Category Archives: Family Oriented

Weekend in Pictures: Bacon is Meat Candy

It’s no secret on how much I love bacon, going so far as to try the chocolate covered bacon at the San Diego Fair last year. I’m sure many of you out there have seen the Denny’s commercials for their “Baconalia: A Celebration of Bacon” campaign.  After my sister described her experience with the Maple Bacon Sundae, I just had to try it.  So last weekend, we took some time out of our Saturday to venture out to Denny’s.  Coincidentally, my sister wore her “Bacon is meat candy” shirt, and the manager at Denny’s could not stop complimenting her on it, stating that they should be wearing that for their campaign.

The sundae was everything I hoped it would be and more.  The saltiness and crunch of the bacon beautifully offset the sweetness of the syrup and ice cream.  I highly recommend it.  For more bacon fun like clothing, food products and novelties, check out this site called Bacon Freak (the “Baconista” shirt is cute).  Hope you had a great weekend!

Second Tournament Win in the Books!

My husband won yet another amateur tourney yesterday (his first tournament win was posted about here)!  He placed first place again in his flight in the The Golf Channel Amateur Tour 4th annual South Bay Championship at the San Diego Country Club.  Here is the fantastic article about his tour improvement and his score.  Great job again honey!

Deon Chen opened some eyes on Monday in the Jones Flight. Chen, who did not break 100 in his first three events on Tour this year in his rookie season, birdied his first two holes and obliterated his competition, firing a most impressive 7-over par 79  win by eleven shots.  Look for Chen to make his way to the Sarazen Flight in the near future with his impressive performance and improvement on Tour!

(Image and article quote courtesy of The Golf Channel here)

Weekend in Pictures: Another Day at the Zoo

After my birthday last Sunday, I took a few days off to relax and spend with my family.  These pictures weren’t from this weekend, but the day after my birthday.  We have a yearly membership to the San Diego Zoo and haven’t really taken advantage of it like we should, so going on one of my days off seemed like a great idea for some family fun.  We arrived right after the zoo opened and enjoyed the slightly overcast weather.  When we went during the summer last year, it was hot and slightly uncomfortable.  The weather actually called for sprinkles today, which never came to fruition.  We spent most of our time at The Children’s Zoo, a part that we just didn’t get to the last time around.  This gave Dominic more time to enjoy because he was able to be more interactive with the animals.

Weekend in Pictures: My Birthday & Mother’s Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I think this occurrence is going to happen several times in my lifetime: my birthday landing on Mother’s Day. I was actually born on my parent’s second anniversary, which is always right around Mother’s Day. When we were youngsters, this is the time of year that my sister had always felt left out. Now that she’s also a mom and we can all celebrate together, we have just one more person that we are missing, and that’s my father. Although he isn’t here, he will always be present as we fill these days with wonderful new memories of times with my mom, our husbands and our children.  I want to thank her for being supportive and loving, which has made me the mother I am today.

This weekend was very simple and easy, which is a change from the craziness last year: a trip to NYC for my 40th and a brand new Louis Vuitton purse. This year, we started the weekend off with some birthday surprises and wishes at work, a birthday get together for my best friend, Janice (her’s will be on May 10th), and having friends over for the Pacquiao vs Mosley fight (Manny won!). On Mother’s Day/my birthday, I woke up to my favorite breakfast (French Toast and maple sausages) and spent a relaxing day with family.

Happy Birthday blurriness taken at work.

Red velvet cupcake goodness from my friend Sandy.

Birthday present from my husband, the Jeffrey Campbell “Grayson” booties!

More birthday goodies: A Juicy present that I gave to my best friend, Pink sparkling wine and my all time favorite dessert, cheesecake!

Mommy and Dominic: February 27, 2009.

Mommy and Dominic:  May 8, 2011.

And although I myself did not win a Rebecca Minkoff bag through the “Mugly Bag” contest (posted about here), my sister did get featured as one their favorite entries (post here)! My mom has very nice bags, so I thought I’d enter my sister and her oh-so-lovely monkey sling purse instead (recognize the flowers outside of my yard?). Who knew she would get an honorable mention? This definitely made my mother’s day!

(Image above from minkette.com)

Weekend in Pictures: Shots From a Cell Phone

It’s not often that I forget my camera.  Unfortunately when I do, it’s usually during an occasion worth capturing.  We attended a friend’s wedding at a beautiful location that surprisingly never occurred to me could be used as a wedding venue:  The Karl Strauss Brewery & Gardens.  It was a gorgeous day and the backdrop was spectacular.  If I had my camera, you would be able to see that in living color.  Also, if I had a camera with a proper flash, I could have taken a few of the beautiful couple.  But alas, I had to use my cell phone camera and my husband’s iPhone.  We still managed to get a few shots, and I took this opportunity to use the “Shake It!” app on the iPhone, which produces pictures that look as if they were taken by an old school Polaroid camera.  It’s a fun feature because you can “shake” the phone to make the picture appear.

Our little boy was on his best behavior, impressing everyone at our table with his use of utensils (we have a travel set that we bring everywhere).  The guests were also digging on his look, which I guess I could describe as country club golfer and marvelling at the fact that he is only 2 years-old.  One guest even stopped me to say that he should be doing catalog modeling because he is just too cute.  With that little smirk of a smile, we think he’s quite cute, too!

Dominic’s outfit – Crazy 8 cardigan; H&M shirt and tie; Old Navy pants and hat; One Star sneakers

Deon’s outfit – J. Ferrar suit; Stafford tie; Van Heusen shirt; Florsheim shoes

My outfit – Oasis silk dress; Steve Madden shoes

Weekend in Pictures: A Red Robin, A Bunny & Some Eggs for Easter

We had a very busy Easter weekend:  While Deon played a golf tournament on Saturday at Sycuan Resort and Casino (he tied for 3rd place in his division), my sister and I took the kids out to lunch and a little shopping.  Then on Sunday, we went to church and then to a family Easter celebration at a local park (the picture above was actually taken at the Plaza Bonita mall near our house 2 weeks ago).  It’s been a tradition to have a potluck-style picnic, then have all the kids gather together for a big Easter Egg hunt.  I hope you also had a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Weekend In Pictures: Mini-Golf Mayhem

These pictures were actually taken last weekend, but it’s a weekend nonetheless!  We took Dominic to play mini-golf for the first time at a place called Boomers, which has 2 little miniature golf courses, a go-kart raceway, and a kiddie amusement ride area.  Dominic is always talking about playing golf because of my husband.  Until we can take him to an actual course to watch daddy play, we will be taking him to places like this that will allow him to do whatever he wants to. 

Not only did Dominic play a little golf, he also went on his first official amusement park ride.  At first Deon said he was a bit scared.  But after a few go-arounds, he was asking for more.  Dominic is just at 36 inches, so some of the other rides will have to wait.  But now I know who my husband’s rollercoaster partner will be from now on!

My first hole in one...ever!

On Being Courageous

My husband did a very brave thing last week to manage his health in the best way he knew how: he underwent gastric-bypass surgery. After he found out he was diabetic 3 years ago, I have watched him try everything he could to manage his weight. He tried several diets, and none would produce the results he needed to remain healthy. Through many family discussions, he made the ultimate decision to undergo this type of bariatric surgery. He needed to do something to give him the discipline he felt he lacked. He felt that this would not only reverse his diabetes, but would in turn also save his life. Since I am asthmatic and struggle every now and again with stamina, he also did it to ensure that he would be able to keep up with our son, who grows increasingly active everyday. Although it will be a tough road from here on out (especially being out of commission with golf-playing for a couple of months), I support my husband and this difficult yet courageous decision he made. Dominic and I are so proud of you honey!

My Husband Wins His First Amateur Golf Tournament!

My husband has been playing golf for more than a year now, and has just started amateur tournament play within the last few months. His hard work has finally paid off and he has won his first tournament!

Last Sunday (March 6), he played the OC Invitational at Tijeras Creek Golf Club through The Golf Channel. Check out this fantastic quote from the site. Great job honey!

OC Invitational Draws Record Field; Tijeras Creek Plays Difficult

Deon Chen, who had not broken 100 in three previous attempts on Tour, blitzed the Jones Flight by firing an unbelievable round of 83 on Sunday.

(My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  Here is a link on Yahoo! if you want to help.)