The 50 Days of Summer has commenced!  We had originally planned to check off #18, #19, and possibly #37, but there was an abrupt change of plans.  Friday, Zach had been working late trying to charter a flight for one of his clients.  After all the arrangements were made, we set off for dinner at Arella.  At dinner, waiting to be seated, Zach had the idea to jump on the flight.  It was going empty to Las Vegas and back, so we went for it!  Just two stow-aways headed to Sin City.  While eating dinner we booked our hotel and dining reservations.  It was all done and decided in less than 30 minutes.  I’ve never done anything THAT spur of the moment before, it was pretty exciting!  So we checked off our list #17 – take a last minute trip.

The next morning, bright and early, we took off.

 We got to Las Vegas around 9:00 am and went straight to the hotel, Aria.  Since they wouldn’t let us check in that early, we ditched our bags and went to Fashion Show Mall – Zach was dying to go to Topman, and I was happy to go…to the mall!

After some deal hunting, and lunch at the Food Court, we got to go back to our hotel to check in.  We were both pleasantly surprised.  Our room was from outer space – literally.

Zach was ecstatic when he saw the shower/tub combo and I was mesmerized by the fact that you had complete control of your room from a touch pad – lighting, curtains, television.  It was like we were on a space ship.

We didn’t waste much time though, we got in our swim gear and ventured down to the pool.

Later that night we strolled on over to the Cosmopolitan for our dinner reservation at STK.  I had come here with my old co-workers while visiting for a convention last year, and convinced Zach to come along with me to try it for himself.  He loved it as much as I thought he would – but what man doesn’t like a good steak?

We spent the rest of the night exploring City Center and getting our mothers their Mothers’ Day gifts.  We also stayed up WAY too late watch sports recaps and the Kardashian marathon while eating gelato.

The next morning was spent at Caesars in the Forum Shops.  We had lunch, visited several stores, and even hit the tables in the casino for a bit.

We stopped in Nike and I spotted my athlete boyfriend, Alex Smith.  Just a quick hand-hold though, nothing serious.

Then we hit up the Blackjack tables, for my first time.  I’ve played slots before in Wendover, but never played at any of the tables.  Zach even briefed me on the rules, but when I was up, unfortunately the dealer would not stop laughing at me.  Apparently you are only supposed to touch the cards with ONE hand.  I basically got scolded my entire time, “Miss, touch your cards with only ONE HAND PLEASE.”  Zach was behind me laughing pretty much the entire time.

I left the table with my pride wounded and $7 in chips.  But I did get a free Diet Coke, so my frown was quickly turned upside down.  I totally understand why people love to gamble – it is pretty thrilling, but I was more excited about the free drinks than anything.

By then it was time to head to the airport to go back home.

We successfully completed #25 – A weekend in Vegas.

We arrived back in town just in time to head on over to the Fotheringham’s for Mother’s Day dinner – dutch oven chicken with lemon ice box cake for dessert.  My mom even made these darling candy bar treats for each lady [mothers and future mothers alike] with customized nutrition facts on the back.  She’s the cutest.

My mom has been my best friend for…ever.  I can tell her anything.  I call her every day.  She knows me so well, she can even tell if I have had a bad day just by hearing my “Hello” on the other end of the line.  I stop myself many times during my days and say, “Oh my…I am becoming JUST like my mother.”  Mostly, I laugh about it – but in all seriousness, I hope to be like her some day.  A fraction of her.  Her and my mother-in-law.  I look up to both of them so very much.  I have learned things from them that I want to implement into the lives of my children, and I look forward to becoming a mother myself in the future.  I love you Mom and Jeanene.

Happy Mothers’ Day to all the moms in my life – grandmothers, aunts, cousins, friends, and future moms too!