“Thank you for making me feel seen,” is what I said in the car, as we were deep diving into stalking a weird situation with our friend.
“Give me 5 minutes” “Well, we have 500 miles, let’s do this”
When my brain goes a little crazy, it feels so nice to be matched, seen, heard, and understood by my besties.
Vegas was born from Nicole who needed/wanted to use her timeshare (Tahiti Village) and take her kids to see the Grand Canyon.
When we arrived, Angie and I spent a good 24 hours insisting that we had never stayed there but then got proven wrong. Which was entertaining. I did remember the lazy pool (specifically because I had photos of it!) but I had NO memory of the hotel rooms.
No pictures.
I remedied that!
We also spent time debating who had attended Nicole’s Bachelorette Party 18 years ago because someone was insisting that Krysta and I BOTH didn’t attend, but on the last day we finally got proof that I was there. AND had arranged for the free rooms! Even while 5 months pregnant! (Krysta was 8 months pregnant, so she was forgiven.) I also had videos. I love diving into my YouTube. Those were unlisted for a reason. Ha ha.
A lot of reminiscing was done which is always entertaining.
The best part is always the hours and hours of deep talking that feels like a warm and cozy hug.
Friday the 13th started off with work madness, everyone (Ang, Angie, and I) having things going on, but converging at my house at 1pm and jumping in the car for a very trafficky drive. It was 5 hours of chit-chat and catch-up which was deeply appreciated.
We were able to do Angie’s Eneanegram number and decided she is a 9, which makes total sense. Having two 8’s and a 9 in the car means absolute amazingness, is what Ang decided. Nicole is a 2. I think Krysta may be a 2 but we haven’t nagged her yet.
We arrived and met up with Nicole, Jackson, and Ainsley and took an Uber over to her choice of Mexican food at Lindo Michoacan.
It was lovely to sit and chat with Jackson and Ainsley. Nicole got her needed Mexican food cravings and the table-made guacamole was literally the best we had all had. MUST go back. I had fish with a perfect wine sauce that tasted lovely.
Nicole and the kids went back to sleep and I think I needed a little more chill out time without children around, so Ang, Angie, and I sat down at the restaurant downstairs and had another drink. Then, we had some snuggle time in the room and pulled Tarot cards.
Angie pulled Anger, Four of Cups. Ang pulled Priestess, and I pulled a new card I had never heard of, “Hierophant” which was fascinating.
So true!
Saturday morning was a lazy start but I woke up early, as usual, lazed in bed for a bit but then ultimately went to the gym and sat in the lobby with my computer and phone for a bit until I figured the girls were up. The gym was nice – nothing fancy and nothing extra – but had two elliptical machines, treadmills, and some bigger weight machines. I tested out some of the leg ones (and regretted it two days later) but it was fun.
We all munched on Mexican leftovers (or my food I brought) for breakfast for the most part but once we all got situated, we took the free shuttle over to Excalibur.
Nicole had wanted to see the Titanic exhibition and all of us agreed to go. They had a Children’s version 30m before the opening that I convinced Nicole to sign up for and I don’t regret it! Duncan the tour guide was a little kooky and I totally appreciated it. He kept us – for the most part – entertained and together – and I love hearing about Titanic lore.
We all got name cards and I was Helen Churchill Hungerford Candee, and I was in the 1st class cabins (along with Nicole) and Jackson was very jealous. He was in 3rd class. LOL – What was so amazingly cool was that she was an author of books (how to survive without men, essentially) and she also survived after the sinking. Yaasss!
I’m going to be an author someday. It’s a sign!
We basically spent an hour and a half doing the whole thing, going back, taking more pictures, and the two kids did the VR experience. They enjoyed that too!
We then went over to Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay. The kids had gotten ridiculously excited over the ability to go to a bar (during the daytime hours they were allowed!) and I wasn’t sure what we were doing but we went and OMG.. it was so cool.
Literally. They gave us parkas. SO COLD. Walls made of ice!
I think we lasted about 25 minutes?
I was very thankful I was wearing jeans.
We also started the day-drinking which I had to do a gut check on. But I went for it. And… it was delicious. But two drinks. TWENTY FIVE MINUTES.
Way too many hilarious photos to choose from!
Since it was Vegas, we took our 2nd drink in a to-go cup – which the 2nd was an espresso martini (I think?). Yikes.
We shopped in a few stores before descending into an Irish pub for a late lunch. Did we get another drink? I know Ang and N did. I can’t remember if I did. I don’t think I did. Probably for the best.
Angie got something that came with blood sausage – had to laugh at that. We dared Jackson to eat it and he had a bite. The server’s name was, hmm, can’t remember! And she was so nice. I loved her. We had really nice restaurant peeps this vacation!
We then went back and had naps. I was really just leaning into vacation thing. Haha. Drinks. Coffee. Naps. More drinks. More coffee. It’s fiiiine.
Our dinner was at our favorite, Mon Ami Gabi. I adore this restaurant. AND we got a patio table so we had a front row view of the Bellagio fountains. Lucked out!!
Nicole was a little dazed and dehydrated – she was having some other health issues which was a bummer – but we all had another round of drinks. Well, except Angie, she was also not feeling great either so did not partake. She had a small salad and I was somewhat worried about her!
My steak was fantastic. French fries were delicious. I had a cappuccino at the end and Nicole had an espresso martini. Yes, I regretted the cappuccino at night but it was still worth it. I’m so addicted to these now and feel like I’m dreaming of them.
We walked through the Forum Shops and into the Bellagio gardens. FANTASTIC! The above was my favorite but I can’t get it on my phone screen saver. I need to figure that out. But the pink tulips… Sigh.
These too. The purple is striking. I was able to add this one to my phone rotation! Bellagio Flower Gardens are always gorgeous but that day the flowers were just speaking to me.
The kids also had to visit the chocolate fountain so I splurged for gelato for everyone.
We were able to get our Uber home after getting a little lost to the garage, but luckily the gal was a fantastic driver and got us home quickly. Nicole had tired kids so immediately went to bed.
Our floor had the executive lounge for the timeshare and it was open until 10, so Ang, Angie, and I walked outside and enjoyed the view and had a little chatting. It was SO nice except the worker came and kicked us out EXACTLY at 10pm. So we went and chatted a bit more in the room and then snuggled to bed.
Sunday was another workout day for me. Just did a quick 30m elliptical and tested out some of their arm weights. I had a little miscommunication on if Nicole was going with me and the kids to Barnes and Noble or not but we got it figured out.
Kids and I drove Angie’s car over to B&N and I indulged them with a few fun books. We hung out at the playground for a hot minute but I got serious FOMO because Krysta was finally with us and the girls were out to breakfast and if the kids were going to read at the playground, then they could read at Denny’s. Haha.
We did take some Easter photos and play with hula hoops first though.
So we had the 5 of us besties at breakfast (with the kids, so apparently all the good conversation ended once I arrived with the kids – damn it) but it was still nice.
We had a good hour chat in the hotel room, when Krysta and Rae joined us (Nicole was resting with the kids for a bit), and then we all went down to the pool. Although we did have a fantastic time regaling Rae about her Mama and all the Vegas hotels we’ve stayed at and politely did not reenact her Bachelorette adventure at Thunder Down Under when she was pulled up on stage to mimic having an orgasm. Ahh memories.
Day drinking again which I don’t hate but NEVER do and wow, it was relaxing. Not as relaxing as could be when you have two kids around but still lovely.
Love this photo of Ang. She’s so good with kids. I put my legs into the pool with them but decided not to get in quite yet.
Nicole had to go pick up Jenn and her son Asher, get the rental car, do errands and Ainsley got bored of the pool so good thing I had my journal and markers! Good thing she can’t read my journal… ha ha.
She drew me lovely photos and did a portrait of me.
Jackson had found friends in the pool and I think played with them for at least 4 straight hours. We saw him when we all get into the lazy river but he politely ignored us and continued to play with his friends LOL.
That lazy river was SO dang cold, and then I insisted on a jacuzzi dip. We snuck Ainsley into the adult one and no one complained so… yay?
Jenn wanted to go exploring since it was her first night, and we were not up to that. I honestly think I just said hi to Jen just once! I would have liked to chat more but not a big dead. Ang was done and didn’t want to leave the area and then we all hummed and hawwed a bit… So I made the executive decision to go back to the shopping center I was at earlier with Barnes & Noble because I loved the ambiance of this restaurant I found.
Some restaurants just call to me.
And it’s (almost?) ALWAYS a good decision when I’m decisive and drag us there!
Or maybe I make it a good decision? Anyway.
This was SO nice. I love Nicole’s children and I also really cherish sitting and having adult time. This was the most wonderful evening.
These had these FRESH SQUEEZED grapefruit martinis that were so delicious. Angie got something else and then when we had a 2nd round she switched over.
My meal was lovely.
And then I just ordered us two desserts and this Strawberry and Cream CROFFLE was TO DIE FOR.
Yes, I had some. OMG was it worth it.
We also got the key lime pie, which Ang had said she was thinking about. She barely ate any and for some reason I kept picking at it. It wasn’t as good as this.
The sunset was also lovely. Ang took this pic of me and I like it.
We finished off the evening with about an hour on the balcony. Just the three of us. We got into some pretty deep conversations. Which was needed.
It’s three weeks later that I’m finishing this – I did type 70% up in the car home – but didn’t finish and had to add photos… but I was just talking to Nicole and she said I NEED ANOTHER GIRLS TRIP – that was NOT a girls trip!
And for her, it totally was not a girls trip. But yeah, we need another one.
We did talk in the car on the way home what we liked about it.
**
NOTES from the car ride:
Generosity, patience, understanding, inspiration, thoughtful vegetable cutting.
Properly cut, thoughtfully cut vegetables is a version of Ang’s love language.
Highlight moments –
Ang –
- Balcony at night
- Tommy Bahamas dinner – Britney was our server! So nice!
Angie
- Titanic experience
- Flower garden, but too whimsical
Ice bar – From all of us
- Liked the cups
- The drinks
- The hospitality
- Private little room for us
- Giggly buzz
Ang in the pool with Ainsley – so fun
Kids are so well behaved.
Swimming by Jackson – he’s such a sweet and normal kid
Pokemon names –
Stoney Almond – Angie
“Shakka Confident” Almond – Ang
Serious Almond or Chalant Almond- Kristi
Dayging “Day-Ging” – Had to look that one up from Sam. Day drinking and a Rager or raging. DAYGING. OMG we laughed.
Bags of food for bunnies story from Nicole. That was a classic story.
Wrong bag of food – organic cilantro ?? Haha
**
Comments on this entry are closed.