I think I have a new hobby....

Before my snowboarding lesson

The Finance department rocked our thirtytwo shirts

At the top of the run - about to go down the hill again!

Have I mentioned lately that I love my job?  Every year, the Company has a snow day where they take us up to the mountain for a day of fun.  Everything is provided - breakfast, chartered bus, booze, lift tickets, rentals, lessons, lunch, and more booze!

I have never been snowboarding before.  I have been skiing twice (many many years ago), but I definitely wasn't successful.  Today started off similar to that....

I took a lesson.  The lesson consisted entirely of my co-workers.  I couldn't figure out which I was - goofy or regular.  I was so focused on this, that I couldn't have fun or stay up.  Finally, the instructor told me to strap both feet in and just go - sure enough I did it!  Wow, what a workout!  Since I've been surfing and wakeboarding, snowboarding came a lot more naturally than skiing.

After lunch, I decided to go down my first run.  I was very nervous about the chairlift - I hear stories how everyone falls down.  NOT ME!!!  I made it without falling!  And then, I managed to go down the entire mountain and I only fell twice!  The next run - I didn't fall at all!  Granted, my legs were quivering as I was going down the hill (I'll be feeling that tomorrow!!!)

Overall, it was an AWESOME day - beautiful weather, great people, and something new!  I think I can see myself going boarding more often.  Too bad it's such an expensive hobby!!!

Vegas, Baby!

Alison and John

Enjoying my drink at Kahunaville

Yummy dinner at St. Mark's Square in the Venetian

Eric and I in front of the Bellagio Lake

What a fun weekend!  We drove to Vegas and met my best friend from college, Alison, and her husband, John, who flew down from Kalispell, Montana.  It was my first "adult" Vegas experience.  Let me define "adult" - didn't go out to a wild and crazy club, enjoyed gambling and eating an expensive dinner.  I really enjoyed it (yet somehow we still managed to stay out until 3am Friday and Saturday nights!).  We stayed at the Mirage, which has a perfect location and was actually pretty cheap!  We went out to a yummy dinner at the Venetian on Saturday night, followed by Kahunaville at T.I.  It's a fun "flare" bar where the bartenders juggle and do tricks with the bottles (a la Tom Cruise in "Cocktail").  The weekend went by very fast, and I'm still recovering....but it was worth it!

Old School Photos

Holly and I on the first day of school.  I'm guessing I was in 3rd grade and she was in Kindergarten.  You're jealous - you love the dress with white sport socks and tennis shoes.....

So many comments to make about this photo.  My mom looked like she was trying to pimp us out at a young age.  My sister (who was about 2 in this photo) is wearing a sequin jumper with a DOLLAR $IGN on it!!!  Luckily, Holly just wore that around the house.

Me, on the other hand, wore that outfit in the Kindergarten Talent Show.  What was my talent, you ask?  No, it was not a strip tease.  But I did do a fancy little dance where I twirled and the dance definitely incorporated the red feather boa.  It's too bad I was so shy as a child.....

So sad, but so funny!

Bella tends to "dance" in her sleep....but nothing like this dog.  This dog is having quite a dream!

You have to watch this video.

Bronn Humor

For those that have never spent time with my family, this is your stereotypical "Bronn humor."  Every family member I've sent this to ended up crying in laughter.

Watch this clip and you'll understand.

"I love Jesus but I drink a little."

My recent obsession....

Homemade English Breakfast Tea Latte - made with sugar-free vanilla powder from Coffee Bean.  Since I have been studying so much lately, and it's been so cold and rainy out, this yummy drink does the trick.  Last Christmas I got the Keurig single cup coffee/tea maker.  It's perfect for someone like me, who doesn't drink coffee on a regular basis.  

I just microwave some milk, brew some tea, mix in some vanilla powder and voila.  I almost forgot the most important part - you MUST froth the milk!  I have a handy little frother from IKEA that cost me $6.  It makes the best foam on top!  I feel like I'm drinking a $4 latte - but it's only costing me around $ .50!

Congratulations Adam & Katherine!!!

My cousin Adam married his beautiful bride, Katherine, this weekend.  It was a beautiful event held at Dove Canyon Country Club.  The weather was perfect and everybody was just to happy to be celebrating at this joyous event.

Adam and I are the oldest cousins.  We had the same due date, but he was 2 weeks early and I was 2 weeks late.  Growing up, Adam and I were always very close - in fact, I thought he was my brother.  We both had white white blonde hair.  He was quite a wild child growing up, and I lived vicariously through him (as I was the cautious one).  I have many fond memories of us terrorizing the younger cousins - somehow convincing our younger sisters to lick Sunny Delight off of the dirty kitchen floor.  Then there was the time where we convinced the cousins that we were being attacked, as Adam's friends were in the backyard throwing bb pellets at the window.  Aaahhhh memories.

And now my handsome cousin is starting a new life with Katherine.  I am so very happy for them and wish them all of the joys in the world.

Adam and I

The Vegas cousins:  Mike, fiancee Kelly, Lauren, husband Nick

Eric and I

Adam and Katherine

So sad, but so funny!

This might be my favorite YouTube video yet - poor little guy!

David goes to the Dentist

Palm Springs with the Girls!

A wonderful tradition started 5 years ago....  Every year a group of my sorority sisters and I rent a house in Palm Springs (La Quinta, actually).  We have been so lucky and have had amazing weather 4 of the 5 years.  Luckily, this year it was in the mid 80's and the house was beautiful!

It's been so interesting how the dynamics of our group has changed over the years.  

Year 1:  Everybody got all dolled up on both Friday and Saturday nights and we went to fancy dinners in Palm Desert.  We ended up going through the entire inventory of alcohol (for the the entire weekend) on the very first night.  We had to run out and get more booze on Saturday to drink as we lounged by the pool reading gossip magazines.

Year 2:  Much of the same, but we only went out one night.  We had our first engagement, so there was lots of oohing and aahing over the ring.

Year 3:  By Year 3 we had collectively decided that it was a lot more fun to stay inside and cook rather than go out to dinner.  But, we still got all dolled up and looked cute for photos.  There were a couple more engagements this year, so more ring comparisons.  And this year, we had our first pregnant friend!  Finally, the year we decide to stay inside - we have a designated driver!!!  It was so much fun to see them with a pregger belly (but also kind of weird).

Year 4:  By year 4, we were no longer drinking the hard liquor - we had graduated to wine and champagne (and still a lot of Coors Light by the pool on Saturday!).  A couple more engagement rings, another pregnant friend, and our first mommy!  Needless to say, a lot of questions were asked about the birthing process, and I think we were all in awe as our mommy friend pumped in the corner.  

Year 5:  Wow - how things have changed.  This year 1/3 of the attendees were pregnant!  It was so cute to see everybody's baby bump!  Conversations had switched from celebrities and gossip to baby strollers and baby food.  We still bought alcohol as if everyone would be drinking, and we no longer stayed up until 2 or 3 in the morning.  No more sleeping in as we were all wide awake by 7:30 am!

Yes, things have changed over the years, but it has been so much fun to watch my group of friends grow up together and go through these life changes.  

Dean and I with our "water"

What more could you want - an infinity pool, cold beer, and lots of sun!

Somewhere over the rainbow.....

Isn't there supposed to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?!?!?!

 (don't give me credit for this photo.  It was on the local newpaper's website.  Photo was taken on the 241 toll road by my house)

Comedy hour at 24 Hour Fitness!

In case you weren't at 24 Hour Fitness in Foothill Ranch on Wednesday night, you missed comedy hour - aka Heather trying to take her first TKB (Turbo Kick Box) Class (although if you were to ask my friend Teresa, I was a kickboxer in high school). Everybody there was a regular. The instructor had lerengitis, so she couldn't talk. I was left to kick box with no guidance!!! Everybody would turn left, and I would turn right...They would punch, I would kick...you get the idea. I mean, I knew I wasn't the most coordinated of people, but I thought I could at least keep up! Nope. After a while, I just started doing my own thing - but I was laughing the whole entire time! I'm going to try it again next week - I'll let you know how it goes!

Yummy cupcakes!

I've mentioned before that I'm obsessed with Sprinkles cupcakes.  However, 2009 is a new year and the diet has begun!  Okay, I don't like to call it a diet.  I'll call it a "lifestyle change."  

Anyhoo, one of my biggest weaknesses is for fresh baked goods.  I found this recipe on the Weight Watchers message boards and decided to give it a try. Surprisingly - it is absolutely delicious, easy, and you can't even tell that THERE'S A CAN OF COKE ZERO IN IT!!!

Diet Coke Cupcakes

2 WW points

Serving Size:  24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 box of Chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker's Devil's Food)

1 12oz. can of Diet Coke (I used Coke Zero)

Directions:

Mix ingredients and bake according to the box (350 degrees for 20 minutes)

Voila!  A yummy snack/dessert!  Enjoy!

Bella brought me a surprise

Bella loves to "stalk" the rabbits on our evening walks.  At first sight of a rabbit, she'll get really low and move very slowly - similar to a lion stalking its prey.  We always joked and said "She wouldn't know what to do with a rabbit if she ever caught one."

Well.......tonight I had just brought in Bella's water dish to refill.  Since my hands were full, I left the sliding glass door open.  I plated my dinner that was on the stove, went out to the living room to eat my dinner, went to close the door, and Bella had left me a present.

I guess it's no longer a mystery of what she would do if she found a rabbit.....

Bella in "doggy jail" after her kill.  

Can we tell I'm procrastinating???

Yes, I'm procrastinating BIG TIME.  Why?

1)  I have the CPA exam on Saturday and need to study

2)  I'm so excited that I'm getting a new car tomorrow!  I keep reading great reviews on the internet and looking at photos.  It's a brand new 2008 (hey, I'll take the discounted last year's model) Ford EDGE.  I got a SCREAMING deal!

Most people get excited about a luxury car.  Nope, not me.  I want my 100% American Ford. I've always driven a Honda Civic - great car.  But I'm ready for my "adult" car.  This car is big enough to drive passengers.  Big enough to throw my 80 lb. golden retriever in the back and take her to dog beach.  I no longer have to worry about a wet nose on my shoulder.

This might not seem like a big deal to most people, but let me share the thoughts that run through the brain of an accountant whilst trying to buy a new car:  

I have a perfectly good Honda Civic - why do I need a new car?  

You only want to give me WHAT for my wonderful Civic?!?!?!

Do I really NEED to spend the extra money on navigation, vista roof, etc?

I've learned that the answer is YES - YOU NEED A NEW CAR.  Okay, maybe not need, but I deserve a new car.  It kind of hit me on Friday when I was leaving a store, and there were a bunch of Sheriff's cars in front of mine.  Well, my front left headlight is finicky and doesn't work on a regular basis (I've gotten out of 2 tickets the last 3 months).  But it does work if I hit it with my fist (yes, you read that correctly).  So I decided it wouldn't be a good idea to be pulled over a 3rd time for my headlight, so I exited my vehicle and pounded the front headlight.  Voila!  It worked.  The sheriffs looked at me and said "That's freaking awesome."  Yep, that was my wake up call.

As Eric keeps telling me - a car is a bad investment anyways (way to rub it in Mr. "I have a Company Car") so I might as well get all of the bells and whistles and enjoy it (On that note, a special shout out to my boyfriend - I love you - thanks for putting up with my craziness throughout the car buying process!!!)

Okay, time to go to bed while visions of Edges drive through my head......

 

It's a family thing....

Can you see the family resemblance?  Six of us here are cousins.  See if you can guess who...

Top (L to R):  Kelly (Mike's fiancee), Holly, Me, Nick (Lauren's husband), Katherine (Adam's Fiancee), and Lauren.

Bottom (L to R):  Mike, Gammy, Adam, Courtney

This photo was taken at Thanksgiving.  Everybody lives so far away now (the Bonanni kids in Vegas, Courtney in San Francisco) that it's nice that we were all able to get together.  My Gammy is very proud of all of her grandkids.

It's been so much fun to see everyone grow up over the years.  There are some more exciting times to come in 2009 with Adam & Katherine's Wedding in February and Mike & Kelly's Wedding in April.  Can't wait to post the photos from that!