Muah ha ha ha ha

Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox post season 2008...dun dun dun. :)

Top Twelve Reasons to Party at Club 2718

1. Mike carrying Daphne upstairs like a newborn baby.
2. Jan announcing that Lauro/Eepa was coming to the party just because he was hungry.
3. Sandra jacking up Jaksgrind.
4. Eddie C./Spagone leaving the party 50 times.
5. Sharla asking Poopie what she was planning to wear to the party and Poopie answering, "probably my cubs shirt."
6. Al A. adding an athletic touch to all the parties even when it isn't necessary...or appropriate.
7. Mike's two cop friends blocking the most important elements of the kitchen-- the refrigerator and the garbage can... for hours.
8. Liza announcing her booty call...and Sam calling her out about Angel Sotomeyer.
9. Caesar spilling his whole drink while doing the percolator.
10. The Mexican neighbors hitting a pinata at 1am.
11. Lauro/Eepa leaving the party only to be found doing shots with Zack in the kitchen 15 minutes later.
12. Jan cracking under the interrogation of Inspector Clouseau...you know who you are!!

By Jamice and Sharla Marla

Feel free to add on!!

Mike's House Party...

Good times! Here is the link to the party pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandralopera/sets/72157607589445600/

In Memoriam 1927-2008

Good Thinkin' Al!

Although I'm sure people miss Adam (I'll get back to you on that one) it'd be a great injustice to include Al C. on a list filled with so many hooligans and scoundrels. He deserves to have his own post. It's not that we don't understand what Al C. brings to the table, it's that we cannot even begin to grasp it. His signature smirk at all things absurd and obnoxious is a reminder that this family is indeed "funny." Although we would have loved to see him at Mikey's housewarming party we shouldn't have really expected him to be there. So the fault lies within each of us. Do you really think those signature dance moves aren't the result of hours of practice? Stop kidding yourself.

We Are Family

OK, the Adam we know and love is not missing, just M.I.A. relative to the recent family parties. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we'd like to see him around more often. He doesn't realize that he adds a little something to every party...and he is always missed. :)

Here are some of the roles we as a family play and the elements we bring to each party.

The "We Are Family" List
Al A. - Provides the sports element (even when it's not appropriate but the kids love it.) Also occasionally throws in the unnecessary Laura gropes/winks that no one wants to see.
Laura - Provides the curly pony tail and the killer disco dance moves that begin with her elbows and end with the big hand claps. I also must mention the pasta salad. (It's only Italian dressing people!) lol
Alexis - I like to think I provide some of the humor, pointing out every one's debacles.
Adam - Lee Lee's sports man. He's the football/softball/video game king who requires $250,000 for an appearance.
Jan - Provides the jello (graham crusted or not) and the tortellini pasta salad. Yum. She's also great for a line dance and a funny story about the ChiPubLib.
Sharla - Provides the glamour. Always the bell of the ball in the highest of heels. Also makes great potato salad.
Mikey - The new provider of a killer party house. Although, we couldn't figure out where to put the tv. I've been thinking about it all weekend!
Barb - Is the queen of the Cha Cha Slide, Eli's cheesecakes and funky shoes that Jan secretly wants to steal.
Marty - Is the world traveler and the innovative dresser. His unique tees, colorful kicks and metro glasses always have us wondering what's so awesome about him. It's something, we just can't quite put our finger on it.
Sandra - Diva of crab dip. She's also great on the dance floor, with or without Chico.
Sam - Provides the house/yard/city block with killer beats. Uh oh, work it...and the beat goes on.
Jaime - Makes every woman in the family feel "special."
Zack - Gives everyone hope that the CTA is still alive and well. (He's usually has cool shirts and shoes too).
Ruthy - Makes Alexis feel like she has to go on a diet.
Andrew, Jacob, Sophia, Mateo & Ariel - These 5 are great for a laugh and give great hugs.
Grandpa Paul - The patriarch of the family who adds the "Oooh is this hot/good/sweet." Tells great stories about his clubbing and knows how to shake his groove thang.

Those are my initial thoughts when assessing our roles. Feel free to add any new ones or to comment on mine!

Love you all.

For Poopie

Debates.

My opinion on who won.

My Mother country.

China is home to: the funkiest funky smells you could ever imagine, tons of guys and girls ready to give "sexy" massages, ridiculously disgusting looking/smelling/tasting food, using the car horn in every possible situation, and about a billion Al's. I love it.

Thumbs Down

Is it just me or has this blog been thumbs down this week? Things better pick up after Mikey's party... And the beat goes on. lol

For Marty

For Sandra...

...and every other latina who thought this guy was cool at some point...

Mateo asked me last night who my BF is. So I asked him who his is and he said Jake and Jeff. I told him to ask me who my WF (worst friend) is and he did and I told him Harley...

I love the fact that you guys are all paying attention to the new comments. Mikey loved the name of the blog, and the story about Zambrano and Faustino's influence and of course the videos. Having a yard sale on Saturday, so everyone bring all of your old and itchy turtlenecks.

Cubbies VIP :)

Don't be jealous. My mom and I had the best time at Wrigley. I'll say no more. :)

Sing it boy!

I didn't know Mikey used to post videos of himself singing pop songs on youtube. And Janice, I can't believe you let him. What were you thinking?!

Faustino's right hand man.

It was just a year ago that Faustino was seen giving this young man wisdom on the dance floor at The Rumba. A year later, we can see this friend of his has grown in character and attitude. The power of Faustino's hips are undeniable and they are undoubtedly the cause of his friend's success. This should be a lesson to us all. If we fight temptation and follow the righteousness embodied in Faustino's salsa y o merengue steps, we will be better suited for our journey down the Right path. I would like to congratulate Faustino's friend on the no hitter. It was totally badass.

Who's foot is this?

LOL

What the f is up with this rain?

Since this rain is ruining my professional caddy career, I decided to post a picture of what I wish it looked like outside.

Sophie can dance better than Marty- Part 2

More Pics

Sophie Can Dance Better than Marty- Part 1

I have an onion trivia question. What type of apparel did Adam refuse to wear as a child and why?

The Band's Visit.

The best part of going to school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the annual Ebert Film Festival. Usually I'm not a fan of Ebert but I must admit his selection for the festival impresses me every year. The Band's Visit is probably the best movie I've seen in a while. Afterwards, they interviewed Eran Kolirin and I was equally impressed at how obvious it was that he didn't want to be there. He was funny, giving only one word answers and constantly using his arm as a shield to better see the audience.

The movie itself is about a band from Egypt who shows up to the wrong town in Israel and is forced to stay there for a few nights. If it's a slow weekend because no one wants to hang out or if that's what you and your friends do, I'd recommend getting it from Blockbuster.

More pics

Maya

So I wanted to share a little story with you guys about Maya. She decided to swallow my diamond stud earring last night at approximately 9:30 p.m. I realized it was missing when she started coughing and I freaked out and was panic stricken. As you can imagine, I had a sleepless night watching her every breath. She, on the other hand, slept very soundly and even snored a little bit. I called her vet this morning who advised me to take her in for an x-ray.

There she was, in black and white, her bones, her stomach, the earring and the back of the earring which made its way closer to her tail. The vet advised me to feed her bread, white bread, so that the bread would bond to the earring and the back of the earring so she could pASS them safely.

Maya was thrilled to be subjected to a carb only diet. She scarfed 5 pieces of white wonder bread over the next several hours. The earring and the back of the earring safely pASSed at about 5 p.m. She looked up at me as if to say, "whatdddddddddd I do?"

This experience has taught me two very important lessons. First, I must remember that she is still a puppy and I need to be much more careful about what's lying around. Second, I love her so much and I would be devastated if something serious were to happen to her.

So, with a grateful heart, I am thanking the heavens for "ASSisting" Maya.
That's all for now. :) & :P (Me & Maya)

Look at me now.

I made this a few months ago. I have finally perfected Al C.'s dance moves. By the way, this is an example of the only thing I miss about college...acting like a complete jackass after getting home from class.

Hi everyone,
This was a great idea Marty. I love the pictures, especially the one of the sisses at the very top because we pretty much still look the same :)
Hopefully I'll be able to add pictures too.
Jan aka Jane, Janicee and YeeYee

Hi Familia,

Well, I managed to get into the blog, but I have no idea how to post a picture or anything.  Hopefully I did what I should do on the blog to get this message posted.  After all, I am one of the geekers (I think that's the word the younger generation used to describe me, Brab and Jane aka Jan).   Well, hopefully someday I'll be able to post some pictures or something.  I'll have to have Alexis or Adam show me how...if they have the patience to do it.  Smell you all later!!!   

Willow Chicago

Willow Chicago has become our church home. The first two pictures are from the fall picnic by the lake on September 8, 2008 and the next two are of Alexis' baptism on August 9, 2008. We have so much fun worshiping together, everyone should come (even you Marty).

Club 6127

"Top 37 Reasons to Go to Club 6127"
1. Barb being ready to battle Juan.
2. Juan having to leave as soon as he cracked a smile.
3. Go Chico…go Chico…go Chico…
4. Liza stepping out of the garage and announcin g, “ I need an f#!*ing breeze.”
5. Alexis arriving “fashionably late” to find only 2 other guests there.
6. Alexis having really puffy hair in the garage while dancing, and then having straight shiny hair while sitting. She had to dance in shifts.
7. The college hunks.
8. Alexis taking a really cute picture with Angel (for her MySpace).
9. Cousin shots, mother and son shots, or just shots period…
10. Sam declaring, “best birthday ever, even if I go to jail…”
11. The “dance floor.”
12. No one was tazed bro.
13. Mateo eating a handful of brownies.
14. Barb saying she wanted to walk home.
15. Al C. false advertising by dancing with Barb while they dated.
16. Norma battling Alexis with her boobs...and losing.
17. Sharla having to pee 28 times.
18. Alexis scarfing Ranch Doritos for no reason.
19. Chico almost biting Angel on the dance floor.
20. Sam planning the New Year's Eve party with space heaters.
21. Vern with her club top and black leggings.
22. Zack and Mateo with matching shirts.
23. Sam's friends asking Alexis who the f#!* she is.
24. Sharla posing too sexy in the picture for grandpa.
25. Jan and Sandra thinking that you have to lick your glass to get the margarita salt to stick.
26. Jaime trying to dance despite his handicap.
27. Sandra's injury that seemed to be healed once her jams came on.
28. Mateo knocked out while the party raged on.
29. All the music is in English.
30. The DJ didn't step on the host's foot.
31. If you lose the address...just lower your car window and turn off your radio as you get within 1/2 mile.
32. The thrill of having the party raided by the police every half hour.
33. When Angel gets too close to any woman you can just sic Chico on him.
34. The tequila shot contest: Barb vs. Patty.
35. Two words...Jungle Juice.
36. Club 6127...the only place you'll hear shout outs to the Border Patrol and to Latin Bliss.
37. Whadddddddddd I do?

Good times, good times. :)

Can'tcun

Let's just say I can't wait for our next family trip. Here are some items that I wanted to add to "the list" but never got a chance to. Enjoy. :)

1. The way we all were scared to death when we got off the plan and it was cloudy and cold.
2. The way we listened to Al A. try to speak Spanish to the Best Day guy.
3. The dry pasta on the plane.
4. The guys that smelled like rum and partied it up on the plane.
5. The way Lee Lee almost got killed by Jan and Sharla’s hotel door.
6. The way Jake took Alexis and Lee Lee’s bed on the first night…and then how he unplugged our phone and stole Lee Lee’s cell phone.
7. The way the Geekers went to bed at like 9 p.m. the first night.
8. The bleachy dampness of the pillows and sheets.
9. The way Al C. and Laura were kicking ass at volleyball in the pool.
10. The fact that it’s still 1-1 (Lex, Al C. and Al A. vs. Adam, Lee Lee and Laura)
11. The way Lex was stealing bananas from the garnishes.
12. The way Jan was hating on Lex for buying the green necklace when Jan wanted the pink one.

Hola familia.

Well, the beginning of this blog is very exciting and I felt is was appropriate to show the patriarch with the rest of the clan including his mama. I cannot name a number of people in this photograph and we must fix that immediately. Well, not really. If I don't know them by now... :)

Welcome.

Hey everyone! I hope the title of the blog is appropriate. Barb and I decided it was perfectly suitable and if you have any complaints be sure to keep them to yourself or gossip about them at the next family party. With that being said, once it's up and running I'll do my best to make it look nicer and more presentable. This way you can show all your friends and maybe even make some new ones (Alexis).

Here are some vintage Marty moments. They pretty much represent who I am today: Show Stopper/Pimp/Admirer of Michael Jackson.

Sometimes we're all just the onions in Faustino's potato salad. Let's have some fun!