From Arid Desert to Alpine Oasis in 10 minutes!

On Tuesday morning, I joined one of my client groups for their annual "offsite." They selected an interesting locale for the first day of their offsite. Just East of Palm Springs, there is a tram ride that I had heard of, but never taken. I never really saw the point of taking a tram ride through the desert, and I am terriby afraid of heights and detest small crowded spaces. But since this was for work, and I really like this particular group of clients, I sucked it up and hopped into the crowded tram car and rode up the rocky hill.

I was immediately struck by how quickly this thing moves. It hauls a$% up the hill while simultaneously spinning around and around to ensure that everyone has a 360 degree view. Needless to say, it took me several minutes to get my bearings so that I could finally relax enough to shoot a picture or two.



My next surprise was how quickly we arrived at our destination. The base of the ride is over 2,000 feet elevation and we arrived at our destination, which is at about 8,600 feet elevation, in exactly 10 minutes!


We exited the tram and arrived at what, to my surprise, looks like an alpine forest, San Jacinto State Park.

Our meetings were pretty interesting, but I won't bore you with the details. My team did win the "Legoman" team building challenge, and my favorite comment was from the senior manager at the offsite who turned to us and said, "Why do you think you were so successful? I have to say, I was watching you the entire time and was convinced your group was going to finish dead last, because you seemed so disorganized." Well, at least we have the faith of our senior management. . .

When we arrived back at the base of the hill, which apparently is more of a mountain, we spotted these little guys sporting their Halloween masks a little early.

All in all, the offsite was a wonderful experience, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go.

I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids. . .

Friday night was the kid-friendly Halloween party for my in-laws. Although Hubby had to work, I took the kiddies out for a good time. Mini-Glam was a fairy, and I was just dreadfully exhausted mommy after a busy day of work and two hours of traffic.

Mini-Glam's tia and prima were a dog and cat, respectively.

These are my votes for cutest couple costume.

And cutest group costume.

We left before things got really going. Even the children in my Hubby's family know how to have a good time and party quite late. I had to leave because my little Anakin was verrrrry sleepy.

Ninos' Niño

*******Baby News Flash*******

El Rey's Ninos have had their baby boy, El Niño. He was born last night at 10:06 p.m. via emergency c-section. Mommy is doing very well and may be released from the hospital on Monday. El Niño will be in the NICU for a while, but he is breathing on his own and seems to be doing pretty darn well for a 4 lb 11 oz preemie. All prayers and well wishes for the newest member of the family are much appreciated!

Something in the Water. . .

Today I attended one of many baby showers that I will be invited to this season. It seems like almost all of my friends have either just had a baby or are about to have a baby.

This was the first bay shower for El Rey's lovely Godmother, "Nina." El Rey has the best Godparents ("Ninos") in the world and I am so thrilled that they are finally going to have a child of their own with whom to share their boundless generosity and love.

Mini-Glam decided to dress comfy for the occasion in a super-soft cotton Ralph Lauren dress that she received as a baptism gift:

The shower was hosted at a lovely home in Pasadena. I had been there before, because this was where Nina had her bridal shower when she married Nino.

This is a very warm and elegant home, so the bridal shower was warm and elegant as well. I was welcomed by the hostess and invited to sign the guest book.

The hot cocoa packets and "HERESHEIS" candy bars made adorable party favors.

I regreted eating beforehand, because the spread looked quite tasty.

Nina looked radiant!

The only things missing were games. I am sure that Nina must have requested to have a game-free shower, like so many women do nowadays, but I am old skool--I likes me some party favors.

At my last baby shower, I was the only person to win two! One for baby bingo and one for guessing the size of my sister-in-law's, sister-in-law's (no that is not a typo) baby bump.

Lucky for me, my in-laws are big on games and party favors. The competition at our family parties is fierce--no exaggeration. Here are the ladies playing a not-so-friendly game of musical chairs on Mother's Day. That's my husband's 80-something year old grandmother (and mother of 12) in the back. I failed to snap the picture on time, but my mother took out hubby's most competitive tia for a controversial win.

And here are the tias losing to the little boys at tug-o-war.

Alas! I guess cut-throat games are not for everyone. . . Boo!

Nevertheless, it was a very nice shower and I can't wait until the second installment on Saturday. But I have no idea what Nina is going to do with all her gifts. . .