Great Eats

the month started out with some yummy eats...dinner at Olives Restaurant in the Bellagio with co-workers

seriously the best olives I ever had :)
beef carpaccio was very good

as was our chillean seabass, us girls ordered the same thing
I would definitely want to come back here again and sit where you can see the water show, so romantic...Thanks Triche and Kim for the invite, always a fun time...even though we got talked to!

Jay finally took us to Hash House for breakfast...have been hearing about it but never been...loved it
not only did the girls get waffles...but waffles stuffed with bacon...must try this at home :)
Jayson stuck to original pancakes and was also pleasantly surprised :)
cornbeef hash for Jay and I
and the best was the espresso with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream :) sooo good, will definitely be going there more often

Annual buyers dinner was also at a place I've been wanting to try, Italian restaurant Gaetano's...not only did we have a yummy dinner, but played white elephant. Theme was gag office supplies where Michelle and I strategically got each others gift so we could trade and end up with our own because we liked them so much...shh! we are too smart :)

I really need to try different things...stuck with my seafood! was a little too spicy for me, so Carla switched with me since hers wasn't spicy enough for her

and then this cappuccino was a different kind of a treat, not with ice cream but with a pinch of alcohol, supposedly the must try...it was pretty tasty. Actually...the month started, ended and included good food throughout the whole month...December is great month :) Good thing Biggest Loser starts in the New Year!

Pre Christmas Fun

Kids Christmas presentation was extra special this year because it was Jayson's first...I was so involved with his practice, Jay so exicted for his new outfit, that we didn't even realize the girls were also singing that same day :) I know, bad parents! He did so good, I wish I could post the video but too big, but here it is on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeDme415LzI
Christmas fun continued with Michelle's annual cookie party

where the girls rolled...

cut...

and decorated sugar and gingerbread cookies
cookie with your icing Lauren :)
helping Moxa make peanut butter ritz dipped in chocolate, a southern treat

Ashley's pretzels dipped in caramel, rolled in nuts and then drizzeled with chocolate...my next thing I want to try
I did chocolate covered oreo balls for the first time, turned out good but just need more practice on making them perfectly round as you can see
we had cookies for the whole week to share with the rest of the team
Thanks Michelle for being a lovely hostess!
took my 3 children to this place I kept hearing was fun with good food, free house wine and cappuccino...somewhat of a tourist spot...
especially known for this old man who comes around and plays the accordion
went with the seafood again, but I really need to go back for some traditional spaghetti
I have always had spumoni ice-cream, didn't realize it came in cake form, so that was interesting, it was pretty good
love these girls, they know me too well...made me a princess basket along with wine and a massage...still can't get over how good and real the picture looks :)

then our team Holiday party the next night...white elephant theme was "animal" so we decided to dress appropriately

Align CenterAshley in the suit won best dress, I probably came in second in my nightgown :)
played a fun present wrapping game
not surprised these two nerds...I mean perfectionist won :)

and Brit wins for getting the best animal themed gift...a pink, furry catsuit :)

early presents...got together with the Julian's where the kids opened up their first gift...Jayme and Jayson got new shoes, but not Jaylin Auntie Jackie knows she loves her sassy clothes!
finally caught Joshie for a picture!
and can't start Christmas without holiday nails :)

Christmas

Christmas this year was at our house
but first church with the Carinos...was so nice to see Nora and Mateo and Ruby and George too :)
back to the house, where we finally got to meet new cousin Alex

she is the cutest thing
you crazy Uncle Jay!

did the bacon wrapped turkey again :)

this boy could not wait to open presents
as usual the girls got fabulous clothes, accessories, toys, you name it...thanks everyone, you spoil these kids...
they are holding up gift certificates to a website where they can choose, design and order their own clothing
everyone got something fun...
ended the night with a cousin shot...Rick shared his grey goose that he got from our "animal" themed white elephant
was a fun evening with the family, after a few rounds of eating, presents, games and Just Dance...we rested and were up early in the morning for our road trip to the bay...went straight to see Grandma, aunties and more cousins


then to Auntie Sheila's to spend the rest of Christmas...they were already in their PJ's, matching PJ's :)
more cousins...these kids had so much fun, especially being able to stay up so late every night


up again early Sunday morning...can't go home and not visit our home church, River of Life
Auntie Gail
the Castro's...the kids sporting shirts form Auntie Grace's new t-shirt line
Roycee