The Fennels: Luck be a Lady (Hi, Remember me?)

Time flies.

I am sitting here on April 7th writing about a vacation that took place in the middle of February. Its hard to believe that the last time I wrote was about our Valentine's Day dinner, but it honestly feels as though I blinked my eyes --- then it was April.

Time flies.

We've been so busy with work, wedding preparations (for some very close friends of ours), and just life in general -- that it took me getting the flu and having to take a sick day in order to actually consider blogging while I lay on the couch trying to recuperate.

So Hello, Remember me?

I've missed blogging so much. I've thought about it often, but believe it or not, writing blog posts (at least my blog posts) takes a lot of time. I have a camera full of hundreds of pictures that I need to decide which ones I should share, then finding time to sit down and actually write (which takes about two hours total), and proof reading it a billion times so I don't embarrass myself to all my beloved blog readers. And by blog readers, I mean my mother, my best friend, Matt, and probably a few others. Nonetheless, I love that you read my posts and I love doing it. So fear not, my friends.... I'm back!

If you haven't gathered yet, this post is about our 1st wedding anniversary vacation to LAS VEGAS. To set the mood, I will share three of my favorite songs about Sin City.

From none other than Ol Blue eyes himself.....

Luck be a Lady --

Straight from the bar, Mr. Dean Martin.....

Ain't that a Kick in the Head---

The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.....

Viva Las Vegas --

We left for Las Vegas on Sunday, February 16th -- exactly one year from the day we said "I do".

As tradition has it, we froze our wedding cake so we could eat it exactly one year later.

The only problem was that we were supposed to be at the airport at 7am. So our wedding cake became our breakfast while driving to the airport. It was delish.

As another tradition, I had to wear my favorite "Mrs. Fennel" shirt that I wore the day after our wedding.

Last Year:

This Year:

We boarded the plane and were on a nonstop flight to Las Vegas!

Flying over the desert.

Another Tradition:

Last Year:

This Year:

Then I had fun with a newspaper and our rings -- because I forgot to do it the day of our wedding. Bah Humbug!

After a long three hour flight, we were finally in 81 degrees and sunny Las Vegas. The next pictures are all of the strip I took on vacation.

The most amazing thing about Las Vegas (that we learned very, very quickly) is that all of these beautiful, magnificent million dollar buildings are on ONE street. And one street only. The rest of the surrounding area is flat, brown, and quite honestly -- boring. In fact looking out at the surrounding area from our hotel, it was very apparent why they call it a city (more like a street) built in the middle of the desert. Nonetheless, the strip was quite breathtaking. And we couldn't wait to explore.

After leaving the airport, we headed straight for our hotel.

The Hilton Grand Elara.

Overlooking the strip

I made my darling pose with me in front of our incredible view

Then we headed off the Hot and Juicy -- a crawfish restaurant (featured on Food Network) where we could get down on some yummy shrimp and crab. I figured after being married a year -- we should still keep things "hot and juicy"

GET IT???

Our cool rental

Our super romantic one year anniversary dinner

This place was in the straight ghetto. We were terrified to leave the rental parked on the street, but did it anyway. The "hole in the wall restaurant" was PACKED! The "mamasita" waitresses were f'n terrifying and full of attitude so we "behaved" as much as we could and were good customers. Seriously.

It was obvious Matt and I were first timers. Most of the patrons knew the flow of the restaurant and could order their meals without looking at the scary server saying "Uhhhmmmm how does this work??"

Pretty much -- you buy seafood by the pound. No utensils. No plates. Just a piece of paper over the table and a bib. Our server seemed annoyed at our confusion but explained things quickly before moving onto her hundred other tables.

It was an experience to say the least. And the food was great. Thank God our rental didn't get broken into while we ate.

But our hands smelled like straight shit afterwards. Yuck.

We drove back to the hotel and walked the strip to explore.

Then stumbled upon these "little" gems.

FAT TUESDAY = BEST BAR EVER

I made Matt pose with the ladies.

And we enjoyed the scenery.

After walking the strip, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the LOVE Beetles Cirque du Soleil show. I planned on wearing a little white dress and my wedding shoes to celebrate our one year.

But after I looked at my nav and realized that the Mirage was all the way down the strip, I picked my handy dandy, trusty TOMS

And added a cardigan as the "cherry on the top"

It was a bit chilly.

I looked like an old maid.

And a fool.

No wonder we weren't invited to any nightclubs like all the other "cool people" on the strip. I was dressed like an 80 year old woman! Oh well....

Thank heavens my husband loves me -- walking shoes, cardigan, and all.

The LOVE show was ah-ma-zing!! Out of this world and by far one of my most favorite things about our trip.

Simply Unbelievable.

We ended the rest of the night by getting some yummy snacks at Walgreens and spending the rest of the night in the hotel.

Oh la la

Just kidding. We were asleep by 10 pm.

The next morning, I learned I did not remember how to use a regular coffee maker. Thanks Keurig!

Then we headed out to our next Food Network featured restaurant.

The very classy, 5 star formal restaurant known as "Heart Attack Grill"

(Do you sense the sarcasm?)

A restaurant that refuses to serve any vegetables.

Including pickles!

Where people over 350 pounds eat free

(I didn't make the cut)

Where their most fattening burger made the Guinness book of world records due to it's 9,982 calories.

Where if you don't finish all the food on your plate -- they'll publicly spank you.

(Matt was hoping for that)

I was terrified I would get my ass whooped......

The smallest burger they had was the size of my head.

Luckily a TV channel (most likely Travel or Food Network) was there filming, so I dodged getting spanked by refusing to let them film me.

Their sexiest, most liked server who had a bomb personality and weighed in at 370lbs -- and was DAMN proud of it!

The place was horrific. And we were disgusted after watching the mockery. The food was okay.

Another place that I'm happy we experienced, but will never, ever visit again.

^^^ this restaurant, ladies and gentleman, made going VEGAN much easier.

After lunch, we headed back to the strip and explored some more.

We played some penny slots.

And found another FAT TUESDAY bar!

REFILL!!

After having a few of those suckers, we were pretty loaded so we cabbed it to the Rio for the RAT BACK IS PACK SHOW!!!!!!!!!!

^ tipsy.

I WAS SO EXCITED!!

We met a few couples while standing in line for the show from Iowa and Illinois. We shared stories, talked, and passed time until we were seated.

Funny thing is that:

THE COUPLES WERE IN THEIR SIXTIES!!!!!!

Yep, we act like old people.

And were BY FAR the youngest people at the Rat Pack is Back Show.

Oh well.........

I was as happy as a kid in a candy shop on Christmas morning.

I may or may not have gotten sick in the bathroom in the middle of the show. So I sipped on water the remainder of the night.

OUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!!

The Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe impersonators were so real like that I was nervous taking pictures with them. Frank's voice was spot on and I sang along with each and every song.

(Sigh)

I want to go back to see them again......

The following day, we got lunch at Bobby Flay's famous Mesa Grill. A very upscale fancy restaurant that we couldn't wait to try.

(For real this time)

For instance: Eating there for lunch cost us $100. Yikes.

It was well worth it.

We decided to share a steak and a hamburger so we could taste both.

The steak was good but the burger was

THE BEST HAMBURGER WE EVER HAD.

GEE!

Even after being vegan for over a month -- my mouth waters at the thought of that burger.

Mmmmmm......

Following lunch, we went to Harrah's Piano Bar for an Elvis Presley concert.

Big Elvis, that is.

Before going to Las Vegas, I researched the best Elvis impersonators while looking at shows.

And after reading several reviews -- I learned that most people thought Peter Vallee AKA BIG ELVIS was it. And let me tell you -- he was quite amazing.

A big boy.

And very, very good.

The show was free but there was a two drink minimum to sit at the piano bar and enjoy his concert.

We had a great time and was able to go up and meet him before the show even started.

For anyone who is an Elvis fan and planning a Vegas trip soon -- I recommend going to Harrah's Piano bar to see him.

We were lucky enough to meet up with my Aunt Sandy (who lives nearby) for some drinks and to catch up.

She took us around to see the sights then we got some yummy dessert and drinks at the Cake Boss's new Vegas restaurant, Buddy V's.

Who wouldn't want to try the Cake Boss's famous cake?!?!?

We totally did and goodness--- it was so so good.

The very strong "Cakeboss" martini.

Mmmmmmm......

We ended the night by seeing Vegas! The Show. A show that we got free tickets to for booking our trip and surprisingly, it was just as good as the LOVE and Rat Pack is Back shows.