EMME'S MANY EXPRESSIONS

Emme has so many cute little faces that she makes. This week I went with her and Becky to her one month checkup. While we were waiting for the doctor, we took these pictures. I just wonder what she is thinking as the camera flashes! It's the "nanarazzi!"
Maybe she is musing about her weight. Just before these photos were taken, she was weighed by the nurse - a whopping ten and a half pounds and 22 inches long!
Yesterday we went shopping to get some last minutes things before our trip to the beach. She was so alert, I just had to take a few quick shots.
Look at the Buddha Belly! Emme is a great little shopper. She helped pick out some cute shirts for Aidan, Ryan, and Dixon. We are training her early and well. She already reacts to the word: Sale!

LAS VEGAS ADVENTURES - THE END!

Another beautiful day in Las Vegas, but Mom and I decided that we had done everything we had come to do and so we got an earlier flight home. Instead of Monday, we will be home late tomorrow - Saturday. I think she misses Sophie (her cat)! To end our stay, we spent the afternoon at the Las Vegas Outlet Center. You can breathe easy Jim because Mom was the buyer today, not me! Then we headed to the Luxor for the final show of our Vegas visit.

The Luxor is a magnificent hotel/casino complex.
Our last show was Menopause, The Musical. It was absolutely hilarious! I laughed so hard I cried!
Our final act in Vegas was to spend a few dollars in the slot machines. I spent $2.00 and Mom risked $3.00. I would rather shop than gamble!
We had a wonderful week together in Las Vegas, but we are both ready to head for good ol' Pennsylvania. As the old saying goes, "There's no place like home!"

LAS VEGAS ADVENTURES - PART 3

Another great day of adventures in Las Vegas! We started out this morning by going to the Palazzo to pick up our tickets for Phantom and were we in for a surprise! You'll have to keep reading to find out! Isn't this a magnificent shot inside the Palazzo!

We had an interesting lunch at Emeril Lagassi's Stadium. It is quite a unique sports bar and we got to see Japan trounce Denmark in the World Cup. We had Emeril's fish and chips and it was good, but not great. The experience was fun though.
The day wouldn't be complete without Mom-Mom meeting a hunk. This time it was "The Rock!"
Celebrities abound in Las Vegas and Whoopi was sporting her "Come hither" pose!
This is a close-up of the waterfall in the first picture. Everything is super-sized in Vegas!
OK! Now for the surprise. When we picked up our tickets, we were told that tonight was the four year anniversary of Phantom being performed in Vegas. It is the most extravagant version of Phantom in the world. So . . . the night was going to be a special one.At the end of the show everyone got Phantom masks to be part of Phantom history. After we donned our masks, a group photo of the audience was taken for Phantom's facebook page to be a photo of the most "Phantoms" ever assembled. The photo will appear sometime Friday on the Phantom facebook page. Check it out! We are in the balcony!
After the curtain call, Anthony Crivello, who played the Phantom, told us that this was the 1772 performance of Phanton in Las Vegas and gave us some additional Vegas Phantom facts. Crivello has won so many awards including a Tony, has starred in movies and TV and hosted a radio show, "Tony Crivello and the Sicilians" on FOX SPORTS/920 AM. What a voice!
This is the gorgeous chandelier that plays a part in the special effects.
This view of the theater shows the opera house scenery that was on both sides - manequins were so lifelike. The theater was breathtaking.
Tomorrow is going to be a low-key day. We might venture out to the Las Vegas Outlet Center as it is scorching hot to be out walking around during the day. We don't have any more shows scheduled - yet! We will probably try to get in at least one more before we return home!

LAS VEGAS ADVENTURES - PART 2

Ok - so what's with my 80 year-old mother getting all the hunks! We started our morning with getting tickets for Phantom of the Opera for Thursday night and guess who we ran into? Sly.......... He's the man! I saw Phantom years ago, but Mom never has. It is a show that you can see more than once - it is wonderful!

We did some shopping during the afternoon, but didn't buy anything! Gotta love that news, dontcha, Jim! Then we headed off to see the Donny and Marie show at the Flamingo. Some kind person took our picture in this beautiful gazebo at the Flamingo. I know there were folks who made fun of the fact that I got tickets to see Donny and Marie, but OMG! It was one of the best shows I have seen! We were just a few feet from the stage and Donny actually SHOOK MY HAND! What was so surprising was the range of their vocals and their stamina as performers. Marie even sang an opera song that brought the house down. They are such amazing singers, dancers, and even comedians! For all of you who rolled your eyes and chuckled at the thought of going to see this show - sucks to be you! This show was FAB-U-LOUS! To my brother Doug - you and Donny could be twins!
Couldn't resist this shot with the moon over the Eiffel Tower at Paris Hotel and Casino. Love Vegas at night!
I wish everyone could see the dancing fountains at the Bellagio. Extraordinary!
This "angel" was parked outside the Bellagio! You meet all kinds in Vegas! Until my next posting . . .

LAS VEGAS ADVENTURES - PART 1

Las Vegas would not be Las Vegas without the classic Elvis Presley impersonator or look-alike! We found him on Day One!

After securing tickets this morning to see Terry Fator (at 1/2 price!), we headed to Caesar's Palace's Forum Shops and this is what greeted us.
There are so many beautiful architectural touches throughout Caesar's and Barry - just so ya know, this is not, ala The Hangover, where Caesar ruled!
There are fountains and water everywhere in Vegas - despite being in the middle of the desert. Check out Mom's sexy hat!We indulged in a late lunch buffet at Harrah's called "Flavors." It was $8.50 and the food was delish! Even though we didn't over-indulge, we weren't hungry at dinner time. The gelato was out of this world good!
Now, for the good stuff! Although, you know they say that "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," so..... I guess you can use your imagination! (He's from Milan, Italy) That's all I am going to say about that!
The highlight of our day . . .well, next to the Italian lover boy, the second highlight of my Mom's day was the Terry Fator show. It was absolutely wonderful!
He allows the audience to take pictures during his show and all of the proceeds from the sales from his T-shirts, tapes, etc. in the shop, are donated to programs supporting our Veterans. What a guy! He was incredible when he won the "America's Got Talent" show and it is easy to see why the fans love him.
Stay tuned for Las Vegas Adventures Part 2!

DAY WITH CLARA!

Clara and I had a great day together yesterday! I wanted to have a day out with her because I haven't been able to spend much time with her or Sasha lately. Between their school, my school, their dance classes, and rehearsals for their big dance recital, time has flown by. Our day started with some shopping at the mall. Clara found some cute swimsuits and short sets, just in time for the beach! Don't ya just love the sign in back of her on this photo!

Then we went to see Marmaduke. It is a really cute movie and I loved hearing Clara giggle when the dogs said funny things. She would repeat what they said and then giggle!
When we left the theater and passed by the candy machines, Clara got a bright pink bubblegum ball. I think the bbblegum ball was as big as she was!
Our final stop was Borders. Clara loves books and had a tough time picking out the two she really wanted. The final decision was "Barbie and the Three Musketeers" and a "Pinkalicious" Pink Lemonade book. We had so much fun just the two of us. Next Friday is Sasha's day out with Nana!