I am not even going to point out the fact that this
is my first blog post in almost two months.
++++++
That aside, for the Christmas holidays I got out of Portland
and flew to beautiful and warm Orange County, CA!
My big sis lives near Laguna Beach and I wanted to get some
quality time with her since we haven't seen much of each other
since she moved home from Rome this summer. My mom
wanted to join in our southern California fun too, and drove up from Sacramento
the day after I arrived. Unfortunately my sister is a general manager at
a very nice Italian restaurant and had to spend the majority of
her days working. But we still got plenty of shopping and eating in.
(And a trip to Disneyland*!!) *Fotos will come later because I only took film ones
Butternut squash ravioli with a butter and brown sugar glaze... absolutely decadent.
Sister's restaurant "Alessa"
Pesto cream pasta with shrimp... I gained like 10 pounds on this trip
Palm Trees!
Laguna Beach
Nicole's pink christmas tree!
Amazing lighting at Nicole's other restaurant she works at, "Mare"
Sister and her tree
Nicole cooking us some lovely vegetables
Delicious spread
Birds on a wire and Laguna hills
More awesome decorations at Mare.
Mama and I then drove to Redlands (about an hour and half from Laguna)
to my uncle's house for our annual Christmas party.
When Italians get together, it's always a good time.
My brother, sister-in-law and nieces drove up for the party too!
[I will try not to overload you with super cute niece photos because there are so many]
The Pizza maker
cousins!
Ella! We had many furry friends joining us in the festivities.
My moms good with children.
PIZZAAAAAAAAA
The best mugs ever that my mom got in a white elephant gift exchange... Which are now residing in my cupboard.
