Have a GREAT Day.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
My husband is a heck of a guy. We usually keep my birthday pretty low-key because it’s how should I say…. Ah, “seasonally undesirable”. He really surprised me this year by planning an entire evening with my best friends in the world.
It was our plan to have dinner together at Chili’s, one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
We arrived to find our table already seated with our bestest friends, Jason and Amanda and their three girls. Kevin and I split my favorite dish, the Chicken Fajitas mmmmmm.
Birthdays make me feel a little blue too.
After dinner, we headed home. I thought the evening was great but WAIT! There was one more surprise. We pulled up in front of the Yardhouse and Kevin quite politely said “GET OUT!” Get out?....GET OUT????? Apparently My evening was not coming to an end as I had thought. Inside I found eight of my girlfriends waiting to surprise me with birthday gifts and dessert.
It is impossible to take a self portrait with an eight pound camera with super zoom (can you see me?)
Sorry Sonia and Cara. My camera was on the wrong setting when I shot you and it was totally blurry. < insert Sonia and Cara here >
Thanks Honey, I love you.
RANDOM PHOTO…..
This is one of Gavin’s little Bionical dudes; Antroz whom we affectionately call “Aunt Rose” I was just messing round with different settings.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A CHRISTMAS WORTH REMEMBERING....
We really had a fantastic Christmas season this year. So full of family and friends it was. It started with our snowy adventure in Idyllwild. My side of the family is so spread out that we only see each other once or twice a year so we always wait with great anticipation for the annual (or biannual) gathering. We weren’t disappointed as you may have surmised by the post surrounding the big event.
Then a week or two later, it was Christmas with the Vargas’ at our house this year also guaranteed to be a fun time with all the little kids. God willing, this time next year we will have two new little babies on board. Camile (Kevin’s sister) as you will see is moving right along. Macy is due in April. Macy will have big sister Mia to look up to.
Our sister-in-law Kristie (Kevin’s brother’s wife) surprised all of us with a cute little box containing a tiny baby announcing the expectant arrival next September. That will make three for that branch of the Vargas family. With the addition of the two new babies that will make eight grandkids for Grandma Vargas.
Dinner went well. We made an orange and honey glazed ham with a big Greek salad. Grandma brought scalloped potatoes, caramel corn, peanut brittle and Seas candy. Camile brought a green bean dish and some appetizers not to mention a couple of bottles of wine and of course the sparkling cider. Kristie made a fantastic stuffing dish from a recipe she got from Oprah (they’re pretty tight I guess ;-) and Renee made “Death by Chocolate”… Enough said! Those were just the highlights. I couldn’t possibly name all of the delectable food that we somehow managed to eat in one sitting.
Well, here are some of the pics. I’ll have to add the rest later.
My adorable niece Kelsie.
Another adorable niece; Mia.
Kevin's sister Camile.
Kristie and Neil.
Kevin's sister Renee and my niece and nephew, Nick and Rachel.
Did Gavin get what he was hoping for?
Hard to tell...
Nephew Bradley.
Something for Rachel.
It must be a grandma thing... Aren't they cute?
New Reef's for Kev.
Brother-in-law Jan (Yon)
And if the blessing of family and the celebration of the birth of Christ weren't enough, the economy didn't seem to slow down too much for our family this year. iphones, Coach purses, American Girl dolls, DS and Wii Games and Lego sets with MILLIONS of tiny pieces were all shared with joy. Bath and body, Brighton jewelry and treats of every kind were also given and received. But the biggest gifts of all were the Chritmas wishes and hugs and kisses we shared with those we love.
Then a week or two later, it was Christmas with the Vargas’ at our house this year also guaranteed to be a fun time with all the little kids. God willing, this time next year we will have two new little babies on board. Camile (Kevin’s sister) as you will see is moving right along. Macy is due in April. Macy will have big sister Mia to look up to.
Our sister-in-law Kristie (Kevin’s brother’s wife) surprised all of us with a cute little box containing a tiny baby announcing the expectant arrival next September. That will make three for that branch of the Vargas family. With the addition of the two new babies that will make eight grandkids for Grandma Vargas.
Dinner went well. We made an orange and honey glazed ham with a big Greek salad. Grandma brought scalloped potatoes, caramel corn, peanut brittle and Seas candy. Camile brought a green bean dish and some appetizers not to mention a couple of bottles of wine and of course the sparkling cider. Kristie made a fantastic stuffing dish from a recipe she got from Oprah (they’re pretty tight I guess ;-) and Renee made “Death by Chocolate”… Enough said! Those were just the highlights. I couldn’t possibly name all of the delectable food that we somehow managed to eat in one sitting.
Well, here are some of the pics. I’ll have to add the rest later.
My adorable niece Kelsie.
Another adorable niece; Mia.
Kevin's sister Camile.
Kristie and Neil.
Kevin's sister Renee and my niece and nephew, Nick and Rachel.
Did Gavin get what he was hoping for?
Hard to tell...
Nephew Bradley.
Something for Rachel.
It must be a grandma thing... Aren't they cute?
New Reef's for Kev.
Brother-in-law Jan (Yon)
And if the blessing of family and the celebration of the birth of Christ weren't enough, the economy didn't seem to slow down too much for our family this year. iphones, Coach purses, American Girl dolls, DS and Wii Games and Lego sets with MILLIONS of tiny pieces were all shared with joy. Bath and body, Brighton jewelry and treats of every kind were also given and received. But the biggest gifts of all were the Chritmas wishes and hugs and kisses we shared with those we love.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
I really love this time of year. There is something magical about it no matter what stance you take on the jolly one. Of course we indulge in all of the commercial holiday traditions because we love surprises and, well let’s face it, the whole naughty and nice thing has its perks if you’re a parent. Leverage baby!
I’ve noticed something funny recently. It doesn’t seem to matter how many years in a row we drag out the same ol’ decorations, we’re always surprised to see some of them. “Oh yaaaaaaaaa, remember that guy??” So I thought I’d post few of my favorite things (….hmmm I feel a song coming on…) especially the items that really represent Christmas for us.
Looks like Buzz is a bit buzzed. Better lay off the caffeine Space Ranger.
I’ve noticed something funny recently. It doesn’t seem to matter how many years in a row we drag out the same ol’ decorations, we’re always surprised to see some of them. “Oh yaaaaaaaaa, remember that guy??” So I thought I’d post few of my favorite things (….hmmm I feel a song coming on…) especially the items that really represent Christmas for us.
Looks like Buzz is a bit buzzed. Better lay off the caffeine Space Ranger.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
NEVER, EVER LET IT COOL!
So, I’m totally slammed this week with a cold. I’ve barely had enough energy to type on my keyboard or pick up my camera. It’s been an emotional week as well with the loss of my niece and nephews dad to leukemia (my sister-in-law’s ex if you were wondering about the way it was phrased). Needless to say, I haven’t been a ton of fun.
While my near lifeless body lay on the couch, a little bright eyed angel appeared with his remedy of all remedies, hot chocolate. Mint no less to help with my symptoms. I love that kid. He’s a true healer at heart, well that and he was totally bored. With me laid up on the couch, he had nobody to play “Dinosaur Nation” with. Such is the result when nary a sibling is to be found. Always a motive, but I’ll take it.
While my near lifeless body lay on the couch, a little bright eyed angel appeared with his remedy of all remedies, hot chocolate. Mint no less to help with my symptoms. I love that kid. He’s a true healer at heart, well that and he was totally bored. With me laid up on the couch, he had nobody to play “Dinosaur Nation” with. Such is the result when nary a sibling is to be found. Always a motive, but I’ll take it.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
LET IT SNOW......
In recent years, we’ve been getting together with my aunt, uncle and cousins up in Idyllwild a week or two before Christmas. It seems to work out better for those of us sharing our holidays with more than one family. Gavin was so looking forward to a white Christmas but according to the weather “experts” it wasn’t looking too good.
All the way up the mountain, Gavin kept saying “It just HAS to snow mom, it just HAS to”. We did our best to gently prepare him for disappointment and encouraged him with the promise of a goodtime regardless.
When we arrived, his hopes were dashed. Cold? Yes. Snow? No. He was disappointed for sure, but still thrilled to see the family and visit his favorite place on the planet, "Aunt Judy's". As the night wore on, all of the fun and excitement with the kids and the opening of gifts cheered his little heart. At one point I shot a smile his way and he gave me a thumbs up. I walked over to him and said. “I’m glad you’re having a good time” and he replied “Of course! But I’m stll not giving up hope, I’m praying for a Christmas miracle”. He was actually praying for an opportunity to fulfill the evil plot of revenge he’d been conniving against Jordan since last Christmas (snowball war).
The gifts had all been exchanged, the dessert and coffee served. We were all winding down for the evening telling the usual stories and laughing over old jokes and a few new. My cousin Mike went out to the car to bring in their bags. He burst back into the house with a huge smile on his face and snowflakes falling from his shoulders, a Christmas miracle indeed. My wide-eyed little boy jumped to his feet and flew to the window. The look on his face was priceless.
We let the kids play in it for a bit as it was falling and somehow managed to convince them that there would be more in the morning. Who knew that 6:00AM could come so quickly.
CATCH GAVIN!
OOPS....
Trouble with a capital “T” Mike and his boys.
Sandy, Donna and Rainy
LOOK AT THAT FACE
Can't.....resist.....the...cheeks...much..longer.
All the way up the mountain, Gavin kept saying “It just HAS to snow mom, it just HAS to”. We did our best to gently prepare him for disappointment and encouraged him with the promise of a goodtime regardless.
When we arrived, his hopes were dashed. Cold? Yes. Snow? No. He was disappointed for sure, but still thrilled to see the family and visit his favorite place on the planet, "Aunt Judy's". As the night wore on, all of the fun and excitement with the kids and the opening of gifts cheered his little heart. At one point I shot a smile his way and he gave me a thumbs up. I walked over to him and said. “I’m glad you’re having a good time” and he replied “Of course! But I’m stll not giving up hope, I’m praying for a Christmas miracle”. He was actually praying for an opportunity to fulfill the evil plot of revenge he’d been conniving against Jordan since last Christmas (snowball war).
The gifts had all been exchanged, the dessert and coffee served. We were all winding down for the evening telling the usual stories and laughing over old jokes and a few new. My cousin Mike went out to the car to bring in their bags. He burst back into the house with a huge smile on his face and snowflakes falling from his shoulders, a Christmas miracle indeed. My wide-eyed little boy jumped to his feet and flew to the window. The look on his face was priceless.
We let the kids play in it for a bit as it was falling and somehow managed to convince them that there would be more in the morning. Who knew that 6:00AM could come so quickly.
CATCH GAVIN!
OOPS....
Trouble with a capital “T” Mike and his boys.
Sandy, Donna and Rainy
LOOK AT THAT FACE
Can't.....resist.....the...cheeks...much..longer.
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