4th of July Fun

Wow did we ever have a great 4th of July this year.  We started our day off with a pancake breakfast put on by the Kiwannis Club.  They had a nice band playing background music, a yummy breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice and good conversation.

Then Crystal and Jeff came over later in the afternoon and we spent several hours soaking up some sun in the pool.  Larry cooked up a bunch of pork ribs, corn on the cob, store bought potato salad, and watermelon.  Joey our little chef in the making took it upon himself to shuck all the corn and did a darn good job of it.  I only had to pull of the silk threads that he left behind.

Then later that evening we headed back over to the north side so that Joey could play in the park while we listened to the DJ.  Thought it was going to be a live band again, but it was still nice if a little loud.  Aunty Crystal and Joey took a spin under the gazebo and Daddy taught Joey how to moon walk.  It was too cute.

After a while we headed on over to our blankets and settled in with chips, soda and a beer or two to await the fireworks.  Larry always manages to snag just the perfect spot for viewing and this year was no different.  We were located directly underneath where they were going off, and were all wowed.  Joey was a little scared at first, but once I got his earplugs in and he settled in my lap, he really got into it, calling out the colors for everyone's enjoyment.  Of course almost everything to him was either orange, red or purple, regardless of the actual color, so he got quite a few chuckles from those sitting around us.  At the end of the night he'd crawled out of my lap and layed flat out on top of Daddy, to enjoy the finale.

Crystal and Jeff hadn't taken in a firework display like this in over ten years so they really enjoyed it and already told me they were planning on coming out again next year.  Who knows, we might have just started another family tradition.

Mom didn't join in the firworks with us as depending how crowded it is, and how far away we'd have to park, it can be quite a trek to our blanket.  She did however take a chair out to the end of the walk in front of our house and was able to not only see the majority of the RM fireworks, but also the displays that our many neighbors put on.

All in all, we had a lot fun.

Birthdays

We celebrated this weekend with Elsa who was turning 3 and Pop Pop who turned 60.  On Saturday we headed over to Elsa's for a playdate party with the birthday girl and a handful of her friends.  The kids got to do bubbles, draw with chalk, ride tricycles and play on the playset and climbing bars.  Mary provided lunch, PB&J, 1/2 bananna and fruit chews for the kids and sandwiches and chips  for the parents.  It was supposed to go from 11:30 to 1:30 but the kids were having such a great time playing together that Joey and I didn't get home until almost 3:30.

On Sunday we had a dual family birthday party to celebrate both of their birthdays.  We had finger foods, presents and cake with ice cream and of course the kids (and us adults) played more bubbles.  It was a really nice get together.  They both made out like bandits and I think liked all the different gifts they received.

Ho Ho Ho

Our Christmas celebrations were very nice.  We started them off having a nice meal on Christmas Eve at my sister Crystal's.  It was just she and her husband Jeff, and Jeff's Mom Sharon, plus Larry, Joe, Mom and I.  We just kicked back and had good conversation, then a fabulous dinner prepared by Crystal - Roast Pork with roasted potatoes and carrots, stuffing, and sourdough rolls.  It was all yummy.  Once we'd let our food digest we did a few rounds of Christmas carols, even singing the song my Grandma Hill had written years ago.  It made for a very nice celebration.

One Christmas morning we awoke and opened the presents from Santa and from one another.  This day started at 6:15 when Joey awoke and boy was he ever happy when he came out of his room to find a bicycle (or as he calls it motorcycle) from his Grandma.  He had a ball opening all his presents, and we had a ball watching him.

Then at 9:30 we headed over to Larry's parents for brunch and more gift exchanges.  We did a Dollar Store Christmas exchange which made gift giving quite a challenge for me.  Bonnie had prepared a feast for us.  Sweet Potato and sausage hash, sausage links, bacon, fried eggs, lasagna, bananna nut bread, monkey bread, fudge, candied pecans, hashbrown casserole, and I'm sure I'm missing one or two things.  All of it was delicious and of course we all overate and made ourselves miserable.

Once we'd finished eating Dad read the birth of Jesus from the Bible, and made us all get misty eyes and then he started the gift exchange off with a handmade gift for each of his children and their spouses.  He made us bread boards from the table that they had grown up with and Mom had added a poem explaining all that the table had been through on the back.  It was really beautiful and sentimental.  Larry and I loved it and used it at our Christmas dinner meal.

Then we exchanged our dollar store gifts, getting quite the ecclectic mix of things.  Mary and Eric went with a bath them for the women and cooking for the guys.  Mom and Dad went with cooking and Uncle Brian who cheated got me a 4C meassuring cup which was great cause I'd just broken ours and a candy thermometer which when I went to get mine the other day I realized had been stolen by Larry for some of his brewing experiments so it was the perfect gift.  Kellie and Chuck gave us wands and candy from the dollar store and then they too cheated and gave us personalized gifts - I got a beautiful candle warmer and Larry got a hydrometer for his brewing... at least I think that's what its called.

Joey and Elsa had so much fun opening their gifts, and then stealing the other persons that it was funny to watch.  Since we've come home Joey hasn't stopped playing with all the wonderful things that he received.  Thank you one and all for your thoughtful gifts.

On Christmas night we had Bonnie, Larry and Uncle Brian over for dinner.  Larry and I prepared a beautiful prime rib roast, mashed potatoes, carrots (that were undercooked) and greenbeans with a butter almond sauce.  It was all pretty good if I do say so myself.

Bye the end of the day I was exhausted and looking forward to bed.  Not so Joey.  It took Larry a couple of extra house to get him settled down and into sleep mode.

All in all they were wonderful holiday celebrations.

Gobble Gobble... going, going, gone

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and I for one am stuffed.  We had a nice Thanksgiving dinner with family who also happens to be friends.  All of Larry's immediate family came, plus his Aunt Margaret and her beau Kevin.  On my side I had Crystal and Jeff and Mom.  It ended up being 16 in all which was just about the perfect size for a get together.  We had wondeful food, fine conversation, and lots of love.

I am so thankful for my family and friends, today and always.  I had a lot of help in preparing for this dinner and cleaning up afterwards, as well as food and beverage contributions from pretty much everyone who attended our celebration.

I am very thankful for my husband who supports me and my health issues on a daily basis.  For my mom who makes me laugh and helps me around the house as best she can.  For my little boy who shows me love and makes me laugh on a daily basis.  For in-laws who love and support me and my family.  For my own family who love and support me.  For my dog Bubba who although old is a puppy at heart and my constant companion.  For our ever growing family of pets that add fun and even more love to our household.  For my cat Callie who cuddles with me each night, keeping me warm.

I am most thankful for this wonderful life that I have been given.  Thank you to one and all who have contributed to making my life more meaningful, and I won't name names because you all know who you are.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

and the PARTY goes on, and on, and on!

We had the final celebration for Joe's second birthday this past Sunday with all our immediate family - all the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.  We kept it pretty simple with just cake and ice cream but Larry and I strung up streamers and balloons the night before and layered the floor with balloons so that when Joey got up in the morning he'd have a surprise.  He loved it.  As soon as he saw some of the balloons floating near the ceiling his excitement began building.  He took off tearing down the hallway and ran smack into all the balloons on the living room floor - kicking and laughing and falling down in them.  He must have played for a 1/2 or more in those balloons before he let me change his diaper and get him something to eat.

Around Noon Mona and her grandson who is 5 weeks older than Joe dropped in for a quick visit.  He has gotten to be such a cute little monkey and he and Gracie had a ball playing together.  Joe was down for a nap so he never even got to see them or vice versa.  It was a nice visit, although too short.

When Joey got up at 2:00 he had a bite to eat with Grace and then they got to play for a little bit one on one until our other guests started to arrive.  Once everyone had shown up we sang Happy Birthday and Joey blew out the candles and we all dug in to his Pooh cake and vanilla ice cream.

Joey got all kinds of wonderful gifts, that he has yet to put down - fireman outfit, garbage truck (working), and bulldozer that also works like it's the real thing and a smart cycle, plus clothes, books and cash.  He made out like a bandit and I hope he realizes what a very lucky little boy he is.

So all in all I'd say his birthday was a success.

The next morning he got up in his new jamma's that Grammi had bought him and started his day right off with playing with his new toys, and has been going at it ever since.  He's just crazy about vehicles of any kind, and garbage trucks and big rigs are his favorite right now, along with airplanes.

Joey's 2

Well yesterday was Joey's birthday and so we took his measurements again.  I must have measured wrong last time because this time I did it not one, not twice, but three times and came up with 36 1/2 inches tall and 31.5 pounds.  He's a tough little guy, all muscle and my little helper.

He loves to put things away when I ask, not his toys mind you but stuff in the kitchen or things that need to be thrown in the garbage.  One of his favorite things is to sweep or rake.  He's always wanting to help grandma with her gardening.

Joe is becoming quite courteous, saying please, thank you, your welcome and bless you.  Oh yeah and the all important excuse me.  Even daddy is learning to use that phrase now.

He has 12 teeth with two more coming in, his left lower incisor started just two weeks ago and his top right incisor started to pop through on his birthday.

We had a party with all his buddies and there were about 20 kids or so, plus 9 mommies.  We had it at his daycare provider and had a wonderful time.  I went with a Winnie the Pooh them and everyone loved the cake I made in Pooh's image.  My first real decorator cake and not bad if I say so myself.  Joe had a piece of cake with ice cream and then over the course of the party managed to swipe three cupcakes - can you say sugar overload!

We'll be having a family celebration for him on Sunday.  I don't think he quite gets the concept of birthday, but he knows he's now two and he loves the idea of presents.

I can't believe how fast my little man is growing.  I wish I could put a little of him in a bottle at each stage and be able to take it out and revisit it whenever I wanted.  Time's just going to fast for me.

Anyway, before I get all weepy I'll end with a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY!  Momma and Daddy love you very much.

A Fishing We Will Go

For Larry's birthday he rebuilt an aquarium tank that he picked up for a song at a garage sale. My gift to him was the necessary supplies and some fish. He got it up and running, a zillion plants floating in the water, swaying to and fro... it looked beautiful, so who needs fish right? It could just be an underwater garden. NOPE. He had me look at fish online, I picked out a red tailed shark that was just beatiful and Larry had picked out 4-5 other freshwater fish that he particular liked. Okay decision made, right? Wrong. The next day we visit his brother and sister in love and on the way home he says, "Can we just pop in to this pet store I want to check some things out".  An hour later we got the BIG one, or should I say two?, fish that is. He decided on a PaCu (a relative of the pirahna) and a Snook (part of the bass clan). That's it two fish... we have a 50 gallon tank and these fish are so BIG that they are all that it can acccomodate.

They look happy and content in there. Larry looks happy and content too, so I think it was a good birthday choice... much better than the ugly ol' Foo dog tattoo he was going to get. I'm not sure who's happier, him or me.

Anyway we're all benefitting from his present as it's really relaxing to just watch them coast around, frolicking in the bubbles created by the pump, and ripping up Larry's underwater garden (lol).

Happy Birthday Larry!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Today's a special day for Joey because he gets to acknowledge just what a lucky little boy he is because he has three awesome grandparents to be grateful for. And as his parents, Larry and I are very grateful for their presence in his, and our, lives.

Grandma or MaaMah as he's taken to calling her of late is one of Joey's best buddies. Each morning he goes in to greet her with a "morning" and a kiss. Although he's usually had his breakfast by this time, she comes out and gets a cup of coffee and something to eat, and no matter what it is he wants to have a bite with her. Then if it's one of his stay-at-home days they usually spend a portion of it hanging out in the backyard playing - drawing with sidewalk chalks or playing cars; or just having one of the unique little conversations. His grandma loves him very much, and Joey in return loves her to pieces. We love her too.

Grammi or Bonnie as he thinks it's so funny to call her these days is his adventure buddy. From the moment Joey arrives on the scene they are go, go, go. Considering she's a "grandma" you'd never know it if you didn't see it for yourself, because when she's with him she's just a big ol' kid, although more cautious than Joey tends to be. They play chase, and share hugs and kisses. She helps him climb the little playground they keep in their backyard, holding her breath all the while for fear that he'll fall off. They play cars and planes and Grammi makes all the appropriate noises, and they laugh. He loves to laugh with her and do exactly what she does. Their partners in crime I guess you could say and he knows he's got her heart all tied up in knots... I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. I feel blessed to have this lady love my son in this way, and to shine that love on me as well.

Pop Pop or Grandpa is his go to guy. If he wants something to work right he takes it to Pop Pop and he knows he'll fix it right up. Batteries, re-assembly, you name it and he's the fella you want around. Or if you need a book read in just the right tone Pop Pop is the one to ask to read you a story. He dresses up at Christmas as Santa and ho-ho-ho's his way through the day making the kids day extra special. He and Joey have formed quite a "manly" bond and he loves him with all his heart. I love him too.

For each of these grandparents I feel blessed to have them in our little world. Each helps us in their own unique way to manage this journey of parenthood, and at the same time lets Joey know that he is loved more than anything.

For grandparents day Joey made them each a flower pot, hand painted with a packet of seeds that they can plant together and a small bookmark that says "Grown with love". They all loved their gift, and even more I think they enjoyed the fact that they were thought of with love.

Anniversary Celebrations

Larry and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary this weekend. We had an awesome "date night", thanks to the babysitting services of my sister-in-love Mary. We started our evening off trying a new sushi hot spot in El Dorado Hills called Sky Sushi. It was lovely - the food was excellent, the atmosphere beautiful, and the company divine. If we had one complaint it was that their menu was a little overpriced, but the presentation of the food made up for that as they dishes up their goodies just beautifully.

After dinner we took a motorcycle ride into Old Sac and took in the tale end of Gold Days - a reenactment of how it used to be during the Gold Rush period including costumed entertainers, fiddle music, canvas tents that represented mercantiles, saloons, and churches. It was all very impressive. I think next year we'll make a point of taking Joey to check it all out and to learn a little of California's history. We even tried some sarsaparilla and honey root beer. Both were delicious.

After our short walk about town we got back on the bike and headed to 10 & R Streets to catch the play - Six Women with Brain Death. It is the longest running play in Sacramento and was just hilarious. If you haven't seen it yet you need to make a point of it, and quick since it will only be in production for the next four weeks. I was afraid it would be to "girly" for Larry but he was cracking up right next to me. Plus how can you beat two hours of entertainment for just $17. Just fabulous.

When the play concluded we headed off for Rick's Dessert Cafe - thanks to Bonnie and Larry who were treating us to dessert in celebration of our anniversary. Ricks is famous here in Sacramento for his desserts, which is the only thing on the menu besides coffee, tea and other various beverages. He offers 258 different treats, and based on what we tried, all very delectable. Larry chose Key Lime pie and I had German Chocolate Cake. YUMMY.

After dessert we headed towards home, and our beautiful son - who was sleeping so peacefully in bed with Aunt Mary that I hated to wake him.

It was a wonderful evening, and so far it's been a pretty wonderful marriage. I love my husband, and am so blessed that he loves me right back.

Birthday Bash for Crystal and Jeff

We hosted a small party last Sunday to celebrate Jeff and Crystal's birthdays. They turned 44 and 45 respectively. We ended up with just about 30 people which was about the perfect amount for our home and backyard. Everyone brought a little something to add to the potluck and we ended up having a huge spread. Larry did all of the B-B-Q - tri tips and chicken, plus we had roasted chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, green salad, fresh fruit (w/ a scrumptious dip), veggie trays, deviled eggs, 7-layer bean dip, and the list goes on, and on. It was so yummy that I'm still full from it all, of course that could be because we're still eating off of all the leftovers

We swam some, ate alot, and had a lot of talk and laughter, and a little drinking. Larry broke out the last couple of bottles of his homemade Mead and at the end of the night was taking pre-orders for the next batch. Even I like his Mead and I don't really drink so that's saying something.


The children had a ball. We had set up a ball pit and put his motorized car and motorcycle outside for the kids to play on, as well as letting them have at his toy box inside his room. Gracie and her cousin Lexie literally did not get out of the pool except to eat a little and go potty. I bet they still have wrinkles on their toes from being in the water so long.
By early evening I was digging suits of all sizes out of my closet, as well as over sized T-shirts for people to swim in. The party started at Noon and ended at just a little after 8:00 - after all both Larry and Jeff get up before the roosters to get ready for work. Still it couldn't have gone any better.


Crystal, Jeff, Sharon and Mom pitched in on the cleanup before they left so I didn't even have any dishes to do the next day, or any trash to pick up out of the yard. You just gotta love guests who make themselves at home, and then pick up after themselves - they're the best!

Happy Birthday Crystal and Jeff. I hope you all enjoyed your party as much as we enjoyed throwing it for you.

Short Ribs, Baked Beans, Salad - what more could you ask for

Oh yeah I know, some Dirty Blonde Bombshell beer brewed by my creative and talented husband Larry, and a taste or two of his Kiss of Blackberry meed - YUMMY.

We were joined for dinner by Chuck and Kelli, and Grammy and Pop Pop. Everyone contributed something from salad, to bread, to chocolate cake that is worth dying for, at least in my opinion. It was all very delicious and everyone went home with very full tummy's and leftovers to boot. We even sent some food love home to Uncle Brian who couldn't come tonight because none of us wanted to take a chance of passing this lousy cold/flu thing we've had for the past week on to him, especially right before he's about to have another round of treatment.

As for Erik, Mary, and Elsa... well they missed out. The food was awesome, the company stupendous, and all in all it was a very laid back dinner with nothing but relaxation to follow. Not bad for an impromptu gathering.

When the last guest left my kitchen looked fairly decent with only a scattering of glasses left to be washed, the rest had magically disappeared as a result of the Good Fairy Kelli (yeah Kelli, I for one really appreciate all your efforts, and again your salad rocked - what can I say I'm biased cause I love you but also because you know how to throw one together that tastes delish and makes you want more.)

Anyway thank you one and all for journeying out our way and breaking bread with us. It was just what our souls needed. We love you.

Big Boy Bed Time

Gosh it's been a long night and it's only midnight. We decided to donate Joey's crib to UCP tonight and as the pickup for donations is scheduled tomorrow, Larry took it down and we reassembled it outside. Me waffling the whole time. Larry saying no this is the perfect time and it's going to charity. He knows that will get me. (As it turns out one of our neighbors God-daughter is about to be a single mom, due in Oct, with absolutely nothing so we ended up loading up his truck with the crib, stroller, and playpen - still a good cause).


So we made a big production out of it, had Joey help Daddy take it out of his room and he seemed excited to get in his big boy bed until we mentioned that it was actually time to go night night. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say our son can be very dramatic when he chooses. He pulled my heart strings, Daddy's heart strings, even Grandma's heartstrings by busting out of his room and crawling in to her bed, with tears in his eyes. Larry and I took turns trying to calm him and finally had to put a baby gate across the door and let it ride out. Several hours later he was in bed, blanket over his head, sleeping fitfully.


When I checked in on him at 10:30 I found him sleeping on the floor next to the bed with his blanket and Miss Piggy. I picked him up, changed his diaper, and tucked him back in to bed. He slept through it all.


I'm not sure if this change in routine is harder on me or Joey. I feel like I'm losing my baby. Larry of course thinks its awesome, natural progression, ya da, ya da, ya da. Sometimes I think he has no heart when it comes to these matters. He just can't wait for the day when Joey can play ball with him and ride motorcycles and I'll I can think about is how much longer will he want to hang by my side, cuddle, share his snack with me and Bubba.

Parenting is turning out to be the most joyful thing in my life, but also the hardest thing in my life. I love him so much, more than I ever thought it possible to love anything.

Chucky's B-day Bash

My brother-in-love Chuck turned 37 this past weekend. His lovely wife Kelli threw him a beer-tasting party at a couple of their friends home and she put out quite a feast. Appetizers, beer brats, hamburgers, green salad, potato salad, etc. and a HUGE cake. Chocolate, my favorite.


Joey and I left early, well late for Joe 9:00 PM, but early compared to everyone else. In fact my husband didn't make it home until 10:00 AM the next day, courtesy of Crystal. She too hung out until the party shut down a little after 2:00 AM. Then she was kind enough to wake all their hung over butts up over at Chuck's house and bring my hubby home. She was going to babysit so Larry and I could have a date, but I just wasn't feeling up to going out anywhere. We ended up just hanging out in the pool, and Larry grilled us up a meal of grilled fish with veggies and a green salad - YUMMY.


Here are a few photo's of the festivities. Well at least a few of the "clean" ones. The not so clean ones I'm withholding for possible blackmail use at a later date. I see a lot of free babysitting coming Larry and my way (lol).

Daddy Day Celebrations

Well we just got home from having breakfast with my Father-in-Love and the rest of the Monson Clan. We went to the Sutter Creek Grill in Old Folsom and got there at 7:30 which turned out to be the perfect time since by the time we left there were people standing in line outside waiting to get in.

They make this wonderful french toast out of fresh baked cinnamon rolls with pecans and an icing glaze. It is so delicious that there are no words to describe it adequately. Let's just say it's yummy and will definately put you in sugar shock mode.

Joey and I got Larry some brewing materials so that he can make a mead and a beer batch for the upcoming No. California Home Brewers Festival in September. Plus I picked up a couple of tennis rackets and some balls so we can have an occasional love match (ha ha). Oh yeah and just to brag a little, Larry's graphics got chosen for this years festival and so his design will appear on the beer tasting glasses, shirts, and all flyers and correspondence. How cool is that - he is so talented and I am so proud of him for winning this honor. He's thrilled to be chosen as well, and he gets to go to the festival free of charge this year.

We got Larry's dad a pool cue so that they can have some father and son time together, and knock some balls around. Joey and his cousin Elsa made grandpa a shirt with their handprints on it. It turned out to cute. While we were at it, Elsa also made her Daddy a shirt and Joey made one for Larry. I think they all liked them well enough.

Larry got some wonderful cards and gifts from his family and I know they made him feel pretty special. I think he's pretty special too and a wonderful Daddy to Joe. And me, well I feel special too because I ended up getting the best Father-in-Love a girl could ask for.

St. Patty Day Celebrations

Larry, Mom and I hosted a St. Patty Day Celebration with all of our immediate family. Crystal, Jeff and Jeff's brother Curt came, as well as all of Larry's siblings and their spouses - Mary, EriK and Elsa; Chuck and Kelli. My mother and falther in law - Bonnie and Larry Sr, and Uncle Brian.

Mom and I cooked 4 Corn Beef Rounds, 3 cabbage heads, 23 potatoes and too many carrots to count and it all turned out marvelous. Bonnie brought dessert - All American Chocolate Cake from Costco that was to die for it was so sinfully delicious. Larry Sr. brought Clontarf Single Malt Irish Whiskey which all the men partook of in addition to some specialized irish beers and.... they all managed to get up this morning and go to work.

In addition to St. Patty's we celebrated Mary and Eriks birthdays (3/24) and Mom's birthday (3/25). Joe and Elsa got to have a play date. And the rest of us just got to relax, have some good food and conversations and just enjoy one anothers company. It turned out to be a really wonderful evening.

Happy Birthday Gracie

My wonderful great-niece Grace celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday at Chuck E. Cheese. She is growing into such a beautiful child, both inside and out. She's in love with all the princess' and Tinkerbell, reading and coloring, and her latest interest - dancing. I know her daddy would be so proud of the little young lady she's becoming. Each time I see her it takes me back to when Kenneth was her age as they have so many of the same mannerisms; the way she sits, loves life and her beautiful smile... always ready to have her photo taken, just like KC. I was blessed to have Larry with me as he handled Joe for most of the play time with an assist here and there from Crystal. Joe sure loves all the lights and sounds and running from one thing to the next. And my sister was so on the money when she said Joey was a cheap date because he does just like to try to climb on the rides with the other kids whether he knows them or not. He must get that from his Dad because Larry too is always trying to get the best deals around and you can't get much better than free. All in all it was a great time even though I went into it exhausted and full of pain. Watching all the kids enjoying themselves really raised my spirits up and made me smile over and over. For your viewing enjoyment I've included a small snippet of video I took of Joe and Grace enjoying themselves at CEC.

SuperBowl Sushi

Superbowl sunday and we had a small crowd - Crystal, Jeff, Mom, Bonnie, Larry Sr., Mary, Eric and Elsa. We made sushi for the first time, or should I say Larry and Crystal made sushi. I just managed to make a mess. And Jeff, brave soul that he is, was our taste tester before everyone arrived.

(If our attempts had failed, I would have been placing an order with our local pizza place. But I had complete faith in Larry and Crystal's sushi making capabilities.)

They made beautiful maki rolls and sashimi. I fried up some already prepared vegetable dumplings and chicken potstickers. Bonnie was wise enough to bring over b-b-q chicken and potato salad for those not into raw fish - mainly mom and the babies. Plus she brought over a delicious assortment of cheesecake - YUMMY. Thank god for Bonnie as I hadn't even given dessert a second thought, or a first thought for that matter.

We just all kicked back, ate, played with the kids and of course watched the game on TV. It was a great way to spend a Sunday with family who also just happen to be great friends.

Joe's Birthday Bash

Well I've been remiss in updating in a timely fashion, and boy have I heard it from many of you. So I'm getting off my behind and telling you all how it is, was, and will be.

Joe and Larry's birthday bash was a lot of fun. We had family and friends, young and old, enjoy in the festivities. The menu was varied and special thanks go to Loretta and Jesse for providing those wonderful tamales and hot sauce.

Joe got a so many fun presents that we are still opening a few of them each week, and sharing them with his cousin Elsa on occasion.

The pinata was a BUST (no pun intended) as the strings did not release the goodies and I had to take my trusty rain stick to it to break it open. You never can find a bat when you need one.

For those of you who were able to attend, we thank you for making the journey and for those of you who couldn't... what can I say, but you suck. No seriously we understand and hope you'll be able to make it next year as you truly were missed.

Larry's 40th B-Day

We had a small family dinner on the 8th for Larry's 40th. His family, our family, and Crystal and Jeff met at Ichi Maki (our favorite Japanese place) to celebrate. The boys managed to consume a boat along with various Maki roll orders. I had made a chocolate devils food cake for dessert, although the restaurant brought him out a huge order of Mochi (deep fried green tea ice cream that's been dipped in cake batter). It was a lot of fun and laughs.

Prior to dinner Mom, Joe and I let him open our gifts. I don't know who had more fun with it Joe or Larry, but we all enjoyed the process. Joe and I created a piece of artwork for Daddy and I can't say for certain whether we got more paint on the canvas or on Joe and his highchair.

We're all looking forward to their combined birthday bash this coming weekend on the 19th.