52 Weeks of Music: Week 47

Hands Up by Black Eyed Peas

"Hands high
Touch the sky
Get 'em up Get 'em up, get 'em up, get 'em up, get 'em up, get 'em up (get 'em up)"

Stephanie and Greg's Wedding

Stephanie and Greg had their wedding down in San Diego Saturday. The ceremony was at Kate O'Sessions Memorial Park. It had a great view of the bay.
The Newlyweds coming down the aisle!


After the ceremony people there was the usual photo ops.
Kristen was the cutest bridesmaid.


Mom with Stephanie's parents.


The guys hamming it up!


Rare photo op: The guys aren't all wearing short!


Just for the record, we own suits.


The guys got so into it they wanted to do a jumping shot... I'm outta here!


With Jessica at the park.


Finally got to meet Anita's husband Amit.


Then the party continued on at the restaurant for the reception.

John and Joanna


Toasts!


They grow up so fast!




With Celia and Jim


Cake cutting!


Prior to the wedding, we've been teasing (ok, I've been teasing) Derrick that since his birthday fell on the same day as the wedding, I was going to bring a bunch of candles and "take" the wedding cake with the bride and groom figures and bring it to him at the reception. Of course he didn't believe me...
I spoke to Stephanie and asked her if we should (ok, I should) bring a cake for Derrick. She said that it was a good idea and that she wanted to do something similar. She recommended her baker. I knew that her wedding cake was not going to have the bride and groom figures so I asked the baker if he had one for the birthday cake...
After the cake cutting, Stephanie had arranged for the DJ to make the announcement that we had a birthday in the house. Derrick did not expect a thing!

Prepping the birthday cake while the cake cutting of the wedding cake was going on.


Derrick taking the whole restaurant singing "Happy Birthday" to him in stride but he doesn't see what Kathy is seeing.


Now he sees it!


Steve delivering the cake!


Complete with Bride and Groom "action figures."


Kathy! Stop Derrick! We want to eat the cake, not have Angel wear it!


Cornerstone tradition


With the newlyweds!


Ben & Casey


Amit and Anita
My hat sure got around that evening!


Got my hat back! With Jessica.


Anita wanted to take a silly shot of Jessica and me.


Ok, that's it Anita, no more pictures, the reception is over and it's time to take it somewhere else.


It was a great wedding. Lots of food. Lots of fun. Lots of friends, old and new.

I wish the happy couple the best! Stephanie, you have been my friend for the longest time. You've remained when others have fallen by the wayside. I am so happy for the next stage of life you and Greg are about to take. I will always be your friend!

52 Weeks of Musc: Week 46

Where the Wild Things Are by Metallica

"You swing your ass all down
Call to arms, a trumpet's sound.
Toy horses start the charge
Robots, chessmen standing guard
We shall never surrender"

Elen's birthday

A few of us celebrated Elen's birthday last night. The logistics for this get-together wasn't too bad. A few emails and we pretty much had a place and time set up. A few changes here and there but nothing major. The fire in Anaheim Hills delayed most everyone but thank God that everyone arrived safe and sound.
As I left the house this is what I saw over the house. There was such a contrast form the smoke!


While waiting for the rest of the people to arrive. Matt was looking so innocent while giving the classic rabbit ears to James.


I made sure his hands was where I could see them.


Lily getting hungry!


Everyone


Best Friends


With all the appetizers, ramen, drinks, friends and conversations going on at the table, James had time to point out that some guy two tables away was wearing one black sock and one white sock. Yeah, I took the picture!


With Elen and Carla.


Cutting her birthday cake.


Mike and Maria with Elen. If you look behind them, you can see all ramen dishes this restaurant offers, 31 of them!


After a weak attempt at singing "Happy Birthday, " polishing off bowls of ramen, appetizers, and catching up with old friends, we made our way outside to continue in the parking lot. It took 2 tries to get this last picture. I had set the timer too fast and I did not even make it into the shot the first time.


Happy Birthday Elen. Hope you had a good time!

November's ArtWalk

Headed out to LA for the Downtown ArtWalk and the Grand Opening of Raw Materials. I was there earlier in the day and Wonton was busy trying to pick the week's special.


The store is looking great! The shelves are awesome if I do say so myself...




After hanging around at the store for a bit, headed out to check out what the galleries and the street had to offer tonight. First stop was to Bert Green's Gallery.


Afterwards we headed to the Continental Gallery. They always have a pretty good show every time we've checked it out.




As always there are bands performing on the street. Next door to Raw Materials at Main Street Tattoos, there was a band performing.


Then there was the travelling band.


Back at Raw Materials, customers were creating their own pieces of art.


Overall, it was a nice evening. If you haven't checked out the Downtwn ArtWalk yet, you need to go.