Las Vegas

Sorry I'm falling behind on blog posts, but I've been getting adjusted to my new work shift (5:45 to 2:15), friends visiting Hawaii (I'll blog about that next), and preparing for family to visit.

We took a red eye flight to Vegas on the 12th and arrived at our hotel at 8am.  We got washed up and headed out to the strip.  Darcy (Kyle's sister) and her husband, Josh, were already in Vegas, but they were still sleeping when we arrived.  Kyle started gambling early and within the first hour we were up $120! We won't talk about what happened after that. ;) But we had a blast playing black jack and roulette.  We actually gambled a lot and did NOT go over the limit we set.  Woo hoo! Maybe next time we'll come home with a thicker wallet. :)

Here is a little documentation of our trip:

The Strip during the day.  What a view!

The Flamingo where Kyle started ahead of the game, but then it wasn't too kind to us.

The New York New York.  Kyle and I really loved the look of this hotel/casino the most!

 

Kyle and I playing slots.  We didn't play many slots, but Kyle just wanted a free drink, so we decided to play a bit.  Slots are more confusing that table games! We LOVED black jack! The 4 of us played a lot and made our money last quite awhile, which was fun!

Before Cirque Du Soleil!  

Where our seats started out and before the show started we ended up getting moved to the 8th row! 

   The show was fantastic! Can't wait to go to another one!

Kyle and Josh had $25 chips before we decided to leave...they told us, "That's not enough to cash out.  We need more than that!" So they decided to place their $25 chip on on the table for one hand of black jack.  Kyle AND Josh pulled a 10 on their first card, then Kyle got a 3 and Josh got a 2.  Ouch! ;) Then Kyle hit and got an 8 and Josh hit and got a 9! THEY BOTH GOT 21! It was hilarious! So here they are with their two, $25 chips :) 

In the colosseum inside Caesar's Palace, right AFTER watching Celine Dion perform! It was a 2     hour show and was SPECTACULAR!!!

I have loved Celine ever since I was a child and never thought this day would happen! Thanks to Kyle for taking me and sitting through it! 

The Strip at night! Such a sight to see!

Bellagio light show! Thanks Aunt Linda for telling me to definitely see this while we there! It was a great thing to see! Now when I watch Oceans Eleven I'll be able to say, "Hey! I've seen that!" :)

Goodbye Vegas! View of the strip from the airport at 6am! Ready to fly to Portland to have our 8 hour layover! We were so happy and excited to be able to spend a few hours with family before heading back "home" to Hawaii.  Here are some pictures from our time in the Great Northwest!

We were able to meet and EAT and Red Robin (since we don't have one in Hawaii).  Our families came plus Aunt Sherry and Dona!

Greg and Kyle were excited to see each other again, as well as me to see Meg and her pregnant belly!

Siblings! So great to see all of them again and to see how big Macie has gotten!

Our parents :)

Overall, our 4 day trip was a blast! Vegas was so much fun and it was fabulous to have a layover at home! Next time, we do a Vegas trip or other vacation, family and friends are invited because did I mention...

We bought a time share :)

1st Lieutenant Kyle Durant

No more butter bars! :)  2nd Lieutenants wear gold bars on their uniform like this:

Kyle's last day to wear gold bars :)

Butter bars is a term used that isn't usually used in the nicest context and sorta means "boot", but now Kyle's got his silver bars, baby! :)

For Kyle's promotion they said they were going to hold it at the front gate where there is a smaller version of the Iwo Jima Memorial.  We parked there and then his Captain and Gunny told him, "Give your wallet and phone to your wife...alrighty we're gonna go to the ceremony down my the water."  Kyle knew something was up, so he said, "Nah, I'm good...we can stay up here."  But they insisted :) 

Luckily, Kyle had a Marine (from Oregon, who's a Duck fan) who took some wonderful pictures of the ceremony. 

Kyle saluting Captain Petronzio before his oath. Kyle's platoon is behind him.

Captain chucking Kyle's gold bars...See ya later!

Gunny Shaw (who Kyle works closely with and really enjoys) and I, pinning on his new bars.

Taking his oath.  Right after this I heard Captain Petronzio say, "Have at 'em boys!" I knew they were going to throw him in the water so before they could reach him, the wife had one request...a picture before he's soaked :)

So proud of my Marine :) 

After our picture, this is what happened! :)

And finally this :) Kyle put up a fight, but his Marines got him!  Captain told us this is a tradition for AAV Officers and I'm sure the Marines love throwing their Lieutenant in the water, so no wonder the tradition stuck :)

This was definitely a memorable promotion!

Kyle's Marines congratulating him.

Kyle and Gunny Shaw

And one last picture with Kyle and his soaked cam is :)

All in all it was a wonderful promotion ceremony and I am so proud of my husband!  You are an amazing Marine, Kyle and we are all so proud of what you are doing!