Our View

This is the view we have of the mountains from our from door. The aftermath of all the rain last week. So pretty.

Christmas Photos

I was adament this year that we take a family photo for our Christmas cards. Drew is 3 and we still haven't had a proper family picture done. So, last Sunday, after nap time, everyone got dressed and headed into the back yard. Jen was our photographer and I'm so happy with the shots she took. Most of you got your cards already but if you haven't then here's a preview. Finally, my empy frames in my living room have been filled.

Wine Party

The Hershbergers has their 2nd annual wine party. The have such a gorgeous, spacious backyard that is absolutely great for entertaining. Mark had a touch choice and decided to stay home to watch the De La Hoya fight so Lisa was kind enough to be my date, not to mention the designated driver.

Now, the only problem with hosting your own wine party is that sometimes you're enjoying the wine and you accidently forget about the food. That's okay Court, we know you're a good cook.

The Vegas

The Vegas! So, here's how it all went down. Mark puts his 2 week notice in at Morongo. A few days later they tell him they think it'd be best if he just left and they pay him out. Sweet! We got to have Thanksgiving together and now a whole week of time off. What's a couple to do? Take off to Vegas!

We booked the rooms the day before we left and headed off for some one on one time. We both know with the new restaurant opening alone time is going to be a rarity. Thankfully with the economy the rooms were super cheap even on a holiday weekend. We ate lots, as usual, took naps, shopped and laughed until our stomachs hurt. The best sight seeing in Vegas takes place from a patio table facing the strip. We sat there and had the best time people watching while partaking in several cocktails which probably made things funnier than they were.

Mark taking on the "Brown Bomber" Joe Lewis

HOLY MOLY!!! Elvis is alive!

Bon Jour Mon amour

Thanksgiving

As we all know it rarely rains here. On Thanksgiving we had some drizzles, some sun and an awesome rainbow. Mark got to be home with us for the first time in 8 years since Morongo so kindly asked him to leave. I was excited we were able to spend the whole day together, eat until we felt like puking and just relax. I unfortunatley don't have any other pictures besides the rainbow but at least I have the memories. In his business it's rare to have any holidays off so we made sure to enjoy every second.

Horse Play

Some of our good friends have horses out here and invited us to take the kids for a ride. They of course, were afraid the minute we got there and opted to play on the hay bails instead and watch the horses from the fences. It was a fun family outing and were happy they invited us along.

Goodbye Casino Morongo

Hello Jackalope Ranch. Mark resigned last week after 4 years as the Executive Sous Chef at Casino Morongo. He accepted the position as Executive Chef at the new Jackalope Ranch that's supposed to open early January out in Indio. I haven't seen the property but will take his word that it's amazing and beautiful and the place to hold a wedding or private party. I'm so excited for him to be able to create menus, use his talent and have fun again. But, I'm a bit scared with the economy and the amount of hours he'll have to work. Thank goodness for wine.

Back in August Casino Morongo hired a new manager who liked to live by the saying "it's my way or the highway". This made Mark's job impossible and frustrating in so many aspects that he decided it was time to go. There is nothing worse than going to a place you are so unhappy at. Not to mention I couldn't take the stress of his venting anymore. Casino Morongo and this manager gradually took over every conversation we'd have even if it wasn't the topic we started out with. It's a relief that's not the case anymore.

Many have asked how Chef Christophe took the news, but he too left in late September. They both had a great time working together first in Santa Monica 8 years ago, then at Morongo, but all good times must come to an end. Good thing we live 3 houses apart :)

Halloween

It seems like everything just crept up so fast. Drew's birthday, soccer and then Halloween. I had HUGE determination to make Drew's costume this year. Growing up Halloween was a favorite because my mom always made us the best costumes. I've really let that slip with Peyton and now he's only into "scary" costumes so I thought I could make Drew into the cutest lady bug. I bought all of the thread, material, elastic, blew the dust off the sewing machine only to have it jam, clear the jam, jam again then me saying some not so nice things and putting it away. It turns out I didn't inherit my moms talent of sewing. Bummer. The day before Halloween I was at the store buying her a ladybug outfit completely deflated. I guess there's always next year. We did have a blast as usual and already have our costumes planned for next year. It's been a tradition that the parents dress up with the kids which makes for a fun filled evening. I'm a little bummed because I don't have a good picture, but in case you can't tell Mark was the "Shower" from the Karate Kid movie. Yes, Danny Larusso dressed up as a shower to disguise himself from bullys. Each year he cracks me up with he wants to be. Last year the Keg, this year a Shower.....the anticipation is building for next year. I can feel it :)

We're back

My computer is finally fixed and happy days are here again. I get to shop online, blog, read Perez and find out who gets kicked off my favorite reality shows before the show airs. Thats very important. If you're out there and still reading bear with me as I try and catch up.

Happy reading :)

My Girly Girl

I've caught Drew getting into her dress up and being a ballerina. She may become a girly girl after all. Just thought they were cute pictures that needed to posted. It may never happen again.

Visitors

Randy and Katie came out one weekend to watch a soccer game and cheer Peyton on. Thankfully Katie had her camera and took some good shots. Later that night we went out to the casino to dance, gamble and let loose. Kind of strange but the camera seemed to really like us the later into the evening it got. Weird.

Right after he scored a goal. Woo Hoo.

Drew cheering on her brother.

Randy and Katie.

Soccer

Soccer Season has begun. Peyton is on the Coastguards and I'm once again team mom. I took the easy route this year and ordered a banner rather than making it. I didn't have enough time. So far we've won 1 game and lost all the rest. I guess the team can only get better :)

He's having fun and of course, that's all that matters.

Dance Class

Drew's finally old enough to start dance class. I've been so excited to start her up. She's going to a place in Palm Springs along with Tasha's daughter Zoe. She's the youngest in the class, has the least amount of coordination but she absolutely loves it. Thank goodness. She's so incredibly moody lately that I thought she'd freak out. It's completely the opposite though. She runs into class each week, claps after each song stops and yells "Hi Mom" about every 5 minutes. I love her little round stomach and her afro hair. The other little girls get a kick out of her curls. They like to pull them out and let them bounce back. I've since learned not to let her Dora underwear hang out.......

Birthday Pics

Drew's birthday completely snuck up on us and we weren't prepared. We celebrated her actual birthday with the Douheret family, cupcakes and presents. She was so excited and loved every bit of the attention. She got some Dora toys, because it's all about Dora, and we got her a scooter that came with all the gear and a cell phone. It then became all about the cell phone.

Drew's 3!!

Today's Drew's 3rd birthday and sadly I can't post any pictures. But, we'll be celebrating with a party later in the month and presents and cupcakes tonight. She's an adorable, stubborn, independent little girl who we love so much. She's starts dance class tomorrow and I can't wait to see her out there. Hopefully my computer will be fixed by next week and we can get back to posting.

Addiction

It's happened. My computer has crashed and I'm having major withdrawals. No internet, no Perez Hilton, no online shopping but worst of all...no blogging. I couldn't even sleep last night thinking of the worst case scenarios. What if the geek squad can't come to my rescue? What about the pictures I haven't saved? What if I get an email? How can I read ahead of time who gets kicked off of dancing with the stars? I don't want to watch wondering. I have to watch alreading knowing the outcome. I had to shamefully admit to Mark that yes, I'm addicted to the computer and I need it badly. I feel restless. It's a sad, sad day. :(

Market Watch

I've gotten many phone calls from friends and family so I thought I'd write a note to update.

Merrill Lynch was bought out today by Bank of America. The merger should be finished the end of the first quarter in 2009 and although there are so many unanswered questions I'm actually quite excited by this news. I get to say I work with Courtney again, woo hoo, and the Bank of America investment side is supposed to come under the wing of Merrill Lynch. Change in such a big company is always scary and the stock market has been extremely volitile, especially with todays news but I feel confident we'll make it out in the end. For the time being, all is to remain the same. I'm sure we'll see some changes of the merger in early 2009.

Art work

Everyone knows I'm a horrible decorator. I'm extremely indecisive and will look at something that I like then quickly put it back thinking to myself I'll get it another time. Only for it to then be sold and won't be re-stocked. After 3 years in this house it's still a pretty empty so I've been trying hard at getting little things here and there. I stumbled across a website where you can order custom letters, pictures and sayings. Perfect for a weekend family project. The kids got to beat up a piece of wood, sand it and take turns painting. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out and the kids had so much fun doing it. And yes, those are doorknobs but I thought they would be cute for guests to hang a coat or a purse. That is, until a friend so nicely reminded me that we don't really wear coats out here. Right. I forgot........ So, um, maybe it can be for hats and purses?? Dang it. This is why I hate decorating.

First day of School

We made it through our first week as parents of a first grader. We are happy with the school we chose and are so excited that 3 of his classmates from Kiddie Kollege are in his class. It made the first day a little more comforting. Even so, it's still been a rude awakening for all of us. We were used to being able to pick Peyton up anytime before 4:30; never had to worry about minimum days and are now figuring out what to do during Christmas break and a week at Thanksgiving. I sound so old but I remember we only had 2 days at Thanksgiving, now a week?!?

Peyton has had a few bumps himself.

The positives: He loves the basketball courts, buying lunch, playing handball and his uniform. Even homework wasn't a problem.

The negatives: He has learned very quickly that you can't yell across the classroom, you have to raise your hand if you want to talk and if you've been given enough warnings you'll have to turn your card and that means sitting out for 10 minutes at recess. He got to do that on Friday. Yikes.

Hopefully this coming week he'll be able to remember the new rules and have a better week :)