We’re in Vegas, baby.
My first time staying off the strip, and my first time traveling with Liv on an airplane by myself. It was a little bit of a gamble and I knew it would either go extremely well.. or extremely rough. Like the Pilot said, though, it’s an hour flight and I could stand on my head for an hour if I needed to.
Thankfully, she was totally happy (even though the flight was during her naptime), played, looked at books and the Sky Mall with me, and lots of snack + milk to help her clear her ears.
Some fellow passengers gave me the stink eye getting on the plane, and after the flight, so many people commented on how good-natured and happy she is. Fingers crossed that the flight back is just as uneventful.
For now, Vegas is our oyster.
We’re staying with Jeni, her hubby and their little guy, who are stationed here. Jeni is one of my best friends (we hung out pretty much every day in Valdosta), and I’m so excited that they live on this side of the world now- it’s much easier to see her! She came to Tucson a couple of months ago to visit and I cried when she left. It’s been awesome to hang out with them and their dog Whiskey- I love him, and Livi smiles every time she sees him.
I don’t have a lot of food pics to share (even though we shared a glorious Thai dinner last night), but some fun adventures so far.
The boys watched the babies this morning, while Jeni and I went to her gym, Lifetime Fitness.
I’ll take the paparazzi cam to get some good pics of the space, but my brain exploded when I walked in the door. It’s huge, immaculately clean and the class offerings and equipment are incredible.
They have tons of cardio, weights, strength equipment,
a HOT YOGA studio
multiple pools
a rock-climbing wall
free 2 hours of child care each day (with Mac computers, a baby area, kids’ gym and play area)
spa and salon
and a cafe with shakes, salads, supplements, wraps and breakfast.
Jeni is doing a 90-day challenge, so I joined in the fun with her. Starting with a Zumba class:
+ a cardio circuit class for “dessert”
It was intense! The trainer had us doing free weights while walking with an incline on the treadmill, and then some strength training moves using the treadmill itself. It gave me inspiration for a workout to put together for you guys 
Today we’re all going shopping and then out somewhere tonight….
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend so far <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about: Have you been to Vegas? Have you ever stayed off the strip? It’s TOTALLY different- like an entirely different city. Here are some of my past Vegas re-caps:
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I’ve never been to Vegas, but I want to go. Except I am a total grandma and would probably just go for the dining and the shows…Cirque de Soleil! I gotta see it. Have fun with your best friend!
Whoa, is that cardio class like a room filled with treadmills, or is it out on the cardio floor?? I’ve always said it would be so fun to do a treadmill class (similar to a spin class?) with intervals, inclines, etc.
Glad you’re having fun, and congrats on your maiden voyage with Liv!
I LOVE life time fitness. I was a member when I live in Minneapolis, but since moving to NYC-I have missed it terribly! My heart aches for their classes and smoothies!
Um I’d never want to leave that gym!
We were cracking up when we left the strip in Vegas. Agreed, a whole new world!
Have a blast in Vegas! I can’t wait to go back there again someday, but it’s a bit further than a 1hour plane ride from NY.
I need a rocket!
I love lifetime fitness! I’m a member out here, and I can’t get enough zumba, cycle, and yoga! The pool is also great!! Have fun in Vegas!!
It looks like you guys are having an amazing time! I’m so glad Livi was good on the plane and that youre getting some BFF time. It’s the best!
I live in Minnesota the home of Lifetime Fitness and I absolutely love it! Their childcare center is amazing. It definitely spoils you though- I’ve never been to another gym that it quite as nice.
Umm, that gym looks absolutely AMAZING!! And I’m totally intrigued about the treadmill/free weights workout! Sounds WAY up my alley! Have a great time!
I love Vegas for girls trips! Never stayed off the strip though. Enjoy!
you should try Pura Vida while you are here, best vegan cookies eva!!
Lifetime is amazing, they had me at the smoothie bar!
So glad Liv was so great on the plane for you! That gym looks beautiful! Can’t wait to see the workout it inspires!
So happy Livi was content on the flight! That had to be such a relief!
So happy it was a good flight! Have a great trip!
glad you’re having a blast and that’s how i look at 10k’s or similar races – I can do anything for an hour including stand on my head if necessary, love the Pilot’s analogy – so true!
and some people will ALWAYS give you the stink eye with a baby or kid in hand I’ve realized, even when the child is being an angel! some people are just that way.
wow sounds like you are having an amazing time. so glad liv was good for you on the plane!
and omgosh that gym sounds INCREDIBLE!! i want a gym like that, ha!
have fun tonight! <3
You have the cutest family, Gina!!
That gym sounds amazing! Hope you have fun!
i go to that lifetime! i would have fallen off my treadmill if i saw you there! you’ve been such an inspiration for me for YEARS. also did you hear that billy blanks was at lifetime a few weeks back teaching a class? no joke! it’s the best gym ever
hope you have fun in Vegas! definitely check out red rock casino if you don’t feel like going to the strip!
Glad to hear that you had a stress free flight with Liv!
As someone who lives in Las Vegas, its refreshing when people recognize that there’s more to this place than the bright tourist trap.
We hardly ever go down there. Too much of a hassle. Town Square is a fun place for locals, so is the District, and there are plenty of trails and other things to do. The Wetlands Park, Hoover Dam, the gardens, Lake Mead, etc. Have fun exploring the other side of Vegas 
Vegas girl here. Checking out Lifetime Fitness’s website as soon as I make this comment.
Glad the flight was uneventful. Have fun off the strip!
Hot Yoga!! Sounds like an awesome gym, hope you have a easy flight back!
We went to Vegas for 4 days one year during January. We had a blast. Stayed at the Rio, a bit off the strip. We hit the hotel gym up 2 of the 4 days and it was kinda sad. We walked a lot though to make up for it. It was a blast though. However, I couldn’t wait to get home to get some sleep! Even without setting an alarm, we only slept 5 hrs a night, but to wake up to mountains in the background–Gorgeous!
Wowza, I think you work out more than anyone I “know”. I’m a new mom myself and i am lucky to get in more than 4 35-min sessions a week. Must be nice!
I usually only work out 4-5x a week, max 45 min each time. I posted my workout schedule earlier in the week. This was a special treat
Oh my gosh… that sounds like an amazing gym! I am really not a fan of Vegas… maybe because I’ve been there so many times. I recently went to Macau… which is considered to be the Vegas of the Orient… and I quite liked it! It was missing the busy vibe of Vegas… but the casinos are beautiful and the best part… no smoking indoors
I have a friend who lives in Vegas and we avoid the strip when I visit, I agree it is a much different city. I would love a treadmill workout with weights, I was just thinking about this last week!
I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas, but I haven’t been yet. Wow, that gym sounds really cool. I don’t think we have any of those in RI.
Lifetime Fitness is my gym here (suburb Of Kansas City) and it’s pretty much a gym dream come true. We love it!
Isn’t Lifetime amazing?! Its my gym in NJ : )
I’m born and raised in this city! Being a Las Vegas native I don’t spend much time on the strip. Of course I’ll go to the shopping mall Town Square that is on LV BLVD and Fashion Show Mall which is on the strip as well.. hey it is shopping and they have the best stores!
I love Lifetime Fitness! I went to one when I visited family in Dallas this summer. I could spend all day in there! I hope you have a great rest of your vacation!
I’m so glad that Liv was good on the plane! I have never been to Vegas. It never appealed to me much, actually, but lately, I have definitely changed my tune. It looks like a blast!
I love Vegas! We have a Lifetime near us. They have a great childcare center and outdoor pool!
My friend’s family has a house off the strip and when I went a few months ago with them we stayed there but spent a few days exploring the strip (Cirque, restaurants, shopping, people watching…I soaked it all in) We were also there for New Year’s and spending that night down on the strip was amazing, especially when the clock struck 12!
That being said, I also loved some of the things we did outside of the strip, a day trip to one of the mountains (lovely lodge up there we went to for lunch!), workouts in the park, quiet suburban neighborhoods. It felt like two trip experiences in one! Enjoy your time there!
I have a friend who lives in Vegas and I stayed with her once – it is totally different being off the strip. We went to ‘local’ casinos and ate at restaurants that were off the beaten path – an entirely different experience! Hope you have a great time!
cute picture! have a fun and safe trip!
You’re giving me inspiration to try a new gym/class on my work-cation next week!
Iʻve never been to Vegas, but we’re planning to visit next year, fingers crossed!!
I always hear that outside of the strip is always very different. I love that Lifetime offers all of that..I bet their membership prices are outrageous! Oh, it makes me want to get a guest pass there!!
Going to Vegas next weekend and can’t wait!
Cathy Trails
naw she is such a good bubba!
It’s good that you guys are traveling with Liv while she’s really little. I know ya’ll like to travel a lot and will also be moving around with the military. Maybe she will grow accustomed to it early on and as she gets older traveling will be nbd.
That gym sounds like a dream <3
Wow, I used to live down the street from a Lifetime in Dallas and I couldn’t deal with their pricing! Of course now that I live in NYC, gyms are $250+ per month for my husband and me anyway and they don’t include three pools, wet and dry sauna, 8 fitness rooms, racket ball courts, hot yoga, etc etc etc.
It’s nice that Livi was chill on the flight out there. I’m never one to give stinkeye to moms on the plane, but when I hear babies crying at 30,000 feet I get super anxious!
Um that gym sounds like heaven! Mine doesn’t even have a pool, let alone its own cafe.
I bet Lifetime is pricey, but sooo worth it!
OMG = oh my GYM!!! That place sounds amazing. I would like to live there, please and thank you.
i love your pants in that first pic! Are they leggings? Or Jeggings? And where from?
Thank you! Express skinny crops
It sounds like you’re having a fantastic time in Vegas! And that gym sounds amazing.
I have been to Vegas a couple of times with my family when I was younger. My husband and I are returning later this montha s part of our road trip from California to Arizona. I can’t wait!!
I go to Vegas often because I live only 2 hours away from it. Staying off the strip is definitely a different experience-better or worse depending on where. Lifetime Fitness seems like the mother of all gyms.
That is an awesome family pic! You all look fabulous! Enjoy your time there
I went to a Lifetime Fitness in Scottsdale a few months ago… AMAZING. Made my gym seem so inferior for a few weeks until Lifetime was a distant memory. Enjoy your time in Vegas.
I just went to Vegas in June for the first time. We stayed on the strip, but did travel off the strip once or twice for other events and you’re right – it does feel like an entirely different city! Also, it was our first time to the desert and it was SO different from anywhere I’d ever been before. My skin was not built to handle that kind of blazing sunshine and dry air! I burnt to a crisp, but had a blast!