Stimulus Schmimulus

Even though we're getting dragged through the economic uncertainty these days, we are enjoying every aspect of life. New fallen snow in January and February gave us more chances to use our sleds. We celebrated Daddy's birthday and Mama's big 3-0 in February. And we got to stay with Grandpa and Grandma while Mama and Daddy went to Las Vegas for a family wedding. We're looking forward to spring, swimming lessons at the Y and are talking endlessly about what we're going to do at the cottage.

R: Everyone has to pitch in these days, we started a shoveling service to help make ends meet.

E: Dress for success, that's what I always say.

R: I like to get in touch with the snow so I can understand it better while I'm shoveling.

A: I can clear 2 square feet in just under an hour.

E:Daddy's winter gear has not improved in stylishness since last year.

Our little reader never misses an opportunity to enlighten herself.

The elusive Adsquatch, photographed in the living room long storied to be her habitat.

Seriously, don't ask, because with Addy, we don't usually have an answer.

A: Mama's birthday was planned in 3 phases, morning, afternoon and evening. Each phase started with riddles, which when answer, were assembled to form the itinerary for that phase. Some riddles took longer than others.....

R: Morning was a family breakfast and presents time.

E: Afternoon was a getaway with her friends Kelly and Amber to the spa, to lunch and to the mall to shop for presents.

E: Meanwhile Daddy tried his hand a two-layer cake with raspberry filling.

A stunning, delicious success.

R: Then, before Mama and Daddy went out to dinner, we got to help Mama blow out her "fires"

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Mama and Daddy took a trip to Las Vegas to attend the wedding of Mama's cousin Michele (a.k.a. Mickee).

We stayed at the Wyndam Resort - for free - thanks to the G & G McCartney timeshare. It was an awesome place just a few blocks from the Strip.

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Friday before the festivites began, we had time to walk around and take in some of sights.

First on the itinerary, and yes, there was one for each day, we had lunch at an old favorite from our time in Chicago - The Cheesecake Factory. This one was inside Caesar's Palace.

A: Daddy auditioned for the Blue Man Group. He was too tall and too white.

A: Mama met Nicholas Cage. He was too busy concentrating on his next horrible film to smile for the photo.

Inside the Venetian. Very impressive, but not compared to the real Venice.

Wedding festivities kicked off with a rehearsal dinner at the Bayside in Mandalay Bay.

Amazing, amazing buffet.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/bayside.aspx

Post dinner highlights included the entire wedding party and all guests (about 30 of us) - playing one big spin of roulette with real chips provided by the Bride and Groom as gifts. All spaces, covered, one spin, $10 per number, it was guaranteed someone in the group would pocket over $350. The guy in blue (groom's brother) won.
Saturday morning was more sightseeing, this time with Uncle Josh and Aunt Stefan as well. Here were are in front of Excalibur.

Black & White again? Yup. Camera in pocket + Spinning function dial = Unexpected results.

Daddy really likes the Luxor because he is a huge structural engineering dork.

Lunch in New York, New York.

Then came the wedding at Mandalay bay. The ceremony was outside in this area called the Valley of the Falls.

Mickee and Chris

Just outside the ceremony location near the falls.

Next came the reception at Fleur de Lys......

Unbelievable.
http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/fleurdelys.aspx

Then.... we had VIP passes to an upscale club called the Mix Lounge. We got to waltz right past a line of about 30-40 people, feeling all important. Then we rode a glass, outside viewing elevator to the 64th floor for the club.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mixlounge.aspx

The all glass walls made for amazing views - this was our view from the table we sat in. The walls also made for interesting bathroom arrangements. You have to see it to understand.

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Sunday was a day to unwind, see more sights and prep for our evening alone.

Per Mickee's recommendation we had dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris casino - Great.

Our view during dinner, outside overlooking Bellagio and the famous fountain. Being a musical fountain connoissere as a Grand Haven native, I must say, this thing puts ours to shame.

We saw a few more things on our final saunter down the strip.

We finished the night with a show - Cirque du Soleil - Mystere. One of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Amazing.

Thanks for sliding in.