Family Trip 2018 - LAS VEGAS // Do Vegas and kids mix?!

Tran 2018

So, technically, this was a *work trip for me.  But since we still haven't gone on our annual summer family trip, my husband and I decided to take the kids to Vegas.  The kids have asked a few times to take them so that they could see the sights, try the food, and watch some shows.  They've been to Vegas before but only during a layover (so, yeah, that doesn't count).    

I've always been hesitant to take the kids here because I don't think it's necessarily kid-friendly despite what some people might say (I mean "hello!  You see sex reps everywhere passing out stripper and hooker cards). 

​Since this work trip was set in Vegas, it set the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.  

*This work trip actually took place in August 2018, the week before the kids went back-to-school.  

Flights

Ms. Ava in the A.M. at Sea-Tac airport, waiting to board the plane.

To maximize this family vacation, my husband and kids left in the morning while I left in the evening (I had to work during the day).  I don't particularly like flying apart from my family but my evening flight wasn't so bad...it was delayed a couple hours but it was nice because I was able to catch up on my emails, reading, and watching lifestyle YouTube videos I subscribe to.  Plus I had a whole row to myself on the plane! 

Where we Stayed

Rocking our OOTDs!

​We stayed at the Palazzo again - we were actually invited back so "huge thanks" to the hotel for hosting us once more.  The kids were loving the suite and loved that there was room to move.  

I didn't take photos of the interior but you can check it out in a previous blog post I wrote on our stay a few months back, palazzo.html  Nice and open, it's classic in design as well.  Made a good impression on the kids so that's always a plus!

While waiting for my arrival, their dad took them to the hotel's pool to get some aqua time in. 

The kids were a bit grossed out because people left their garbage in some corners of the pool area.  They even found a few pieces of trash in the pool.  Blech.

Other than that, they loved that they were able to cool off.  It was so hot the week we went (temps were in the 100s) that a few pieces of trash wasn't going to stop them from swimming.  Still, it's unsettling that people don't clean up after themselves!

Pool time!

THINGS to DO

Like I said before, I don't think Vegas is the most kid-friendly but we were able to find some things to do.  

We only had a few days in Vegas and we were able to get the kids to experience a few things that one would do in Vegas their first time around (sans the clubs, strip shows, drinking to their hearts content, and tables/slots). ;-P

Christian at the Venetian during one of our walks

Most days, we walked around because you never get a dull view.  There's so much going on, that the kids are always looking around and taking in all the lights, music, costumed characters, and flashy buildings.

We took them to one of the many buffets in Vegas - one in particular, "Cravings Buffet" located in the Mirage.  We only ended up there because we were all ravenous and it was close by - diagonally across the street from the Palazzo.  I admit, the food didn't taste the best but it satisfied our hunger.  The kids wanted to eat a bit fancier but we didn't quite have the time - we were on a schedule!  

The interior was pretty nice for a buffet - every wall seemed to have some architectural element to it and there were splashes of gold everywhere.  Each food section was separated by continent (i.e. Asia, South America, etc.) and type (i.e. desserts, beverages, etc.)

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

This was fun - the kids loved that they could take photos with the different wax celebrities.  I was solo on this one - hubby needed to work on one of his real estate deals and went back to our hotel.  So, naturally, I took one for the team.  Madame Tussaud's is always going to be a fave go-to of mine anytime we're in Vegas.  They change out their wax figures periodically and it's always fun to see who they have the next time you visit (still hoping for the royal family to make their debut...particularly Meghan Markle - whom I have a major GIRL CRUSH!)

TURNT 2018!!

Located right outside the Venetian, you're greeted with a photo op (which you have the option to buy prints at the end of the tour) then you follow the pathways to get to your fave celebrities.  

Jabbawockeez show

Located in MGM Grand

We met up with some family that happened to be there the same time we were. We saw the Jabbawockeez show together at MGM Grand. I personally haven't seen them perform in a few years so it was nice to watch  them again with the kids.  

We gave the kids a few options to choose from between this, Michael Jackson, and a magic show.  Ava and I chose Michael (although, I could've gone either way) and the boys chose Jabbawockeez.  We were beat but I'm glad it didn't disappoint.  

It was a more intimate and cozy venue than last time but it was perfect because we all had a great view.  

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At the show entrance

I wish I could've taken some photos but the performers made it very clear to the audience before they started that flash photography and video were off-limits.  The show consisted of different dream sequences that tied in together and the performers interacted with the audience quite often so the kids loved that.  One thing they require is that they're entertained for the most part.  Safe to say, the Jabbawockeez fulfilled that requirement!   

Before the start of the show

Before the show started, a photographer walked around taking photos of people. Once again, prints were available for purchase at the end of the show.  Normally we wouldn't buy photos but the kids wanted something to keep for remembrance.

With my husband's aunt, uncle, and cousin

Gondola Ride - Venetian

On our last full day in Vegas, the kids wanted to do the famed gondola ride so we walked over next door to the Venetian to indulge them.  The lines were pretty long to get tickets and the actual ride took about 15 mins or so to loop around the indoor canal.  Gondolas can accommodate up to 4 people so we had to split up - the boys with their dad; Ava and I with a newly married couple (how romantic for them, right?!). 

​We were, of course, serenaded by the gondola drivers/operators...whatever you call them.  It must be nice to be able to sing all day. :-) 

Our view from our gondola. Check out that simulated sky!

The boys and their gondola driver

Bellagio Fountain Show

A view of Paris from our spot at the fountain show. Photo by me!

The creme dela creme to our last night in Vegas...after our gondola ride, we walked all the way to the Bellagio to catch their fountain show (these run every half hour in the evenings, although, you may want to check the time frames per day because it varies). 

We were able to see the Bellagio from the Palazzo/Venetian area but we found out soon enough how close but so far it was.  Although it was late afternoon, temps were about 104 degrees (so this made our walk seem longer than it was) and there were a handful of drunk people (a couple of them belligerent).  Ava, my youngest, was getting anxious, frustrated, and really not feeling the atmosphere.     

Ava was super irritated in this shot. The boys just thought it was funny.

On a hot evening, the fountain show is great because not only is the water show beautiful, the mist from the water refreshes you from the heat.  We all loved it and instantly felt energized!

The fountain show begins!

Last Day - Wedding Work!

The day of the wedding was all business for me and my assistant, Josette.  We were dropped off at Caesar's Palace in the early morning and we set up in one of their bridal suites.  While I went to work, the kids were able to sleep in. Later, their dad took them to the pool one last time to cool off some more.  

My assistant flew in the night before with her boyfriend to help me with this party of 10.  We checked them into Treasure Island across the street from the Palazzo. 

The morning of the wedding, Josette did the prep work and touch ups, while I did the rest of the face.  It made the whole thing go pretty smoothly.  Initially I was supposed to make over all faces on my own but that was going to push it.  My call time was at 8 a.m. and they all had to be ready by 1 p.m.  Yikes!  Thank God for Josette! 

Once touch-ups were done and clean-up was complete, we went back to our hotels to check out and my family and I headed straight to the airport.  Josette stayed behind to enjoy the rest of her time in Vegas.  Yes - I make sure my assistants get some fun in when they work with me!     

A behind-the-scenes photo of the bride and a few of her bridesmaids before the wedding. All makeup by me, assisted by Josette Durosier.

Heading back home

It's always a blessing to have my family accompany me on work trips.  Not only did I make some money doing something I love, I was able to spend quality time with my family. 

This was one of our shortest family trips but they appreciated we brought them somewhere nonetheless.  We asked the kids what they thought and we had different answers: Christian, our eldest, liked it but wants to come back with a group of friends (of course); Ashton was okay with it but would've wanted to eat more gourmet (not surprising); and Ava hated it - she prefers the beach and more relaxed surroundings (I don't blame her);  

If you ever decide to bring your kids here, just make sure that you have an idea of what you could do together.  Again, I would save trips to Vegas with your friends or significant other.  

Flying back to Seattle together with the family. NO separate flights this time around!

~XOXO, Mari