it. The reason for the trip is because each year AT&T honors their top employees. By 'top' I mean only the top 3% of employees are invited to attend the awards trip. Honorees have to meet several different criteria, one being sales. Fortunately for us, Eric is #1 in sales at his office and has been for a while now. He may not sell ice to Eskimos, but he has sold DSL to those who don't even have a computer. (True story!) Because of all his hard work, this was the second year in a row for him to be recognized as an AT&T Circle of Excellence winner. Last year each region recognized their own winners separately and our trip was to the Hyatt Regency Hill Country in San Antonio. That was very nice and a great trip, but nothing compared to this year. This year the company flew all the winners to Vegas for an all expense paid weekend to the Wynn Resort. And by "all expense paid", I mean from Friday-Sunday all winners and their guests didn't have to pay for a thing, except personal spending money. And even on Saturday night, they gave everyone some spending money! Airfare, hotel, gratuities, meals...all taken care of. And it was NICE not having to worry about a thing or a little person running around! But let me back up for a minute. Eric and I decided to get there a day early to do what we wanted to do- shop! So we arrived in Vegas on Thursday afternoon and checked in at Excalibur. (Since we got there a day early we had to foot the hotel bill that first night & decided to find a cheap room.) When we checked in, we were told that we were being upgraded to a suite! Woo-hoo! We had a separate livi
ng area and even had a whirlpool tub in our room. And after all the shopping we did at the outlets that day, I sure did use the whirlpool to relax that night! Afterwards, we decided that since the rest of the trip was paid for, we could splurge a bit and have dinner at Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York New York. Eric remembered walking by it the last time we were in Vegas. He also is a Letterman fan and had to try this place since Letterman talks about the one in NYC all the time. Here is a picture outside the restaurant. Seriously, the steaks were that big! Everything was wonderful and all the portions were huge. I was so glad that we were in Vegas because afterwards we got to walk everything off.
On Friday we checked into the Wynn...right at the time that ALL the AT&T winners were checking in too. This year, instead of dividing up by region, winners from all over the country were together. Of course, we happen to get into the line where the computer was down. Every time the lady tried to check us in her computer would shut down. Those around us who had been on a plane all morning were angry and frustrated. Fortunately for us we had a whirlpool to relax us the night before so we were actually patient while waiting. Our patience paid off because when we were finally able to check in we were upgraded to room with a beautiful view. While most of the company guests were on the first 20 floors we were on the 58th! Seriously, my ears would pop each time I was in the elevator.
ng area and even had a whirlpool tub in our room. And after all the shopping we did at the outlets that day, I sure did use the whirlpool to relax that night! Afterwards, we decided that since the rest of the trip was paid for, we could splurge a bit and have dinner at Gallagher's Steakhouse in New York New York. Eric remembered walking by it the last time we were in Vegas. He also is a Letterman fan and had to try this place since Letterman talks about the one in NYC all the time. Here is a picture outside the restaurant. Seriously, the steaks were that big! Everything was wonderful and all the portions were huge. I was so glad that we were in Vegas because afterwards we got to walk everything off.On Friday we checked into the Wynn...right at the time that ALL the AT&T winners were checking in too. This year, instead of dividing up by region, winners from all over the country were together. Of course, we happen to get into the line where the computer was down. Every time the lady tried to check us in her computer would shut down. Those around us who had been on a plane all morning were angry and frustrated. Fortunately for us we had a whirlpool to relax us the night before so we were actually patient while waiting. Our patience paid off because when we were finally able to check in we were upgraded to room with a beautiful view. While most of the company guests were on the first 20 floors we were on the 58th! Seriously, my ears would pop each time I was in the elevator.
Check out the view from our room! The entire wall was a window. When Treasure Island would do its show at night, the people crowded around to see it looked like ants. Of course the view was even more beautiful at night, but I couldn't get a good picture through the window. The room itself was beautiful, too. There was a bathtub that I took advantage of (I got to take the bubble bath, not give one to kid
s this time) and did I mention there was a flat screen TV in the bathroom that I was watching while in the tub? I also enjoyed how every time housekeeping left they would leave their comfy slippers right next to your bed. I could have stayed in the room all weekend, except we were in Vegas...hello!
s this time) and did I mention there was a flat screen TV in the bathroom that I was watching while in the tub? I also enjoyed how every time housekeeping left they would leave their comfy slippers right next to your bed. I could have stayed in the room all weekend, except we were in Vegas...hello! So, that first night was the award ceremony followed by the banquet/dance. Here is Eric accepting his award from his 'team's' VP. I think there were like 6-8 different award ceremonies going on in different rooms all divided by which 'team' you were on. Eric's office actually had 5 other reps, 2 managers and their area manager who qualified for this team, too. It was fun. We got to meet other team people from all over- Florida, Connecticut, Illinois. Then all groups combined for the banquet and dance. I think I heard there were about 1200 people in the banquet hall.
Then Saturday after breakfast, all winners and their guests got to go on a pre-selected excursion. Eric and I chose to go on a raft ride down the Colorado River. We figured that was something we probably wouldn't choose to do on our own, so why not? It was a 3 hour tour on a motorized raft (no rapids). It was a cool day, but very HOT during the tour. But it was beautiful! After the raft ride we headed back to the hotel and got to drive over the Hoover Dam. We didn't get to get down, but we still got to 
see the Dam which was still so cool. 
see the Dam which was still so cool. 
So...basically that was our Vegas trip. We had Saturday night free- with spending money! I was determined to see how fun the slots can be. My third time in Vegas and I had never gambled before! My first try I told Eric that it felt like literally throwing money in the garbage. So I went for the lower value slots and got bored after 10 minutes. So that was my gambling experience and it confirmed that I am not a gambler! But I still enjoy Vegas. I enjoyed getting away with my husband and spending time alone without having to worry about getting back home to put the kids to bed. I enjoyed not having to worry about the kids. I love them so much and missed them, but being a SAHM is a 24-hour job so it was nice to get away. I enjoyed being able to take a loooong bath without interruptions and not having to cook or clean. I even enjoyed the noise of the casinos. At least it wasn't the sound of cries, screams and yells of my 2 kids fighting! To all my moms reading this to take time to get away without kids once in a while, if you can. I came back relaxed and stress free...even if it only lasted a few days! And to my husband- I had a great time! Thanks for all the hard work you do for our family. You totally deserved this trip and deserve many more to come!
2 comments:
Sounds like y'all had a great, well deserved time!
To my 'degree-d' housewife,
Sweet, you really didn't have to create a blog about me. That was very thoughtful of you. I hope to qualify for many more Company Sponsored events and will make sure your by my side every time. Thanks for keeping me motivated and focused year around.
Eric
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