Mark's news

I've gotten quite a few questions to Mark's calender, ie; Radio show, news, date competition, so I thought I'd answer. The last 2 years Mark has competed in a local Chef competition where you have to use Dates. There are 3 different catagories; appetizer, entree and desert and he does the appetizer portion. Well, the first year he competed he didn't win in appetizer so we assumed it was over. Low and behold there was also a best overall category and a peoples choice award and he took best overall! It was quite exciting since we thought it was all over but he ended up winning the whole thing. Last year he won the appetizer portion and also the people's choice award. Anyone who goes to the event gets a ballot and votes for who they like best. Again, a very exciting time. So, the competition is coming up this Sunday (which is making me sick) and he's been asked to do some press for it. He was on the news, he did a radio show and if you've been reading you would've seen the "Take Home Chef" post. Below are the some of the picures that were in April's Desert Magazine. The entire article wasn't scanning well so it's mainly for the pictures. It was also supposed to be on TV but I think we've missed it.

Now, I am a freaking stress case on this day and do my best to hide my nerves but I've been told by Jen I don't do a very good job. I so want him to win. He puts so much effort, thought and a ton of heart into his dish that I want his hard work to payoff. He constantly reminds me that it's now about winning but more of the experience, but really, I would hate to see him dissapointed. I never invite anyone to this and this year several people have told me they want to go to support him. Um......this is somewhat adding to my stess. :)

All in all, I know it doesn't really matter, but just as we all want the best for our kids, I want the best for my husband. It that lame? Oh well, I'm looking forward to visiting with our friends, seeing Mark in his element and hoping for the best! Doesn't he look cute in his chef coat?!?

Picture Post

We're slowly getting to that time of year. Yes, the dreaded desert heat. We all know it's coming, but yet we silently wish it won't show up. We took advantage of beautiful weather today and took the kids swimming. Well, I sat on the lounge chair and watched while Mark became the human jungle gym. I'm not quite swimsuit ready and really don't know if I ever will be. I mean, I'm married to a chef, I love food and I'm lazy. Not a good combo. I'm sure I'll drown my sorrows with thin mints later!

Little miss Drew Drew decided that she liked her goggles so much she'd "swim swim" in the bath too.

Mark has decided that we need more flowers and plants so him and the kids did there fair share of gardening. It was cute to seem them with the shovels and gloves. The only problem was that Peyton would plant some in the planter and Drew would pull them out to show me what she was planting. I don't think she got the concept but they worked out their differences and got it done.

Palm Springs Food & Wine

(Having fun as usual)

Mark was given tickets to the Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival for Saturday. We went with his boss Michael, his partner Dave and Jen and Christophe. It's good for them to see what other chefs are making and to try it out. I was a little apprehensive considering I know absolutely nothing about wine, except that I like it, but figured it's an afternoon with Mark so I couldn't pass it up. Oh, and I had to wear a dress which I wasn't excited about but whatever. After a few testers of wine I didn't care that I looked 12 anymore. We got to have some delicious appetizers, see some famous chefs and some infamous chef contestants.

Hells Kitchen Reject-Aaron, anyone watch that show? Love it!!

Dave, is this a pinot, zinfindal or chardonnay? I can't seem to tell the difference anymore!

Nice pic of Jen and Christophe.

Happy Birth Day!

Welcome to the world

Reese Ella Ramirez

born March 30 2008

It's official. Carly's a mom. I got the call in the middle of the night last Saturday night,hopped in my car and drove down. Got to Torrance about 3:30 am and realized we had a while to wait so we decided to snooze knowing it could be a whileAfter sleeping for a while Mark and I decided to go to Carly & Sonny's house to get some real sleep. We got there, brushed our teeth got into bed and the phone rang. Carly was at 10 centimeters. I calmly asked "got your camera ready?" "Well, I was hoping you'd be the one to take pictures." was her reply. I hopped out of bed, made Mark get dressed and we were back in the car driving again. I got to be in the room to take picures which in my eyes was a big honor. I wanted NO ONE around when I delivered. She had a great labor, totally calm and pushed like a champ for 2 1/2 hours. She never struggled, or faultered. Although extremely exhausted, she delivered the beautiful baby Reese into the world. It was truly an amazing experience.

Now.....that being said I still have a few differnt thoughts. The main one being,OH...MY...GOSH! No thank you. Having had c-sections I never truely saw a birth. I mean, I watched a baby story and watched it in movies, but to watch how long she actually had to push and hoping that with each push little Reese would stay and not float back up was complete agony. It seemed so much more painful and stressful. I always assumed pushing meant the baby would crown and not float back up to her warm little home/womb. Then....seeing her actually come out. WOW. I'm at a loss for words and have a picture I can't get out of my head. It was fast, beautiful, but yet unreal. A baby can actually make it through there??? Are you serious? It all just happened so fast that I just wasn't ready. But, thankfully, Carly was ready for her and didn't skip a beat. I can't wait until I can see Reese again and get to hold her and love her. I'm finally an aunt!

Suprise Visitors

So, the day that I suprised Mark on our day date, I also knew Ann and Ernie were coming out to visit. I just wanted to keep that as part of his suprise. She of course brought the kids easter baskets full of goodies and they loved breaking into it. They can't wait to sport the goggles to the pool. I personally think they should wear them all the time.

Happy Easter

The Easter bunny came to last night! I can't believe I didn't even hear it. The kids were really excited and it's fun to see that Drew is beginning to understand the concept of things. Such as, the more eggs she gets the more candy she gets. Here's just a few pics of the morning. Much more to come throughout the day. Thankfully the bunny didn't bring a whole lot of candy. More sensible things like flip flops,diving sticks, sidewalk chalk. That bunny sure is smart. As you can see, I desperately need a new camera. If you look at Lillie's blog you can see how awesome her camera is. Mine...not so much. The kids were moving a lot faster than my camera can click.

City Slickers

A look at our day as cowboys. Wow, for just one hour of riding, it's amazing the muscles you use. We were sore! For the record, Mark was excited about the date so he ran out and bought Wranglers and the hat. Not his normal attire but I think he makes a pretty cute cowboy! I love that he was so into it.

Answers to Date Clues

1. There will be mud











2. A Pink Flower

3. Healing Waters

Can't seem to copy the pic but it was here which suprisingly enough is know for their natural healing waters. Of course, we went for the $5 blackjack but it all works out.

4. Carrots Limes and Cherries....Combo of our 3 part date.....Horses, Margaritas, and jackpots!

LOTS of pictures to come but I must say, having lived in the desert for 7 years and being able to go riding in the canyon felt like we were far away on vacation. I highly, highly recommend. It was by far one of the best days I've had in a long time. I love my husband so much and seeing him have so much fun made me so happy.

Mellow on the homefront

Mark has been working a ton between Morongo and the Westin Mission Hills. He works on call there and they've been calling a lot. So, that leaves me and the kids at home missing him. I decided to suprise him with a day date! One of my favorite types of dates. I planned it out and asked Jen if she and Christophe wanted to join us. We decided to keep it a suprise and each day give clues to the guys. It's been fun to see them get into it and sending in there guesses. Tomorrow is the date so stay tuned. Here are the clues they've gotten...

1. There may be mud
2. A pink flower
3. Healing waters
4. Carrots, Limes, & Cherries

We should have a good time!

Recouperating

We're back from vegas and it felt like a whirlwind of a trip. It was like a high school reunion meeting up with old friends and laughing so hard till our sides hurt. These guys make friends wherever they go and had the party pit at Harrah's on their side. Unfortunately, I came down with a nasty, nasty cold which took a toll on the trip. I did my best to suck it up and not be a debbie downer for Mark but this is what I looked like.........

I was constantly walking around with toilet paper in my hand, blowing my nose and wiping my watery eyes, all with different tissues of course. This is Sergio supporting me as I make my nose more raw. We did though have a highlight of the trip which was running into VH1's favorite celebreality star: FLAVA FLAV. He was playing roulette a few tables away so the guys HAD to have their picture taken. I myself was extremely embarrased to be taking the picture but it was a funny memory of the trip.

The other good news was that Joey found out he's going to be a dad. What a way to celebrate your 30th birthday. I don't have a pic of them together but here is the happy mom to be, Lindsey, who was an amazing trooper. As most moms know the first trimester is the worst when your sick, exhausted, and hungry but she never let it affect her. I on the other hand look like I should be laying in bed and not sitting in a bar in Vegas. Ugghh, I still have the cold and want so bad to be back to normal. This is the time I wish I had family around so I can hand off the kids for a few hours while I sleep and get better.