Finally someone Smaller then Ava standing next to her
Fingers in the mouth again
I think at this point she was getting tired of Elmo
Or maybe it was from just standing...Ava loves her buddy Elmo..
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Ava and Her Buddy Elmo
So for Ava's birthday she got a Elmo Live and from time to time all she wants to do is play with it and at other times she could care less about it. I been hiding him away for the past few weeks and brought him out the other night. Ava can't seem to keep her fingers out of his mouth.
Finally someone Smaller then Ava standing next to her
Fingers in the mouth again
I think at this point she was getting tired of Elmo
Or maybe it was from just standing...Ava loves her buddy Elmo..
Finally someone Smaller then Ava standing next to her Fingers in the mouth again I think at this point she was getting tired of Elmo Or maybe it was from just standing...Ava loves her buddy Elmo.. 
Monday, November 2, 2009
Happy Halloween..let the party begin
So for Halloween we had the family over. Gabe has a pretty good size family and we invitedsome of his brothers that also have children over to bring the kids trick o treating with us. The past few years they have all trick o treated with us before. Parker wanted to have a Halloween party for his cousins so i went ahead and made it into a party for the family and neighborhood friends. My family was also there to celebrate. Ofcourse being that it was Halloween everyone had to dress up.
Here is my brother, his girlfriend and my brothers friend Scott. I think the kids were pretty scared of these clowns.
Sean was Groucho Marx..pretty funny
James and Parker the two cowboys
Ally,Andy and my mom 
after drinks and food nightfall came and all the parents got together to take the kids trick o treating. We had a group of 17!! The kids had fun but tired up quickly.
My brother was only able to get the twins to trick o treat for a block and they were done..they did not want to ride in the wagon or walk.
AVA had a BLAST! I couln't get any pictures of her looking at the camera but my dad got some good ones. I will get copies from him in her costume for my scrapbook. Eveyone just loved the little lady bug and calling all their friends to the door to see her. She mainly wanted to just go into everyones houses. We let her walk with the kids down the street and she was just laughing so hard and running and dancing.
It was time to go back home the kids were tired and so they all went to play in the house and the adults carried on with the party. Here is Gabe,Scott, John and Alex.
After awhile Alex could not stand the itchiness of his mask anymore and began to peel it off.
Time for bobbing apples..the kids loved this. Gavin tried for a looong time to get one. He finally did with a little help from dad.
Ofcourse Dad demonstrated how to get one.
Julian got one pretty fast too.
Kelsey did it the easy way she just scooped one up with her hand and put it in her mouth...All the kids got special prizes for apple bobbing.
We stayed up pretty late drinking and playing games around the table ..it was fun..he are some random shots .
Jessica and I were doing our captain Morgan Poses. ( I was wearing my old faithful Musketeer outfit I wore two years ago..my Viking costume I was gonna wear this year got lost!)
Gabe bought dried ice and the kids were having fun playing around it..They started adding stuff to the water and dry ice and stirring it around like a witches brew. When I looked into what they were putting in the cauldron there was a bunch of Parker's trick o treat candy, a old battery, some dirt, and god knows what else.
I think at this point everyone was talking about all the stars that were out that night.
Just hanging around ..I think it was about 2am at this point.
All in all it was a pretty good night. I made Two big pots of Handmade chili One meat one veggie and nothing was left over, The mummy dogs were a big hit, Toni's deviled egg eyeballs were a big hit everything was eaten up. No one got hurt, no big tantrum, just the right amount of trick o treaters showed up. I had barely any candy left over. It was a really fun Halloween. One thing though is ..I will probably not have a party anytime soon....so much to do and buy and prepare for then clean up afterwards..forgetaboutit!
Here is my brother, his girlfriend and my brothers friend Scott. I think the kids were pretty scared of these clowns.
Sean was Groucho Marx..pretty funny
James and Parker the two cowboys
Ally,Andy and my mom 
after drinks and food nightfall came and all the parents got together to take the kids trick o treating. We had a group of 17!! The kids had fun but tired up quickly.
My brother was only able to get the twins to trick o treat for a block and they were done..they did not want to ride in the wagon or walk.
AVA had a BLAST! I couln't get any pictures of her looking at the camera but my dad got some good ones. I will get copies from him in her costume for my scrapbook. Eveyone just loved the little lady bug and calling all their friends to the door to see her. She mainly wanted to just go into everyones houses. We let her walk with the kids down the street and she was just laughing so hard and running and dancing.
It was time to go back home the kids were tired and so they all went to play in the house and the adults carried on with the party. Here is Gabe,Scott, John and Alex.
After awhile Alex could not stand the itchiness of his mask anymore and began to peel it off.
Time for bobbing apples..the kids loved this. Gavin tried for a looong time to get one. He finally did with a little help from dad.
Ofcourse Dad demonstrated how to get one.
Julian got one pretty fast too.
Kelsey did it the easy way she just scooped one up with her hand and put it in her mouth...All the kids got special prizes for apple bobbing.
We stayed up pretty late drinking and playing games around the table ..it was fun..he are some random shots .
Jessica and I were doing our captain Morgan Poses. ( I was wearing my old faithful Musketeer outfit I wore two years ago..my Viking costume I was gonna wear this year got lost!)
Gabe bought dried ice and the kids were having fun playing around it..They started adding stuff to the water and dry ice and stirring it around like a witches brew. When I looked into what they were putting in the cauldron there was a bunch of Parker's trick o treat candy, a old battery, some dirt, and god knows what else.
I think at this point everyone was talking about all the stars that were out that night.
Just hanging around ..I think it was about 2am at this point.
All in all it was a pretty good night. I made Two big pots of Handmade chili One meat one veggie and nothing was left over, The mummy dogs were a big hit, Toni's deviled egg eyeballs were a big hit everything was eaten up. No one got hurt, no big tantrum, just the right amount of trick o treaters showed up. I had barely any candy left over. It was a really fun Halloween. One thing though is ..I will probably not have a party anytime soon....so much to do and buy and prepare for then clean up afterwards..forgetaboutit! Pumpkin Carving!!
On Friday (Halloween Eve) We went over to John and Kirstens for some Steak and Wine dinner and then some good ol Fashion Pumpkin Carving!
John grilled up some steaks on the BBQ and we hung around out in the patio with wine while the kids all played. After we had dinner it was on with the carving.
Fast away working on his jackolantern face..he was so happy.
Ava was playing some spooky piano music for us
Gabe working away on his pumpkin
EWWWW...Pumpkin GUTS!!!!
We found Ava eating some raw pumpkin under the table
John and Kirsten with their pumpkins (the kids had fallen asleep already so I couldn't get the whole family picture)
Ava with ALL the pumpkins
Ava checking out my traditional cat jack o lantern..I make one every year.
It was a great night...still never got to cook up any of the left over pumpkin seeds though...
John grilled up some steaks on the BBQ and we hung around out in the patio with wine while the kids all played. After we had dinner it was on with the carving.
Fast away working on his jackolantern face..he was so happy.
Ava was playing some spooky piano music for us
Gabe working away on his pumpkin
EWWWW...Pumpkin GUTS!!!!
We found Ava eating some raw pumpkin under the table
John and Kirsten with their pumpkins (the kids had fallen asleep already so I couldn't get the whole family picture)
Ava with ALL the pumpkins
Ava checking out my traditional cat jack o lantern..I make one every year.
It was a great night...still never got to cook up any of the left over pumpkin seeds though...Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Food Fun for Halloween
So since Halloween is on a Saturday this year and Parker found out his cousins were going to come over to trick o treat with him we decided to make a little party of it.
I bought all kinds of fun stuff for the kids to do. I am going to set up a big long table (from loan from the office here) and have a bunch of assorted items for the kids. I have these kits for each kid to make their own candy necklaces, Some pipe cleaner animal making kits, paints and a bunch of little pumpkins for them to paint faces on and I have some games such as Monster Bingo and Monster toss where you toss in little bags of candy into the monster mouth.
I am also going to have bobbing for apples set up outside for those who are not afraid of getting wet! I bought a bunch of prizes for the kids and treats to give them as well.
We are going Scary theme songs and have Halloween movies playing in the living room and I have a bunch of toddler toys for the babies to play with as well.
Anyway to ADD to the fun I am going to make a bunch of Spooky themed cocktails such as Black Cat Cosmos, Mummy mango margaritas,swamp zombie punch and others that I will have an assorted list set up behind our bar and make these special drinks on order.
I am also going to make a big steaming pot of meat and meatless chili along with a bunch of fun snacks..below are some of the items we will be serving
Deviled Eggs made to look like EYEBALLS
Mummy Hot Dog..mine will have spicy mustard eyes though
Candy /Carmel apples
Maybe these sliced Venus fly trap apples with peanut butter....
Quite possibly Spider Web Cupcakes
And my centerpiece will be a pumpkin but i my make antipasto skewers rather then fruit..or may not make one at all..
We will begin the festivities about 3 in the afternoon and once darkness falls all of us parents will take the little ones out trick o treating for a little bit while others that remain at the house continue the party and pass out candy to the kids. I got lots of cool items to pass out this year such as pop rocks,mini bags of candy corn,McDonald's coupons, stickers,Hershey bars and much much more. I just love Halloween. Everyone is welcome to join us!!
I bought all kinds of fun stuff for the kids to do. I am going to set up a big long table (from loan from the office here) and have a bunch of assorted items for the kids. I have these kits for each kid to make their own candy necklaces, Some pipe cleaner animal making kits, paints and a bunch of little pumpkins for them to paint faces on and I have some games such as Monster Bingo and Monster toss where you toss in little bags of candy into the monster mouth.
I am also going to have bobbing for apples set up outside for those who are not afraid of getting wet! I bought a bunch of prizes for the kids and treats to give them as well.
We are going Scary theme songs and have Halloween movies playing in the living room and I have a bunch of toddler toys for the babies to play with as well.
Anyway to ADD to the fun I am going to make a bunch of Spooky themed cocktails such as Black Cat Cosmos, Mummy mango margaritas,swamp zombie punch and others that I will have an assorted list set up behind our bar and make these special drinks on order.
I am also going to make a big steaming pot of meat and meatless chili along with a bunch of fun snacks..below are some of the items we will be serving
Deviled Eggs made to look like EYEBALLS
Mummy Hot Dog..mine will have spicy mustard eyes though
Candy /Carmel apples
Maybe these sliced Venus fly trap apples with peanut butter....
Quite possibly Spider Web Cupcakes
And my centerpiece will be a pumpkin but i my make antipasto skewers rather then fruit..or may not make one at all..
We will begin the festivities about 3 in the afternoon and once darkness falls all of us parents will take the little ones out trick o treating for a little bit while others that remain at the house continue the party and pass out candy to the kids. I got lots of cool items to pass out this year such as pop rocks,mini bags of candy corn,McDonald's coupons, stickers,Hershey bars and much much more. I just love Halloween. Everyone is welcome to join us!!Sunday, October 25, 2009
Dia De Los Muertos
Yesterday we went to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Dia De Los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It is noted as the Nation's Largest Day of the Dead Festival. Boy they are not kidding by the time we left there must have been well over 20,000 people there.
We got there about 4:30 in the afternoon. We were going in early to meet up with Josh and Vickie and Evie. When we walked in we were greeting with a man playing some eerie accordion music..it was very Tim Burton- esque..in fact the whole day was.
We walked along this Long path through the graveyard to get to the main grass field. Next time we will bring a whole set up with us. People had blankets and coolers and lawn chairs and parked on the grass to watch the bands and shows.
We stopped to get a couple of Margaritas and the kids a Churro then we sat and watched a few bands and people watched while we waited for Josh and Vickie to arrive. Ava meet a little boy her same age and they were running around playing. I am kinda bummed that I didn't get pictures of her in her little Mexican dress...I will on Nov first though.
We walked around a bit and stopped at a kids tent where Parker had a plaster skull he painted. It came out good. It was getting dark now and we walked to get some food and more margaritas..there was this little tiny girl dressed like a nun and she was So cute. A bunch of people were stopping to take pictures with her..I got this one but it came out really dark. You will have to click on the picture to see better..probably like all the rest of the night shots..I hope I get a new camera...
After we sat on the grass and ate of food the night fell we went to see all the Alters and the aroma of sage,incense,fresh flowers,candles begun to fill the air. We went to meet up with Greg and Maria at the Johnny Ramone grave site.
Here is a few alters I took pictures of...
Then the big Calaca's were out and got in a circle where everyone gathered and dance while others played wind instruments.
They did this right in front of the mausoleum where they had more Calacas displayed.
There was a TON of vendors that were selling awesome items.
This was a cool one.
This was Gabe and the kids watching the dancing Calacas..Ava was in such awe with everything!!
The whole entire cemetery was just loaded with Alters and music and people walking all over the place...I must have walked miles there.
Here was a alter tribute to fallen surfers..
and here was one for Vampira
Photo Op..Here is the Ellman family
And us the McCaffrey's
More alters... 
and more
I really liked this one
This one was a tribute to a Patron who took care of abandon,relinquished and homeless animals..
Anyways as it got later it got more and more packed so we were headed out back to Greg and Maria's place for drinks and food. Maria made some awesome Mac and Cheese and some kick butt chili with pumpkin cornbread. We had such a great time yesterday. Next year I want to totally paint my face and dress up!
We got there about 4:30 in the afternoon. We were going in early to meet up with Josh and Vickie and Evie. When we walked in we were greeting with a man playing some eerie accordion music..it was very Tim Burton- esque..in fact the whole day was.
We walked along this Long path through the graveyard to get to the main grass field. Next time we will bring a whole set up with us. People had blankets and coolers and lawn chairs and parked on the grass to watch the bands and shows.
We stopped to get a couple of Margaritas and the kids a Churro then we sat and watched a few bands and people watched while we waited for Josh and Vickie to arrive. Ava meet a little boy her same age and they were running around playing. I am kinda bummed that I didn't get pictures of her in her little Mexican dress...I will on Nov first though.
We walked around a bit and stopped at a kids tent where Parker had a plaster skull he painted. It came out good. It was getting dark now and we walked to get some food and more margaritas..there was this little tiny girl dressed like a nun and she was So cute. A bunch of people were stopping to take pictures with her..I got this one but it came out really dark. You will have to click on the picture to see better..probably like all the rest of the night shots..I hope I get a new camera...
After we sat on the grass and ate of food the night fell we went to see all the Alters and the aroma of sage,incense,fresh flowers,candles begun to fill the air. We went to meet up with Greg and Maria at the Johnny Ramone grave site.
Here is a few alters I took pictures of...
Then the big Calaca's were out and got in a circle where everyone gathered and dance while others played wind instruments.
They did this right in front of the mausoleum where they had more Calacas displayed.
There was a TON of vendors that were selling awesome items.
This was a cool one.
This was Gabe and the kids watching the dancing Calacas..Ava was in such awe with everything!!
The whole entire cemetery was just loaded with Alters and music and people walking all over the place...I must have walked miles there.
Here was a alter tribute to fallen surfers..
and here was one for Vampira
Photo Op..Here is the Ellman family
And us the McCaffrey's
More alters... 
and more
I really liked this one
This one was a tribute to a Patron who took care of abandon,relinquished and homeless animals..
Anyways as it got later it got more and more packed so we were headed out back to Greg and Maria's place for drinks and food. Maria made some awesome Mac and Cheese and some kick butt chili with pumpkin cornbread. We had such a great time yesterday. Next year I want to totally paint my face and dress up!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Pa's Pumpkin Patch
This Past Sunday we took the kids to Pa's Pumpkin Patch. It is a really fun spot. It has a petting zoo, games, rides and tons and tons of pumpkins. This was Ava's first trip and she was just all smiles when she saw the place. She was banging on the pumpkins like drums and just laughing and running all over the place.
OH BOY!!!
Parker had a lot of fun too.
We tried to see if Ava would pick out a little pumpkin but she just kept throwing them down like balls.
Parker went on quite a few rides.
We wanted to put Ava on something so this was the one..Parker didn't want to go on it but we told him he had to so that he can make sure Ava won't climb out.
The kids had fun playing in this Teepee that was there.
Kids just cannot get enough of Jumpers
We sat for some hot dog eating
I love this picture..I just wish it was more close up
Parker's Pumpkin Patch
Rows and Rows of Pumpkins.
Parker decided to play this ping pong ball game to see if you can win a gold fish..HE WON TWO!!
I think this is the pumpkin that should come home with us
Another fun family
OH BOY!!!
Parker had a lot of fun too.
We tried to see if Ava would pick out a little pumpkin but she just kept throwing them down like balls.
Parker went on quite a few rides.
We wanted to put Ava on something so this was the one..Parker didn't want to go on it but we told him he had to so that he can make sure Ava won't climb out.
The kids had fun playing in this Teepee that was there.
Kids just cannot get enough of Jumpers
We sat for some hot dog eating
I love this picture..I just wish it was more close up
Parker's Pumpkin Patch
Rows and Rows of Pumpkins.
Parker decided to play this ping pong ball game to see if you can win a gold fish..HE WON TWO!!
I think this is the pumpkin that should come home with us
Another fun family day
An Italian Dinner
After our dealer meeting one of the VPs of our company as well as one of the managers from Italy were down visiting our office. Before Jane and Mario had to fly back on Friday Holly and I arranged to send them off with a night on the town..well at least Dinner.Mario was here for 2 weeks and was missing home and was wanting some Italian cuisine so we decided to arrange for any of the other staff here to come out and meet us for dinner with their significant others.
We were able to get most of our staff to come out to Long Beach on their own dime to have a big dinner. Since this place is really close to my house Gabe and I rode our scooters there. I brought two very nice bottles of wine from my private stash for everyone to share. It was a very nice evening with good food,good wine and just a nice time hanging out with employees outside of work.
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