VEGAS BABY!

Last weekend we made our annual trek to Vegas for the Monster Energy Cup Supercross race.  Last year was our first trip and it was such a hit with our family, we decided to make it an annual trip.  The kids love Vegas, probably more than they should.  

Thankfully we've been able to shield them from the "Sin City" aspect but they did ask us why Vegas is called that so we had a discussion about how people visit there and are tempted to behave in ways they might not if someone they knew would find out.  

We flew out on Friday after the kids went to school for an hour and a half to take their tests that day.  We got there and checked into our room at the Hilton (which was awesome - 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, washer/dryer and living room.  The kids loved it and the fact that there were 3 hot tubs and 2 pools!  We unpacked and headed out to the Stratosphere for dinner.  There is a restaurant on the top of the Stratosphere called Top Of The World.  It's 106 stories up and looks out over Las Vegas.  The restaurant actually rotates 360 degrees and it completely glass on the outside so you can see the entire city.  It takes over an hour to make a complete revolution so you can't feel it moving.  Outside, on the top of the Stratosphere they have rides and sky jumpers.  We got to watch a few sky jumpers while we were eating dinner.  They came flying by the window!  The kids thought it was as awesome as we did.  It was a rather fancy, expensive restaurant and sadly the kids were so exhausted (it was around midnight EST by the time our food was finished) but it was a good experience for them to understand how to behave and appreciate fancy restaurants.  

The Stratosphere - that round part at the top is where we ate.  The rides and sky jump are on top of the restaurant.  

Our view of the strip from Top Of The World restaurant.

Looking up from the entrance of the Stratosphere.

Remember the wedding chapel in The Hangover?  Here it is!  Andy and I considered renewing our vows...Ha!  The chapel was on the way to The Stratosphere.

The next morning the kids were up before the crack of dawn - that 3 hr time difference killed all of us!  I took the kids down to the pool to swim and burn off their energy.  They loved the pool and the hot tub, but that's no surprise, is it?

After we got cleaned up, We headed down the strip for lunch and to go sight seeing a bit before heading out to the Supercross race.

We ate lunch at the Harley Davidson Cafe.  I can't say I would recommend it again, but it was fun for the kids to see the motorcycles.  The food was average at best and we sat outside because the inside reeked of stale beer.  Live & learn!

When we got to Sam Boyd Stadium (UNLV) we headed into the stadium to catch part of trials.  We got to watch Barcia (mom's fav) and Dungey (Ra's fav) for a bit.  Then we headed out to the pits to take in the action and events.  

The track was similar in design to last year's track.  It was designed (again) by the great Ricky Carmichael who rides out and explains the track to the crowd from his bike before the race begins.

Riley watching Dungey in the trials.  Happy boys!

Hoping for a glimpse of Dungey, but we had to settle for seeing his bike.  We missed the autograph session, but I imagine the line would have been terribly long anyway.  Maybe we'll get a chance to do a meet & greet when they come to Daytona in March.

One of the Pit Party activities was a Toyota Truck Driving School.  They let you test drive their new Tundras & Tacomas.  Andy got to drive the Tundra that he's been drooling over.  They made some dramatic changes to the model and he'd like to trade his in for a new one when the time is right.  Here he is on the See-Saw/Log bridge.

Stopping to say hi to the kids.

Driving over the Tilt Test area.

Here we are...ready to watch the Monster Energy Cup Race!

Poor Sissy didn't make it to the last main event.  She crashed with 3 races left in the night.  This girl can sleep anywhere - Riley had to wear his ear protection because it was so loud!  It was another late night for our kiddos.

A view of the strip at night on our way back from the race.  My kids love the lights!  It's like Christmas year round!

They loved going into the M&M's store and picking out their own colors and flavors.

The kids are hoping that some day we'll be able to take them up the Eiffel Tower to see the view from the top of it.  Maybe next year...

We had a fantastic time and the kids were both sad to leave.  Sissy wanted to stay longer - but she also felt that way about our Pennsylvania trip.  I think we may have an explorer in our family!  I'm thankful we can afford to do this fun stuff with our kids and create incredible memories together.