Celebrate! A Valentine Birthday with Patty and Hal in Las Vegas

Birthdays, those pesky reminders of our mortality, 

could be downright depressing!

Every year, Roger has a great solution for that . . . 

. . . celebrate it in Las Vegas!

And it is kind of a two-fer, because my birthday is on Valentine's Day.

This year, Patty and Hal joined us for an overnight adventure! 

Hal booked us at the Marriott Renaissance.

We drove from St. George, headed to buy tickets to see, Cirque du Soleil's, Zarkana, then had lunch at Stripburger, where we shared awesome gourmet burgers.

Patty and I shopped in the mall while the boys checked out the Apple store.

When we walked through Anthropologie,

we were fascinated with this display of real paint, appearing to be pouring from the ceiling.

Patty and I took numerous pics of it, each taking turns posing with it.

Here are a couple of them:

I have no idea why we took several pics, except it gets harder and harder each year to approve of candid shots. 

We just kept looking at the shot, laughing, and taking another!

I guess in true Sister Shopping fashion, we always make our own fun! 

I remember shopping on a trip to Myrtle Beach with all five of us sisters, 
spending an afternoon playing the shopping game of, "If I were ___ (fill in each sister's name, in turn), 
what would I pick out?"

Then that sister, not knowing what we chose, would show us what she would choose.

We didn't buy anything, but we had a blast trying to guess each others' taste. 

We found that we actually know each other pretty well!

Our big splurge/treat was having dinner at, L'Atelier de Joel Robochon.

Fresh red roses arrangements decorated the tables.

The French breads were divine!

The meal began with the Chef's complimentary foie gras parfait with port wine and parmesan foam - so delicious!

We each had a pris fixe dinner with the choice of three appetizers/entree and dessert.

All of us ordered this crab and avocado salad, and it was like no one we had ever had before!

Absolutely heavenly! Do you see a pattern here with this food of the gods?

I have to say, I was a bit envious when I tasted one of Roger's picks,

a wonderful creation of poached oysters.

Beef cheeks - better than it sounds!

This is salmon with leeks, caviar, etc..

Chef's complimentary mashed potatoes

Patty, Hal and I had lobster with homemade pasta - addictive!

I had le Chocolate Sensation for dessert.

Amazing!

Roger and Hal had carrot cake with fresh coconut sorbet.

Wow, what a presentation!

And Patty . . .oh, my!

She had the most delicious assortment of little tarts!

I know they were delicious, because I tasted each one!

We all had lots of fun sharing our food.

That's one of the wonderful things about traveling/eating/being with family.

We totally give this place a thumbs up!

After our two and a half hour dinner, we went to see Zarkana. 

Zarkana is a journey through an abandoned circus and is a marvelous display of acrobatic fantasy.

Next morning, we had a buffet breakfast on the Concierge floor of our hotel,

then drove to the Tanger outlet mall.

They were having great President's Day sales, 

and Patty and I found some clothes bargains and SAS and Ecco shoes.

We both have foot issues, so we were thrilled!

At about 2, it was time to eat again!

We drove back to the Strip to The Paris's Mon Ami Gabi,

one of Roger's and my LV favorites.

Patty had a Cobb salad and I had steamed mussels and a little salad . . .

. . . and Roger had a prime rib sandwich and pomme frites and Hal had a seafood crepe.

True to our tradition at this place,

 the waiter was told that it was my birthday and I received this delicious profiterole, with four spoons. 

This pic probably looks real familiar to this blog!
I promise, I shared!

We shopped at the Premium outlets after lunch,

and also ran out to Trader Joe's, my favorite place for groceries,

then headed back to St. George with a loaded-down car! 

We topped this glorious day off with a yogurt treat at Menchie's.

Next morning, Roger and I fixed a pancake, fresh blueberry sauce and candy bacon breakfast, 
then Patty and I talked about my review of Preston's book manuscript, 
which I had read and offered suggestions, 

and Roger and Hal went for a ride.

The golf courses were so full over the holiday weekend,

they decided not to golf.

Before Patty and Hal left to go back home, they treated us to lunch at Player's Grill, 

where we had their famous wedge, chicken tortilla soup and 
shared an appetizer of coconut shrimp.

Talk about a Food Lovers Paradise Weekend!

Oh, my! That New Year's resolve to you know what looks even blurrier! 

We loved, loved, loved being with my sister and her husband and hope they come again soon!

On Sunday, which was Valentine's Day and my birthday,

I led the INSTA-CHOIR in, Love At Home, in Sacrament meeting.

A husband and wife, who recently moved into our branch 

and are both soloists and sing together,

sang the first verse in harmony and sounded marvelous.

Natalie accompanied on the violin and Beverly on the piano and we had over 50 in our choir. 

I was thrilled with the sound!

We always have lots of visitors in church on President's Day Weekend. 

After church, Roger wanted a pic of his Valentine.

I said, I wanted one with mine, too,

so he took a selfie!

A very fine Valentine/birthday celebration it was!