MARRIED BY ELVIS
Our Adventures in Las Vegas with the
kids, and getting married.
Whoever said that Vegas isn't for kids really
hasn't look hard enough, and only thinks that all Vegas has to offer is
gambling, clubbing and strippers. And while it has all that in spades, it does
offer a lot of family friendly things to do.
We have been planning this for a while. Initially didn't think we could afford it, but then I got a couple consulting jobs and suddenly we could. So Sam scoured the internet for wedding chapels (I scouted a few, but none were Elvis themed) and then called a few. She happened across the Graceland Wedding Chapel...complete with Elvis giving us not only our vows, but the "world famous" Elvis vows...whatever those were. She called, made the reservation and put down a deposit.
But then none of our friends could make it. Well, none from here. I have a childhood friend living in Vegas, and Sam has an uncle...one that we hadn't seen since we were first married. No one else could really afford it. Then I happened to call my buddy TJ with a technical question (his wife is my wife's best friend out here, and his daughter is Hallie's best friend) and just happened to mention that I hope that we got a sitter. He asked what hotel I was at, we chatted about gambling (he is a BIG poker player), then I hung up to fix my technical issue. Next thing I knew, his wife called and asked what room we were in so that they could get adjoining rooms. He got off work early and they headed out....around 4PM. Me...not so lucky. I couldn't get out of work until 6:00PM, and we left at 7:00PM, then had to get dinner and hit the road.
Boy oh boy did we hit TRAFFIC. We traveled 11.7 miles in 1.5 hours. YIKES! But by the time we got off the I-5 and hit the smaller freeway, we were free and clear. A little traffic jam on the I-15 due to an accident, but then clear. Still, we got in VERY late. 2:00 AM. Checked into the room my 3:00AM, and kids asleep by 4:00AM (they slept a lot on the way there). I called our friends when we were on the back road at about 10PM, and they were kicking it and relaxing in their room. Dang it! Next time, we leave EARLY! We didnt' get up until 10AM on Saturday.
Our friends already ate and were in the pool. So we ate and went to the pool and hung out for a few hours, taking it easy. Wedding was at 5:00, so we just walked around looking at the shops (after the pool). At 3:30 the women-folk went up to change and we hung with the kids in an arcade...so that they can play some video games. They got REALLY jealous after seeing the casino..and especially the Star Wars penny slots. We played a few games then headed up. I called to confirm with the sitter...the cousing of my friend who lives out there. A nice young man who works at the pool at the Mirage. We got to the room, changed, got all gussied up and headed off to the Chapel. After finding out that I would have gotten us lost (I called the chapel and found that I would have gone the wrong direction) we headed out.
We got to the Chapel REALLY early. 4:30 PM. Took us no time at all to get there...pretty much next to the hotel. We met Shonna (my friend) and her two kids, Sam's uncle Jack and his family...and our friends. After a short wait, we were renewing our vows...ELVIS style. CLICK HERE to watch the full video goodness.
Then we went back to the hotel, ordered pizza for the kids, got them set up and went out for dinner. Hung out at the Venetian (wonderful indoor shopping and dining area with gondolas...that has a ceiling that looks like the sky) had dinner, then headed back to the Stratosphere for gambling. Played a poker variant called LET IT RIDE where TJ, Lauren (his wife) and Sam all hit Flushes...all winning $130. I came out OK, only down $5. Later in the evening I lost $40 on the Star Wars penny slots (man that was a fun game, Sam and I had a blast)...but I made it all back on Craps...plus an extra $65. Then we went to bed.
And thank goodness, for Sunday was a LONG FUN DAY.
Just a quick rundown of what we did:
-Woke up at 9:30AM and went to breakfast.
-Went to the top of the Stratoshere tower and looked at the entire city. And at the faces of the people on the rides ABOVE us!
-Headed down the strip to Circus Circus. Watched a circus act, then played two games (Justice found out the hard way that games are rigged)...and prizes were had by all. Then a clown and trapeze act and we headed for lunch.
-Down the strip again to the Mirage to see a tiger. The cat paced and swam...pretty neat. Then the kids stopped and gawked at the giant fish tank behind the hotel registration desk.
-Off to the MGM Grand to see the Lion Sanctuary. There were three lion cubs (16 months old and HUGE) who were hanging out and playing. There was a plexi-glass tunnel under them and I lifted the girls up so they could touch the lions paws. Then the beasts were fed in front of us...something that looked like hamburger. it was thrown against the plexiglass and the lions came right up and licked it off...INCHES from the kids who were all loving it. Justice got a great picture. We left, but not without getting a few souvenirs, including a rubber chicken for Hallie.
-Stopped at the Bellagio and walked thru the indoor garden and train track. BEAUTIFUL...and fun. Kaia loved the trains. Now it was getting dark so we walked outside and saw two water fountain shows. Our friends then had to leave to get back home. We didn't yet. Few more things...actually ONE more.
-After a dinner which couldn't be beat we rushed off to see the Pirate Show at Treasure Island. I thought I was late in getting them there at 11:05 PM, but they were actually early (it started at 11:30PM). Kaia was asleep so we drove around...then got a call that the show was cancelled. Bummer.
So then we stopped back at the Stratosphere for more souvenirs and we headed out home...at 12:30AM. After a brief 10 min pitstop an hour out of town (sleep) we drove more and got in at 4:45 AM.
Whew. Pictures to come. I thought the video would hold you for a while. Heee!
We have been planning this for a while. Initially didn't think we could afford it, but then I got a couple consulting jobs and suddenly we could. So Sam scoured the internet for wedding chapels (I scouted a few, but none were Elvis themed) and then called a few. She happened across the Graceland Wedding Chapel...complete with Elvis giving us not only our vows, but the "world famous" Elvis vows...whatever those were. She called, made the reservation and put down a deposit.
But then none of our friends could make it. Well, none from here. I have a childhood friend living in Vegas, and Sam has an uncle...one that we hadn't seen since we were first married. No one else could really afford it. Then I happened to call my buddy TJ with a technical question (his wife is my wife's best friend out here, and his daughter is Hallie's best friend) and just happened to mention that I hope that we got a sitter. He asked what hotel I was at, we chatted about gambling (he is a BIG poker player), then I hung up to fix my technical issue. Next thing I knew, his wife called and asked what room we were in so that they could get adjoining rooms. He got off work early and they headed out....around 4PM. Me...not so lucky. I couldn't get out of work until 6:00PM, and we left at 7:00PM, then had to get dinner and hit the road.
Boy oh boy did we hit TRAFFIC. We traveled 11.7 miles in 1.5 hours. YIKES! But by the time we got off the I-5 and hit the smaller freeway, we were free and clear. A little traffic jam on the I-15 due to an accident, but then clear. Still, we got in VERY late. 2:00 AM. Checked into the room my 3:00AM, and kids asleep by 4:00AM (they slept a lot on the way there). I called our friends when we were on the back road at about 10PM, and they were kicking it and relaxing in their room. Dang it! Next time, we leave EARLY! We didnt' get up until 10AM on Saturday.
Our friends already ate and were in the pool. So we ate and went to the pool and hung out for a few hours, taking it easy. Wedding was at 5:00, so we just walked around looking at the shops (after the pool). At 3:30 the women-folk went up to change and we hung with the kids in an arcade...so that they can play some video games. They got REALLY jealous after seeing the casino..and especially the Star Wars penny slots. We played a few games then headed up. I called to confirm with the sitter...the cousing of my friend who lives out there. A nice young man who works at the pool at the Mirage. We got to the room, changed, got all gussied up and headed off to the Chapel. After finding out that I would have gotten us lost (I called the chapel and found that I would have gone the wrong direction) we headed out.
We got to the Chapel REALLY early. 4:30 PM. Took us no time at all to get there...pretty much next to the hotel. We met Shonna (my friend) and her two kids, Sam's uncle Jack and his family...and our friends. After a short wait, we were renewing our vows...ELVIS style. CLICK HERE to watch the full video goodness.
Then we went back to the hotel, ordered pizza for the kids, got them set up and went out for dinner. Hung out at the Venetian (wonderful indoor shopping and dining area with gondolas...that has a ceiling that looks like the sky) had dinner, then headed back to the Stratosphere for gambling. Played a poker variant called LET IT RIDE where TJ, Lauren (his wife) and Sam all hit Flushes...all winning $130. I came out OK, only down $5. Later in the evening I lost $40 on the Star Wars penny slots (man that was a fun game, Sam and I had a blast)...but I made it all back on Craps...plus an extra $65. Then we went to bed.
And thank goodness, for Sunday was a LONG FUN DAY.
Just a quick rundown of what we did:
-Woke up at 9:30AM and went to breakfast.
-Went to the top of the Stratoshere tower and looked at the entire city. And at the faces of the people on the rides ABOVE us!
-Headed down the strip to Circus Circus. Watched a circus act, then played two games (Justice found out the hard way that games are rigged)...and prizes were had by all. Then a clown and trapeze act and we headed for lunch.
-Down the strip again to the Mirage to see a tiger. The cat paced and swam...pretty neat. Then the kids stopped and gawked at the giant fish tank behind the hotel registration desk.
-Off to the MGM Grand to see the Lion Sanctuary. There were three lion cubs (16 months old and HUGE) who were hanging out and playing. There was a plexi-glass tunnel under them and I lifted the girls up so they could touch the lions paws. Then the beasts were fed in front of us...something that looked like hamburger. it was thrown against the plexiglass and the lions came right up and licked it off...INCHES from the kids who were all loving it. Justice got a great picture. We left, but not without getting a few souvenirs, including a rubber chicken for Hallie.
-Stopped at the Bellagio and walked thru the indoor garden and train track. BEAUTIFUL...and fun. Kaia loved the trains. Now it was getting dark so we walked outside and saw two water fountain shows. Our friends then had to leave to get back home. We didn't yet. Few more things...actually ONE more.
-After a dinner which couldn't be beat we rushed off to see the Pirate Show at Treasure Island. I thought I was late in getting them there at 11:05 PM, but they were actually early (it started at 11:30PM). Kaia was asleep so we drove around...then got a call that the show was cancelled. Bummer.
So then we stopped back at the Stratosphere for more souvenirs and we headed out home...at 12:30AM. After a brief 10 min pitstop an hour out of town (sleep) we drove more and got in at 4:45 AM.
Whew. Pictures to come. I thought the video would hold you for a while. Heee!
