Tripp's Birthday Weekend

We celebrated Tripp's birthday with a fun, relaxing three-day weekend! I would say that the theme of the weekend was food!

Saturday, we started Tripp's birthday with breakf.ast at IHOP. Wow, we had forgotten how yummy but unhealthy the food there is. Oh, well it was a special occassion, right? We spent the rest of the day, relaxing at home and running a few errands. That evening, we saw the movie The Lincoln Lawyer. It was very good and a fun way to celebrate Tripp's birthday. After the movie, we headed to Pappasito's for dinner. Tripp's siblings gave him a generous gift card to the restaurant for his birthday. We had a delicios meal of a taquito appetizer, chicken and beef fajitas, rice, beans, beer, and sangria.

Waiting for our table

Sunday, we went to church went to the grocery and did a few things around the apartment. We also went  to buy Tripp's birthday present. He got an electric shaver from me, his parents, and his grandmother. He got a top of the line shaver!

We had a late lunch and then left to go see the Cirque du Soleil show Ovo.

The show took place at the Houston Race Track under tents. It was really cool to see an entire show set up under tents! The show was amazing!! The artistry and talent in the show was unbelievable. Our favorite acts were the  "ants" and the "grasshoppers."

"Ants"

"Grasshoppers"

Following the show we went to our favorite hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant for dinner.

Monday, Tripp and I had the day off. I had a dentist appointment early in the morning and then we spent the rest of the day watching TV, doing laundry, playing Wii. After lunch, we went to a nearby $1.50 movie theater to see Little Fockers. The movie was funny, but the theater was interesting. We have quickly forgotten what movie theaters used to look like without stadium seating, plush chairs, arm rests that lift up.

It was a great weekend!!

So maybe we do have green thumbs!

So Tripp and I have kept our herb garden alive for almost three weeks now. Our herbs are really growing!!

 We even bought a book so that we could learn more about how to care for and cut our herbs.

On Monday, we cut some parsley and got to use it in a side dish for dinner.

Parsley Potatoes

We are enjoying this new hobby!

Spring Break!

This year for my Spring Break, I decided to really take a break. I normally travel when I am off of work which is fun, but this I wanted time to relax. I of course had a to-do list for my week off, but did not make it too lengthy. In addition to relaxing, my list consisted of cleaning out my closet, cleaning/organizing our file cabinet, making a phote book from our Italy trip, buying some birthday gifts, running a few errands, and reorganizing my coupons.

I am ending this year's Spring Break feeling refreshed for the rest of the school year and proud of some of the projects I accomplished!

Here is the photo book I designed online for our Italy trip. I think I have totally found a new obsession. Ever trip and even may have get its own book from here on out!!

I am also pretty excited about my new coupon binder. It will take som time to get used to, but I think it will be a better orgnization system for me.

Aside from completing a few projects, I spent my break relaxing, watching TV, catching up on emails, having lunch with a friend, cooking, and taking walks in the nearby park.

Back to the real world..... :)

Blue Man Group!!!

Tripp has been wanting to see the Blue Man Group for years so we were so excited to hear that they would be in Houston this month. We bought tickets several months ago and were thrilled that the weekend was finally here. Before the show, we had dinner at our favorite Greek restaurant, Nikko Nikko. We had our favorites-gyro sandwich, spanakopita, and dolmathes. After dinner, we drove to the Theater District for the show.

Before leaving for dinner/show

As we walked from the parking garage to Jones Hall, we saw a crowd of people and heard what sounded like drums. Once we were close, we realized that there was a drumline made of teenagers performing in front of Jones Hall. We stood in the crowds and watched for a while. The group was called "Percussion One" and is made up of high school students from the Houston metroplex. They played on trash cans, grills, sticks, and other objects. They were really good and very energetic.

Then we made our way into the theater. As we waited for the show to begin, I was telling Tripp that I really did not know what to expect in the show. I quickly realized that I could have never guessed what the show was going to be like! It was the most unique blend of comedy, acting, audience participation, music, instruments, sounds, lighting, animation, technology. We did not stop laughing throughout the show and were contantly surprised to see what would happen next.

The end of the show was like nothing I had ever seen. I pulled out my phone to capture a few pictures of the closing of the show.

Fun weekend project!

The weather was GORGEOUS this past weekend so we decided to work on a project that we have been talking about for months--an herb garden. We went to the garden store, along with every other Houstonian, and came out with oregano, basil, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

We got the herbs into pots, put them in the planter and we were good to go!! I jsut hope that we can keep them alive!

Great visit!

My parents came to Houston mid-February for another MD Anderson visit. This visit was a quick trip so we just met my parents for dinner on their last night in Houston. My parents met us at our apartment and we chose a new Asian Bistro called Rattan. The food was fabulous! After dinner we went back to our apartment to watch an episode of American Idol before my parents left.

The next day, I received a phone call frommy mom letting me know that my dad's appointment went well and that he is still in remission!!!

Feeling so loved!

This year for Valentines Day, I certainly felt loved! When my kids at work arrived, I was greeted by lots of "Happy Valentines Day"messages. I was given many cards and packages of candy. My favorite greeting was from one of my kids who makes me smile each day....and makes me frustrated as well. She came running in with backpack in one hand and a rose in the other. She was so excited to see me and I could not help smile from ear to ear. She gave me the rose and said "Happy Valemtime, Katie." She was smiling so big and gave me the biggest hug that she could. Just another moment that makes me love what I do. At our Valentines Day party, all of the kids gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a card, a balloon, and candy.

The day ended with exchanging cards with Tripp and a great dinner at home. I am so blessed and feel so loved!