Juan's Beach Volleyball Birthday Extravaganza

Family and friends recently joined us to celebrate my husband Juan's birthday with an awesome beach volleyball tournament.

8 teams of 3 played numerous games. There was food - TONS of it --
plenty of shade for the spectators, perfect weather and good times were had by all.

The winning team took home some cool iTunes music certificates!


getting ready for the festivities!


brackets! how organized!


our version of professional line markers....caution tape :)


GAME ON!!!


there were plenty of corn hole games played!


the adorable and very-photographed Sebastian


the gorgeous and recently blogged-about Emilia


prize for the winning team


and the winners!


pictured from top to bottom are Boomer, Flex and another dog who stopped by the party!

Emilia's 1yr Birthday Party!

Here we have Emilia, the beautiful birthday girl, daughter of our friends Denise and Marcus. While Emilia and her friends enjoyed some awesome pool time, the adults chatted and enjoyed some awesome cupcakes.

Emilia, 1 year old


gifts for the birthday girl!


Emilia's friend Maisie



Emilia's friend Kate, with mom and dad Jennifer & Dustin



Emilia's friend Kyrie



Mr. Rubber Ducky



birthday cake!



yummy cupcake!



Emilia's friend Alara with dad, Tulu



Emilia's friend Ian

CarlotanRock 2008

I love telling people that my husband Juan is a graphic designer by day, and rock star by night.

Five years ago, Juan, along with his brother Herman and good friend Tony, the dynamic trio launched Carlotan Rock Productions, a company whose goal is to bring awesome live Latin music to Charlotte - and so, for the past 5 years, they have done just that through numerous concerts, including the annual Carlotan Rock Festival.

The event was a COMPLETE success, with a jammed-pack audience dancing and listening to 6 talented regional Latin Rock bands!!!



Juan designed the CarlotanRock 2008 logo, and matching t-shirts and posters are available for $15 and $10 respectively.

The 5th Annual Carlotan Rock Festival took place this past Friday, August 1st at Skandalo's and the event featured 6 local bands, including Juan's band, Eva Fina.

One of the evening's highlights was having NPR's (National Public Radio) Felix Contreras drive down from DC to document Carlotan Rock for a segment on All Things Considered - a NATIONALLY BROADCAST show. Once I have that date, I will blog all about it :)

Can you say "WOW"??!!!!!!!!!!


from left to right - Tony (Eva Fina), Razpa guitar player, Felix Contreras and my husband Juan Marin (Eva Fina)


the evening's schedule


Juan (Eva Fina) getting ready - they were the first act of the night


Eva Fina shoes. Notice Juan's golden shoes - I blogged about them a few days ago :)



from Charlotte - Eva Fina


my rock-star husband Juan


pictured here is Sin Recursos' bass player. The way he moved and jammed, you would have never believed he had fallen ill and had been hospitalized just 2 days prior to the event! Amazing, amazing guy!


from Charlotte - Dorian Gris


from Chapel Hill - Razpa


from Winston-Salem - Baco



and last, but not least, the always entertaining and always wardrobe-changing crazy Ska/Rock band from Charlotte - Bakalao Stars

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the ever-growing Latin Rock movement in the Carolinas.

Please keep attending Carlotan Rock's shows, tell your friends and let's all together help grow this awesome musical movement!