All good things must come to an end but we've had the time of our lives!

The day had come - we were going home.  The kids were so excited, Terry and I not so much!  I can honestly say i didn't want to go home.  Why would I when I was having the time of my life on holidays!?

Terry was up early for his game of golf - he was paired with a zillionaire Texan who was very down-to-earth.  Terry was blown away by having his own caddie, cart and the fact he was playing on Phil Mickelson's favourite course.  I was stoked as I'd planned this surprise for him - he reckoned it was one of the best days of his life!  Living the dream!  He even saw a gopher and a roadrunner.

The kids and I went for breakfast and then decided we'd go and watch Terry play the 18th hole.  Unfortunately he had finished ten minutes earlier, we'd just missed it.  Terry went and had lunch with his Texan mate Bill, whilst the kids and i went back to pack.  I then thought it would be a good idea to let the kids go back to kids club so i could pack in peace!  Best idea EVER!

By the time Terry came back from lunch, I'd packed all the bags and they all weighed under the 23kg limit!  Huge relief!  The bellman packed our car for us - I've found the value of tipping well - and we picked up the kids.   We were given a gelato each to send us on our way - leaving paradise and heading for Los Angeles Airport.

I was in disbelief - we were going home!

We decided to drive on Highway 1 to the airport so that we could check out the beaches along the way.  There was a concert at Huntington Beach for the conclusion of the US Open of Surfing and there were people everywhere!  Poor Terry (not) had a hard time concentrating on the road as every single girl was just wearing a bikini - no clothes in Huntington Beach!

Driving in LA was a bit stressful - at one stage we were on an eight lane freeway with another eight lanes going in the other direction.   I am happy that we didn't drive straight from LA when we arrived instead waiting until we drove to Vegas.  We dropped off the car and headed to the airport - it was 6pm and our flight was 10pm.  Couldn't have planned it better.  I still couldn't believe we were going home.

We boarded the plane, and over the loud speaker heard, 'I'm Captain Fred, the captain for this flight, so don't worry about a thing, just relax, she'll be right, and before you know it we'll be in Sydney'  It was so funny hearing the Australian accent and the colloquial language.  The flight was another shocker - I really don't like a night flight.  I'd much rather spend the time awake in the day than trying to sleep on a plane at night.  I managed to drift in and out of sleep for around five hours and that was pretty much it.  The Great Gatsby was one of the latest movies so that killed a few hours.  The kids did not complain once - they were so excited to be going home.

We landed at 6am and by 7:30am we'd picked up the hire car and we were on the way - back to Adamstown.  When we got home instead of being tired, we were all really excited.  Within an hour of unpacking Kylie turned up (chuffed as the kids screamed when they saw her and were cuddling her non-stop, they missed her so much!) then Reg and Chris called around, Bree, Sam, Spencer and then Brooke.  It was so good to see everyone again!!  When James and Spencer had their reunion they ran up to each other and swung each other around - James said life just wasn't the same without Spencer.  I missed the reunion but Bree said it was priceless.

I spent the rest day unpacking - I didn't want to sit down as I was afraid I would fall asleep.  By the time I went to bed every suitcase was unpacked and all the washing done!

It is a novelty being at home, so relaxing after our huge non-stop adventure.  The next day Terry played golf and I lazed around with the kids and Joey and Matty came over.  I then had the urge to cook - and when i do, there is no stopping me!  I hadn't cooked a meal for so long and all I wanted was a baked dinner.  I called Rainee and Bree and had both of them and all the kids over for dinner - the perfect way to finish the last few days of holidays.

Some things for me to remember:

* Only our family will get this - our favourite one-liners on the holiday: 'er, that stinks' and 'exactly'

* We had perfect weather the whole holiday.  The couple of days it did rain, I'd walk outside, the clouds would part and the sun would come out.  It was freaky - there was even a little shower whilst we were driving in the desert.

* I loved that straws come individually wrapped - everywhere.  In Australia I always choose a straw from the back.

* There are so many amazing cars in the US

* James found thirteen 1c pieces throughout the trip.

* The day before we left Will asked me what was my favourite holiday ever - I said this one.  He said camping.

* I asked James what was one thing he'd learnt on the holiday - he said he'd learnt that it was useless trying to get rich panning for gold.

* In America they put cream and a cherry on top of milkshakes and hot chocolates - even at Maccas.  James perfected saying, 'cream on the side'

* Will perfected, 'Still water, hold the lemon'

* After being in America for nearly 4 weeks we didn't notice the accent anymore - Will even spoke with an American accent once!


I could never find the words to describe how fantastic the holiday was.  With Terry being so sick at the beginning I didn't even know if we would all get there.  Everything went smoothly - every transfer, hotel booking, tour, flight and no lost luggage! 

We had the opportunity to spend nearly seven weeks together as a family which was the best part of all.  Instead of me saying, 'in a minute, in a minute', we were all living in the moment.

The 18th hole

Kids in the cart

Huntington Beach

Terry, this is as close to a Rolex you will ever get!  Made it to the airport in great time, 6pm.

Here we go - 15 hour flight home.

Family trip of a lifetime over but memories to last a life time!

THE END.

Life is grand.....at the 'Grand'

We all woke and decided we all definitely wanted to stay at the hotel that day.  San Diego was only 15 minutes away but we only had one full day of our holiday left and decided to make the most of it at the hotel.  We weren't going anywhere!

When we returned from the restaurant the night before, we had found on our bed a list of all the activites that were available around the resort the next day.  The hotel reminded me of the Kellerman's Hotel in the movie Dirty Dancing - for some reason, this resort just made me chuckle.  There was: a golf camp for children, a core circuit class (are you kidding i am on holidays!) wild wonders animal visit, Chef's class at the Five-Star Five-Diamond restaurant, inspiring yoga,  film night on the tennis lawn, horse racing, perfume making and photography lessons.

We decided to have breakfast first, then we would explore the resort.  We started our walk by checking out the pools.  There were four pools - some had underwater music, spas, and all were heated.  The weather was overcast but i was hoping the sun might start to peek through.

I had surprised Terry the day before we arrived at the hotel with the news i had booked him a round of golf on our last day, so we headed to the club house to find out about it.   They confirmed his game time and told him he would be playing with another guest.  Will asked his name, and after they told him, Will said, "Oh, I was just checking to see if he was playing with Adam Scott again."  The man told Terry he could arrange for him to have a practice at the driving range - Terry looked like all his Christmas's had come at once.  Well that was the end of exploring the resort - Terry and Will were off!   A cart and caddie was arranged for them and they headed off to the range.  As they were leaving Terry heard someone say, 'that guy has played with Adam Scott!' Good one Will.   Later I would hear that Terry reversed the cart into another cart - oh dear!  How much was this gonna cost?

James and I decided to head to the pool, just as the sun came brilliantly out!  I just wanted to relax but there would be no rest for me - I had to go in the pools with James.  He wanted to play!  A few hours later, Terry and Will had finished and met us at the pool - finally James could play with his brother and i could relax!

Sitting around the pool was an eye opener.  There were so many nannies! The parents would come and go but the nannies were the ones in the pool with the kids, feeding them and keeping them amused.  I had said to James when we were in the pool, "See those ladies, they are the kids' nannies."  After explaining what nannies did he asked, "Why would you want to be with a nanny and not with your mum?"  Fair comment!

The other funny thing was all of the men were older and had much younger wives!  Terry and I fitted perfectly in - apart from the fact we weren't dripping in gold.  Terry and I had been laying around the pool and this guy who i thought would have been 70 jumped into the pool - then we heard these little girls (about 6 and 7) calling, "Daddy, daddy, come here, play with us"  Then i'd worked it out - there had been two ladies lunching with this guy - i thought they were his daughters - but one was his wife.  The young kids were his daughters.  Terry and i felt right at home - all we were just missing was a nanny and the gazillions!

The kids were told about an Explorer's Club (kids club) that had an air hockey, table tennis, Wii, PS3 and Apple computers.  The kids were begging to go there so I arranged for them to go while Terry and I had dinner.

We headed up to Club M for a few drinks - this Club overlooked one of the holes on the golf course - then back to the Amaya!  We had an amazing dinner again.  Whenever you leave the room someone says to you, 'welcome back' or 'it's great to see you again'.  I kept thinking - i only left the room for a minute for goodness sake!!  This time we enjoyed a few muscats around the fire before heading back to pick up the kids.

The kids didn't want to leave so we were chatting to the girls who worked there.  They were 19 and really wanted to go to Australia.  We talked with them for nearly an hour - when we were going one of the girls told us we were the most hilarious family they had met there ever.  Hmmmm, was this a good thing??

When we got back to our room, we found rose petals and chocolates scattered over our pillows.  The question now is - when we get home, who is going to fold our toilet paper into a little triangle every time we leave the house?

Strolling the Grand

No Mazda 3's in sight

Prince James

Flowers in the lobby - changed each day

Checking out the resort

James and I lost again

Just one of the hundreds of original artworks around the hotel

One of the holes close to the pool

Pool time!

I look at this and wonder how James will go one day on his first trip backpacking around the world?
And yes, there is a blood orange mojito in the background - it was after 5pm somewhere!

Pool time after golf

Kids at kids Club - back to the Amaya!

I could get used to the good life - no cooking or cleaning for nearly 7 weeks!

'Welcome back, it's great to see you again'

Getting lost  (once again) picking up the kids after our night out - so many staircases, elevators and halls

Papa Doug - this is the guy who built the Grand Del Mar and appears to run the world.  There are photos all around the resort of him with celebrities, presidents and of course, great golfing legends.

Good Bye Vegas - hello luxury, the Grand Del Mar.

The moment had come - it was time for me to leave my adult Disneyland.

Good bye (sob sob) Las Vegas - I will be back one day!

With the car well and truly packed, we were on our way to the last destination on our holiday - we were going to finish the trip in style at the Grand Del Mar which is situated in Del Mar just 15 minutes north of San Diego.  This would be a five-six hour drive.

We had promised the kids we would take them to M&M's world in Vegas so we quickly stopped by on the way.  It was bigger than the one in London and the kids went crazy running up and down the five levels.  The kids found out that they could have their name printed on M&M's so they quickly chose some different colours and placed the M&M's down the chute.  Even i thought this was cool.

On the drive we called into a place called Ghost Town - I'd actually seen this place on Getaway a couple of months before.  We were hoping to see a real abandoned unchanged Ghost Town however it was commercialised that much that we only spent about 5 minutes there - and the kids M&M's were starting to melt in the 42 degree heat.

We called into Maccas on the way - I'd ended up with so much loose change and this was going to be a good chance to get rid of the lot.  I had so many 1c pieces - they really are annoying and i couldn't help thinking how glad i was that Australia had ditched them.  I felt sorry for the poor girl t the counter but i told her, 'don't worry, I am going back to Australia soon, you will never see me again."

We really enjoyed the drive, the freeways are just unbelievable and we easily made our way with the help of the GPS - until Miss Garmin sent us off the freeway and into a part of San Bernardino that we clearly didn't want to be in.  We stopped out the front of a house to work out where the GPS had put us and found a big, angry bull mastiff barking at us, then a gang appeared from the driveway - we were out of there quick sticks!  Miss Garmin hadn't factored in a new freeway but i had my iphone so I used the maps app to guide us out to the safety of a six lane freeway - first time I've ever had success with a map was when i really needed it!

Six and a half hours later,  we arrived at the Grand Del Mar - this is the number one hotel in America.  I was going to finish the last two nights of the trip in luxury and style!!

"Welcome to the Grand Del Mar, Mrs Marlborough" - music to my ears.  As the bellman unpacked our car we were taken into the amazing lobby and given refreshing eucalyptus towels to freshen our faces.  Bliss.  While we checked in, the kids were taken to a large suitcase to choose a gift.  Then we taken down to our room.

The hotel is like a huge maze and i swear i still didn't know my way out even on the last day - thank goodness William worked out the way.  The concierge showed us around the hotel on the way and we knew right from the start we wouldn't want for anything whilst we were staying there.  They were ready for us, but would they really be ready for the Marlboroughs?

Our room was the most incredible hotel room I have ever seen - everything was gold.  There were gold taps, gold handles, hey even the TV had a gold frame.  The bath was so deep with a TV at the end.  Geez, there was even a phone and original artwork in the toilet!  Sliding doors opened out to the grounds which were just as spectacular as the room.  We had planned on going to Sea World the next day - but after seeing this hotel - there was no way the four of us were going anywhere.  When you are in one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, why on earth would you want to leave to battle the crowds at Seaworld?

We decided to go for dinner at the more 'casual' restaurant, Amaya.  After our meals we were told there was a huge firepit to sit around.  The funny thing was, our server had told us that whenever we wanted the fire on he could arrange it.  All this meant was he would push a button and the artificial log fire would ignite - and it was warm!  It was now down to about 20 degrees which was a nice change after the 40 degree heat of the desert.

Part way through the dinner, Terry went off to find the 'restroom'.  He passed another guest on his way, "G'Day mate, haven't seen a loo around have ya?"  The man looked aghast and said, 'No sir, there is a lavatory by the way though'.  Terry finally found the 'loo' and there was a Picasso in it!  We were laughing because Terry said, "he wasn't very friendly"  I said to him, 'yeah no kidding, listen to the way we speak!  Haven't seen a loo around have ya? He would have been in shock!"

The people dining in the restaurant were all very well to do.  The women may have had the clothes, the bags and the shoes but i was the one downing the cocktails and having the most fun!

After dinner, the four of us went and sat around the huge firepit and had dessert and port.  The waiter came up to Terry and said, "Excuse me sir, have you finished with dessert?"  Terry says, "Yeah, she'll be right mate.  I piked out."

You see the Marlboroughs can try to walk the walk but they definitely can't talk the talk!!

M&M's Las Vegas!

The desert

More rain in the desert!

Welcome cookies

More gold - the golden key!

The 'grounds'

I'm sure security were watching!

Our suite

Dinner at Amaya

Instant fire - wouldn't want to poor guests getting smoke in their eyes.

I don't want to leave......Vegas I'll be back.

I had 24 hours left in Vegas and I was going to make the most of every second!!

Started the day with a beautiful healthy breakie at the Four Seasons Hotel, then off for our last shopping trip.  The taxi driver told us we should go to the outlets for the best shopping - i was after MAC and Napoleon makeup - and he assured me it would be there.  The driver used to be a pro surfer he was telling us and knew Mark Richards.  We arrived at the outlets - and as I had thought, no makeup.  We had a quick look around and Terry and the boys bought some Adidas and Nike gear.

We then caught another taxi to the Fashion Show Mall - this time the driver was a really loud Japanese man - even louder than me.  We were all trying really hard not to laugh but it was a funny drive.  All the locals are talking about the weather here - they are saying it is, 'perfect unusual weather - normally it is 15 degrees hotter'  Seems we really did bring the great weather with us.

We headed back to the hotel to go to the wave pool again.  Terry and the kids hit the pool so i decided to hit the cocktails.  We chatted to a couple from Kentucky who were on their annual Vegas vacation - I asked them what they did for work - they didn't have to work, family money he told me!  His friend was the guy who took Kentucky Fried Chicken global - probably all a croc but who would know and who really cares?

Time to leave the pool and get ready for dinner and the Cirque Du Soleil Beatles Love Show at the Mirage.   It was the best show i have ever seen - I just loved it and didn't want it to end.  For me, it brought back a lot of memories of listening to the Beatles as a kid when mum would be playing it.  Each song was re-produced as an interpretive, circus based artistic stage performance.  Terry loved it as well.  I didn't realise the kids didn't know a lot of Beatles songs - the only one James said he knew was Yellow Submarine and they didn't play the song!  It did keep them interested though and was a fantastic night - can't recommend it highly enough.  Standing ovation again!!

We decided to catch a taxi back to the hotel - the Mirage is a lot further down the strip from where we are staying and Terry's poor feet are still blistered from our days at Disney.  We got to the front of the long line and were waiting for the next taxi to pull up - then funniest thing happened.  This lady and her two children - all dressed to the nines in matching gold jackets and Chanel bags - walked to the front of the line and said to her kids, 'we don't have to wait in line with all the rest, we have a special card, watch this'.  Special card?  Anyway, a couple of minutes later, the guy looking after the taxis asked her what she was doing at the front - she waved her special card in the air.  He then turned to her and said, 'Look lady, that is only a special card for the Bellagio - you'll have to go to the back of the line and wait like everyone else'  Her jaw dropped to the floor - the look on her face was priceless - and just at that moment our taxi pulled up and off we went.

Terry put the kids to bed and I headed out for my last night in the Casino.  I started with the pokies and managed to lose a bit quite quick.  I decided to change to roulette, my favourite game.  Now without boring you to tears, lets just say that i played roulette for around 3 hours - I was up then down then up then down.  It was starting to get very late and i knew i had to call it a night soon.  I pulled out and collected my chips.  Happy that i hadn't lost the lot, I chose a $100 chip and placed it on black.   One of the other players said, 'Wow, you must be pretty certain black is going to come up'  I told him i was either going to leave Vegas a winner or loser and I placed another $100 chip on top.  $200 on black - yikes!!  Spurned on, the other players then started piling chips on black too.  Oh my goodness, this was exciting - was i going to be the fool or the hero?

The croupier spun the wheel.......then spun the ball....... spinning........spinning.....and it came up on.....BLACK!!!  YAY!!!  I was the hero.  Cheers and high fives all around the table, I collected my $400 and - cheshire cat smile once again on my face - called it a day and headed to bed.

I HADN'T LOST ONE CENT IN VEGAS!!  I WAS EVEN.

Terry was especially impressed!

Hot Chocolate with marshmellows and cream

My healthy breakie complete with carrot juice shooter - trying to make up for the night before

Love the wave pool

Lucky Bel - I don't want to leave!!  This is the place for me - don't worry Vegas, I will return.
(Yes my drink is blue)

Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage

Vegas - Saved the best til last!

I just love Vegas.  I just don't know why It's taken all these years for me to get here!

We started the morning with 'Sunday Brunch' at the Four Seasons - I'd read about this brunch and was not disappointed.  There was just the most amazing food - bircher muesli, peaches and cottage cheese, all different yoghurts, huge bowls of raspberries and blackberries, spectacular danishes, bacon cooked every way, sausages, eggs hollandaise, omelette station, french toast, banana pancakes, egg white fritattas, real hash browns, beef hash, bread and butter pudding with vanilla anglaise, marscapone parcels with lemon curd, fresh cooked donuts (the kids just had donuts for breakfast, we're on holidays after all) fresh juices - my favourite was watermelon and berry.  I ate and ate and ate - I am going to have to walk a lot when i get home!

We then went down to the pools at Mandalay - it was around 9:30am so there was mainly families there - all the rest of the crowd would have still been asleep!  We haven't had the excessive heat and have had some very light rain - kind of like i am getting mist from one of the sprayers they have all around this place - it's heaven.  No one here seems to get sun burnt - the sun just isn't like ours.  I am wearing sunscreen still but there is just no powerful heat in the sun.  I haven't seen anyone burnt here either.

It is just so hilarious around the pool - I just lay there on my sun recliner with the biggest smile on my face the whole time - people must think I am strange but this place is surreal!  80's music is pumping, lifeguards are all buff wearing red one pieces like in Baywatch, girls with glamorous hair and fake boobs parade around in bikinis.  It's just like the movies.  The kids were deliriously happy in the wave pool - no need for me to go in with them these days - and hey, there are at least ten lifeguards watching the wave pool as well.  I was relaxing in the beautiful sun, getting lightly misted by rain that has never fallen in Vegas during summer, flicking through a magazine - why wouldn't i be sitting there looking like a cheshire cat!

Then the scream........aaarrrrgghhhhhhhhhh Mum!!  Oh no, I had seen this coming, James has taken a chunk of his skin off his chin in the wave pool - and just like that, there ended my morning around the pool.  Poor kid was bawling - and young Jim is pretty tough.  Never mind, we'd been there for a few hours, up to the room for some rest and to sort out his chin.

Terry and the kids were happy chilling out so I went down to the Casino for Round 2.  Whilst I lost money on the pokies I quickly gained it back on roulette.  I couldn't believe the good luck i was having!  My numbers kept coming out, 5 of them in a row!  Recovered my losses and ended up bailing when i was even again after 3 hours of play.  Happy days!

Off to the Bellagio for the Buffet (great advice Ron!) - it was the biggest buffet I have ever seen - so much to choose from, we didn't know where to start! Terry was particularly impressed by the all you can drink beer for $10.  They brought him a beer every 15 minutes and kept telling him to drink up!

 We then went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show, O.  It was just incredible - the people in the show are just so unbelievably flexible and athletic.  The show is based around a pool with amazing acrobatics,  diving and music.  I sat there for half of the show with my hand over my mouth.  When it was over we walked home, stopping out the front of the casinos along the way.  The kids saw plenty of Vegas on the walk - let's just say they were happy to get safely home!

I am having the time of my life in Vegas - the highlight of the trip for me!!

On our way to the Bellagio

James and his sore chin

O at the Bellagio

Getting a bit crazy for the kids

Where are you Nanny Chris and Pop Phil? - WE NEED A BABYSITTER!!!