Las Vegas and California!

Well...we're back from a ten day vacation from Las Vegas and California...In a way, it was kind of nice to just go back to the routine of every day life and have things set up the way you want them to... On the other hand, it was amazing just to relax and not have to worry about a thing that was going on at home, especially when your home was staying with you (18 people to be exact!) My dad rented a beach house in Newport Beach for the whole family to come and stay. Thankfully, Mike and I were able to have our own room with a door, and a lock (those were my requirements... Thanks Mom and Dad!!) Before we went there though, Mike and I hit "Sin City" to mainly see "The Lion King" that was showing at Mandalay Bay. The show was so amazing! I'm so glad that we did that!

I thought this was a cool picture that Mike took...yes, that's my head.

We gambled a bit...lost a bit...gained nothing... too bad

It was lots of fun. We met Mike's friend Jake and his wife Rachael to see the show. We ate at the Excalibur Hotel, which is where we stayed. Not a great buffet...but what are you gonna do?

After the show on Saturday night, Mike and I headed out to Newport. It wasn't too bad of a drive and we listened to Dan Brown's, Digital Fortress on the way since Mike hadn't ever read it. 

One of the days Mike and I went up to the LA County Museum of Art. It was pretty fun. Mike was a sweetheart and went just because he knew it would make me happy. If you've seen Night at the Museum II, you'll recognize this...

Newport was great. We just hung out and relaxed on the beach. The ocean decided it wanted to beat me up and gave me quite a few battle wounds on my legs and my arms. No worries though... Apparently I was the entertainment for the family when a massive wave was coming towards me and the undertow was so strong that I couldn't run out to the shore...I get pulled under...tossed around A LOT... and get washed up on shore. To top the entertainment off was that when I got washed up, I couldn't get up fast enough, so the second wave would pull me back out into the ocean and do the whole thing over again!! This did not just happen once... Stupid ocean... No, it was fun. I enjoyed myself. 

I was also proud that Mike somewhat overcame his fear of the water and the ocean. He spent most of the time body surfing and trying to get the hang of it. My brother-in-law Chad did see a sand shark while they were both out there, and after that...Mike was pretty much done for the day...

If you look closely, you can see Mike's board right in the middle of the wake...Poor Mike...

Still smiling though...

We also went up to Disneyland one day, not to go to the park, but just go to Downtown Disney to go see the new Transformers movie and go shopping. The movie was good, but the best part was that Mike got me a new wallet from Fossil. It has such pretty colors and it's so much better than my old frumpy Wells Fargo wallet. I love it!!

The last day we were there, we went to the tidal pools at Crystal Cove (I think that's what it's called) I wasn't too into that, but I went anyway, and it was really pretty. Everyone was exploring looking for crabs and such. 

THE WHOLE FAMILY!! 

(we were all staring into the sun, so that's why our faces are all squished up)

Well, it was so fun to be with the family and to play games and just have a nice, relaxing vacation. I liked not having everything just be so jam-packed with activities that you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation when you get home!  I loved being with Mike and sharing this time with him. He is SO good to me and I appreciate him so much. I also appreciate my mom and dad for taking us on this fabulous trip and making it such an enjoyable time for the whole family!!