Work Holiday Party

Last night we all went to my boss Cara's house for a holiday party with dinner and drinks. She made guacamole & a spicy queso dip for an appetizer and a wonderful homemade lasagna, ceasar salad and garlic bread for dinner. We finished the night off with brownies, cookies and a cake for our co-worker Thea's birthday! We had a few different bottles of red wine, which were delicious! We all had such a wonderful time and it made me remember how lucky I am to have such fun and awesome co-workers friends.

Me, Stephanie and Thea (all front desk girls)

Me, Pennie & Stephanie (Pennie is in reservations)

Me, Thea, Cara, Pennie, Nettie & Yoko

(Cara is the best manager, EVER)

James, Taylor, Pennie & Jordan (her husband and step kids)

Thea's birthday cake!

Cara burned her hand on the oven while getting out the lasagna...

and we were told putting lettuce on it helps the burn?!?? We'll see if it works.

Pennie & I

Birthday Girl Thea & I. Can you believe she's 34?!?! She doesn't look a day over 26!

T & Steph

After Ryan and I came home from the party we finished decorating our tree. We went and purchased our permit from the Forest Service, so we were able to go into the woods across from our house and chopped down our own tree! It was only $10 and last year I paid $55!!! So it was a STEAL! We still need to get some more ornaments, because the ones we have from last year are a little ratty... and they were the cheapy kind from Target... I also need to get a new tree topper. We had a metal one last year, but Ryan and I decided one that lights up would be better! We also need to get one more strand of lights. Since our tree isn't very full of branches, (it's kinda bare and has lots of room inside the branches) I want to add more lights to make it look more full.

Dun dah dah DAH!!!! I can't believe Christmas is in less than 10 days! I gotta get shopping. I get paid tomorrow, so I know where all of that money is going!!! Hahahaaaa

Thanksgiving in LA

Ahhhhh... Los Angeles. The city of smog, jam packed freeways,

over population and also home to my lovely and wonderful family.

Long time no post! Ryan and I visited LA for Thanksgiving a few weeks back. And I figured I should post some pictures... and some stories!

We drove all the way down and stayed with my friend Victoria's mom, Janiece. She's one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met. She's from the south, so she can cook! We ate well every night that we were there. Her specialty is Chicken Parmesan... the BEST!

We took Ryan's mom - Jan, and his sister - Kellie, to City Walk at Universal Studios for some shopping and to eat at Tony Roma's. We took pictures in front of the giant tree, and giant guitar outside of Hard Rock Cafe. We kept joking about looking like tourists... but now that we live in Tahoe, we ARE tourists! Haha.

Kellie, Ryan and Jan in front of the tree!

Jan being distracted by sights.

Me & Ry at Tony Roma's

Kellie & I in the parking lot.

We had a fun time going into all of the shops. The magnet store, the candy shops. Jan bought almost a pound of Jelly Belly's. (Later she told me that next time tell her to stop sooner, because she made herself sick!

The crazy Marilyn Monroe made with candy... and weird Twizzler Haired Girl.

That was on Tuesday... Wednesday I took my sisters shopping, and Kellie tagged along. We bought lots of fun lady stuff and I got myself a really cute coat. I'll show you a picture of it later. Wednesday night was chicken parm night at Janiece's house! We had lots of friends over, played some cards, ate some chicken parm and drank some good champagne. We finished the night off with Janiece's Death By Chocolate Brownie... best thing EVER! It was a wonderful evening.

The next day was Thanksgiving. Ryan and I normally get lucky with our families both having their Thanksgiving in Redondo/Hermosa area... but this year his aunt decided to have it at her house in Pasadena area... So we drove to Hermosa and visited my family for a little while. We walked down to the beach with my cousins and played a little volleyball.

The sisters

Big Waves

We then took 5 different freeways to get to Pasadena (reason #349 why I hate LA). Saw his family and ate some food.

Ry, Jan & Kellie

Crazy weird salt & pepper shakers that I just HAD to take a picture of.

After we visited his family we drove back to Castaic to visit our friends - The Miulli's. We have visited them for the past 3 years and I don't think the tradition will stop anytime soon. They always have the deep fried turkey and sausage stuffing. They're half italian and half mexican so there is ALWAYS enough food to feed us by the time we get there.

From left to right: Back row: Dana, Brett, Nick, Robie, Ryan, Joey and Brenn

Front row: Allison & Me

The next day on Friday we went to Ventura and visited my grandma and aunt Linda, aunt Heather and cousins Jennifer and Jeremy. We also went and saw my friend Anna who just had her baby Ryder a few months back. He is so precious! I don't have any pictures of him quite yet, but he is SO cute you're just gonna have to take my word for it. He was the first baby Ryan has held since his sister!

The rest of the trip we spent with our friends and my dad and sisters. We went out to TGIFriday's a couple of nights with old friends and had some drinks. This is when I wore my new coat!

Left to right: Karah, Chelsea, Kelly & I

Me & Kelly

Me, Kelly, Gerry (I've known him since 4th grade!) and Chelsea

Another night with friends... it was Karaoke night... and there were some crazies!

Me, Argia and Ryan

Kristen, Claire, Me and Argia

We drove back home on Saturday and came home to lots of snow. I was surprised that we made it back in to town! It was so wonderful to see everyone, especially all of my family! I miss them SO much.