Visit with Dad

My dad came from Atlanta for the weekend. It had been quite a while since we've seen each other, so it was nice to catch up. The weather was pretty dreary, so we spent a lot of time inside, but made the most of it. We caught the kids music show at Strange Brew Saturday morning, then met up with Uncle Steven for lunch at Uncle Julio's (kids favorite Mexican restaurant from Maryland which recently opened up here). We then hung out back at our house before heading out to Morgan's art show/fundraiser put on by his school. Luckily the rain held off long enough for us the see his drawing and group sculpture and hang out with some of his classmates. We were very proud of his efforts and he was happy to share them with us. I'm still waiting to find out if we won the sculpture he did that we bid on... Late night was college basketball (sorry about the Badgers, Darren) : (

Then, Sunday it was more rain. We met up with Steven again for brunch, then it was off to the airport for Dad. A short but sweet visit, but good nevertheless. Dad looked good having lost some weight and had a good time playing with the boys. They liked his Squigeldy figgeldy miggeldy jiggeldy stories at bedtime : ) Thanks for coming out Dad and we hope to see you again soon!

Morgan's is below the one he is pointing to. It says:
"My favorite number is 8.
I like to eat sushi.
I like cars.
I like to hear the birds.
If my friend has a boo boo, I give them an ice pack.
I send them a present.
I help the people in my community by giving them clothes or toys."

SXSW 2014

SXSW has descended upon us again and we were able to take advantage of some free events with and without the kids. During the Interactive portion, I took the kids to SXSW Create where they designed and built their own derby cars out of wood scraps and raced them on a track with their friend Aga. Dean's car won! We also saw Mario & Luigi at the Gaming Expo and watched real go karting a la Mario kart. (I would've raced with them but it was only for 18 and over).

Later in the week at the Music portion, we saw G. Love among others on the roof of Whole Foods during the day, then took the bus for the first time to a free outdoor concert featuring Foster the People at Butler Park where we met up with Siiri and Eric. The boys liked the music, but I think the bus ride was the highlight for them.

G.Love at Whole Foods

Dean almost falling asleep on Ed's head

Later that night after a refresher nap for Foster the People

Foster the People

Saturday we got a sitter so Ed and I could enjoy some of the fun. We saw an arab band that was really good at San Jose Hotel, then walked downtown, stopping a couple times for drinks (and fried chicken) along the way before making it to Brass House to see our friend and guitarist Charles play in his band.

That's our friend Charles on the right

So I guess yesterday marked the end of SXSW 2014. No spotting celebrities this year, but it's always fun to see the interesting crowds and hear music on every corner. We must still be newbies with that attitude, but I'm fine with that : )

February Follies

Can't believe it's already March now... February was a strange month with roller coaster temperatures causing freezes and flurries resulting in 4 school closures. Silly Austinites! We tried to get out on the sunny warm days, taking bike rides around the lake at Meuller Park, going putt-putt a couple times and attending the Chinese New Year celebration at the Asian Cultural Center. We also went to the 2nd St. Soundcheck which was an outdoor music festival downtown. We didn't stay long, but grabbed lunch at a nearby restaurant so we could hear the music. Apparently, Dean likes rap, but Morgan was more interested in feeding the pigeons his crackers. February also brought an end to gymnastics as we are switching to swimming in preparation for the hot months ahead. Today was their first day and they both did well. Morgan was comfortable as he's had lessons in the past but it was Dean's first time. He's usually very clingy in the pool so I wasn't sure what to expect but he did great taking instruction and grinning ear to ear with his smushed up goggly face the whole time. But before we get too used to the idea of spring or summer, there's another vortex hitting us tonight and they are already talking about school closures tomorrow...

Darrian & Mark visit

 

Back in December I got a random text from my old ex-coworker Darrian asking if we'd be up for a visit in February. "Heck yea!" I had said. Long after our days at The Campbell Group, we would still hang out, although since moving to Texas, I had not seen her and her husband Mark in a few years. They had never even met Dean! Their visit finally took place this past weekend and when I picked them up and saw them jumping up and down and dancing outside the airport, I knew it would be just like old times, picking up where we left off.

The visit was great. I took them on a driving tour around town and then out to lunch at Elizabeth's vietnamese cafe. They stayed at the Marriott downtown and did some sight seeing on their own before meeting up with us for dinner Friday night at Odd Duck. It was so good to see their familiar faces and laugh and catch up. Their visit was part of Darrian's New Year's Resolution to reconnect with old friends - like really connect, not via facebook - which I might add is one of the best resolutions I've heard of. As no visit to Austin is complete without, we ate A LOT including  Gourdough's donuts the next morning and then authentic BBQ at Saltlick in Driftwood for lunch. The sun finally came out that day and we also enjoyed the sights from the top of Mt. Bonnell. They checked out the flagship Whole Foods and then we regrouped after dinner to bar hop on Rainey St. where there was corn hole and hoola hooping and ping pong, oh my!

Thank you Darrian and Mark for making to trek out and please know the door is always open! It was so nice to spend time with you guys and reconnect. Keep up the resolution, Darrian : ) We miss you already!

Mark trying to look all bad ass. I think he
forgot he had a hoola hoop in his hand.