Football Season

So I like to joke that this is the time of year where I go from being a married woman to a single woman - since it is the beginning of football season. This means that Gilbert will be parked in front of the TV and/or computer watching games whenever possible. And lucky for me, we have NFL network, so any game that Gilbert might miss, he will be able to see the repeat.

This is my 3rd year at planning fantasy football with the guys from Guaranty Bank. The first year I didn't fare so well, but last year I did manage to come in 4th. My goal this year is to make the play-offs!!!

Last night was the draft party. Many of the leagues now do everything on-line, but we do it the old fashioned way where everyone gets together and shouts out their player. There is no time limit, so the entire process last night took 3 hours!! (We have 14 teams)

My roster:
QB - Tom Brady - New England
QB - Tarvaris Jackson - Vikings
RB - Shawn Alexander - Seahawks
WR - Marques Colston - Saints
RB - DeShawn Foster - Panthers
WR - Donte Stallworth - New England
WR - Reggie Brown - Eagles
RB - Anthony Thomas - Buffalo
WR - Eddie Kennison - Kansas City
TE - Ben Watson - New England
Kicker - Shayne Graham - Cincinnati
Kicker - Billy Cundiff - Falcons
Defense - Jaguars
Defense - Giants

Dinner with Friends

On Saturday we went to dinner at the Brazilian Steakhouse with Jenny, Jorge and Mario. The place was super busy and we had to wait for close to an hour for a table. But it was worth it!! The guys really enjoyed all the different meats, Jenny and I enjoyed conversation and our amazing desserts!! It is always wonderful to spend time with friends!

Gilbert driving.

Me and my chocante sunglasses.

Modeling the beautiful citrine necklace and ring that my Dad bought me. He has great taste!!

Birthday Week

On Tuesday we went over to Jorge and Jenny's for Isabella's birthday celebration. Isabella turned 4 and was dressed as a Princess. She got some great toys - Barbie's, horses and 2 Power Ranger outfits. Barbies AND Power Rangers? This girl is diverse! For some reason, she cries whenever people sing Happy Birthday - that is why she is covering her ears. But this year she didn't cry!! Happy Birthday Isabella!

Was our singing really that bad?

These are the coolest horses!

Wednesday was Gilbert's birthday. He has to work 6 days this week - closing the shop each night. Plus his fantasy football draft was on Wednesday night. So I just made dinner and cake and he opened gifts right before his draft.

I was quite proud of my Sunshine cake. It had mandarin oranges and pinapples in the cake and pinapples in the cool whip icing. Delish!

85th Birthday Celebration

This past weekend my sister, Sophia and I surprised our Grammie on her 85th birthday in Pennsylvania. Mom was already there visiting and was able to keep our surprise under wraps. And surprised Grammie was!! She was so happy to have all of us there. It was great to spend time with everyone - and the weather was sunny and cool - a nice break from the Texas heat!


Sophia The Ham

Sophie and I playing outside. That girl has energy.

She loved meal time - she always had a large audience! Here she refused to put down her animal crackers to get her binky!!

She wanted to play with the ducks.

Family Pictures

Monday Happy Hour

Megan and I have a tradition of Happy Hours every few weeks, but I always forget my camera to capture the moment!!

This time Megan and I met at Z Tejas on 6th Street for drinks and yummy appetizers. Even through it was close to 100 degrees, we still sat outside. I guess our Indiana thermostat really has changed. We can now handle the heat!!

Can't wait until we do it again!!

Date Night

Now that Gilbert is feeling better, he promised me a night of dancing. On Saturday night we went to Midnight Rodeo - our favorite dancing spot. Yee Haw!!!

It was great to see some old friends - John, Eddie, Michael, Jen, Zack, Anthony and Christine. Gilbert has known most of them for five years - and it is always great to catch up with old friends!

The Domain

On Friday afternoon my friend Jenny and I drove to North Austin to check out The Domain. The Domain is a very upscale shopping experience (they even have valet parking!?!). It is an outdoor shopping area with stores such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and Co., Barney's, Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, BCBG, etc. There were a few economical choices - like the largest Victoria's Secret I have ever seen!!! It was fun to window shop as we wondered why there was hardly anyone else there on a Friday afternoon. Probably because there are other people that figure $100 is too much to spend on a T-shirt!!

I was so happy to see the store "Sur La Table". I have purchased from this store online and they have amazing things for the kitchen. The prices are in line with Crate and Barrel and Williams and Sonoma. Jenny purchased an amazing large wood salad bowl - and I have been thinking about getting one for myself!! (You know - to encourage more salad eating)

I also really loved this little salt boxes.

If you like window shopping, a trip to The Domain is right up your alley!

A Visit from the Aguilars

Gilbert's Mom and little sister were in town this past week. On Tuesday Nina, Nora, Robby and Katie came over. I made waffles, french toast, bacon and sausage for breakfast before retreating to my office to get some work done!! Everyone else played a few rounds of Yatzee and then went to the Botanical Gardens.

Nora and the kids left around 4 and Gilbert and I took Nina to our favorite Austin restaurant - Moonshine - and our favorite place for ice cream - Amy's. It was nice being able to spend time with her. Most of the time when we see Gilbert's Mom there is a house full of people and she is busy trying to cook and entertain. It was great just seeing her be able to relax!

Bestest Friends

Roxie and Ricco LOVED Sophia. They followed her around and gave her lots of kisses. She in turn would lay down with them, give them hugs, pats and kisses, and even toss a ball to them!! My camera was super slow in capturing the moment, but on Sunday evening, Sophia, Roxie and Ricco were all lined up at the back door looking outside. It was too cute!

Helping Tio Beto grill hamburgers and hotdogs!

My First Mexican Breakfast

On Sunday after church we went to Casa Garcia's on South Lamar where Sophia, Amy and Cory were able to sample migas. Delish!

Toot Toot

On Saturday morning we met up with our friends Jenny and Jorge and their 2 kids Isabella and JD to go to Zilker Park to ride the Zilker Zephyr. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the train, so the kids were able to play on the playground. Sophia liked the swings, but really loved going down the slide. That girl is not afraid of anything!!

The Birthday Lady

Friday was Amy's 30th Birthday. We started off the morning by doing some damage at Nordstrom. Amy was able to find a lot of things that she liked - but too bad that most of them were full price!! Gilbert and I got Amy a top and pants for her new job. No more scrubs! She gets to wear "real" clothes with a lab coat! And she has to look snazzy under that lab coat!!

After shopping I dropped her off at the salon and spa for a chemical exfoliation treatment and facial. She claimed that it was super relaxing. I am glad that she had some time all to herself that was relaxing!!

Later that afternoon, we took Sophia for her first haircut. My hairdresser Berkely was so good with her. She trimmed Sophia's bangs and cleaned up the sides and the back. Sophia was such a good girl!

After the haircut, I dropped Amy and Cory off at Cork and Company. It is a neat little bar/retail shop. They each tried some different wines and had a nice time just hanging out.


For dinner we went to Cannoli Joe's - an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. Sophia seemed to enjoy the pasta (who doesn't!!) and even saved room for some dessert. You can see from the pictures that she had a bit of a sugar rush at the end of the night!

Would you like some?

Gilbert's definition of a head shot.

Don't let him fool you. It was my glass of wine.

Silly girl!!

It was great that I was able to help Amy celebrate her 30th! I hope it is one to remember!