My MODern Life as MOM

AHoy Matey's..

2010-06-24T20:35:00.001-07:00

So as you may have noticed my blog was removed for a bit due to my gmail account being hacked. I had to keep blogging though so I started a new Blog.

I am going to stop blogging though on this account and continue to blog on my new account. We are moving into our first house and starting anew so with the new memories and adventures why not start a fresh new blog...So to all my readers please come and follow me to my NEW BLOG...

http://lifesglitters.blogspot.com/

Typical California Drive to work

2010-06-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

The thing I will miss the most when I move is probably my commute to work.

Right now since I live so close to the ocean I been taking PCH to work everyday. Now that we are moving to Lakewood it is going to be Goodbye coastal drive hello 405 gridlock!

This is what My trip to work is like....

Off to Work..Hot coffee , music ,floor heater on and windows down.

Leaving the neighborhood

Hard to take photos and drive but this is one of my favorite homes in the neighborhood.

Over the bridge by the Marina Nearing PCH

So many Palm Trees and Pelicans and Seagulls

On to Another bridge passing the naval ship in Seal Beach

It always smells like the ocean big time right here

Seal Beach Houses. Jesse James lives here somewhere.

Old Water Tower...Now available for Parties and other private events!

This is sunset beach. See a lot of old Wooden seaside Bars, restaurants,marina,surf shops and other curiosity shops.

Nice Open Highway driving through Bolsa Chica. I got my nice ocean breeze blowing through my hair..I love this kinda over cast mist that wakes me up each morning as well.

I see this van EVERY morning. Also heading to catch some waves.

The water was pretty mellow this morning

Sometimes when your stopped at the red you can see a group of Dolphins jumping in and out of the water. It is reallly cool to see that!

It is also really cool when it is storming outside and see the waves and the wind combines..wow it is a site..however it floods a lot so sometimes I got to go another route..which sucks

This is the Dog Beach area of Huntington Beach. I always see a bunch of people out there in the morning with their dogs and always a ton of surfers

Quick Glimpse of the Huntington Beach statue.

I work in Costa Mesa so this is the hill I have to climb to get to the Mesa.

They just did a lot of landscaping last summer

Made it to work....I am really going to miss this drive.

Love Cheesy Corn

2010-06-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

So I came up with a great recipe for a Cheesy Corn dish. I been getting requests to bring it at every potluck and when I have holiday dinners to attend. Anyway it is super easy and cheap to make. Here it is..take in mind I do not measure..I just taste test here and there

Can of Corn- Drained ( I usually use 4 cans when bringing it over for dinner cause everyone goes for seconds and thirds)

I use a Garlic and pepper blend to season the corn while it is cooking

Once heated I drain the fluid

I add in a heaping spoonful of Butter and coat the corn
Then on a medium heat I add 1 package of cream cheese and season some more with garlic salt and pepper.

I add two tablespoons of Mayo

Mix all and when taking the pan off the burner I shake Parmesan cheese over the top.

So that is it..my fast recipe for Cheesy corn.
For a extra zest add some lemon pepper..it does wonders.

This recipe is for 4 cans of corn..you can modify the ingredients depending on how many cans you use.

LOL Looks like I will never have a career in writing a recipe book.

Ava's New Scoot

2010-06-14T10:18:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas Santa Brought Ava a new Pink Scooter. Daddy just built it yesterday and boy did Ava have a blast playing with it.
She was trying to reach the pedals but still a little shy on reaching them

She was good though using her feet to help her along
She hates Headbands
Now experimenting on putting her feet up
Yeah..lost interest...she gets around better by walking
I am sure once she can reach the pedals and figure it out she will be all over the place on her pink scoot.

Nate comes to visit!

2010-06-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Before I left work yesterday I noticed a message from my cousin Nate who just happened to be coming to LA last night and went to meet up with him. I haven't seen him in like 3 years.

He has been away in Afghanistan fighting and had some really close calls on his last deployment.He came back home (well his home in NC) in January. My mom and I as well as other family members have been so worried about him and glad he is home.

Anyways he was in AZ jumping outta Airplanes for some Army training in AZ and him and a buddy of his who also decided to drive to CA to see family. We all met up at Acapulco for dinner and margarittas. It was great catching up with him. I am happy to know that he will be retiring. He just did his 10 year and I think for now for a few years is going to focus on moving back to Florida with his wife and spend time with his kids.

Above is a picture of Gabe holding Ava (she was knocked out) Parker, Mike (my cousins friend) me and My cousin Nate.

Playful Thursday Night

2010-06-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

It was a pretty casual Thursday night. I posted my kittens up on Craigslist for adoption and two got adopted last night!!
I know I should have packed some more but all weekend will be a packing marathon so I took the night off from packing.
Ava watched a couple of Yo Gabba Gabba episodes and every time it comes on she runs and gets her Gabba dolls and makes them dance

Now she is making them hold hands

I was busting up laughing and so she took them to the other room.

Gabe ended up getting the night off so we thought we would relax with some wine..he was in the kitchen cooking something up with Parker I could hear...this is what they were making..YUM!!

The chocolate covered strawberries with the Shiraz went wonderful together.

That got Parker in the mood to make another tasty treat...Ice Pops!

After making all our treats we all sat together and watched the live Web cast of the World Premier of the World of Color at Disney's Cal Adventure. What a amazing show..I bet it is a spectacular site to see live. Can't wait to see t in person!

Yummy Yummy!!

2010-06-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today my boss took Holly and I out to lunch to celebrate a belated birthday for Holly.
We ate at His friends restaurant. It was so good as usual and this place is constantly packed.

Holly got the heirloom tomato Capesse salad

I got the terriyaki burger ..Like one of the best burgers I ever had and the side salad was awesome too. The Passion fruit Ice tea I got was also good.

For dessert we got a banana bread pudding with some chocolate chips and home made cream and caramel..OMG!! It was soooooooooo good.

Anyways I highly reccomend Eat Chow in Costa Mesa.

Nevermind the Buzzcocks

2010-06-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday night we went up to the Anaheim House of Blues in Downtown Disney to see the Buzzcocks! The show was friggen fantastic! They did their first two albums and man what a blast I had..however I seem to be still tired. It was a nice finish to a wild weekend though.

I stole these pictures from Holly ..Gabe and I car pooled up to the show with her and Chris.
I took some video on my phone but all you could hear was Gabe singing along.

I went up to the pit and was having fun pushing fools back in it that were slam dancing. Ahh to be young again....and speaking of young..I am going to post an early video of the Buzzcocks...hard to believe how old these guys are now but still they kick Ass!

Here is them performing many many years ago live my fave Buzzcocks song!

Even earlier flashback

Little Buddy

2010-06-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Just about every morning Gabe gets a daily morning visit from a neighborhood squirrel. Usually we get woken up by little barking in the trees. ( put a video of it on the bottom). My cats just love taunting the squirrel. I think they know better now then to hunt it.

As you can see this squirrel is really threaten by my cat

This one is a female. Gabe makes noises and when he comes out she knows to come down to the fence cause he feeds her peanuts almost everyday.

We have tried other things too such as raisins and dried fruits..she is much more into peanuts though.

so cute..Ava likes to come out and call her TIGER.

I was freaking out a little trying to hand feed her cause when you stick the peanut out her little claws grip your hand.

Gabe said the place has been packed with squirrels lately. I think this one had babies cause her squirrel nipples look like she has been feeding babies....Gabe is going to miss his little buddy.

Pub Crawling on Bikes

2010-06-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday to celebrate Holly's annual 21st birthday she got everyone together to do a Long beach pub crawl on bikes.
Everyone met at about noon and had some pizza and drinks. I showed up a little bit afterwards just in time to watch Holly open her gifts.

everyone hung out and socialized while we waited fora few stragglers

Holly, Kristie and Jessica..aka The power puff girls

Mark and I are missing from this photo. We were taking the pictures.

First Bar stop!

I think Holly got a drink and a shot at every bar we went to. Besides the cocktails she had st home already here is her first official bar stop cocktails and Jaegger Blahhh

Gabe's first beer of the day

Holly was so happy to find another cherry at the bottom of her drink.

This is our group behind me was a few more bikes. I think there was 14 bikes all together.

I think this is right before Holly drove off the pathway and into the sand.

Stop Number 2!!

A whiskey shot and Pabst! she also got a spanking from some ol geezer sitting at the bar.

Sean, Holly and I ....I am pretty beaten up by this point from riding up hill on my bike in the hot sun after drinking vodka cranberries.

Got a little color

These crazy guys

3rd stop!!..Fern's..Love their jukebox here. Inside I didn't take pictures cause Julia and myself had a pretty bad excuse for a game of pool and then I just got caught up chatting with everyone... The 4Th Stop was the Pike in Long Beach but at that Point I went home to relieve my babysitter who had plans so I went home and relaxed on my nice cool bed for awhile and waited till the group got back to Holly's for her bday BBQ party

After awhile the kids and I went over to Chris and Holly's place where just Arnold and Chris were there and Chris was grilling away. Everyone else soon showed up and the party began. Everyone was drinking and eating. I didn't drink at the party only water to re hydrate from the hot afternoon of riding bikes. What a work out I got!

Party was getting a little crazy. Everyone here was taking shots of Vodka. The shot glasses are made out of ice. Not too sure who is doing the hand gesture but my guess is it's a female's hand...

Everyone

Ally made Holly Chocolate cupcakes with fresh strawberry filling and a whipped cream frosting.

MEAT and BOOZE

Party people at this point I just took a few quick shots of the crowd and took the kids home to go to bed. As you can see Ava in the back ground in Gabes arms she was ready for bed.

I think this was Maria's second round of Vodka in a Ice shot glass.

It was time for me to go to bed I was spent. What a fun party though! I love Long Beach and I love that everyone is so close by.

Family vacation- Last Day

2010-06-03T10:18:00.001-07:00

Monday morning I think I was at the point when I finally wanted to go home and lie down in my BED. I woke up so sore (probably from the two big rocks underneath me).

I just took a few random photos of Monday morning
Gabe was breaking down the tents ( we brought two..one for Gabe and Ava and myself and Parker had his own tent he slept in). This was Ava's private spot where she sat to do her business if you know what I mean

Looks like she is done

Everyone Cleaning up and packing up. I was watching the little kids feed the squirrel. Little Johnny was calling the squirrel KIKI and him and Ava were both looking for him under the bush he hid under.

I just had to take a picture of this cause Scott actually though it was a ..well you can imagine. He was amazed saying it was the perfect LOG. We all were busting up at him telling him...ummm it's a hotdog!

Someone said hey let's get a picture of the two brothers ..it's funny when we told them they both unplanned had the same pose!

Throwing my brother in the mix

Now all the guys!!

I borrowed my company truck for the camping trip and got the kids all situated with a movie and a treat for the ride home. As you can see Ava went wild.

BYE BYE SAN ONOFRE....We had a Great time!

Family Vacation- Day 3 Sunday

2010-06-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I slept so much better and woke up feeling pretty good except for that constant stinging feeling on my back.
I got up and started cooking Pancakes and eggs for breakfast. While I was getting breakfast ready the kids all played.
Kirsten and Melissa were holding a jump rope and the kids were playing limbo with it

Ava was making the limbo a little challenging for the rest

Gabe likes his eggs sunny side up so he went to make the eggs his way. We had forgot a spatula so we were flipping the pancakes and eggs with a big flat butter knife..it worked though but of course not as good as a spatula would have.

after breakfast was cleaned up we sat around for a bit and did a little clean up. Melissa and her hubby and son left Sunday morning and Ally left Saturday night so our group got a little smaller.

The afternoon before Gabe and Parker came across this look out point on a very narrow path at the end of a mountain. It was such a beautiful site. I went Sunday morning to see it and try and get a picture but it was so foggy it did not come out and frankly I was SCARED to Death. It seriously just drops off. I am so afraid of heights and started having a panic attack. ((CLICK ON THESE PICTURES TO SEE A BETTER VIEW AMAZING))

What freaked me out more was my brother and Scott we right on the edge and my brother was putting his arms out danging at the very end of the cliff and I had to turn around and leave. I could not even get close to the edge without feeling light headed.

This was as close as I would go. I had Parker with me which made it even more nerve racking so I was off back to camp!

We all got ready to go out back to the beach but first not without putting more tanning oil on my already burnt back.

While we waited for everyone to get ready for the beach we met a fun little squirrel who came by to visit. The kids and I were feeding him some peanuts.

He was so funny filling his cheeks up with everything that we threw at him. Other squirrels tried to come and take in some food as well but he chased them all away.

Ava in her own world looking at the leaves like they are the most fascinating things she has ever seen

So curious!

We all hiked back down to the beach and stayed for quite awhile. I didn't take my camera with me cause I took so many beach pictures the night before and was quite relaxed just hanging out talking with everyone. When we got back to camp and showered we all sat down for a game of Taboo. Guys against girls again. Of course Us gals won! It was a really fun game. Shortly after we were done playing the board game Ann and Chad and little Chance left for home so all that was left was us Henry's including my dad, McCaffrey's, Jessica and Scott. We decided for dinner since it was our last night to cook up all the meat we had so the Meat fest was ON!

After dinner we all sat around the fire. Parker was wanting to throw everything in the fire.

We all roasted marshmallows and talked

Gabe found this dried out broken piece of bush and so that was another item to throw in the fire.

Breaking it in pieces

Burn baby Burn

the fire was nice and warm and soon we were all feeling tired and full so it was off to bed for a busy day of packing up ahead of us. Sunday was probably what Gabe and I felt like the best most relaxing day of the trip. t is amazing how fast the weekend had went by.

Family Vacation-Day 2-tons of photos

2010-06-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

We woke about 7am Saturday morning. Friday night was a rough sleep. Next time I must remember..AIR MATTRESS!! I always find when camping the first night is the hardest!

I can't even imagine how poor Melissa felt. She was one of the adults that came on the camp trip too and she is 4 months pregnant and did not have a air mattress either! We had 3 camp spots all together booked for the group of us so everyone had a picnic table to set up their stoves to make breakfast. I made for us Corn Beef Hash and Eggs. It was good. Parker opted out though for cold cereal instead.

While us adults cooked the kids all played. It was great Ava and Johnny are close to the same age.

Kelsey was happy to see her school mate Daniel when she woke up in the morning. They did not show up to the campsite late Friday night after Kelsey was asleep already.

Parker kept climbing up the side which I had to keep telling him to come down..I guess it doesn't help when his dad and uncle and uncles friends are all climbing up there too..even though on top is a DANGER sign. Luckily it was not really that high.

After having breakfast it was time to get ready to head for a long relaxing day at the beach!

We all got changed, packed our beach gear and some snack got the kids loaded up in the jogger and wagons and off we went.

This is our group all walking on the way to the trail to the beach but first a stop for a potty break

The trail was pretty steep. This is the same one we went on the night before. It was easier to climb down in the day..when you can actually see!

Getting closer to the bottom. Still a quarter miles to go. What a beautiful day!

Once we all got to the sand everyone kind of went and did their own things.

Gabe was getting the leashes on the surfboards.

I found a nice spot to work on my tan. It was a hidden little corner so I could lay out in my bikini but not out in the open as I have still not lost the baby gut yet.

Ally came and joined me for a tan

Scott got suited up to head out and surf

John went off to do some metal detecting

I wanted to get a self portrait with me and the ocean in the background...little did I realize I had the zoom on.

Ava and Johnny were having fun playing with the sand toys

My brother was out with the kids playing in the ocean

Ava played in the water a little bit but was more entertained on the land.

Parker started digging a big hole and Ava wanted to watch soon all the kids were coming over and wanted to help as well

Ava lucked out and got no sunburn at all the whole weekend. she did get a good tan too...better then I did. This is Ava's sun maid raisins ad.

Parker sitting in his hole..nope not deep enough.

I love this picture of Johnny. I was calling it his Mr. February pose or his Frito's ad.

The guys taking a breather

Chad (Ann's husband) made a big tunnel that the little kids could climb through. Parker was a little big for it.

He got stuck a little and Gabe had to help him through

Success!!

Time to destroy the tunnel and head back to camp for lunch

John found something here. I think it was a coin.

As I was heading back to make lunch Parker and Gabe stayed awhile more. Parker was burying Gabe in the sand.

Interesting little castle made in the sand by someone.

We got back to camp and started making some food. Everyone was winded by the long tortuous hike up hill. It was pretty hard going up steep hills hauling stuff back. I had to do the trip twice. Once with Ava in the jogger then I had my dad watch her while I went back down hill to help Gabe bring up the wagon while he carried his surfboard. What a work out. My uncle and I were both saying how this was like a Biggest loser episode.

Time for watermelon..ava's favorite!

The kids loved being with Ally. I had to get this picture of her surrounded by children eating messy watermelon and she was just sitting back enjoying a ice cold can of Simpler Times (trader Joe's beer)

After everyone was done eating and relaxing it was time for the 2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt!

The teams were a little different then from last year. We did Boys against girls. Kirsten held the fort down since she was the one who created the list. All the team leaders had to wear a alligator hat. My dad got to come with us girls since we were short one member.

One of the things on the list was for our team to take a group picture with a new friend. The couple in the back was our new friends. In the photo on my teamsfrom front left is little daniel, Ann, Melissa, the couple, Jessica and right front is Ally.

We also had to take a picture of the trail sign

and mountains.

At the end the gals all ended up winning. We all thought it would be funny to hide in a tent until the guys came back so when they would come back and see we weren't there they would think they would have won. After they got back we all jumped out of the tent and was like WOO HOO LOSERS!!!! It was pretty funny.

The rest of the night the kids all burnt out pretty quickly and the adults all just sat around the camp fires and just relaxed. I indulged with some wine and smores and it was Delish!

Family Vacation- Night 1

2010-06-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

This past memorial day weekend we went on our 2nd annual family camping trip. Last year we went to the lake this year we went to the beach!..I think next year it will be the mountains!

We arrived Friday afternoon right around sunset. Just enough light for us to set up our tents and cook some dinner and chat with the rest of the group that was coming camping. We had a group of 19 this trip! 13 adults and 6 kids. Our camp site looked like tent city! It was a beautiful full moon out.

Gabe and the kids and I along with my brother and his gf, Scott and Ally decided to take a night hike down the nearest trail to the beach. The trail was steep here and there and rocky and really was not the easiest to hike at night. We came across a look out point over looking the ocean.

We stood and sat and listened to the ocean that was sounding closer as we continued to hike the trail

There was lots of brush and plants around and we heard a lot of stirring in the distance..we just hoped there was no coyotes!

I didn't have a flashlight so I moved a little more slowly down the trail. Ally was so kind to lighten up the path for me.

We finally made it down to the sand! Off everyone went to check out the waves. It was a pretty hide tide that night which I figured since there was a full moon and all.

The moon was so bright it really lighten up the beach. Parker had a glow stick to play with in the darkness.

Gabe took this picture of the group of us.

I brought my HOBO camping hush puppies boots which made the hiking a little easier. My brother, Scott and Jessica with Parker went off to hunt down some more drift wood.

This is how close the ocean was from where we were sitting. ((CLICK ON PICTURE FOR BETTER VIEW))

The kids were getting a little tired so I think it was about time to head back up.

These guys hit the JACKPOT on finding a bag to use to collect all the drift wood they found. Luckily Ava wanted to be carried back up the trail rather then in her jogger so I told these guys they could carry their driftwood back on the jogger which with these drunken fools was pretty damn funny. It was like a stooges episode.

Once we got back up the bluffs and back to camp we all sat around the fire and played some games with everyone else at the campsite. That driftwood smelled so good in the air!

It was soon time for bed cause we had a busy day of relaxation to continue early in the morning.

So long...Off to Paradise

2010-05-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Well I am off on vacation going to our 2nd annual family camping trip to San Onofre CA.
We are going to have a lovely 4 day getaway surfing and exploring the great outdoors.

See you all Monday!

Allister's 101 Dalmation Party

2010-05-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday we helped celebrate Allister's 3rd birthday!!
The party was a fun 101 Dalmatians theme..it came equipped with face painting and fun Dalmatian hats the kids could make.

I always always have to take pictures of the bday cake whenever we attend a party.

This sandwich was the biggest sandwich I have ever seen..and boy was it tasty!

The birthday girl and mama

The kids all had fun playing in the back.

Parker ....cool kid in town..

Ava was having fun chasing the ball that was being kicked back and forth

She finally found her own ball to play with..I think it was almost as big as her

Time to gather up and play some games

Singing Happy Birthday..Ava's Doritos's face cracks me up here

Ally had so much fun blowing out her candles she did it twice!!

Time for presents!!

She got lots of wonderful items! We just love bday parties.

Busy times

2010-05-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

So as you may have noticed I have not blogged in about a week! It has been a tremendous busy month for me.
Last week our CEO for the company came in for a Press Event we had at our facility here in Costa Mesa. First I been setting up and cleaning the whole business up , then Tuesday was the marketing event so we had tons of demo rides, seminars, giveaways, and catering and wine which was the fun part. Then it was business meetings for the rest of the week and another special marketing event to prep for for this past weekend.
Besides work being so crazy I been finally sorting out things at home and actually started packing for our move this past weekend.
I also finally just yesterday got my computer at home set up so soon I will be posting up a blog with photos of what I did over the weekend.

I am not out of the woods yet though for being busy. I had a conference call this morning that lasted forever and another meeting at 1pm!!... OH and this weekend is the annual family camping trip so now I am preparing for that then once back home it is back to the move.

Whew...I feel tired just typing this!

The Basement

2010-05-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Saturday Night we all went to the Long Beach Sound Society club in Long Beach that is held at the Basement Lounge. This is my friend Jesse's club and we were all there celebrating his wife Hilary's birthday. What a blast we had.
5 of us on Scooters all headed out

I was riding passenger on my husbands bike.

This place was so swank on the inside complete with Dim lighting, Plush couches, a well stocked bar and even a Korean taco stand on the inside! Jesse had a nice lay out of snacks on the table for all of us celebrating Hilliary's birthday.

Cool Target cake and cupcakes!

Towards the end of the night there were quite a bit of grazers at this table.

Holly and My hubby

Self portrait

Chris was cool hanging at the bar

We all took the sofa area over. Man were those some comfy couches!

Burns acting a fool

Not much for a outdoor area to lounge in

Unless lounging on stairwells tickles your fancy

Smokers

The stateside saints played...they were really good. We were dancing to almost all their songs

This blog is not complete with out a picture of the Birthday Girl!

I will surely be coming to this club again!

Time to Celebrate

2010-05-17T10:50:00.001-07:00

This past few weeks at work have been pretty busy and stressful but On Thursday I got a very pleasant tid bit of information....I got a Raise!! I tell you it could have not come at a better time too.
I am really on a tight budget saving up for the move But I did have to allow myself to meet up with the gals on Friday for a couple drinks ...(Happy Hour prices)
Us gals met up at Tantalum. There is just nothing more relaxing then to end the long work week at a nice bar over looking the canals and watching the sun set.

Thelma joined Toni and I

Watermelon Margs..yummy!

After a few cocktails I had to complete the happy hour with some tasty sliders!

It was a perfect start to a fun filled weekend!

Neighborhood Watch

2010-05-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended my blocks first Neighborhood Watch meeting. I guess I have not been the only one concerned about the recent suspicious activities going on in the neighborhood. On Monday we received the flyer for the first meeting which was being held two doors down from us ( coincidentally at the neighbors house that lives directly next door from the new troublemaker neighbors)
Toni went with me over to the neighbors house for the meeting and to my surprise a lot of neighbors showed up and not only was it all the homeowners that attended this meeting but a lot of the apartment dwellers were there as well.
We got to meet our patrolling officer who watches over our street and got to hear every one's concerns for the neighborhood.

We were provided with a telephone number that we can report tenants for bad behaviors and the police will have a report up on that location and will notify the landlords.
We did get a lot of helpful information on staying safe which I will definitely use. We also got to see reports of the crimes in on area and they did let us know that we can keep up on the crimes by going to Crimereports.com. They also let us know if we go on vacation there is a number provided where we can make arrangements for a car to patrol our street and look over our houses free of charge. Some will even get out of the car to check your premises.

I am really glad I went to this meeting. We have one more then we get our neighborhood watch stickers for our windows and the officer even said once we complete our 2nd meeting we would be able to have block parties Free of Charge. It is pretty cool stuff!

This is something that should have been arranged a Long time ago!

A party on my mind

2010-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have got to say there is nothing I love more then Hosting a party! It could be a Big party or a small get together with the gal pals!

I been dying to organize some sort of party for the summer. Now that I will have a backyard I cannot wait to have a few friends over for cocktails and food underneath the stars.

There is this FANTASTIC blog that I read Call Hostess with the Mostess. There is always wonderful helpful tidbits and every time I read it ..it just makes me want to throw a party even more.

A few parties that I have in mind to have in the near future is a small cocktail party in the backyard once we are all settled in. We have a cool old vintage bar table and stool which right now is in our kitchen but we want to set it up in the patio area for entertaining guests. We will probably hang some swank decorations buy it. Maybe I will bust out the craps table and have a Vegas Rat Pack theme party....I would like to have something small for Ava too. Just with like the cousins and family over.

I would have really enjoyed having some sort of 4Th of July get together but I will be in Prime moving time at that point so we may just have to have a few fireworks for the kiddos and that's about it.

Speaking of hosting a get together..... What I really need to do is have a Girls Night together ...it has been awhile since I had the gals over for Cocktails,music , snacks and a little dirty talk ..I think this is something I may need to plan for even the nearer future..Like maybe Friday or next week.
Hmm Let's see if I can make this happen!

Computer Crash

2010-05-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

So it's been awhile since my computer at home has crashed. I received a bad virus that crashed my hard drive and last week or should I say the week before Gabe took it in to be repaired. Well I think finally I will have it back today. I just hope they saved all my pictures I had on it as we requested. I had a ton of photos of Ava's first few months and I would be devastated if they could not save them but they ensured us that they could. I guess I will see.....

Anyways it cost me 200.00 to have it fixed. Does that seem extreme? I mean I was quoted slightly more by other places but they said I would have it back the next day..I mean sheesh it has been 2 weeks already!!

I was getting the hang of not having a computer at home. It was kind of nice having good quality time to read and catch up on some netflix movies I been sitting on for awhile. I now feel the need to have my computer back for many reasons...

1. As I am getting ready to pack I have got loads of items to put on craigslist,ebay and recyclers.

2. I am a game addict on facebook and I am sick of bailing my petville character out of the pound, cleaning spoiled food from my cafe and getting my butt kicked on sorority life..not to mention needing to harvest my crops every Monday on my breaks.

3. I realllly need to check my email daily cause I keep missing out on important emails that cannot be checked for two days.

Well I thought I could be one of those people who didn't really need to depend so much on all this electronic technology. I always felt I could do without..but I guess not!

Party In the Submarine

2010-05-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

This Past Saturday we ventured out to Menifee to Brian and Brandee's sons Jack's first birthday. My GPS took us through the scenic route so we had quite a long journey out there.

The Theme was The Beatles Yellow Submarine. it was so fun. The dress code...Bright Colors!
Ava made a B Line to the balloons

she blended right in them

This cake was so awesome...it was actually all cupcakes!

There were tons of pictures of Jack throughout his first year. The place was decorated cool with number ones floating from the ceiling along with brightly colored fish.

There was a lot of kids of all ages. Ava was really into playing with the backyard toys.

They played a game where the kids had to try and hit Brian in the face with wet sponges...he forgot to realize that some of the boys were baseball players. He did lots of flinching after that first plow to the face.

The music was all Beatles of course and there was Yellow Submarine posters hanging all over.

When we got to the party all the kids were given either a blow up groovy guitar or a blow up sax. Parker was collecting them all and putting them all over his body.

The coloring section was a great idea. Ian had fun coloring. * He is Holly's little nephew. *

He was born 2 weeks after Ava.

Time for CAKE! Jack was looking a little tired until that cake came out.

He needed a little help on learning what to do with the cake. He sure livened up when he had that first taste.

Holly wearing her nephews glasses.

Ava and Ian were quick friends. he was sharing goldfish crackers with her, and he found a pink balloon and gave it to her and was trying to hug her. However when he tried to hug her she bit him. I have GOT to get her out of this biting thing.

Time for presents!!! We bought jack a cute little kiddie pool that looks like a blow up crab and the hose screws into it's mouth and sprays water and it is covered and some pool toys. I figure it must get pretty hot in Menifee.

He was overly tired at this point so a break was needed for a little before opening more presents.

Great pictures of Jack...I love the Green apple touch

After jack's break he was in good spirits again

This is what you play at a Yellow Submarine party!

Ava in the sub

The Hubby's Brian, Gabe and Jesse

The weather was Great!

The Wives... Myself, Brandee and Hilary

We had a lot of fun ..Happy Birthday Jack-O!!

My kinda Place

2010-05-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Lately a big thing that has been on my mind has been the desire to hit up and old 1950's -1960's steak house. You know one of those run down looking ranch house style places and when you walk in ..you walk into a time capsule.
My first choice is to check out thee ol steak corral in Whittier. I think it may be the last one left here in LA. I never been but I hear it is super cheesy with a bob's big boy type cowboy statue lassoing a big steak.

If I did not have the kids with me though I think I also would like to check out Steak N Stein. Seriously check out the bar inside!! Any place that has a cool old style bar like this has my interest.

I would not mind either checking out a Northwoods Inn. Can you believe I have never been to one of these classic Clearman's chain of restaurants. I think it is about time that I go!

Now Introducing...

2010-05-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

Peep was relocating her kittens and I noticed they been squirming about. anyways I took them out to move them in a safer area and Ava was going Insane over them.

Here they all are!!!

I can't wait until they have their eyes and ears opened. I tucked them away safe and sound.

A moment of Zen

2010-05-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday Gabe and I and the kids met up with john and Kirsten and the kids and took a much talked about trip to CSULB to check out the Earl Burns Japanese Garden.

Gabe graduated from CSULB and always from the time I have met him told me about the garden and quite a few times we have went to go but it would be closed. Anyway FINALLY after all these years I got to see it.
it is smaller then I expected but it was very beautiful

Gabe and I actually considered getting married here but they had way too many rules.

Ofcourse we had to feed the Koi

Ava walked right into the pond at one point and got her shoes Soaked. Luckily she didn't fall in!

A lot of stimulation for small ones

Parker said the place was full of Peace.

By the little meditation room.

Ava and Johnny

It was really perfect weather too.

Ava just had to climb the rocky stairs....

lots of Zen Gardens

The Gals

The Guys

Ok nap time was amongst us and it was soon time to leave but first not without one last stop to feed the koi

AVA just would not pose for a Pix..she just wanted to run right back into the pond

This big white koi is a pig!

I just love ponds. This was a nice little short day trip to take the kids. I really think they enjoyed themselves.

Mods Mayday 2010

2010-05-03T14:04:00.001-07:00

Another Mods Mayday come and gone.
I remember my first Mods Mayday as a matter of fact I remember it like yesterday. It was 1999 at club Fais do do and it was packed solid. There was about 50 scooters all lined up outside, about 9 bands lined up for the event and 13 dj's. There must have been 500+ people there. The look was HARD MOD. Everyone was sharp and the dance floor was covered in baby powder for smoother dancing. Back then everyone knew everyone and we all considered ourselves as like a family. It was definitely a lifestyle that most claimed it was their LIFE..Mod 4 Life a lot would say.
Times have changed a lot though in the "SCENE". A lot of those familiar faces have moved on to other interests and "scenes". Some have moved to not only other cities but states and countries even. Some began families and grew out of the lifestyle and some just got bored of it.

Anyway this past Saturday was The Bullet's Mods Mayday event at the Hollywood studio Bar and Grill. I had a fun time mingling with friends, having drinks ( even though I am pretty sure they had next to No booze in them), watching some great bands and listening to some great tunes and I even had to dance a little
At the club the big buzz was ROGER from that old show What's happening was in the house..Ofcourse Vickie and I had to hunt him down and get a photo..what a cool guy he is..super nice

Michael and loryn..

I got to see Sherilyn whom I have not seen ..well since the Specials concert but before then quite a few months

we did a lot of hanging out in the patio

Some folks watching the band play

The New Fidelity ...they play a lot of great covers from Small Faces, The Kinks, The Jam, The who..Great stuff...I added like a 34 second clip of them finishing up a song on the bottom of this blog!

Toni and Loryn..Bisch and Michael in the background

Guillermo and Mary. They brought stuff from Lambretta works for a raffle giveaway. Free raffle tickets too! It was nice. It was so good to see Mary too...first time out since she had their 2nd child. He is 5 months old.

Gabe and Chris and Dean rode the lambrettas up to Hollywood from Long Beach. Gabe's broke down at Dean's shop so he rode Deans race bike.

You will always find GIGI on the dance floor.

Gabe and Jessie

The band again

Mikey wanted to take a group shot of us outside but I forgot to lift the flash up

Trying this again...Gals

Wait let's get the guys in the back on the fun

The dj's were great!

Time for the raffle! I won a full face helmet with Carlos Santana artwork. I however do not wear a size large. Rich G. won white wall scooter tires and asked if I wanted to trade. Chris really wanted the Helmet and last weekend at a rally he won a half helmet, so after some wheeling and dealing..I gave my full face helmet to Chris and Chris will give his half face helmet to Rich and we got Gabe some new white wall tires for his Lambretta..Everyone wins!

We didn't get to bed til about 4am that night...but it was so worth it!

Video of the New Fidelity that played

Friday finally arrives

2010-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

It has been pretty busy at work lately. I was desperately waiting for Friday to arrive.
This past Friday Holly and I met up with Toni at Hoff's Hut for Happy hour after work.

I really love Happy Hour at this joint. It has this old time feel to it..and not old time feel to it because usually when you go in there it is packed with a bunch of Senior citizens from the Condo's located by the restaurant but it also has this really cool horseshoe shaped bar and dim lighting, and cheap cheap drinks..Well drinks 2.75! The whole place gives off this old Vegas style vibe.
We were actually joking around with the bartendress how all they need is Slots or Keno.
We then joking to her about where is the bookie..and low and behold five minutes later a old gentleman by the name of MICKEY came up and said I'm the bookie I heard you were looking for one! I could not believe it.

This place is really awesome for people watching. The Bartendress told us all kinds show up there..Old Italian Mob guys,Irish Mafia, Bookies, Business millionaires , then this old guy walks in with a captains hat on and said See there is the captain.
It was a lot of laughs.
We had a few rounds there and we needed food as well...We had onion rings, nachos , and chicken strips for Appetizers.

We left home from Happy hour and Since I carpooled with Holly and we were at Hoff's her hubby was over my place hanging out drinking beers with my hubby. Holly came back over with a bottle of wine and we all hung out in the garage drinking and chatting and watching the kids play.

My cat is very found of Chris's Lambretta.

After a few hours drinking it was the typical sign of the party's over when you find Chris passed out in the chair. LOL

We sat around a fire pit we had going in the nice breezy cool air.

The fire was blazing too. Parker was toasting marshmallows but the wind kept making the smoke get in his eyes.

It was a nice evening around the fire. A perfect start to a fun filled busy weekend.

Been a long day..

2010-04-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

So I been so busy with work as we have some upcoming huge marketing events and special visitors coming to the office, that I have not had time to blog really today.

It is the end of the day and I am getting ready to go home. Holly and I carpool every Friday.

It has been such a hectic crazy week we decided it is a good day to stop for a little happy hour.

So It's off to Happy hour folks!

Have a great weekend!

Just have to VENT..the time has come

2010-04-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come for Gabe and I to finally move from this tiny stale old apartment.
It seems to be right in the nick of time too. We just got some horrible neighbors this past February and for lack of better words they are bringing the Ghetto into what was once a quiet little historical neighborhood.
The new neighbors hang out on the porch all day, smoke weed in the front yard, listen to loud music, hoot and holler at the women walking by to go to the corner store, let their kids go off and do what ever they want (which is usually loitering in my carport)and I just cannot take that anymore.
They always have shady looking characters coming in and out of their place too. Ever since they moved in the houses in the neighborhood have been getting robbed and they even had to lock down Parker's school (which is on the corner from our block) to hunt for a robbery suspect in the neighborhood.

Speaking of the loitering kids, I pull up yesterday home from work and 4 boys are just walking up and down my driveway and Parker is not out there playing with them..and his razor scooter is outside by my garage in the back. One of the kids (after he saw me bringing in groceries and begging for me to open the bag of sunchips he saw in my bag so he can have some as he has a bag of chips in his hand) they were first of all playing in our carport with Parker's basketball hoop and ball while no one was home like it is a friggen park, One was hanging from the hoop and the other throws the ball over the fence..Gabe tells them to get lost they can't be hanging out while no one is home, then one takes Parker's razor scooter and goes to a friends house a couple blocks away and never brings the scooter back. Just basically stole it. Didn't ask to borrow..just took it from Parker (he said). So frustrating!

Besides the unsavory neighbors there is also the upstairs neighbor who has two boys that are both hyperactive and all the do is jump up and down and scream and yell and my windows are constantly shaking and the apartment is always trembling with noise. I mean almost nightly I have to walk upstairs and tell them to please keep it down and it works...for 5 Minutes!! You would think the parent would have some sort of consideration for the people that live below them.

Only two more months of it though. It will be a big change for us. A much needed change. Finally a backyard for the kids, and their own bedrooms, Two bathrooms, and just more much needed space! It also lights a fire underneath our butts to get rid of Clutter. I know we will have to be more thrifty with our money as far as less dining out, less shopping for stuff we really don't need, less trips and club night events but that is perfectly fine by me!
I much rather have a comfortable place to call home.

C'mon July 1st!! I am so ready!

I have Kitties!

2010-04-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

so late last night I heard little crying kitten sounds under my couch.
Peep had her kitties. We had gotten a voucher to have her fixed in the mail but I discovered she already looked like she was pregnant and I could not have her go through a spay in that condition. I think she only had 3 kitties since she is extremely a tiny midget cat.

Luckily I already know some possible homes for the little ones. Once they are weaned Peep is off to get spayed.

Anyway to celebrate I am posting a couple cute kitty photos of random cats..(none of them are mine)

Tickle tickle tickle

Precious little sweater

How could you resist a face like that.

Beware of Cat!!

2010-04-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

It was a fun weekend filled with drinks and friends. Friday night I made a ton of Pasta and had some friends over for dinner and wine. Sean and Julia, Jesse and Hilarie with their 2 year old Allister and Holly came to have dinner. After awhile for wine Dave and Edina and Andy and Davina and kids all came over as well. It was nice cause all the kids played together and had a good time and we all listened to music and had nice convo and full bellies. I took pictures but I was fart'n around with my camera Saturday and accidentally deleted all the photos..Major bummer!

Earlier in the day Saturday Andy came by to pick up the boys since they stayed over last night and when he came to pick them up he brought his Dog over..Yeah I never thought my cats really cared to much about dogs.
I have had this doormat for ever..Love it.

See Peaceful cat..let's Ava torment her from time to time..I always have to keep a watchful eye

Calm Cat

Evil cat! This is when the dog was over

I have NEVER Seen her this pissed before...she is pretty spooky looking

She is a Bengal Mix cat. Bengals are Hybrids usually mixed with Abyssinian and part Asian Leopard cat. Her Mother was a show cat and I bought her from a breeder and was wanting to show her as well. I didn't have her fixed but she was an escape artist and did get out a few times and got pregnant. She finally got fixed but it was not hard to get rid of her kittens. Some of the kittens came out looking like pure breeds. However Jeep was her last litter and they didn't come out with great markings but the body confirmations are much like a Bengal and the personalities for sure.

I really love my cats and they are all very good pets. As wild as they can appear they are very gentle beasts!

Earth Day Everyday

2010-04-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

It was a nice earth day yesterday. I wish I could have had a day off to give something back such as beach clean up or plant a tree. We always contribute though such as keeping the lights low , recycling, we tried composting a few times (kinda hard in a apartment). Since we practice staying green throughout the year we celebrated in another way...we Ate green!
We are big meat eaters in our house but for a "Green" day we had Garden Burgers for dinner.
See I like Garden burgers..I love the taste. I eat them from time to time but trying to get the Hubby and the Kids to eat it..meh..that's another story. I cooked the patty and sauteed some mushrooms with the patty. I used whole Wheat buns and sliced avocado,romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions and sliced American cheese.
Gabe was Skeptical but he savored every bite. He said it was much better then he expected it to be. In fact he had 2!!

Parker on the other hand..he did not care for it at all. Gabe ended up making him a regular meat hamburger. We gave Ava Parker's garden burger and she loved it. She was eating it so fast though she started choking and spit up a bunch of it that was chewed and stuck in her throat on to the floor.

The cats were really quick to act though ..needless to say they had garden burgers too for dinner.

Reading Is Fun

2010-04-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Ava has been so into Books that she could care less about pretty much everything else...except for one loan lamp shade that has been retired to the rubbish bin do to tricky little fingers.
This book has flaps and everytime she opens a flap she says Peek a Boo...it sounds more like BAA BOOO

Good night puppy is one of her faves

She loves pop up books too but completely destroyed one I got her..luckily I found it at a thrift store and it was only 50 cents.

She has this other book that is a favorite and it has different animals and it talks about the different kisses they give..for example it has a cat and it reads the Cat has Scratchy Kisses and it has a sand paper tongue you can feel. The dog has sticky kisses and it has a sticky tongue to touch. She loves those touch and feel books too.

Needless to say we been having lots of good quality reading time around thee ol McCaffrey household lately!

Should I go or Should I stay??

2010-04-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Tiki Oasis 10 is this August and I refuse to miss it yet another year. For about 6 years I been trying to go to this and I never do. It is like the biggest tiki fest in Southern California and I always see pictures and get so pissed that I was not there. Anyway it is on the weekend of Ava's Birthday but I am still debating if I should go or not.

I booked my room already at the Crowne Plaza Resort where they have the festival at. I got a Large two Queen Bed room poolside with a view of the stage where all the shows will be held.

For Thursday check in to Sunday check out the room rate is a whopping 500.00 + bill.

Gabe and I will hopefully be splitting the room though with Josh and Vickie.

I really love the whole tiki look of the place. It kinda reminds me of a whole resort of the place that Gabe and I got married at.

Here is someones view over the Atrium. Check out the KOI!!

I guess I will purchase my passes for the event this coming paycheck. I better start saving though cause now that we are moving and our rent is more expensive then what we pay now I really got to start budgeting and have money put aside for these big events.

The major bummer is that it happens to be the weekend of Ava's 2nd birthday.

We will probably have a small quaint party for her at our new house we will be living in.

Guess I better start saving for that too.

Dress Up

2010-04-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

This morning when I was getting ready to leave for work I found Ava walking around in my shoes.
It was pretty funny

Gabe said all she needs is a hat so he brought one out and she put it on.

Yeah..may take a while for these to fit her

These WERE the shoes I was going to wear today but when I tried to take them from her she started crying so today I wore flats. Funny baby..she loves playing dress up!

Girls Getaway

2010-04-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

The gal pals and i been talking for the longest time especially when we do our girls night to take a overnight stay somewhere and just do a girls sort of weekender...well talk is cheap and so we finally did it!

Thelma and I kept saying let's do it and we asked our other girls to come out but no one was able to afford it at the time so it look like at first that it was just Thelma and Myself. We talk to Toni and she said to count her in as well. Anyway I knew if I didn't book that room we were probably not gonna go so I booked it and there was no turning back.

Our first of hopefully more girl weekend getaways was a trip to Solvang to do some wine tasting. Thelma had never been before so it was exciting to see what she was going to think of it.

Thelma and Toni all met at my place at 7:30am Saturday morning and Thelma drove us up to the country. Thelma came with Starbucks in hand for us three and it was the perfect start of a interesting and terribly fun trip!

We got to Solvang about 10:30 am and we were all hungry and knew we better get some food in our tummy's before a whole day of tasting wine so we went to Paula's Pancake house and had a good ol fashioned country breakfast then it was off to the vineyards!
Our first vineyard we went to was Buttonwood. The first of the wines we tried were the whites and the whites were being served out in their back garden area. There was beautiful Irises there.

The 3 of us in the garden at Buttonwood

We went inside where they were serving the reds.

I had to bring out my wine journal at the first place...We had a free coupon for the Fess Parker Vineyard so we hoped back in the car and headed down the country road to Fess Parker

Fess Parker Vineyards. The place was huge and beautiful. I enjoyed pretty much every wine I had there. We took our red tastings outside and walked around the grounds for awhile and sat under a big tree. (Thelma has those pictures)

After Fess Parker it was close to 2 pm and we headed back to Solvang and check in our room then go walk around the town and do more tastings. Our first stop Presidio. I enjoyed everything there as well that I tasted. After Presidio we went to Lucas & Llewellyn where I am a member at and we all got to taste pretty much anything we wanted to for free. By this point we were all feeling pretty good.

We walked over to madonlina where I am a member there as well but first we had to pose next to the infamous clog shoe. Then proceeded with our tasting.

After that tasting we did some shopping. Thelma tried on this very cute headband with the most sparkly decoration on it. We told her she had to buy it!

Toni and I trying on big floppy hats. After shopping we had dinner then headed over to Alisal Cellars where we did more tastings.

We met some wine makers there that all stopped by and they were pretty funny guys and they let us taste some of the bottles they brought over from the Vintner's Festival that they were at earlier in the day. It was nighttime at this point and Toni went back to the room cause she was tired and could not drink anymore.

Thelma and I stayed to watch a funk band that was going to play at the cellar and we danced and had a glass of wine. We headed back to the hotel room and went to end the night by hanging out in the hot tub. It was a long eventful day.

The next day we got up and checked out of the room and had breakfast. We went to purchase some wines and then wanted to checkout the last wine room we had a free coupon for. This place was great. It was like this rockabilly wine room that had a private lounge area and a place where bands could play. The labels they put on their wines are really cool retro style labels and all the wines were very good.

They had rat pack pictures and pictures from the movie swingers. I of course had to join this wine club and Toni did as well. Check out their Site..Sort This Out Cellars

I love their glasses. I cannot wait to go back and introduce some more of my friends to this wine.

After we did our tasting there we hit the road back to home so we would not get bad traffic which we did not thankfully. We left close to 1pm and got home about 3:30.

We made a pit stop at a park in Santa Barbara Over looking the ocean. This Huge Seagull sat beside me. I had to take a picture of him.

All in all it was a fantastic trip and I cannot wait to go back.

TGIF..seriously

2010-04-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Seriously I am so glad it is Friday. Last night's show at club Nokia was Off the Hook but I am paying the price today for those sneaky tiki drinks at Trader Vic's ( Note to Self : The Big Kahuna has more booze in it then I taste..only get one)

Gabe and I went up with Chris and Holly and we got there early to find ofcourse good parking and dibs on good seats. Since our dinner reservations were not until 5:30 and we had time to kill and went to some bar at this very old hotel that I cannot remember the name .
We met up with some friends

Chris and Gabe..don't they look just so thrilled

Christan was the Two Tone Queen for the evening!

Best Harem in the house!

My Dapper Hubby

This was my first of a few Big Kahuna's at Trader Vic's! Yep ..it's on fire..Should have been the first warning to stay away ) Mondo in the back ground ..oooooo fire!! Damn you Arnold..I swear every time i try and take a picture of him ..it's of him blocking his face!

Mark getting lucky with the gals

All us gals after a few drinky's. After meeting up with more and more friends in the lounge..dusk was upon us and it was time to go to the concert

The band was so incredible...I danced my butt off!..I feel the pain today

I so wish I could see them play again but it is probably unlikely that they will ever play out here again...Bummer..........They did do all the songs from the video I posted yesterday and many more of their hits.

~~The Specials~~*~

2010-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Tonight Gabe and I are going to see THE SPECIALS at the Nokia! This is the first time in 30 years they are doing a concert with pretty much the whole original members in the USA. Pretty much all our friends are going to be there as well. I can hardly contain myself!!! These guys were so very popular in the 80's and had hit after hit after hit.
Gabe and I are carpooling with Chris and Holly and we all have reservations for trader Vics in LA with about 14 of our other friends. We are going to have dinner and tiki drinks before going to the show. Tickets are all sold out and you can find them here and there for no less than a hundred bucks a piece now. The show in New York I heard sold out in a day or few. Anyway I am posting a bunch of their you tube videos to celebrate! **remember to hit pause on my music player at the bottom of my blog page before viewing videos**

*They are also playing Coachella this weekend*

Ava's Bubble Fest!

2010-04-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I bought a Bubble gun. It was like Disneyland for her in Parker's room playing with it..Oh it just brings me so much Joy to see her excitement

You could only imagine all the screeching with joy that was going on.

Long Beach Pizza Co.

2010-04-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday night we met up with a couple of our friends and their kids at the Long Beach Pizza Co.
This place always has awesome food and it's never too crowded and best yet it is in walking distance from our apartment!!
The gang!! Ava pretty much fell asleep right away. Must have been from the long day of yard sales

Parker was keeping himself occupied by making the salts fight against the peppers. Of course the Parmigiana was part of the salts team and the red pepper flakes were part of the black peppers team.

Gabe and Jesse with little Allie in the background

Gabe ordered a sandwich and the rest got pizza. I ordered this awesome pasta pesto dish with chicken,artichoke,mushrooms,onion,peppers and garlic.

This was the Pesto Pizza. I heard it was excellent!

After we ate we all sat around and talked over a pitcher or 3 of beers. I just had one small glass of wine cause I was just too tired. Parker started falling asleep so Gabe and I had to take off to get the kids to bed.

I really need to take advantage more of all the neat places to dine at and shop for that matter in my neighborhood. It's great too cause Jesse and Hillary just moved a couple blocks away from us so it looks like we have more friends to make it all merrier.

YARD SALE TIME!!!

2010-04-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend in my uncles neighborhood in Lakewood the reality group hosted a large multi block yard sale event. Basically a flyer was sent to all the residents that the group would post up signs and do advertisements for the yard sale..all you had to do was bring out your old unwanted items.

Gabe and I brought some stuff over to my uncles to sell some of our stuff. Now we have TONS!!!!! of stuff..but we mainly sold all of Ava's old baby items as well as some of Parker's old toys, clothes, and knic knacs.

Just to give you an idea how much crap we have here is a photo of one of Two garages..this is only a section..Not even the whole garage and what is hidden in the rafters!
Behind those flags are boxes and boxes of old vintage toys,vintage figurines,records,books,board games, roller skates, vintage purses and shoes etc...

The second garage I didn't even take pictures of..it mainly consists of vintage clothes,shoes, toys, work shop equipment, some mid century tables that need to be repaired, A few Old Rain Lamps, old enamel pots and pans and water cans etc...

We have a ton of collectible items and one day I hope to get a booth at the long Beach Antique swap meet to cut loose a lot of these items. It is really time to clean house!

Anyway all in all we pretty much sold everything we brought to the yard sale so we were pretty happy.

Can't wait for round two of yard sales.

Taco Friday

2010-04-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

One of the many things I love about living in Long Beach are all the great places to eat that are in walking distance from where we live.
Friday night for dinner Gabe and I went with the kids to Hole Mole.
We ordered Taco's Galore!!
We ordered and Parker played Gallaga

Hmmm Which salsas to choose??? I chose None for myself cause I am a Wimp when it comes to spicy!

I don't know why I don't come here more often. There are great chairs to sit outside with friends and have some beer and taco's..hmmm looks like something I may need to plan more in the coming summer!

The food is always so fresh here.

Tabasco anyone??

I ordered crispy chicken tacos..Oh man they were so good...I should have ordered more!

Baja Style Fish Taco's..only a buck a piece on Taco Tuesdays!! They are so yummy!

Mid Century Make Over

2010-04-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

So I am majorly in complete love with the Mid Century look. I don't know if it is because it takes me back to a simpler happy time or cause it is just really friggen cool looking. Anyway..My home has some good pieces but it seriously is like a mixture of Pop Art , meets Atomic Ranch..meets Space age meets Ikea. I just call it RETRO Design. I have been told before that it looks like a consignment shop.
I am really right now wanting to complete my home with some extra special touches such as new "old" couches ( I been holding off cause I have small children) a Stereo console and new lamps.

I love this chair and love seat!! Almost all my furniture have these legs too so I have got to get matching couches soon.

I would LOVE to have this. I am sure it is not easy to come by. I got to thinking to that I really need to start using my mother's working at a Thrift store resources. I called her up yesterday afternoon and asked her is they ever received the mid century Stereo Record player consoles and she said yes every once in awhile but they get turned away cause they are so large and take up so much space in their store they just don't want them. I told her I would come and pick them up and buy them when they come in. So she said she would talk to the people at work about it but we could probably do that. I also told her to give me a call when couches come in and lamps etc. I will have to start posting up my new finds.

I really hope to be moving this summer and it would be great to finally start furnishing a HOME rather then my tiny stale ol apartment.

So time to begin Project Mid Century!!

Ut Oh Spaghetti Zzzzzzzzz's

2010-04-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

So sometimes it can be a little tricky being a full time working mom then to come home and the hubby leave for his job and I take over the homestead. I have to find ways to manage my time such as showers,feeding myself,laundry,paying bills etc as well as feed the kids, make sure they have baths, reading stories, clean up after them,brushing teeth, putting to bed etc..

Well the only way for me to shower is when I feed the kids. I lock down Ava in her highchair and when she is eating that is my moment that I can hop in the shower for 10 min. When I shower I usually have to keep the door open to hear out for her and Parker is usually good keeping an eye on her which is nice .

Last week she skipped her mid day nap and I did my usual thing and made her and Parker Spaghetti O's which they both love and jumped in the shower. This is how I found her when I got out...
She had her face lying on the tray mashed up in her food

She was out for the count!. she was pretty upset when I took her out and started washing her up.

Silly babies!!

Happy Easter!!

2010-04-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

So I am posting up all the Easter activities we been up to the whole weekend so be sure to check out all of the blogs I posted after this one.
The Easter bunny brought some great goodies for the kids

Ava was so excited to see her very own Easter bucket sitting on the table for her

She could not wait to dig in to look at all the goodies

Parker could not wait to dig in either and grab the first candy he could unwrap the quickest to eat..ahh peanut butter Egg..what a better breakfast for Easter eh?

The Easter bunny brought me a basket too!!

Later in the morning My parents came by to drop off some baskets for the kids as well and some goodies for Gabe and I

Parker was in deep thought checking out some goods

Little girl patiently waiting for me to unwrap a small chocolate egg for her

she just loved this little princess wand she got in her basket from Grandma and Grandpa

Soon it was off to John and Kirsten's for some Easter dinner. This was not too long after the earthquake that had hit earlier in the day. I was in my kitchen making some cheesy cream corn when it hit. Gabe and I and the kids didn't even know there was one until I called my uncle to see what time we should come up and him telling me Hey did you just feel that earthquake. We had no idea.

This was one of the best hams I have ever had. It was so tasty

The kids were all playing in the backyard while the grown ups ate their dinner. after I was done I rounded them all up to come and eat. They were all so well behaved sitting together at the table.

They all did a good job eating

I am sure Ava felt like a big girl sitting at the table without a highchair. she is getting better using her utensils

Food coma

All the kids crashed out pretty early..cept for Ava. She was on a jelly belly rush. She just wanted to sit on top of the table and play peek a Boo with the curtain...she started to rub her eyes and we knew it was time to go home an put the kids to bed.

Once we got home and tucked the kids in bed Gabe and I got into our Pj's and lit some candles and enjoyed a glass of red wine and shared a chocolate eater bunny that went perfectly with the wine. It was a very nice way for the two of us to close the evening.

Easter Egg Coloring

2010-04-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon The kids and I went to John and Kirsten's to color eggs.

This was the table set up before the coloring began

all the kids had such a good time decorating the eggs however I think their hands were a little bit more colorful

Ava kept throwing her eggs and smashing them so I just let her eat one instead

Parker and Kelsey each had a little batch of eggs to color

Of course us parents had to do some decorating ourselves..My uncle showing off his egg

Parker was having fun using the little crayon..however it's kinda hard to see what your drawing since it is clear

Looks like we had them colored pretty quickly

We lucked out too cause there were no spills and everyone walked away relatively cleaned besides a few good scrubbing of some tiny hands

Easter Egg Hunt with the Henry's

2010-04-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

These pictures are a bit out of order..
This is of the kids After the Easter Egg hunt when we got home from Breakfast with the Henry's

Early Saturday Morning Gabe and I and the kids met up with John and Kirsten and the kids and we all headed to St. Timothy's to do a big Easter Egg hunt. There was also a lot of fun other activites going on such as guess how many candies are in the jar, raffles, crafts and a prize table full of little toys for the kids to pick out with their tickets they got when we signed in.

Ava loved carrying around her Easter Basket

They had different areas of the school filled with Easter eggs and separated all the kids by age

Ava kept running into the field trying to collect the eggs..this is Gabe's probably 7th time chasing her and removing her from the field

Kirsten and Johnny

Kelsey with one of her classmates from school. They thought the baskets were fun hats too.

Ava anxiously waiting to grab eggs

Is it time yet???

Before the hunt all the kids gathered around for a story. Ava was really funny running into the crowd of kids sitting done and plopped herself right in the middle. I was not able to get a picture of it but it was cute.

Gabe stayed with Parker while he did the hunt with other kids in his age group and Kirsten and I took Ava and Johnny to the under 2 section. Besides Easter eggs there were all kinds of little white goodie bags to collect as well with awesome treats inside such as cookies,crackers,fruit snacks and beanie babies.

There was a little play house in the area that Ava seemed to be much more interested in.

She started to get the hang of gathering eggs

Parker's Basket was soo full that he started to fill up a plastic bag that was being handed out to all the kids.

Found a CANDY!

After the festivities the Henry's and us all went out to have a big breakfast/lunch cause none of us had eaten yet. The food was soo good and filling.

All the Pretty Flowers

2010-04-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

So at work they gave us Friday and Monday off for the Easter holiday weekend. Friday I spent my day home relaxing and recovering from being sick all week. It was such a beautiful day though and thought I would let Ava walk around outside for a bit. she had so much fun playing with all the flowers in the neighborhood.

She walked up to these huge roses to give them a sniff

Then she saw these tiny flowers and decided she wanted to stomp on those

Picking was much more fun then stomping though

The gardeners were out mowing the lawn next door...She is usually very intrigued by the vacuum in the house but the lawn mowers looked like big Outside vacuums..she was perplexed.

Looking for flowers by the tree

OOO a puddle of water was fun to splash in

But not as much as this colorful assortment of flowers

Once she tried to start picking them all it was soon time to move away from the flowers

before they were all gone.

Jamba Juice is for Sharing!!

2010-04-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

I been out sick for the past couple of days so I am catching up on some blogging so be sure to read all the ones below. I am also going to be without a computer until next Tuesday so I won't be blogging after today until next week.
This was from Tuesday my first day out sick with a fever and strep throat. Gabe went to buy me a Jamba juice in the morning and brought home a mini one for Ava. Parker was at school but he was bummed when he came home from school to see that we had Jamba juices.
Ava cannot drink this any faster

We had a orange berry blast

YUMMY..

Ava enjoyed her Jamba juice so much she walked over to her singing Yo Gabba Gabba Brobee Doll to share with him. She also tried to give some to Plex too. I swear she loves these dolls so much cause they both sing and talk.

Yayyyyy..that is what she was saying after she gave Brobee and Plex a sip off her juice

Anyone else want a sip??

She was making her dolls dance and talk together..My favorite thing she does is try and get Brobee and Plex to hold hands..tooo funny

Ava is so good about sharing..I hope it last.

Backyard BBQ

2010-04-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

Sunday night I had a craving for Steak and Baked potatos and roasted corn so Gabe said he would go set up the BBQ in the backyard. Parker was upstairs playing with his friends so Gabe and I and Ava hung out in the back to relax and bbq.
Ava was facinated by the flames. I kept a very close eye on her.

MMMM..this was one big steak..we cut it into a few mini steaks

We put potatoes and corn on right away

Ava and I walk out front for a bit..she was having fun smelling the flowers. I love how she stands to get a good whiff of the flowers.

Toni came over and joined us for dinner...Ava wanted to sit with the adults and try and be a big girl

The coals kept going out and we had to keep re lighting them.

I think finally we got them going

We grilled Ava a hot dog cause she looooves hot dogs and sat her at her table with some cut up hot dog. She was so good when she was done eating she brought her plate over to the table and placed it there nicely and said Thank You.

She was ready for seconds too.

Parker finally showed up to join us and was being chased by Ava

It was a nice little BBQ..can't wait til I have a real backyard one day

Meat is Done

and after dinner so was I . I had a sore throat and scratchy sinuses all day. I knew I must be coming down with something. Sure enough I did!

Sunday Breakfast

2010-04-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

So Gabe and I and the kids went to our favorite spot for Breakfast...POTHOLDER! Well not really our Favorite but more like good ol faithful..it's hit or miss at this place.

I tried the Breakfast quesadilla..MEH it was kinda bland..I ate it all though

Gabe had the Dugout or digger or something like that..he said Best breakfast EVER

Gabe gave Ava some of his stuffed french Toast

She decided she would just dig the creamy filling out instead of eating the whole thing

Major sweet tooth

The look of guilt..

I guess once the filling was all dug out she finally ate the rest.

Happy Birthday Dan!

2010-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Night Gabe and I went to Pasadena to celebrate with Dan his thirty something birthday. What a wonderful place him and Sara have together. A old craftsman's home built in 1918or something like that. They pay dirt cheap for this place too. They pay pretty much what we pay for our two bedroom crappy apartment but they have a house! very nice!

We sang Dan Happy Birthday

Of course after having some appetizers and cocktails

This was a mocha cake..I did not have any but Gabe said it was wonderful!!

Dan and his girlfriend Sara with Dan's parents

The one of two places your guaranteed to find MSB...either pouring himself to another rum and coke or out where everyone is smoking.

Us Gals..ughhhh I really need to minimize the size of my bust. I think the majority of my weight is in those.....

Gabe and Jim Cherry I think his name was. He does a blog also and photography.

Dan and Peter

Gabe and Sara

Everyone goofing off

Dan Sabored a bottle of champagne for a late night toast

Cheers~~~ I had a little of the champagne. Gabe spent the last two hours drinking ginger ale since we had some driving to do.

After mingling with our crowd of friends it was surprisingly 3am when we realized we were getting sleepy and ready to go. I just love celebrating with friends.

New Camera!

2010-03-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am going to be doing a lot of blogging of my weekend today..sooo keep reading!

So I finally went and updated my camera. Now I just gotta learn how to use it.
Here are some tester shots of Ava.
She was scratched by one of my kitty's sat morning. She looks like she has little whiskers. There is one tiny scratch by her nostril too.

funny little girl

Friday Night Poker

2010-03-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Friday night Gabe and I went over to Chris and Holly's house to hang out. Gabe's parents baby sat the kids at our place which is only 4 doors down.

Chris BBQ's a NY Strip Steak Roast and some chicken. He also made some baked potatoes.
It was soo good

As you can see this dinner met Gabe's Approval

We had a few bottles of wine between us and played a few hours of Texas Hold Em Poker and listened to the sounds of the 60's on the radio.

Holly was winning right from the start

Gabe never really played poker before but soon He came up on all of us with a swoop

Chris was playing it cool the whole night

The last bottle of wine Holly busted out was this Pinot Evil..it was pretty good

Poker playing..It was toward the end of the night guess who won.....

Muahahahahahahahahahaa

After I pretty much took all the chips it was soon time to leave..Chris was started falling asleep at the table

We had a fun time and really I need to start playing some more poker.

It's Back to School

2010-03-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was back to School Night at Parker's school

Anyways Gabe and I and the kids walked over to the school and they had a LOT going on.
The after school WRAP program was selling 1 dollar root beer floats, Francelli's was selling 5.00 spaghetti dinners and of course there was all kinds of soda's and bake goods sold by the PTA

Parker brought his razor scooter cause all his friends were going to bring theirs too and road around the playground

The class was finally opened and we got to check out Parker's desk, Talk to his teacher, and see his projects.

A project of his hanging on the wall

Parker showing us his animal report..most kids did lion's ,polar bears, turtles, dogs, rabbits...Parker's animal he did..a wasp.

Gabe had to leave right away to work so after we checked out the classroom we went to the school library and bought some books at the book fair. Parker bought a Poster with a jet fighter and air craft carrier,a Pokemon book, a Bad kitty chapter book and How to train your dragon.

The book fair became really crowded and insane we we hurried and got outta there.

I let Parker play for his friends a bit in the playground before walking home. There was a dj playing music outside and Parker asked me if he could go dance but he changed his mind..I wish he would have cause those would have been some funny pictures!

Need more Sleep

2010-03-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

Since daylight savings had come upon us I just cannot adapt for some reason. They say that it usually takes 3 days before you can get caught up on the time change but I just can't do it.
I don't know if it is daylight savings causing this completely. I think it could be a mixture of things such as it has been super crazy at work, my bad eating habits, Ava having to sleep in my bed with me and being restless or that I been without my little fan that I usually fall asleep to now being broken and gone and not replaced as of yet.
I think it also be the fact that I have had so much on my mind to such as moving,getting rid of clutter,finances,my car being in and out of the shop,the crazy new neighbors that hang out on the streets all hours of the night and let their kids roam around the neighborhood without a care in the world and a constant worrying about my family and their well-being and those that will be moving away.
I just feel like there is going to be major changes coming soon in my life and hopefully it will all be positive.
Can my mind go on vacation now??

Popsicles and Yogurt

2010-03-24T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well this past weekend it was warm out on Saturday so we stocked up on some Popsicles for the kids.
Ava see's the Popsicles have come out of the freezer!! What a sweet tooth this baby has

She didn't quite know about this Lime flavor

She soon enough adapted to the sourness of it.

We only gave her a little piece

Then My mom took me Saturday to pick up my car from the shop and I had treated her out to Cherry on Top. I think she maybe hooked!

I got the tart and raspberry yogurt with mini gummi bears and yogurt chips and blackberries

and she got the tropical fruit yogurt with blueberries,strawberries,kiwi,granola and one little cookie.

I think we will be taking many trips to Cherry on Top this summer!

Monkey See Monkey Do

2010-03-23T07:43:00.001-07:00

Last night before Bed Ava was having fun putting Moncheechee to bed.

She had fun giving the monkey a bottle

Time for baby to go night night

A very tired Smile
I love her little hands

I kept catching Ava trying to drink from the little moncheechee bottle but I could never get a picture..It was a crack up!!

She then got really intrigued by the bow. Ava does not usually play with stuffed animals or dolls but something about that moncheechee last night had her in Awe for about a solid 30 minutes.

Giselle's Arabian Nights Party

2010-03-22T07:40:00.001-07:00

The weekend started out great by first finding out Friday at work that I am getting a Bonus!!! The way the economy has been I was suspecting we would not get anything this year. I may invest in a new camera!

Later Friday evening Gabe and I had some cheese and crackers and Vino with Sean and Julia. It was a nice mellow quiet evening.

Saturday Night we had a 40th birthday celebration to attend for our friend Giselle. It was a Arabian nights them and it was such a blast. They had the backyard all decorated with Egyptian Poofs to sit on under lovely draped tents and beautiful lamps and candles. I loaned them by Hookah for the Party. It was a hit!

Gabe taking a puff of the hookah. We had Strawberry Kiwi tobacco in it. It was very tasty and smelled wonderful.

We had "hookah Condom" so everyone got their own tip and did not have to share

Josh, Shannon,Vickie and Holly at the party. There was lots of people to mingle with.

The Birthday Girl Giselle!

YUM CUPCAKES!!!!!

There was authentic Lebanese cuisine. The hummus was wonderful! There was also tons of vino.

Family under the tent relaxing

The Hookah section..It was really foggy that night so a lot of the pictures have this cloudy mist..it worked with the theme though

Then came the belly dancer

Giselle faces off...she certainly had done this before.

Time to get this party started!

And now for some snake charming

Us gals....

Gabe and Shannon and myself. I was refilling my vino! ( oh and yes this is Shannon Doherty)

She is super cool! I was surprised that she is the same height as me..She looks so much taller on TV.

We all kept ending up back by the hookah

Giselle and Franklin

Drinks,Chat and Hookah

We all went to sit by the fire for awhile. It was starting to get late. Time to wind down

Chilling

We noticed we never sang happy birthday so At he end of the night we all sang happy birthday to Giselle

Gabe and I stayed a bit to help clean up after the party was over. I just love a good theme party and we got to take home with us a bunch of hummus and Cucumber Yogurt sauce which yesterday I made a bunch of Chicken Gyro's and used the sauce. It was incredible.

Wanted Retro Paintings!!

2010-03-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

I just love retro long neck cats and cool mid century-esqe scenes and that is the essence that Kerry Beary's artwork brings.
One thing I have always wanted to do was have pictures on my walls like the pictures on the walls of her artwork. You always see in her work beautiful vintage paintings on the walls in the scenes and I am like why can I never find artwork like that for my house! If I had just a single artistic talent in my blood I would create art like that for people to collect and add to their mid century style Homes.
I of course love the vintage ladies and men and of course the cats she adds to her work.

Ok so the painting in this background I would love to have on my vintage Green wall in my living room. Just a big canvas painting with a teak wood frame.

This reminds me of my bedroom. I have cat painting and artwork all over the walls like that

I would love these in my hallways

This I just love cause it reminds me of Me when I was Skinny and Short Hair...the good ol days ..I also had a dress like that too..still do actually ..just does not fit

Be sure to click on the link above to check out her gallery It is FAB! Also check out her blog here on Blogspot. http://kerrybeary.blogspot.com/

St. Patty's Day

2010-03-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

In our household we celebrate St. Patty's Day to the fullest considering were McCaffrey's and I have Inherited the Irish background. Gabe had to work last night so when I got home we got to celebrate a little together.

Gabe made corned Beef and Cabbage with roasted potatoes We had a Newcastle together as well. (love my cat in the background glowing eyes I thought I would mention)

I went to work fully dress for the occasion. I had my green Ireland track jacket on with a big shamrock bow in my hair and of course my Irish Knee high Socks with a shamrock garter.

Gabe and Ava and Parker had their green on for the day too. Parker was too busy to take a picture in his green he had a TV show to watch. In the next couple months the Irish Fair is starting. We went with the rest of the McCaffreys one year and it was a blast. Looking forward to that again!

Class Time for all~

2010-03-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

Spring is here so This means it is time to get the Long Beach Parks and Recreations summer class sign ups in the mail. I really need to look into what I want to sign the kids up for next season. I had Parker doing Horse Riding lessons last summer but this year I think I may send him to a Sailing or Music Camp. This weekend I am signing Ava up for Gymnastics/Tot Tumblers class starting in Mid April. It is great that the class is on Saturday too so I can take her. This summer I am going to start her in her first Dance class too.

Today Gabe is heading to the Boy Scouts of America Lodge also to have Parker set up with a new Troop for the summertime. Right now Parker does a Boy Scouts after school program but it is not like the Boy Scouts that do camping trips and earn badges..it's more of a prep class for Boy Scouts. I think Gabe would make a wonderful Boy Scouts troop leader.

I am actually considering probably taking a class myself this summer..maybe flower arranging or some sort of crafting class or a new language class or maybe even dance. I just need to find a buddy to do a class with me. I find it would probably be more enjoyable with a friend.

I would love to do some volunteer work to at the Nature center but I really value my weekends for family and friend time.

So many things to plan!

Aiden's 2nd Birthday

2010-03-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Sunday The kids and I drove up to Claremont to celebrate my cousins son's 2nd birthday!
It was good to see family members I have not seen in a long time.
I was asked by my aunt if I had plans to have anymore children and I told her no. I had way to many health issues with Ava and with myself that I don't want to put myself at risk again. The C section has really been a damper in my getting back to shape plan too. I just cannot really get full use of my stomach muscles and when I do crunches it still hurts internally where I had the cut.

Anyway it was a every sunny clear day for a birthday party

My uncle made a nice spread of fruit and veggies and cold cuts and a very tasty asparagus salad.

All the kids had fun playing in the backyard. It was filled with 2 and 3 year old. Parker was the oldest there and he just mainly just kicked the ball around in back.

Aiden riding his quad thingy. Ava was watching all the little ones ride them around but she did not have an interest. She just mainly wanted to check out the plants and play with the balls.

She kept picking up these little seed things that I had to keep taking away from her..

She liked sitting in the big chair

Time for Cake!! Adrian did such a great job with the Thomas cake. She makes wonderful cakes.

This was a chocolate cake with Oreo cookie filling

After cake came presents!!

He does a great job opening presents. He knew right what to do.

Time to play with the gifts!!

I didn't stay too long cause I had a slight headache from the party bus the night before. So I let the kids play in the backyard for just a little while longer.
I can't believe all these babies growing up so quickly.

Gabe and Chris Birthday Pub Crawl

2010-03-15T09:46:00.001-07:00

Saturday evening was the night we all been waiting for! The PUB CRAWL DOUBLE DECKER BUS PARTY for Gabe and Chris's Birthdays. Let me just say this was the funnest night in a long time and I think everyone who went would agree. At one point it was being discussed how Patches should have been made for this event!

Ally made Birthday Cupcakes. The were Chocolate and Guinness cupcakes with a Whiskey Ganache filling with Bailey's Irish buttercream frosting. She had cute little beer mugs to top each one off and little shimmery green sugar glitter.

Holly bought Birthday crowns for the birthday boys but they would not wear them. At least we got them to pose with them...Here is Gabe's ..Chris was flipping off the camera with his hat on..Holly and I made a Big Vodka Jungle juice to take on the bus. It was some STIFF punch but very tasty. A few of us met at Chris and Holly's place then we all loaded up the wagon with the Jungle juice and cupcakes and walked to the bar where we told everyone to meet. I had my big whistle on so when the bus needed everyone to load up I could toot the whistle and Holly had a megaphone to round up everyone. I think we did pretty good...no one was left behind at any of the few bars we went too..at least so I heard.

At Gallaghers eveyone had some food and drinks and socialized for a while before the bus came to get us. Sean and Julia pictured above.

Jessie and Hillarie

Roland and Jennifer

Benny,sluggo,mondo and Peterson

Dave,Juliana and Boxer

Mike and Davina

Andy and Paul

The Bus finally arrived about a hour and a half later and So Holly yelled out the rules to everyone while I had the guys in Kilts load up the cups and booze on the busI ofcourse had to sit on top of the bus...we had the bottom filled too It was really windy up there. Me and Ally windblown head shots on the bus
We though Holly's megaphone would make a good beer funnel

Immediately everyone was hoot'n and holler'n at people on the streets and blowing the party favor horns. we were getting waves and honks and shout out from people on the streets as well.
Drink up. Everyone had a drink in hand

We had some good tunes going on as well and everyone was just having a blast

Andy was having fun with the party favors

Our first bar stop was in Seal Beach at O'malley's..More Drinks!!!

Greg and Maria
The Two bday boys with Benny
Mingling with the crowd. I wish I could have had pictures with everyone but there was just so many people that came
Back on the bus to another pub..Rich and I

I think everyone had too much fun with the party horns
This is after the 2nd bar and on to the 3rd

Craziness
Loryn and Sara on the bus

Ok these pictures are just debauchery at it's finest..I don't even remember what order they are in..no comments needed for these next few photos..

After we returned back to Gallagher's and the pub crawl was over everyone hug out for a bit and had cupcakes and for some more drinks and some had to be carried back to their cars. Rich invited us to go on his yacht for a nightcap but Gabe was so far gone that we had to decline. Gabe's brother drove Gabe home and carried him to bed, and Toni and I unlocked the wagon, and toted the Empty Jungle Juice container back home. It was a funny walk home. The wagon was rattling so loudly I told Toni to jump in the wagon and I pulled her about a block until I did not have the strength anymore. My leg muscles are still hurting.

It was a real fun time. Holly let us know about a wine tour that we do..were already getting another big group together to do that one sometime this summer! Good times!

Kelsey Turns 4!!

2010-03-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

It was a very party filled weekend for us and just the beginning of many party filled weekends to follow.
We celebrated Little Cousin Kelsey's 4th birthday Saturday afternoon at Pump it up.
Pump it up was a very cool place where you can have a whole room filled of inflatable jumpers of all sorts, video games and toys all to yourself and guests.
We all waited in the lobby for all the guests to arrive The kids were having lots of fun with the bubblegum machines and everyone had superballs bouncing all over the lobby

It was finally time to round up the troops for a little briefing of the rules

We also had the guest of honor tell everyone how old she was today..

Ok Line in up and into the play area

The slide seemed to everyone's favorite

Parker going down the slide

This was One really fast slide

Here come the little cars .this was a big hit too

Kelsey was having fun pushing little brother Johnny around in the car. He fell through the bottom at one point but it didn't phase him at all. The attendants were quick to the rescue.

Ava went to check out the Obstacle course..

She made it !!!!

She really liked it so much instead of coming out she turned around and went back inside

I had to send daddy back inside to rescue her out

Then Parker took her on the slide...she really liked it

Little Johnny was really unsure about going on anything but finally he seemed a little interested on getting on that slide. Dad took him up there and I tried to get a shot of them going down but My camera really sucks but I did manage to get the smile on his face afterwards

After the first ride he was ready for more. The two dads with the kids all went down at the same time. My battery was dying and the flash was not working all the time. I wish this picture had come out better.

Ava finally got her turn on the cars

Parker trying new techniques for going down the slide

Roaming around

The little ones were officially digging the bounce houses now.

Play time was over and now it was time for food and cake! But first one last picture of all the kids!!

Another great Rossmor birthday cake. I took like Half of it home!
Pre party room shot before everyone came in

Kelsey got a very special inflatable birthday crown to wear.

All the kids were taking turns sitting in the throne

This is the look of Calgon take me away!!!!!

We had so much fun and most important Kelsey had the time of her life! Happy Birthday Kelsey!

Garden and Tea Party

2010-03-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

Right now is the becoming the perfect season for a Garden or tea party. The flowers are blooming, the air is fresh and the new life is born. I love to throw parties and if I had a garden..or even a backyard for that matter I would surely be hosting a beautiful garden party for my gals friends.

This is just a gorgeous garden here. Think of all the possibilities with Decor you could do!

There is so much you can do..something colorful and whimsical just brings so much cheer to the heart and can be a very pleasing to the eyes I would Love to have lanterns like this in my garden for a garden party..Kinda like a Mad Hatter Tea party

And looks at these wonderful cupcakes from LeCupcake. This would be so fun for a bridal shower or even a baby shower! If I had a garden I would host a garden party for all my family for Easter.

These are adorable as well

I would have beautiful china on lace table cloths with flower petals and all kinds of delicate pastries available. A Fountain of champagne and little finger sandwiches with fresh fruit and vegetable laid out in their bright assorted colors. What fun would that be!

I just love parties! If anyone ever needs help with ideas..let me know I have a Million Ideas!!!

My Kitty Peep

2010-03-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

So I have Way to many cats and my most recent is Peep. She was hard to place in a home cause she was sooo used to being with Mama that every time someone would take her they would bring her back cause she was getting beat up by their older cats or crying too much. anyways I happen to come across this old picture of her as a kitten. What an adorable little kitty. She is still so tiny too!

My favorite Toys

2010-03-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

When Parker was young I bought him SOOOO many toys and I find now he does not really appreciate toys to often. Maybe it is because he is constantly surrounded by them. He never really ever asks for toys and never has something that he REALLLLY wants so I am thinking maybe all this toys shopping Gabe and I did for him was really to fill a void of the stuff we DIDN'T have has children.

I been keeping the toy shopping down with Ava. Well I admit I been buying her dolls and stuffed animals but she has no interest in them. I also been buying collectible barbies so I can hand them down to her at some point if she decides to start a collection. She really only has interest in one toys which by my luck I just happen to collect. Vintage Fisher Price Little people sets!

She always has a complete blast playing with the little people. She sets up the doll house with furniture and places her little people in the seats and puts them in the vehicles and makes car noises as she drives them around. It is pretty funny really.

I have a garage full of the play sets..I have the castle,the hospital, farm,school,park,McDonald's,fire house, village,camper,marina,sesame street, western town, amusement park etc... all ranging from the 60's through the 80's.

She spends hours just being creative and playing with these sets.

It is pretty funny too cause even Parker and his friends will steer away from the video games from time to time to build a big compound of fisher price little people sets.

I think I got it covered with Toys for her. Good for me too cause I am done spending a fortune on toys that get played with for one week and then fall in the deep darkness in the back of the closet.

There goes the neighborhood

2010-03-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

It was suppose to be just an average Friday night. Home with the family , friends coming over to have some drinks and maybe watch a movie

Anyway Ally and I were having a glass of champagne and were outside talking at the end of my drive way and I noticed in my neighbors front bedroom window this like blue electric orb thing moving around in the dark room and I was thinking to myself hmm how weird...maybe it's a spirit Orb but when in reality I figure it was just one of those mini pocket flashlights.

Anyways later we were out in the front again and we were just having a convo when my neighbors rush across their lawn over to ally and I saying WE WERE JUST ROBBED!!

They said they had JUST got home and their whole house was flipped upside down. I told them that a little while ago I just saw a blue flashlight thing in that front window and we were outside and didn't see anybody run out of the house or anything and that Maybe they are still in their house. The neighbors also believe that the robber was in their house still too and were on the phone with the police. At that point Ally and I ran our asses in the house told Gabe about what just happened outside and locked everything up and within 5 minutes there were police officers outside my window with guns drawn. I whispered out the window to the cops to check my back laundry room area..hell if there were prowlers around right next door I am going to use those cops to check out building as well.

All of a sudden our street was blocked off, the helicopter was shining it's lights in the back yard and the whole block basically closed and the cops went in the house to search for the robber.

We all just sat on the floor (out of shoot out range) with the doors locked, lights out then about 15 minutes later I hear a cop whispering in my window.Hey you guys still in there and told us it was all clear.

They never found the guy. I have yet to talk to the neighbors to check to see what they had stolen if anything but it was pretty scary!

I think it's about almost time to move!

Picnic at Livingston Park

2010-03-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

So Monday was my last day of vacation so Gabe and I decided to buy lunch at the Italian Deli and go eat it at the park with Ava (since Parker was at School)

Ava had lots of fun
The re did Livingston park in my neighborhood. It is very arty.

Ava loves going down the slides

After we played a bit it was time to eat. I had a awesome meatball sandwich, a Lemonade by S. Pellegrino and some marinated mushrooms and artichoke hearts. I also stopped by Babette's and got some little french tarts for dessert.

Gabe got a Italian sub. It was delish!

Ava was enjoying bites here and there

She liked the Funyons best

Time to play some more. She loves the swings

Look at that Happy Baby!!

Playing Peek a Boo...her favorite..she would pop her face out and Yell POP BOO

She found some sand toys to playwith too

I wanna swing again!!!

She was making motor sounds when she was on this..it was too funny that she knew it was some sort of car

I'm outta here

Afternoon came quickly ..time to pick up Parker from School. It was Boy scouts day so he was wearing his yellow boy scouts shirt.

It was the perfect end to a much needed vacation!