Our Vegas Weekend in Minnesota

Last weekend was our 6th annual trip to Las Vegas with Tommy & Cin, which we spent in sunny....Minneapolis.  We decided with the economy that we should probably stay home this year, even though we could get hotel rooms for $59 a night.  Damn pesky expensive airfare!  So, they decided to come up to visit us and bring along Peanut for the ride as well.  They flew up Friday night, we had dinner and a leisurely night at home, then hit the town on Saturday, typical to our usual routine in Vegas.

First stop on Saturday after breakfast - the Minnesota Institute of Art in Minneapolis.  Mitch and I had not been there before, and thought the art teacher might enjoy the sights.  We had a great time, despite the fact that Peanut's mac and cheese at lunch was underdone and she got pretty tired by the end of the trip.  She was a trooper, though!

And yes, Cin and Peanut are dressed almost identically.  It was so cute.  After the Institute and a quick trip through the city, we headed to St. Paul to our regular stop with guests - Cosetta's Italian restaurant.  DELICIOUS!

As you can see, there wasn't much left after we made our way through dinner.  After that filling dinner, we went home, put Peanut to bed, watched a movie, and went to bed by 10:30.  Just like we would have done in Vegas.  

Sunday we hit the Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe for Peanut, but I think the adults had an equal amount of fun.  We had a little taste of Vegas in the arcade, which featured a Wheel of Fortune game.  I thought Cin's head was going to explode with excitement when she saw it. 

Peanut rode the carousel, 

Some fast drop thing (the name is escaping me), where she got excited when it went up, then was immediately unhappy as it was coming down.  Hilarious to watch.

And the whole family rode the log ride, and came off complete with the wet pants to prove it.  

Mitch had a great time as a spectator.....

.....and even played dress-up in the gift shop, another Vegas tradition.

After a stop at American Girl, LegoLand, the Nordstrom shoe department and Best Buy, we continued another Vegas tradition with Mexican food for dinner.  My dinner, sadly, was tequila-free.  

We spent another quiet night at home with Peanut, who played a legendary game of Jenga with me, then we played some poker and called it a night at 11:00.  Late night!

We had a great time with Tommy, Cin and Peanut, and are looking forward to another visit soon.  Truth be told, I never would have made it in Vegas this year - I was COMPLETELY exhausted after they left.  I'm hoping they'll plan a trip in the fall so we can go to the winery next time they're here!