Carnival Extraordinaire!

As if the weekend and previous week wasn't enough with Livi's birthday and the celebrations; Wednesday, March 4th, our family was invited to the Red Rock Casino, by Candlelighters, for a "Night of games, fun, prizes, food, magic and more!" What could the "more" be... the topics listed seemed to pretty much cover everything under the sun. The event was sponsored by Illumina (didn't know who that was) and co-sponsored by Make-a-Wish 

and the afore mentioned Candlelighters. We arrived at the casino at 10 minutes to 7pm and were put in a waiting room of sorts. There was a man on stilts tying balloons into anything the kids could come up with (Aaron a viking hat and Livi, a butterfly) as well as a few simple refreshments; drinks, nuts, crackers... simple, nice, nothing grand. Soon a lot of people started coming in with lanyards around their necks with their name and "Illumina" printed on the card. All the "helpers" were going around to all of the families, calling us by name, we had name  tags also, and introducing themselves. After several introductions to people, only one of which was from the US, I asked a gentleman from Germany, "What exactly is Illumina?" Turns out they are a childhood genetic research firm based out of San Diego, CA dedicated to finding causes and cures for things such as ... and cancer. As he was telling me all of this, in a thick German accent, my eyes welled up with tears. All I could say was "Thank you." All of these people had left their home countries, and brought with them their brilliant minds to study and work here, in the United States. To say I was humbled would be an understatement.

By the way, the "and more!" was an astronomical understatement! We were ushered into

the carnival, Olivia happened to be the first one through the doors, and the room erupted with cheering and applause. The Illumina staff along with the foundation helpers were standing throughout the room welcoming the children and

letting them know just how great of a job they are doing fighting their diseases. Olivia's arms were spread out in wonderment and Aaron's mouth hung open wide in awe. The only thing missing from this being straight out of a Fairytale was the head thrown back arms open wide twirl around the room from the unexpectant princess. Not only did my eyes fill with tears, my cheeks were indeed very wet

Words can not even begin to describe the atmosphere in that room. It was as if the room had been transported to another time where only good things happen and happiness abounds. Immediately Livi spotted the dozens of caramel and candied 

 apples and before she could even ask us for one 3 different workers were trying to get her the biggest one with the most sprinkles. Aaron was King of his domain as well. And 

 so the evening went. They had "gourmet carnival food" if that's even a possibility. Pizza, nachos, chicken sticks, jumbo dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels, ice cream!!! Too much to see let alone eat. I don't think I've ever seen so much awesome food in one room before... and so much of each item. There 

were 3 separate complete buffet tables, and waiters/waitresses carrying the food around offering you something at every turn. Carnival games, tattooing (to my own defense, I showed Aaron

 an entire board of animal and "cool" tattoos, no, he went to a different board and picked the skull and crossbones... what's that about? He doesn't even know what those are!?), photography, cartoonist drawings, crafts, clown skits, face painting, the list goes on. People were even offering to help take one of the kids around 

 if we so chose. Throughout the evening Illumina workers constantly asked how we were doing, if they could get anything for us, if they could take pictures of Olivia (I later learned that the event was a surprise to the Illumina empolyees as well.  As far as they knew, they had come to Las Vegas for a Cancer convention of sorts. In short, some wore name badges so they could help with the event, but others were not there to service us, they did anyways! They were all so genuinely interested in how our kids were doing. They never asked the diagnosis, just wanted to know how it was going. 

 The carnival was 2 hours and then we were off to see the show! Yes "more"! We moved to a theater room of sorts and sat around a center stage. A speaker from Illumina spoke about the company and expressed their success. "While other companies are laying 

people off right and left, we can't seem to hire people fast enough." (That would explain them sparing no expense for the evening's event.) The kids, along with parents, were then mesmerized by a fabulous magician who made doves appear and disappear, (one got away under the feet of the audience), cut a lady in half, and among other great magic tricks did the Chinese Rings. 

It was fabulous. 

(Ever since the performance, Livi has been going around the house with the "magic" hat that she made at the carnival pulling different things out of it, like the magician.) To end the evening we were dazzled by a Cirque du Soliel performance.

  

WOW! WHAT A NIGHT! 

 We departed at 10, the kids wide awake for the 1/2 hr drive home, and are still talking about it today. I don't know what could possibly top that night. Maybe our Wish trip... we'll see.

These three young girls were amazing at how they could move their bodies, but admittedly some of their poses were a bit creepy. The bottom two pictures didn't turn out very good, but you get the idea...!