Family Gatherings

**If you came here earlier this evening... this post was a mess! I apologize! I thought I left it in draft form, I'm blog-challenged!**
We make an effort (especially on Brandon's side) to get together for everyone's birthdays.  Of course, sometimes we have to wait a week here or there... but we're pretty good about getting together for a dinner to celebrate birthdays.  My SIL's birthday falls on Memorial Day weekend so we didn't do a dinner until this last weekend.  BIL/SIL made home made Chinese dishes (yum!) and I made a yummy chocolate peanut butter cake for dessert.  Little Nickolai is getting so big, he'll be three months next week.  His mama is going back to work and his daddy gets to take 6 weeks off with him! Then, I get him all to myself! I can't wait to hang out with the little man!

Here's the yummy cake I made!!! Find the recipe here! It was REALLY good! I loved the frosting! It didn't really fit the Chinese theme, but I got that memo a bit too late!

From Spring/Summer 2010

I had to fill in for Irina while she breastfed... Making some noodle dish.

Sous Chefs... Wine, Sake & Gyozas in the background (you know, the important stuff..!)

From April/May/June 2010

Our  final dinner spread! Delish!!!

From April/May/June 2010

The Birthday Lady and I

From April/May/June 2010

Grandpa holding little Nickolai... he had a grin on his face for a reason.  That reason landed us in the next picture with Grandma doing the dirty work.

From April/May/June 2010

But... that's ok! Nickolai likes Grandma best!!! He talks WAY more to her than anyone else! Maybe he knows that she spoils him rotten already.  Her most recent purchases have him all decked out in new duds for his swim lessons this summer.  He has so many different outfits those kids at the pool will be SO jealous! I mean, what baby can be seen in the same swim trunks TWICE, anyway? ;o)

From April/May/June 2010

While it is sometimes hard to find time in our busy schedules to all get together, at the end of the day, I am so glad we do.  Family is certainly important to Brandon and I and we want to raise our kids (someday) with their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents!!! Plus, this is the reason I can never lose weight... This family revolves around food!!! The family biz is a bar and grill for goodness sakes! Okay, okay... I just like to blame them!!!

Goodbye 23!

Hellloooo Mid Twenties! YIKES!

I, unlike the rest of America, spent this last Sunday celebrating my birthday with my wonderful Hubbs instead of watching the boob tube!** He rented us a hotel here and took me to dinner here.

OH! MY! GOSH!

We both are so busy in our daily lives it was just such a nice gesture for him to not have to work on Super Bowl Sunday. I mean, he manages a Sports Bar with several huge flat screens... we were inevidibly going to be busy! Duh! I had mentioned that I have lived in Washington State my entire life (minus one year) and had never been up in the Space Needle at some point this past year. So, he decided we'd splurge for my birthday. The odds were that the weather wouldn't cooperate for us but thankfully it was a clear night and the views were beautiful! I have some pictures, but my camera cord is missing. So, they'll have to wait. We were pleased when dinner was absolutely fantastic. We have actually shared quite a few fabulous meals together and this was one of the best. Brandon ordered the bone-in Rib Eye steak that was a whopping 24oz! Shooot! And, that 145.5 lb man ate it ALL! :) I enjoyed a delicious filet that was served with black truffle reduction and king crab legs! Yum O! After dinner we enjoyed some adult beverages with each other at a really nice place downtown Seattle... it was a perfect date night! Thanks Babe!

**Rest assured knowing that I strategically took a "nap" in the hotel room before dinner with CBS on... Yes, my man did get some good old football watchin' in! I couldn't be THAT selfish!

Earlier in the week some of my girls and I celebrated my birthday with dinner at a Thai restaurant in town... Afterward my BFF Liz and I hit up the best place to dance in this town and met up with Hubbs and Cousin Kyle. I don't know why I always call him Cousin Kyle... Oh well! We had a blast! Here are the highlights...

Liz & I tearin' up the dancefloor... Isn't she gorgeous? Love her.




Cousin Kyle & I enjoying Jake's Hot Dog Stand... Oh, and we got fried pickles.


Lastly, this is my adorable Husband who is not at all afraid of what anyone thinks of him. Seriously? He squeezed himself into Liz's sweet bomber jacket! Wow! Oh, and he's completely sober. :)


Anyway, here's to a great year! I plan to make it better than the past two have been, that's for sure! :)