KA! - shopping and more!

With Katie here our adventures have been in high-speed whirlwind mode. Here's a brief recap of the past three days..

Friday's highlight was the Cirque du Soleil show KA! at the MGM Grand. It was a spectacular presentation with an amazing stage that is really the star of the show. I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in a Cirque performance. After the show we went for dessert at the Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian. Katie opted for an apple cobbler, I had a strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream and Helen chose a tasty cheesecake. All the portions were HUUUUGE and we were pretty well satisfied after a GREAT evening.

On Saturday we spent the day at Hoover Dam and touring the nearby Boulder City, which was founded in 1931 to house the 5,000 workers who built the nearby Dam. The drive from LV to the Dam takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. It's an impressive structure and we spent a good two hours walking around the Dam, strolling though the visitors center and, of course, checking out the "Best Dam Gift Shop."

About 2 p.m. we left the Dam and went to Boulder City for lunch, settling on Mel's Diner. We got there about 2:20 - just in time because the cozy little eatery closes at 3 p.m. We all opted for burgers - Helen and Katie got western burgers with slabs of bacon atop, while I chose a basic cheeseburger. They were tasty and hefty, very satsifying end to our dam visit! Then we headed home and relaxed for awhile before enjoyin some leftover sausage, peppers and rice for dinner.

Sunday began with the 8 a.m. service at the Lakes Lutheran Church, followed by a visit to the local IHOP for breakfast. Helen enjoyed her mushroom-spinach omelet, I opted for all you can eat pancakes and Katie chose toast and a fruit cup. Then it was off to the Miracle Mile shopping center at Planet Hollywood. Helen and Katie spent the next 4.5 hours shoppping, while I headed for the poker room.

My poker session was unusual. I bought in for $100 and after about 15 minutes played a very interesting hand. I was dealt 6-6 and limped into the pot for the $2 blind. Four of us saw the flop which came 10-6-4 of mixed suits. I had flopped 3 6s and felt pretty good. I checked my hand and the guy to my left bet $20. One guy called and another folded. I stalled a bit, all the time knowing I was gonna put in a hefty raise. So I raised the guy to my left another $40 and he responded by virtually shouting "ALL IN!" The 3rd guy folded and I called.

The turn was another 4, giving me a full house. The river was a 3, no help. I turned over my 6-6 full house and the other guy showed his 10-10, giving him a BIGGER full house!

I was so deflated I left the poker room and just walked to the sports book to calm down. After 20 minutes or so, I bounced back by winning $70 at a blackjack table.

Then I went back to the sports book where I bought a $20 4-team money line parlay (meaning there's no point spread involved, the teams just have to win their game). I picked the Hornets, Suns, Thunder and Hawks. The first three were winners, but the Hawks let me down bigtime. Their game was tied 104-104 with 34 seconds remaining. But the Warriors hit a 3-ball and a free throw to win 108-104. It would have paid $85. AAAARGH!

For dinner we were looking for someplace quick and convenient - How 'bout McDonalds! Then we drove down the Strip checking out the lights as we headed home.

This morning, while the girls were getting up and moving, I ran a couple of errands and stopped by the Suncoast where I won $45 playing blackjack. At one point I was up $65, then lost 4 $5 bets in a row and decided to take my profits and leave. I was home by 10:30.

Later today we're making a trip to "The World's Largest Gift Shop" at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip) and Sahara. While the girls shop, I'll stroll across the street to the Sahara hotel-casino and soak in a little Old Vegas vibe. Then we'll head home for dinner - I'll be making one of Katie's favorite meals, Shepherd's Pie. Oh yeah and chocolate fudge ice cream for dessert (another of the niece's favs.) She claims were spoiling her, but I call it just being a good host, LOL!

And so our adventure continues...