thank you cards...

Finally finished my first thank you card...

the first one is always the hardest but then it is mass production time and it comes much easier. Thanks to Liz for her help!! It also qualifies for the PPA Simple Sketch. They have such great ideas. Thanks to Tara for the inspiration.

korean bbq taco truck...

Yes you read right...Liz and I got the boys out last night and followed the Korean bbq taco truck. Yummy...

It is kinda odd that you have look up the website to know where they are going to be at that night and then go and eat there. The truck was coming to the LBC so Liz and boys came on down for some food. Luckily Josh and Melissa got there first, so we didn't have to wait in the long line.

I don't think the line would be as long if they had a Mexican guy back there working in the truck. It took about 5 mins wait after you placed the order...that would never be the case in o.g. King Taco Truck.

Hard to see but the line in the back turned left and still continued further back to the street...It was kinda of a odd place, they was a second hand store selling merchandise, free ice cream, and a lady selling sweets. I convinced Liz to buy a chocolate cupcake that was inside a mason jar, really cute. The Max and Bryant (no surprise) were really hungry so we ate the cupcake before there were any pictures take. They would get so mad if Liz and I took a bite of the cupcake. A few time Eli got skipped because he was more interested in playing than eating. However Max and Bryant would not leave Liz alone until it was all done. Once we got the food, we had a picnic on the cement...

Sketches

Check out!! I love this card sketch idea book from Kristina. I was orginally going to give it to Liz, since she makes more cards than but it came out so nice, I thought I should keep it for myself. Am I being an "indian giver" if I really never gave it to her, but thought about it????




Maybe I will make her one after I send out Bryant's thank you cards. Although I feel he should send them out.

Labor Day weekend...

Friday Bryant and I had breakfast with Liz, and hung out by checking out scrapbooking stores!!

On Saturday we went to the Calderon's to hang out and celebrate Larry's birthday.

At first Bryant didn't want to go into the pool even though he was fully insulated. They don't heat their pool, so I didn't blame him, I didn't go into the water either.

Then he decided to hang out with Ty on the steps of the pool.

Then he went in just in his swimming diapers. He was crying because he didn't want to leave. Everyone was having fun, but it was getting dark and him for his bedtime.

On Sunday we went to the Animal Park in San Diego. Even though Phil and I went to college in San Diego we had never been to it. Since we got year pass to the SD zoo, it also included free admission to the Animal Park, free parking, and a tram ride!!! We had a great time.

Although we were a little to close to the animals...

Then on Monday we had breakfast with my parents, and went to the Greek festival for dinner. I wish the pictures would have come out because we had a great time, but the pictures came out really dark.

bryant's belated birthday party...

Thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate on last minute notice. I wasn't planning to celebrate his 1st birthday since it was while he was on vacation in Florida with my parents, but my parents convinced me otherwise. It had to be last weekend because this weekend was Labor Day weekend.

We had a great time even though it was really hot. Luckily my parent's also convinced me to have it at their house instead of the park, they had the AC on full blast. The taco guy was great, and the kids kept going in and out of the jumper to cool off back inside the house. It must have been over 100 degrees in the jumper. Also thanks to my sister and bother in law Eddie for purchasing ice cones, which were perfect for this weather!!

We had to wait until after 4 pm for the sun to go down in order to break the piñata and then cut the cake. However, by then the birthday boy fell asleep. He had refused to take his nap earlier in the day when we were setting up for the party, so of course by 3:30 pm he could longer stay awake.

Max is so excited as he is getting ready to hit the pinata.

My grandma with Bryant as we were setting up for the party.
Liz and I made the banners and many of decorations for the birthday party. I can't wait until I buy the Silhouette SD, it will be so much easier.

Man v. Food...

The eating contest went great. I will let Phil talk about it. Here are some of the pictures from the event. More on my shutterfly website.

This is Phil getting ready to start...

Each plate had 5 tacos on it. Phil finishing his second plate, and about to start his third plate.

Taken after the event. Bryant was going crazy that his dad was eating and not sharing. I should have bought a taco for Bryant inside, but I didn't want to miss any part of the event. I had to give Bryant to Phil so that Bryant could eat a taco after they counted Phil's tacos.

Are you ready for some footballl?

Oh yeah, Mexico won yesterday!!!

Just kidding...not that Mexico won, but I am talking about Football, not soccer.

I can't believe the first pre-season game of the Raiders was today!! YEAH, (I am more excited than Phil, Edgar, and my uncle Rigo). I get several hours to scrapbook and Phil gets to "watch" Bryant while watching the game. This is so much better than the Lakers games that are only 2 hrs. Football games last forever...the last 5 minutes alone could last half an hour....so I got Bryant ready for tonight's game.

Weigh in Wednesday

Okay, I decided to start documenting my weight...I know it is hard for me but Bryant just turned one, and I still haven't lost the weight. Enough is enough. I joined Weight Watchers, and plan to eat healthy dinners. Starting weight was 153 on March 2. I am only down to 146. I have stayed at this same weight since June 24. I know that it was difficult to stay on course while I was studying for the Bar and the week of the Bar, but that was 2 weeks ago, what is my excuse now? I run quit a bit, although it does show. I always wonder how big I would be if I didn't run. I think I need to do some changes... like exercise more regularly instead of when I remember or when I "feel" like running...and eat clean at least 6 days a week instead of "celebrating" with dessert or ordering my favorite fish and chips every time we eat out. Any suggestions?

Supreme Court Justice...

Sonya is the first Hispanic female...=) Very proud day for me. Even as a little girl I have always wanted to be a tax attorney (I know I am not the type, I don't like brown suits). Luckily, my parents encourage me to be whatever I wanted. When people would say to them "are you pushing your daughter to be an attorney...it is a very difficult job...she is only going to be married and have kids why does she want to go through all that school?" My parents would just say "she can be an attorney if that is what she really wants to be." Although they encouraged me to be whatever I wanted, I really couldn't get any advice from them or their friends, none were attorneys. I always wished I knew a Hispanic female attorney growing up to mentor me. I am so excited that one glass ceiling has been broken...even if she is a democrat.

PS...still looking for an estate planning/tax attorney mentor...

Picture Friday

Liz and I went Shop Hopping to different Scrapbook stores in LA. We had a great time. We went to about 13 stores in total, but didn't notice that three of there were closed when we got there (either we got there too early or too late). This Friday we are off to OC and SD's scrapbook stores. There are a few in the IE that we want to see soon, but we haven't choosen a date. Liz is going to Santa Barbara on Saturday for her anniversary, and is going to be stopping at a few stores on the way. Yep I'm jealous, that I have to be at work instead. Liz is going to post the pictures of us at the different stores on her blog. I have bought so much new stuff, I have to get scrapping soon. Anyone want to join me, for scrapping and a glass of wine at my place?

----As for the picture----

Phil, Bryant, and I went into our pool on Sunday, and then decided it would be a great idea to have a pool party the following Sunday and invite the family. These are pictures our of us hanging out at the pool.

We had the pool party on Sunday...too bad my mom had it work, budget time at the government. My dad, my grandparents, Liz, Eddie, and the boys came down and had a great time. Phil grilled burgers and hot dogs. I also forgot to bring my camera, but Liz took pictures. Hopefully she will have them on her blog soon.

photo(s) friday...

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the week:

Bryant is soooo much like Phil, he is just going to town on those ribs...

even double fisting...

I am so excited, they are arriving a day early, so I will see him tomorrow!! Phil is taking him on Saturday to a bbq event that Eric brother and cousin are participating in. We went last year and had a blast...(even got to see Sam from The Cooking Guy).

...talking about Eric.... I also wanted to post my favorite picture from Eric and Diana's wedding. I don't know why they were so nervous, they have know each other for 15 years!!

We had such a great time, and I love the beach wedding, just like mine ;)

where in the world is Carmen...

In case you have been wonder about me lately hiding under a rock... I have been studying for the Bar.





Yep that me, with glasses, no make up, hair messy etc. And if I had a wide angle lens (hint) you would see the brown sweatpants I have been living in.

I also want to thank all my friends and family for putting up with me during this time. I have been neurotic, crazy, flaky, bad at returning e-mails, not attending birthday parties or bachelorette parties, not being on FB, not updating my blog, not scrapbooking (I know I did take a class, but not the same), etc... I plan to make it up to you as soon as I get back!!!

Especially want to thank Phil for supporting me through all this and for all the "yes, I need a latte mocha from Coffee Bean to study," and him driving me there at all hours of the night. Love ya babe!

But I am excited to take the Bar, and look forward to getting my life back! See you soon!

I drive out to Ontario tomorrow, and it is from Tuesday - Thursday. Not much to do in Ontario so I plan to drive back on Thursday evening. Hopefully I am back in time for the concert in the park and a glass of wine (or two after all Bryant isn't back until Sunday)! Anyone want to join us?

happy birthday pumpkin

I can't believe he was born today last year!! I am really missing him today more than I have since he left on Wednesday. I can't wait until he comes back home.

My grandpa sent me this picture of him...he just like his mama!!! ha ha... I hope he said "cheers" beforehand. Phil and I have been teaching him to say cheers everytime we pick up our cups.

Weiner Dog Races for the SBACC

Phil and I had so much fun today at the Weiner dog races. It was our first time at Los Alamitos Race Track. Erin's mom and sister volunteer at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, and the shelter has their yearly fundraiser at the race track. The main attraction is the Weiner dog races (they also had the horse races). Erin had extra tickets, and was kind enough to give them to us, so Phil and I went. (It was a study break for me, which was so needed.) Unfortunately Phil had my cell phone in his pocket and didn't hear my cell ringing so we didn't get to hang out with Erin. In the end we were so tired from walking around everywhere looking for seats, it was very crowded (great turnout) and hot that we left before it ended.

Baby James

Welcome Baby James!!!







(Oh how I miss Bry! Although according to my parent's he doesn't miss us.)

Mr. B

Mr. B
Originally uploaded by Diana Mattar

I love this picture that my friend Diana Mattar took of Bryant when he turned 8 months old. (I really need a better lens for my camera...wish list)

I will miss him so much as he leaves for two weeks to Orlando Fl with my parents. Not to mention that Phil and I am going to be missing his 1st Birthday with him. We will have a party for him when he returns. I wish I could go...too bad I have to take the Bar.

working on my resolution...photoshop elements

One of my new year's resolutions this year was to learn more how to use photoshop elements and to learn a little bit on digital scrapbooking. During tax season I saved up some money and signed up to take a class from Patty D the digital scrapbooking teacher. I signed up back in April and the first available class at my local scrapbook shop Scrapbooking Heaven was last weekend in Huntington Beach. I loved her, she was great. She is also very popular, there was a lady and her husband that flew in from Texas to take her class!!

Anyways...check out what I learned to do in one weekend, what I could not figure out on my own after several months of trying...

I gave the pages I made for Liz and my parents to them already, but I still have to give Ashley her page. I don't know what Phil is planning to do with his page.

Father's Day Gift...

Just want to show off my father's day gift to Phil...

I bought the wooden photo cube from Michael's painted it, and decorated it with paper and ribbon. I thought Phil would love this at work. I also made one for my dad and my brother-in-law, but I forgot to take pictures of theirs before they took it home on Sunday.

One of the photos Phil really wanted in the cube didn't fit into the space, which is why it is empty. Luckily I have signed up for a photo digital class this weekend, so I will know how to do all this cool stuff on Photoshop Elements, like resize a photo without distorting it funny.

The Hernandez Family Portrait...

books I have read...

So, apparently (or supposedly - no one seems to be able to confirm the veracity of this claim) the BBC reckons most people will have only read 6 of the 100 beloved books listed below.

I read 36 of these, but most were mandatory for Immaculate Heart HS and I was bored during summer time in high school. So far my friend Izabelle Reyes has read more 49!! Anyone beat that??? Any recommendations on ones I haven’t read?

Instructions:
1) Look at the list and put an 'X' after those you have read.
2) Add a '+' to the ones you LOVE; add a '-" to the ones you HATE.
3) Star (*) those you plan on reading.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen X+

2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien X-

3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte X+

4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee X+

6 The Bible - really? the entire Bible?!?

7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte X+

8 Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell X

9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman

10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens X+

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott X+

12 Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy *

13 Catch-22 - Joseph Heller X

14 Complete Works of Shakespeare X (took a class at UCSD)

15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier X++

16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien X- (Tried reading several times only finished it because it was for HS)

17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks

18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger X+

19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell * (I also want to see the movie)

22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald X

23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens

24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (Started but didn’t finish)

25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams (started but too boring)

26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh

27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky X

28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck X

29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll X

30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34 Emma - Jane Austen X+

35 Persuasion - Jane Austen * (I know a Jane Austen book I haven’t read)

36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis de Bernières

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden *

40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne X

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell X

42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez X

44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving

45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery X++(Of course what 13 year old girl didn’t love this book)

47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding X-

50 Atonement - Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52 Dune - Frank Herbert

53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen X

55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens X

58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley X

59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck X

62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov *

63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas *

66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding *

69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens X

72 Dracula - Bram Stoker X

73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett X

74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75 Ulysses - James Joyce

76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78 Germinal - Emile Zola

79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens X

82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker *

84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert X

86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87 Charlotte's Web - EB White X

88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92 The Little Prince - Antoine de Saint-Exupery X (Read it in French)

93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94 Watership Down - Richard Adams

95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare X (this is technically counting twice??)

99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Ronald Dahl X

100 Les Misérables - Victor Hugo

AOTP

This week Bryant and I went to the Aquarium of the Pacific twice.  Good thing we have season passes!! 

We went on Thursday with Liz and the twins.  This was the only picture we could get the boys to stand still (although not Bryant) to take a picture of all of us together.

Then we went on Saturday with Phil, Edgar, Laura and the kids...

Laura and Sofia,  I wish I had a girl...

Afterwards we went for dinner to the Yardhouse.  It was great to see the Perez Family, we wish they lived closer and could hang out all the time.

Then Phil and I went to celebrate Sandy's 40th Birthday!!!  We tried to party like rock stars, but Bryant did not want to go to sleep (even though it was past midnight), which was a little of a buzz kill.  Darlene did a great job with the decorations.  I wish I would have taken a picture of the bowl with all the "Sandy" pictures on it.  It was such a great idea.

It was a busy Saturday, not to mentioned that it all started with a 5 mile run at 7 am!!  We are training for the Long Beach 1/2 Marathon.