Homeward bound.....

Sitting in LAX airport waiting to board our Virgin Atlantic plane.....what an amazing holiday/journey the past 3 weeks have been for Daniel and I....we have seen skyscapers, varied neon signs, stayed in Wigwams, gone through the petrified forest, got enaged and of course completed Route 66 and it seems like we have been away for ages.....however what a memorable, lifechanging trip this has been and I am sure will never be forgotten....K x

Echoing that. what a trip. I’d reccommend it to anyone wanting to sample some American charm, views and hospitality. Highlights include [believe it or not] the time we were stuck in the storm in Tucumcari, the sights of empty old route 66, the wigwam motel, the chicago skyline from the river cruise, the first day of driving and of course our amazing day at the Grand Canyon - a day we both agreed not 45 mins ago that we will truly cherish and remember for ever. d.

Now this is the LA Life......

Just a short note today to say just how much we are loving the LA lifestyle..... Though it was cloudy yesterday in Santa Monica we hired out some bikes and headed down to Venice Beach for lunch. It’s only a short 5 mile or so, so nothing too challenging! After lunch in Venice and a quick gawp at the weird and wild of Venice - kind of Camden by the sea we supposed - we went down to the Santa Monica Aquarium to sea some real wildlife. Topped of the day with a night at the Cinema to see the new Adam Sandler film Don’t Mess with the Zohan.

Today we decided to not wait around and wait for the sun to break through and jumped into the car to see some sights. Sure enough no sooner had we parked up the sun popped out! We saw the, Kodak theatre, Mann theatre, the stars on the sidewalk, hand prints in the concrete etc...... then on to Griffith Park - the US’ largest municipal park - for some much needed sunbathing. From there it was all about the view from the Griffith Conservatory - over the whole of LA and a great view of the Hollywood sign. Then back to our gorgeous chic hotel for a real chill after a long day!! K and D. x

Vegas to LA

Our last night in Vegas saw us visit the Wynn one of Vegas’ newest Casino hotel’s for a Cirque du Soliel performance of La Reve. A show only ever to be seen in Vegas, it’s Cirque’s only water show. Acrobats climb and jump dive and swim all around the arena in spectacular fashion. The stage the lights and performances were all amazing - needing to be seen to be be beleived. Josh and Ailis [and MnM] would love it! We then left the next morning for LA stopping in san Bernardino for the evening, on the outskirts of LA. Readying for the delights that LA has to offer...... d.

PS - RKW on the way to LA - Coyote!

PPS - That is not our Hotel below, but we thought our dads would like it. Our second Eagles spot after Winslow Arizona......

After spending a few days in Vegas it was good to finally get back onto Route 66, see the old towns with the neon signs.....it should of been a short journey to LA but we decided to take Route 66 all the way which was amazing as we passed the Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood sign.......We got to our Hotel which is stunning and nothing I have ever stayed in before to find out that Eddie Murphy was filming his next film ‘1,000 words’ (apparantly the hotel is prime hotspot for celebrities)...

I informed the staff that I knew this being a celebrity myself!!!!....Ed did ask for my autpgraph but unfortunately I had to decline due to my busy schedule!........We took a walk to the end of the Santa Monica Pier which is the final destination of Route 66 and we were happy but tired to think that we have travelled over 2,500 miles from Chicago to LA.......We ended the night we a superb meal in the hotel. Kx

Blondie rules Vegas

Man it’s hot here. 113º F today. While all the casinos and hotels are super air conditioned as soon as you step outside it’s sweat-a-rama! We went over to the Mandalay this morning so Kel could have her hair done in a top salon recommended by a friend at TIGI. I have to say my finance looks HOT HOT HOT! While she had her hair done I decided it would be a great idea to relieve the Mandalay of some of the casino’s money. The first blackjack dealer seemed to agree with me that I should. However after a short winning streak the dealer changed. The little midget dealer did not share my plan and in true Vegas style swiped $140 from me in the space of around 25mins. Never trust a midget. I swear he was standing on a stool to deal. bloody oompa loompas.
should have sent him back down the yellow brick road to the lollypop league...... not that I’m bitter at all. Anyway the loosing streak continued this evening even with my little blonde lucky charm next to me so we called it a night. The highlight of the day for us was the spectacular Bellagio fountains we watched up close for the first time. We can see them from our room window but they really are something else up close..... check out the video below and turn up the sound! d and k.

Birthday in Vegas Baby

We had a lovely day of Kelly time on the 3rd of July.... It being her birthday we woke with cards and presents followed by a huge breakfast at our hotel. This is the kind of breakfast you could get anything and everything..... so we did. Then on to the pool for some sunshine and a dip..... then shopping vegas style....... a bite for lunch....... back to the pool...... an afternoon nap....... then out for a lovely dinner at Tao in the Ventetian where we spent the rest of the evening wandering the Grand Canals, St Marks Square and The Palazzo [while spending the money we have not won yet] in the designer shop’s....... Kelly bought a lovely new designer handbag and purse while i treated myself to a designer watch and wallet! Walking back down the strip for a view of the amazing fountains at the bellagagio capped an amazing day...... Now for the 4th and some fireworks! D.

I’d just like to add a small line of THANKS for all my lovely birthday wishes, cards and presents. K. xx

The Perfect day the perfect way

All I can say is that this has been the most perfect day not only have I been to see the Grand Canyon but Daniel asked me to marry me on top of one of the most amazing views and I am still smiling and I think still in shock. It was so romantic and breath taking it’s so hard to explain but hopefully the pics below will give you an idea.
It was such a wonderful surprise and I am looking forward to being part of the Dawson gang and I know the Chadwick family are more than happy to have Dan for a son-in-law.


I think Dan and I put people of their lunches as we have been hugging and kissing all the way around the Canyon :) Wishing we could zap you all over with us tonight to celebrate but looking forward to seeing you all soon. Ladies, check out the ring - its gorgeous! Kx

Well. we are gonna be man and wife! I’ve been waiting so long to ask Kel to be Mrs Dawson, but could not have pictured a more perfect way for it to happen. I found a nice little spot overlooking the Canyon - a nice secluded spot where the picture below was taken. We were sitting in the bright sunshine in stunned silence when I plucked up the courage to finally ask. Kel was, unsurprisingly flabagasted! burst in to tears and screamed YES, OH MY GOD YES! Obviously I was the happiest man in the world......The perfect beginning to what will be an amazing life together! Needless to say the rest of the day was spent phoning friends and family with the news [as well as enjoying the amazing views that the Canyon has to offer.]

Can’t wait to celebrate with you all, but for now we’ll celebrate together alone for the next week and a half in Vegas and LA! And as much as we both can’t wait to get married rest assured it won’t be in Vegas!

Thank you all for your kind wishes of congrats...... see you soon! d.