Snapshots of Life: Food and Family: Vegas Baby!! Part 1

"Vivaaaaaa Las Vegas!" and, "Vegas baby!!" are what my family and I always hold our collective breaths and wait to hear whenever we touchdown in Las Vegas. There is always someone who thinks they're the soooooo witty and just has to say either one or both phrases once the plane lands in Las Vegas....oy vey. I swear, for the ~10 years that my parents have lived there...I've never been disappointed.

My sister, Alexander, and I visited Las Vegas for a week in order to visit family, celebrate my turning 30, and for me to be in my best friend Erin's wedding! I'm just going to do a quick (or as quick as I can) recap of the trip via pictures, so as not to bore you with every....single....solitary....detail. :)

Our first day there was terrific, although we were all pretty tired from getting in late, and Alexander waking up really early...he was still on Boston time. My sister and I got a facial from our favorite spa (that just so happens to be in my parent's neighborhood). Then, my friend Erin came over and played in my grandpa's jacuzzi and pool along with Alexander and Kristen. (I apologize, but I didn't take any pictures...Alexander enjoyed walking around in the jacuzzi...don't worry, it wasn't for very long and it was turned off, so it wasn't as hot when he got in.)

The next day, we went to the Cracked Egg for breakfast (my favorite little breakfast place to go in Vegas). It's not the fanciest place, but I looooooove their food. My parents asked me what I wanted to do when I came to Vegas, and I said that I wanted to eat at the Cracked Egg and I wanted to go outlet shopping, that was it. Ta da!! Birthday wish #1 came true!

Their warm, chocolate chip coffee cake. I was crossing my
fingers and hoping they would have it. It's so soft and moist
that it's almost like angel food cake...sooo delicious!

My second favorite thing at the restaurant! Eggs with chorizo,
green chiles, jalapenos and other goodies. I know it's decadent,
but it was my birth week! Time to indulge! I like things spicy. :)

Alexander coloring and ordering people around. "Mom,
order me some bacon, extra crispy. Tita (my sister Kristen),
help me color this chicken, and Bampa (Grandpa, my dad),
change my diaper."
(He didn't really say all of those things, but I
just thought I'd add a witty quote...he did get bacon though).

My dad..."Umm...I don't change poop diapers. I'll change
pee diapers, but not poop diapers." I give him mad props for
his willingness to change diapers. Thanks dad!

After our delicious and extremely filling breakfast, my dad, Alexander, sister, and I traveled to Mt. Charleston to walk it off.

Mt. Charleston. See people? There are beautiful mountains
in the desert. They're actually snow-capped in December.
That's where my family usually goes when they miss the snow.

Alexander walking around.

He wants to tackle this on his own.

He got a little tired, so he hitched a ride
on grandpa's shoulders. Tita Kristen was
always at Alexander's side during this trip.
He's one lucky kiddo!

Unfortunately, we couldn't climb Mt. Charleston because of its recent forest fires. The rangers were clearing up a lot of the brush. Thus, we trekked to Kyle Canyon, which was just down the road.