Deep in the heart of Texas

The last week brought the Lovell family to Austin, TX, the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World. We were there for Mike's cousin Rory's wedding. Can you believe Mike has a cousin who lives in Texas? But it was Austin, a tiny blue city in a big red state. There was indeed music everywhere. There were hipsters in every shade of black. We saw cars with Obama stickers on their bumpers. It was amazing! But we were still in Texas, so our hotel had a warning sign on the front glass:


I did not bring in a concealed weapon out of regard for their policy.

This trip was the first time most of Mike's family had met Aaron, as they live in such outlandish places as Texas, Monroe, NY, and New Brunswick, Canada. Needless to say, he was a big hit. Mike's cousin Chrissy brought her 17 month old, Amber, who he intermittently played with/beside. At one point, he said, "Amber, dat's my mommy. Don't touch it!" A little possessive I guess. He fell in love with Mike's Canadian cousin Sarah, who fell in love right back. The age difference (21 years) did not seem to faze either of them.



I wish the top of his head wasn't cut off in that one. However, you can see the look of complete joy on his face as he gazes on "my Sa-wah". "Where my Sawah go?""Dat my Sawah dere?""My Sawah commin'?"

The wedding was held at a lovely ranch outside of Austin (read: nowheresville) at a place where there were several ceremonies going on at the same time. We accidentally sat in on 10 minutes of the pre-nuptial gathering of the Ortiz wedding before realizing we were in the wrong place. They seemed like nice people. I had to take Aaron out at the very beginning of the ceremony, because it was 5:30pm, he was tired, hungry and not willing to be quiet. I tried to point out the people in the processional, but he told me, "Don't want fancy ladies". I heard it was a lovely service. Aaron danced with Sarah for at least an hour and then posed with the single guys for the tossing of the garter.

Besides the wedding, we didn't do too much. We walked outside a bit in downtown Austin, but the weather was uncooperative. On an impulse, I bought expensive cowboy boots at a store with the most dizzying array of cowboy boots I've ever seen. I passed up the ones made from stingray. I asked Aaron to pick out a pair for me and he chose these:


I did not go with his choice, but rather a lovely brown leather with beautiful stitching. I wore them to the wedding with my dress. Honest. The pictures of me are horrific, but here's a pic of my feet in the boots:


Right before we left again for Philadelphia, we spent the afternoon at Mary's lovely home. There were kids there, toys, the aforementioned Sarah, but Aaron only had eyes for the restored car.

(with cousins TJ and Amber)

If you enlarge the top car picture, it looks like he is whistling while admiring the paint job. I love this boy.

Exodus to the north

Aaron and I went up to Worcester for passover last week and saw so many people that our heads were spinning. Mike was unable to come with us because he was in Dallas, TX, with the trial team from Villanova after making it to the national trial team competition. They didn't win, but we are so proud of them for making it!

Aaron visited with his cousins in Brookline and had a marvelous time, although his sharing skills are still lacking a bit. According to Reuben, "Aaron needs to learn to share his Lightning McQueen car". According to Aaron, Reuben is wrong. Aaron shouldn't have to share ANY cars or trucks. Here is a picture of him sitting on a truck, holding a truck, which has more little trucks inside it.


Even in the traditional "three kids on a couch" picture, he wasn't willing to let go of the trucks.



Speaking of which, this little video of the three of them is so cute (although kind of long):

Reuben, Aaron and Alessandra also had a good time trying on sunglasses at lunch.




At Baba's house, we had our seder, and Eli and Billy stayed over. The next day, Aaron found a play doctor's kit in my bedroom. He came into the kitchen, grabbed Billy by the hand and said, "Come see the doctor". He's got good instincts, folks. Eli let him listen to his heart with the stethescope. He may have a career as a doctor or maybe a safecracker.