at $1, then pressed max bet ($5) ONE time and got this!! It was a $200 payoff.
  

• Seeing D*onny & M*arie perform at the Flamingo! We decided to go to this show because Mom is a big fan and C grew up with their variety show. I was never really introduced to their music, but after the show, I now love them! Haha! They're such born entertainers, and really good singers! (I wasn't supposed to take pictures!)
  

On Thursday morning, C's parents and other family arrived. He met up with them to go to the Hoover Dam and that's when Mom and I went to get our nails done. We had the show that night so my Mom and I met the family very briefly before heading to the show. They were all tired from a full day of traveling so we waited until Friday for the full introductions and to spend time together.

On Friday, I accompanied C and his family on a tour of the Las Vegas strip! We rode the Deuce bus, which takes you to all the casinos. When we got on, there was a man wearing a pirate suit and hat with a parrot on his shoulder. He just goes up and down the bus, basically harassing riders by forcing the hat and parrot on them. Then he expects a tip, which I found so annoying. Poor C is a major germaphobe, and he was quickly targeted by Pirate Man. It was gross!


Of course we walked through the Atrium at the Bellagio, which is always fun to see, and caught one of the fountain shows.




After a couple of hours of walking around, we were all getting really hungry (and cranky)! At our stop in the Paris hotel, we discovered the yummiest restaurant - Le Burger Brasserie. They had delicious drinks, a french fry sampler, great burgers, and a tower of onion rings! Seriously so good!


On Friday night, the two families got together, and it couldn't have gone more perfectly! We just all "clicked" and both C and I were so happy! Our parents got along famously, and stayed up until midnight (3 nights in a row!!) chatting and sharing stories about both of us.

After they went to bed, the young(er) folks went to the Peppermill to enjoy drinks and snacks! This picture is of Mishi, C, me, Jeanie, and Al. Jeanie is C's first cousin, Al is her husband, and Mishi is their daughter (she is also best friends with C).


On Saturday, we did things with our own families. I had promised C's Mom that I would make her red velvet cupcakes so I spent the morning doing that. The entire family loved them! The recipe I used can be found here and I used the frosting recipe from here.


On Saturday night, everyone went to the top of the Rio to see the sunset and enjoy some cocktails (What the Witch Doctor Ordered - a crazy drink with dry ice). This is a picture of the whole group!

From L to R: Jeff (C's Dad), my Dad, me, C, my Mom, Mishi, Al, Danny (C's Mom), and Jeanie.

I am really not exaggerating when I say that the whole thing couldn't have gone more smoothly. Our families really just meshed and it was amazing. I never felt nervous around any of them, the conversation was easy and natural, and we just have so much in common from the way both C and I were raised to how we value family. It's hard to explain, but it's just such a great feeling to know that our families have now met and everyone gets along.


Mishi and I played the slots at the Rio before going to our dinner reservation.


Jeanie bought us stickers with our names on them! So awesome!


We ate dinner at the Hofbrauhaus, which was amazingly good! It was loud, but died down as the night wore on.


Mishi and I really bonded! She is C's best friend so it was really important to me that we have the chance to get to know each other. I was honestly most nervous about meeting her (even more than his parents) but we really hit it off! Sooooo happy to know her!


On Sunday morning, the cousins flew home and our parents got together one last time. Later that night, we had to take my Mom to the airport, and C and I had to get ready to drive back to Los Angeles bright and early Monday morning.

It really was a great vacation, but I'm happy to be back in my own home!



I'm going to tally up the entries to the Sweet Tea Junkie giveaway tonight, and post the winners tomorrow morning!