Negative Nancy....

Things that are pissing me off today....

1. Why do black jeans seem to be a magnet for everything gross?? I have lint, hair, fuzz and who the hell knows what else stuck to my jeans!! Now I know why people don't own/wear black jeans!!

2. Hey, pedestrians...I know you are suppose to have the right of way and all but if you just step out in front of my car again, I will hit you!! Just warning you.

3. What is the point of Shuffle on an ipod when I seem to hear the same songs over and over again!! I have over 1000 songs on my ipod so how is this possible?? I also should NEVER hear back to back Michael Jackson songs on shuffle but this seems to happen every time I listen to it. Come on ipod...SHUFFLE!!

4. My lawnmower sucks!! This is still brewing over from yesterday. I saw it on the side of my house when I went to throw something away and the anger just came flooding back!! Yard work is stupid and so is yard equipment!!

5. Deodorant is lame!! How is it possible that all I'm doing is sitting at my desk typing but yet I'm sweating?? It's not even hot in here!! BTW I also have on the falsely advertised Clinical Strength deodorant!! Not sure what clinic this was tested in but they suck too!!

Well, that is all I have for now but it's not even noon so I'm sure I can add to my list later. However, I'm holding out hope that maybe things will get better.....

More to come!
xoxo

Karaoke

Stacey decided she wanted to have a karaoke party to celebrate her Birthday. We went to this little dive bar in Ahwatukee called Brad's Place. Best part of going to a dive bar for karaoke.....you get more opportunities to sing!! I think our group was almost the whole rotation!! My camera was acting up but I tried to get a few karaoke shots....
Stacey's Father-in-law decided to get the crowd all pumped up by singing the classic YMCA!! It got everyone dancing for sure!!

Sorry I didn't get very many karaoke shots. I need to read up on my new camera because several of my photos were blurry but I will be ready next time!! I might even add a little video!! : )

However, I do have plenty of Cousin pictures....as always!!

Can't have karaoke without beer!!!

Alyssa and Andy celebrating not only Stacey's birthday but also the purchase of their new house!! Congrats to both of you!!

Stacey and her singing partner Stephanie....I will have to catch that act on video next time!

As always our self-taken Cousin picture!! It's funny how many times people offer to take our photo and I have to tell them no, this is how we like them. BTW this was our first take too!! I'm getting good at these pictures!!

Of course we all had a great time singing and drinking and just hanging out!! We did decide that for future karaoke parties we need to have a big group because it makes it WAY more fun!!

Happy Birthday Stacey!!

More to come

xoxo

Lots of Birthdays!!

Just wanted to give a Birthday shout out to everyone who was born on January 27th!!

Happy Birthday Zach!! This is my friend/sister wife Shannon's husband. I miss you guys!!

Happy Birthday Stacey!! Everyone knows Cousin Stacey!! :)

Happy Birthday Sophie!! Today is her 1st Birthday and while she had a rough morning she got better as the day went on and was in great spirits when her brother Charlie stopped by to say hi!!

I hope everyone had a great day!!

More to come!

xoxo

Movie Night

Last year a few of my friends (from Trade Secret) were sitting around talking about movies we had seen, when I realized a bunch of us hadn't seen very many classic movies. It was then that we decided to have a monthly Movie Club, where each month we would watch an Academy Award winning movie together. Our first movie was on Sunday and it was my pick so I selected Casablanca. I had heard so much about this movie and I felt dumb having never seen it so I was super excited to watch it!!

The movie ended up being pretty good. I had heard it was a great love story but I didn't really see that.....maybe I missed something. The storyline was not what I expected but I still liked it and I'm glad I saw it. It was funny to hear all the classic lines like "Here's looking at you kid" and "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" in context with the movie.

Our next movie night is in February and we will be watching Gladiators. Before you say it, no, I have not seen that movie nor has anyone else in the movie club.....hence the reason for the club!By the end of this year I will have increased my movie knowledge quite a bit!! Can't wait!!

More to come
xoxo

What A Deal!

I think one of the best feelings in the world is when you find a great bargain!! Today my Cousin Alyssa and I were walking around the Scottsdale Mall (killing time) as we approached a store called Crabtree and Evelyn. I have never been in this store but I'm a HUGE fan of one of their products called Goatmilk. It's not actual Goatmilk so don't worry. It's this awesome scented bodywash that my friend Shannon has and I use it every time I stay at her house. For my Birthday last year Shannon gave me a bottle and I was so excited!! Well, apparently the store at the Scottsdale Mall is closing and everything was 70% off!! Umm....it was like a little Mall Miracle!! I stocked up on my Goatmilk and a few other little things.....my total......$36!!!! Oh, yeah baby!! Best deal ever!!

Here are a few of the things that I got....fyi each bottle is normally like $12-$18 each so it was a pretty awesome deal!!

I wanted to buy more but Alyssa kind of looked at me like I was crazy so I stopped at 3 bottle of each. I'm going to be smelling yummy and I can't wait!!

More to come

xoxo

Happy 2011!!

Happy 2011 from the gang at Disneyland!!

More to come!

xoxo

Happiest Place on Earth!!

This year my family and I went to Disneyland again for New Years Eve!! I think this makes year #8 for me, Stephanie, and Cameron. Crazy!! However, this year we were down a few family members....my Dad, Lara and Randy were unable to attend but were with us in spirit!!
On a selfish note, I was happy to have my Dad and Lara available to puppy sit Charlie for me while I was gone. I was able to enjoy myself know Charlie was in good hands Thanks guys!!

Let me share some of my photos.....

Here is Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
Here we all are on our first night together. We are in California Adventure waiting for the new water show World of Colors to start. I tried taking some pictures of the water show and they turned out weird so I didn't include them. You kind of have to see it to enjoy....sorry.

Our Perry Twins!! BTW this is the hat that made Courtney the STAR at Disneyland!! EVERYONE wanted to know where she got the hat!! It was like being with a celebrity as we walked around the park but as we all know fame has a downside and Courtney got a rash on her forehead from that hat....looks like Perry strikes again!!

To prepare themselves for all the rain that normally occurs at Disneyland the kids decided to practice their boating skills on the canoe ride.....is it a ride if you are doing all the work??? Notice I skipped this one! I ate a churro as they paddled!! Holla!! : )

No trip to Disneyland is complete without a trip to Critter Country to visit Pooh, Tigger, and Courtney's favorite Eyeore!!

Before we went on the Tea Cups on New Years Eve....it was the only ride with a short line. I hated it!!

Stephanie, Courtney and me in front of the castle on 1/1/11

Waiting for the Toy Story ride....it's in 3D hence the lame yellow glasses!!

On the last day at the park me and Courtney were getting ready to leave for the day and as we walked onto Main Street we saw Mary Poppins!! She was just coming out so me and Courtney ran over to her and waited patiently until she saw us and then took our photos!! Due to the rain that had just started she refused to move from under the umbrella by these random people so ignore them in the background. Mary is a bit of a DIVA but we love her!!

I had a great time at the park (as always) and I can't wait to go back!! I'm actually thinking I might go back this year when it's not the holidays so I can see what the park normally looks like since it has been so long!! Roadtrip to Disneyland anyone???

More to come!

xoxo

I'm Back!!

I know I did a crappy job towards the end of last year keeping up with my blog but I'm promising to do better this year!!

I just wanted to let you all know I'm back on the blog circuit and the updates will be coming soon!!

More to come
xoxo

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween from my little cow!!!!

More to come,
xoxo

Happy Father's Day!!!

I hope all you Dad's out there got to spend the day napping like mine did!!!

It is his day so enjoy!!

I love you Dad!!!

More to come

xoxo

Can you say cankles????

My poor Cousin Stacey is about 8 months pregnant in the middle of June in Arizona!! Yeah, enough said right!! She is doing very well and I really never hear her complain but maybe that is because I don't really listen when she talks!!! J/K Stacey!! : )


All I know is that she is a real trooper because if my feet were this swollen all I would do is bitch about them every day!!
Way to stay positive Stacey!! Hopefully after Manni is born you will get your ankles back!! : )

More to come
xoxo

Birthday Surprise

We all decided we would surprise Stephanie with an early birthday dinner. She thought she was only having dinner with my Cousin Stacey but instead she got us all!! Lucky for us she was excited to see us all!!

Here is Steph with her Birthday flower in her hair and her free dessert from Macayo's!!

Here is the whole gang!! Thanks to everyone for making it out for the surprise dinner!!

After dinner the Cousin's all went to Yogurtland (Steph's favorite place) for some dessert! It was really good and the perfect way to top of the evening!! Thanks again to Stacey for helping to coordinate the dinner!!

Happy Early Birthday Steph!!

More to come
xoxo

A Black & White Affair

Today was Stacey's baby shower. Her sister Alyssa threw the shower and it really was beautiful. She had the theme as black and white which made the whole thing kind of fun.
We all had to dress in black and white and everything was decorated in black and white.
However, the best part of the theme was the YUMMY black and white cookies that Alyssa bought as party favors!! Check out the setting below.......
The shower was a lot of fun and Stacey and Manni got some awesome stuff. If you want to know more about the shower you can check out Stacey's blog. I just wanted to give a shout out to Alyssa for throwing some of the best baby showers that I have been too!! Way to go!! Little Manni is very lucky to have such an AWESOME Aunt!!

More to come

xoxo

I LOVE this place!!

I was walking through the little snack area that Intel has in the cafe and I found these cookies!!!
All I can say is they were WONDERFUL!! I should have bought more......

More to come

xoxo

Costa Rica

Sorry for the delay in my updates but I haven't been out and about too much so I don't have tons to show you guys but here are a few photos I have been able to take around the hotel area and downtown. 
It's so pretty and green!!  I love it!! 

The view from ourside my door. 

Lots of plants and flowers

When I went dowtown I was advised to ONLY take a taxi that is red with yellow triangles on it.  There are several other people driving around acting like they are taxi drivers but they aren't.  My lesson in safety!!

A very famous Catholic church located in downtown San Jose

I always try to find a McDonalds where ever I go!!  Look this one had chicken legs as a menu item!

The famous National Theater located in Downtown San Jose

The oldest hotel in Costa Rica

A very small view of Intel.  I was hidding under the canopy from the rain so I couldn't get the whole thing.  I think there are a total of like 4 buildings and this huge cafe that they built that has like a Burger King and Subway inside it so people don't have to leave for lunch. 

The rest are from around the hotel.  They have the most AMAZING looking trees here!!

I'm planning to go out tonight to a place called Tierra Tica Ram Luna Viewpoint.  It's located in the Central Valley mountains.  They offer a traditional Costa Rican dinner and then they put on a show with a traditional masquerade with typical dances and famous marimba music.  I figured since I have to work all day I have to find things to do in the evening so I'm hoping this is fun and entertaining!!  I will keep you all updated!! 

More to come

xoxo

Congratulations Cameron!!

Cameron is officially a Jr. High School student!! He will be attending a Middle School that includes 6th grade through 8th grade. It's hard to believe that Cameron is growing up so quickly!!

During the graduation ceremony Cameron was awarded the Math Achievement Award!! I didn't get a photo because I didn't know he was going to win it!! I was a very proud Nina!! : )

Congratulations Cameron!!! Way to Go!!!

More to come

xoxo

LET'S GO SUNS!!

Yes, I had to start the blog with this photo because it makes me laugh every time I see it because she looks so cute!!!  Little Cece in her 2T Suns/Nash shirt wearing her Budlight beads!!!  She really is a Brown girl!!!  : )

Now for a little background.  During the Suns/Spurs playoffs a group of us got together to watch one of the games at the Suns viewing party at Native New Yorker.  It was really a lot of fun.  They gave away shirts and noise makers.  They had Budlight girls there (hence Cece's beads) giving away free stuff like beers, playing cards, and bottle koozies.  I won cards and a bottle koozie.  
They even had some of the Sun's dancers there.  I was waiting for a performance but they just walked around.  

There was even a special guest that the Brown/Wright family has become very close too.......our friend....the.......

Yep, our friend the Gorilla was there to get the crowd all hyped up and excited to watch the game and boy did it work!!!  However, you know he had to take a minute to come hang with his favorite people!!!

Since Cece was asleep at the wedding this was her first time meeting Uncle Gorilla and she did great!!! 

Next it was time for the Gorilla to reunite with his favorite couple the Wrights!!  For those of you confused the Gorilla is the one on the right!!  : )

Notice how the Gorilla is touching Stacey's breast?????  And Stacey's big smile????  I'm calling Maury right now just to reserve a spot for a possible paternity test in July!!  Everyone saw how close the Gorilla and Stacey were the night of the wedding.......I will keep everyone updated on this possible breaking story!!!

Here is Cece with her two favorite Aunts!!!

With our great support the Suns won the series against the Spurs and have now moved onto the Western Conference Championship!!!!  They are playing the Lakers (BOOOOO!!!!) and are down 2-1 in the series.  However, I think we are about to see a come back and the Suns will win Game 4 and tie the series 2-2.  What do you think Cece?? 

LET'S GO SUNS!!!!!

More to come

xoxo