We Got Engaged!

"It all started with me suggesting that we take the 18th and 19th off work for a couple days before Christmas to relax and hang out together. I also suggested that we take a trip up to the Cottonwood/Jerome area to visit our favorite vineyard - Alcantara. Pablo got the ring on Sunday and had to keep it a secret all week. The plan was to go to the Haunted Hamburger for lunch and then go to the vineyard. When we arrived at Alcantara, the owner - Barbara had already discussed with Pablo a special plan of how to surprise me. After excusing myself to the restroom, I was occupied by Barbara showing her new sales items. Little did I know that there were "things" going on in the next room. Katherina was wrapping the ring box with ribbon and Pablo was giving Barbara's husband, Bob his camera to video the entire event. We had asked for our wine tastings and were on our first round when I came back into the room. Then Barbara mentioned that the vineyard had a special gift for returning guests to the winery. We should go and find it on the tree and get our picture taken. I was still oblivious to the fact that anything was happening. Pablo picked up the ring box that Katherina (Alcantara Tasting and Event manager) had wrapped in ribbon. He made a speech (see below on the video), was down on one knee and asked the question "will you marry me?" I shook my head yes and squeaked out "YES!" By the time it was all over the whole room was in tears. Everything had gone off without a hitch." - Sara The proposal (since you can't hear what I am saying): "Sara, we have been together for a while now. You are my best friend, my partner in crime. Sara Bailey, love of my life, will you marry me?"-Pablo "Nuh uh"- Sara throughout the proposal in shock. The following is a picture of us with Barbara and Bob Predmore and Katharina MacDonald from Alcantara Vineyards who helped make this moment so special. Pictures of the Ring:

Sara's 31st Bday dinner

For Sara's Birthday dinner, I grilled some Ribeyes, boiled some crab legs, and we ate dinner on the back patio.

Click here for some pictures

Also below is a video with Sara thanking her mom for the floral centerpiece.

Thanksgiving in Michigan

Thanksgiving in Michigan has come and gone. To summarize:

- We relaxed and read a lot. Watched a lot of movies as well.
- We ate a lot including, homemade spaghetti, lasagna, deep dish Chicago style pizza and steaks.
- We got snowed in Sunday and Monday, where we saw deers playing 100 feet from the house.
- Sara and Pablo rocked the Black Friday sales even being thousands of miles from home.
- Thanksgiving we stuffed ourselves with smoked turkey and oven turkey.
- Went to the Henry Ford Museum.
- Kathy introduced us to the Sing Star Game on PS2. Below is the link to Sara and Joe singing "Step By Step":



To see pictures of Michigan click here.

To see pictures from the Henry Ford Museum click here.

A good friend of mine Steve Welker has information about a great organization. So anyone in AZ who still needs to donate to a charitable organization and to receive the AZ Tax Credit, read below...

Pablo

November 18, 2008

Dear family and friends,

It’s a fact — asking people for money is not easy. In this market, it might even seem downright foolish. But what if we told you that giving to the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI) could actually save you money, or better yet, make you money? That’s not foolish at all and it’s an easy decision to make.

Your turn to benefit.
Did you know that when you support ACBVI with your financial contribution, the Arizona Department of Revenue rewards your support with a tax credit? It’s true. The Credit for Contributions to Charities that Provide Assistance to the Working Poor, better known as the Charitable Organization Tax Credit, allows you to take a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your state return AND a deduction on your Federal return since ACBVI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

This year, you can take a credit up to $200 if you file as single or head of household, and up to $400 if you’re married and filing jointly.

You can take advantage of this credit if you: file a return in Arizona, itemize your charitable deductions and have deducted charitable contributions at least once since 1996. We encourage you to consult your accountant for details on how this tax credit, and giving to ACBVI, can positively affect your tax return.

In the meantime, if you are moved to donate to ACBVI, please make use of the donation form below. We appreciate your support beyond measure and encourage you to take full advantage of the Charitable Organization Tax Credit.

Sincerely,

Steve Welker
Chairman
ACVBI Board of Directors

To donate click here

Winobago Dos Cabezas Vineyard Wine Tour

We went down to Tucson and my dad, my aunt and uncle....I mean my friends Gerry, Eddie, and Susie along with Muscle Eric and his girlfriend Wendy and I went on the Arizona Grape Escape "Winobago" Bus Tour. We visited Dos Cabezas Vineyard, Canelos, Kief-Joshua Vineyards. All were in Sonoita, AZ.

Click here to see the slideshow.

Hollywood Halloween

Sara and I got on a plane for LAX that landed in LA at 3:30 pm. Melissa picked us up and we were off to Jack's (Jacqueline) house. We then went to West Hollywood for the Block Party where we saw interesting costumes (remember it is West Hollywood). We tried to leave at 9:30 to go to the Sushi Murder Mystery Dinner Club Theater, but traffic was horrible and we moved 2 miles in three hours. We saw the Police in Riot Gear drive by us. So we finally decided at 11 pm after starving and Jacqueline about to pass out from hunger, to go to a Denny's on Hollywood and Vine.







Some people have asked what a Femme Bot is. Here is a picture from the movie Austin Powers.






Here are some pics from the night:

And this was Gods Gift To Women...now there are two.




Sara said this one is for Jen Kreinert from her 90210 days...Donna Martin Graduates.




There were 8 Running Tacos just running down the street.




The Girls with the Smurfs




Sara and Todd Palin costume display...





Jacqueline and Pablo and a man in a colorful costume (Remember it is West Hollywood)





Sara and a Gargoyle




Dr. Evil and the Grinch.



Sara with HellBoy from the movie.




Sara was a Femme Bot, Melissa was Betty Boop, and Jacqueline was Devil with a Blue Dress On.




Dressed up as Dr. Evil and Femme Bot. The other picture is Jacqueline's Dog Spike posing as Mr. Bigglesworth.

Disneyland!

We got our Disney on this past weekend. Here are some pics with our friends Melissa and her daughter Jenna.






Check out Melissa and Sara pretending to be asleep on Space Mountain!























We got there at 1 pm and left at 1 am. In 12 hours we accomplished the following:
-Indiana Jones Ride
-The Haunted Mansion
-Pirates of the Carribean (twice)
-Thunder Mountain (twice)
-Space Mountain (One where Sara and Melissa pretended to be asleep for the picture...picture to be added soon)
-Splash Mountain (twice and once with the tongues sticking out Gene Simmons faces)
-Tea Cups
-50 Years of Disney
-Fireworks
-Gumbo and Clam Chowder in Breadbowl for dinner
-Churros, Cotton, Candy and refreshments
-Jungle Cruise
-Tarzan Tree House
-Toon Town where Pablo broke his sun glasses filming a video spot where he pretended to electrecute himself.
-Buzz Light Year Toy Story 2 Ride
-Star Tours
-Mr. Toad Ride (Melissa and Jenna)
-Mattahorn (sp?) (Sara and Pablo)
-The Sword in the Stone
-Sara purchasing her first Mickey Mouse ears and old school Mickey Mouse shirt!

Halloween AZ 2008: Vol. 1

Here are pics from our two parties on Saturday. We went as Dr. Evil and a Femme Bot.

Next Vol. 2: California parties and Disneyland!

Sara's Mom Jackie's Visit

Sara's mom Jackie came to visit and we took her down to Tucson to meet Pablo's family for margaritas and dinner at family's favorite restaurant Molinito's.