Cirque du Beatles

Tonight's event for Club was going out to our choice of one of three restaurants, Beso, American Fish, or the Social House, then to Cirque du Soleil's Beatles LOVE, and then to a nightclub.  Although Meghan and I were able to utilize the hotel's childcare for last night's event, tonight's event was offsite, and the hotel childcare won't allow you to leave the property if they have your child.  So Meghan graciously said that I could still go to my events, and she would stay at the hotel with Joshua.  I wished she could have been there with me, because I know she would have loved the food at the Social House, and I think she really would have liked the Beatles show.  But we'll put them on the list for the next time we go back to Vegas. 

The Suite Life

Tonight was the President's Club awards party.  Because this trip is only for a couple dozen employees and their significant others, and because it's supposed to be a top-notch experience since it's the reward for which everyone worked, our CEO likes to come up with over-the-top venues, and he certainly succeeded tonight.  While in Vegas, we're staying at the Red Rock, which is a really nice newer hotel off the strip.  Tonight we found out that the very top floor has a series of suites, as we all walked down the long hallway past the first two until we emerged into the last one, the One 80 Suite, so named because of its 180 degree view.  It was unlike anything I've ever seen.  Among the many areas within the suite, there's a living room with a 103-inch plasma TV, and a breathtaking patio where the views are almost indescribable.  It was an amazing evening in a venue that's normally only ever inhabited by the rich and/or the famous.

Joshua and the Head Honcho

Today Meghan, Joshua, and I arrived at the Red Rock hotel in Las Vegas after our overnight flight from Kona (via LA).  The sales rep that I work with made his sales quota for the year, so he qualified for this year's all-expenses-paid trip, known as President's Club.  Because I'm the sales engineer who supports him, I was also invited.  Each person can also bring along someone else for free, so it's a pretty sweet deal. 

Tonight was the welcoming party, and we all spent the evening in the Red Rock Lanes VIP section, bowling and enjoying the catered food.  All of the invitees and their guests attended the party, including our CEO.  I've been told Pete loves kids, and as soon as he saw Joshua, he wanted to hold him, and he actually carried him around for almost half an hour.  Not often does one witness their CEO holding their baby son, so I snapped a couple pictures.  

Lugging Luggage

Today was our last day of vacation, so it was time to return home.  Because we had Joshua with us, our luggage was a little more than normal.  The biggest addition was his carseat.  We didn't want to have to rent one, so we brought our own.  Fortunately we were able to buy a backpack which can be used to carry it.  It was incredibly bulky, but it worked.  Hopefully no one thought I was transporting a dead body, because I think one might have fit (I didn't seek one out to try it).  Here I am with three of our main luggage pieces, while Meghan carried the other big suitcase and my backpack and drove Joshua in the stroller.

Swimming with Dad

Today we took Joshua to the pool for the first time. We had brought a floaty ring he could sit in since he is really too young to just "hang on". He seemed to have a good time and enjoy the water, which bodes well for our Hawaii trip later this summer.

The Whole Family

Although we are all here in Las Vegas, our arrival and departure schedules don't all overlap exactly, so we had our family meal today, when we knew everyone was going to be in town and available. We all traveled via the tram to the Treasure Island buffet for a great lunch. It was really nice to have everyone together in one place, as it doesn't happen very often due to everyone's schedules. Afterward, we got together for a family photo.

Top of the World Looking Down on Creation

Today was our first full day in Vegas. Tonight was our scheduled date night, which Mom and Ron made possible by watching Joshua for the evening and buying us tickets to Cirque du Soleil's O. We had really great seats, which allowed us to be all the more impressed by the amazing feats of the performers. Before the show, though, we went out to eat together, and we had a delicious meal in the restaurant with the best view in town: the Top of the World rotating restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere. The view was simply amazing. Combining that with the food, it was one of the most memorable dinners we've ever had.

Valley of Fire

Last night we arrived in Las Vegas, and today we began our two-day mini roadtrip to see the Grand Canyon and other sights.  Today's main event was stopping at Valley of Fire State Park, which is about an hour outside of Vegas and on our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  I'm not sure why this place isn't more famous, because it really is amazing.  Have you seen Total Recall?  If so, you've seen this place.  It's "Mars" in the movie.  The rock formations are so ridiculous it's hard to believe they occur naturally.  My favorite part was that aside from two particular places in the park, you're free to climb any of the rocks, which I most certainly did.  The park way surpassed our expectations and was a great start to our trip.