Last weekend Katie and I went to St. Petersburg, Florida, for my brother’s wedding. It was hot and humid, but somehow we didn’t mind at all. Katie set us up in a B&B near all the action. It was cute, quaint, and very energy- and water-efficient, which we obviously appreciated. If anyone else is travelingContinue reading “My Brother’s Wedding”
Category Archives: Family & Friends
More Sibling Bonding in Austin
Last weekend Katie and I headed to Austin to spend the weekend with my brother, Nick, and his family. As we were the chauffeurs, there wasn’t room for Max in the car, so we left him with friends. We drove up to Austin Friday evening and crashed with a friend (a friend with a dogContinue reading “More Sibling Bonding in Austin”
Sibling Bonding in Chicago
Katie and I have traveled each of the last two weekends to spend time with her sister in Chicago and my brother in Austin respectively. It was only my second time in Chicago, but the city struck me with some of its similarities to and differences from Houston. The two cities are around the sameContinue reading “Sibling Bonding in Chicago”
1982 – What a vintage!
In honor of Katie’s 30th birthday, we hosted a small dinner last night featuring wines from her vintage, 1982. It was a fun chance to reminisce about what was happening in our lives and in the world 30 years ago. Top movie: Chariots of Fire. Top song: Eye of the Tiger. Top world event: Katie’sContinue reading “1982 – What a vintage!”
Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections
A great deal happened on and around our wedding day. William and Kate were married a week before. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split up. Our dear friends gave birth to their first child. Animal Kingdom, a horse with ties to Hot Springs, Arkansas, won the Kentucky Derby. Rice baseball swept UH to continue itsContinue reading “Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections”
Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath
Sunday morning we woke up for the first time as husband and wife. Practically speaking, nothing had changed. Emotionally speaking, everything was different. We had taken a big step and everything just seemed to shine. At breakfast the honey was a litte sweeter, the smiles a little broader, and the laughter a little louder –Continue reading “Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath”
Wedding Part 4 – The Big Day
Saturday morning Katie and I arose; the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and excitement was in the air. After breakfast many of us set about making final preparations. Many of the women decorated the granaio, which would be the scene of dinner and dancing, while others picked local wild flowers from the countryside. WeContinue reading “Wedding Part 4 – The Big Day”
Wedding Part 3 – Our Last Day as Singles
Friday many of our guests went out exploring on their own. Some went to Florence, some to Lake Trasimeno, some to Cortona, and some just drove around. Katie and I stayed at the castle to enjoy the estate a bit and make any final preparations for the big day. Castello di Montalto is on 700Continue reading “Wedding Part 3 – Our Last Day as Singles”
Wedding Part 2 – Brunello di Montalcino
Thursday’s focus was on my favorite aspect of Tuscany: the WINE! After breakfast together (featuring exclusively food grown/prepared there at the castle or baked/prepared in the nearby village), we lined up an eight-car caravan to travel to the wine region of Brunello di Montalcino. The Garmin GPS that came with our rental car led usContinue reading “Wedding Part 2 – Brunello di Montalcino”
Wedding Part 1 – Arrival
The best week of my life – including the best day of my life – has just ended. I have had some really tremendous previous best weeks and days of my life, but this wedding really blew them all away. Everything was just so . . . so . . . perfect. Katie and IContinue reading “Wedding Part 1 – Arrival”