Shanti's Birthday Celebration...



Last night eight of us got together to celebrate Shanti's upcoming birthday. After many emails, texts, and chats we finally decided we would go to PF Changs and then to The Big Bang Piano Bar. We had a delicious dinner with great conversation and many laughs and then we headed over to the Piano Bar. It has been a while since I have been there, but it is always a fun night. Shanti has never been there, so I was excited to see what she thought and she LOVED it!

We got to the Piano Bar at a perfect time and scored a table right up front. The drinks got ordered and the music was playing and before long we had Shanti up on the stage as the honoree of the night. She was very hesitant to get up there, then she let loose and had a great time. As you can see below I got a few good photos of many of the girls enjoying the music. Renae and I even got a New Jersey moment as they rocked out Bon Jovi... Before we knew it, it was time to wrap up the evening and head home.

Happy Birthday Shanti! I am so glad we got to celebrate your birthday together again this year. Hugs... 

 

It's Pizza Time...

Last month we had J-Crew at the McChesney's and it was such a fun night. Our monthly get togethers are sometimes very simple and other times we get creative and have theme nights. This time we had a "pizza theme" and it was awesome!Jeannine and Cameron had all the fixings and we each got to make our own pizza. The night was filled with fun, laughter and a few great rounds of poker that Marla up for....

The girls minus Liat and Marla...

                                                    
                                                           
                                                            The guys getting silly....

                                                  
                                                  
                                                     Cameron showing off his pizza skills...

                                                    
                                                         
                                                            The end result.... YUMMO!

February & March... Where have you gone????

I think to date this will be my longest in between posts. The last few months I have been working extra hours at the bank and Mikey has been picking up my slack at home. I have to say, he already is pretty terrific around the house, so when I say he is doing even more, that really says a lot for him. Especially since my amazing husband still works nights and manages to take care of  J & J on mornings that I have to be at work early. We are trying very hard for Mikey to get a new job and get him back to some normal hours.

I can't believe we are down to the last eight weeks of the school year. We just had Spring Break here in AZ, it falls out very early, and is always in the month of March. Mike and I were both on vacation and enjoyed a staycation with the boys. Sometimes it is nice to just relax and get organized. I actually did a few very overdue projects in the house and went back to work feeling like I accomplished a few things.

I'm getting ready to register J & J for summer camp and last week I registered my baby for Kindergarten. Ugh! It can't be happening, can it be??? I think Jordy will do great and one thing I know for sure is that he is very excited to go on the school bus with his Jayden.

I will get some pictures up here soon with what we have been up to lately.

Happy New Year.... Hello 2012!

We had such a great December at the Callison's, but I am SO happy the holidays are over. My house is starting to get back to normal and resemble the house that I like. A few more lights to take down and the the Christmas tree and we will be good to go.

We had lots of festivities happening the last few weeks including our annual NYE bash, but something about January and a new year always feels so good. We won't slow down for too long as my Mikey will celebrate his 40th birthday later this month. I'm looking forward to planning a few fun things for him and including J & J as well. I will post more on that later in the month.

I spent my last day of this fabulous holiday weekend with my Mom and sissy. Jordy went back to school today, (yay!), did I really say that. I mean, I adore that boy, but he is such a little handful. We had a great two weeks off, but it was time for him to get back to his school routine. So, back to my great day.... My Mom, Lisa, and I had lunch together and then Lisa and I decided some retail therapy was in order for us. We both had some gift cards from the holidays so we hit a few stores and then ended the day with pedis. Lisa and I rarely get to have uninterrupted conversation so it was nice to spend some quality time together. I am very lucky to have her in my life.

Anyway's I thought I would start the year off and actually post before the month got away from me, so that's exactly what I did. I am excited to start a new year and to see what is ahead for us this year. Here's to 2012!!!

Hanukkah, Zoo Lights and Lisa's Birthday ...

We have had a lot of fun and relaxation the last few weeks. Mike and I have been on vacation and the boys started their winter break last week. I have to admit, I have been in my pj's until noon almost everyday and it has been WONDERFUL.... I am not looking forward to getting back into the swing of work tomorrow, but at least I just have to get myself ready and everyone else can stay home and have fun. I can't complain too much since it's a short week for me and then I will have a three day weekend.

We celebrated a belated birthday for Lisa's "40th" a few weeks ago and had a nice dinner at a local Japanese restaurant.

The boys were very excited for Hanukkah to start this past weekend and it has been non-stop fun at our house. The boys have lit their very own Menorahs each night and Jordy has been leading the prayer for us. It really melts my heart to see them lighting the Menorahs and waiting in anticipation to open their presents. I have to say with Christmas yesterday, I was a bad Mom and told the boys that we were skipping Hanukkah last night, Jayden was not very thrilled with me.

It would not be winter break without having someone under the weather and this time around it's Jayden. He has been fighting a fever and a horrible cough. Luckily, he was able to enjoy Christmas yesterday and is back to the couch today building up a little more energy for the rest of Christmas break.

I will be back with some Christmas pictures and then this weekend will be our Annual NYE bash at The Callison's.... I hope everyone got to stay in their pj's a little longer this weekend too!

December Holiday Parties...

We have had a really busy week at the Callison's, which reminds me that we must be right in the heart of December. I had my Annual Divas and Bunco holiday parties as well as our monthly J-Crew get together. They involved gift exchanges, White Elephants and cookie exchanges. They always seem like a lot to get ready for, but once I get there I am always happy to be with friends and having a good time. Oh, and how can I forget that at two of the parties we had to wear an ugly holiday sweater. So, I decided to break out my Mom's sixteen year old Hanukkah sweatshirt and I was the winner at one of the parties. You can see this gem in the first picture. The other fun pictures are from our J-Crew evening and some fun we had with the White Elephant gift exchange.

We still have lots of fun things planned for the month of December. So, check back in as I will have many more pictures to share.

Lady A......

Besides seeing Bon Jovi two years in a row in Phoenix, I can't remember the last time I was really excited about going to a concert. But when I heard that Lady A was coming to town I couldn't find a friend quick enough to agree to go with me. My friend Sandi was just as excited as I was and last Thursday we finally got to go to the concert. It was a great girls night out and Lady A put on a fabulous performance.

I love music SO much. It brings me back to the days when I would visit my Dad in New Jersey and I would wake up and his stereo would be blaring downstairs. He was always playing a new song or new artist for me. When I first heard Lady A's music I just knew that my Dad would of loved them. It's kind of gone full circle now, because my Jordy loves music too and it just warms my heart when he wants to listen to music with me. It reminds me of my Dad and puts a huge smile on my face.