Last week Tom had a Chiropractic Seminar in Las Vegas. We decided to turn it into a family trip. Because Tom was going to be in meetings all day long, and I did not want to wonder around Vegas with two kids by myself, we invited my sister and her family to come with us. We had a great time. And the weather was beautiful, like 68 degrees, which was much better than the 17 at home.
I will say this though, I finally understand why it is call the City of Sin. Every carnal sin is there, and very prevalent, you have Drinking and Gambling, people are passing out porn like candy, and there are ads for other inappropriate things. Then you have the buffets which can lead to GLUTTONY. But most of that is isolated to The Strip. If you get off the strip than it is a really pretty place, with a lot to offer. This was my first time to Vegas, so I was not sure what we were going to do, but we managed to stay busy, and had a blast doing it.
Here are some of the things we did:
We stayed at
Circus Circus, which is supposedly the "Family Casino." My guess as to why they claim this is because they have a FREE Circus Show every hour (which Owen LOVED), and they have the Arcade, which is basically a Gambling Training ground. Here is Owen sitting with my sister Charis and her Family waiting for one of the shows to begin.
And here are some pictures of my brother-in-law Craig with his daughter Kendell, and my Owen playing an arcade game (notice how the game looks a lot like Roulette).
I guess not all of the games in the arcade where meant to train your children to gamble. We did find a Ski-ball game. In case you were wondering, three-years old have a hard time with the concept of this game.
Ok, here is a confession, I am a HUGE fan of
Pawns Stars on the History channel. Since we where in Vegas, we had to stop at the Gold and Silver Pawn shop. I was really hoping to get a picture with Chumlee, but they were filming, so that was a no go. And now that I have been to the shop, while they were filming, I think a lot of the show is staged. Oh well, I am still a fan.
I am also a huge fan of M & Ms. Lucky for me M&M World is in Las Vegas. It is "Four Floors of Fun!" Seriously, It was a ton of fun, and FREE! (Well, unless you wanted to buy some M&M Merchandise). They had anything M&M. Honestly, if you could think it up, they probably had it, M&M Bed Sheets, M&M Christmas Ornaments, an M&M Race Car. They even had a 3D movie featuring Red and Yellow. The favorite for the kids was making customized M&Ms. We made some for my mom and dad. Owen and Kendell got a kick out of it. My mom put these on her Valentine blog, click
here to see.
The only time Tom was available to hang out with us was at night, when a lot of kid friendly activities where closed, so we walked The Strip. I was amazed. There were some amazing buildings, and architecture, and gardens, and street performers. It was so cool. But I gotta warn you, go prepared to have your blinders on, there is pictures of scantily-clad women everywhere you look. It is to bad that all that garbage has to be mixed in with something so awesome.
Here is a Gold Statue man, who was really good, and would not move for anything, unless you were a little kid, and then he would shake your hand and give you a lollipop.
Then there was the
Bellagio's fountains. AMAZING!!!! Seriously, this was the coolest thing ever. I have seen video of this, but nothing does this justice. If you have not seen this, you should add it to your bucket list.
My Dad is a Civil Engineer. As a result, he finds bridges and dams fascinating. Every trip we went on growing up, it was inevitable that we were going to stop and look and a bridge, or take a Dam Tour, or check out a Water Treatment Plant. Charis and I figured why stop the tradition, we were only 45 minutes from the Hoover Dam. It was cool to see the bridge and walk on the top of the dam, but sadly we weren't able to do my favorite part of the dam experience....the Visitor Center and Tour. Security at the Hoover Dam is tighter than the TSA. First of all, they check your car before you even drive on the road to get to the dam. Then, to get into the Visitor Center, you had to stand in line, and go through a metal detector. Once we were done with that, we came to a queue at a Cash Registrar. There was a sign that read, "Dam Tours $30.00." So no tour for us. I explain that we just want to go to the Visitor Center, and the attendant says, "Ok, that will be $8.00 a head."
What? $8.oo? Who has ever heard of being charged to go into a Visitor Center? I believe a cover charge would make it a Museum, NOT a Visitor Center. And there was no signage explaining that anywhere. Grrrr. It was rather frustrating. So we did not go visit the center, but at least we got some nice pictures.
If you have kids, or a husband, and go to Las Vegas, I would highly recommend paying a visit to the
Silverton Casino. First of all, they have one of the large Bass Pro Shops on their campus, and what man doesn't love getting lost in an Outdoor Sportsman Store. Secondly, they have a Fresh Water aquarium, with huge fish......
and a Salt Water aquarium, with a really live Mermaid. She was awesome. I think that she was the Tal's favorite part of the entire trip.
Here is Kendell and Owen trying out the 4-wheelers at Bass Pro Shop.
I know that Vegas has a ton of rides, that are supposed to be awesome, but this is the only ride we could afford:
And of course we ate at the buffets, well, some of them, the MGM's Grand Buffet, and CiCi's Pizza buffet. And Tom got to go to the Hilton Buffet with the seminar, lucky guy.
I really enjoyed this trip. It was my first time to Vegas, and I would not be surprised if it were my last, but than, maybe it wont be. Only time will tell.
Lucy and Grandpa are getting a good look at the big dead elk.
Here is Grandpa and Owen, learning what different animal tracks look like.
And my Mom and Pop (You gotta love the cheese).
Heres some pictures of the elk.
the Northwest is all of the Gardens. Last Friday, Owen and I went with a couple of friends to my favorite garden yet... 
has come up a lot in the past few days. So I have decided to make a list of activities to do, things to see, and places to eat, in the general Portland area. If you have any thing to add, please leave a comment, and let me know.
