This is it

Today is our last full day here.
We had no real plans and figured we would do a lot more of what we have already done.  Walk around, see the sites and gamble.
We had a few more things to check off of our list and decided that to kill some time we should take a bus to Downtown- such a good idea!  I think it was perfect for us the first few days to see Vegas by foot.  Now that we have done that we needed a better way to strip-hop.
We started out having lunch at Guy Fieri's Restaurant.
The food was amazing!  Best I have had in a long time.

Jennie and I split the pulled pork and the mac 'n cheese burger.  OH MY- DELISH!

And mom got her ice and water!  FINALLY she found a place with water ;-)
Seriously, this woman couldn't get enough.  I think the lack of self-serve machines was a real downer for her.  She was so thirsty.  ALWAYS

Next up- Downtown!

We got our picture taken with 1 million dollars!

We made our way back to the strip and mom finally got her frozen hot chocolate.

We took the bus all the way to Mandalay Bay, let's see if we can find a view!  Not the kind of view that Jennie was looking for but it was JUST what I was looking for!

We walked over to the Luxor and donated some more.

Eventually it was time to catch our red eye home :-(
It was such a fun trip!  Next time, and there will be a next time, we need to schedule a few shows!

Peace Out Wimps!

This morning we laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt.

Something about Kari and I in a hotel room together brings out the funny in us (remember Jennie's wedding, another gut buster!).   

Mom woke up and proclaimed her need for ice.  She was having a good time but she just couldn't believe that Vegas doesn't have ice.  

WHAT?!  LOL- WHO IS THIS WOMAN?!

We informed her that you can get ice from the ice machine here just like at every other hotel in the country but she didn't look too convinced so Kari grabbed the ice bucket and headed out to prove that there was indeed ice in Vegas.  "Peace out wimps!"

Today we made our way to the other end of the strip.

We started at Paris and while Kim and Chris went running off to find a machine to play, Jennie, Kari and I went to explore.  We ended up finding mimosas and macaroons- YUM!

Next we were off to Planet Hollywood, the M&M store, MGM Grand, New York, New York, Excalibur, Luxor and Mandalay Bay.  Kari has to leave tonight :-(  She was nervous about leaving the boys with Grandpa Dan for too long.  I am not ready for her to leave tonight.

When we got to MGM Grand I told Kari we needed to go and see the lions.  I always liked to see them when we were here, it was intriguing to think that they lived inside of a casino and had thousands of people starring at them each day.

We walked around and around with no luck of finding them.  Sure, the hotel had been changed around and remodeled but I swear this is right where they used to be!

Well, I guess this guy will have to do.  I thought they used to be more active...

We finally ended up asking and finding out that the lions are no longer in the casino and were moved to a habitat ranch about 10 miles away.

Tonight we had dinner at Margaritaville and waved to Kari as she hopped into a cab and rode away.

Millers do Vegas, cont

It's our first full day and I am already starting to get anxious that our vacation is almost over.

I am a little nervous about my ankle but I am also not really thinking that it's very practical to walk around Las Vegas in a boot so I stuffed a few ace bandages/wraps in my purse and we were off.

Here goes nothin'!

 We were up early today.  Chris Miller did not want to waste one second of her time sleeping.  There were machines that were hungry for her $5 bills!  We talked her into walking around to see the other casinos.  We walked in and out of each casino on our way down the strip. 

We spent quite a bit of time at the Venetian.  Such a gorgeous hotel with so much character.

  We took in the sites and sat for a while and listened to the Gondola drivers (is that what they are called?!) sing as they chauffeured their passengers from one end of the hotel to the next.

The live statues were a sight to see and one of our favorite stops was the HUGE candy store!

  

We walked around the Wynn and admired the gardens.

We stopped at Senor Frogs for lunch and then made our way back to the Flamingo to hit the pool.

As soon as we made it to the pool we realized that it was a 21 and older pool and an ID was required to get in.  Kim and Kari had left their IDs up in the room so we took a chance.

Kim approached the guy, he asked for her ID, when she said she left it upstairs and she was with her twin, he told her she would need it to get in.  Kari approached the guy, she told him that she had forgotten her ID up in the room and he said "You'll be fine ma'am".

As Kari was happy to not have to walk back to the room to get her ID she was not the happiest with the man's assumption.  We got a good laugh about that for days!

Tonight we decided to head Downtown.

But first dinner!

We decided on PF Changs for dinner which was DELICIOUS and a perfect choice!

We made sure to see the Bellagio fountain show before we caught our cab to bring us Downtown.

Fremont Street did NOT disappoint!

The 'Vegas' people were out in full force, the music was loud and there were signs of life everywhere!

Sometimes it was a little too loud and a little too lively but NOTHING that a good ol' foot long drink can't fix!

My ankle is holding up ok.  It gets really swollen by the end of the day but the fam is great about taking breaks when I need them and as long as I keep pumping the Ibuprofen the pain isn't too bad (until night time when we stop moving and I am trying to sleep).

Watch Out Vegas!

It's time!  The Mother's Day trip to Vegas!

Our flight didn't leave until 7 pm so we made our way to the airport in the late afternoon and had some dinner at the airport.

I am SOOOOOO ready for a vacation and I am so excited to be with my sisters and mom on this one!

The flight was decent.  Watched a show and before we knew it we had landed.

First stop- restroom.

First (of MANY) selfie while waiting for mom.

Mom was in heaven.  Machines everywhere!  We couldn't even make it out of the airport :-)

By the time we got to the hotel, waited in the VERY long line to check in and then settled in, it was starting to get late.  We decided to stay close to the hotel and headed just down the road to The Cromwell and Bally's.  Nobody won big but nobody lost big either. 

Basket FULL of Wishes

The ladies of the neighborhood got together to put a basket together for Amy.

Elyse did research to see what other people who have gone through treatment wish they knew at the time: best types of candy, fluids, mouthwash to help with the dry mouth and sores.  Best headwraps, lotions, other necessities (chapstick, slippers, water glass, gift cards, etc)

Each family put a card in with well wishes for the family.

I also put together 25 or 30 envelopes that say "Open when...."

Inside there were pictures, quotes, pins off of her pinterest page, coupons for favors, words of encouragement, reminders that it's ok to be scared and frustrated, jokes to make her laugh, and prayers.  She was very touched by the out pouring of support.

Full House

Another great weekend and another full house at the cabin.

We leave for Vegas this week!!

We did a little yoga on the deck - lol, took some 4 wheeler rides with daddy and did lots and lots of visiting.  We love having all of the family at the lake and it's extra special when Kari and her family are here with us.

Let there be sun

Chris and Kami went to Hawaii and got the girls some color changing barrettes.  They are clear/white when not in the sun.  Today when the girls were outside we freaked when we saw how bright they got!  They are so cool!  What a thoughtful gift from the island :-)

This girl is too much :-)  I always try to sneak pictures of them sitting in the backseat when they are looking or acting like grown ups (sunglasses, headphones) but they know me better than that and know it's always coming!  

Swim and Soccer (notice a theme yet)

Today we enjoyed the pool at Kari's house and then made our way home just in time for Hannah's soccer game.

After every game Hannah's team runs by the fans giving high fives :-)

Haircut and More Soccer

This summer is filled with soccer.  Hailey plays Mon and Wed and Hannah plays Tues and Thurs.

I don't mind, generally the weather is great and it's a nice way to unwind at the end of the night.

It does make for a busy day and lately it feels like all we do is rush from one thing to another.  

It's all worth it.  

Hannah was happy that we were able to sneak in a haircut today.

Landed

 

These pictures are all we need this time of year.  Proof that the boys (and Kari) have landed safely.

This year the girls and I didn't meet them at the airport.  I definitely don't like this way as much and will probably rethink that decision in the years to come.  Welcome back! 

 

 

Das Boot

 

Well, this is going to suck.

When I woke up and still couldn't put much weight on my foot today we called Denny and Judy to see if they could stay with the girls while Brian and I made our way to urgent care. 

They took an Xray and informed us that everything was clear.  They didn't see anything to be concerned about so it was probably a sprain and sent me home with a boot to help with the healing.

When I got home the girls were very interested and concerned about this new leg-feature.

They made me some treasures to attach to it to make me feel better (although my ankle still hurt, it did make me smile).  This outta be interesting.

 

Work Sucks

Today Brian and I hosted a Retirement party for Judy.  After Denny's retirement last fall she thought she'd work for a few more years.  That didn't last long and less than a year later, here we are celebrating her decision!  She had a great turnout and as always we had a successful party.

 

 

By the end of the night I was sitting in a chair with my foot up.  My ankle was super swollen and I could hardly bear any weight on it.  Wish I could remember how I hurt it.