Last Vegas 2010, Best for Last

I saved Terry Fator for the end of my Vegas posts. 'Cause he was awesome! I'm not gonna lie, i didnt watch America's Got Talent, and all I knew about him going into the show was that he was a ventriloquist. I had no idea he impersonated. And sang. and did comedy. all at one time. Wowzers!

Terry Fator is awesome because:

- He's from Texas! (Mesquite to be exact)
- All of his proceeds from merchandise sales go to help wounded soldiers
- He let you take pictures! He also does a meet and greet for free after the show.

Walking into the theater you see the usual vegas show sign "no cameras allowed." Well, it's Vegas. I'm not going to the hotel straight after the show...im going to have a look around, visit the Bellagio, do stuff I want to take pictures of. I have my camera with me. I dare not take it out the bag. Until...

Terry opens his show with Winston the Impersonating Turtle - and he says the rules are... there are no rules! He tells everyone to take as much photo and video as you want because he knows we snuck 'em in anyway. That the flash doesnt bother him and to go upload those videos on youtube when you get home. I looked at Justin with my eyes open wide going really!!?! Realllly!!!!?!?!? It was fantastic. That just doesnt happen in Vegas.

Anyway, the show starts and it was brilliant. A must see for sure.

Winston the Impersonating Turtle(If i read online correctly, this is the new Winston?)


Winston (he likes the Bee Gees) & The Fifth Beatle!


The Fifth Beatle - if you can just imagine the commentary...


This is Walter T. Airedale - i believe this is his oldest puppet. He likes to sing Garth Brooks



This is Maynard Thomkins aka the best Elvis impersonator in Vegas



I wish i could remember this little girl's name...


Here's Wrex, a crash test dummy



And then there's Julius (who i think is also a fresh face that used to look different)



The night we were there, Terry presented two charities with these checks from his merchandise sales!



Duggie Scott Walker (the annoying neighbor) - (by what i can tell online, he's also an old character, but newly designed) He likes rock n roll!



Vikki the Cougar



Maynard makes another appearance


There's also some more skits he performed that involved an audience member, as well as some songs without the puppets.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Las Vegas 2010, Part 3

Hoover Dam. I didnt know much about it really. Didn't imagine I'd ever actually get to see it either. What a piece of work. And the new bridge? Who designs these things? Craziness! I dont think I want to drive over it. Ever. I'm not scared of heights. Unless i'm driving. No thanks. Anyway, we showed up at the dam, booked a tour, and then did a little self guided tour until the other one started. We got to go inside the dam, look out one of the vents, see data on the walls from earthquakes, see where the turbines, watch a video... Amazing stuff.

Las Vegas 2010, Part 2

On the day we decided to grab a rental car - we made 2 trips. First stop Hoover Damn, 2nd stop, shelby factory. Check out the live camera on the website! they only do one tour at 10:30 in the AM...we didnt read that...we showed up about 3. We wondered around and looked at the cars in the showroom. One of the HR ladies happened to walk through the actual factory door, and we got to talking to her for a bit. She let us go in the back, with the cameras off, but it was a neat sight. We're mustang freeeeaaaaks, so we enjoyed every minute of it. Here's a few pics from the showroom.

Las Vegas 2010, Part 1

Back in April, we took our 3rd trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. I love going. It's a never ending supply of photos. In 2008, we went for the 1st time, and stayed at The Luxor - you know...the big pyramid with the light that you can see from space? Maybe. I'm not sure if you can. But it's cool. That also happens to be the trip where we got engaged. We also saw Mystere by Cirque du Soleil and Stomp Out Loud (hello Awesome!!). We had a good time playing tourists that year and took well over 1000 photos. In 2009, we went back and stayed at Treasure Island. They have the Siren/pirate show that we have yet to see thanks to the wind. We spent most of our time at the hotel itself and enjoyed the restaurants there, and popped over to the Mirage to see the white tigers. We also go to go to Freemont Street and see Fleetwood Mac! I think we came home with 350 photos that year. Well, we went back this year determined to be tourists again, and ended up at Hoover Dam, the Titanic exhibit, Terry Fator, Carrot Top, and the Shelby factory, and we stayed at the Monte Carlo. We enjoyed the casino and food court there.

Part 1 consists of Vegas in general. There's tons more to see, and I've probably got photos from previous years that show that, but these are all from the last trip.

Three years later - i finally get the photo with the sign!

The PUB inside Monte Carlo - very salty burgers. whole tab got comped except the beer!

Also inside the Monte Carlo was a little bakery called the Cupcakery! I had at least 1 cupcake a day.

You cant go to Vegas without stopping at the Bellagio!

The dancing fountains are one thing...

but inside...they have this huge garden and cool ceiling!

Stay tuned for pics of Hoover Dam, the Shelby factory, and Terry Fator!

Memorial Day 2010

Memorial day... for some people, it's probably just a 3-day weekend. a paid day off of work. another reason to BBQ and have a few drinks. or a reason to spend the day at the beach. But for alot of us, it's a day to remember the fallen. our family. our friends. strangers. Those that give their lives, so that we may live ours the way we love to, in the United States of America. I used to be somewhere in between...i enjoyed the day off, and I knew what the day meant. Not until December of 2007 did the holiday take on a whole new meaning. Sure, I knew my great granddad and my grandfather had both served their duties, but they made it out unharmed. But in December 2007, my cousin was killed in action, serving in Iraq. He was such a wonderful man and I looked forward to family get togethers when I knew he'd be there. He was an Eagle scout and a graduate of Texas A&M, and he believed so much in what he was doing in the Army. I was there to watch his plane come home. I'd never seen the patriot guard before. I was amazed at the outburst of patriotism and and honor they shared with us. I was asked to bring my camera with me to the funeral, and I'm so glad I did. I'll share one shot with you.

I still visit his facebook from time to time. and his guestbook. I'm so honored to call him family.

Jodi over at MCP Actions asked her fans to send in some patriotic images for Memorial Day. I sent in the one above and it's posted on her blog. The other entries are worth a look. God Bless our troops! Thank a soldier, and remember those who've given their lives for our freedom.