Viva Las Vegas??!!

This past week I spent 4 wonderful days in Las Vegas with my two daughters... Amber (the Bride To Be) and Jessica... and a few of Amber's friends to celebrate her Bachelorette Party... and keeping with the "Golden Rule" of... What Happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas... I will not be kissing and telling on any of the "Bachelorette/Girl Stuff"... but I can write about the show we saw, people watching, sight seeing, and various observations from walking around.

First observation... most people who work in Las Vegas are plasticly perfect, tanned, toned, and have the whitest teeth... AND... they are always trying to hawk something to sell you.  They are exhausting in their efforts to sell you something... so should any of you venture to the Las Vegas area... just remember it's not rude to ignore them... in fact... it is a MUST to ignore them!  However... having said that... they are also polite and friendly.

Contrary to many rumors... Elvis is NOT dead!!!  I saw him for my very own eyes... why... he was right there with his baby blue cadillac next to the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign taking pictures with sight seers... only thing is... I don't recall him being quite so Asian looking... but then... it has been a few years since he was last seen in public.  Then... by gum... I saw him again on the strip the very next night again taking photos with visitors... he must have gone to a party the night before and stayed in the hot Vegas sun too long the next morning though, because on the 2nd day he looked heavier and much more African American.... so odd!!!

We went to a show that was part Cirque Du Soleil, part comedy, part "Las Vegas"... we laughed or ooohed and ahhhed through the entire show.  It was the most spectacular show I have ever seen... my only regret was that my husband Joe wasn't there to share the experience with me... he would have LOVED this show.  At one part of the show I ended up on stage.... but I can't tell you about that because of the Golden Las Vegas Rule... but I will say that I got kicked off stage with my dignity in tact... THANKFULLY!!!!

There are definitely women of all ages who go to Vegas with the preconceived idea that they can wear anything they want, and that they should show everything they got.... ummmm.... no no no!!!!!  Please Ladies.... most of your goodies need to stay sheathed, bound, underweared, zipped, and tucked away from public view.... I don't care what your girlfriends tell you.... Cover those things back up!!!!  We saw hooters and cleavages that would literally poke your eyeballs out!... also we saw a very large young woman wearing fishnet stockings and a skirt that seriously stopped at the top of her nickle slot (butt crack.... however... her nickle slot was soooo big it would take dollar tokens!)  This young woman was riding the escalator in front of us, soooo.... we got the whole entire back end view the whole ride up.... then..... she hinged bent over at the top of the escalator, that then gave us the whole coochie front view from the back.... eeeewwwwwwww doesn't even com close to the eye assaulting view that was!!!!  Every bouncer in the casino was on their wrist microphones warning each other of the sight.... my eyeballs are still hurting from that sight!

We walked through almost every casino looking at artwork, chandeliers, and store window displays.  WOWZERS!!!!  Soooo much to see!  Of course, all of our favorite casino sight is the Dale Chihuly chandelier is in the Bellagio.  We did stop and drop a bill or two in slot machines as we passed through casinos, but we didn't really gamble seriously.  I managed to come home with the same amount of money I gambled with... and to me... that is a win!

It was a wonderful time, spent with amazing women, and I'm grateful and delighted to have been a part of Amber's Bachelorette celebration!  We are wedding ready... dresses altered, invitations sent and rsvp's received, dancing shoes polished.... Let's Get This Party Started!!!!!!

First Birthdays, Baptism, Bridal Shower, and more!

Oh my goodness!!!  WHEW WHEW WHEW WEE!!!!  What a crazy, hectic month it has been since my last blog... and once again... THANK YOU to those who remind me to "get with it and update my blog".  I have literally been burning tread back and forth from Kansas to Cincinnati the past month... in fact... I'm sure this last trip my car knew the way so well, it drove itself!

Both Grandsons have had their first Birthday's... celebrated on their actual Birthday, as well as the big family celebration party the girls had for the boys together.  They did such a good job on the Birthday party... Lauren made cake pops from scratch (using a special cake pop pan and recipe), both Lauren and Jessica made the decorations using their cricket machine... everything was adorable, delicious, and the day was absolutely perfect!  The baby boys are so funny and cute together... they are truly already Best Friends!

We also had a Bridal Shower for Amber (in Louisville), who is getting married in just 3 short weeks... and once again... I will gather with family and friends (like I have been doing for the past couple of months) for more joyous celebrating!  The Shower was AWESOME... Amber and Ben received many nice gifts and lots of support from friends and family... some who traveled 3+ hours to attend her Shower.  In two days from now the female Bridal Party heads to Las Vegas for the bachorlette party!.... and because "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"... there will be no blog of the Vegas Adventures.... sorry readers.... my lips will be sealed and my fingers stilled!  :  )

This past week Joe and I were blessed to have Lauren and baby Henry visit us here in Kansas.  Lauren's husband Kevin, had to be out of town last week, so.... she on the spur of the moment followed me back to Kansas in her car... stayed the week, then Kevin flew to Wichita on his way home from his biz trip, took a vacation day and then drove the family home today.  What a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful time we had.  We were blessed with absolute perfect spring weather... temps in the 80's all week, with the sky filled with sunshine.  Henry had his first outside play days, and he LOVED every minute... like a typical boy... he only threw a fit when it was time to come back inside.

Now our house is quiet... no more pitter pattering of baby Henry's footsteps and giggles, as he would run open armed into my arms for a big deep hug... no more bath time splashes and fun... that is... until their next visit in July!  Gigi (me) is already counting down the days til they return for more Kansas fun in the sun!  I have been gathering toy box goodies for the past several months for the boys as I would spot things on clearance... I have plenty of girl toys and dolls (since I had 3 girls and no boys of my own)... but am having to stock up anew for the boys.  I have gathered butterfly nets and bug cages, plastic hats of all sorts (police, firemen, construction, army helmet), cars, a cozy coupe, bubbles, blocks, and even a coleman pup tent I got at a yard sale for $2, and a muscial instrument set for $5... and all are in brand new condition!!!  Now I need to get a toy box in which to store my adding collection of boy toys!

My house chores are so far behind and I will be playing catch up for the next two days before I head out once again.  Until the month of May arrives, my calendar is full with wedding finalities... then I will finally have time to Spring clean to my hearts content.  Summer heat comes early here in Hutchinson, pool season will soon begin... and we all know Spring and Summer are my seasons of bliss!  My sundresses are washed, ironed, and ready for donning... my sandals are un-boxed and lined up ready to wear... and I'm ready to put my convertible top down and let my hair fly in the warm wind!

Spring has sprung... the grass has riz.........