Hangin' In There: Vegas Workshop

I don't know how I did it, but I talked Chance into letting me go to a workshop in Las Vegas ~ by myself. That means he was home with the kids. By himself.

I went to high school with an amazing photographer named Jean Smith. She lives in Detroit, and I was mourning the fact that I would never be able to attend a workshop that she hosted due to the fact that it was in MICHIGAN. She announced in December that they would be holding one in Vegas, so after a little pleading, and persuading ~ I went!

Can I just say how nervous I was? I'm such a dork, I know ~ because I'm sure all you women out there are rolling your eyes and asking yourself, "what is the big deal?". Well I haven't traveled anywhere since I was 12 by myself. Plus you throw in the fact that I have 5 kids at home, and a husband who I love dearly, and my "what-if" conscience kicks in full gear.

So Chance dropped me off at the airport, I got through security fairly simply (that was another cause of some anxiety...) and I waited. Here's a photo of the plane next to mine that was being loaded (I knew my kids would get a kick out of that.)

I got on the plane, got my isle seat, and got comfy. The man who sat next to me started chatting up a nice conversation (which was great) but then quickly started asking me personal info that I wasn't quite so sure I wanted to give out.....ie my hotel, whether or not I was going to go party......you know ~ pretty much I'm a little, um......over-sensitive to that kind of thing. So I just kind of tried to ignore him, put my ipod ear buds in and didn't really talk the rest of the flight.

Oh, and I forgot to mention ~ I heart Dramamine, but I forgot to buy any. So. I was a little concerned that I would need that doggie bag. Turns out, I figured the only way I felt sick was by looking out the window. Go figure.

Here is the view from my hotel window (and what a view it was ladies and gentlemen), and here's our group of workshop attendee's on the Vegas strip just outside of the Venetian.

PS ~ that's Jean in the coral top.

My oh-so-luxurious room.....

And yes, as we were outside Treasure Island, we all noticed this cute mama duck with her babies. I thought my kids would love this too. :)

Well it was a good 3 days, but I was SO SO glad to be home. When I got home, my family was at church still, so I had a little quiet time to unpack and enjoy some solitude for a minute before the chaos began once again. I have to admit ~ when I landed in Salt Lake City, I shed a tear or 2...

Next vacation? I need my family there with me. I missed the heck out of them.

Here are the cute signs made by my family. How do you like the water balloons and painters tape? Thank you Chance.