Yes, you read that right. I shot a gun. It was my first time. And, it was crazy. I was completely overwhelmed with the intensity of the situation. Having never really been around guns growing up, and knowing they are a deadly weapon, I was faced with a plethora of emotions that day. My husband, on the other hand, couldn’t wait. He was like a kid in a candy shop. He has been around guns his whole life. His grandfather and uncle taught him how to shoot when he was 8 years old. He’s been a hunter, outdoors kind of guy ever since. A point we argue about profusely when it comes to taking our kids out shooting. On one hand, I don’t want them to experience the same fear I had as a thirty-something holding a gun for the first time, on the other, I want the fear of God in them when considering holding or even looking at a gun. It is a tough compromise, but an important one for us to agree on.

The Range 702 opened a few weeks ago along the industrial corridor, off of Dean Martin. Coincidentally, my husband had just brought up this new wave of high-end gun ranges opening up along the Strip. This is huge for him. As someone who enjoys shooting, and appreciates the mechanical beauty of these weapons, he was quite intrigued by the trend of facilities entering into the main stream and allowing people the opportunity to shoot. You may or may not have noticed the spike in gun sales in the last few years due to many reasons: violence, government, politics, economy- for whatever reason, the American people are beginning to take an interest again in the Second Amendment of the Constitution, exercising their right to bare arms. The nice thing about these gun ranges popping up is that it provides the learnings for proper usage to an average citizen, like me, who is in the beginning stages of operating and handling a piece. It also provides a safe space for those at any level to engage in conversation about new mechanics, safety precautions, and education.

I was quite impressed with The Range 702. It was my first official gun range, so I don’t have much to compare it to. My husband is my expert for this article, and was also quite impressed for several reasons: 25 shooting lanes, the size of the facility (45,000 square feet), and the gun and retail selection. You can also grab some grub at Gary’s Cafe, which features a full menu from breakfast to lunch and dinner options.

There is also a swanky VIP room where a group of up to 20 can enjoy the comfortable surroundings of leather couches and chairs, a pool table, flat screen TVs and a full service bar area. The VIP room also has a range with 7 lanes set aside for personal use.

A second room provides space for public safety and self defense classes, which are available to the public. Additionally, other classes are offered at The Range 702, such as State of Nevada Concealed Firearms Permit (CCW), Multiple NRA courses, Basic thru Advanced Defensive Pistol, Variety of Women’s Classes and Hunter’s Safety. Of course, The Range 702 offers a complete retail shop filled with all styles and options of guns, ammunition, as well as safes and other merchandise. Not only is The Range 702 convenient for locals, but also to those visiting the Las Vegas Stip. It offers a different dynamic for something to do other than play in the large resorts and casinos, while still reminding you that you haven’t left the West- it’s just a little less Wild…or is it?

Yes. I shot a gun. I shot two, in fact, an M-16 rifle and a Glock 9mm. Once I got past the emotional stress of holding and shooting a weapon that can kill, I also started to realize how empowering, with the right education and knowledge, using a weapon like this can be, especially for women. When given the chance to shoot the rifle, I also began to understand how my husband enjoys shooting for sport. The challenge of finding the target, holding the rifle, and aiming properly to ensure a perfect shot is really quite exhilirating. This experience opened my eyes to a whole new level of respect for gun owners.

RSMLV Tips:

The gun range is open to young adults starting at ages 12 and up.

Check the website for specials and fees. As of 10/30/12, rental rates are $10, and locals can enjoy a special rate of $5.

If you are interested in booking the VIP suite, be sure to call ahead to book with plenty of notice.

For the months of November and December (2012), The Range 702 will donate 10% of their retail proceeds to the non-profit organization, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.

You can also follow The Range 702 on Facebook and Twitter.

I was an invited guest of the media to experience The Range 702. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

I have discovered a wonderful place to dine with your kids in Las Vegas, especially if you are a fan of Willy Wonka. Max Brenner, aka: Chocolate by the Bald Man, opened a location in the Forum Shops at Caeser’s Palace a few years ago. Though, this was our first time trying the remarkably fun and deliciously exciting cafe!

My daughter was overwhelmed with choices of candy goodness upon opening her menu. A selection of breakfast and lunch/dinner options, as well as drinks and dessert, made for one happy child. She settled on the sliders which are served with waffle-cut fries sprinkled with, what else? Cocoa powder. She was also given a tiny silicone brush to paint the ketchup on her burgers.

Drink selection was a whole other dilemma- for both of us! What to choose? What to choose? From milkshakes, to frappes, to hot and iced beverages…you can add your own shots of chocolate, or none at all. As the a waitress reminded my daughter frequently, “There are no rules here! just have fun!” My little chocolate princess was A-OK with that!

She chose the Make Your Own Hot Chocolate, and me, an Iced Mocha with a shot of dark chocolate. The Hot Chocolate was served on the most interactive tray I’ve ever seen. The mug is kid-sized, with an opening at the top to pour in your milk and add your chocolate. An opening at the bottom made room for a small tea-light which kept the milk warm and the chocolate melted. A crazy cool metal spoon was delivered to scoop, stir and sip. It kept my daughter entertained while we waited for our meals, and gave my husband and I an opportunity to actually chat on a lunch date!

My Iced Mocha was served in the Alice Mug- a uniquely shaped glass with an Alice in Wonderland storyline. The side of the glass demands, “Drink Me,” just like in the story. The straw is slipped down into the “Rabbit’s Hole”  and upon turning the glass towards you, the sly grin of the Cheshire Cat greets you as you sip down this delectable concoction.

Ah! Dessert! Too many choices! Princess of Chocolate just couldn’t take it any more…she had been eyeing the syringe full of chocolate at the boutique (located inside the cafe), and when the waitress asked if she would like one served on a tray surrounded by gummy bears, I thought she was going to jump out of her seat. Maybe she did.

I have to add Max Brenner’s to my list of RockStarMom recommended places to dine in Las Vegas with your kids. The menu selections were perfect- even for the pickiest eaters, and they are great for mom and dad. My husband had a Huevos Rancheros wrap, and I a BLT of sorts. Both were delicious. The restaurant is also very interesting to look at and explore, which keeps the kiddos happy and distracted while waiting for food. The staff was quite pleasant and service was fast. The chef even came out and asked us how our meals were. We are taking the kids to New York in December, and Max Brenner’s is definitely on our list of places to eat. Our son will love it!

RSMLV Tips: 

Max Brenner is located in what us locals refer to as “The old part of the Forum Shops”. Unless you don’t mind the walk from one end of the Forum Shops to the other, then I would suggest valet parking at the “old valet” which is actually underground. The escalator will take you near Spago’s, which you then will head towards the left (when facing the mall). Max Brenner is directly across from H&M.

Reservations are suggested. At lunch on a Monday we had no problem walking in, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially with little ones.

Breakfast is served until 3pm Monday-Friday, and brunch is served until 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

A startling reality hit me when I was at the SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp Conference in Las Vegas earlier this October. 1 out of 10 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Why was it so startling? Because as I sat there with my 10 girlfriends at the table, one of us had to stand up. In a room full of women, with 20 tables, one woman from every table of 10 was asked to stand up. There is a lump in my throat even thinking about it right now. Though my friends, they are also daughters, sisters, wives, girlfriends, mothers, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, and cousins. They play a significant role in not only their own lives, but in the lives of others. Could you imagine one of your ten friends or family members, or even yourself, having to go through this life altering illness? Praying every day for a recovery and not the imminent.

As I watched the Ford Warriors in Pink documentary, Bang the Drum, I had to think about who I knew that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. A friend of a friend, a cousin’s girlfriend’s mom- I couldn’t think off the top of my head how it had affected me in any way directly. I couldn’t think about how it affected me. I’m sure most people don’t until it actually happens to them or someone they love. But watching that documentary really got me thinking. It doesn’t have to affect me personally in to do something about it. To make some noise about this disease and how its non-discriminatory tirade affects anyone, including men. One story that stood out to me was a gentleman talking about how his family all went to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City. He stayed behind. They walked for him. There are races and walks to participate in, pink ribbons to sport, and changing of national landmarks and recognized branding to pink are constant reminders of how quickly our lives can change, but we don’t have to take it lying down.

The Ford Warriors in Pink program is designed to build a community of survivors, patients and connected loved ones who are encouraged to stand up, find courage and don’t back down from Breast Cancer. I love how Tina Herold, one of the Warriors, spoke at the SITS conference with confidence. She wasn’t afraid to tell us; she wasn’t afraid to talk about it; and she wasn’t going to leave that room until we all understood the impact of this disease. She made one out of ten of us stand up to prove her point.

“To me the word ‘warrior’ is that inner strength, that inner courage; you just rise up and say, ‘OK, cancer, let’s go.’”

The Ford Motor Company designed and developed the 11 Warriors to spread their knowledge and inspiration about living with breast cancer either in their own personal lives or in those around them. You can be a Warrior, too. Make your mark, Bang your drum, Show your pink! The Warriors in Pink collection offers many options to add to your wardrobe, especially during the month of October. The selection of pieces also seem amenable to anyone who is living with breast cancer and undergoing treatments right now.  My favorite is the Warriors in Pink scarf.

Over the weekend, I was fortunate to celebrate with a colleague her 4th anniversary of being clean from breast cancer. Our tribe sported pink ribbons during our girl’s weekend in her honor.

When the conference was over we were graciously given a Warriors in Pink scarf. I offered it to my aunt who was celebrating her birthday that same day. Immediately, she looked at the package and asked, “Is this the Ford Warriors in Pink scarf?”. I was surprised she had even heard of it. After I confirmed her suspicion she told me how happy she was to get it. Every year she walks in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in honor of a friend’s mother who passed away from Breast Cancer. Every year she buys the scarf to support the Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, due to a scheduling conflict, she was not able to participate, and had not bought the scarf. She put it on right away with pride, showing her support, even though her friend wasn’t there.

I didn’t realize I was surrounded by so many models of courage in the fight against breast cancer. It affects all of us. In some way. Even me.

This October, Ford Warriors in Pink® has launched its first ever produced documentary, “Bang the Drum: Living Out Loud in the Face of Breast Cancer.” The film honors 11 men and women breast cancer survivors who have demonstrated strength and courage in their battle with its “Models of Courage” program. 2012 marks Ford Motor Company’s 18th year of support for the breast cancer cause. In that time, Ford has dedicated more than $115 million to the breast cancer cause.

You too can get involved in this tremendously worthy program! When you buy Ford Warriors in Pink apparel at fordcares.com, 100 percent of the net proceeds go directly to support breast cancer awareness all year long.

To keep connected, be sure to check out Ford Warriors in Pink on Facebook and follow@WarriorsinPink on Twitter.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ford Warriors in Pink. The opinions and text are all mine.