Fun, Fun, Fun Austin Weekend

I never thought I would be excited that some had the flu but this weekend was an exception.  Since Steve had the flu, he was not at work so we were able to leave for Austin early!  Early may be a relative term if you ask Steve since he got up early and was ready to leave by 10:30…opps!  We pulled out at noon (so early!)  On they way down we stopped at the Robertson’s.  It’s the shop in Salado that has the huge signs along I-35 advertising their beef jerky.  We were pleasantly surprised by all the fun gifts they had. 

                                                    I bought this shirt which cracked me up!

Below is a WT hat that also brought a smile to my face and reminded me of 4th of July when I couldn’t find Coors Light at the corner store.  I was shocked and was endlessly mocked by my accent. Steve and I stayed downtown near the convention center at the Hilton.  It was very nice!  Friday night we met Steve’s cousin and her husband at Manuel’s.  Before we met up with them, we went to Paradise Cafe on 6th street for a few drinks.  We also visited the “24 hour store” on 6th that we were told has everything – by multiple people AND another store.  Since we were looking for a SD memory card for my camera I was skeptical but to my EXTREME surprise they had the memory card and many other useful things like USB cords, fried chicken, screw drivers, bungee cords, and “You can go to hell, I’m going to Texas” t-shirts.  What more could you want?!  Dinner was great with Steve’s fam!  After we were stuffed, we met up with some of the cousin’s friends at The Gingerbread Man.   We had lots of funny conversations, chest bumping, and lots of crazy beers.  Saturday was the best because it started with room service – one of my favorite things in life!  After a leisurely breakfast, we made our way late to the reunion.  Most of my family was drunk when I arrived (at 2 pm…yeah, no comment) which may or may not have made them really happy to see us.  We played a game called Left, Right, Center which all you need to know about it is that Steve won, $53!  Yea!    The afternoon was spent laughing and sharing stories.  When we were leaving, Rell (some relative I can’t figure out in the tree) gave Steve a $20 gift card to an amazing pizza place called Mangia.  It ended up being the pizza place that catered his cousin’s wedding, which Steve loved!  Steve got the best meat filled, deep dish pizza which he was very happy about.   Sunday was highlighted with lunch with my good friend Lauren and her husband Jon at The Great Outdoors Cafe.   I was excited for Lauren to meet Steve so I could get her thoughts on him.  Catching up in person is so nice.  They are always full of the most useful information!  As I type, Steve is looking at a tool Jon recommended and I am using a new tool Lauren mentioned.  I hope one day we find ourselves in the same city!   The trip was completed with a long drive home (thanks to rubberneckers looking at pulled over cars – so annoying!!), stopping in Waco for me and some Bush’s chicken.  Steve was not impressed with the amazingness of Bush’s chicken, but you can’t win them all!  I had the best time this weekend and wouldn’t change a thing!  I am so blessed!

4th of July in DC

I guess all my blogs can't be funny so here is just an update on me!

For my three day weekend I went to DC to see my sister. I flew in Thursday night. I arrived about 10 pm because my flight was delayed for some unknown reason. Sally was expecting me at 6:30 pm because I can't read a ticket...I looked at my arrival time Sunday, opps! We had a quick snack in the hotel bar then crashed for the night at The Melrose Hotel in foggy bottoms, which is not foggy btw. We woke up Friday to room service knocking at our door. I love the door hangy thing for breakfast delivery! After being lazy and getting ready, Sally and I hit the streets to go to the zoo. We stop at a cute cafe to eat lunch, we sat outside. It was amazing and fun!



After lunch we walked to the zoo, passing so many beautiful flowers. Sally was not annoyed at this point about me stopping every five feet for a pic with the flowers but it eventually comes. The zoo was great! We saw otters, pandas, and a bunch of lame birds that Sally liked. Best of all, it was free!! We made our way home to meet up with Al then we went to Bangkok Joe's for dinner that night. It's a unique kind of Asian food which was delicious! We crashed out..correction, I crashed out pretty early.

Awakened again by room service...yay vacation! We took it easy most of the day. We stopped by Sally's house and ate wonderful food a ZBurgers! Around 5:30 we arrive at Sal's co-workers house for a grillen' out 4th party. We participated in a crazy drink making ritual. You get a huge jar put an entire bottle of vodka in it, 6 limes, 1 cup of sugar, and packed full of ice. Then you wrap it in a beach towel and shake for 20 minutes...very scientific! The rule was "you must shake to partake." So we pass around this large jug for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, he take it out of the towel and we all have to initial the ice on the jug. Then we drink...but not from cups...all from the same jar! Some agree to this germ spreading practice and some don't but in 15 minutes it's all gone! One of Sal's co-workers is a boy and likes boys. He wouldn't drink out of the jug! I couldn't help but make a comment about other things he chooses to put in his mouth...luckily he wasn't offended! We ended up hanging there all night. At about 8:45 we walked to Madison Park and watch the fireworks over the Washington Monument while singing Amazing Grace. Very cool!

The next day I got ready to go home. We packed our big selves into Sally's tiny car once more and headed for the airport. Al insisted on smoking for the 100th time that day so I started complaining to him and he started complaining back. It was pretty funny and Sal thought it was a hoot. I then proceeded to go on and on about being hungry and hitting my water bottle on the car. Sally LOVED that! I made it home fianlly after a long delay. I caught a quick dinner with Steve then headed home.