Surprise!

Yesterday was Elena's 54Th birthday. I decided to give her a surprise party. Millie and her gang, Elsa, Elva, my brother and his gang, Pasty, Rowen, and me and my gang were all there. We met at a restaurant called Cecilia's Cafe. I was watching "Dinners, Drive-ins, and Dives" and saw this place featured on it. The food looked really good and I thought it would a good place to eat. I called them and arranged it so that we could have the whole place to ourselves. They stayed opened past there regular business hours just for us. This is a link to the clip from the t.v. show that the restaurant was on: http://www.ceciliascafe.com/video.htm .

My mom was really surprised at all the effort we went through to pull this party off. She is still calling me "sneaky". She had a really good time. The food was excellent. We all had a lot of talking and hanging out. Elena got many gifts, including "IT", which all the sisters will find out about later. There was a reading of the "54Th Birthday Curse" by Millie, and of course cake. Elsa made a German chocolate cake....one of my mom's favorites. All in all it was a great day.

(Three friends having fun.)

(Look at all those people.)

(Oh no! She opened the curse!)

(Millie reads the curse to everyone.)

(More presents!)

(Time for yummy, yummy cake.)

(Everyone was having lots of fun.)

(Christopher decided to celebrate outside with the cars.)

(What a happy family.)

(One last pose outside.)

Congratulations Tere!!!!

Tere graduated from PIMA Medical Instuite with a certificate in Dental Assistance on Saturday, February 27, 2009! She is very excited and plans on returning to school to become a dental hygienist. She worked very hard and we are all giving a big round of applause!!!!!

WAY TO GO TERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Bea watches as her mom graduates.)

(Tere walks across the stage to receive her certificate.)

(YEA!!! She did it!!!!)

(All the graduates taking their oath.)

(Check out that grad.)

(What a proud family.)

(A very proud aunt.)

(Hey.....I know that dental assistant!)

(A very proud daughter.)

Cook Out at Millie's

After the first of construction began on Valentine's day, we headed over to Millie's for some yummy food. There were steaks fresh off the grill, some enchiladas Elsa made, a pasta salad made by yours truly, and lots of other goodies. Christopher and Bea took some time to warm up to each other, but after a while they played together. Everyone had a nice time eating good food and catching up.

(Look at those cute kids.)

(People are getting ready to eat.)

(Look at all that yummy food.)

(Manny and Elena having a pleasant conversation.)

(What a happy Bea.)

(¿Cuantos anos tien? [ Bea says:] Dos.)

(What a cool uncle.)

Yea! The Ramp Is Finished!

Well, after MUCH trouble, Elena was finally able to get the ramp for Elva and Elsa built. She was giving a few estimates, all of which seemed way to high. However, she was able to find the right person for the job, Polo. With some help (or hindrance) from Manny the ramp with railing, and fake grass, along with some better steps for the front were built in no time. Yea! Now Elva and Elsa will have no trouble coming and going. In addition to the ramp and stairs, Polo also covered up the dogie door to stop the draft that was coming in.

(Working hard or hardly working? You tell me.)

The finished product.