Vegas, baby...Vegas!

After driving 11+ straight hours on back roads from Phoenix to Park City, we decided to break up the return home into a 2-day trip, stopping half-way in Vegas for an overnight. Not only was the drive MUCH EASIER, but it was a nice SHORT stop in Vegas.  Having kids with you in Vegas makes you realize just how dirty that place really is..  icky.  But there are a bunch of free things to do with kiddos...  

This was the first trip to Vegas for the boys.  The endless lights and people and noises definitely created a new experience for both of them.  Sweet Pea and his senses tuned out shortly after lunch, so he and I went back to the hotel to nap, but Magoo couldnt get enough of it all..   Beaver Boy walked him from Ceasar's Palace all the way to New York New York.  They had a blast playing in the arcade there.... and I think after Magoo's big win at Chuck E Cheese's, he expects the same results each time, but he learned that is not the case.   BB took a picture of him in front of this enlarged boxing thingy.. I cant remember the name of the boxing game. 

There is a lion exhibit at the MGM.. and we were able to time our walk-by when 2 trainers were in the glass enclosed area with the 2 lions.. and they were playing fetch with a ball and a little foot stool... it was WILD to see humans petting these animals.. very cool! 

Later, we hit the infamous M&M world..   this was the big treat for kids as we told them they could pick out one thing... I think we were in there for about an hour, going up and down the 4 stories..  looking at EVERYTHING!  Magoo finally opted for a M&M slot machine that releases M&M candy.... (is this an early sign to future concerns?)  and Sweet Pea chose a plush taxi cab that has a little, removable, yellow M&M taxi cab driver.  He has been making up stories with it since....  

These 2 pictures basically indicate the overall attitude of each child about the Vegas stop.  

We ended the night watching the Fremont Street Light Show on the original Vegas strip.  I thought it was alittle saucy - selling sex and sin - but it was colorful nonetheless.   The topless dancers weren't promoted, but there were many images of alcohol, gambling and sexy images of women's faces and bodies.  This is a picture BB took of the "screen" that encloses the strip.  The "light show", which is more like a video, is displayed on the screen-like-dome, which is made of millions and millions of light bulbs.