Cooky Cook

Mingo loves it when I cook homemade meals at home. He calls me cooky cook when I make something that he really likes! Since this year was our first time staying in San Diego for Christmas we decided to have Mingo's whole family and my brother and sister in law over for Christmas Eve dinner. I was a little afraid, not only because they themselves are amazing cooks, but because I have never made a holiday dinner for that many people!! I knew I was going to burn something. But it turned out great! We had a prime rib roast with a cabernet sauvignon glaze and gravy, fresh mozzarella mashed potatoes, seared garlic green beans, jalapeno and bacon stuffing, and a vanilla cream cheese pumpkin roll for dessert! Thanks to a good friend that gave me the recipes I didn't burn anything! But most of all it was a blast just spending time with the family:)

{ Took a Break From Cooking to Kiss the Hubbs }

{La Table}

{ Table }

{ Mingo Cutting the Roast }

{Our Crazy Family That I LOVE }

{Mingo's FAV appetizer }

{My First Attempt at Making a Pumpkin Roll}

{Finally I wasn't the First One to Fall Asleep, My Brother in Law Was}

{Good Night Till Tomorrow at Christmas}

Don't let the holidays be the only time when you spend quality time with the people you love. Make time in 2011 to tell the people in your life how much you love and care about them:)

Merry Merry Christmas

I hope all of you had an amazing Christmas this year. Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, spending quality time with Family, and enjoying eachother. So to each of you Merry Christmas! Here is our card we sent out this year, if you did not get one in the mail it's because I dont have your address (send it please:) Every year we try to stage our photo and then set our camera on automatic timer so it's a surprise to everyone. It makes us laugh and we almost always get bruises, but HEY its fun.  If you have not watched the "Bed Intruder" You Tube video this card might not make sense to you.

 { He's Climbing In Your Window, He's Snatching Yo People Up }

And YES, Santa in REAL!

Family

This last weekend Mingo and I drove up north to visit my family. I love seeing them, but with such a short trip didn't get a chance to see all my girlfriends I love and miss. It was great sleeping in, cooking, opening Christmas presents, and getting to finally hug my little brother and his new finance (since i haven't seen them both since they got engaged)! It rained non stop the whole time we were there, but wasn't cold enough to snow yet. All in all it was a great trip!

{The Newly Engaged Preston and Crystal}

{Mitch and Ash}

{Their New Puppy Thor...He is SO Cute}

{It rained non-stop the whole time we were their}

{The Game Upwards is Always a Must, Mingo is Getting Stumped Here}

{Me and My little Brother Preston}

It was nice getting away and breathing in some fresh air. Remember not to let this season go by so fast without spending it with people you love! 

Dreamer?

The Habitat House just opened downtown and houses various artists from around San Diego. I love the idea of opening an old craftsman house as an art gallery! It was fun to go and see Kelli Murray showcase her Dreamer solo exhibit. Also to see a really good friends design! Go Cole! Love the idea, love the art, love the people I got to see:)

{The Habitat House}

{Love this little house piece of art}

{ So Talented}

{Cole's Design}

{Awesome Prints By Kelli and Wes Bruce}

There are so many pictures I could put up, sooooo I am going to limit it to these few! Had a great night seeing a new place in the city. 

Winter at the Hotel Del

There are many things I love and enjoy in San Diego but one of them has to be the Hotel Del on Coronado Island! This hotel was built back in 1888 and has had many visitors from Marilyn Monroe, Charles Lindbergh, England's Prince of Whales, King Edward VII, Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, 11 Presidents, Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Brad Pitt, Madonna and so many more. Needless to say Mingo and I love the old architecture, restaurants and just walking through its old halls and shops. This year the Rock took us to ice skate at the Hotel Del right on the beach. It was a blast!!! Mingo had fun trying to learn triple luxes...hahaha. The Del was all lit up for Christmas and oh so grand. Here are a few pics of our fun Christmas night at the Del.

{ The Hotel Del Coronado Lit Up}

{Ice Skating Skills}

{Mingo Stretching for His Triple Lux Attempt} 

{Then on Our Way Inside to Take Some Real Christmas Photos}

{Super Christmas Photo}

{Photos With The Girls}

If you haven't ice skated in years...it's ok! We hadn't either. Find something different this Christmas season and have FUN! Merry Christmas!!!!

Faces

Well many of you who have met my Husband know he is an extremely funny, witty, and down to earth person to be around. I thouht I'd share with you something that makes me laugh everyday! He has a particular face that he makes (but swears he doesn't do it often) so I thought I'd prove that wrong:) Love you Babe....mean it!

{Here it is....oh how I love it}

{Cancun}

{Pumpkin Patch}

{The Pool}

{Julian}

{The Fair}

{Big Bear}

{Parent's House}

{Coronado Bike Riding}

{Padres Game With E}

{Our House With Isaiah}

Sooo there is a little insight into my life with the Hubbs...he makes me laugh like no other and am blessed everyday that I get to spend with Him. He is the Love of my Life!

Hawaii

Mingo and I went to Hawaii a few months ago to take a mini vaca after a really busy season in our lives. The first time Mingo ever told me he know he was going to marry me He was on this island and I was in Africa. So it was pretty neat to go back and Mingo show me all the spots he had visited while he was there years ago. I serisouly LOVE the water and Mingo LOVES to surf so this was a pretty great getaway.

{View of Oahu}

{Waimea Bay said this}

{But Mingo Decided to do This, Yup That's Him}

{Of Course We Had To Get Some Matsumoto Shaved Ice}

{Yuuuummmmmm}

{A Pastor Friend of Ours Who Used To Live In Hawaii Told Us to Go to This Beach, so Glad We Did}

{Then We Went To The Pali Lookout..The Most Windy Place on The Island}

{China Town Was Amazing, Had to Buy Some Fresh Lychee}

{Then We Went With Some Alumni To A University of Hawaii Game}

{Mingo Was Forced to Wear This Hat By the Family We Were Visiting}

{Then Had to Eat at The Famous Duke's in Waikiki}

{Seriously Such Good Sea Food}

We finished the trip with some stand up paddle boarding! Was a blast can't wait till we go back:)