Our Small Family Reunion in Las Vegas

About 3 weeks or so ago, my Sweetie and I hosted a small family reunion in the busy city of Las Vegas. During the five day trip (arrived Monday and departed Friday), we spent time with our daughter (Beck), son (Nick), son-in-law (Paul), and sister/sister-in-law (CJ).

We all managed to get rooms at the same hotel - the MGM Grand Hotel, Resort and Casino - so getting together was very easy.

In front of the famous "sign"

We also had some tee shirts made specifically for the occasion which read on the front, "Flying Dinos Las Vegas Reunion 8/2011" and while on the back there was a large Road Runner image and the same verbiage as on the front.* The turquoise tees were very useful when we were walking up and down the Fremont Experience.

Overall, I think everyone had a spectacular time. The boys (sans me) tried their hands at a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, CJ won a couple of rounds of drinks from the penny slots, Nick and I tried several different cigars from the Davidoff store, and our meals were mostly wonderful.

Instead of going through the chronology of the trip, I'll just say we went to "Phantom" at the Venetian, "Ka" at the MGM Grand, and "Penn & Teller" at the Rio. "Phantom" was once again my Sweetie's favorite while "Ka" was remarkable and "Penn & Teller" was enlightening and entertaining!

The meals were great no matter where we decided to go.

We did rent an Expedition for a day trip to Hoover (Boulder) Dam and a visit to Ethyl M's chocolate factory and cactus garden.

And since it was a trip to Las Vegas, that is just about all I'm willing to say. Just remember that a good time was had by all!

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* The name "Flying Dinos" is actually a shortened version of "Flying Dinosaurs."

So, what does that mean? OK. Long story so bear with me on this one. Beck grew up wanting to study dinosaurs (of course, what kid doesn't?) and eventually decided to attend North Carolina State University to major in paleontology. During that time, she was obviously brainwashed into believing that dinosaurs could not fly, ever. She was very passionate in her belief so Paul never missed an opportunity to get a rise out of her by insinuating that dinosaurs did, in fact, fly.

Fast forward. At one time, my Sweetie, Paul, Beck, Nick, and I played an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) called Everquest II©. While playing this game together, we created a "guild" in which we all belonged and could share all of the virtual "loot" we obtained during game play. Of course, Paul suggested that our guild be called the "Flying Dinosaurs."

Fast forward again. Since my Sweetie and I were having a reunion with the replicants**, I thought it might be nice to have tee shirts to commemorate the event. Therefore, the "Flying Dinos" logo. I shortened it only because I thought it would cost less per shirt and because I figured the shirt maker wouldn't be able to correctly spell dinosaurs!

** "Replicants" is a reference to the movie "Blade Runner" made by our friend, Marla, when she found out that our small family reunion was intended to be only the immediate family or "the replicants."