My second week in CA was socially packed - a day with my mom, girly stuff with the girls, and lots of dinners. Adam flew out to spend NYE with me, so we roamed the city, had happy hour with my SF friends and a few of Adam’s, took a little trip up to Healdsburg for wine tasting, a double date with another Jen and Adam, and capped it off with a fabulous NYE dinner party at Nikki and Todd’s. It was a perfect way to close the door on 2011!

This view from the top of Lombard never gets old

View towards the Bay from Pac Heights

This is the view that the 1% get to enjoy at the top of Pac Heights

Adam’s first Pancho Villa experience - carne asada taco

Jen’s and Adam’s double date at Hyde Street Seafood

NYE dinner party at Nik & Todd’s

The morning after…

I had a lot of vacation to burn at the end of the year, so I took advantage and went to CA for two whole weeks. The first week was family time. There were dinners, quality time with Corin, a new Louie Ladies activity, and of course, presents.

Corin and Yeh Yeh

Tickle tickle!

Our family with Pau Pau, Uncle Al (Pau Pau’s brother), and Dori, Spencer and Randy (mom’s cousin)

Fun with bagels

Self-portrait by Corin

Bows are fun (this was Corin’s doing, not mine)

Louie Ladie’s in the kitchen - tapas class at Sur La Table

Patatas bravas, tortilla espanol, shrimp with almond sauce, and albondigas (meatballs)

Petting the goats at Happy Hollow

Yun Yun giving the goats a snack

Corin feeding the goats, one pellet at a time

This goat tried to help himself

Opening presents from Uncle Paul and daddy’s friend Steve

Playing cars with Uncle Paul

My trip home was actually a bonus tacked on to my annual trip to San Diego. I went later this year because my summer was a little too busy, but as always, it was a blast. I started off with dinner in Little Italy with Jeannine (mommy’s night out!) because she had to work over the weekend. Alma, Dale and I had lunch in Carlsbad on Friday, just us girls. And then we got the rest of the crew together for brunch at one of our favorite spots in downtown La Jolla, Whisk & Ladle. Afterwards, we strolled along La Jolla Cove, spotted some wildlife, and caught up on life. One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting Jerry’s lovely fiance, Sylvie. Looks like I’ll be back in SD next spring for their wedding!

Sylvie, Jerry, me and Alma

The Erickson family

Roomies!

Lisa and Lee

Sylvie and Jerry

Alma and Lenny

Perfect climbing trees

Checking out the squirrel

He looked fake, except that his nose was moving

Avery and her puppy friend

This sea lion is well fed

These black birds have their own cliff

Pelicans have their own cliff

Sea lion village

These pelicans are huge - when they fly/ they look like dinosaurs!

Another squirrel, just hanging out enjoying the view

My extended UCSD family

On June 4th, my dear friend Alisha Keller married the love of her life, Nick Berry. In all the years I’ve known Alisha, I have never seen her happier or more fulfilled, and I was so honored to be a part of her big day. Nikki and I were two of her six bridesmaids, and this wedding was one of the best I’ve even been too. The couple really know how to throw a party! I met some wonderful people, including Alisha’s brothers and parents, the friends who have become her life in Sacramento, and a lot of Nick’s family and friends. Here are some of the highlights of the weekend in Foresthill, CA.

The original plan was to hold the ceremony outdoors. Unfortunately it rained all day on Saturday, so we had to go with the indoor option. At least we got to enjoy this amazing view for the rehearsal!

Bridesmaids Stacy, Amanda and Nikki, with flower girl June

Alisha’s brothers, Ben and Josh

Stacy and June

Groomsman (and Stacy’s husband) Rob with son and ring bearer, Ferris

Alisha and her mom, who was one of the officiants.

Snack time! While guests mingled over cocktails and apps, we had our own platter in the bridal suite.

In lieu of a guestbook, an old mailbox and vintage postcards for guests to write a message to the newlyweds.

Cookie bar was a clever idea, and popular with the guests!

Me and Nikki

Alisha’s family

Gathering Nick’s family for a pic

Baby Ramon (Alisha’s nephew), held by her Aunt Diane (not his mommy), was the most dapper baby at the wedding.

Time for bridal party pics

Something was really funny…

TNT and N-dawg

Todd, Nikki, me and Brian

New husband and wife chatting with their guests

Buffet included spinach salad, sauteed veggies, salmon, polenta with tomato coulis, cheese ravioli and an amazing fruit platter. There was also a stuffed chicken breast and an assortment of breads. Everything was great!

Lovely cake with three different flavors: s’mores cake, spice cake with cream cheese frosting, and Mickey Mouse cake with vanilla and chocolate custard. Yum!

This adorable cake topper might be featured on a cake TV show!

Congratulations Nick and Alisha! Enjoy your honeymoon in Maui!

I am honored to be a bridesmaid for one of my very good friends, Alisha. She is marrying a wonderful man this summer, so we threw her a bridal shower at the lovely home of her aunt and uncle in El Dorado Hills. Here I am with the lovely bride. I promise to take more pics at the wedding!