RODC's First Live Gig!

We've been waiting a long time for this moment, and it finally arrived! Jeff's band, Renegades of Disaster City, played their first live gig at the Red-Eyed Fly on Sunday night. Jeff sings lead vocals and guitar, Mark plays bass, and Jesse is on the drums. The three of them have been practicing for a long time now, and it definitely showed. I was so excited for Jeff, and I'm so happy it was a success. 

Thanks to everybody who showed up and gave their support RODC was able to book another more primo night there for Thursday, September 25th. They've also got another gig at Trophy's for Wednesday August 20th. Jeff is soo excited. He's written all the songs and devoted a lot of his time and energy to this, and it's now paid off to be performing live.

Please check out their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/renegadesofdiasastercity 

Our 5 Year Anniversary

Wow! Jeff and I can't believe it's been 5 years since we got married in beautiful Akumal, Mexico! We've been on such a journey already. Marriage has been such a growing experience. I've learned to be a better human being with Jeff. I hope that every five years I learn as much as I have about myself and about love as I have in the past five years. I love you Jeffrey!! XOXO!!

To celebrate, Jeff and I decide to make an exclusively 'us' day and go to our neighborhood pool and go out to dinner. We've now lived in Austin for 2 and a half years and we just now discovered our great Olympic-sized neighborhood pool, maybe a mile away from our house! It's awesome! And, yes, the idea of our future kids swimming in it some day did come to mind (no pressure Jeff, and Mom, don't get too excited!).

Before dinner, we stopped for a beer and to hear some live blues at Guero's before heading across the street to try out a local Italian restaurant Boticelli's. We had a nice time sitting outside and listening to a local artist Brent Adair, whom I had to buy a CD from. Luckily the music distracted us from the wait on our food, (which we realized later took almost an hour to get!) but we decided we would definitely go back for entertainment and appetizers on the patio again.

Canoe Trip with Kara

My friend Kara's aunt MaryAnn runs the student outdoor and activities group at the College of the Mainland, and they planned a trip to go canoeing down the north end of the Guadalupe River for a weekend. So, Kara invited me along and I thought it'd be a great opportunity to get outdoors this Summer. Indeed it was! And, after packing to camp for a night while we were there, I realized how overdue it was. Jeff and I had all this nice never-used camping gear that we received as wedding gifts (from five years ago! Such good intentions going to waste).

So, needless to say, it was wonderful getting out again. And it was so much fun hanging out with Kara one on one. I'd never been canoeing before, but thanks to MaryAnn's teachings and Kara's excellent steering skills, I managed to get it down pretty good in the end, and wanting to go on another trip. Kara was such a sport. She managed to keep on canoeing despite her blisters. (The photo shows her uncle John and Kara duct taping up their blisters and cuts.)

We topped off the weekend with a Wendy's frosty and fries and a quick swim down the dam in San Marcos on our way home! So much fun!!

4th of July 2008

Jeff's work closed down for the week of  July 4th, which allowed him a great opportunity to share his time off with our close friend Dave, Jeff's dad and Jeff's uncle Verl. Jeff herniated a disc in his upper back about a year ago and hadn't played golf since, in fear that it'd aggravate it. Given that golf is one of the guys' favorite ways to hang out, Jeff was hoping his back had been on the mend long enough to join in the game again. Sure enough it was, and they enjoyed a few games of golf and when I came home from work, we'd all eat like kings and queens. 

Enjoyment of food seems to be a #1 priority in Jeff's family (it's definitely rubbed off on me too). So, every day was planned around what the meals were going to be.  Jerry surprised us with a new ceramic mini Weber grill, which we Christened a few times during the week (and ever since!).  And, as soon as Jerry arrived, he joined me to pick up some local fresh goodies at Austin's Farmer's Market.

Jerry, Dave, Jeff and I went to see the classic Movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory shown outside at Central Market. Luckily it was a slightly cooler night to do so, and had a wonderful time eating dinner, drinking beers and watching the movie. 

For Independence Day, Jeff, Dave and I headed out to our local natural springs Barton Springs for the day. Jeff and Dave, so vain, just had to pose for a photo in their swimsuits.

That night we went to see the movie Independence Day as the featured movie for The Alamo Drafthouse's featured Master Pancake Theater (their version of a live Mystery Science Theater 2000), which was hi-lar-ious! Then, to top it off we managed to have a drink too many at The Beauty Bar while watching some great live music. Dave caught up with some old friends (see photo) - just kidding Dave! Since the photo booth wasn't working, we took it amongst ourselves to take our own photos inside. Ahh Dave, miss you already!! 

Happy Anniversary Lucky Sevens!

Happy first wedding anniversary to Andrea and Austin and to Troy and Heather. Seems those lucky sevens (got married on 07.07.07) were indeed good to them! Andrea and Austin successfully sold their home and are building a new one, and Troy and Heather had a beautiful baby named Jennifer. Wow, what a year! Congratulations guys!

Sorry I don't have a photo of Heather or Jennifer. Troy please send me one!