LARGER THAN LIFE

(Warning: this post lives up to it's title...it's LARGE!!)

This is the only way I know how to describe Las Vegas. We've been there several times, but every time I get there, I am in awe of how everything is larger than life. The buildings, the food, the entertainment, the cigarette smoke (OK, this is one disgusts me, but honestly, it is everywhere!!), the people; just take every aspect of life and multiply it by 1000. And yes, you got me, I'm going to write about our trip. It's not like we did anything in Vegas that we should "leave in Vegas"...Here are a few highlights:

Bellagio Garden: This place never fails to amaze me. There is always something beautiful to look at in here.

I'm not sure why, but my favorite part was the red lanterns from the ceiling.

At night:

Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden: As to why they decided to combine a chocolate factory and cactus garden...you got me. I'll leave that one to Seinfeld. :-) This factory was opened by Mr. Mars of the candy bar business after he retired in the late 70's. They make fine chocolates here, and yes, they are delicious! It was all I could do to contain myself in the presence of such yummy looking carmel apples! These were going for $12 each in their store! (I love carmel apples, but not THAT much!)

In the "Garden"

These are the treats we 

got for ourselves!

M&M World: Honestly, I'm not sure how we've been to Vegas all these times without ever going in here before. Imagine...4 floors of M&M "stuff". Everything you can think of. We had a very hard time controlling ourselves here, and only got a few things for K. I could have blown a year's salary easily. 

Bellagio Water Fountain: Hands down, the best free entertainment in all of Las Vegas. We could have watched these fountains all day, and we know why they don't put any benches around...because we would have watched them all day if we could have sat down! The experience is only intensified at night.

Paris: This is one casino we haven't ever really spent much time at. We walked around it for a while, and explored the outside a bit. We took a journey to the top of their Eiffel tower (which is half the size of the original)...38 stories in all. These pictures give a pretty good idea as to the scale of things.

From "the Strip"

Yes, we went ALL the way up there!

View from the top

Joe at the base of the tower

New York: Where else can you visit New York just a few "short" blocks from Paris? We went to both in one afternoon! 

Their replica of the Brooklyn Bridge:

I think the scale here is 1/5 the size of the original.

Sorry, these two wouldn't allow pictures:

Mac King Comedy: This guy was hilarious, and did a good job entertaining in this "family show". Every person's worst fear came true; I was picked from the audience to help in his magic show. It wasn't as bad as I would have thought, and I had a few blonde moments up on stage which only made his show funnier.

The Beatles "Love": Each time we visit Vegas, we like to take in a "Cirque du S0leil" show. They are amazing. Definitely worth every cent. This one was no different, set to the familiar music of the Beatles, it was nothing short of fantastic. Of course, they wouldn't allow any pictures, but you can click here for a preview.

We had a fabulous time, and are happy to report the only money we left there was in the form of goods or food purchased.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH...

Lest you think we had all the fun, K spent the weekend getting doted on and spoiled by my parents. Actually, my parents do a great job of not spoiling too much, but grandparents will be grandparents afterall...

Coloring with Grandma

They took him to gymnastics and he got to jump in the bungees!

He got his birthday present early

By Saturday, we were all ready to be back together at home. K did great while we were away, and Joe and I felt refreshed and ready to tackle life with a 2 year old! (Which we got a good dose of the following day)