Friday, March 15, 2013

Texas Happenings

Hello all!  It's been a busy few months here in Houston, Texas!  It's hard to believe our stay here is already over half-way finished.  Looks like we will be headed back to SoCal again in early May when I will come out of retirement and join the work force once again :)
 
In the meantime, let me update you on what we've been doing with our time.  Back in mid-February, Jon and Mike ran a FULL, yes, FULL marathon (26.2 miles) in hilly Austin, Texas.  I'm happy to report that there were no injuries and both men finished in good time.  While we were there we were able to meet up with one of my friends from high school  (Jenny Dolsen) and her boyfriend who live in the area.  Austin proved to be a great city with a nice mixture of outdoor natural areas incorporated with a great downtown full of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife.  We all really LOVED Austin and hope to visit again there soon. 
 
Jon and Mike posing in tutus at the expo the day before the marathon. 
 
The men watching sports and relaxing at the hotel before their big race the next day.
Running strong.
 
The supportive wives that we are made motivational signs for our men.
 
Yay, it's over!
 
Sarah and Jon after the race. Note the cool medal the boys received.
 
Enjoying the Austin nightlife with a friendly game of beer pong.
 
 
Jenny and me
One of Mike's co-workers was involved in the annual rodeo BBQ cookoff and gave all of us tickets to spend the evening eating and drinking at their tent for FREE!! The food was amazing and it was really fun walking around the grounds to see all of the competition's tents and smell the tantalizing scent of smoked BBQ everywhere.
 
 
 
 
This is one of the tents behind us at the BBQ cookoff.



Mmm...mmm...good.



Ribs!

 
Jon celebrated his 26th birthday with a visit to a really nice golf driving range called "Top Golf". The four of us took turns swinging the clubs and trying to hit designated targets.  Eventually Sarah and I left the boys to compete while we enjoyed the attached lounge/ bar in the sunshine.  We ended the day out with a few of Sarah's fellow classmates at a nearby pub.


Look at that form. (Sarah)



The birthday boy with his golf themed brownie cake made by Sarah and me.



The end of February and beginning of March brought out a few visitors.  Our friends, Alex and Michelle, came to visit from Chicago for a long weekend.  We enjoyed a little line dancing and 2-stepping, the rodeo, a Zac Brown concert, and some time relaxing in the sun while they were here.

Yee-haw! At the rodeo.


Trying to follow while doing the 2-step at a country western bar.


Alex and me


 


Walking around looking at all the vendors at the Rodeo.





Finally got to see a long horn up close!





Before the Zac Brown concert (Jon, Sarah, Michelle, Mike)
 
 
Enjoying the hot tub at Jon's parent's house.
 
Group shot at the stadium before the rodeo and Bradley Gilbert concert.

This weekend we are headed to San Antonio to enjoy a festive St. Patty's day at the infamous Riverwalk area.  Tulsa and Dallas are also in the works in the next few weeks.  We're looking forward to a little more traveling before our time here comes to a close. 




 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Feliz Cumpleanos A Mi!

I recently celebrated my 31st birthday.  My mom insisted that we have an early birthday dinner together while I was in Fort Wayne.  She always makes my siblings and me a meal of our choice with a birthday dessert on our birthdays (when we are in town).  This year I wanted some down home, mid-west comfort food so my mom made a pot roast, a cheesy hashbrown casserole, broccoli, salad, rolls (my younger sister, Juli, actually made these and they were the BOMB), and a red velvet birthday cake with cookies and cream ice cream.  I'm spoiled :)
 

 
My birthday feast with Rachael and Juli (hiding in the background)

My mom blowing in a party favor.

The "Celebrate" plate my mom has had FOREVER and uses for any special occasion.
 I flew back to Houston on Saturday morning and got to spend the evening celebrating my birthday with my hubby and friends.  We started the night off with chips and guacamole, margaritas, and playing a new game called "Imagine-Iff".  We walked to a nearby Mexican restaurant for dinner where I split steak fajitas with Mike that were absolutely perfect and then headed over to "Broadway in a Box" where we watched a musical comedy show performed by amazingly talented singers/ performers. They performed a variety of Broadway show hits with some comedic flare added in here and there.  It was a very unique show and I loved it! I wanted to do something a little different for my birthday and this was the perfect fit.  We ended the night at a neighborhood bar where Sarah and I performed our first ever karaoke (well, first ever for me, anyways).  I think I will forever cringe when I hear Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine" from now on.


Sarah and I before karaoke

Mike, Jon, and Sarah

A blurry group photo before the night came to a close.
 
I had a great birthday and felt so loved and blessed to be surrounded by people that I love.  I'm looking forward to this new year of life!

Adorable little Mae Mobley

Mae Mo says hello