Day 5 - Cirque Du Soleil

Among all the other sites we saw today, Cirque Du Soleil was the highlight. 10.0 on the scale!! This was the one event I really wanted to see during my trip to Vegas and we were fortunate enough to get the tickets. Expensive show because it's one of the best! Totally worth it. You won't see shows like this in Spring Arbor!

The stage changed from solid to water over and over. The acrobatics were phenomenal! There was never a dull moment on the stage. The entire 1 1/2 was non-stop thrills. I think the lady next to me said "ohhh, ahh!" 45 times!

My favorite part was the three swings set apart around the stage where the actors and actresses did stunts, flips, dives, etc into the water. Some were synchronized and others were solos. My favorite part!

Tonight I am thankful for our 'O' experience at the Bellagio!!

Oh and for those of you waiting for pictures of the show, no camera allowed... Boo!

Day 4 in Vegas!

Today we experienced numerous Vegas attractions. The 'WOW' factor hit a 9 today! Below you will see. Note: Not all PG pictures. Sorry, but it's my blog.

We started our day shopping at M&M world. It reminded me of my sophomore year in high school when I was fortunate to take a trip Orlando's Disney! We purchased some souvenirs. :)

Next we hit the Venetian Hotel for the wax museum. Now talk about a jaw dropping scene. The ceilings were beautiful. Inside was a river with tour guided gondola's. Even though we were inside, the ceiling gave the appearance that we were outdoors. Absolutely beautiful!

We visited with the stars as well. They were all so willing to take pictures with us.

The evening was filled with slots on downtown Freeman Street. The Mermaid casino was 'old school'! You got to put actual pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters into the machines. You winnings cashed out with the clanking sound of coins hitting the metal tray! Our fingers were covered with the real dirt and grime unlike the updated slot machines where your ticket is dispensed below. The Mermaid was totally retro and a little exciting. Josh even enjoyed it too as he won 32 dollars in nickels! Patty had her system down. She had her quarters in one bucket and her silver dollars in the other! She won 60 bucks!

Today I was very thankful to be in Vegas! Good times! Total mileage: 9.41 miles. Gambling: down 56 bucks!

Vegas Day 3! 104 degrees

Today was a hot, hot day in Nevada!

We started our morning out with a trip to the Hoover Dam! The $11 tour was worth the money to see what the men went through to build such a monument all for $4.00 an hour! They put their lives in danger each day to build one of the United States' biggest water energy source. Amazing.

Mom and I spent some time at the pool this afternoon! Then I returned after lunch to read my book and relax.

Tonight we went to see Criss Angel's 'magic shows'. It was really quite the experience to see. Very impressive.

Tonight, I am thankful for our third night in Vegas.

Vegas Day Two-12 hour day

Day two in Vegas and we are still alive!

We left our hotel room after some pool time at 11:10am to start the touring. We returned to our room at 11:05pm (all Vegas time). I'm pretty sure we did about 8 different attractions. Ate at two different unique places. We saw some sharks and dolphins.

We went through the following hotels/casinos: MGM Grand, New York, New York, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Luxar, and ended at the Bellagio where we saw the water show out front too! The amount of money spent to design these attractions is crazy to even think about. They are all so unique and overwhelming. We did gamble at each of these places and we shopped too.

My feet are sore and we are tired, but we had a blast! :) According to Larry's pedometer, we walked 13.7 miles today! Ahhh!!

At Mandalay Bay, I won almost 25 bucks, but total down $33. Two days of some gambling and I'm ok with that.

Today I am thankful for being able to see all the awesome Vegas Hotels.

Vegas Day One

We have been awake for 20 hours! It's been a day of travel! Even though it's only 1016pm here in sin city, my butt is already in bed!

Today we arrived in Vegas at 940am. We ate some lunch, picked up some food at good 'ole Walmart, and did some touring.

We got familiar with our MGM Grand Hotel. We ate at the Rain Forest Cafe after checking out the poolS!!

Our gambling probably should improve. I am cheap. Very cheap. I lost $5.00!! in slots today! Ahhh! Think Josh lost $20!

Today I am thankful for day one in Vegas!!

Day off

Today I am thankful for a good productive Saturday. I guess that depends on what you call productive. Productive to ME today, meant some time in the sun!! It meant breakfast AND lunch at Panera. It meant a visit with both my grandma's. It meant cleaning out my car. It meant a trip to Kohls. It meant babysitting my awesome niece Paige so my sister and brother in law didn't have to pay a sitter...this meant a swim trip to the Oliver's! :) Paige loves the water. It meant dinner out with Josh and it meant cleaning my house!! :) even the toilets.

Even with all these productive things, I managed to pack my suitcase for Vegas baby!! :)

Today I am thankful for a Tonya productive day!

Wrap up

Tonight we wrapped up our softball season with root beer floats after Michelle Leavitt's open house.

It was a bitter sweet day. Last day of work before we take a week vacation. Michelle's last 'school' function. Abby and Michelle's last school softball season end party (tear). And the ending of another fun softball season.

It was a nice evening as all the parents and grandparents showed up for a final night of support. Awards were fun to pass out. All the girls and parents were in good moods. Lots of smiles and some tears.

I appreciate all our parent support this season. They were wonderful.

Afterwards, Donna and I both received scrapbooks of memories throughout the season. Love them. They make me cry every year.

After that Josh and I headed to Outback to close out the season and celebrate our first night of summer with Scott and Julie Oliver.

Tonight I am thankful for a great ending to our softball season and an evening with our friends the Oliver's.