Vegas!

A few weeks ago we went to Vegas with our good friends Jens and Amy Blessington.  This is our second trip to Vegas with the Blessingtons...our last one was 5 years ago!  This time it was much different than last as we were leaving behind our sweet little babies for an adult getaway.  

Our first night, we arrived in Vegas around 8pm and headed right out.  We went to a tequila bar in Ballys and had a drink...a very large drink.

After our drink at Bally's we went over to Bills Gamblin' Hall and Saloon.  This was the casino we spent the most time in.  It was right next door to the Flamingo, which is where we stayed.  But it's a much quieter casino with lower limits so the perfect place to hang out.

Jens and Derek - cheek to cheek!

The second day, we went to Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo to watch the Daytona 500.  It was a very relaxing morning afternoon just hanging out and watching sports.  Derek placed a bet on the field which payed out 25 to 1 so we started the trip up by a bit.  After the race we headed back to our room and got ready for the evening.

We had dinner at one of our favorite places in Vegas called Battista's Hole in the Wall.  We have eaten there every time we've gone to Vegas.  Our favorite part of Battistas is the sweet accordion player named Gordy.  Here's Jens and Derek with Gordy.

After dinner we stopped by the Bellagio to watch the fountains.  This is the exact place Derek proposed to me almost 8 years ago.  Wow, how our life has changed since then!  

Jens and Amy in front of the fountains.

We ended that night with a hypnotist at Paris, which was absolutely hilarious!  

The third day we went to MGM in the morning and did CSI: The Experience.  It wasn't much of an experience.  It sounded cool, but wasn't really that impressive.  We stopped for some sushi on our way back towards the Flamingo.

Then we took the bus downtown to Fremont Street.  We've been to Vegas a few times, but have never made it down to Freemont Street.  It was really neat to see.  We played Bingo at Binnions.  This was much more challenging than we thought it was going to be! They called the numbers really quickly and we could barely keep up.  Unfortunately none of us won big at Bingo...and I think we learned that next time we need to get the electronic devices!

In one of the casinos downtown, they had a Lobster claw machine.  It's like the machines you see in an arcade that have the claw to grab a stuffed animal.  Only with this one, your prize is a live lobster.  And if you catch one, they cook it for you!

The whole concept is a little disturbing, but of course the guys had to give it a try anyway.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) they didn't catch any lobsters.

After downtown, we came back to the Flamingo and had dinner at a burger joint.  Amy and I did some oxygen after dinner.  We realize we look ridiculous!  But Amy had a cold and we were told the oxygen can help...so we gave it a try.  There was no immediate relief for the sinus infection and really no seen benefits of the oxygen.  But it was funny!

After dinner we headed over to O'Sheas and listened to a cover band.  The band was good and the people-watching was even better!

Our last full day in Vegas started with the guys heading to the Callaway Golf course for a round of golf.  Amy and I had a lazy breakfast and then went to the Westin for a massage.  The pampering was incredible and much, much needed!  

While we were at the spa, the guys put on their Hawaiian shirts and went to Margaritaville to celebrate National Margarita Day!  We met up with them there and shared some margaritas.  The weather was awesome and perfect for sitting outside, overlooking the strip and sipping margaritas!

After margaritas we headed to California Pizza Kitchen for some pizza and then called it an early night and went back to our rooms.

All in all it was an awesome trip and a much needed break from the busy schedules at home.  We missed the kids like crazy, but it was good to have a real vacation again!