Bangs McCoy

I’m in charge? Uh-oh!

August 16th, 2007

Bryan has been super-busy with work this summer, so I offered to be in charge of planning our (fifth) wedding anniversary celebration. We have decided that in lieu of giving anniversary gifts to each other, we will just do something fun together every year. I tried to make it a surprise, but it was hard with extended family involved in my plan. And Bryan knows me pretty well, so I think he had a good idea of what was in the works.

We got packed up in the morning and headed for my grandma’s house in St. George. We arrived and chatted with my grandma a bit before my mom, dad, Kathi, and the kids (Thomas and Kayleigh) arrived. We then put our boys down for naps and took off. Thank you to the aforementioned family members for their help taking care of Rees and James for the night!

Our destination was Vegas. When we arrived, we checked into our room at the Venetian, but didn’t move anything up there. Instead we went to pick up our tickets to “O” (Cirque du Soleil) at Bellagio, and then went to dinner at Diego at MGM. Yes, it was a lot of walking. Too much walking and not enough time. Next time I will plan better.

I picked Diego because Bryan and I ate there on a whim a few years ago when we sent to see “Ka” (Cirque du Soleil) at MGM. It was right near the theatre and looked good. I have a terrible memory, but I remembered the excellent guacamole (made tableside to order) and duck empanadas. Unfortunately, the duck empanadas were not on the menu anymore. And the guacamole was not as good this time. And they seated us in a really weird spot, immediately next to another couple. The place was practically empty (it was only 5:30) but we were pretty much sharing a table with another couple who were on a date. We should have asked for a different table before we even sat down, but we wimped out, and then we just put up with it. After sitting down, it seemed pretty rude to demand a new table right in front of this couple, like we couldn’t stand to sit by them. Anyway, we got chicken empanadas for an appetizer (good), and then Bryan had fajitas with goat (meat). They were also good. I got an appetizer for my main course because I had eaten a lot already, between the empanadas, guacamole, and salsa. I got a gordita, which was a small stack of fried tortilla rounds layered with goat cheese, black beans, salsa, and guacamole. It sounds really flavorful but was surprisingly bland. It wasn’t a bad overall dining experience, but I think we are ready to move on from Diego. ‘Nuff said.

It was time for the show, but we were feeling lazy and it was really hot outside. So we ponied up some cash for the monorail to get back to the Bellagio. The monorail stops in Paris, which I had never been to before. I had a water massage while Bryan got little gifts for the boys. Then to the Bellagio, where we were seated right away. It was a good thing we picked up our tickets early because the will-call line was long. We enjoyed the pre-show entertainment - cute clowns that mess with audience members. I really liked the show, especially the “diving party” scene. The stage is convertible from a normal stage to a pool for swimmers and divers. The acrobatics were fascinating, and the cute clowns reappeared a few times for comic relief. The music was nice, and I think it was worth the money. Knowing what I know now, I’m glad we went, but I probably wouldn’t choose to see it a second time. Bryan and I agreed that “Ka” is still our favorite.

After the show, we walked outside and watched the musical fountain, pretending we were in Ocean’s Eleven (along with a half-million other people), and then tracked down our hotel room. It took us a long time, because the hotel was enormous. Our room was in the Venezia tower at the Venetian. I cannot even fathom how gigantic the Venetian is. After finally finding our room, Bryan went down for the bags and figured out how to get to and from our room more quickly. The suite was excellent - very clean, very nice quality, quiet neighbors, two huge TVs, two beds, a sitting area, huge marble shower, high quality robes. Just really great, I highly recommend it. We spent the rest of the evening… Wouldn’t you like to know!?!

Entry Filed under: I do stuff, I have kids