Fresh Pesto From the Garden

What a harvest! I've never made pesto sauce before, but our basil plant is growing like crazy, and we've got all these fresh tomatoes too!
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Tomatoes, basil, radishes and snap peas

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mmmmm...

I love my garden.

Fun with Cooper!

I went home to Running Springs last weekend to spend time with Family, and of course to see Cooper. I hadn't been home since Christmas so I was so excited to see the baby... and everyone else. I got to spend most of Saturday at Andy and Naomi's house along with Mom, Dad and Cindy. We had a really great time. Sunday after church we all had lunch at Cindy's house. I got Sam and Brittney set up on a video chat program, so we all got to visit with them via internet that afternoon. Monday we went down to Orange County to have lunch with Lisa before she went to work. We went to the Boudin Bakery... mmmmm so good. Hans and Cindy had left for a ski trip, but we picked up Sonali on the way, and had a fun lunch.

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Love this one!... Is that what everyone sees when they look at me?

Crosseyed Cooper

So Sweet... he's such a good baby.

Hans, Sonali and Cooper

Andy and Naomi

Cooper sound asleep with Grandma.

Video chatting with Sam, Brittney and Baby James in Texas. Both Cooper and James were completely unintersted.

Lunch at the "Boudin Bakery" in Orange County.

Clam chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl. So good (but not quite as good as the one you get on the Wharf in San Francisco).

Cooper and Grandpa

Cooper and Auntie Lisa!

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Such a fun weekend!! Thanks to everyone for hanging out!

Easter

Easter in Santa Clara

Every year Mom's family has a big Easter Picnic, Easter Egg Hunt and games. It is so fun to spend time with family. We had lunch and Grandma and Grandpa's house, then went down to Grandpa's field for the Easter Egg Hunt.

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Cousins!

James and I at the Easter Egg Hunt

Cindy and I

Mom and I

Cindy and Jack playing Dominoes.

Actually... Cindy sets them up and Jack knocks them down.

Fun!!!

Mom and her Dad.

New Patio Furniture

We have recently acquired some totally awesome Patio Furniture. It is so huge and comfortable and we can't wait to have everyone over for a pool party to enjoy it with us!

(We've been wanting to have a pool party for two summers now, but haven't gotten around to it... This will be the year.)

It is a little oversized...

Gardening

(It's a long one... be warned)

Our garden this year has turned into much more of a project than last year. We have tripled the size as well as planted all along the back wall. We started this project the day before Valentine’s Day. The only way to fill the space we had created was to bring in a truckload of dirt. He dumped it on the street and we moved it to the backyard with a wheelbarrow.

So far we have planted strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, scallions, onions, garlic, snap peas and sweet peas, arugula, romaine, red romaine, spinach, parsley, basil, cilantro, chives, dill, tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, potatoes and corn. Along the back wall we have raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and lots of grapes. We also have a peach tree which is yet to be planted.

This is what we were planning to plant.

This was last years garden.

James but together a garden bag with everything I might need.

This is how it started.

We had a couple of cold days in late February where it gone into the 30's. This is hail all over our strawberries!

We have carved out the top of the stump where our 30 foot palm tree used to be and filled it with Lillies and planted gladiolas around the base.

James planting tomatoes... hopefully the ones this year will be as good as the ones last year.

We have run irrigation line througout the garden so it is all automatic. We've got some individual drippers, but mostly little sprinkler heads.

It will certianly be interesting to see how things grow. We are planting lots of things that we didnt do last year.

Wish us luck!

"Viva Elvis" Premiere

I have been working off and on at Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" since Christmas. I go in in the evenings on two show nights to help turn things around for the second show. I work with great people, Tisha, Jerica, Robin and my long time great friend DawnMarie. It's a lot of fun and the cast and crew are so nice.

February 20th was the "Blue Carpet Gala Premier". There was all kinds of press and celebrities there including Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presly. James and I got to watch the 10pm show and go to the afterparty at "Haze" at the Aria.

We enjoyed the show, but the after party was a let down... too many people, too loud, and nowhere to sit.

A good cause...

My friend's father-in-law was just diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. Family and friends from across the country are offering up items for auction to help raise money for chemotherapy. Please check out the auction site. There are some great things, and it is for a great cause.

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