40

Eric turned 40 this weekend and even though he's not big on birthdays, I wanted to make it extra special for him.  We're both so happy that friends and family were able to make it over to help us celebrate.

There was no shortage of food, alcohol, love, or laughter.  It is an evening Eric won't soon forget, I'm sure.  Thank you to everyone who came out and made his day special.

And Eric, welcome to your 4th decade! 

 

Cheeses

Party Room

I put up baby pictures of Eric...this one is my favorite

Eric and Clare

40

Mac and Cheese from Bobby Q's - best stuff ever!

Meat and Taters

Brenda, Rita, Daniel, and Crosby

Eric got several REI gift cards...perfect gift!

Handsome Devil...the wine, I mean.  ;0)

Beer candle from Aunt Rita and Uncle Paul

A bottle of scotch from Tony and Kelly

Beer packed in Depends!  Good one Karen and Rob!

Italian beer glasses from Karen and Rob

Eric, Daniel, and Bret

The cake!  Thanks Caketini...for making it so quickly and delivering it!

 "At the age of 20, we don't care what the world thinks of us; at 30, we worry about what it is thinking of us; at 40, we discover that it wasn't thinking of us at all."

Family + Austin = Faustin (or Keep Austin Weird Like Me!!)

I don't have a lot of family...at all.  So when I have the opportunity to spend time with some it's a sweet thing.  Broc and I grew up together from diapers until around age 12 or so.  Our Dad's were cousins and the best of friends. He currently lives in Austin, Texas...which now happens to be one of my most favorite US cities!  Thank you, cousin, for showing us your city and for making time for us.  Love you!

Here's Austin!!

People in Austin LOVE to wait in line for their food!  They even count the steps til they get there!

Salt Lick Cellars...it's either this or B.Y.O.B to the barbecue

The Barbecue!!

Broc and Eric at the Chuggin Monkey on 6th

Austin is also known for their music...I like the purple one!

Lot's of mural's in Austin...I want to photograph more on my next trip

Okay...not the best artwork upon immediately entering a bar, especially when you've had a couple cocktails!

New bar on Rainey Street called Container Bar... made up of old shipping containers...pretty cool!

LOVE the rental bikes!  Just hope I don't get the same one the naked guy rides!

Food trucks everywhere!  http://www.littlelucys.com

This kitty was craving some food truck pizza...me too!

The bars on Rainey are old houses that they've converted...this is the backyard of one

Craft Pride...Eric finally found a local beer he liked!

Loved the decor in Craft...HUGE, thick, wooden bar and a big state of Texas on the ceiling

The 16oz from the glass reflected into the beer

Another food truck on Rainey

Met the sweetest bow-tie wearing bartender at Half Step who custom made us these cocktails based on our likes and dislikes

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille

Grandpa Munster on the sidewalk on South Congress....yes, please keep Austin weird!

South Congress Cafe...great brunch!

I did say I wanted to see an armadillo!

And Eric HAD to buy a pair of boots from Allens! 

  Always drink upstream from the herd.-- Will Rogers

March MADNESS!

Can you believe this month is already nearing an end?  Where did it go?  It's been such a great month.  The weather in Phoenix has been phenomenal, the basketball has been exciting, and we added to our family.  

 

March through May are the most perfect months in Phoenix; the weather is warm, the smell of orange blossoms fills the air, the cactus are blooming, people are enjoying their yard work and their bike rides.  It's a little piece of heaven.

Also with March comes the NCAA college basketball tournament!  Watching these games and filling out brackets has been a tradition of mine for years, thanks to my friends, Greg and Blair, who got me addicted!

I do miss my Indiana friends during this time, as we would all sit together at our favorite sports bar, Average Joe's.  But Eric and I are making our own memories.  Last year it was Vegas, this year we found Blue 32 and Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers...both fun places to watch all the games.

 

And also this month we adopted Hemingway.  It's been quite entertaining to have her as a new addition to our family!  She is FULL of life and energy!  She chases our 3 year old kitty, Grace, up down and all around the house; and that makes our 10 year old dog, Cyrus, curious so he chases the both of them!  I just sit back with my camera and enjoy the show.

Grace is still trying to get used to not being the only cat in the house.  This is how they currently interact:

 

Hopefully I'll soon have some cuddling photos to share!!  Fingers crossed!

Finally, a big thank you to "our" cousin, Adam.  We received a box full of coffee that came from the coffee business he previously owned!  Eric went out today and bought a coffee grinder and we're looking forward to starting our week out with fresh ground coffee in the morning!   Kismet, Honduran, or Sumatran?  Decisions, decisions!

 

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.

Anne Lamott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring_3.html#g6bsGRs31vXIymVu.99

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.

Anne Lamott

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring_3.html#g6bsGRs31vXIymVu.99

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees.  I am going to close my eyes and listen."  ~Anne Lamott

"Great players are willing to give up their own personal achievement for the achievement of the group. It enhances everybody."  ~Kareem Abdul-Jabbar