I can't believe all that happened this weekend. All I can say is WOW! Thursday night we headed down to Great Falls, which involved crossing the border. I've had bad feelings about this trip since we booked in months ago, and it all started when we tried to cross into Montana.
There were the normal questions: where are you going, is your trip for business or pleasure, where do you live. Then the border gaurd said we'd been randomly selected for a vehicle search, and we were to pull around the corner of the building and park. We all got out of the truck and went inside, to be escorted into a cage, or if you prefer - cell. We had to take off our coats and give them to the gaurd, figure out how much cash we had, and to have it in our possession, fill out a declaration statement, and another form. In total we were there for about two hours. By the time we were done, everyone was hungry, and thinking about Indian Tacos from Taco Treat!
We stopped in Shelby to grab a bit to eat, and for a pee break (my bladder was acting up this weekend, and I couldn't make it very long without needing to make a pit-stop).
When we got to Great Falls, we headed first to Walmart. I found a Jason Aldean DVD and CD as well as some items I'd forgotten to pack (conditioner, razors, q-tips, bobby pins). Afterwards there was a stop at Taco Treat, but Jay was the only one that ordered. We made a quick around to see what hotel we'd stay at. Then a trip to Wendy's for a late-night meal, and finally to our hotel. We all crashed pretty quickly.
The next morning, we stopped at JB's for the breakfast buffet, then off to the mall. Corey and Justin looked around Scheels, and after Nicole and I looked around there for a bit, we headed over to Bath and Body Works for hand soap, sanitizer and lip gloss.
Then it was time to get to the airport. Because of the cold and the snow, our flight was delayed about 45 minutes so they could spray de-icer on the plane. Then we were off to Las Vegas.
We picked up mine and Justin's checked bag and caught the shuttle to the Stratisphere. We got checked in, got changed and ready for dinner and the concert - did I mention our main reason for going to Vegas was to see Garth Brooks? While I was curling my hair, Justin asked if I was getting ready for my "boyfriend," aka "GB"!
Off we went in a cab to the Wynn. If you're ever in Vegas - eat at the Wynn buffet. It might be a little bit pricier, but you pay for what you get. Ever since our honeymoon, I've been craving clam chowder (and before the honeymoon I didn't like the stuff, Justin made me try it - and now I'm hooked). I was in my glory to see it, and I wish I would have had more that just one bowl. Now, let me tell you about the desserts - we were all sitting there stuffed, but decided we had to find a way to put more into our bellies. I think we all made two the dessert room - yes - room, not table!
After supper we headed to the Ferrari gift shop. You want to see this girl get giddy - park me in front of a Ferrari engine. Wow. Ten cylinder, forty valve beautiful peice of machinery. (Don't forget - I work at a car dealership; these things get me excited!)
Then we were off to the theatre. We were there about half an hour before the show started so we just sat down and people watched. There people sitting in front of us flew from England just for the concert! I noticed the music that was playing while we waited, was all females, and some of them were Canadian (Terry Clarke, SheDaisy). Most people in attendance were quite a bit older than Nicole, Corey, Justin and I are. I'd say most of the audiance was 40 or more, which I hadn't expected. Let me just say, this concert made my entire exsistance! It cannot be explained well enough to do it justice. Garth was unbelievable; Trisha Yearwood came out and played two songs (and although she did steal Garth away from me, I did enjoy listening to her sing. Justin got a kick out of this, and screamed a little too loudly for her). We'd read reviews of the concert before we went, and one was very accurate; saying that it was like being at a party, where they guy brought his gutair and started playing, singing, and talking about his musical influances. I need to see him once again, and I hope that it's an outside concert - they just look so emotional, and something I need to be a part of.
We walked over to the Bellagio after the concert to see the fountain show. On our way, we spotted a line of police cars on the strip. Everytime Justin and I watch cops, and it's filmed in Vegas we get excited. So when we saw about ten cars with lights flashing, we thought for sure there'd be a film crew; we walked past, but didn't see any cameras, so we crossed the road and watched the fountains.
We started walking back, towards the Wynn, past the Mirage. The first time Justin and I went to Vegas, we stayed there - the volcano was under repair. When we went down with Sandy and Brent - it was too cold for the volcano (from what I can remember). Three months ago when we were there for our honeymoon - we were barely on the strip at all, and didn't have a chance to see it. This time, walking up to the base of the vocano I was thrilled that finally we'd get to see it, then I read the sign - the last "show" is at 11pm, and it was past midnight already. I have finally accepted this will be something we'll never get to see!
Saturday we had planned to sleep in late, after finally getting to be around two. We got up around 11:30 and got ready. We walked to the Sahara, stopping at the Nascar Cafe to go to the gift shop, see one of Dale Ernhardts cars, and check out video of this huge barrito Corey had told us all about. I can't remember the size of it, 16 pounds rings a bell; if you can eat it in an hour it's free, but they won't tell you the price until you can't finish it.
From the Sahara, we took the Monorail to Harrah's and ate lunch at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill. Justin and I'd eaten there once before (when we went with his parents), and had wanted to go again really badly. I got the exact same thing as last time, a turkey burger - and it was just as amazing! I dream about this burger sometimes.
From Harrah's, we walked to the MGM, stopping at M&M World. As we were walking, we passed Jimmy Buffet's and there were four parrots on the handrails outside. Seriously, two parrots on each handrail. Okay, I might have a little facination for these birds. In the picture, the one closest to the camera was half-sleeping, half giving me a dirty look for interupting his sleep!
At the MGM we made our trip to Fat Tuesdays, and each got a booze-filled slush with an extra shot. Why wouldn't you get an extra shot - it's only a dollar! Then we took a cab to the outlet mall at the south end of the strip and shopped for a couple hours. It's a little bit awkward to be shopping and drinking booze, laughing and giggling because you're a little bit drunk - just a weird thing to do, and for it to be okay. Nicole and I needed some fresh air for a bit during our hunt for the perfect sweater, when I saw a cop - I instinctively hid my football cup - realizing after it was fine - we're in Vegas!
That night we hung around Freemont street for a few hours. We've eaten at the Tony Roma's down there for the last three times we've gone to Vegas with not a problem either time. This time was horrible. We all could barely eat our food, I only ate my soup (and got sick after eating it). All of us were complaining of stomach aches, and feeling sick. Never again will we eat there!
It seems the more and more I'm in Vegas, the less and less photos I take! Even Nicole didn't take many photos (and it was her first time there). I think this time I mostly only took pictures of people!
This is really the first trip that we've been on (besides camping) with friends. We couldn't have had a better time. They made it fun and exciting. I'll never forget the trip, although just a long weekend get away - it was perfect!
We woke up at 5:30am to catch the shuttle back to the airport. By the time we made it to our gate, we didn't have much time before we boarded the plane. And Justin and I were the last ones on with "priority seating" because he was off finding gingerale and cinnamon buns. I was worried he wasn't going to make it back in time!
When we got off the plane, and were waiting for our checked bag, Justin looked at our carry-on bags and asked where the other one was. I was confused, looked at what we had, and couldn't think of what was missing. Then all of a sudden I realized that our passport pouch was missing. We had left it in the plane. Honestly, I wasn't worried about the passports at all, I knew that could be fixed - but the Ipod was there, and it was now gone. Justin went to security, and they paged us (Jody Riley - which is my mum, and made me laugh when I heard that) to come pick them up.
At the border Justin got out the pouch, opened it up and found another persons ID, Visa and Debit Card as well as a couple of reciepts. We were so confused as how it all ended up with our passports, but remembered what the security gaurd had said, "you left this down at the check-in counter." We had immediately corrected him, and said we left it on the plane, which then confused him. We never thought anything of it until we found this Randy guys stuff. We're thinking Randy left his belongings down at the check-in counter when he got his boarding pass, then they just put it in a lost and found area, and when they paged us, they must have combined everything together.
(When we got home, we tried to look him up on Canada 411, with no luck. Looking on Facebook, we found his company website, and got a phone number from that. We called and left a message, his wife called us back, and about ten phone calls later, Justin and Randy's brother-in-law had made arrangements to meet up Monday. Thursday night when Randy got back home from Vegas, he Facebooked Justin and said how thankful and happy he was that we did that for him, and to let him know the next time we're in Medicine Hat so he can take us out for supper and drinks.)
When we got home, it was rest time. Time to do nothing buy lay on the couch and relax. We didn't go on a date on this anniversary (yup, the day we came home was the 21st), but we did get to come home from the same place as our last stop of our honeymoon.
I think the cows were all ready to come home, and Brent said there had already been a few that had somehow broke loose, and made the trek home all by themselves. Which made it really simple this time. There weren't any problems, only a few times did a couple cows try to go off in their own direction - but Justin was there on the quad to sheep-dog them back to the right path.
2. Start getting healthier. Lately Justin and I have been slacking on this part of our life. We originally made this a New Years Resolution that has seemingly died since the wedding - but with Mexico coming up in four short months (really?) we need to kick this into high gear!
5. Be a better version of me. A better wife, mum to Lowie, daughter, daughter in law, sister, friend. Be more creative, be a better house keeper and cook more often.
7. Start using cash instead of my debit card. My spending (mostly Booster Juice and lunches) have kind of gotten out of hand. I know that if I'm forking over money and not plastic that will curb this habit!
9. Head out to the farm and take some more amazing photos that make me glad I brought my camera! 
