Sweet P's Party - Part Dos

I realized we don't have a whole lot of pictures from Paloma's party. Maybe that's because I was trying to put the nap-deprived guest of honor to sleep most of the time! Well here is the continuation of the photos from Part Uno. (Thanks, Kim and Linda, for the pics.)

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Kim gave Paloma this quacking duck that made her laugh!! Bad news: the duck is missing!

My cousin Armilyn with our girl.

Fer and Rob, Kim's husband.

Friends Kim, Chrissie, Linda and me.

Darlin' Leila, my cousin Lou's girl, admiring something high on the wall. Cutie!

Hope you had fun, little one!

14 Year High School Reunion

We're back in Barcelona. And I'm backblogged. Reeeeeeeewind!

At Mater Dei High School, I had a very tight group of Asian friends with whom I connected immediately after junior high. This is where Facebook has made some amazing things happen for me. It all happened two months ago when my very good friend, Linda, posted some old high school pictures, and soon after, a reunion was in the works! We met up two weeks ago.

These guys were so great to organize it around my homecoming here. Good times, indeed. We are! MD!

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Sophomore year, circa 1993. From left to right: Brenda, Ellaine, Aileen, Amy, Yours Truly, Linda, and our only guy, Ray.

Amy organized the whole shindig and was able to have the party catered at Ray's house. This is her with Chyna, her second child.

Amy's other two wacky kids, Bubba and Andrew.

Ellaine (our future immigration attorney) and Evan. I saw these guys when they visited us in Barcelona a few months ago.

It's never boring when Brenda's around. Comic relief, always!

Ray with Sweet P.

Another baby in the house! Aileen's second, Raiden, is only three months old.

Her first handsome little dreamboat, Reid.

Aileen's husband, Ryan, with a sleeping Raiden.

Baby buddies!

Me, Ray and Fer.

Catching up.

Brenda and her fiance, Todd.

Alliteration: Aileen, Ellaine, and Evan.

Mega group pic!

Paloma had fun!

Let's look at that old picture again.

Don't we all look exactly the same? I remember being in high school thinking past 30 was so old!

Thanks, guys! This made my trip really special!

Roger's Garden

The Ancheta clan headed over to Roger's Garden in Newport Beach on Saturday. What a stunning /out-of-our-budget place to buy decor and dress up your garden. This place is endless!

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These plants greeted us.

The gazebo.

Poinsettias are in season! My mom picked one up.

Mom, Fer and Paloma being entranced by the fountain.

Dad sets up his famed portrait shots.

Trains, trains, and more trains.

A soothing waterfall for some zen time.

More flowing water.

Can I have a million of these in our flower box outside our balcony? Only a mere $13/'shroom.

Purty pink.

Wreaths made of of succulents. How creative!

Indoor branches to hang decor.

Lovely tree with red sphere ornaments.

Paloma with gramps.

The Godfather / Uncle Moses / Funder of Paloma's higher education if he hits it rich.

Triple generation of gals.

A curious, smiling garden piece.

Prepping Sweet P for the Big Guy. (It's free! Thanks for the idea, Armilyn!) We'll put that up for another post closer to the season and when the blog hits a dry spell.

Kids Galore!

My old jewelry teacher-turned-friend Mareesa has a gorgeous family full of little ones. She's got...*gulp* four kids! Majesta (5), Jonathon (4), and twins Lilian and Vanessa (2). Every time I go to their house, I always feel so HAPPY. Never a dull moment!

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The girls. Majesta is a pro in carrying babies.

It was hard t0 peel Jon from the train set. I wish I got a close-up of his lovely lashes.

Mareesa with the girls. She's a fabulous mom. She doesn't take her role too seriously, and her kids are always so happy and behaved.

Chugga, chugga choo choo!

After I showed Lilian her beautiful picture, she said, "Vanessa!" and didn't realize it was her. Images and concepts of the self must be so confusing for little ones, especially for a twin!

Vanessa playing with her mommy.

Majesta is an awesome big sis. She's a born leader and so bright too.

John lent his cuteness to this picture. He was so good in trying to entertain Paloma.

We're gonna stop by the house again before we head back to Spain. I can't stay away from these guys!