Busy with Vacations Part 3: Austin

We spent our third 4th of July and our 12th anniversary in Austin this year.  It's definitely our thing now! 

We went up to Austin the day after Schlitterbahn. We were so tired but we wanted to make it up early to do more things! 

Here were our fave activities--

1. Sno-Beach

Out of the 5 days we were there, we managed to go 3 times! That's pretty awesome if you ask me! It was the best, as usual. 

2. Texas Memorial Museum 

J took us to this science museum at the university and we loved it! You all know we love science museums and this one was small but everything they had was great. Our favorite thing had to be the paleontology lab that was in the paleontology exhibit. We looked through all their specimen drawers and were amazed!

We also loved the insect area. They pinned all kinds of beetles and butterflies in a collage and it was beautiful.

And of course the gift shop was a favorite for the kids! We will definitely go back to this museum...I was just surprised it took us so long to go visit it! 

3. Jumpoline

The kids absolutely wanted to visit this place. Eulee was having a somersault kind of day here-- And this is where B accidentally hurt himself. He tweaked his neck trying to do a handspring...and it was all downhill from there.  Poor guy. He missed out on the museum because of it and our anniversary dinner was less than stellar because he was in lots of pain. We didn't even make it to a movie that night because he was really tired from taking muscle relaxers for the pain. He definitely owes me a better date. :)

4. Minute to Win It 

We played minute to win it games again and it was so fun! This year Eulee was old enough to participate in some of them and she was so excited! And she was actually pretty good for a 2 year old! Her faves were Nose Dive and Junk in the Trunk. She kept asking to do these over and over again.

We also did a few other new ones this year--Floatacious (stacking cans on a paper plate on water),

This Blows (using air in balloons to knock down cups),

  Tea Party (trying to land 2 tea bags on the visor of a cap). It was amazing that Eli was the only one to successfully complete the Tea Party challenge! Crazy! 

5. Fireworks

We set off a whole bunch in the backyard and had a blast! Eulee got a little scared and wasn't as into it though. We did our sparkler writing pictures, which turned out awesome again!  Love this tradition!!

(Pretty awesome, right??)

6. Anniversary Dinner

We had a yummy dinner at South Congress Cafe for our anniversary. Like I mentioned before, B was not 100% at the dinner so that took away from it a bit. But the food and service really were outstanding! 

What was a real surprise was when the bill came at the end. Inside was just a note that said--

B and I both said, "Who's David?!?" We started thinking if J or V ever use the code name David for anything. They were the only ones who knew we were there! Then B asked the waiter and then the manager came over and said, "I'm so sorry. For some reason I remembered your friend said his name was David L, but actually it's James L."  Then it all made sense! It was B's best friend JL who paid for our meal! He had been texting J to find out where we were eating and he called to pay for our bill! He really is the nicest guy out there. Who does that?? Thanks for a funny surprise and for a delicious meal, JL! You're the best! 

7. Visiting V's Office

Elina was showing some interest in the work that V does as an Associate Creative Director, so on this trip we asked V if Elina could see his office. It was such a fun visit! Elina learned a lot about what V does and now she wants to be like him!  In August his office is having a Take Your Kid to Work Day and he's going to take Elina! She can't wait!! What a neat opportunity for Elina! 

Plus, V was nice enough to use some of his work equipment to help Elina bind a comic book she was working on.  She LOVES this book and shows it to everyone now!

8. IKEA

We made a trip to ikea to get Elina new bedroom furniture. This was my parents' birthday gift to her now that she's moved into her own room. She was ecstatic to pick out her desk and bed frame! 

We didn't do as much outdoors this time though. I think it was because we had just come back from the beach and Schlitterbahn. I think we just wanted to stay out of the sun and away from water for once. Ha! Even so, it was still another awesome Austin visit. It's always a fun time with J and V! Can't wait to go back up!