I hope my future children are better behaved

But they won't be. I'm sure of it.

The tradition continues

So tomorrow the cuz (see blog link to the right!) is hosting this year's annual quasi-thanksgiving pig out. It will be our fourth year, unbelievably. And every year has been completely eventful due to the ever present beverage, Paralyzing Punch. The first year James was still a visitor and after his first quasi decided he indeed wanted to be a permanent resident. He also told me he loved me for the first time. It was three weeks in. YIKES! :) Quasi stirs up quite the emotions! Second year we experienced Janet Larsen's blow torch techniques and ended up tearing up the Pentagon City bars well into the evening. Last year, J & I hosted quasi and although it being scheduled on a Sunday evening tempered the drinking a tad, it was still a ton of fun and I once and for all proved that I was the champion of Trivial Pursuit. Although everyone else still claims I just memorized all the cards. So this year, Jake is hosting and I am SOOO excited. He'll be pulling out the bread maker for all kinds of uses, including stuffing, yah!! And Nancy of course has volunteered for like 8 different casseroles. Lin is trying to show everyone up with her mini pumpkin cheesecake bites. But it should be fun. It'll be great to see everyone again, although Janet and Sarah can't make it this year. You'll be missed! Can't wait to see what craziness this year creates!!

Where Winter Coats Never Come Out to Play

I promised some photos of my recent trip to San Diego...Why does paradise have to be soooo far away?









but of course, this was my most favorite view of all!


Strawberry cilantro margaritas..life doesn't get much better than this!

Oh, and Happy Birthday!

To my beautiful almost mother-in-law!

My Life as a Celebrity

Each time one of my two best friends has gotten married, the three of us get together to have a special girls-only engagement weekend. For Em, we went on a wine tour (and crashed Katy's work party). For Katy, we went for a weekend to her Dad's house in Rancho Mirage. I don't know if they felt sorry that I was the last, or it was because we get better each time, but my weekend was absolutely the most indulgent time ever. I had no idea what they had planned for me when I arrived in San Diego. I got in late on Friday and Saturday morning we woke early and started driving. About 45 minutes into our ride, the cd we were listening to announced my surprise--a night out in LA! Katy works in radio and had gotten one of her producers to make me a promo. I'll have to figure out how to upload it. It's like the MovieFone guy was talking directly to me!

To say the least, I was stunned. We had an incredible time in LA. We stayed at the Peninsula Beverly Hills where we were greeted with gold dusted chocolate strawberries, champagne and ridiculous service. The hotel even put Evian bottles in our car when we left. We had lunch at the Ivy and dinner at Mr. Chow's and got picked up in a Rolls Royce. I've never been much of a car person but OH MY GOD. That is a beautiful car! It was just an amazing time. So I thought that would be my surprise, yes? Seems pretty friggin big to me. Well that wasn't the end of it.

We hiked the most beautiful trail, got our nails done and had a bit too much bourbon in our mint juleps. But the biggest surprise was on Tuesday night when again, another radio spot told me we were going to see Madonna. From the 17th row on the floor!! It was amazing. We had SUCH great seats and she played all my favorites. Plus her incredible physique was JUST the inspiration I needed to come home and start my wedding diet. It was definitely a week to remember! I am so grateful for having the most amazing friends in the world. My candidate may not have won the presidential election, but I think Katy and Em helped ease the pain. :) THANK YOU TO MY HEARTS!! More pics of my trip to come.....