Cooking Light Club - December 2008

Welcome the newest member of the Cooking Light Club...Baby Coakley!

Erica and Rana making merangue (did I even spell that right???)

The port reduction sauce I was making for our beef tenderloin...very yummy!

Michael Joseph is born!!!

The boys are catching up...3 nieces and 2 nephews now!!!

Vegas, Baby!

What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas...it gets posted on a blog! I had a business trip to Vegas on September 10 & 11 and decided to extend my trip and come back on the 13th. My sister, Lisa, joined me on the 11th and we went and saw "Mamma Mia" and took in the sights of the Vegas Strip (while I was feeling good enough to as I battled a horrible sinus infection). Below are some of the pictures with a little background on them.

Outside "Margaritaville" at The Flamingo...
Inside the Bellagio...This picture was taken just before we went in the casino for a little fun. I was having NO luck in Vegas. Lisa, however, spent about an hour playing off of $1 and at one point had won about $40. While I was sitting next to her, two women came and asked me to take their picture. I did and then a man came up behind me with this unmistakable voice and said, "ah...what 'cya two up to now" and as they walked away, I realized it was Chris Tucker from 'Rush Hour'. I love him!!! I started to say something and ask to take a picture, but then it just felt too intrusive and I didn't want to make a scene in the hotel. About 10 minutes later, I wished I had said something. It would've been the best luck I had all week in Vegas!!!

Outside the Bellagio...

In front of New York New York on September 11.

This is a picture from an amazing team building activity we did at the conference. Our project was to build 50 bikes in 50 minutes. Mission Accomplished! This is the bike we built for our "customer", Robert. He was adorable!!! It was an amazing experience and I'll share more with you, if your interested...just ask!

These are two of my HR compadres....Cindy (left) and Cori (middle).

Below are pictures of my TWO ROOM SUITE at The Flamingo (separate living room, bedroom and TWO bathrooms!!!). Let me just say this...I earned it!!! I had an amazing view of The Bellagio and watched the water show right from my own separate living room. The bathroom even had a TV that was built into the mirror. It was awesome!!!

Julie's Baby Shower - August 30, 2008

Today was a surprise baby shower for Julie to prepare her and Brian for welcoming Michael Joseph Standlee into this world. His arrival is anticipated around October 15 and we all can't wait! The shower was at Buca di Beppo's and was so much fun!

Surrrrrrrpriiiiiiiiiiiise!!!!

The Standlee side of the family....

The much-awaited and wanted Petunia Picklebottom diaper bag. Can't wait to see Brian toting this beauty around!!!

Three generations...

Trip to Orange County: July 23 - 27

My niece, Tess, was competing in a dance competition in Fullerton, CA and so I didn't miss the opportunity to spend 5 days in my old 'stomping grounds'. It was fun! While Lisa and Tess were at the dance competition on Thursday, Lauren and I spent the day at the beach. Then we all went back to the beach on Friday. Tess made it to the semi-finals for her age category (11-14 years old) and then was eliminated before the finals. (More pictures of her competing coming soon.) She did an awesome job!

Our favorite place to shop...Newport Fashion Island.

Our absolute favorite place to eat (just look at Tess' face)! The Crab Cooker in Newport Beach...

Emma's 4th Birthday Present

For Emma's birthday, I gave her a gift certificate for us to have a "Girl's Spa Day" and go get manicures and pedicures. We had so much fun!!! To put it in Emma's words, "Girls Rule and Boys Drool". Our song of the day was Brooks & Dunn's "Put a Girl in It" and Carrie Underwood's "The More Boys I Meet... (the more I love my dog)". Here are some pics of our day together...

Tyler Graduates from Pre-School

Today, I had the distinct pleasure of attending my nephew's (Tyler) pre-school graduation. After he asked me to go and told me "ALL off my aunt's are going", I found a way to work it into my calendar! It's funny, because he only has 2 aunts...me and my other sister! We were both there since his mom (our other sister) had to work. What a fun day! Afterwards, they had "brunch" back in his classroom...PB&J sandwiches and cookies. Way to go, Tyler!

Tyler is on the back row, far right (tallest one)!