#101 - Surprise visit!

Mid-week last week I got an email from my high school pal, Troy! He originally had training scheduled in Chicago but got bumped to LA and adjusted his flight so he could spend the weekend with us. Saturday morning I picked him up and brought him to Corona - we relaxed outside then went to dinner at Taps (photo below from dinner, Lui was SO tired...barely got this pic out of him). :) Sunday was more R&R and catching up before I had to take him to Ontario airport. Thankful we got this chance visit but next time we're hoping for a planned visit so we can whoop it up! Vegas in September??

#100 - Lui's Pool, refreshing!

Here's a wide shot of the pool on July 4th. The high was 96 - it was a hot day, good day to be in the pool!
Here's Andrea and baby Vinny, his first time in the pool!

Here's two of Lui's nieces - SO cute with their missing teeth! :P

#99 - Cat Poop Cookies (not for the faint of heart)

Know a cat person and not sure what to get her/him for their birthday? Try homemade cat poop cookies. Found this recipe on the internet. Brought it in to work today. HUGE hit.
Here's the close up. Yuk!· ¼ cup honey
· ¼ cup molasses
· 2/3 cup butter
· 1 egg
· 2 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
· ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
· ½ teaspoon ground ginger
· ½ teaspoon ground cloves
· 1 (32 ounce) package wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™)
· ½ cup crushed ramen noodles
1. In a medium bowl, Microwave the honey until it bubbles. This may take up to 1 minute. Stir in the molasses, butter and egg. Beat until smooth. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until combined. Then add the dramatic additions of your choice such as coconut, ramen, chocolate chips, or peanuts. Chill dough until firm.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll dough into logs about ¾ inch in diameter. Cut into pieces the approximate length of cat poop. Roll pieces in the cereal, place on an unprepared cookie sheet, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
3. Serve the cookies in a disposable cat litter box, on a bed of cereal, with a brand new litter box scoop. Add plastic flies, and dip the litter scoop in chocolate for added fun.

#98 - Quick Updates!

1. 
   
   Went to Hawaii for the first time, spent 6 glorious days in Maui at the Honua Kai (I highly recommend!) during late February / early March



2. 
   
   Lui proposed on the last day during our drive along the Road to Hana at sunset!



3. 
   
   Two weeks ago, Lui got the keys to his first house - photos to follow...



4. 
   
   Recently saw my Aunt Maxine weekend for dinner and a play, 2 of my cousin's plays are currently being produced: https://circlextheatre.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0H80000008F2UDEA0 & http://www.ensemblestudiotheatrela.org/ (saw this one with friends a few weeks ago) - so good!


5. 
   
   Found out Suzanne Rogers is having a girl! She's due 07/22/11 - hope she comes a little early and we can share our b-days. ;)

Here's Lui walking towards the ocean from our hotel.

During the Road to Hana we enjoyed fresh fruit bought road-side.

Our second night was spent at a Luau - this time of year there are so many whales (down from Alaska for the winter) they call the area between island (right behind us) "whale soup"!

#97 - Baby Vincent Update

On Saturday I went to see Andrea and her baby and all he wanted to do was sleep...
...until it got late and everyone was tired - then he was WIDE awake and smiling!

#96 - Fresh California Citrus Fruit

Things have been slow (work is hectic busy but life is moving at a slower than normal pace) and I've decided to post one of life's simple pleasures that I don't often take for granted - fresh fruit! Growing up in North Dakota, I remember my mom telling me how delicious the fruit was in California (because it's picked when fresh!). There's no better example than the kitchen/break room table at work. Sometimes we see avocados or tomatoes but recently there has been an abundance of fresh citrus fruit picked straight from a co-worker's orchard -

There is really nothing better! I remember everyone driving around with trunk loads of zucchini in North Dakota so to each their own, but when in CA be sure to indulge in the fresh fruit.

#95 - Baby Hazel & Baby Alexander

Here is Lui's niece, Hazel! Check out all that hair she's smuggling under the cute hat! Hazel is just over a month old but already in 6 mo. clothes - her mom said the only time she wore newborn was coming home from the hospital.

Here's Lui's cousin's baby, Alexander, born December 21st:

Alexander joins big brother, Felipe IV - soon to turn 2!

If ever there was a shortage of babies in my life, it's certainly not now! :)