Last weekend Kefford and I flew to Las Vegas for the annual Vision Expo that was being held there. Kefford said it was not too important to be there but we needed a break and we went last year and had a blast so we decided to go again. We left Thursday and came home on Saturday. Pretty quick trip but it was the perfect amount of time for us. Like last year our hotel booking, at the Venetian, came with free tickets to see the Phantom of the Opera. We loved it when we saw it last year but were hoping we could switch our tickets to see The Blue Man Group instead. Nope we couldn't so we happily went to see Phantom Thursday night. This year we got our tickets closer to the stage and it was amazing how close we were. We could see everything! I really love that show, the music, the story, the special effects, amazing! The people in front of us and behind us were clearly seeing it for the first time. We overheard them questioning why the chandelier was in pieces all spread out and they were talking about the special effects they heard about. It was all I could do to not just start blabbing and telling them everything. But I did not want to ruin all the surprises in store for them and so I kept my mouth quiet and enjoyed them reacting to all the surprises in store. Such a great show, I don't think I can say that enough!
I was excited to wear my special party skirt that I made out of seven yards of chiffon. It is pink and poofyish and oh so fun...loved it!
The next day we wandered around outside we came across the wax museum. We thought it might be fun to check that out but it was a little more then we wanted to spend. fifty bucks for the two of us just did not seem worth it. So we took pictures with the two waxed celebrities they had outside the entrance...
Indiana Jones
and Whoopi Goldberg
This is where things got a little interesting for us. The thing is when you look at maps of the Vegas strip it all looks doable, it is only when you start walking that you realize how far everything is and the walking gets a lot tiring. I heard about M&M World and I really wanted to visit the place but it was miles down the road. We tried walking it and did not even get close to halfway when we gave up cause it was too much walking, I did not bring my fancy gym shoes which next time I think I will, that would make the walking lots easier. SO after giving up we were walking back into our hotel discussing our options when we were ambushed by a lady who was talking about cheap tickets as she herded us over to a desk nearby. Turns out we could get Blue Man Group tickets 2 for fifty plus food voucher money if we just took a couple of hours and checked out a new resort being built 20 minutes down the strip by car. We were told we would get lunch too. Now we really wanted to see the Blue Man group and it was a heck of a deal so we took it. Crazy? Kefford thought so. The whole time we were waiting to be picked up and taken to the destination Kefford was extremely skeptical. He is a little bit of a pessimist. So we did this tour thing which turned out to be a timeshare thing and we of course, after the two hour presentation thing, politely refused. We were handed our tickets, given our $150.00 of food vouchers and were put back on the bus to take back to our hotel. When we boarded the bus there was another couple on there and we started talking to them asking if they got suckered into the timeshare and what perks they received. Turns out they are a super nice couple from Utah who got the food money vouchers (we all had the choice between food or gambling vouchers) and tickets to see the Blue Man Group. During the bus ride back to our hotels we continued talking and getting to know each other and before you know it we were agreeing to go to dinner and the show with them. Number one they had a car which they offered to drive us in and number two they were super nice and it felt ok. So Lindsey and John picked us up at our hotel and we drove down to the MGM. We had a little time before our dinner reservations so we went to M&M World which is right next door to the MGM. Yay! It was three levels of pure M&M goodness.
Just check out this M&M wall...
I picked out my kids favorite colors and got them each a small bag of M&M's.
Keford liked checking out the nascar M&M car and then we headed next door and checked out the Coca-cola store. I am not a Coke fan so nothing their was too interesting to me. But if you were a coca-colaholic better hightail it to Vegas, you can outfit your house in all coke products for sure.
Finally we went to dinner and it was a good thing we had the vouchers because we would not have been able to get anything other then a water. It was crazy, rich people expensive. You know, the type of place where the Waiter places your cloth napkin In your lap for you and between every course the dishes and silverware are whisked away and replaced with fresh ones. Fancy!
Kefford ordered a $50 dollar steak and I stuck with my tried and true hamburger and fries. Delish.
Even though we were hitting the full mark at the end of out meal we of course had to order dessert. Raspberry Creme Brulee please. That was yummy goodness also. My first Creme Brulee if we can all remember was at Disneyland's fancy steakhouse and I have to say Disney beat this place on presentation hands completely down!
Here was our bill. Of course I took a picture, this bill is impressive. As we were working out the bill we found out that while John and Lindsey also received money vouchers, they did not receive the same amount. We got $150 and they only got $50. What a rip offed bummer. We didn't use up all of ours so we in our kindness let them have the rest so that they didn't have to pay too much out of pocket.
Finally it was time to hightail it out of that place and head back to our hotel for The Blue Man Group! Crazy Vegas late night traffic was making us worry about being lat but we arrived, parked and seriously booked it to the theater with minutes to spare. I loathe being late, thanks Dad, and so I am glad once again not to be one of those people who show up after the show starts. While we were watching Phantom an entire row of people came in about 15 minutes late! Seriously? So disrespectful and distracting.
But we got there in time and sat back in our fifth row poncho wearing seats to enjoy the show. The front five rows wear ponchos because the Blue Men do a lot of things with paint and so we had ponchos just in case anything came out at us., I was a little disappointed that I did not get splashed on at all. I think that would have been fun. :O) as long as it came out of course. We absolutely loved the show, it is so interactive and exciting. Ooh and here is a funny little surprise for all you folks who like to be late to things. A little ways into it, no, not even a little, a ways into it all of a sudden a loud honking alarm started going off and up on the screen flashed the words..Late Arrivals. The Blue Men completely stopped what they were doing, grabbed a spotlight and turned it on two girls who were walking in late. They also had the camera turned on then so we could watch their walk of shame on the big screen. That cracked me up. What a way to deal with the late people!
Seriously though what a fun show! A couple times they came out and rubbed Keffords bald head and one time they all three stood right next to us and gave me a little stare down. After that they walked away to do it to another girl and this girl they pulled on stage and did some things. I was so glad it was not me who got pulled up there. I will just watch and enjoy thank you very much.
After the fantastic show we were outside the theater talking a little bit when I suddenly saw a Blue Man. They came out to pose for pictures how cool is that?
The band was out taking pictures also. The paint on their faces is glow in the dark as is the bone outlines in their black outfits. So when all the lights were low you saw these cool glowing skeleton types playing the instruments. Very rock and roll and super cool!
Then it was time to say goodbye to our new friends. It was fun to meet them and to branch out and do things we have never done before, like hang out with strangers. We liked them and did have a good time with them.
The next morning Kefford went over to look at Ferrari's while I hung out in our hotel room and enjoyed the quiet.
Once we got home it was great to see our kids again and I gave them their special M&M's
Rylee got Dark Pink
Toothless Avynlea got turquoise.
Ryker got green
and Kenedy got lime green and aqua
on a side note, we decided Avynleas tooth was ready to come out and so while she yelled and resisted, I held her down and Kefford pulled that thing out. She was yelling so much she didn't even realize it was out. What a stinker. Now she has a big hole in the upper part of her mouth!
This picture got mixed up in the order but one of Keffords emloyee's gave him a dollar to gamble with and so on our last day in Vegas we stuck it in a Happy Days slot machine. Obviously we are not gamblers and had no clue what we were doing so we let the machine do its thing and ended up with five dollars. We cashed out immediately, like I said we are not a gambling people. I think his employee was happy with the return he got. :O)
So in all Vegas was lots of fun and someday We would like to go back and do some more fun things. Vegas is dirty and gross and all that but it is also beautiful and amazing and has so much to see and do...even for those like us who are into the wholesome clean stuff :O)
A good time was, again, had by all!