Vegas Baby!!!

Chris had to head to Vegas last week for work and Sydney and I decided to tag along and drive with him. We figured we'd play around in the pool and sight see while he was off doing business during the day. Whoever knew that Vegas is such a great place for kids?? I remember always thinking people were crazy when I'd see them walking up and down the strip pushing a stroller. Now I totally get it!

Driving to Vegas is hard work :)

A glimpse out the window at the Colorado River and then the Hoover Dam

The new bridge they're building to go over the Hoover Damn

Hoover Dam loveliness

As soon as we checked into the hotel, we all changed into our suits and headed straight to the pool! No wasting time in this family.

Shortly thereafter, the little munchkin zonked...HARD

Sydney on The Strip!

First stop (after we learned that the MGM Lions don't show up until 11 am): M&M World!

The second this girl hit the door, she was out of the stroller, zooming around the store dancing to the tunes. $40 later in useless souvenirs, we moved on to the mall!

After I got in a Ton-O-Shopping at the Miracle Mile Mall, we headed back to the MGM to see the Lions (which I totally didn't get any pictures of, since I was too busy holding Sydney over the crowds to get a good view), we went to the Rain Forest Cafe for a quick lunch before heading back to the hotel for a nap.

Fishies!

They seated us at the foot of the Elephant (which you can barely see at the top of the photo). Every few minutes it would lightning and thunder and the elephant would go bonkers. Trumpeting, kicking it's feet and head. We'll just say it was slightly terrifying. Later that night when Sydney fell asleep, ten minutes into her slumber she let out the loudest scream ever. Ironically the next day she wanted to go and see the elephants again. Go figure!

We waited until Chris was done working the next day to head to The Secret Garden at the Mirage. We rode the train to the opposite end of the strip. Holy moly did Sydney LOVE the train. She put up a slight stink when it was time to get off. Good thing we have the Polar Express to take her on in a few months!

We took a slight detour at the shops in Ceasar's Palace. Some of my favorite designers have shops. I went into each shop and admired all the items and then left knowing that I can get all the same items for a quarter of the price. Holy over priced!

Sydney was in love with the fountain inside Ceasars

We stopped for quick bite at Planet Hollywood. Good thing she didn't notice the dead corpse in the rocking chair behind her. Eeeh ghads

Waiting in line to enter the Secret Garden at the Mirage!

Watching the dolphins swim around in their habitat

Shortly after this was taken, the dolphin swam past and proceeded to go potty and Sydney spotted it. She announced to everyone that was in the room with us "Ewww, icky poo poo. He went potty. Needs a diapah!"

Ooooh I love when I notice AFTER I've taken a picture that I've captured an animal doin' their *business*. Thanks Llama! Now you've all gotten to enjoy my pain as well. You're welcome.

Watching the white tigers

Ooooh the excitement builds to ride the train again. She could hardly contain herself for it to show up!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

Chris has a business dinner at Shibuya one night. I twisted his arm to go with us a second time before we had to leave.

FYI toddlers can definitely do sushi.....for about 20 mins. Chris finished up the meal solo as I walked the mall area with the kiddo. Then we went and got..... ICE CREAM!!!

Aaaaand to end this lovely post, here's a video of Sydney jumping face down onto the bed.

That's All Folks!

Birthday Mayhem

Some how, some way, I was able to convince my best friend to pack up her family and drive 6 hours to come celebrate her birthday over a long weekend with us. After I swarmed them as they pulled into the driveway, I brought Sarah into the house, where I covered the rooms in balloons and streamers. We had a little surprise for her set up.....we arranged for a babysitter to arrive two hours later so that we could head out to one of her favorite restaurants, RA for some sushi. I'm really annoyed that I didn't get any pictures of us heading out....but the Birthday Girl was very prepared, donning a new fancy dress and her Jimmy Choo heels!

Later that night....after several cocktails at dinner, we had a pool party since the kids were sleeping. Neil busted out the Tanqueray No. Ten and mixed up some Richmond Gimlets, which some how kept coming all night! One second I'd see my drink with a tiny bit left and the next moment I had a fresh glass filled to the brim (Neil's the best bartender EVER). After ten Gimlets too many, we decided to show off our diving skills....or lack there of. I have a real issue with the diving board, but after seeing Sarah do a near perfect dive, I was determined to master the dive. Try after try after try, I went back at it. Sarah brought me to the huddle where she gave me some clear directions. I walked back to the board, stood there confidently and then started out in my sprint. I jumped into the air and on the way back down I sprung off the board with the greatest of ease. I shot up into the air and hit the water with the utmost perfection with zero splash. I hit the water, completely impressed with myself as I glided through the deep end of the pool. If there was an underwater camera, the picture would look an awful lot like the scene from the Titanic, where Rose leans off the nose of the ship.

Then suddenly my perfect moment came to a crashing halt as my face smooshed against the floor of the pool and crinked my neck in the process. I swam to the surface of the water and had to calm the cheers of everyone to inform them that I just removed 5 layers of skin from my nose and upper lip and endured a major whip lash from the impact. Moral of the story......I totally rocked that dive! You will also notice zero pictures of myself from the weekend due to the huge gash I had on my schnoz.

Savannah was the fastest candle blower in the west. She had almost all of them out before Sarah even inhaled and made her wish!

The "Cake Party" as Sydney likes to call it was so much fun that she's seriously insisted that we have a nightly cake party. I can just hear myself getting fatter as I type that.

Sydney and Savannah absolutely adore each other. Whether they were swimming, playing, eating....all had to be together. I love that! One morning it got extremely quiet, the girls snuck off together, Sarah was able to sneak a pic of where we found them! I love this picture because it shows how sweet they are together.

They even eat baked Cheetos together. Obviously Sydney is just a tad bit messier than "Mannah"

There's no denying it, the sunset was rather romantic. They siezed the moment, while Sarah snapped the shot.

Before they had to head back home, we went to lunch at Chuy's for some Mexican food. Such a great idea since there was a balloon artist. The guy was crazy good and as he handed us his card, it went up in flames. Scared the wajeejee's out of me!

Sydney patiently waiting for her second balloon animal, a parrot on a perch.

Goodbye's aren't just hard for me to say goodbye to Sarah. They're hard for Sydney and Savannah too. They must have hugged at least six times outside the restaurant before going to the car. We still have the toddler bed from my parents house in Sydney's room where Savannah slept. Sydney tells everyone each night "Mannah's bed". It was a great weekend, despite my near decapitation. Hope you had a good Birthday Sarah, XOXO!

WE MISS YOU GUYS!!!

Fourth of July

We headed to my parents house on the Fourth. Not only is it one of Sydney's favorite places ever, but it was pretty convenient that the fireworks show was right up the street and everything could be seen from their backyard. It doesn't get any better than that! We all had our Red, White and Blue on....other than my folks who both wore green. ?!?!? yeah, I didn't get it either :)

Sydney relaxin' in the mini leather chair

Sydney and Mommy

Chris showing off his pretty smile

"Mommy, me cheese!!"

Getting ready for the fireworks to start and watching all the random ones in the meantime!

Sydney with the best seat in the house

"Lala, I scaaaare you!" "No, Lala, you scare ME!"

The great thing about the show being in your backyard is that when you get tired, you can go inside, lay down and STILL see them!!