Some downtown fun...

I wish I could say that we spent more time in downtown, but due to the nature of daily life we don't go as often as we would like. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that I had two solid downtown "dates" in one week! Elation might be appropriate...

Leslie was on Spring Break from her awesome job as a kindergarten teacher, Dario was preparing to start his brand new job at the University of Phoenix and I was out of school. So, we wanted to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a manner appropriate to our situations. Green BEER! Easier said than done because our search for a real green beer was almost completely a loss. Long story short we finally settled on a little pub just

off of 6th street and beer out of a green can...

Because it was the middle of the week, Dax wasn't able to make it out with us but we all had a great dinner together and enjoyed some fun, laughter, and games later that night.

We have a really amazing family that is patient, kind, and loves to have fun. Being able to spend so much time with them throughout the year, no matter what the occasion, really enriches our lives. (The fact that they love visiting Austin doesn't hurt either!)

This time of the year the SXSW (South by Southwest) festival swallows up our city for 10 days inclusive of film, interactive and music. An old friend named Chachi was making his way from Hollywood with his company, LP33, to attend the music portion of the events. So, Dax and I made our way downtown to partake in the "fun-ness".

We had a really great time acting like teenagers, of legal drinking age of course, listening to some amazing music and meeting new friends while catching up with old ones.

The next day Dax's best friend Nick arrived for a long weekend stay in Austin. We had a wonderful time together, and even when the weather turned cold and rainy...our weekly hike was not put on hold.

The last day of Nick's visit was beautiful so we headed to the South Congress (also called SoCo) to spend some time people watching and taking in the beautiful sunshine. We weren't disappointed...we listened to a sidewalk band that featured a man playing a saw and visited the coolest candy shop around. The smell of freshly prepared caramel and hand made

truffles was almost as intoxicating as this wonderful place we call home.

Spring Break at 31...

The phrase "Spring Break" can paint some commonly held images of debauchery and anarchy in some peoples minds. At the age of 31, a wet t-shirt competition isn't at the top of my "to-do" list. (Much to the dismay of my husband.) So instead, I did other things! Like...

Making homemade potstickers Ate obscenely large berries

Enjoyed spring breezes Tried a new pasta recipe

Refinished the upstairs deck with Hana

Celebrated St. Patrick's Day with Family

And Discovered Hana's new napping spot...

My Spring Break may not have been filled with binge drinking

or days at the beach, but I'm still one of the luckiest girls I know.

Maybe next year I'll entertain a wet t-shirt contest...or maybe not.

Spring Rescue Rally 2010!

I'm not exactly sure how many years this event has been going on, but the Austin Dog Alliance Spring Rescue Rally is more than just a mouth-full!!! Dax, Hana, and I volunteered our time to the amazing rescue group that saved our Hana's life. The German Shepherd Rescue Group Central Texas changed us forever and there is no way we could ever thank them enough. (http://www.gsdrescuectx.com/)

So whenever possible I volunteer to help out wherever they need me. This time around it was at the Rescue Rally.

Hana and I volunteered to make "Adopt Me" bandannas for the group and got started the week before the event.

This was our first official project together and we had a great time from start to finish. Think we did a pretty good job too!

We had an even better time at the rally. This was the first time the other volunteers in the group had got the chance to see Hana since her adoption back in January. It was like a little reunion of sorts and smiles were had by all...especially Hana.

Saying "hi" to Claire, Banjo, Zuri.

Northern & Ottis.

Snuggling with Claire!

There were over two dozen other rescue groups and boy was it fun! More than that it was such a heart warming sight to see so many come together as one. Everyone was there to help find "forever homes" for all the dogs in need of a second chance at life. I was surrounded by heroes and angels for an entire day and it just doesn't get much better than that.

Snow, sunshine, & a sister-in-law.

Snow found it's way to our front door last week...and it was beautiful! It's been a long time since we had the kind of snow that actually stuck, but this batch was grade-A. It fell for almost 7 hours and the pups and I enjoyed a few unbridled moments of fun outside.

Chase had a wonderful winter vacation filled with more snowflakes than could ever be counted. He loved every single moment...and we loved sharing that experience with him. However, these snowflakes may have been Hana's first. She seemed to enjoy them right alongside her big brother Chase while he showed her "the ropes".

It was a really great way to start the week!

I was lucky enough to attend a kids cooking class with Landa and Gracie on Friday and had a GREAT time! We made dumplings and they were delish!

Landa and Gracie were sweet hostesses, as usual, and really made my afternoon very special. Gracie is a super chef. Thanks again ladies!!!

Our weekend welcomed us with both sunshine and my sister-in-law Alexa. She and her "friend-boy", John, arrived on Friday afternoon with hugs and smiles galore. It was really great to see them both and we were so glad that College Station could spare them for a couple of days. ;o)

Big brother Dax and little sister Alexa enjoyed some fun on the tennis court while Hana and I watched the fun from the stands.

Dax, Chase, Hana, and I spent a few hours on Saturday afternoon doing what we love the most...being outside! The pups were particularly wild and full of spunk. It was almost like "silly" was coursing through their veins. It was blissfully fantastic and I relished in the laughter and fun.

Chase and Hana were "hambones" through and through...it doesn't get much better than that.

Special thanks to "Auntie Alexa" for spending extra time with us...it was so great seeing her!