Vegas, Baby

So sin-city deserves its name, but not as a descriptor for our trip. It was a low-key birthday weekend for Derek & I, at least compared to his previous trips with "the guys," I'm sure. :) In brief:

1. Derek stands in front of the newest hotel on the strip, the Wynn. No, we did not win at the Wynn - or any place else, for that matter. (And yes, I put the picture up just so I could say that in the caption.)

2. While Vegas is the epitome of wasteful spending and unnecessary indulgence, I found the hotels impressive anyway, especially when they had displays like this.

3. Bluephoria post Blue Man Group show. Front row, center poncho seats = worth every penny.

4. Blue Man & us. Derek protested when I tried to make him go up and take a picture with each of them separately in the lobby, so here it is: proof that we saw at least one.

5. Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my! Or, really, just a sleeping lion I could walk under while dashing through MGM Grand. Pretty cool, though. (Me: "Why is there a random lion exhibit in this casino?" Derek: "Um, MGM's symbol. Did you happen to catch the giant golden lion statue outside" Me: "Oh. Right.")

6. Southwest Airlines Flight 854 celebrates Derek's 27th year in style.

top, um, 13 holiday 2005 pictures....

Holy proposals, batman! Congratulations go out to Sarah & Allen AND Hallie & Chad!

Now that I'm back in Colorado after a whirlwind of family events for the holidays and a few visits with friends, I shall post encaspulating photos of my time in Rhode Island & Montreal. The rest can be found in albums #47-49 here.
First, let's start with...

Montreal

1. Yolande is more sensible than me and makes me turn back on Friday morning. Montreal snowstorm 1, Dawn 0. I make it into the city and find parking despite the lack of snowtires and the large size of my mother's vehicle the next day. Montreal snowstorm 1, Dawn 1. I forget to bring boots. Montreal snowstorm 2, Dawn 1. Yolande lends me hers and we maneuver around the white stuff and have a fantastic time anyway. Montreal snowstorm 2, Dawn 3. I win.

2. "You're going to Ottawa?! Isn't that 2 1/2 hours away?" "Well, I'm going to Gatineau, in Quebec near Ottawa." "Oh, okay." (Yes, mom, going to Gatineau surely won't put more miles on your car, since it's still in Quebec and all. I just have to pass that pesky Ontario province to get to it.) The fruits of the labor: Ms. Armitage, Ms. Shepherd and Ms. Bell.


3. Wendy to Carl: "Okay, take a picture of Dawn, Tina and I, but don't get the boxes!" Carl: "Okay."


4. What the heck was the Music department thinking, erecting THAT?

and now...

Rhode Island


1. The annual Christmas party gets a little Christmas cheer with Santa and his elf, the newly fianced Danielle & Derek.


2. Christmas night at family friends Mike & Kris' house. Five minutes later, Hannah, their little daughter, came to join us and lay on top of me. And yes, my brother is still growing out his hair. (Joy).


3. What's a RI vacation without... Rock 'n Bowl? Also, Sarah, pre-engagement.


4. And what is a Benson family gathering without a card game? This time, UNO is defeated by Phase 10, with great controversy.


5. 25 shots later, there is a picture with a flash of Grams, Grams & the grandkids, although Gramps must be looking for Marisa, who was replaced by Nicole the doll.


6. Uncle Don shows how he feels about another family portrait of Ma, Pa & the kids. Don't be fooled: Uncle Dave just wasn't caught on film.


7. Aww, good-bye to the little spoiled puppy from the best grandparents in the world!


8. Happy 2006! Derek & I in Boston, touring Cheers.

And that's all -- again, the rest of the pictures are uploaded in albums # 47-49 at my imagestation site.