IAAAM Conference 2011 in Las Vegas

It was the first weekend in May that I jetted out to Las Vegas for the IAAAM conference and board meeting. I was only there for 3 days, but was able to get out and see a little bit of the strip. We stayed at the Mirage and believe it or not I did not lose a single dime in the casino. Of course, I didn't play either. I was surprised to see that none of the machines allowed for coins to be dropped in. You could buy a card or put bills in, but I was not prepared for that sort of big spending. I experienced enough of Vegas to want to go back on true vacation one day with the family (and a bigger wallet) to see more of the area and even a show or two. Here are some pictures I took.

These are Sigfried and Roy's Lions and Tigers

This was found in the Caesar's Palace Shopping Mall 



"There's 104 days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end it..."

It is official, summer vacation has begun as the kids have been out of school for a week. Of course, I have been in school now for a week (summer semester) as well, but things are getting off to a rocky start.

Ryan started the summer with his normal wheezing and coughing fits which prompted us to pick up the oral and inhaled steroid treatments again. We now know to expect this every summer and fall, but keep hoping he will grow out of it soon. Luckily, the treatments have been working as we have been able to push back to just the morning and night dose of Pulmicort and his coughing has diminished noticeably. He is still a happy child though, full of smiles and hugs, even when sick.

Ashley has been struck by strep throat though and is in the course of an antibiotic treatment with coughing and sore throat. Unfortunately, it coincides with the start of vacation bible school and a summer engineering camp she is attending. We believe she is passed the infectious stage so we are going to send her and see what happens.

Otherwise, it has been hot with temperatures in the mid to high 90's for the last couple of weeks. It is definitely being hailed as one of the worst weather years on record with the snow in January, the tornadoes in April and now the record high temps. Maybe the Mayans knew what they were talking about and we have a little over a year to get our affairs in order.



On a good note, Cathy and I will have been married 20 years this August and when thinking about it last night, I couldn't figure out which made me feel older: that I have been married for almost 20 years or that we are celebrating by seeing the musical Les Miserables for a 3rd time. Oh well, I guess when we get home I can perform my poorly executed John Bohnam impression. Oh dang, there goes that age thing again!

So until next time, try to stay cool.