Anne and Carl Visit!

      A couple weeks ago, Anne and Carl came in town for a short visit. We would absolutely LOVE for them to move back here and show us around all the time, but in just 24 hours, we hit up quite a few hot spots that they knew about. We started out by waking up to an early arrival and bloody mary's on the patio watching our four dogs play. Then we headed to Trudy's for their famous brunch with Mexican Martinis.

     Then Carl proceeded to give us a driving tour of campus. Afterwards we stopped by the Crown and Anchor and watched plenty of "random Austin happenings" from their patio. Dogs in bars, men dressed up on the street corners playing trumpets, film crews filming in vans, and police arrests all before noon!


     Then, back to the house to rest of for the evening. Anne and Carl went to a wedding, while Justin and I met up with Carlos for a little Jazz at the Saxxon Pub. Great evening with lots of catching up. 

     Sunday morning Anne, Carl, Justin and I met up to eat with Anne's old neighbor and his wife before they hit the road. I'd love to say I have the energy to keep up with them all the time, but I can't! We'll see them again in two weeks, but this time in Fort Worth!  

Work in Progress

     Since we've moved in, we've been very busy trying to make our house a home. Justin's big project has been growing grass in the backyard. I think we've been successful, but the real truth will be if it survives the 100* weather. He has done fabulous! He researched how to do it, rented the equipment and has been back and forth between planting grass seed and fertilizer. Our water bill has been significantly higher with the strict watering regiment, but our girls are much happier with the outcome. Here's the result: 

before...

after...

 Almost ready for guests! 

Mia Kelly Monk

      There is not a phone call that makes me smile more than when I see my sister calling. I am (and always have been) completely obsessed with babies. That might be how I ended up being a "baby nurse," but there is something about the ones that are related to you. I love getting updates from Amy about her beautiful baby girl, Mia Kelly. Amy used to call me for newborn advice, but now that Mia is 4 months old, my knowledge is wearing thin. She took Mia to the Pediatrician this week for her 4 mos shots and check-up. Basically, Amy is always told Mia's a perfect baby and she's a wonderful mom. Breastfeeding and growing by the books. Little Miss Mia now weighs 13 1/2 pounds and is 25 1/2 inches long. There is no doubt she is going to be tall and thin! I will hopefully be seeing them in Houston for Easter. I can't wait to see her smile in person and hear all the new baby noises. She's the most interesting person in my life. I love you Mia  

       On another note (for my family and Grandparents), Lindsay Strode has just opened her own photography business in Sugar Land. She's amazing and I wanted to share her website for you to browse through. It's fun to find out when a childhood best friend does such amazing things...enjoy!  www.LindsayPerryPhotography.com

Kelly came to town!

      Kelly came through Austin on her way back to Lubbock and stayed with us this weekend. SXSW was going on still, so we went down to 6th Street to check out all the commotion and show her Justin's office. Very interesting crowd at SXSW! We definitely did not fit in, but I was glad to see it in person. We had to break through a gate set up around his office that had been transformed into a side stage for the bands. Justin's office is very modern and "artsy"...completely  opposite of the hospital.

      After the office and 6th Street, we met up with Uncle Matt and Aunt Kathy at The Oasis. It is a huge bar/grill overlooking  Lake Travis. Great drinks and live music. We love spending time with Matt and Kathy. They are just finishing up all the wedding planning for Melissa's wedding...the next family wedding! We can't wait until June : )

Private Practice Quiz

Entertainment while I was at work! If you follow the show Private Practice, here's something fun to occupy your time...

Living in Austin

       We've lived in Austin for almost a year now and are finally starting to enjoy life here. Justin is a graphic designer at Sibley-Peteet Design on 6th Street. He works very long hours during the week and even goes into the office on Saturdays when needed. I recently completed orientation as charge nurse at St David's NICU. I enjoy my job, but I still have to work the night shift. My new years resolution was to start (and keep up) a blog. It's already the middle of March, but at least it is getting done! With my odd hours at work and our distance from family, I figured a blog would be the best way to give updates on our life. My sister, Amy, lives in Canyon with her husband, Kelsey and their little 3 month old little girl, Mia. She's the first baby in our family, so she's going to be very spoiled! We don't get to see my parents often because they are still living in Knoxville, TN. Gorgeous town, but way too far away. Justin's sister, Kelly, is living in Lubbock, working as a speech pathologist. Fortunately, his parents are still in Sugar Land, so we get to see them often. They came to Austin to help us move a few weeks ago. We are much happier (and so are our two dogs) in our new house. We also use them as our dog-sitters when we go on vacation. Five dogs is more than I could ever handle on my own, but somehow they do it! We just got back from a cruise to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. Justin and his family have gone on several cruises but this was my first. Quite the adventure...