Academy of Country Music Awards

What a trip!

Saturday

Darren and I left Saturday afternoon and upon arriving in the Las Vegas Airport we were greeted by Dr. Pepper (our host for the trip). We were taken to the MGM Grand Hotel in a nice big bus and checked in. We then went and picked up all our tickets and information from the Dr. Pepper desk. We then got ready for the Dr. Pepper Welcome Reception that was taking place that night in a big ballroom. Well we weren't sure what to expect and being pregnant I thought it would be safe to eat first. So McDonald's it was. We got to the reception and was amazed at how much Dr. Pepper did for the party. It was a complete catered event with a full free bar. So having eaten I felt so dumb. Don't worry I still enjoyed their food. They had a band playing and then from 7-8 Chuck Wicks entertained the crowd. We had so much fun and even got daring and danced a little. When we returned to our room that night we found a welcome gift from Dr. Pepper, they had left us a cool little cooler filled with Dr. Pepper drinks. They had also given us some really nice watches.

Sunday

We woke up and went down to the MGM breakfast buffet (which was also included in the trip). The food was good and we were full and ready for the long day. We did a little shopping and played around in the gift shops. We went back to our room for about 2 hours to rest before the busy afternoon and night. We got ready in our nicest clothes and went to the Dr. Pepper pre-telecast party in the same ballroom from the night before. They also had it catered and it was all BBQ food (ribs, chicken, chili, cornbread, watermelon, corn on the cob). So this was a tough meal to eat in our nicest clothes. They had a band play for us and about 4:00 we left to go get our seats for the ACM Awards. Just so you know, I was wearing the highest heels I had ever worn, and my feet didn't appreciate the surprise going from daily flip flop wearing to these. I was carrying them by now and didn't expect to put them back on. We ended up with really great seats for the show and enjoyed it so much. The energy in the room makes the show even better. We did leave 30 min. before it ended to get to the All Star After Jam early and get a good table. We had no idea but people were buying tickets for the after party for up to $1000 a piece. We got there and did get great seats and enjoyed the free appetizers and drinks. John Rich MC'd the event and was hammered by the time he got there. He was really obnoxious!! We had such a fun night and were amazed by the entertainment. Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Emerson Drive, Jimmy Wayne, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Trace Atkins, James Otto, Jamey Johnson, and others performed the night away. I physically shut down about 12:30 in the morning and had to go back to the room and sleep. It was definitely an awesome party and I think I enjoyed it better than the awards show.

Monday

So when we woke up Monday morning we were still drained from the previous day. I started packing up our stuff and then we went downstairs and ate at the buffet for breakfast. We then had to catch our bus to the airport and left to come home. We flew in and went straight to get Madison and Marli from Allie's house. We missed them more than we had expected so seeing them made me glad to be home.

So overall it was a very eventful weekend. We never even left MGM. Even if we had wanted to gamble there was no time. This trip was night and day different than last years trip. I am so lucky to have won this trip 2 years in a row!! Darren and I had such a great time and we enjoyed the time away together.