Life in Texas: May 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

NYC

Sunday morning we got up bright and early and headed to New York. Syd and Shane had never been before and Mark and I haven't been since our honeymoon. We were all very excited to get to the city. We got there and checked into our hotel, then headed over the Carnegie Deli for lunch. They still have the biggest sandwiches I have ever seen in my life. After that we headed to Broadway to go see Westside Story. It was a great show, the lead actress was amazing. After that we headed back to the hotel to clean up and get ready for dinner. We went to our favorite Italian restaurant called Il Vagabondo, it's this small little place that's been there forever. They have bocce ball and the best Italian food ever! Then back to Times Square for some pics and then we stumbled into a random Karaoke bar where we spent the rest of the night. The next day we did lots of tourist stuff, walked up an down 5th avenue, did a little shopping, went to FAO Schwarz for Brody. It was a lot of fun. That night we met up with some of my parents friends who took us to China town for dinner and then Little Italy for dessert. They were two places I had never been in the city and I really loved both. And just like that our trip was over. We had such little time and we definitely crammed it full with of lots good times. I can't wait for our next family trip!

Me, Kel and Syd at FAO Schwarz trying on funny hats.

Shane and Kelley playing the big piano.

Yes, he was made of Jelly Beans.

Shane LOVED the toy store. Here he is with Batman!

The menu from our delicious dinner.

Grappa = YUCK!

Mark and Shane at the Karaoke bar.

Me and Syd

Me and papa

I was so excited to meet Chet and Scott outside the Karaoke bar. I'm a huge Real World fan!

Two cosmos are definitely better then one!

The whole fam on the steps at Times Square.

Graduation Party

So like I said after graduation we headed to Kelley's friend Ella's house for a post graduation party. We had stopped by Costco on our way from the airport and picked up all kinds of yummy stuff for the party. We grilled beef tenderloin and shrimp, there were tons of different meats and cheeses, guacamole, chips, dip and tons of other stuff. It was the Mariani clan, Ella and Bella and Kelley's roommate Haley's family. We had lots of fun celebrating the two graduates. My pictures are all out of order and for some reason blogger won't let me move them but at least it loaded them.

Kelley and Bella, she is one of the cutest little girls I have ever met.

She was trying on my watch.

Tequila Shots!

The tequila came at the end of the night but like I said the pics got all mixed up.

Shane, Mark and dad.

Haley and her Family.

Bella had all the boys wrapped around her little finger.

They really do love each other!

Such a cutie!

Shane cooking the yummy shrimp!

Yay the graduates!

Kelley Graduated

So on May 16th Kelley graduated from Hampshire college. The whole family flew out for the big event. Mark and I left bright and early on Friday morning, we had a smooth trip and landed in Hartford around 3:00. Unfortunately my parents, Syd and Shane did not have the same trip. Their flight was delayed which caused them to miss their connecting flight and they got into Hartford about 2 hours late. But once everyone arrived the rest of the trip went smoothly. We drove into Northampton and went to have a beer where Kelley works. Then she took us to dinner at this really yummy sushi place and then out to a few of her favorite bars. It was a very fun night and we all stayed up way to late. The next morning was graduation, they had a great ceremony. Bobcat Goldthwait (the crazy guy from Police Academy) was one of the speakers, he was hilarious. I loved his speech. After graduation we headed to Kelley's friend Ella's house for a BBQ. We made lots of yummy food and just kind of hung out. The next day we were heading to New York so we called it an early night and headed back to the hotel. Congrats Kelley we are so proud of you!

Mom and Kelley right before graduation.

Me, Kel and mom.

I loved the flag display they had on campus.

There she is on stage getting her diploma!

They have a bell you can ring once you graduate but somehow I didn't get the bell part in the picture :)

Dad, Kel and mom after graduation.

The whole family!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Welcome Baby Maebry

So on our way back from Seguin we were supposed to stop and have brunch with Dusty and Christa. We got news on Friday that Christa had started to have contractions and had gone to the hospital. She was only 26 and a half weeks along. We got a call from Dusty on Saturday night saying things had gotten worse and they were moving Christa from San Marcus to Austin. We told him to keep us posted. Well as it turns out at 6:48 a.m. they did an emergency c section and deceived Maebry Lucille Kraatz. She was 2.8 pounds and around 14 inches long. They have to stay in the hospital for a while but both mom and baby are fine and doing well. Maebry is already breathing on her own. We stopped by the hospital on our way home from Seguin we got to see Christa and Dusty first. They were wiped out but seemed to be in good spirits. Then Dusty took us over to see Maebry. She is so tiny and precious. They have a special light on her to help the bruises on her skin heal but she is doing very good. We are keeping them all in our thought and prayers. We love you guys, congrats on your beautiful baby girl.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother's Day Weekend

This weekend we ended up taking a last minute trip to Seguin with Tim and Shara. Tim's parents have a house right on the lake and we all decided we needed a little get away. We drove down Friday after work and got there around 6:30pm. We had dinner and then headed over to the house. Brody was pretty wiped out so we got his room set up and put him down to bed. The rest of us stayed up playing dice games and hanging out by the lake. It's so beautiful out there. The next day we slept in a little and got up around 10am. We decided to take Brody out on the boat and see what he thought. Well the first step was putting on the life vest which he HATED. But once we got on the boat he was fine. At first he didn't really know what to do, he was holding these two sticks that he absolutely refused to let go of. It was cracking me up. Then we anchored the boat and all got in the water. Brody was such a little fish, he loved the water. He figured out how to jump off the back of the boat and thought it was the funnest thing in the world. After that we headed back to the house for some lunch and a nap for Brody. While he napped we all got in the lake and just floated around the dock. That night we made a really yummy dinner and played Catch Phrase and Smart Ass. It was such a fun weekend. It felt like a real getaway and was so relaxing. Thanks for inviting us Tim and Shara, we can't wait to go back for the 4th.

This was Friday night when we got back to the house. Brody was really tired, he just cuddled up with Tim and the couch and relaxed.

The four of us our first night on the lake.

Me and Shara

Tim and Shara

The next morning the first thing Brody wanted to do was swing. He learned how to say weeeee while we were there.

Getting used to the boat, I love his hair.

Holding the sticks.

It only took him a little while to warm up and then he loved it.

Chip let him drive the boat, I don't know who liked it more.

The three of us on the boat.

The three of us in the water.

Our last night there.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

My Birthday

So Saturday was my birthday. I had a wonderful weekend. I got to sleep in Saturday, then I went to a yoga class. Spent the rest of the day at home with Mark and Brody. Then that night a group of us went to this really great Karaoke bar that I like. It was a very fun night. Then the next day was my early mother's day spa celebration. I got to spend the entire day at Lake Austin spa. I had a massage, a facial and a really yummy lunch and got to lounge by the pool all day. It was so relaxing and just what I needed. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday special, I love you all!