Alexiana's Moves

Of course you didn't think we took Monica to dinner without any entertainment, right?

After Harry's, we took her party to Gramma Connie's (woo!) for some cake from Jennine's Bakery (which is actually very good... thanks Robert and Renee!) and to watch Monica's year-old granddaughter Alexiana dance for us (woo again!).

Yup... we know how to party. Oakland's got nothing on us.

Here's a video of the entertainment, Alexiana and her moves...

Monica's Birthday at Harry's

Our family is always fun, there’s no doubt about that. Monica’s birthday dinner at Harry’s seemed to take that seriously, because everyone seemed to enjoy him/herself on Saturday night.

26 people showed up: Monica, Renee, Chris, Raquel, Ryan, Alexiana, Esther (Chris’ Mom), Henry (Chris’ Dad), Robert, Gramma Connie, Linda, Manuel, Carmen, Eric, Lil Eric, Mija, Lizzy, Cindy Cook, Martin, Ty, Marina, Dolly, Bill, Marisa, Michelle, and I.

Here’s a few pictures in the Photo Album.

For those who didn’t go, here’s a few notable quotes from that night:

• --Singapore Slings for Linda, Manuel and Robert. As Robert said, “In honor of my godmother, Mija.” If you haven’t heard that story, ask someone. I’m not gonna put it up here…

• --First people (Monica and I) got to Harry’s at 5pm sharp. Folks were streaming in for the next 35 minutes. But the last group didn’t get there until just after 6. Everyone was wearing a watch. Maybe they’re just for looks, ‘cuz we all know how to tell time, right?

• --Gramma Connie likes to talk. But more than that, she just wants to know what’s going on. She was seated in the middle of the long table, where tradition says important people should sit (the ‘head of the table’ is a weird American thing the means you only have 2 people to talk to instead of 5 as you would in the middle). Thing is, she couldn’t hear the conversations at either end of the table.

• She was kinda pissed. So Renee commiserated, “I know, Gramma [I feel your pain]! See what happens when you have 13 kids and try to go to dinner with 50 people?!” We need to get a table shaped like a donut and put Gramma in a swivel chair in the middle so she can swing around and be part of EVERY conversation.

• --Monica had 2 glasses of wine. Folks asked her if she had brought a designated driver. She thought for a second and said, “Well, I brought David, so…. Never mind. I guess not.” Salene mentioned this in a comment to the post titled ‘Harry’s It Is’ by saying I needed to get my license so my Aunties could have a good time and still get home safely. I’m still laughing.

• --Carmen wanted to pay her bill, and she was asking for the ticket. Someone answered, “Hold on. They’re passing it around.” And Carmen said with excitement, “Oh! What are they passing around?!” Trying to hold back laughter, Renee said, “A joint.” Dolly threw in, “A mirror and a straw.” We love our Aunties, don’t we, Cousins?

Harry's It Is!

If you take a look at what I wrote yesterday, you might notice that someone left a comment (click on '1 comment' at the bottom of yesterday's post and the comment will open up).

Looks like Monica has decided to go to Harry's!

But take a look at the comment anyway. He or she has some words for y'all..... funny words.

May or May Not....

Monica turns 54 today (woo!) and there have been some discussions on what to do. Oprah turns 54 today too but who knows what she'll be doing.

Well, here's the maybes:

Folks may or may not take Monica to dinner on Friday night. Monica says things have been busy, and since 54 isn't a big number, she could take it or leave it.

Take it! Take it! Take it!

They may or may not go to Jill's Place (Shalhoob's). Jill doesn't take reservations of groups more than 8, and there's about 12 people on the short list.

So, they may or may not go to Harry's, where the food is mediocre but the drinks are stiff.

What's that mean for everyone? Not a whole lot, but wish her happy birthday anyway!

January Birthdays

Apologies for being a few days late (Happy Birthday to Leah, Martin and Scoob!).

Here are the January Birthdays (quite a few, in fact... what were y'all doing every October? No holidays, no change of seasons.... )

• Leah Hernandez, January 1

• Martin Hernandez (Sr), January 2
  

• Marisa Arellanes (Scoob!), January 2
  

• Monica Modlin, January 8
  

• Manuel 'Duke' Romero, January 15

• Sonia Aspuria, January 19
  

• Natalie Hernandez, January 22

• Malaya Aspuria, January 29

• Salene Castaneda, January 30
  

• Bill Arellanes, January 31
  

One birthday for every Tuesday in the month, and there are 5 Tuesdays in January-- if y'all planned that, you're good... you're pretty damned good... ;)

Here's the Calendar. Wish 'em well, folks!

How Many Sisters Does It Take

So, one Auntie says to the other, “I went to that new store on State and Anapamu…”

And it was downhill from there.

Insisting she knew the store’s name, the Auntie repeated it again and again, even after being called on it.

“The name of the store is Navy Blue!”

Then, another Auntie had to correct her. “It’s not Navy Blue—it’s Blue Navy!”

Oh, lordie…

Finally, a third Auntie said, “Both of you are wrong. The store is called OLD NAVY!”

And laughter broke out in the room.

One-third ain’t bad……… I guess……… I hope……. *gulp*

hehehe... ;)

Good times... good times...

The Cleaners

I heard a few Aunties were going over to Gramma Connie's house to clean up yesterday. Though we continue to fight the stereotypes every day, we have to admit that Mexicans are good at cleaning house.

I'm not sure if they were working, or just having fun. But from the looks of it, I think hazard pay is in order-- either from the many views, or the stress.

At least Gramma looks like she was enjoying herself. And that cup of coffee. And checking her mail....

Here's the few pictures from that day.

Good times, y'all.

Vegas Pictures

So remember I said something about Monica's friends loving their martinis? Look here for proof!

Lots of nice photos from the trip. I'm glad they all had a good time. Here's all of the pictures they took in the album Las Vegas October 2007.

And here's the group, looking all glamorous and stuff...

So, who wishes they would have gone? ;)

What Happens in Vegas...

So after trying to get some info out of those few who went to Vegas last weekend, I could only get a few things for y'all.

• -Monica, Dolly, Renee and Monica's friends (the wives) stayed at the Bellagio

• -Renee is a few months preggers and still had a good time-- she's a trooper!

• -Dolly says Monica's friends can hold their... they drink like... well, let's just say they enjoy martinis and stuff.
  

• -They all had a great time, and no doubt they'll be going again.

Oh, and when Dolly started taking pictures, she was told, by the ENTIRE GROUP, that "What happens in Vegas..." You know the rest. It's all innocent fun, so no worries. But still, only a couple of pictures have been released... hehehe.

Nina y Nino

Little Johnny was baptized and dedicated to God this past Saturday morning in Buellton. I don't have any pics, but folks say it was a nice gathering of a few members of the Fam.

And what is a baptism without godparents? Monica and Bill will be Nina and Nino to Johnny. That's nothing to take lightly, and we know they'll be good godparents.

Cheers and congrats!