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Denise Celebrates a Milestone Birthday

10/31/10 - Las Vegas, NV

Taking a road trip to Sin City to give Scott's mom a special surprise for a special birthday

Even though we had just returned from a whirlwind 2-week trip to France 10 days earlier, we couldn't resist the lure of a road trip when Scott's dad asked us if we could come in Las Vegas in order to surprise Scott's mom for her 60th birthday.  We jumped in the van early on Friday morning of Halloween weekend, coincidentally passing Hoover Dam precisely when Scott's parents were to be there taking a tour of the new bridge and dam.  We thought we'd stop and take a look at the newly finished bridge, where we nearly ruined the surprise when we happened to run into Scott's dad!  Luckily, Denise didn't spot us and we continued on to Las Vegas, surprising her in high style at L'Atelier (de Joel Robuchon), where we were waiting at our table with Darrin and Buddy, who had surprised her the day before, when she and Jerry arrived.  The look on her face was priceless and the surprise was a success!  Happy birthday, Denise!


Scott admires Hoover Dam from the new Colorado River Bridge

 

At the Imperial Palace tram station, on our way to Denise's surprise dinner

 

At L'Atelier in the MGM Grande: our amuse bouche of foie gras foam with mushrooms - simply divine!

 

The birthday dessert at L'Atelier

 

Red Rock Conservation Area just outside Las Vegas

 

The swank Crystals mall, part of the new City Center, right on the Strip

 

Sampling the delicious white anchovy tapa at Julian Serrano

 

Public art at the City Center


Caroline poses on the new Colorado River Bridge over the Hoover Dam less than two weeks after it was opened to traffic

 

View of Hoover Dam from the new Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (aka, the Colorado River Bridge)

 

The new bridge over the Colorado River at Hoover Dam

 

Scott poses with his mom after the shock wears off

 

Foie gras sliders at L'Atelier - yum!

 

The Brooks Family, L-R: Buddy, Darrin, Jerry, Denise, Scott & Caroline

 

Red Rock Conservation Area just outside Las Vegas

 

Enjoying the sangria - red for her, white for him - at Julian Serrano in the new Aria Casino Hotel

 

The new City Center on the Strip