Category: Birthday

My Belated Birthday Gift

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday, Camachos, Family, Fun, Pantages, skydiving, Universal City Walk

So, this past Sunday, my sis Cheri arranged for a group of the family to take me to a surprise location for my bday. Well, it turned out to be the Broadway Smash, Wicked (or so I thought)! When we got to the historic Pantages theater, we were greeted by a line of people. Little did I know that we did not have tickets yet and that we were going to put our name into a “lottery” for $25 tickets. Did I mention that there were 7 of us and the only single tickets left on sale were the $202 & $250 tickets! Hahaha…so yea…we put our names into the lottery and waited. No one from our group was called so we ended up heading over to the Universal City Walk for dinner!













We ended up eating at Camachos (since Mexican is my fave food). Nothing like a typical family dinner that involves craziness right? Hahaha…then we ventured over to the I-Fly area. I-Fly is a simulated Sky Diving machine. And since they were offering half off their rates, Cheri, Silke, and me decided that we were going to do it! Oh yea…my first step to potentially sky diving (and for those who know me well, this is a HUGE first step since I hate flying).














The flying ended up being awesome! You really had to work on relaxing, arching your back, bending/straightening your legs, and keeping your head up. Hahaha. I was not the best at this (Cheri rocked and Silke was pretty impressive too), but at least I tried!! Thank you to everyone who came and paid for the event!! It was a night I won’t forgot 🙂

Wow…My Bday Trip Fun err Annoyance

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday, Chicago, Friends, New Jersey, NYC

So who knew that almost a week ago I was flying high on life…ready for NYC…ready for a few things and one week later I would be sleeping in the Chicago Midway Airport, praying to get home today. Wow…how did it lead up to here? Hahahaha…well let’s examine…

So Sat came…off to Philly! When I landed, Kris and Danny picked me up and took me to Pat’s for some REAL Philly Cheesesteaks in Philly! It was my first time in Philly too…which made it that much better…needless to say my sandwich rocked! NO CHEEZ WIZ EITHER! hahaha….and another side note to Philly was that I finally got to see the real Liberty Bell (since us socal kids grow up with Independence Hall at Knott’s).

Sunday came, and it was off the NYC for some ice skating fun in Central Park (one of my fave things to do period). Unfortunately Danny, Merissa, and Michael could not make it, but Jessie and Kelly joined. Good times.







Monday was my day to veg in the countryside of Jersey. Kristen & Danny….love the house!!!!! It was a beautiful day out there. And I always love spending time with my doggie nephew, Auggie Doggie!! Such a cutie. Kris, if there is one thing you can count on it is me visiting NYC JUST for auggie!!!! And thanks guys for my bday cake!!





Tuesday I headed into the city and decided that I would do a whirl wind 10 min site seeing trip. From Union Square to Wall Street to the World Trade Center Site to Grey Dog’s in the West Village to Rockafeller Center to Times Square and home. A couple of side notes…one, IT SNOWED AT LUNCH AT GREY DOG’S! Me and Jessie were shocked! And even though my night did not go as plan, thanks to Merissa, Andy, and Michael for hanging!!













Wed, well it was my 32 bday! :)! I woke up to many texts and posts on FB (thanks y’all) and ended grabbing lunch with KT (thanks for that too). After lunch I kinda wandered over to the Empire State Building and then back through Times Square. So beautiful. For dinner, Jessie and Allie met me at Son Cubano for some yummo Cuban Tapas. Did I mention that Jessie got my some Magnolia Cupcakes? YUMMO! Then me and Jessie headed uptown to meet some friends…and even though (yet again) my night did not end up the way I thought, it was a ton of fun (thanks Merissa, Jessie, and Michael).





And then came Thursday…A day right night I wish I could do over again. I knew I should not have left NYC (due to the weather coming into the midwest), but did not have a good enough reason to stay. So I flew out to Chicago Midway, hoping that my Omaha flight was still a go…WELL NOPE. I was put on standby on an Oakland bound plane (since everything out west is booked for 2 days and my Omaha flight gets into omaha at 9p tonight). Then it was off to the cots for some ZZZZZZ…or at least tons of lights, ongoing announcements, and ARG.

Now, well, I am sitting at my gate wondering if this flight is gonna be cancelled and if I am gonna make it out of Chicago this weekend…Happy Bday to me!

Ceviche’s Day at Dland

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday, Disneyland, Fun, Savannah

You know, I am OFFICIALLY a Disney freak (my obession is crazy), but I definitely learned about the little things this past weekend with my niece! Savannah, aka Ceviche, turned 5 two weeks ago and my gift to her was a trip to Dland (and only Dland). Ceviche has a tendency to not like anything in the dark (rides, lines, etc) or boats (even Small world) so you would think that the day would be limited…right? WRONG!!



When we got to the park, I decided to buy Ceviche an Princess Autograph book for signatures. We headed into the park, straight to Fantasyland! Ceviche loves the Merry-Go-Round. It was a start to an amazing day :). From there we walked to the Autopia, passing by the HUGE Nemo line/ride. Ironcially, at first Ceviche was like “NO”, then changed her mind later…so there is hope! We fastpassed Autopia and headed to meet Ariel! And to be honest, I felt like we were special and Ariel talked to my niece for 5 minutes!! And yes, there was still a long line behind us…and in front of us no one talked that long…so I was happy for my niece!










After the meet and greet we jumped on the teacups. Wow, Ceviche loves that ride!! Actually, Ceviche just likes being in control!! Hahaha! Anyways, from there we headed to Toontown. We went to Mickey’s house and standed in line for 1 hour!! Oh yea, a really long line! Patience is not a virtue when it comes to kids…it is REALITY with kids! Wow, the things you learn! Haha. Anyways, we got the photo with Mickey and headed to Goofy’s house. And of course my dream guy never ceases to amaze me! :)! And of course Ceviche played in the playground behind Goofy’s house!! 🙂
















From their we headed back to Autopia, where Ceviche was a driver (and on the ride) for the first time! So classic! Haha! After that we grabbed food and staked our spot on the parade line. And not a bad spot, if you ask me! To see my nieces’ face when character’s smiled, waved, and talked (oh yes…classic) to my niece. Probably the best part of the day for me! It was priceless!









After the parade we headed back to the Merry-Go-Round and got sidetracked to Dumbo! And Ceviche wanted to ride it!! That has NEVER happened!! So we rode Dumbo! I was so proud of her! She actually controlled the “up & down” motions too!! After that we headed to the Merry-Go-Round for one last spin…







Then it was home for us…a long day (oh yes I was tired) but so worth it and amazing!! 🙂

Ceviche’s Bday

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday, Ceviche, Jasmine, Johannah, Savannah

Ok, so Ceviche (aka Savannha, my niece) turned 5 this past weekend. I really can not believe how old she has gotten (and her sis, Jo, who is turning 10 next month)! I love all 3 of my nieces & nephew…but am really proud of my niece Ceviche for starting to come out of her shell! She seriously has the ultimate middle child syndrome…but is now coming out of it! YEA! And of course, my bday present to her is a trip to Disneyland!! WOOHOO! And just for the record I am taking my other niece, Jo, for her bday next month :)!

Anyways, here are a couple of pics from last Sat.




And I forgot to mention how awesome it was to see my brother’s family too with their to children!! Their youngest…Jasmine….must me the most outgoing baby I have ever seen!



My 30th bday…

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday

So the day has come and past…I am officially 30 years old. Just saying it gives me the chills! Haha! But I must say, that between Glen Ivy & the Super Sexy Xmas Spectacular, I had an amazing day. First off, I was lucky enough to spend most of my day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona with my sisters (Lori, Cheri, & Lora), my mom, my friend Jamie, & my friend April. And let me tell you, if you need a day away from everything….GO! From the mud bath, to the saline pool, to the mineral bath, to the Grotto, etc…and just indulge yourself!!! The food rocked there too (an added side note).

That night we went to the Super Sexy Christmas Spectacular at the El Cid dinner theater in the Silver Lake District. Basically, we went to a ultra hot burlesque show that my sisters friend, Ashley, performed in. And can we say it rocked! So much fun! And to my suprise, my sis and her friend suprised me with a on stage appearance. At the end of their performance I was grabbed to go on stage for my birthday…talk about a cool thing for my 30th bday!

This was definitely a day I needed after my panic attacks throughout the past week. Who knows what this decade will hold for me. But one thing I do know is I have family and friends who will always be there for me…and I am grateful for this!

Here are some of the pictures from yesterday….


























Turning 30

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday

So the song “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to” just keeps going through my head right now. With less than 24 hours until my 30th birthday…I AM STARTING TO FREAK OUT! Holy freaking cannoli!! One would wonder where the time went? What does this next decade hold? Yea, SCARY!

It’s coming!

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday, Family

So one week until I start a new decade of my life….LITERALLY! And as I approach this oh so (not) wonderful time in my life, I have had MANY emotions. From the “OH MY GOD I AM REALLY TURNING THIRTY” to the wow, cool mood…my mind just keeps spinning about the possiblities of the future and what my past could have been. What is great is that my last week as a 20-year old will be mainly spent in Omaha, Nebraska, with a lot of my friends. Should be interesting!

On to my next subject….my nieces and nephew! So much fun with them yesterday! Gotta love MAC’s! Here are some adorable and CRAZY pics from the fun yesterday….














My suprise "Pre" Birthday!!

Posted on by vballphil in Birthday


So this past weekend, my sister Cheri arranged a bday dinner/show for me with my mom, stepmom, & sisters (minus Lori). And as much grief as I gave my sister, I still was suprised!!! All I was told was to dress up…hahaha…so I did that! The evening started off in Boyle Heights (just east of downtown LA in East LA) at La Serenata de Garibaldi for some amazingly authentic mexican food. Great selection of food (good job Cheri). Cheri, Kara, Sarah, Rosa, my mom, and me enjoyed some awesome Cal-Mex cusine.

From there we ventured down the rode into Downtown LA to the Ahmundson Theater
(which I had never been too until Sat night). “The Light in the Piazza” was the Broadway show that my sister got tickets for us to see! And the cool thing was my older sis (and I might add completely HOT sister) got to ditch her kids and come enjoy with us at the theater!

The show is a love story based on a trip to Italia…I think everyone has those summer vacation fantasies so you could relate to this show! And the acting was amazing. So much fun!

And one finally point…I was blessed this weekend (thank you Sarah) with a home for my precious terrier, Sandy. Talk about an answer to prayer. I will forever miss my “Sandra D”, but I had to do…so all I can do is pray that she will be forever happy.

Here are some of the photos: