Happy New Year 2011

Once again we spent New Year's Weekend in Lake Cuyamaca, one of my favorite places. Where? It's a very small mountain town near Julian in the mountains outside of San Diego. It is gorgeous, tranquil, and there is NO T.V...and cell phone reception is bad. Basically, it's away from everyone and great way to start the year.We were sad that Kyle wasn't with us this year. He went skiing with Chelsea's family in Mammoth. They had fun, but we missed him so much!!

Darrell spent some time on the computer...but not too much...

We cooked food and went to eat at the restaurants in Julian. This is Chicken Fajitas! They were delicious! Why does everything taste better when you cook in someone else's kitchen?

The scenery is beautiful. It is such a quiet town...They did have snow the week before. Little did we know that the snow had melted the day before and turned into ICE ON THE DRIVEWAY! Oops!

This is a picture of the driveway AFTER the towtruck pulled us back up. It didn't look like it was "slicker than snot" ice that was almost 2 inches thick. We started down and slid just a few feet...not a great start to our weekend!

A picture of the Lake. The air was so crisp and clean.

We always see a lot of wildlife there. They have tons of wild turkeys who are NOT afraid of people. We also saw many deer, but didn't get a photo...bummer!

Nathan got a cap gun at one of the tourist shops in Julian! I think he went through 200 rounds of caps. I hope they're gone now!

Many of you know that Nathan is fascinated with fire, he loved starting the wood stove and kept the fire going all night. The cabin was near 80 degrees at one point!! Sheesh...

We played Blokus, it was so fun. We got the game last Christmas, but had not played before. I think it'll become a favorite.

Sooooo serious...

So NOT serious...and guess who won? The NOT serious one!!

Always have to play a game of Jenga....we built a very tall tower...

and Darrell knocked it over! Here's praying for a great 2011 for all of us.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

KYLE TURNS *18* YEARS OLD!!!

SURPRISE!!! We had a surprise party for Kyle at our house. I think he really WAS surprised when he came in the front door!

His Auntie made him a beautiful banner for all of his friends to sign.

This is a photo of some of his friends waiting for him to come in the door. He has such a great group of friends, and I am lucky that they hang out over here a lot of the time, so I know most of them! He has a diverse group of friends, because he chose to go to two different high schools.

Just came in the door...his friends all rushed to him and it was a giant group hug!!

We hired a DJ and it worked out GREAT! We moved all of the furniture of the front room and into the neighbors garage, the kids danced the night away!

We had Mexican food catered by one of the Mommy's in my program. We had beef burritos, chicken taquitos, bean and cheese burritos, beans, rice, fruit and salad. They didn't touch the fruit or salad??

They food was set up in the garage with tables and chairs...after eating, the adults hung out in the garage. The house was SO loud!!

Kyle and Chelsea! So cute...she was my "partner in crime" and helped me to plan the party and execute it perfectly! Thanks Chelsea!!

The "birthday cake" was 6 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts stacked up on pedestal plates. It looked so cute and the kids thought I was a genius!!

Kyle and Christian...the 2 cutest boys on the baseball team!!

18 candles...blow!!!

BLOOooooooooooooooooow!

What is a party without a pinata?? Cracked me up how excited the 18-year-olds were about the pinata!

I think the party was a huge success! No one got hurt and nothing was broken. The police were not called and everyone was gone by midnight!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLE!!! I love you so much!!

Happy Birthday MOM...60 Years Young!!

Even though I promised that I would not have a party for my Mom, I couldn't help myself! We had a small surprise luncheon for her closest friends and family. I think she had a great time...I hope so!

Some work friends from 20+ years ago, a new work friend, and Emily...my cousin who is such a dear!

We had pasta prepared by Sabatinos...it was delicious...and salad...and garlic bread...

The birthday girl, her great neighbor, her "Forever Friend" Linda Mac, and my 2 BFF's Kelly and Kristin. Kelly and Kristin helped me SO much the day of the party...they truly are a blessing to me!! Thanks girls...love ya!

Holly made Grammy a birthday banner. I hung it in the front entrance so she would see if first thing when she walked in the front door...and then SHE CAME IN THE BACK DOOR!!!

My first attempt at a homemade German Chocolate Cake with Coconut/Pecan icing!

Happy Birthday to the Greatest Mom EVER!!! We love you SO MUCH!!

Halloween Gingerbread House

Chelsea brought over a Halloween Gingerbread House kit and they put it all together. It looks SO CUTE!! AND...they didn't make a huge mess in my kitchen!!

Here they are just starting....

The finished product! I'm impressed...and they had fun! Happy Halloween to my ghosts and ghouls!

Darrell Finished the Half-Marathon!!

Darrell has been training and working really hard, and today he finished his first half-marathon in L.A. It was so exciting and I was so proud of him, I couldn't believe he could run 13.1 miles!!! I hope he's never chasing me, because I can barely make it around the block!!
HOORAY....for an injury-free finish!!
Resting his legs after the race!
MGD was giving away free beer to all who finished the race...wow, run all that way for a free beer!!!
These shoes have clocked many miles, and I'm sure many more to come. the orange band on the shoelace is a computer chip to track his mileage and time.

Good job Love!!! I knew you could do it!!

Homecoming Dance for KYLE!!

Kyle went to the Homecoming Dance with his friend Torrie. She is a beautiful girl who is a great friend to Kyle. She actually has a boyfriend who graduated last year, so he couldn't go to the dance with her. Kyle was her "date." Before the dance, they all met at Tortilla Flats on Lake Mission Viejo for dinner. I think there ended up being about 30 kids there!All of the Moms were there taking photos...we looked like paparazzi!! Look how beautiful they look!! I love that my baby is turning into a handsome awesome person, but I hate that he's growing up so fast.

Austin, Torrie, and Kyle. What a lucky girl!!

One of the loves of my life...

In keeping with "Dana tradition"...a photo of the boys shoes!! I wish I would have taken a photo of the girls shoes. Seriously, some of them were 5 inches high!

Some of "the group." Most of these kids have been over to my house many times. They are great kids!!

Kyle with his beautiful friend Ceris! Don't they look like Ken and Barbie?? I'm so happy that Kyle is enjoying his Senior year and is taking in all of the High School activities. I am most definitely blessed to be his Mom!!