I KNOW I was supposed to update Part 2 of Vegas today - but it's not quite ready yet! Check back tomorrow! :)

(Sorry about the messed up spacing in this entry - Windows Live Writer was supposed to make posting easier, but it's been more of a hassle so far. I'll get it figured out for the next post!)

Let me just start out by saying that this trip was absolutely everything that I could have hoped for! My first trip to Vegas was a complete success! Lots of money won and lots of memories that will be with me forever! It definitely wouldn’t have been the same at all if I didn’t have the best company I could have asked for! :) There is SO much to write about that I’m going to post in parts or else this will be wayyyy too long, and I wouldn’t even want to bother reading that! Check out Kerri’s recap here!

Saturday

I had QUITE the airport adventure getting to Vegas – it’s way too ridiculous not to share! My original flight itinerary had me going from Dallas to Denver to Las Vegas, with a 4 HOUR layover in Denver (ick!). Upon arrival in Denver, I realized that there was a flight leaving for Vegas about 3.5 hours before mine was supposed to, so I raced across the airport to attempt to jump on that one. The flight was boarding so I figured it was too late – however, when the line went down, the guy was still standing at the door to the gate so I asked if there was any way I could get on and he let me. AND I got an managed to get an exit row seat (which apparently they usually charge an additional fee these days – is anything free anymore??)

I arrived in Vegas about 4 hours before Kerri was scheduled to land, so I debated several options: checking into the hotel early or finding somewhere to sit and relax and wait. After calling MGM and finding out that I couldn’t check in because the reservation was under Kerri’s name, I decided I’d just head over to Kerri’s gate and wait for her there. Who doesn’t love having someone waiting at their gate for them?! I totally miss that part of flying! Her flight was in a different terminal so I took the little tram over… and immediately realized what a terrible mistake I had made! In the process of transferring to the new terminal I had somehow left security and my only option was to go to baggage claim! So, yes, I spent the next 3.5 hours sitting in baggage claim with absolutely NOTHING to do. Sometimes I wonder how I just graduated with my Masters Degree.

Needless to say, I was beyond excited when Kerri finally arrived and we could head to the hotel! We spent a couple hours there figuring out our major plans for the next few days, relaxed a little, and then headed downstairs to have dinner here:

We had delicious peach martinis and I loooved my salad:

We decided to go out at Tao (in the Venetian) that night – definitely a good idea! Besides the fact that we couldn’t get away from all of the totally creepy guys dancing on us for more than a second and it was insanely hot and crowded, we ended up scoring some free drinks and had a blast dancing the night away!

We stopped for a late-night snack at Studio Cafe in the MGM (which ended up being a terrible idea!) before heading upstairs to pass out in our big fluffy beds!

Our first evening in Vegas was a complete success!! Check back tomorrow for Part 2 – you don’t want to miss hearing about our big payday!

(NOTE: There will eventually be MANY more pictures posted on Facebook. This blog will just have a few pictures to help summarize the trip – I have 400 pics to sort through!!)

Ahhhh.... how I love vacation. (But I mean, who doesn't?!) I spent about a week in Rhode Island/Massachusetts with the family doing nothing but relaxing and enjoying life. It couldn't have been more perfect! We spent most of the time at our lakehouse with lots of family coming to visit on and off throughout the day, and we took a day trip to Boston, because I don't know that I've ever done the tourist thing there. Luckily the day we went to Boston turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL 75 degree day because most of the other days we were there were cold and rainy! Can't tell you how glad I am that I threw a few pairs of pants and a jacket in my suitcase at the very last minute - I would have been a very miserable girl! I'll save you some time and summarize the trip with pictures. (more pictures on Facebook)

Landed in Rhode Island on a cold rainy day


So happy to spend a week with my sister


Enjoyed phenomenal sunsets over the lake (from the boat)


Warmed up by the fire several nights

...and made S'MORES, of course!!


Reunited with old friends from New York



Visited Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall) in Boston



Walked down to Boston Harbor to see the Tall Ships



And had the annual Desjardins/McGrath clambake at the lakehouse (ICK!!!)





OH, and I learned how to play Guitar Hero on Wii (so much fun!!) and I'm seriously wanting to buy a Wii now...

Hopefully I'll be able to make it back again next year, since I'll have summers off afterall...

I'm headed to Houston this weekend for Darren's birthday party! I'll recap when I get back - it's sure to be a good time!