the bella diaries: Las Vegas

I attempted to come up with a more interesting title, however every catchy phrase that popped into my head was either inappropriate or was an inside joke from our wild weekend that would make no sense to most. So, when in doubt, go simple.

A little background
These 5 guys went to high school together. AHS class of 2001.

For a few years these handsome gents' have been in discussion of planning a trip, in which they would have their significant others accompany them. A BYOH weekend: Bring Your Own Housewife.
Several locations were discussed and somehow we ended up in the City of Sin, Las Vegas.
I was pretty surprised by this location, as my husband had told me that we would not travel to LV together, due to the fact that we don't both share a love of "the table".

Matt's ideal Vegas: Tables. Winning. Find time for some food (maybe). Keep the drinks coming.

Sarah's ideal Vegas: Taking money others spend at tables & shop. Food. Sun. Drinks. Celebrities.

~~(see the similarities)~~

As I prepared to write this post I tried to think of a theme for the weekend...

money (sure, there was a lot spent, but not a lot won and c'mon that's just depressing)

laughter (generic, even though it overpowered the weekend)

invisibility (yes, folks, as random as that is it was absolutely a "theme" of our weekend)

But I came up with relationships.

Relationships is really what the whole trip was about.

Relationships between friends coming together for a reunion.

Relationships between two partners, enjoying a weekend away.

The key to these "relationships"...

5 couples, located all over the country (and soon to be world)

Austin, Chicago, Des Moines, Kansas City

... and yet each time we get together, we pick up exactly where we left off.

So, let the fun begin.

Each of us arrived Thursday, where we settled into our suite at Planet Hollywood. We had a 2 bedroom suite. We all stayed together between beds, pull outs, and couches we made it work.

This also made for ideal "morning after" conversation.

Upon arrival the stakes got high. Real high. A game of "high card" took place...

After that it was straight to the casino for the boys,

while the ladies enjoyed some cocktails, played catch up, and found a sign that was left behind from a homeless man who had a run in with the law.

Our days were spent poolside (~~otherwise known as rehab~~)

Note: the grass skirt is a random we ran into that lives in Chile South America where he is a restaurateur... He told me all about South American culture and even the beaches of Caragena.

The highlight... South Americans greet with a kiss on the cheek,

NOT double cheek like Real Housewives of NY. Just one simple kiss.

can't. wait.

This is just another sign that it was destiny for us to become South Americans

Friday night we had plans to go to a nightclub. A friend from college who frequents Las Vegas used his connections to get us a VIP table for bottle service. Amazing night. Many many many laughs and memories. But....

you're just going to see pictures.

But first,