Happy Birthday to Me

Nope.  

 Haven't been to Paris yet.

Didn't spend the weekend in New York.

Last visited China in December of 2013...

...but I did spend a relaxing few days with my handsome in Las Vegas.

And that is an awesome birthday gift for any 24/7 mom of six children during the month of January when you live in cold country. 

Thank you Steve and Nona for graciously offering your beautiful condo to us!

Thank you Allegiant for cheap flights from IF to LV!

Thanks Janene (and Bob) for helping out with the kiddos!

And thanks to a wonderful husband who 'spoiled' his wife with love!

 Conveniently located within walking distance of dozens of awesome restaurants, this high-end condo (just off "the strip") was the perfect place to relax.

 Aaron has known Steve and Nona for 12+ years through their association in the senior home care industry.  They have a great respect for one another and have become good friends.

 The security is tight for Veer Towers (West) but it was simple enough for us to come and go as we pleased throughout the day.  We especially enjoyed the fact that we didn't have to walk through a smoke-filled casino to get to our sleeping quarters.

 This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo has some awesome views.

 Veer Towers (East & West) are residential units that range from 200K - 2M.  

Not sure what studio you could actually purchase for 200K...

 This is near the parking garage where we waited for our taxi when it was time to return to the airport.  Otherwise, we walked everywhere we wanted to go.  The temple was closed for maintenance so renting a car wasn't necessary.

 Las Vegas isn't necessarily the destination of my dreams, but the weather was perfect and so was my company.  I didn't cook a meal or clean a bathroom.  What's not to like?

 More views from the condo.  

 The outdoor swimming pool was located on the 37th floor along with an exercise room.  Though a bit nippy for a swim, we did work-out a few times - and walked A LOT.

 We both brought our computers and allowed ourselves the luxury of dreaming up fantastic travel plans during our time away.  Too bad all the pieces of our puzzle didn't come together (yet).  Never mind the reality of coming home to learn of some major car repairs looming (we dropped Subaru off at dealership and caught shuttle to IF airport on way out of town) and serious dental work that was discovered after taking six kids in for check-ups on MLK day.  That put a damper on things for now.

We could have taken this picture from another window (without the built-in screen thing) but didn't.  Every night is a party in this town but our final evening we enjoyed watching a spectacular fireworks show from the quiet safety of our own room.

 Being famished when we first arrived, the Harley Davidson restaurant won out because it was right across the street from our condo. Obviously, I was not in my 'right mind' because I suggested we order the prime rib lunch special.  What?!?

 Looking up the wall from our booth.  Very patriotic.

 I was mystified by the abundance of strangely named high-end clothing stores with their modern window displays and the simplicity of their expensive wares.  Aaron didn't take me up on my 'dare' to go in one.  We would have no clue how to 'shop' in such a place.  But we did frequent the ROSS and Famous Footwear around the corner.  I scored a nice pair of Sketchers walking shoes which immediately became heaven-sent.

Chuckle, chuckle at the imported snow.

 A city full of abstract art...in many forms.

A new spin on kayaks.

I have no idea how this lady maintained her position for hours on end.  We saw a few of these people around town.  Getting dressed for work certainly took effort for them.

The kids would have enjoyed seeing Spider Man, Hello Kitty and the zillion other characters we spotted along the sidewalks.  For a few minutes, I thought we were at Disneyland.

 Yep, that's a wedding taking place in front of the Bellagio.

 Licorice, anyone?

 Doesn't everybody need a 5 lb. chocolate bar for a mere $49.95?

 I think our community would enjoy having a few heat lamps around town.  

With temps in the 60's, I chuckled at the people wearing thick winter coats.

  Loved seeing and hearing the waterfall feature at the ARIA resort which was a stone's throw away from our condo entrance.

 The flowers were gorgeous.

 The best part about the Ceasar's Palace shopping center was not the incredible architecture.

 Nor was it the statues...

...or the aquarium...

...or the Atlantis show.

It was the Cheesecake Factory.

Luau Salad

Best meals of the trip.  Ate there twice. 

Salmon Genovese -
(basil pesto sauce surrounding couscous with fresh almond green beans & lemon asparagus)

We may or may not have picked up a piece of cheesecake on one or both visits.

The 30-minute (brisk) walk each way was worth it.

I enjoy good food.

Build-your-own fajitas

Better than being treated to great Mexican food at a fancy gig in the ARIA, was spending an evening with Scott and Megan H.

Megan, Heather, Aaron, Scott

 There is always plenty of teenage-hood reminiscing when Scott and Aaron get together.  Fortunately for me, I totally love talking with Megan and wish we could have had a few more hours together.

 They did leave five kids behind to join us for the evening, but we talked them into hanging out at the condo long enough for Scott to get his first foot-zone. 

Scott & Aaron - forever friends

Scott and Megan have had a little scare recently with Scott (healthy & fit) experiencing two mini-strokes.  He is currently undergoing testing at the Mayo Clinic (boarded a plane on Monday for a week).  We are keeping them in our prayers.

 Our neighbors, Matt & Jane tipped us off to this place - Sprinkles.  

They were right on both accounts.  Totally overpriced and totally delicious.

 These Chinese flower gardens were literally a breath of fresh air while walking through one casino/hotel.

 Our last evening meal - we splurged for a buffet.

 Aaron ate his money's worth in king crab and snow crab legs.

 Me - not so much.  We decided it won't be a repeat for us next go around.  

I just can't eat my money's worth at buffets:).

 It was a delightful weekend but it was fun to come home again to these adorable kiddos!