The Maceira Family

Hiking in the Canyon

2008-12-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

We took the babies back to Red Rock this weekend. It was a little chilly and overcast, perfect day for some moderate hiking! Bailey and Morgan did great...except for Morgan attempting to jump up the side of a rock wall that Luis and I climbed onto to take a picture. We found a great trail called the Sandquarry that we'll definitely try again...after we invest in some hiking boots for the pups!

UFC Fight

2008-11-24T09:05:00.000-08:00

Shell & PJ came into town for the Couture vs. Lesnar fight and were nice enough to take Luis with them for his first fight EVER. It was at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena. Even though Lesnar won, the boys had a great time! All 4 of us had an awesome weekend...which included a BIG Gator win over South Carolina! Go Gators!

Our weekend in Newport Beach

2008-10-21T13:52:00.001-07:00

We're learning that one of the beauties of living in Las Vegas is the close proximity to so many other fun cities. Since the Gators had a bye-week, we drove to Newport Beach, California this past weekend. It was beautiful. We stayed at the newly renovated Newport Beach Marriott, which is really close to Balboa Island and PCH. On Saturday, we took a wine tour on a double-decker bus. The tour took us to Huntington Beach & Sunset Beach. Saturday night we went out to dinner with an old college friend, Gina, and her boyfriend Don. When we woke up on Sunday, we went to Main Street on Huntington Beach for an early lunch, some NFL watching, and a walk on the infamous Huntington Pier. We had a blast!

The boys in Vegas

2008-10-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Cerge, Justin, Paul, Chris, Rosie, Zak, and J-Welt were all in town the weekend of the LSU game for Welt's bachelor party. The boys went to Tao on Friday night, where Cerge managed to pull off the coup of all coups with the VIP host - earning himself the title Mr. VIP. Saturday, we watched the Gators kick some LSU ass at the Bellagio sportsbook and then went to Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto at Rain in the Palms. Good times had by all...even though Paul couldn't win a hand of blackjack to save his life. :-(

Our first Vegas houseguests!

2008-09-22T17:33:00.001-07:00

We had our first visitors this weekend, Palmieri & Lisa, and we had a blast! The four of us had a jam-packed weekend: Moon, Playboy Club, watching the Gators kick some Tennessee ass at the MGM Grand sports book, Lisa teaching Shannon how to play craps, Tao, photo bombing, the cab ride from hell, chilling at the Red Rock pool where Lisa taught Shannon how to play blackjack, dinner at Firefly, the Sex & The City DVD release party at Tryst, and a farewell lunch at Mr. Lucky's at Hard Rock.

We were so sad to see them leave today...but happy that they left us with warm water! For the month that we have been here, we couldn't figure out why we couldn't take a hot shower. Lisa randomly told Palmieri to see if our hot water heater was turned on...low and behold, it wasn't! So, the Palmieri family saved the day!

The view from our neighborhood

2008-09-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our neighborhood, West Park. We're a few minutes from Red Rock Canyon...it's amazing. We keep laughing because it looks fake - we're not in Florida anymore, Toto! Enjoy.

Bailey on the Strip

2008-09-17T10:56:00.001-07:00

We thought everyone would enjoy the pic of Bailey cruising down the strip on his first day (hour?) in Las Vegas. This is right around the Wynn. Morgan was a little scared by all the lights & sounds, so she wouldn't put her head out the window. But Bailey loved it!

We're here...um...we've been here!

2008-09-17T09:30:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! Sorry for going MIA on the move updates! We've been out here for about a month and just been consumed by moving, unpacking, getting settled, etc. But it's amazing out here - we love it so far! we promise to post pics of the house and our neighborhood and just Vegas in general ASAP. In the meantime, here is a list of fun things we've been doing to find our way around & become Vegas locals:

1. Drove Bailey & Morgan down the strip - we did this as soon as we rolled into town after 3 days of driving...it was well worth it!

2. Watched the Olympics at Jay Z's 40/40 Club - this was before our furniture arrived & before 40/40 Club closed! We caught it just in time!

3. Celebrated Labor Day at Wet Republic's pool party...and saw Wilmer Valderamma!

4. Took the Bailey & Morgan out to Red Rock Canyon to do a mini-hike (very mini...) and drive to the uppermost point...pictures to follow

5. Had dinner & drinks at the infamous Tao

6. Relaxed at the pool at Red Rock...probably the nicest pool we've seen in all of Las Vegas (and it's right across the street from our house!)

7. Watched the 1st two Gator games with the Las Vegas Gator Club - amazingly enough, they have 500 members out here & they get a great turnout for all the games. Go Gators!

8. Found an awesome little locals bar, Three Angry Wives - full bar, Golden Tee, and the Sunday ticket - our kind of place

So all in all, everything has been great. We're really happy & excited to be out here. Our first round of guests will be coming this week - Palmieri & Pumpkin. We can't wait for everyone else to come visit!

Love,

Luis & Shannon
Bailey & Morgan

We're leaving today!

2008-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! We're getting on the road today...kinda scary, really exciting. We're hoping to get to Vegas sometime on Saturday afternoon. Luis starts work on Monday, and our furniture arrives on Tuesday. So, yes, we'll be sleeping on an air mattress for a few nights. Fun stuff.

Please, please, please call us as much as possible while we're driving! We'll need as many distractions as we can get over the next 2-3 days.

xoxo,
Luis & Shannon
Bailey & Morgan

Sunday Dinner with the Jantzolines!

2008-07-29T09:11:00.001-07:00

Gina and PJ hosted a beautiful dinner for us on Sunday night...Bower, Paul, Kathy, Mike, Tony, and Toni were all there to celebrate with us. Gina absolutely outdid herself (once again!) with all of her cooking. Not only did we have her famous meatballs...but she debuted her soon-to-be-famous lasagna. Emeril (and Aunt Mary!) would've been very impressed.

Thanks again to everyone who was at dinner and to the Jantzolines for everything they've done for us. We're gonna miss you guys! Tear. :-(

P.S. Sorry that we didn't take a group picture...I figured the lasagna was the next best shot!

Packing the first box...

2008-07-29T09:03:00.001-07:00

It was a monumental moment!

As of last night, the entire house is packed - thanks to Donna & Jim! They spent this past weekend helping us get everything in order and ready to go for the movers next Tuesday. Thanks, mom & dad! We couldn't have gotten it done without you!

East Coast Farewell Tour (cont'd)

2008-07-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

On the second leg of our East Farewell Tour, Luis' high school buddy, Jason Kovalcin, picked an awesome dive bar for all of us to have a few drinks at. If you're ever in NYC, check out the Patriot Bar on Church Street. Then, try to picture Luis at the Patriot Bar on Church Street. It was entertaining. We had an awesome time with Jason and can't wait for him to book his flight to come see us!

East Coast Farewell Tour (cont'd)

2008-07-29T08:49:00.001-07:00

Goocher Man!!! While in NYC, we got to meet up with Dave Gaucher (Goocher!) and his beautiful girlfriend, Cynthia, for a few drinks. For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of meeting Gooch, he was my (Shannon) big brother during my reign of terror in Gainesville. He taught me how to make drinks, kept me out of trouble, and even got me a few jobs. Dave & Cynthia promise to come visit us in Vegas...and we're definitely going to take them up on their offer to go back to NYC.

East Coast Farewell Tour

2008-07-23T08:35:00.001-07:00

First stop - Sanibel Island...an evening with the Burns Family Team

We had an awesome time with Jeff & Tiff in Sanibel. The four of us rode bikes to Casa Ybel's pool bar, Coconuts. You know the saying "you never forget how to ride a bike"? Well, I (Shannon) did. Luckily, one of their clients was able to loan us a three-wheeler. It was awesome! I'm a true Lance Armstrong now...

We had a blast in Sanibel. Thanks, Jeff & Tiff!

P.S. Tell McKenzie that Bailey will miss her. :-(

Our move date

2008-07-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Our move dates have changed (quickly!) since the last time we spoke to most of you. Fortunately, Luis' company - Pacific Coast Supply - is extremely excited to have him on board. Unfortunately, that means that we'll be moving in early August instead of early September. :-(

So, our schedule looks like this:

8/5: Moving truck leaves our house
8/5 - 8/7: We live at the Jantzoline Manor (Thanks, G & Petey!)
8/7: We start the 36-hour drive to Las Vegas
8/8: Luis contemplates turning around because Shannon won't drive
8/9: We arrive in Las Vegas!
8/11: Luis starts work
8/11 - 9/24: Shannon works remotely for Corrigo
9/29: Shannon starts work at the Nevada Cancer Institute

This all happened pretty fast, but we're both so excited for our new jobs and our new house! With the new timeframe, we won't get to see everyone before we go...but we hope that entices everyone to book a flight to come out and see us soon!

xoxo

Welcome!

2008-07-21T14:28:00.001-07:00

Hello family and friends! Welcome to our blog! As most of you know by now...we are moving to Las Vegas. We thought this would be a great way for everyone to stay updated on our move and our lives once we are out there. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Love,

Luis & Shannon

Bailey & Morgan