dbxcakes

Happy Father's Day!!

It's been a while and there is much to catch up on, but I wanted to check in before we got too far into the new year! Since Niner and I had our Christmas vacation in Paris, I had to work my share of the holidays on NYE. We were still able to celebrate though. Had a gathering at Jen and Randy's in Venice. Niner and I brought our sparkler fireworks and we all had a fun time with those for awhile past midnight. 2012 was amazing. In fact I did too much of the fun stuff and not focus enough on my more serious goals. I'm going to keep those goals simple this year and possibly catch up on 2012. Here it is.. All the fun will come along with it! Happy New Year!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Our mini get-a-way to the LBC was perfect. I made time to take a little morning run along the water and pass the Queen Mary. It sure wasn't hard to be motivated having that pretty view! When I got back to the hotel room, Niner and I ordered room service and had our breakfast on the balcony. Then we headed over to the Queen Mary to spend the rest of our day. We roamed the halls, checked out the 4th of July entertainment, visited the ship's museums, marveled at the vintage furniture at the nursery and the captain's quarters, and hung out at the Observation Bar.  Then at dusk, we watched as the impressive firework display fill the sky above us. We were so close; it was so great! It was the best 4th of July (for the both of us) yet! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Happy Cinco de Mayo from Nacho! Had a busy night last night. Celebrated my cousin Sonia Mae's graduation from her BSN program, hung out at the Arnold's for the Mayweather/ Cotto fight (that we actually didn't get to watch since we were preoccupied with all the cute babies in the house, but apparently Justin Beiber was strangely part of Mayweather's entourage), and we celebrated Tamya's 30th birthday at MexiCali/ Rain in Studio City. Here are the little ones whacking the piñata at my cousin's party. By the time Nate got to it, the piñata fell to the ground and the kids went nuts for the candy. Tamya at Rain for her 69th birthday! ;) Work ain't so bad when I have weekends like these to look forward to. :) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Since the New Year has gifted me with a cold and conjunctivitis, among other things.. I will take this time to catch up on the holiday events 2011.. We had a holiday potluck and White Elephant gift exchange at work. Since it we rarely get together, it was nice to be hanging out, even if it was just at our lounge. Everyone from left to right: JB, Tyra, Corinne, Vicky, Ron, Brian, Joy, Me, Eun, Lisa, Jennifer, Arlene, Michelle, Carrie, and Tess. :) In High School my girl friends and I called ourselves the Ghetto Girls. According to Marlaina, one of our classmates called the area where we hung out "the ghetto," and from that, the title was born. (For the record, there was nothing ghetto about our spot, nor was there anything ghetto about us. Pretty funny if you ask me.) This year we celebrated Ghetto Christmas for the first time in 8 years.  We were able to catch up over a delicious dinner at Kate Mantili in Woodland Hills. Then we headed back to our house t...

Each year, usually near my birthday, I list a set of goals for myself to accomplish. Most of the time, those goals fall through. The new year has given me an opportunity to start anew, to share these goals to someone else, so that I may be encouraged. A few things on my list require months of planning and preparation, most are smaller short-term goals. All the same, accomplishing these things will make me happier, healthier, whole: three things of which I seem to be fussing a lot about lately. Here is that modified list.. 1. Start saving for a house! 2. Cook at least once a week 3. Drink butter beer 4. Walk with Nacho to the park at least once a week 5. Bake a pie 6. Become CCRN certified 7. Find a new job 8. Travel out of the country 9. Run at least two half marathons 10. Clean out the storage 11. Volunteer 12. Bake and decorate a fancy cake 13. Hike Brand Park in 1hr 15 min 14. Do a big day hike 15. Sew a fancy pillow 16. Read more 17. Climb S...

Although I'm working my second out of three days, I'm glad I was still able to ring in 2012! Celebrated the new year with my favorite person last night at a local bar/ club, C Frenz. Here's a pic of us at midnight as Niner tries to take a pic, proof that she was a bit buzzed. Happy New Year!! Make it good!   - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

.. That title sorta rhymes. :) So I've been feeling extra festive this year. We got our decorations up early and we're almost done with our Christmas List! I sewed together a "Merry Christmas" plush garland and Niner added more holiday cheer and our stocks to the fireplace mantel after this picture was taken. Nacho also gladly posed for me in front of the tree while I played with some bokeh hearts. I can't believe another year will soon be behind us. I love the holiday season!

I celebrated Niner on Veteran's Day by taking her out to lunch at Kravings in Encino. We had a delicious all you can eat grilled meat meal. It was lovely to have a "free" day to spend together.. To take a stroll through Woodley park.. I was able to take this pic of Niner during the sun's brief display. And run through the rain. It suddenly rained after this last shot. It felt like high school for a moment. All those trips to the park, before Niner left for the Navy, learning about each other. We sure have come a long way. <3

We spent six whole days at Sin City to ring in 2011.. and let me tell you, we had a great time! We were able to spend time with friends, family, gambled a little, go on an adventure, hear some good music, and ate A LOT! Nacho cried, he protested, and he even made a desperate attempt to convince me to take him a long. But the trip commenced..  We stayed at Bally's so we did most of our gambling there and at the connected Paris casino where this pic was taken. Notice the cloudy, blue sky behind Niner and Shkrinty.  Shalanna with a delicious burger from Kerry's Gourmet Burgers at Harrah's. We had our fancy NYE dinner at Fix in the Bellagio. That place was so goood. Four out of six of us ordered the filet mignon. It melted in my mouth it was so tender. The Berries looking chic and Shalanna with long time friend Eugene. Mr. B was nice enough to share his fluffy donut dessert. We then headed over to the Race and Sports book to watch th...