Rodeo Run - the Rodeo comes to Houston!

The company Eric works for recently sponsored a Rodeo Run right around the time the rodeo started.  I had friends coming to visit so I didn't sign up for the race, but I went to cheer on Eric run the 10K distance.  

The starting line

 Cutie in a cowboy hat

 I missed Eric finishing the race but he completed it in just under 50 minutes...not bad for no training.  Our crossfit workouts have definitely paid off! 

NY in Austin 2012

We headed to Austin one Saturday night February to see Eric's brother and girlfriend and we also got to see some Spack grads, Danny's friends Jay and Sal Rose were visiting.  It was so nice to see some familiar faces from home in Texas.   Sal Rose, ironically was in Paris one of our first weekends when we moved there and here he is again.  

 Testing out the self timer...still blurry 

 Early

 3rd times a charm 

"You put it down like New York City"....weekend song quote

Way to represent, NY!

Houston Carshow 2012

Houston had a huge car show this year so we decided to stop by one night and check out the cars.  We walked all around, checking out new and vintage cars.   Overheard while walking around was someone commenting on the maroon color of a car, "it's a good red, without being too Aggie red"...too funny!

 This one is pretty cool

 Muscle car

 The new Fiat

 Cadillacs

 This is a truck!

Love the vintage cars

Go NY-Superbowl 2012

Well, our J-E-T-S sadly weren't in the Superbowl this year, but another NY team was so of course we were cheering for the Gmen!   My mom was in town for the occasion and helped us make the menu.  For Christmas, my mom bought Eric a football cake pan so we decided to put it to good use...and went a little overboard.  

 The field

 The football cake 

Then we got the genius idea of making the Giant's logo on the table.  This is wrapping paper!  We definitely made a few trips to Target, which is conveniently right down the street :)

 Go Giants!

The finished products

 Yes, we even made little football players.  Once we started decorating and getting on a role, it took about 5 minutes to decorate each one.  It took a bit of time to get the right shade of blue and the helmet but in the end, I think they came out pretty cute, especially for me and my mom = not good bakers at all!

 Some of the grub :)

 Our friend Jen's Giant's themed cake balls...oh my gosh, delicious!  Red velvet inside, yummy!

 Eric's famous chili on the back table. 

I wish I had stopped concentrating on the food for a minute to take a better pic, but in the end, we had a wonderful time and the Giants were victorious over the Patriots, 21-17!
Until next year...

My new job

The day finally arrived...my first day of my new job!  Since it had been nearly two months since I accepted the position, I was eagerly awaiting the start date.   I have been hired as a part of a grant at a Houston area middle school as an ESL Interventionist tutor to help boost test scores for the ELLs (English Language Learners) that are required to take the state exams.  This particular area has a very high Burmese (Republic of Myanmar) population that are very high need.  Many of the students came to the US from refugee camps and missed years of formal education.   What a shame that these students are required to take the state exams just one year after entering the country...but unfortunately this is the case so plug ahead we will.  Most of them are so sweet and really do want to learn.  Being back in the classroom after 9 months reminds me why I really love teaching ESL.  Now only if I could find an Italian teaching job, too!
Wish me luck as I forge ahead.

Mom and Dad's Visit to Houston Dec 2011/January 2012

Once we made the 5 hour trek from New Orleans to Houston, everyone was starving.  So, we first stopped off at our favorite market to do some grocery shopping...well, more accurately, Eric and my dad grocery shopped, my mom and I went to West Elm.  It was a perfect trade off.  

On our way home, we drove through a very beautiful area of Houston that has very impressive homes with some of the most beautiful holiday lights I've ever seen.  As always, these photos do no do it justice!

 Weeping willow trees all lit up, I absolutely love the way this looks!

 One of the more popular houses.  Many people stop in front of this one to take photos.

 Love the candy cane trees, balls of lights and angels, just perfect!

 Look at how far these trees are lit up!  There are crews and crews of workers setting up these houses, it's amazing the work they do.  

When we arrived back, we realized our tree had died while we were away and it was time to take it down.  Luckily I found a place in Houston where they recycle trees so the only obstacle was getting it out of the house...without getting needles everywhere :)

Dad and Eric working hard

And out goes the tree.....

They decided that instead of bringing the tree through the house, they'd drop it off of the front balcony and it was actually quite successful! 

 Mom putting away the decorations and lights

 NYE toast

We decided to go out to a nearby restaurant for a NYE dinner 

 Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year 2012!


One day we went to Discovery Green where we found they have iceskating

At one of our favorite coffee houses.

We had such a wonderful time with my parents visiting.  It was such a great vacation for us all.  We are so happy they were able to spend some quality time with us in Houston.  Until the next visit!!