What's goin' on...in Eric's life.

A few weeks ago my baby brother turned 17...17!  I still can't believe it!  These years have just flown by.  For his birthday we did a family dinner all together at Chedd's Gourmet Grilled Cheese.  Shawn and I have gone there before since it's near his comic shop, but Eric had never been and gourmet grilled cheese sounded right up his alley.  So we went and it was awesome!  There is only 1 in Austin right now and there really needs to be more.  If there is one near you, you should totally go!

Logan loves his Uncle Eric!  Logan loves to be in Eric's room...he is fascinated by all the guitars and other music stuff.  After dinner on Eric's birthday we came back to hang out for a bit and Logan decided he wanted to take some pictures.  This is what we got :)



Last night Eric's band had another show at the Red Eyed Fly downtown.  They still haven't managed to get the crowds they want, but I think they'll get bigger crowds when school starts again.  They decided to change their name from Throne Away to Reveries.  Eric was never a huge fan of the band name and they decided it was time to change it up.  Also, this show Eric did some of the singing!  It was a great show!

Also in Eric news, he got back his AP test scores and they were awesome!  I have such a smart brother :) 



Happy Birthday Shawn!

Today is Shawn's Birthday!  Happy Birthday to the best husband ever!!!

A few days ago Bryce and Theresa arrived for Week Awesome II...and we have already been having so much fun!  Bryce has never been here before so Shawn has really been enjoying showing him Austin and taking him for a tour of Austin food joints.  So far Bryce's favorites are the cream corn from Rudy's and the home fries from Magnolia Cafe.  Shawn has big plans for his birthday today, so we're headed over to do some swimming with Mimi and Logan now and then later...well, we'll see what adventure ensues!  I am sure they'll be plenty of pictures tomorrow!

Update

Quick update to my last post.

According to my neighborhood gossip...the murderer has been apprehended.  Apparently it was a guy who killed his 2 roommates.  To hide the first murder he set their house on fire then drove the second body to our neighborhood to dump it.  I guess the security guard stumbled upon his secret disposal, which is why I was stopped coming out of the neighborhood last weekend.  They were still looking for him because they thought he was on foot.

So now everyone can stop worrying :)  No more murderer on the loose in Travis Country...and at least it wasn't just some random killing!

A Body? What?

Yesterday morning I woke up, got ready for work, took Marcie out then started my drive.  All this before 6am.  As I turned out of my apartment complex, I noticed a police car with the lights on at the next street just sitting there.  I slowed down because I wasn't sure if he was waiting to turn or whatever.  He just sat there so I drove on.  At the next intersection there is a stop sign.  There were 2 police cars blocking the insection, stopping all cars coming in or going out.  Our apartment complex is in a housing community called Travis Country.  It's a really nice, pretty expensive community.  I waited my turn (which took like 10 minutes!) and the police officer asked me where I was headed this morning.  As I was sitting in my car with a lunchbox and large bag of nursing supplies, plus wearing my scrubs, I probably looked a little irritated by the question, but I said, "work."  She and the other police officer that were with her commented that a lot of people passing by were headed to hospitals.  I commented that there isn't really anywhere else people go so freaking early on Sunday!  Anyway...there proceeded to ask for my ID and take down my name, address and phone number.  Then they asked if I had seen or heard anything suspicious this morning.  I said no and was on my way.  Weird right?

So after I go to work (late of course) I looked it up on the news...apparently overnight a security guard had noticed something suspicous and called the police.  The police came and around 4:30am found a body in a park in Travis Country!!  Yikes!  They haven't said yet what happen or it they think it is murder, but they weren't letting anyone in or out all morning that didn't live in the community.  Crazy, right?  Austin a pretty safe place and for this to happen so close to our apartment is kinda freaky.  Shawn said that when he left for work close to 10am, there were still a ton of cops and a helicopter too!

When I got home I found the story on the news website.



Logan's 2nd Birthday

Logan is 2! Can you belive it??  I certainly can't!  It seems like just yesterday I was flying down to Austin to witness the birth of my first nephew.  Time sure flies by...

He is 2 now though, and her is really starting to act like a little boy.  Tantrums and all.  But most days he is the sweetest little guy!  Hugs and kisses for everyone.  He shares his favorite things with us.  He even helps to put things away.  What an angel.

His party was Dinosaur Train themed.  That has been his favorite show for quite some time (PBS show...really cute) but a couple of months ago (after we had already started making and buying things for the party) he decided he LOVED Thomas and Friends.  Oh no!  At least it is still trains!

Mimi put a TON of work into these decorations...The Buddy balloon she bought though :)

 I made the cupcakes and the cake for Logan.  He isn't a huge fan of cake so we covered his cake in M&M's...he LOVES those!

Mimi's been working on these goodies bags for several months!

Dad and Ana flew in from Chicago yesterday and will be staying until Tuesday!  We tried to get a good photo of them...

Yummy...M&M's!

I think the kids had fun! 

Summer Vacation

Ah...I remember the good 'ole days of summer vacation.  Unfortunately, I do not have a career that still gets summer vacation...I have to work year round and the holidays too!  But for many, it is time for summer vacation to start.

Eric is leaving today to fly back to Indiana for a couple of weeks.  The house will be different without him here.  Who will take Marcie out when I don't want to?

Dad and Ana will be here this weekend for Logan's birthday.  Just for a few days but we are so excited to see them!

Theresa and Bryce are coming to visit for Shawn's birthday in July!!  Yay! They will be here for almost a week.  We talked about all going to Vegas together, but Shawn and I are trying to buy a house so saving money is more important than a trip to Vegas.  At least Austin is fun!

Shawn and I are still tyring to decide about a mini trip to the beach in August before I start school.  We went to a nice hotel on the beach in Corpus Christi for our anniversary last year and we really liked it.  We'd like to go back earlier in the season and have Mimi, Ian and Logan come too (and Mom and Eric if they want).  I don't know if it will happen, but I know Shawn would love to introduce Logan to the beach!

So, if you are one of the lucky ones that gets a summer vacation, enjoy!  I will enjoy all of my visitors and hope that maybe I get one small trip.  I will be happy enough if I find a house though :)

Couscous Salad

Recently, in preparation for pregnancy, I have been doing a lot of pregnancy research (in part to distract me from not being pregnant).  Since I am overweight currently, the dietary aspects of pregnancy have been the most interesting I have found.  I know how important a healthy weight gain is during a regular pregnancy, but since I am already overweight then a healthy weight gain is even more important.  I know what you are thinking..."but Lisa is terrible at dieting and eating healthy."  True as that may be, I think I can do it!  If (when) I get pregnant I will continue to share recipes as I find them!  For now, enjoy this one that I love!!

Couscous salad with chickpeas and vegetables

(Pregnancy benefit: Protein, iron, vitamin C, folic acid and fiber)

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked couscous (3/4 cup uncooked)

2 Tbsp wine vinegar

1 sm clove garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

3 Tbsp olive oil

12 cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup diced red peppers

2/3 cup chickpeas

2/3 canned artichoke hearts, quartered

1/2 cup olives, any variety (I used black olives)

1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted (I did not include this)

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup finely sliced scallions

fresh lemon juice, to taste

salt and pepper, to taste

1.  Cook couscous according to package directions.  Transfer to large bowl and allow to cool.

2.  Make dressing in small bowl, mix the vinegar, garlic, and mustard until well blended.  Add olive oil and mix well.  Set aside.

3. Add remaining ingredients, except lemon juice and salt and pepper, to couscous.  Mix.  Add dressing and mix gently until well combined.  Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning.  Serve! 

4. Keeps for 3 days refrigerated.