Red Square - Vodka Vault in Mandalay Bay

We had friends (Dawn & Greg) in town and thought we'd try the Red Square russian restaurant in Mandalay Bay. The food was good but the best part was the offer of when you purchase a bottle of vodka, you get to drink it in the vodka vault (ice cooler at 10 degrees) while wearing a russian fur coat and hat. It's not bad but the cheapest bottle is around $250 US.



Posing with our bottle of russian vodka...Brrr....














A group shot in the vault. A job well done -we finished the bottle after only 20 minutes!













I think a russian doll is nesting in Betsy's fur hat... so warm and cozy!

Cruising 08

We did our yearly cruise in celebration of a couple 30th birthdays. We tried Royal Carribean this year (much nicer than Carnival) for a short 3-day Bahamas cruise.



Betsy gives the thumbs up - she's ready to float!


















We toured the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas - and found this bull. I'm not sure if it was the heat or alcohol that made us molest it so...











Betsy cuddling up with our towel elephant in the stateroom.













While on Coco Cay, one of the cruiseline's private islands - Betsy befriend an indian guy with Princess Leia towel buns. Who'd woulda thunk it...










While in the Bahamas - we found some marvelous flip flops made by Reef. Betsy got a pair that have built-in bottle openers on the bottom. Stan found this pair that hold 3oz of liquid in each flop. Perfect for cold refreshing Rumplemintz on a hot day.

Betsy visits Jamie, Slo and Zoren

Betsy made a trip back to northern Michigan in April to help her mom upgrade her computer. along her travels, she had some extra time to see friends Jamie, Slo and their son Zoren. Who says Betsy doesn't look comfortable with children..? They are such a pair of cuties!

Emily turns 30!

Betsy's sister (Emily) turned the big 3-0, so we went to Tampa, FL for a surprise birthday celebration!


Emily had lots of fun with her big 3 - 0 balloons...here she's playing the ol' 30 tuba!
















You may not recognize it but this is papa (ROD) and Emily's friend (Jamie) in the back seat with all of the bday balloons.




Big sis giving the birthday girl hugs...












On the count of 3, do something funny! Not sure which sister is the funniest or scariest.. it's a tie!













It turned out to be a fiesta birthday a buffalo wild wings! Nothing says party like a sombrero and leis...












And even more drinks and picture-posing for the celebration! Emily's friend Jamie, papa Rod and brutha-in-law Stan...

Fort Pierce Boyz - Desert Style

A few of the Fort Pierce boys were in town partying it up Desert Style. From spending hours earnin at black jack, eating shot glasses of cinammon to partying at the Palms clubs - it was a good visit. Enjoy...





Who says alcohol can't get a party started? The boys from the east side represent...I think.












Betsy snuggled into some photo-action with James...












LPA C/O 93 finding free drinks in Downtown Vegas....early in the night as we are all standing straight.












1-2-3-4 who's gonna be the first to hit the floor...?












The Brothers Shinn looking for a beer score...














Any place with clantily clad dancers on the bar is alright in our book... say cheese...

Easter at the Bellagio Gardens

As usual, the gardens at the Bellagio for Easter were amazing. Here are just a few of the pictures we took - of course, they don't do justice to seeing them in person.

Anne Visits for Easter

We had Betsy's highschool friend, Anne, visit us in March for Easter from Denver. We had a fun-filled holiday with Anne -visiting the Rhyolite ghost town, seeing shows and checking out the Vegas sights!

Betsy and Anne showing off their tickets to see Bob Sagett. Mr. Sagett was as dirty as rumored but extremely hilarious - if you're into that sorta thing...luckily we are.











Betsy and Anne posing in front of the general store of Rhyolite. This was one of the hub-bub areas of the town when it was alive.










If you evered wondered what a house made out of liquor and beer bottles may look like - wonder no more. Rhyolite has a house made out of bottles - quite interesting.

We found an old train car in the ghost town...Betsy was hitchin' a ride down south to check out the gold prospects.

Barley warmed up to Anne nicely. This is Barley's patented lean-back what-you-doin' pose.