Las Vegas Ortega Style

Family Search's question for August 12th was: Do you have one special vacation spot that you return to again and again? What do you love about it?

Gerson and I love to spend a weekend in Las Vegas. Before we had kids we used to go once a year. Each time we go we usually stay in a Hotel we haven't before and see a show or two that we haven't before. We like to try different restaurants, and shop and tour the fun shops and museums.

I had been to Las Vegas a few times before Gerson and I got married, but our honeymoon was the first time that Gerson had spent a significant amount of time there. Las Vegas wasn't the final destination of our honeymoon, Disneyland was. We staid the night in Vegas on our way to Anaheim and again on the way home.

We first stayed in my favorite hotel, The Luxor. We walked the entire strip because I wanted to see the pirate show that used to be at Treasure Island. Before we left for Anaheim, we took a magic carpet ride on a green screen. We didn't purchase the video, but we did buy the photos. On the way back we stayed in Excalibur where I attended the Tournament of Kings dinner and show. I had already been to Medieval Times in Annaheim, so I thought the food and show would be the same. It wasn't. The Tournament of Kings serves larger portions of food, and the show is quite different, but still great.

In 2011 we did an impromptu stay at Circus Circus on our way home from visiting Gerson's family in Palmdale, Ca. We saw the free shows in the arcade, and also played games in the arcade. We also went to the Adventure Dome, rode the rides, played miniature golf, and laser tag. (I got second place overall in our group!)

In 2012 We went for a full weekend to celebrate Gerson's graduation from BYU. We stayed two nights in The Flamingo. While we were on that side of the strip we saw The Blue Man Group. That show was amazing! It's one we definitely want to see again, and I highly recommend it. We also visited the dolphin and big cat exhibit in The Bellagio. We moved over to The Luxor for two nights (because The Flamingo weekend prices are through the roof). On that side of the strip we saw Cris Angel. That show was really disappointing. We felt that it was a complete waste of money. We also went to the shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, walked through the Bodies and Titanic exhibit at The Luxor, and went to The Tournament of Kings show again in Excalibur. (I think the next time we go to Vegas it's time to see Tournament of Kings again because it's been five years.)

Benjamin was born in 2013 so that put a short pause on our Vegas trips. In 2016, shortly after Luna turned one, the timing was good, and we took a much needed couple's trip. We stayed at Treasure Island. We saw Britney Spears one night and Penn &Teller the next night. Britney Spears was more of a nostalgia thing for me. I don't need to see her again, but I'm so glad I got to! Penn & Teller were a breath of fresh air after the Cris Angel fiasco. They are amazing!

This year we went back sooner than expected because my best friend got married in the Chapel at the Luxor. We went down two days early to see a show and tour. We saw Terry Fator at The Mirage. He is a ventriloquist. I didn't know anything about him, Gerson chose the show. I was really impressed and enjoyed his show very much. We visited the Chocolate store, the M&M store, the Houdini shop, and Madam Tussaud's Wax museum.

My friend's wedding was beautiful. It was such an honor to be invited. It was really small. Only

family and a couple friends were invited. We spent the afternoon and evening with her and her family. We went to see the fountains at The Bellagio, and spent the evening with her at The Luxor. We learned how to play roulette and black jack via observation, and had fun with that.

I know Las Vegas may not seem like the best vacation destination, but we love going there. It will always be a place we continue to return to. It's possible for Mormons to have fun there, and we even remember our entire trip. ;)