"Celebrate good times...Come on!"

Book club was last night and good times were had by all...as usual. E hosted and surprised us with yummy food from Las Barcas and sangria. Then, she came out with a cake that celebrated the three major events in the book club: two babies in the oven and my engagement. The cake is below with the owners of the celebratory pastry.

Preggers #2 (to be renamed after the baby is born in late Feb.), Amers, and Preggers #1 (who will also be renamed after the baby is born in early Feb...three days before my b-day!) with the cake.
A close up of the cake because it was so cute.
The Book Club Crew. Our book this month was The Alchemist. It received mixed reviews. Those who feel they are living their personal legend felt the book was a little redundant, those who still had things they felt they were putting off liked it. All of the high-schoolers we talked to loved the book. We think it's because they have their whole lives in front of them.
Preggers #2 and Gresham
Curly (gee, I wonder why) and Scuba Steveana.

If by "motherly" you mean...

What an awesome weekend I had. I spent the past weekend with three of my girlfriends, members of Delta Delta Delta, in Danville and San Francisco. The weekend started with Directionally Challenged making a lovely pitcher of Sangria and dishing out pizza and ice cream while we looked at college photos. The next day we took a walk to Starbucks, hung out by the pool, and then showered up and drove into the city. Our next stop: The Social Chair of San Francisco's (well, I think I will call her Justin-Bobby) pad. We waited for SoBo to do her hair and drank two bottles of champagne. Then, Justin-Bobby took us to sushi and about three bars. The night ended with dancing at Dolce and a a bit of hilarious drama. Lave it to Justin-Bobby to dish up some entertainment for her "married but still fun" friends. I am really lucky to have three lovely ladies who still know how to have a good time. The result: the only pictures I have are the pre-party pics. Once the ladies get their pictures on the web, I'll add more.

Directionally Challenged and Justin-Bobby.
More of the same. Other possible nicknames for Directionally Challenged: Steb (but she hates that), Sangria, and Bailey. For Justin-Bobby/Social Chair I was thinking Man's Desire, Three on A String, Playa, or Samantha. If either of you have a preference, let me know and I'll change it. You could even make your own suggestion.
Justin Bobby with me!
SoBo and Directionally Challenged. I was going to call her BoSo to keep the chronology correct, but then I realized that it sounded like Bozo, and Bozo she is not. Hour Long Hair and Lots-A-Locks were two other nickname possibilities.

"I need love, love, love, love, crazy love"

What a day! It was August 11th and Lulu and Cheetoes married! The day filled with hairspray,

makeup, and a little champagne...and of course, love. Lulu looked absolutely beautiful, she was a princess bride. I look at the pictures and think about how much happiness and hope radiates from her face. While Fashionista did Lulu's makeup, Ave did her hair. She had a vision that carried from her head to her toe; she was amazingly beautiful. She made Cheetoes cry as she walked down the aisle...
Me, the Maid of Honor, Lulu, and Runner, the Matron of Honor
With the entire ensemble on, she looks stunning.
The bridal party toasting the bride.
Turtle (because she takes so long to come out of her shell) is very excited about something.
Tiny Ham is so very cute. Oh, to be the only boy in this family means he is spoiled!
Lulu and Bictor take a picture.
The bridesmaids...Spether, Runner, and Amers
Lulu and Cheetoes' first interaction on their wedding day. They said I love you and he kissed her hand, but there was a door between them, so they didn't see each other. Notice the emotion on Cheetoes' face
A kiss from one sister to the other.

Dancer, Lulu, Amers, and The Golf Pro. Is there a family resemblance?

Bictor and Grandma

Taking time to smell the roses...The bodice and the bouquet.
Down the aisle...the view from the back. A pretty dress.
Lil'Harcher had a new girlfriend that night, my niece K.Grace. Lil'Harcher is actually listening to my Maid of Honor speech and laughing at my jokes. It's rare, but it happens.

Everyone kept asking Lil'Harcher if he is ready for our wedding. With the possiblilty of all this attention and love to be showered upon the honored couple, I think he is.

With this ring...

This past weekend, Lil'Harcher and I went to Arizona. I was welcoming the madness that is wedding planning at my mom's house in Oakdale.
The reason for our trip to Az was to help Lil'Harcher's grandparents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They renewed their vows in church on Saturday night and then had a reception with about 30-40 people after.
The next morning, Lil'Harcher used the only time we had alone to propose. Unfortunately, I have only the pictures we took on Sunday on my computer, so that's all I have here.
The post-engagement photo with the mountains or Bisbee, Arizona, in the background.
After, we went on the Copper Mine Tour. Matt's Grandpa Andy worked in this very mine for years. Our tour guide remembered/knows him and told us all about Grandpa Andy's job as the hoist operator. It was a treat. I am an information junkie.