Home sweet home

I returned from Texas this evening and although I love being there, it is so nice to return to my own home.

On this trip, in addition to seeing our family, Brett and I were able to see many friends. Spending time with our friends was a nice reminder that when we finally return to The Lone Star State for good, we'll have many great friendships there to welcome us home.

Brett has four more weeks left of his internship, but he's coming to CA for a visit in two weeks. I can't wait for him to get back here!

We're both looking forward to him coming home.

-a

Another Texas visit

I'm leaving for Dallas in a couple of hours and on this trip, Ellie will stay in California with her sitter. Now that the airlines have jacked up the prices on everything - even the price for bringing your dog on the plane - it's cheaper to leave her here on short trips than to take her with me.

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend in Dallas. We are planning to visit a few friends and my Mom and sisters as well.

Oh yeah, I get to see Brett, too!!

-a

Back in Cali

No...only I am back in Cali, not Brett. The photo is misleading. :) This was taken on his birthday in Mexico.

I returned home yesterday after spending a week and a half visiting Texas. I had a great time staying at my sister Courtney's and I was able to visit my Mom and sister Lisa a couple of times while I was there.

I was sad to leave Brett in Dallas and return back to Palo Alto but I take solace in the fact that I'm going back there for a few days at the end of next week!!

It's week 5 of his internship...only 5 more to go.

-a

Happy Birthday Brett

Last Saturday was Brett's 30th birthday! We celebrated his big day together in Playa del Carmen (the trip was compliments of the company he is working for this summer).

The highlight of his birthday was that he got to play golf. As you can see, he was so happy about going to play golf that he did a little dance to celebrate. If only I had captured more of his fancy footwork in this photo...

Happy Birthday Brett.

-a

Nephew play time

On Sunday, we went over to my sister Lisa's house and got to play with the nephews for a while. Luke just turned 1 and Pearce is almost 5 1/2. Pearce loves his Aunt Angie and Uncle Brett. He runs to us and gives us huge hugs when he sees us. Soon enough, we'll have Luke brainwashed too.

Pearce has this big stuffed horse that he likes to pretend he's riding and it's very entertaining. He recently received an Indiana Jones toy whip that plays the Indiana Jones theme song so we listened to that music and watched Pearce jump around on the horse for quite some time and for some reason, it never got old because the kid is hilarious.

Luke is just precious. He entertained us merely by scooting around holding on to the coffee table (he's still trying to decide if it's worth walking around without holding on to things) and flashing his cute smile at us over and over again.

-a

Summer-itis

I have summer-itis in a real bad way.

I am obsessed with summer mornings and nights. I love to be outside during this time because I think it is one of the best things in life. All summer long I have been getting up early to go work out and then I come back and walk Ellie. (It has taken a while to get to this point, but I actually go outside in shortsleeves and shorts in the morning in Palo Alto now. Even though I have goosebumps, I am learning that this is as warm as it's going to get and I need to get used to it.) After being outside in the early morning it is so hard to force myself to go back inside the house and get ready for work. I think I get mildy depressed, I am not kidding, it feels like I get a broken heart. After I get off work, all is right in the world again and Ellie and I go out for a longer walk and get to enjoy summer again.

I landed in Dallas late Thursday night and when I stepped out of the airport I was so happy to be in Texas, mainly to see Brett and family, but also because of the weather. Of course it is hot, hot, hot during the day, but the mornings and evenings make it worth it - no goosebumps here.

Brett and I had been apart for a few weeks so the long holiday weekend was a nice treat and we were able to spend three relaxing days together. We've been enjoying the mornings by getting up early to work out, walk Ellie, and just hang out outside. We've been able to have a few meals outside over the past few days, too. It's been a lot of fun spending summer time with Brett and getting to do it in Texas is an added bonus.

-a