My first time in Vegas

After having lived 5 hours away from Vegas for the past 5 years and never going (yeah what was I thinking?)  I finally made the trip this past September.  I finally had the perfect excuse! My dad and step-mom were visiting from Florida and thought going to Vegas would be fun.  They booked us a hotel room and John and I made the trip to Vegas.  It was so great spending time with my dad.  I've always been a bit of a daddy's girl but haven't gotten to spend a lot of time with him since he moved to Florida for work.  Having an entire weekend where it was me, him, and our respective significant others was great.  It was also the first time my dad has met one of my boyfriends.  I sincerely hope my relationship with John lasts, for lots of reasons (you know, because I love him being the main one) among which is the fact that I'm pretty sure my dad and John got along GREAT!  I sincerely think my dad really likes John, which is kind of a big deal when you are a daddy's girl like me :)

Here are some of the pics I took while exploring the great city of Vegas

Outside the Luxor

Waiting to watch a show for CBS television city in the MGM

At the M&M store.  Yes it was my idea to go here.  I'm pretty sure everyone else just tolerated it

John and Dad drinking beer on the strip.  One of the reasons I think my dad really likes John.  He drinks beer too :)

Not only is Elvis alive, there are 3 of him. And they all hang out in Vegas together

One of the highlights from my time in Vegas.  Being pulled up in front of the crowd to dance with 3 court jesters inside the Venetian.  Way cool. :)

Playing the penny slots.  My dad gave me a dollar to play with. . . 

And I ended up with  $1.12!  Ok I would have ended up with $1.12 except I kept the voucher as a souvenir.  Thanks Dad!

Just a cool view of the strip

Drinking with the pops.  :)

The obligatory kissing picture in front of the fountains at the Bellagio. 

Outside Treasure Island waiting for the show to start.

These are just some of the pics I took while in Vegas.  For a long time I thought that Vegas had nothing to offer because I'm not much of a drinker or a gambler.  I also thought that Vegas was too expensive for someone like me who has a somewhat limited budget. I was definitely proven wrong.  We stayed at a hotel off of the strip that offered a shuttle.  We stayed in a suite (2 rooms with a living space and a kitchen) for like $130 a night or something like that.  We ate the breakfast the hotel provides for free.  We went to CBS television city and got some food coupons that we used for lunch.  We did get some drinks which were a bit on the pricey side but it is Vegas after all so you have to do a bit of drinking :)  John and I bought my dad and step-mom dinner which cost us about $50 or $60 with the tip included.  There was so much to see and do as well.  The only gambling done in our group was the time I spent at the penny slots.  We arrived at the strip about 9:30 in the morning and didn't leave until 11 or so that night. We looked through all of the big casinos which are SOOOOOO cool.  Vegas does a great job at making it seem like you are where the hotel is themed around.  Each hotel had some entertainment to watch as well.  There is of course the Bellagio fountains, the treasure island show, the volcano at the mirage, but some other ones as well.  We didn't expect to see the opera show that we happened upon at the Venetian, but it turned out to be a great experience. And walking up and down the strip itself is fun.  We stopped in the M&M store and some other smaller places that were a lot of fun.  Even if you aren't a big gambler and drinker, there is plenty to do in Vegas for very little money.  

I am so glad I got to share this experience with my dad.  It was a great bonding experience.  Who doesn't remember the first time they drank with their old man?  :)  I can't wait to go back to Vegas. John and I want to do some more of the Vegas things now that we've been there before.  We can't wait to HOPEFULLY try one of Bobby Flay's restaurants and maybe even see a show or 2.  That's next on the Vegas agenda.

Thanks Dad and Marcia for some great memories and a great trip to Vegas!