A Valentine's Day Chef

We have been spending a lot of time in our kitchen lately, trying out new recipes and using all the tools we got from our wedding. I love to bake cookies, brownies, cupcakes, pies--you name it. Steve has asked me not to bake too much because he ends up eating everything. That's a compliment, right? He has been cooking pastas, seafood, steaks and soups. What more could a girl ask for? Time to get this guy an apron and onto Top Chef.

For Valentine's Day I woke up to this. A very LARGE breakfast bagel sandwich.

And these!

Then, Steve cooked a fabulous lobster tail dinner with garlic mashed red potatoes, wild rice, french bread AND a side salad. It was very yummy!

For dessert I made heart shaped chocolate chunk brownies topped with Butterfinger ice cream.

Hope you all had a loving and tasty Valentine's Day!

Where's the Pot of Gold?

Last weekend in between rain showers, I saw this beautiful rainbow near our home. Wish I could take credit for this picture. It was taken by someone driving along the toll road and submitted to our local newspaper. It's the "end" of a rainbow, something that's very, very rarely seen-- especially in Southern California.

Short Business Trip

A couple of weeks ago my company had their holiday party, that's right in February. Everyone in our Region (throughout Ca) met up for three days of training, workshops and fun! I was able to meet several of the District Managers I normally work with over the phone and finally match names with faces. It was great being able to spend time with wonderful, hardworking leaders, that truly believe in providing the best childcare and educational environment for every child.

Our holiday party/secret santa gift exchange was held at Rock Bottom Brewery. It was so much fun. I work with some characters, that's for sure!
Working Hard

Playing HardOpening Gifts
My Secret Santa Kim
I was Angie's Secret Santa
Group Shot (I missed out on this one) Since the event was held in Los Gatos, I was able to skip out on the last day (Friday) and spend time with my family. We went to dinner one night after work. It's always nice catching up with family.

Overall, nice trip. Short and sweet. Oh and I got to hang out with this crazy little guy. My sister's dog Buddha.

Happy Birthday Steven

Happy Birthday to my loving husband. I hope this year brings you many joys, success, adventures, laughter and good health. I love you always. Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's 50th birthday. I hope she doesn't mind me stating her age, but she doesn't look a day over 25. People often think she is my sister. It must be her wrinkle-free skin and youthful smile.

My mom has the biggest heart. When I was younger she never complained about taking me(and my friends) to and from cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, karate, soccer and softball practice. She was also my biggest fan. Since she was a stay-at-home mom, she volunteered at my school and attended all of my school plays/concerts/talent shows. She would wake up early in the morning and make me pancakes or cheesy egg sandwiches for breakfast before school. After she picked us up from school, she would make sure we had some kind of snack and helped us finish our homework--before Dad got home.

When I headed off to college, she made sure I had everything I needed, including jumbo-sized shampoo and bath soap, every kind of cold and allergy medicine and pre-packaged food to last for months.

It wasn't until I moved away from home that I began to realize how much she did and still does for our family, especially my brother, sister and me. I think that was also around the time we became closer. I would call my mom everyday on the phone just to talk, I still do. She is definitely the woman I aspire to be- a caring mother, loving wife and faithful friend. Mom, thanks for everything you have done for me and continue to do. I love you and hope you have a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday!

Happy New Year

Jenn and I just want to say Happy New Year to all of you. We had a low key night. Our neighbors next to us are a cool young couple so we hung out with them. We grilled some steaks and had some crab legs and just relaxed around the house. Chris, my neighbor has Play Station so we basically played Madden all night. Jenn fell asleep around 10 (she had to work New Year's Eve) so at about 11:50 I woke her up to ring in the New Year. She was out of it but managed to stay awake for a little bit longer. Today we are watching football and eating more. I have been a big pig and have probably gained about 10-15 lbs. in this last month. The holidays have completely thrown me out of my usual routine and I am looking forward to Monday when things will get back to normal. All in all we have had a terrific holiday season. Hanging out up north with Jenn's family and going to San Fran and then relaxing here back at home. We hope all of you have a great 2009 and lets hope that things will turn around for our country in the new year. I think that it can only get better from here on out. I mean how much worse can things be than they are now. With a new President and some smarter people running the show lets hope for better things. Plus this is the last year for me in my 30's so I deserve some love this year. Take care everybody and we love you all.

Central Coast

After a week with the parents, we left Gilroy early Monday morning and decided we would take our time on the drive home. Instead of taking the 5 we opted for a more scenic route, 101. The drive was beautiful. After all the rain from last week, the hills were green and the trees were various shades of red and orange. It was like driving through a postcard for five hours-hillsides, farms, wineries and the coast. We stopped in San Luis Obispo and grabbed lunch at Firestone Grill. Then we stopped at a lookout point near Goleta. I could have stayed there all day. We made another stop in Santa Barbara and walked down Stearns Wharf. We ate AGAIN! Fish and chips at some place on the water. After spending the day cruising the coast and plotting out which beach house/mansion we are going to move into--reality set in and we were stuck in LA traffic.
Steve says that Northern and Southern California are two completely different worlds. I think I agree, but it's always nice to go away for awhile and come back HOME. Now its back to work.

San Francisco

A trip to visit my parents wouldn't be complete without a day in the city. Usually we walk around Chinatown and North Beach, but this time we ventured to Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. The girls shopped and the boys went to go watch the games. After we all met up and ate at this hidden little sushi spot. The food was terrific! Every time we go Steve tries to convince me to move there, don't think that is going to happen. I keep telling Kelly to go to college there, then we will have an excuse to visit more often.

Steve & Jenn with Alcatraz in the distance

Mom & Jenn

Mom & Dad

Kelly

Dave & Laila

The Girls

What We've Been Up To

The past couple of days we have been in Northern California visiting family doing a whole lot of this-

Baking

Eating

Relaxing

Working on our Guitar Hero skills

Shopping

And we are loving every minute of it!!

Christmas 2008