Vegas baby!!

It sure has taken me a long time to finally get this post out. It's just that lately I feel that I don't want to be on the computer too much when the hubby is home (or maybe because I will be scolded if I am...lol). You see, my husband watches hockey. Well, the season has officially ended so now, that has left him endless time to spend with the rest of the family. Only thing is, when I happen to jump on the computer, he now notices it!

So, here I am at work deciding to get the wording of my post together so that when I'm home and he's at work, I can just upload the photos to go with this post. That way I'm not taking too much time away from my baby girl either. Smart! I know. :o)

So, our Vegas trip! We went June 13-16. We had it all planned and we never told our daughter. It was to be a surprise. We wanted to make up for her birthday that ended up being a strange yet bittersweet day. One she couldn't really enjoy though because of my grandma's funeral ending up on that special day. So, we had decided to keep mum about all the things we had planned. We had told her that we would take her to San Francisco to Build-A-Bear and was going to stay the night out there. We needed some reason as to why we were heading to San Francisco (the airport really) and why we had to pack our bags, so that was the plan. She was excited too!

Well, my husband decided that once we got on the Bay Bridge, he would all of a sudden come up with the "crazy idea" to just drive to the airport and see if we can get a flight to Vegas. We were so excited to see the reaction on her face too! We just knew she was going to be excited cause anytime we bring up going out there, she's all ready to go. Well.........we didn't get the reaction we were hoping for. NOT. AT. ALL! lol To be honest, she was bummed....at first. She wanted to stay in SF and go to Build-A-Bear doggone it! First off, we explained to her that we already checked and found that there are 3 Build-A-Bear's out in Vegas! She said "no there isn't". "Uh, yes there is honey. We already checked." She was still a little bummed. We couldn't believe it! We kept saying "I can't believe you would rather stay in SF and not go to Vegas! We can stay in SF any ol' time." She says "Well, I don't want you guys to waste your money so, we'll go anyways." We started to explain to her that we had so much planned like not only going to Build-A-Bear but also to see the Blue Man Group and rent a limo for her for her birthday (Side note: She has a fascination with limos for some reason.). At that point she was finally excited! Gooooood! My husband was a bit bummed by her initial reaction though. We were sure she would be excited cause we took her there few years ago and she loved Circus Circus and the rides there.

*I have to interject a footnote: You all may be wondering WHY we would take our child to Vegas, right? First of all, we kept it PG rated for her. It IS possible to do so....but very carefully! Plus, my husband and I love it out there and we got married out there. Shoot, we almost moved there.**

While we were at the airport waiting for boarding, we had decided to grab a sandwich. My daughter took a bite and finally the front tooth that was refusing to come out, came out. Now she looks like the little girl on "UP". She looks so cute too!

Our hotel reservations were for the Excalibur. Not a hotel we would normally stay at but since hotel and airfare for the 3 of us was under, let me say that again, UNDER $400 total, we can suck it up! Anyways, we always like to stay at a different hotel each time we go out there anyways and this was one we hadn't so woo hoo for that. Plus, we had checked the swimming pools out for our daughter and which would be the best for the cheap price and the Excalibur had a water slide. How cool is that?! She had fun on it too! Water wings and all!

We won't be staying there again though cause without notice while I was in the shower all soapy and conditioner in my hair, they decided to turn the water off on us. My husband called and I got on the phone cause they were saying it would be an hour before they turn it back on. The only comp. was for the buffet that my husband didn't like at all, but didn't complain since it was free.

On Sunday, we took Noodle to see the Conservatory at the Bellagio. Then we had lunch at one of my favorite places, Margaritaville. We went to the one in Key West on our honeymoon, so I'm sure you can see why I love the place! Plus the whole beachy, tropical-ness of it all is so fun and relaxing!

Later we went to the Blue Man Group and had a fantastic time! My daughter loved it so much! What a great show which I would highly recommend to anyone. In fact, I would love to see it again. So so funny!!

After the show we took her to Build-A-Bear. She was having so much fun picking out her bear, a Hannah Montana one, no less. The lady said though that she has never seen so many accessories for a bear on one trip though......$91 later (never again!). Happy Birthday baby girl!

On Monday we took her to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It started to get a bit chilly that day too. The clouds were really coming. So once we were done there, we made our way to Circus Circus to go on all the rides. So much fun for her as we were there a good few hours.

Later for dinner we went to the Tropicana for a lobster and steak dinner. De-lish! My hubby and I love lobster and so we shared it with our daughter who also liked it very much.

But since the trip was almost coming to an end, I wanted to make sure we got that limo ride in for our daughter's birthday. It was 11pm and she reminded daddy which he was being wishy washy about but I made sure it happened! Half hour later, Mr. limo man picked us up for an hour, a very quick hour I must say. Thank goodness because once again, she didn't seem as excited. I think she had the vision in her head that people hang out the sunroof of the thing admiring the strip. Well to be honest, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think they make limos with the sunroofs in them that much anymore. Maybe for safety reasons. The whole time I was there, I never noticed a limo with a sunroof. Anyways, the driver took us to the infamous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign where we had our picture taken. Nice! It was still fun though.

The 3 of us at the Vegas sign.

Enjoying the ride!

With the limo driver

Tuesday came, the day we had to return to reality. Our flight wasn't until 7:30p though so we still had time to kill but it's the whole waiting game which is no fun really. I wanted to get some shopping in so I made my way to the Guess store at the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace. $216 later and 4 new tops, I was a happy camper. Let me tell you, they are super cute too!! I know, it was a lot of money and I'm normally not one to spend money like that on clothes but we all have to treat ourselves once in a while. This was my "once in awhile" time! :o)

Also, we stopped in front of the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood cause in front by the Hawaiian Tropics restaurant outside, there is a webcam and I called my parents so they could see us, which was fun!

So, we headed back home. On our way to the airport while in the shuttle, that's when I realized that I left my bathing suit in the hotel room. UGH! I've been playing phone tag with them but it is FINALLY on it's way here. YIPPY, especially since that was the first time I wore the thing while in Vegas.

Our flight was delayed a couple hours so we got home after midnight. Believe it or not, I'm soooooooo ready to go back too!

I'm sure you can imagine we did do more than what I mentioned but honestly, I think this post is long enough. If you made it through the whole things, I give you kuddos. So with that said......

You know how when you watch fireworks and they have the finale, well...here is my finale of pictures. I wanted to share more than just the few so I thought I would close this post with some of the fun, yet random pictures from our trip. Have a great weekend everyone!!

My hubby & I

Noodle at F.A.O. Schwarz at the Forum Shops

At the Conservatory at the Bellagio My hubby playing a big slot at Paris Playing around at F.A.O. Schwarz Lunch at Margaritaville. Me with my foo foo drink and Noodle with her smoothie.

We ate here. NOT the most appropriate place for kids though. Good thing Noodle had her DS to keep her occupied.

The Mirage with the volcano erupting.

My Parrot head!

My man while at Margaritaville.

Noodle at Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's restaurant.

Noodle and I being sad cause we didn't want Big Daddy to go out and gamble. It was already 1am. in the morning.

In the limo.