Our day was mainly our own today, apart from a few meetings to prepare for the start of the TCO. We spent several hours walking outside and through a few of our favorite spots, as well as exploring a few new ones.
Breakfast this morning was an easy choice. We walked across Las Vegas Boulevard to The Venetian to the Bouchon Bakery. We found this spot last year, and will always make a point of stopping there at least once from now on! We selected a few breakfast sweets, including a cheese danish and this cinnamon bun.
After losing $5 on quarter slots in the Venetian Casino (Justin forced me, though I didn’t put up too much of a fight 
we walked over to The Bellagio. The Bellagio atrium garden is always one of our favorites.
Every year that we have come it has a different theme and we always spend some time marveling at the plants and decorations. There were five or six GIANT (real) pumpkins displayed, as well as some impressive curly trees and gorgeous glass leaves hanging from the ceiling.
From the Bellagio we continued walked and found ourselves at the new Tram Station to the brand spankin’ new City Center complex. We had a few minutes to wait for the Tram, and I have photographic proof that my husband can smile normally into a camera. :)
We exited the Tram at the Crystals and Aria station, and walked through the shops and up and down escalators through the new spaces. Really, I enjoyed walking around the exterior a bit more – it seemed more impressive from the outside than from the inside, but these water tornadoes were fun to watch for awhile.
Dinner was a special event that was planned ahead of time – reservations at Bouchon. And it was exceptional. Delicious. Fun. New. Amazing.
Salmon Rillettes. A mixture of butter, fresh salmon, smoked salmon, lemon and creme fraiche. Totally did not know what we were ordering, and were rewarded with an amazing starter.
My dinner - Gnocchi with spinach, tiny tomatoes, and sweet peppers. sooooo goooood.
Justin's dinner. Pan seared Day Boat Scallops with Jura poached Fuji Apples and Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc. Close-your-eyes-and-moan good.
We only come here once a year. No joke we're ordering dessert! Profiteroles with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Valrhona Chocolate Sauce, and in the background, Chocolate Bouchons with Banana Ice Cream and Caramelized Bananas. Worth it.
After dinner we enjoyed walking and talking with people at the opening reception of the TopCoder Open. The competitions and events start first thing tomorrow morning!
