Viva Las Vegas

Earlier this month my mom and I took our free vacation to Las Vegas courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres.

Confused?

Let me explain.

In January, my mom, sister, and neighbor got a chance to go to the Ellen show taping in Burbank.  It just happened to be Ellen's birthday show so it was full of surprise guests and {even better} sweet gifts for the whole audience!  All four of us left with new Blackberry Torches, a fancy watch, and a trip to Vegas for two!  My mom used her trip earlier this year with my dad and {graciously} offered herself to accompany me when I could go.  So we had two nights at the MGM Grand, spa treatments, tickets to Cirque du Soleil, and lots of time to just relax and do whatever we wanted!  It was such a great vacation and so fun to live in luxury for a couple of days.  Here's some pictures from our adventures...

{View from our room}

{Pre-spa...I wouldn't mind having another 50 minute Swedish massage}

{The Cirque theater!  So amazing}

{After "Ka"}

{Riding the Coca Cola elevator on our way to dinner}

{Had to watch the Bellagio's water show}

{The inside of the Bellagio was decorated for 4th of July}

Would definitely not mind doing it all again...Ellen?

Long Overdue

Father's Day 2011.

Remember that?  It was like a month ago, come on.

Anyways, I had one of the best ones because my dad is supes awesome.

{Don't mind my little abbreviating habit, it's getting a bit out of control}

My dear ole Dad is the greatest.  He is my very own Phil Dunphey.  I love his silly dad jokes and the way he gets way too excited when his favorite HGTV show comes on TV.  Oh and don't even get me started on his {loud} concerts he loves to grace us with, complete with steering wheel drum solos.  He is still a little kid at heart but gives the best advice at the perfect times.  He is a wonderful man of God that loves my family with his whole heart and would go to the ends of the earth for each of us.  I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a dad who tells me I'm beautiful and how proud he is of me just enough to make me know he truly means it.  

We had to celebrate a little early, the traditional Shannon way, because of scheduling conflicts so we all got together and headed down to a yummy lunch on the lake on one of the most beautiful days.

We love you Papa Bear!