At one point during our Vegas trip we were loitering near a slot machine for too long and a security guard came and nicely told us we had to move along because kids aren’t allowed in the gaming areas, also on Sunday night Dylan had a dramatic reaction to guzzling about fifteen sodas throughout the day, so we told him if anyone asks how his vacation went he can honestly say “I barfed from drinking too much and got kicked out of a casino.”

Anyway: we had a really, really great time.

Highlights included Dylan riding the New York New York roller coaster with John (I stayed with Riley, who took one look at the track and said “Can I cuss for this one? A small cuss? Because oh helllllllllllll no”); eating a crappy dinner at the Rainforest Cafe where Dylan was legitimately, entertainingly freaked out by the animatronics; how “interesting” became the family code word for Vegas’s more outrageous sights (Riley, as a pigtailed lady wearing a bra, white leather fringe miniskirt, and thigh-high denim boots minced by: “Well, that was interesting”); walking the Strip at night in a sea of neon and putrid cigar smoke while Dylan performed a series of dances to the ever-changing music blasting from casino entrances and daiquiri bars; shouting and pounding the table during the Tournament of Kings show at Excalibur (when the villain appeared and threatened the kingdom, Dylan got carried away and angrily yelled “IN YOUR DREAMS!” then clapped his hands over his mouth); and all of our airport shenanigans (we had an endless layover in Portland and spent most of the time laughing about how Riley had panicked on an escalator and hurled his backpack to the bottom where it got caught up in the tread and spun around in a slow, dejected circle).

We also went on the High Roller ferris wheel, which was absolutely exhilarating. There was an older couple in our car with their adult son, and the dad kept staring intently at his phone as we ascended. I was thinking, really? I mean Facebook is great and all but have you tried looking at this jaw-dropping view? But then I heard the wife say, “Are you okay?” And he was like: “Nope!” When the ride was over, he told John they’d debated for an hour before getting on, and he’d been pants-shittingly terrified the whole time. So perhaps the High Roller isn’t for everyone, but we thought it was pretty great, even though you are trapped in a giant hamster ball for 30 minutes without a bathroom which, as Riley pointed out, instantly makes you highly aware of everything you’ve had to drink, like, ever.

All in all, a fairly perfect little family getaway. Thanks for always being awesome at every stage of my life, Las Vegas.

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Beth
Beth
6 years ago

Great post. I love Vegas but never thought it would be a good trip to take with our son (who is 9). Maybe need to rethink that!

Mary
6 years ago

Your boys are getting so BIG! I was reading you before Riley was born! We had the same experience with the guards and the slot machines when we were there. There’s no signs saying kids aren’t welcome, but it’s pretty clear if you try to go in some places.

K8
K8
6 years ago

Wonderful account and pics. Your boys remind me so much of mine- both so funny and characteristically different than each other- one more like mom and one more like his dad. Such a lovely family with great smiles and adventures! Thanks again for sharing!

LD's Mom
LD's Mom
6 years ago

Love all of it!!!!!

ML
ML
6 years ago

That family picture is so beautiful! This all made me giggle : )

Kristin
Kristin
6 years ago

Cool pictures!

Pavi
Pavi
6 years ago

Ok not to come across as creepy, which means I definitely will – I’ve been your fangirl since way way back. I was in Vegas last week too and I would have possibly giggled and blushed if I ran into you somewhere! Also, I cannot believe how big the boys are and how much they both resemble you! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying 2018 so far!