A Merry Christmas with Mom and Eddie

Eddie and I attended Christmas Eve Mass last night followed an entertaining Thai food dinner. The entertainment portion was us trying to test our abilities to tackle the chili sauces and peppers on the table. The endorphin rush was fun, and we couldn't stop laughing, because it was so hot. Upon my mom's arrival on Christmas day, we whisked her away to dim sum, where there was no wait. This could be a future holiday tradition. We opened a ton of gifts. This was my first Christmas meal I prepared since Eddie moved to SD that I'm proud of. Everything turned out great and finished cooking at the same time. Mom and I are off to a workout, massage, and shopping tomorrow. Fortunately, mom brought some food so I'm off from cooking tomorrow. Saturday, we have plans to see Wolf of Wall Street, a movie Eddie's been wanting to see for a long time.

Our Holiday Menu:

• Cheese, Summer Sausage, Red Grapes, Crackers
• Turkey Legs
• Glazed Ham
• Stuffing
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Roasted Celery, Carrots, Onions
• Jasmine Rice
• Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
• Crescent Rolls
• Egg Custard Pie

Drinks:

• De Margerie Grand Cru Brut - a gift from colleague - everyone raved about this champagne
• Martinelli's Apple Cider - my personal favorite

Mom, Eddie, and the Feast

The Story of Our Engagement

It's been really busy, but there's no excuse for not sharing the story of our engagement. Eddie planned a weekend getaway, but wouldn't disclose where we were headed. I had been suffering from bronchitis for a month so I was glad to enjoy some rest and relaxation. While Eddie pretended to get lost, he turned into the Pelican Hill Resort, a luxurious resort I had visited for a work event. I told him it was amazing, and it did not fall short of our expectations. Quiet, exclusive, and pristine, it was a world away from everything - the perfect place for a proposal.


Our first night - little did I know, this is Eddie's first time tasting mochi ice cream but also his last night as a unengaged man.

My Aunt Tina and Aunt Karen with Hercules celebrating St. Patrick's Day the with no idea what was planned. Only my Dad knew and like a gentleman, Eddie asked him in advance. Dad was overjoyed and said "yes" right away.

We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant.

We had a complimentary dessert sampler to end the meal. How grand is this? After dinner, he asked if we could take a walk. Since I was sick, I was reluctant, but somehow he convinced me to go along.

 It was dark outside and it felt like there was no one else outside except for us. We ended up here at the Rotunda. With no one else in sight, Eddie bent down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said "yes"!





We finished an entire bottle of champagne and called our loved ones. First bling shot ever.

As you can see from our balcony the next day, everything looked a little bit brighter. An unforgettable weekend and a new future together never looked better.



Holiday Kick Off

Our holiday kick off began with our company holiday party at the Estancia in La Jolla. We gave the night high marks based on good food, and a great table of friends, plus I won a drawing two years in a row  - this year a $50 gift certificate to Flemings. Score! Eddie hinted that it would be great to kick off the holiday season with a Christmas show. So taking note, I surprised him with tickets to a  local theatre production, Humbug, The Holiday Spectacular, a musical play sure to cheer up any humbuger. There's more to come with a Christmas Eve Mass and Mom arriving in SD on Christmas Day.

Two surprises came early - we received a beautiful flower arrangement from Patricia and Dougie! Thank you - they are perfect on our table! Then I had a visit from my college buddy Khanh. After a fabulous 7.5 mi run with my running coach, we headed to Phil's BBQ and couldn't resist ordering pork AND beef ribs. Another bonus of running besides the endorphin rush is that food just tastes really really good!  I was in BBQ bliss. With Eddie back from his business trip and home for a while, we're looking to hunker down for the holidays. I'm looking forward to making my turkey chili sometime this week, opening gifts, and spending time with Mom.

Before the play...a holiday humbug.



After the play...filled with holiday cheer.

We danced all night - Me, Katrina, Tiffany, Nicole, Sally, Diana (missing in action)

My friend Grace and I at our company Christmas party. Our glamour shot.

That thing in the middle is ONE beef rib. Holy cow!

Can you believe we ate most of this? Check out the onion rings on the right. HUGE!

At Sushi, so glad my Eddie could meet my college buddy.

Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece from Patricia and Dougie! What a nice surprise.

Gifts are looking pretty under the tree...I spy a Tiffany's bag...

An East Coast Thanksgiving

On our many drives, on our way to work, on our way from work, to Eddie's parents, back to Monica's and Jason's, Eddie would remark, "Could you have ever predicted that you would be here on Staten Island with your fiancé?" Nope, not a million years. It was a fast and furious trip as usual, filled with lots of food and laughter of course. Although, it's difficult not to be cracking jokes with Eddie (and that would be x 2 when we're in NY). It was a whirlwind, but such a memorable trip complete with a home cooked meal prepared by Monica and Jason, to a delicious Thanksgiving feast where everyone contributed. Eddie and I basically contributed to the eating part. I guess that's the good thing about visiting from of town. While we had planned on visiting the city on our last day, the cold weather motivated us to watch a movie instead. I always knew Eddie loved me, but on this trip, I must say he proved it again when he agreed to run outside in 25 degree weather. It was rough. Well, this west coast gal learned something on this trip! Go the gym instead on days like this.

We always seem to begin our NY trip at the same place, a bagel shop.

The size of this bagel is unbelievable.



Celebrating at his 75th birthday party, Dad is engaging the crowd with a story.

"And then the cop saw the photo of the bunny, and decided I was harmless...." You had to be there.

A lovely trio.

The Harr Family - Monica, Snoopy, Jason

Italian subs, caprese salad, mixed salad, pasta salad, mac and cheese, meatballs with Dougie first in line.

 

The Original Mauriellos

Wow, thanks for the Devil's Food cake! What's everyone else having?



Dougie providing his expert advice on turkey carving. Eddie pretending to listen.

Cousin Ava, Dougie, Patrica.

Who knew he was so handy around the kitchen?

 

Sisters Michelle and Monica looking festive for the holidays.

Dad, Aunt Carol, Mom

Somehow Eddie scored first class tickets user saver award miles. I'm still not sure how he was able to do this.

Since we're on an international airplane, this flight had pods as seats that allow you to lie down while you sleep.

 

Two big televisions - Eddie was in absolute bliss.

We returned to a beautiful San Diego sunset and the side of Eddie's face.