August Vacations

(yes I'm 7 months behind blogging and a WHOLE lot has happened since these things I'm about to blog about but I still need to get them recorded before I move to current day happenings)

In August, Ben's parents invited us on a last minute getaway they call "Baycation" to Destin, FL for a few days.  Since it was so last minute Ben couldn't take off work but Wells and I, along with my sister-in-law Amy and her 2 kiddos went! We had such a fun time, stayed at the Sandestin Hilton, swam, played, ate great food, and really had a relaxing time. I know the grandparents loved having their grand-babies on vacation, too. Here are some pictures of the trip!

We finally arrived! He barely made a peep the whole 2 hour drive but he also didn't sleep a wink like I had hoped and expected. 

Leigh and Wells

I loved that they had a baby pool

Mommy time while baby naps

Memommy and Granddaddy with all their grand babies: Leigh, Wells, and William

My buddy and I

Amy and her babes

Mmmmmm

Only a week or so after our Destin trip, Ben and I had an already planned trip to Las Vegas for just the 2 of us. This trip morphed from several different scenarios: we were supposed to go to Vegas the April before we had Wells but Ben broke his ankle and we couldn't go. So then we wanted to go on a trip just the 2 of us and we love that in Vegas we can enjoy the sun by the pool but also go to amazing dinners and shows at night. The day we left was Ben's 29th Birthday and my parents were keeping Wells and sent Ben this picture! 

We stayed at Mandalay Bay because of all of the awesome pools they have.  We were very happy with our choice and loved everything there!  We heard about their drink program, where if you buy one of these insulated cups your drink refills are about half the price of a regular drink.  We were on board with that plan! Hey- It's vacation!

The first night we had Ben's Birthday dinner at MIX which was at Mandalay Bay on the top floor.  It was a very cool atmosphere and amazingly delicious cuisine.  

The view out the restaurant bathroom window

The Strip

The next day we had Couples Massages at the SPA and then lots more pool time.  

We saw an early showing of "Million Dollar Quartet" which was fantastic.  Like Jersey Boys, this show feels like a concert and was so entertaining.  Afterwards we walked around and gambled a little bit.  

Then we had dinner at Chef Bobby Flay's MESA GRILL, at Caesar's Palace.  Absolutely everything there was so unique and amazing.  We had our server recommend things, which were probably things we wouldn't normally have ordered, but all of it was delicious and had flair.  

The next day we laid by the pool all day long.  They were setting up for a Daughtry concert later that night right in front of us.  Unfortunately we didn't make arrangements to go or it would have been fun I'm sure.  

Lunch at the poolside mexican restaurant

We had an amazing sushi dinner at SHIBUYA at MGM that night.  This is a restaurant that we also visited on our last trip to Vegas together and absolutely loved.  

After dinner we saw LOVE Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage.  I have to be honest and say that out of ALL the Cirque shows I have seen LOVE has been my least favorite.  The music was of course good and the show is fun, but it was definitely the slowest we have seen and was slightly boring at times.  It was still fun though! And we won some money at the blackjack table while we were at the Mirage.  :) 

The next day was, guess what? MORE POOL and SUN TIME! From this picture we are standing on the poolside casino stairs and looking down at the wave pool.  There were 2 other more adult and quiet pools, a lazy (or wild) river, and this!  We sat down where the red umbrellas are and just loved people watching and reading books and having fun drinks and RELAXING! 

That night was our last night and we saw "O" Cirque show at the Bellagio.  "O" is probably my favorite one I have ever seen.  It was humorous, enthralling, magical, interesting, and just so fun. I HIGHLY recommend! 

After O we of course went and saw the Bellagio water show which is always fun and a must see at least once while in Las Vegas.  

and after that we ate a late unplanned dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Pizzeria at the shops by the Aria hotel.

It was nice to get away and have no big plans or things to do but we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.  The next day, Ben put a few dollars in the slot machine in the airport right before we boarded for home and he won $110!   All around a WIN for this whole trip!