viva las vegas!

So as promised, here are some pictures, and a brief recap of our fabulous weekend getaway/birthday celebration in Vegas...

Friday (my b-day) afternoon, we arrive in Las Vegas. We check into our hotel, and get somewhat settled. We stay at the Lowes Resort at Lake Las Vegas, which is about 17 miles from the strip. The place is absolutely beautiful! The balcony, right off the room, has a breathtaking view! Look, you can see for yourselves (these were all taken from our balcony!)...









We don't have a ton of time to relax...the night is young, but we have a lot on the agenda!
Our first stop - Nordstrom, at the Fashion Show Mall! We only have a little over an hour to shop (a lot of damage can be done in an hour, though)...






here we are eating at the yummy nordstrom cafe


Next stop...


Such a fun and entertaining show. There is a little bit of history behind this one. Every time John and I go to the movies, I get all excited when the Dolby digital advertisement comes on, which features a bunch of people pushing brooms, and banging on trash cans...I just love it. Well John found out that it's actually a show (not just an ad for Dolby), called Stomp Out Loud, and that it plays at Planet Hollywood in Vegas! He couldn't pass up the opportunity to get tickets, and I'm so glad he didn't, definitely a must!

We don't have a lot of time to spare, or we'll be late for our 10:30 show!

...and "oh" was it a good one! We sat by some really nice people, Claudia and John, who after talking to us for a while, found out that we were LDS. John had the opportunity to answer some of their questions, and to share some of our beliefs with them. It was really neat for me to listen to the conversation...and to hear my husband emit his excitement for the restored Gospel. Wow! Was that enough for one day or what?! We were both totally exhausted, and couldn't wait to jump into bed!

Saturday morning, we order room service, and enjoy it together on our balcony...




We spend the rest of the morning and afternoon, lounging by the pool...


and strolling the beautiful beach!


Until, the time arrives, for our final show...








The show was spectacular! I've seen it twice before, but never at the Venetian, and let me just tell you, that is the place to see it! The theater was perfect, and the chandelier scene was unbelievable! And you'll never believe who was sitting right behind us at the show - that's right, John and Claudia, our friends from the night before! Claudia kept saying that it was fate that brought us back together, and John, the cynic, assured her "it was just a coincidence". Whether you call it fate, or destiny, or God's provident management, I believe that we were supposed to meet John and Claudia. I mean really, what are the chances - sitting next to the same couple, two nights in a row, in Vegas, over Memorial weekend? Do you realize the incalculable masses of people that go to Vegas over Memorial weekend? They invited us to join them for dinner afterwards, and even picked up our tab for us. We enjoyed their company ('til one in the morning), and again had the privilege of sharing our testimonies, and answering their questions about the church. It was fun, and reminded me of my days as a missionary. We were able to exchange contact information with our new friends, and hopefully will remain close over the years.



Sunday, we enjoyed another breakfast on the balcony, a few more hours at the pool...


and some serious rest and relaxation...well, maybe not that serious!

I just need to thank my sweet husband, once again, for this unforgettable (and much needed) escape. I will never, not in a million years, forget the way I felt, and the things we did, the week I turned 30!