New Year's Weekend Getaway

Have I mentioned that we have an amazing family? Brian surprised me with babysitters (my parents) so that we could have a weekend away with just the two of us. I really think this is was our first trip alone since our honeymoon almost 7 years ago, and it was fabulous!!

We wanted to choose a place within a few hours of our house. My wonderful Aunt Claudia lives in California, but also has a condo in Austin. She offered to let us stay there, and even better she and her family came in town too! She is the best host and her condo is gorgeous, here is the view from her balcony:
We arrived in Austin late Thursday night, so that we could wake up early on Friday and have the whole day. We had breakfast in Austin and then drove to San Antonio. We knew that we wanted to stay until night so that we could see the lights on the Riverwalk, so we had lots of time to kill. We started by watching a movie at the Riverwalk Mall and then went sight-seeing.

Shopping:
We toured the Wax Museum too:


Pretty soon, it was time for dinner! This was the time we were most excited to be child-free (the rest of the trip we spent saying "Carson would love that..." and "Deacon would have so much fun there..."). No stroller-carrying over the bridges, no temper-tantrums blocking the walkway, and best off all, no taking turns on eating our meal while the other walks around with a kid. It was fantastic!

It was packed, but we walked right up to the first Mexican restaurant we came to and snagged a great patio table with a view to people watch and see the decorations. They also had virgin margaritas!!

After dinner we waited in line about an hour for the boat tour. (Again, so thrilled to be having grown-up time!) We lucked out and got put on a boat with the most hilarious tour guide.

We ended the night at Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar, where we sang along for about an hour and then headed back to the condo to visit with my family.
I don't know how I didn't get ANY pictures of my family! We ate lunch with them on Saturday and even drug the boys with us to Sam Moon! As you can see, Brian had a blast:
New Year's Eve evening we got dressed up and went to dinner at my very favorite restaurant: Melting Pot. (Another blog on our dinner is coming up)
We were back at the condo before midnight, and had time to count down the new year with my aunt and uncle.

On our way home the next day, we all had brunch at another relatives house with all the dishes you need for a successful new year: black eyed peas, cabbage, ham, and cornbread.

We had the best time, but it was wonderful to come home to our house and smoochie on our sweet boys!