Mike's Graduation Party

Let's see. Mike's party was a big deal to us. I mean he went to school (part time) for a long time even though he was working full time, and also giving us time to all his family. And that includes more than just Ari and me. Anyway, anyone in my book that can accomplish something like this is worth of a good party, right?

So, I asked my mom to help me so we could celebrate a Mexican Theme Party. I have to say that my mom did amazing as she did most of the cooking. But, my sister cooked an amazing barbacoa from scratch! and made a yummy horchata (rice water). Tony did the rice (puertorican style) and helped us with the grilling. (SO , thanks to everyone that cooked for us).

Here is a list of the menu:

Pozole, pork stew in green sauce, barbacoa, beans, rice, salsas, arrachera (grilled steaks), guacamole, and all the trimmings.

For drinks:

Horchata, sodas (about 4 different kinds), and for those that drink we went with 5 different types of beer: Pacifica, Corona, 2 XX, Negra Modelo, Tecate, and we bought Mike's hard lemonade. We had tequila as well, but no one went for it. Maybe next time.

For desserts:

I bought two cakes. One chocolate, and one was lemon fluff. And here I have to thank the following persons for bringing desserts:

Michelle (yummy cookies and brownies) Please, I want the recipe for the cookies! And brownies too :)
Jen (cookies) - my daughter eats at least 2 and I have to hide the container! Need recipe as well!
Tiffany - brownies! Likewise for recipe.
Tiffiney - cheesecake! - I love that you do this for me!

And we have different fruits with the chilli powder, lime, and salt.

We were soooooooooo stuffed. It was a good day. Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate such a special time for us. Mike was very happy and amazingly he did not get a hangover!

Finally, thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts and for everyone that helped me clean at the end. All of you are amazing :)

Ann do not hide. I can still see you!

I got you!

Whose peeking there? Oh, Santana!

Hi Glenn!

My mom.

Here we were at the dessert stage.

Ari picked that bear for his daddy.


Mike opening the presents.

Brownies!

No need for explanation except delicious.

Alma and Tony.


Jen and Michelle.
Dave and Tiffany.

Debbie and Velana that just escape me!

Jen, Mike, Michelle, and Francisco.

Phoenix and Logan.

Scarlett and Raven.

p.s. Ari was asleep and when she woke up, I did not have the camera, but she was there too!

p.s.2 I was just reading a comment from my friend Jane and I realized that I did not take a picture of the food! grrrr. I was too busy heating the tortillas and making sure everyone was having a bite. Next time for sure!

Miscellaneous

About two weeks ago, I saw a very dear friend of mine from middle school - her name is Daniela. We had not seen each other since 1998 so it was very nice to finally get together. I did not take a picture of her with her family. I have to do that next time. We went to a Thai restaurant that is located in downtown. The food was really good. Yums! Hopefully, we will see each other again soon.


Here is the thief. Well, they did give me some really nice sunflowers. I guess they think that makes it fair for them to get my tomatoes. Next year I have to do a better job with my tomatoes. So, I don't mind them eating them this time :)


Daniela gave me a Lego's train for Arianna. Her grandparents were helping her with it.


She loved it. Thanks, Dany. Ah, the umbrella that comes with the train was her favorite part.


Oh, here is the umbrella that I was just telling you about.


The next day we went to Brookfield Zoo. I took advantage of the free pass from the library. It is amazing how much they are charging now days. It is 24 dollars per adult with all the extras, or 19 dollars with 3 extras tickets to things like the carousel, butterflies, or the bus/train tour. And for kids, I think the cheapest I saw was 14 dollars. I guess the best way to go is to get the membership, if you go 2 or 3 times will be a better deal.
Arianna's favorite part was the primates. Mmmm, I wonder where she gets that from! Although she called them monkeys. Mike was trying to tell her the difference between monkeys and apes!


We stopped for a mini snack. We took our own lunch, just some peanut butter sandwiches and crackers. That way, we can have a nice dinner somewhere else.


I love the giraffes.

It was a very sunny day. We stayed for about 2-3 hours. Then, decided to go. Arianna was getting tired and the place was getting super crowded. By the time we left, they had closed the entrance since there was no parking spaces anymore.

Love to take pictures of trees. What do you think of the light coming through?

I almost did not notice the peacock. It had 2 babies following her.

New post to come soon

So, we had quite a bit in our plates lately. Mike got me a new laptop since my old one is pretty much dying. The poor thing worked for a long time. So, it was screaming for retirement. So, as soon as I get connected to the motherboard where all the pictures are I will post a few outings that we did and Mike's graduation party. It was super so before I forget I want to thank everyone that cooked, baked, cleaned, etc.. Your help is immensely appreciated. I will be more detailed in the actual posting of the party. But, thank you!!! Also, due to the new computer and somehow I lost tracked of some blogs that I used to follow. I was able to save most of the links, but about 3-4 are lost forever :( Oh, well. Such is life.
And last, I want to thank God for all the help that he has given us.

Outings

We recently went to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was not that bad, but it was still crowded and as always a few rude teenagers. But, Arianna loved the train set and the airplane. Here we are already ready to go, that is why she is in the stroller. She loves to walk or run otherwise.


Arianna loved to run on the airplane and when she saw the "TV" she sat down and started saying "tv, tv". The funny thing is that she likes the tv for the noise, not really to watch it.


Can someone tell her that calling from an airplane costs an arm and a leg?

This is an aerial shot from the second floor into their awesome train models display in the first floor. We were in the same spot for awhile because Ari wanted to see the choo choo.

Who does not like to play with lego! They have a nice exhibition about them. Look the wonderful colors. I guess if you were into modernism, that is a way to decor your house.


I took this picture in honor of Mike's old job. He used to work in the Sear's Tower long time ago now. I know it has another name now, but we still like the old name :)


If seems that everything we go to the museum, I take a picture of Mike in this same spot. So, here it is to tradition!


We went to ARIE or RIE or something along those lines (Ann or Mike knows the name). Anyway, it is a sporting store and Arianna loved this bike so much that she wouldn't come down. We stayed there for awhile, left and come back again.


Sunday breakfast was in McDonald's. They were having a party and Ari got a balloon as well. She likes to go there and jump around like a monkey, then she gets to excited and starts screaming. No low voice for this child.

I wonder if she is complaining to the big guy!


Showing some excellent moves.


Yes, daddy. I am ok. I just like to be all over the place!


In one of the get together, my friend Myrna has a nice swing/slide on her yard. I did not think that Ari could use this type yet, but she proved me wrong. Now, we have a better idea what to get her in the future.

Thanks to Tony once again for painting Mike's office. This was the second time around. The first color (painted about 3 yrs ago) was not exactly what he wanted, but this time, we got the right color.


I did not get the best shot of the doggie and the light was about to change. But, for a split second I was envious of this dog. He looked thoroughly happy to be enjoying the wind on his face. He was so excited :)

Reunions

Last weekend, I got together with some friends from my college days (Rosalva is a dear friend since high school) L to R : Me, Rosalva, Myrna, and Ana. It was a nice day for a get together. We had plenty of food and our kids enjoyed as well!

Here is a picture with our first babies. Well, I am the only one that has one. Rosy has 3 kids, Myrna has 3 kids, and Ana has 2. So, we took the picture with our oldest children. Ari was more interested in running to the slide than having a picture, so she was playing with her mouth and fidgeting like crazy.

We had not seen each other in awhile (since last year!) so we got together at this Japanese Steakhouse at Orland Park. Food was good. Friends were great. Glad to had seen them. Hopefully we can get together to go antiquing or go to thrift stores. Next time we are going for some yummy Thai!

Backyard possibilities

This is one of the new Morning (or is it Mourning?) Dove that started to show up in our yard. We used to have a pair, and now we have about 5-6! There are not bad, at least they don't try to eat the vegetables and they keep in the back of the yard.

I saw this flower, does anyone know what it is? I have not seen it before, and I did not plant it. So, if it is a wildflower, it is very pretty.


I am hopeful that my "lovely" squirrels keep ignoring these tomatoes!


I cut one of the purple green pepper, the other one is not ready yet. we will use it to make a yummy salad.


These roses reminded me when I used to dance and had a huge red squirt with lots of waves. Oh, those were the days, when I was young and fit.


I took this picture a day before a squirrel will take the red tomato. Oh, squirrel! This is when I have a love-hate relationship with them!


My best deal of this summer came when I bought this plant called Wishbone. I paid 1 dollar. It was a small thing and I thought it was going to die, but it has grow at least 5 x the original size :)


Dahlias. Lots of dahlias. Love them.

More dahlias. The little dahlias. Tiny little dahlias.

Sunflowers. How about this, the squirrel gave us a gift! I did not plant sunflowers there, and suddenly one comes up! Thanks squirrel.