Tour de Houston: Celebrating the Mamas we love

Last weekend, we made a trip to the Lone Star State to spend time with a few of the mommies we love so much. Here are a few pictures from our visit... enjoy!

Friday: Cuddle time with Mary Kathryn.

Our niece: the army crawling machine

Saturday: Big day!

First stop: Play time with my boyfriend Brayden. 

Just hanging out, doing dude stuff.

Second stop: CRAWFISH!!!!!!!!!
7 lbs for Mr. And Mrs. Smith {No shame}

Kurt and Bo

Ryan and Lacey 

The aftermath 

St. Arnold's Lawnmower- I miss you!!!!!!!

Yes, those are Raybans. My dad rocks.

Me & the girls! Love these ladies.

3rd stop: Avery's Celebration 

Snow cones, cotton candy, hotdogs, face painting....
This was one happening party!

Hubster

Even Lexi loved the tshirts!

The band: Super Mario, Woody, a bumble bee, and a chicken.

Gave Laura the biggest hug ever.

The most *amazing* couple I know.
It was a beautiful celebration for an incredible angel!

4th stop: Cedar Creek for hoodrat things with my friends

More of my favorite ladies!

Sunday: Ate 1/2 a pint of Bluebell for breakfast {true story- you can't get it in DC!}, then spent time with our Mamas!

Gift for my mom & Mimi: Kitchen Aid Pasta Maker Attachment! 

Mama J showing Mimi some tricks

Aleia joined the party 

Having a blast! I have a feeling they'll be eating a lot of spaghetti ;)

Mother's Day Dinner! Caprese bites, hand made fettucini with sausage and veggies in vodka sauce. 

I know I say this all the time... we love our lives in DC. We are still having a blast exploring the city, making new friends, and enjoying the time together. But... there's no place like home :) Thanks to everyone who spent time with us- we love you!

Cinco de Derby

Combining Cinco de Mayo AND Kentucky Derby in one day can cause a bit of an identity crisis. Sombrero vs. Floppy hat. Margarita vs. Mint Julep. Poncho vs. Seersucker. Enchilada vs. BBQ. Horse racing vs. Hat Dances. Add in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, and you have our dilemma. Ahh!

Let's be honest... to Americans, Cinco de Mayo is our excuse to wear sombreros, drink tequila, and yell "Arriba" sporadically without being judged. Similarly, the Kentucky Derby is something that .0025 % of people actually care about... it's an excuse to drink Mint Juleps, wear obnoxious hats, and dress like assholes for 24 hours. The fact that both events were on the same day was the perfect storm.

Hence... Cinco de Derby!

Borrowed this pic

Here's how we celebrated, Mr. & Mrs. Smith Style. Why limit it to one day??

Wednesday: "Get in the Mexican spirit" day with healthy mexican sweet potato skins.

Finally broke in the cast iron skillet! Roast corn for 10 minutes in a tad bit of butter & cumin.
Important: don't stir often! 2-3 times max, helps the kernels brown.

Real fancy: buy the organic microwaveable sweet potato to save yourself 45 minutes of baking.
Warning: They make a whistling sound while cooking... totally normal.  

Let potato cool: carve out filling and place in bowl.
Add roasted corn, black beans, 1 chipotle pepper, sour cream, cream cheese, cumin, and cilantro.  

Top with sour cream & cheese {any kind} and serve with avocado- Deeeelish!
*Side note: I used all fat free products, so this was yummy AND healthy!
1 potato serves 2 people- these babies are big.

 Thursday: Tequila Tasting.

Monthly Zeke, Kate, and Derek date.

1st up: Jose Cuervo. 

Up next: Don Julio. I need a minute after the Jose.

Not sure about this...

Yep... 2 down, 4 more to go.

Fast forward a few drinks...

All done! 

That's a disturbing amount of empty glasses.

I went home about 5 minutes after this picture. 

Friday: Derby Day! Bringing Kentucky style to NorthWest DC.

Aren't we fancy?

5:00 pm Mint Juleps

Friday night: Happy hour with Lisa and Dustin at the new Mexican restaurant on our street:

Didn't get any pics :(

Then, a not-Cinco De Derby related date night to see the 11:00 pm showing of The Avengers:

Good movie, but we both fell asleep due to:
a) the margaritas and dinner we ate before
b) the 11:00 pm viewing time

Saturday: Up bright and early for Cinco de Caps Game

First Stop: Rosa Mexicana for pre-gaming 

My 2nd Caps playoff game vs. NY Rangers = 2nd win I've been present for.
Maybe there's a pattern? ;)

Got cray in DC. For about 30 minutes. Then I went home and took a looooooong nap.

Thanks to our loooooooooooong nap, Seis De Mayo was fantastic and rather productive. We met Nick and Janice for 11:00 am brunch at Carlyle {again, no pics, bad Kate!}, knocked out some chores, went to the gym, did our monthly wine club tasting, and cooked a rather fantastic dinner that I'll write about tomorrow.

I hope your weekend was equally as cliche and fantastic!

XoXo

Remembering Avery

This is one of the few times I've been at a loss for words. There are no quotes, sayings, or rationalizations that make dealing with death any easier, much less the death of a child. We are heartbroken for our friends, and are frustrated that we are so far away and can't be there. 1400 miles feels like another universe when all you want to do is give someone a hug and let them know you love them.

Please keep the Canahuati family in your prayers, and continue to honor baby Avery's memory by educating yourself and others about SMA. If you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant- ask your doctor about genetic testing to identify if you're a carrier of the gene. Even though there's no cure, education and awareness is the first step in making a difference. If you already have children, hug your babies tighter tonight and remember how blessed you are each day.

Avery Lynn Canahuati
11/11/11 - 04/30/12

For more information on her journey or to make a donation to Dr. Kaspar's Gene Therapy in her honor, please visit http://averycan.blogspot.com/. This little angel made an impact on millions and millions of people during her short time with us... please help her legacy live on.