Just the Girls

Back in January a group of us girls got together for my girl friend, Shannon's birthday. Eileen hosted at her new place in Huntington Beach and cooked up a great dinner.

Happy Birthday Steve

I have some catching up to do. On January 13th, Steve celebrated a BIG birthday. He turned 40! This year our families and friends contributed to a very special birthday gift--a Birthday Book! Weeks before Steve's special day, I collected heart-felt letters, poems, pictures and a very creative song from Steve's best friend, Darren, "Can't Find a Better Friend (Man)". Yes, a Pearl Jam song, one of Steve's favorite. I compiled all the messages and created a scrapbook for Steve. I gave it to him at dinner at P.F Chang's. I wish I could have captured his intial reaction. To everyone---he LOVED it and was SPEECHLESS!

Thank you for contributing and making his 40th birthday one to remember.

Happy 2010!

Last week we road tripped to Las Vegas and rang in the New Year with great food, dancing and a spectacular fireworks show. A short and sweet little getaway, just the two of us.

 We spent one day walking Las Vegas Boulevard and checked out different hotels, casinos and shops.

The new CityCenter just opened. The architecture is incredibly impressive, with ridiculously expensive shops, restaurants and two more hotels to add to the strip. This is the entry to one of the hotels, Aria. If you look closely, those are life-size canoes.

The Botanical Gardens in Bellagio are my favorite. They had a special holiday exhibit on display and it was fabulous---snowmen, nutcrackers, Christmas trees, ornaments, polar bears and candy canes made from FLOWERS!

And of course the ceiling in the lobby is incredible, hand-blown glass flowers.

On New Year's Eve we had a sushi dinner at Koi in Planet Hollywood.

From the bridge above the strip you can see the Fountains of Bellagio.

 We danced and counted down at Eve and then watched fireworks outside of Aria.

On New Year's Day we headed home. On Monday we both return to work. I am actually looking forward to getting back to my normal routine. I am especially looking forward to a new year, a fresh start and all that 2010 will bring.

Happy New Year!

Ronald Reagan Library

We spent Christmas Day with Jim, Joan and the Fultons in Simi Valley. Joan prepared a tasty turkey dinner and we caught up on the last few months. The day after we went to the Ronald Reagan Library with Jim and Joan. The drive up to the library is beautiful with views of Simi and Moorpark.

The entrance to the library.

There were beautiful decorated trees throughout.

Air Force One

I like this picture.

I thought Steve would appreciate this one.

Steve, Joan and Jim in the rose garden.

Cookin on Christmas Eve

Chocolate and Red Velvet Cupcakes (I didn't get a picture of the after--with yummy red and green frosting)

Steve preparing Alice Springs Chicken for our Christmas Eve dinner

Just the two of us

No I didn't finish my plate, sooo much good food

Merry Christmas

O' Christmas Tree