The celebration continues...

Tuesday nights dinner celebration for Mauricio's 21st birthday could not have been any better. All but a handful of guests invited joined us at Ale House in Denver, located just across the street, better known as I-25, from my house. I arrived early to set up decor and around 7:15 p.m. guests began to arrive. Mauricio joined us close to 8 and was greeted with shouts of joy and a round of applause as he entered our private room we had reserved. Balloons and a custom menu with a birthday message, along with playing cards and dice, topped the tables put together in a U shape in the middle of the room. The view of the city was ever present outside the wall of windows. Our group of 30 included parents, siblings, cousins and friends. Shout out to Meredith and Marc, managers at Ale House for deliverying everything they said they would for our special day. Thank you to Keith and Katie who took care of us and all our guests. While all ate dinner, Mauricio delivered some heart felt words that left some with tears in their eyes. Dessert treats were delicious from The Shoppe, Mauricio's favorite pastry place. Shout out to Emma the HBIC, head baker in charge, who whipped up 12 peanut butter chocolate and 12 tres leches cupcakes for us. PLEASE NOTE: the slideshow begins at the end of the night and ends at the beginning. Photobucket was having some issues.

After the months planning, fine tuning and constant thinking, I am proud that it all came together effortlessly. Not only did all gather for Mauricio's birthday, they were surprised when Jr asked his girlfriend those four words every lady wants to hear: "Will you marry me?" All were left speechless when he got up after Mauricio's speech and said a few words to the lovely Stephanie. Nobody had a clue that was going to happen except me and my brothers. We had purchased the ring a few months ago and I have had it hidden at home and have kept this secret from all, mothers included. This definately brought out the water works in all even Steph's dad. Shout out to Laura and Lindy at the Shane Co. for assisting my bro with this lifechanging purchase. So after all this, the only thing left for us to do is board that plan to VEGAS! We take off today at 2:55 p.m. Mentally I am already there. Let the adventures of Sin City begin. Not only are we celebrating a 21st bday, we will be toasting to the newly engaged couple, Baltazar and Stephanie. Vegas, we're comin!

The Day Has Come: 11.15.11

"Happy 21st birthday Mauricio!!" will be echoed numerous times in just a handful of hours. As the clock strikes midnight my little bro, the baby of the Rocha trio, will be 21 years old. This day has been imagined many ways and times since I was old enough to know what it really meant to turn "21". Being almost eight years older than Maudi and only 1.5 younger than our older brother, Jr. I can recall the short wait it was when Jr. was 23 and I was awaiting my 21st. The wait we all have had for Mauricio's big 21 will soon be over or already is if you're barely reading this TABO, and it's past midnight... FELIZ 21!! I LOVE YOU!


It all goes down 11.15.11, the celebration of a new era. After all tedious details of choosing a guest list, sending invites, making reservations, choosing dessert treats, and finding decor/recuerdos, family and friends will come together and celebrate in Mauricio's honor. I am thrilled for the gathering and excited to see it all come together. The late night thoughts and occasional dreams about 11.15.11 will be a highly anticipated dream come true.


After our celebration tomorrow night, we will be off to celebrate in Las Vegas! Not only will we maybe.... probably.... ok most definitely stop by a local club after dinner with those who choose to join us, the adventures of Sin City are screaming for us to arrive. Three days til Vegas, just some hours til his birthday. I am so proud of who you are, what you teach me, the laughs you bring everyone in your presence, all you have done and still have to accomplish. Happy 21st Birthday brother, the day has come.

Halloween 2011

Halloween has come and gone. This year is winding down. Last Friday night my bros and La Steph (brothers gf) hung out with plans to go to a concert, which surprisingly was SOLD OUT. Our plan B was to head to Spill for happy hour before everyone and their mother made it down in costume for Halloween Weekend. As we sat in Spill and had some drinks we discussed our plans for our upcoming Vegas trip. 13 days to go!! Saturday I went to pole class in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day shopping for accessories for the massive Halloween party Tracks was having. I was told to be a werewolf and knight, but when I arrived to the club, I was not scheduled to be a werewolf. :( I am glad I had a handful of knight accessories from years past that I had yet to wear. I was also glad there were two airbrush artists on hand to paint me up as a knight. Shout out to Brent from Body Graffix who hooked up all the dancers and many club goers. That damn paint took me a good two days to get off, but it was worth it. I got tons of compliments on it.


Sunday after D.M.A.O. at the Halloween bash at Tracks, I rested and invited the family over to carve pumpkins, bake cookies and watch some of our favorite Halloween flicks. Of course they dressed in costume. I was very impressed with my sister's pumpkin carving skills. After debating on which design she wanted, she chose a witch. As you can see in the picture, she did a pretty good job. She also took over decorating the cookies we made with orange, green, and black frosting. Such a little diva.


As we carved pumpkins we also watched Beetlejuice and Candyman. We would have loved to watch Hocus Pocus, but redbox was out of the flick. Guess who has that movie on their Christmas list? My brother decided to be Andy Warhol and my sister, Esperanza dressed as a dark fairy. I decided to wear some orange and black stripped socks for my costume. My mother informed me my sister just loved painting her face. I can already imagine the daily make-up routine she will soon get into as she continues to grow up so fast. Speaking of growing up, my little bro will be 21 in just 11 days. The countdown has begun.