Viva Las Vegas!

So on Sunday morning, at 6:15 am, Matt and I flew out of Colorado Springs for a few days in Las Vegas. My company, Encompass Home Health, flew many of their employees out for a conference for us to learn, be inspired, be appreciated and have some fun. Matt and I left early enough so that we could enjoy some time together on Sunday before the conference started Monday morning. It was absolutely wonderful to have Matt with me on this trip as you have to pick your activities carefully in a city with no shame regarding sin. This is the sad part of Las Vegas.

However, we were able to find some very fun things to do in and outside of the city! And it was just an awesome time for the two of us to get away and share this time together. After arriving in Vegas around 9:30 am we rented a car and headed to the mall for some food! But not until first purchasing some sunglasses at local gas station. It was beautiful and sunny...but it was bright! And we both failed to pack our shades.


Here is a picture of the mall on the inside. Cool, right?


And here are some sights on the strip.
New York, New York


MGM

After achieving shaded eyes and full tummies...we headed to Red Rock Canyon. The original plan was to go hiking...but we were so exhausted we opted for the scenic drive!!! It was so nice to move out of the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the peace and tranquility in God's gorgeous creation.




After our galavanting, we headed to Caesars Palace...where Encompass put us up for the next few nights! We of course weren't crazy about the casinos and smoke...but the room was beautiful. Best place we have stayed yet. We loved it. Here are a few pictures. For those of you who know me...the color scheme in the decorating is me to a "T".



Loved this area to sit and do my hair.

My favorite part...the bathroom! I know that sounds odd. But the glass shower and hot tub were amazing. We had no idea we would have a hot tub in our room.






A refrigerator fully stocked. We don't drink so the mini bar items did not even appeal to us. But when we were going to take some drinks out to make room for leftovers after dinner...we find out that you are charged for any item that is MOVED! It has sensors that let them know if you move an item and then they automatically charge your credit card. What a useless fridge!


And last but most definitely not least...BATH ROBES! Yay.


We loved the bathrobes!


And I apologize for this one ahead of time! ha ha.


That night, after a wonderful nap, we headed back out some shopping and sight seeing. Here is Caesars Palace from the roof of the parking garage.


And us and the Palace.


And just me.


And the rental car.


After cruising around we came back to Caesars Palace to eat dinner at the mall . Yes, they have an entire mall in the hotel. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory. And as always...no room for cheesecake for dessert! I have to learn to just order cheesecake...forget the main course!

Monday morning I was up bright and early for my conference. Thankfully, they had some high energy entertainment to wake us up! I wish I would have thought to video tape this. It was hilarious and fun. Actual Encompass corporate staff performed as the Blues Brothers to open us up after Caesar himself showed up for the conference.




And this is Troy Dye, the Blues Brothers leader himself. He trained my group when I was first hired and flew to Dallas for a week. Very impressed with the training and tools they equip their marketers with!


This is our CEO...April Anthony.


We wrapped up the conference on Monday a little early to have some time before the awards banquet, dinner and entertainment that night. We actually had time for a nice soak in awesome tub before getting ready for the festivities. I think I need a tub like that :) And Matt surprised me with this cute Sprite when I got back.


He did his own sightseeing that afternoon...including going to see some lions He was disappointed with that...he said they were sleeping! But here are some shots from his day.


This is another mall he went to. You can actually take a gondola ride in it!




Live manikin.

Here is a picture of our Colorado Springs branch before dinner. Lisa (beside me) is a nurse and is in the same role as I am in marketing. I will name them from left to right. So next is Jim, our wonderful Administrator and his wife who joined him for the conference. Next is Sheri, our Director of Nursing, the Andrea who is a CNA in a marketing role also but mainly focused on the hospitals. Then there is Chuck, the marketers boss and former army Colonel! And Dianne, a therapist who is in charge of all of our specialty programs that we as marketers sell in the community! Such a fun team to be a part of.


Matt and I before dinner.




Ice sculpture at our table!


This is Gay. She is one of the top sales people in the company. She is the lady that trained me when I flew to Amarillo for the second phase of my orientation. This woman is so amazing. She is receiving and award here and I know the picture is awful because I was so far away but I forgot to get a picture with her during the conference. She is strong woman of God and I am so grateful to know her!


Our entertainment. I can't even remember what they were called right now. That's so bad isn't it?


Matt and I snuck out at the end a little early to catch the fountain going off at the Bellagio. This is a hotel in Las Vegas. For those of you who have watched Ocean's Eleven...you probably know what I am talking about. This fountain is gorgeous. It goes off in sync to music. So we ran to our rooms to change it to comfy close and practically ran to the hotel to catch the show! We made it!




Matt taking a video of it.


I had no idea he was videotaping. I thought he was taking pictures. This you can see in the video below. I thought I was posing for a picture! ha ha. But isn't the show amazing?


Some shots of the city.




And Caesars at night!


The next morning, I got up for the remainder of my conference. We closed around 11:30 and Matt and I checked out and headed to the airport to catch our flight! Here we are waiting for the shuttle to the airport. It was gorgeous out...sunny and warm! Wish we had more time to lay out at one of their many pools!


Goodbye Las Vegas!