Festival of Lights - Galveston Texas

Before we left Texas, my sister decided to drive us over to Galveston Texas to watch the Festival of Lights with the kids at Moody Gardens. We never got the chance to see this light show after the many times we've visited Texas a few years back. Since the light show won't start until sundown, we strolled along Pleasure Pier boardwalk.

I remember the last time we went here around December 2010, this place was rundown. Unrecognizable after it suffered through a lot of hurricanes in the past. Now, it has become an amusement park for families to enjoy. It was too cold that night that we all ended up eating at Fishtales for an early dinner before heading back to Moody gardens.

The Christmas decorations/lights was really fun for the kids. They all enjoyed it. But it was too much of a walk for a toddler that we took turns carrying him around the whole time. It was a bad idea not bringing the stroller for little Jimmy to sit on the entire night. I would suggest bring a stroller next time and purchase your tickets online to save you from the hassle of waiting. All in all it was a fun activity for the kids.

Christmas Morning!

How was your Christmas eve dinner last night?

Ours was great and intimate. Just my sister and her kids, Joseph and I. 

I cooked a storm yesterday and I have to say I missed doing that for my family back home.

Today the kids woke us up really early and we had to sleep late last night to put together their playhouse.

But after seeing the excitement of Abby, my niece, the moment she saw their playhouse from Santa, it was all worth it!

Chaotic aftermath. Gift wrappers and boxes everywhere.I had fond memories growing up during the holidays opening my presents on Christmas day. These kids are lucky as they get to open more than one box. Christmas is for kids after all. 

Nothing like waking up Christmas morning and seeing all the kids' happy faces after unwrapping and opening their presents. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas from all of us here in Texas!

Happy Holidays From Sugarland Texas!

I love the holiday atmosphere here in Texas particularly in my sister's village in Greatwood. We spent an hour touring the village watching the Christmas decors in the neighborhood and the little kids loved it.

Christmas eve, just before dinner we snapped pictures of all us dressed up in red. The little ones surprisingly was quite excited too! My husband set up a mini studio with the Christmas tree as our backdrop. How cute are Jimmy and Abby in their outfits?

I'm already wearing heels and my 14-year old niece looks almost as tall as I am. I get emotional every time I reminisce back in the day how I used to carry her in my arms. How time flies.

By dinner timer, our little boy is already cranky hence the crying face. He wasn't in the mood for anymore pictures. This is the only picture we took at the dinner table and the rest has a lot to do with pacifying a toddler in total meltdown.

Just before we capped the night, Joseph and I managed to set up the playhouse for the kids to wake up to tomorrow. I am excited too see what they're gonna say about all the presents! From this side of the world, I wish you all a happy and merry Christmas!

Las Vegas on My Mind (Travelogue)

We had so much fun in Vegas despite not being able to indulge in all the adult things that one can do in Vegas. I mean three days was not enough! From the hotel-hopping itself and trying all the restaurants and all the touristy places one must check-off. I must warn you this is a very long post full of pictures. 

Drive to Vegas from LA

Sunset on the road

The MGM lobby

The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace

Caesar's Palace

Delicate ceiling artwork display at The Bellagio

                                               

                         

                         

The Bellagio

Trying out the monorail

The Venetian Hotel

I don't even know where to start. I am such a reality-TV freak that the moment we landed in Vegas I wanted to eat at this restaurant so bad. Buddy V's (The Cake Boss) Italian restaurant did not disappoint. The food was soo good and I didn't even have the time to snap pictures of everything we ordered. We just ate everything with no leftovers. We even had dessert after! Yummy! Makes my mouth water just seeing this picture and planning another trip to Vegas is in order just to eat there.  

Pawn Stars. Yes we love Chumlee and the old man :)

On our way to Hoover dam is a nice view of Lake Mead. It is said to be the largest reservoir in the US by volume. The hoover dam is incredibly beautiful as it sits on the border between Arizona and Nevada with a one-hour time difference. I am in awe of how much resources it took and the number of people to build this magnificent architectural structure.
 

 

Although MGM grand is at the far end (south) of Las Vegas, it is quite accessible due to the monorail. If you do not want to deal with car rental and the grueling traffic on the strip this is a good choice. We booked our stay through bookit.com and we were very pleased as we got a 200$ restaurant coupon which we used to eat at a local Italian restaurant called Sergio's that we surprisingly loved. Read about it on Yelp and we figured it rated really good and decided to eat there for dinner the night we arrived. All in all it was a great deal for roughly a little over 200$ for a three-night stay.

We ended the trip with a nice brunch at Serendipity 3 restaurant in Las Vegas.

We tried to squeeze in as much sight seeing as possible of the three days we were there and it was not enough.

We will definitely be going back and try the high roller, watch Ka and maybe eat at all the restaurants I've missed on this trip.

How about you? What do you love about Vegas?