A Super Birthday

Sorry for the long delay in our postings, but we have both been so busy at work that we have kind of neglected our poor blog. About a week ago I turned 25, which for some reason seems a lot older then 24. When I used to tell people I was 24 they would say "Oh, your still really young" or "Have you played Madden 08 on Xbox 360 yet"?, but now that I tell people I'm 25 they say "So, you're getting pretty old!" or "Have you had your cholesterol checked"? You know what the sad thing is? I did have my cholesterol checked......

Besides the fact that I am only 5 years away from 30 years old and a quarter of the way to 100, I had a great birthday. The birthday celebration started with a delivery from my dad. I didn't know what to expect inside, but I thought it might be some new work shirts, or some sort of Utah paraphernalia. I would have been happy with any of those things, but my dad hooked me up with a new Nikon D40 Digital SLR. I've been wanting a digital SLR for a long time, and my dad came through big time. I don't think I have been more excited about a present from my parents since my Sega Genesis (with Sonic, Aladdin, and Jurassic Park games).

Saturday night Madelyn took me out on the town. She took me to my favorite Austin destination, the Alamo Drafthouse. I think we mention this place in almost every post..... but this was special, because they opened a new downtown location in an old theater. It's been quite the "talk of the town" here in Austin and we felt pretty lucky to score some tickets. We went to see Michael Clayton, ate some nachos and burgers, and walked around a crowded Saturday night 6th street for some excellent people watching. She also threw in a new University of Utah polo shirt so that I can represent at work..... it will be perfect with my new sneakers the Robert and Kathryn got me (red of course).

(I didn't take my camera with me, but the Ritz is now the new Alamo Drafthouse)

Since we aren't partiers, drinkers, or homeless, we sometimes forget about the 6th street district in Austin. Now that Madelyn does the book-keeping for a place that owns a couple of the nicest clubs and restaurants downtown and has an office above a piano bar on 6th(I know, it sounds weird, but the offices are super nice, and the job is super cool), we are starting to spend a lot more time downtown. Sixth street is definitely one of the things that sets Austin apart from other cities, and it's nice to finally have a reason to go down there.

(this is the best picture I could find on the Internet of 6th. I'll take one next time)

My birthday weekend was far from over, because my Grandma and Grandpa came up from San Antonio to celebrate with me. We hung out at my mom's house all day Sunday and watched the Cowboys game. Later that night we headed out to Gueros Taco Bar for some EXCELLENT tacos. They were super good!

I thought my birthday was over, but last week Madelyn surprised me again and used this cool business in Austin called Tiffs Treats. Is everyone reading this ready to be super jealous? They deliver fresh baked cookies to your door! Hot, gooey, fresh from the oven cookies. They also deliver milk and ice cream with your order. Oh man, they were so freakin' good. Keep in mind, that if you come for a visit in Austin you may get a cookie delivery.

Last weekend my birthday celebration finally came to a close with the purchase of my Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys Jersey. Madelyn had a difficult time helping me pick out the right jersey because she couldn't even begin to understand why someone would buy a football jersey..... Home or away jersey? Tony Romo or Jason Witten? Replica or Authentic? I think she finally understands what it's like for me at Old Navy.

When I finally made the choice she seemed ok with the purchase until I notified her that I would be wearing it out of the house. I told her that I could wear it on Thanksgiving (since the Cowboys play that day) on the plane. This confused her even more..... "Wait, you are going to wear it.... like, in public"?

Later that weekend I did indeed wear the jersey out in public while we were running errands. Madelyn told me it was like I was wearing a Halloween costume and that she wished she would have dressed up too.

I guess it's a guy thing?

This was definitely a birthday to remember, thanks to everyone for making my 25th so awesome!

It's our Austinniversary!

This week marks the one year anniversary of the newly established Cody and Madelyn family embarking in the adventures of Austin, Texas. It is hard to believe we have been here for one whole year. At this time last year, we rolled into Austin on our last tank of gas in the U-Haul (which probably got us from about Waco to Austin - those things get horrible gas mileage!). We (and all... well MOST of our possessions) made it in one piece traveling from the crisp fall air in Salt Lake through the bitter winds of Wyoming, the beautiful mountainside of northern Colorado, the endless plains of Kansas, and the scariest motel ever in Oklahoma. Finally, we arrived late one balmy November evening in Austin. We were greeted by a hot meal and comfortable bed provided by my mom and step-dad (thank you!).

What followed after that day was a series of horrible, wonderful, weird, and exciting events. This past year has certainly been an interesting one. We've sought adventures in every corner of the state (ok, well not EVERY corner.... turns out Texas has a lot of those). So to celebrate this one year anniversary of our arrival in Austin, I thought I would give the top 10 moments in Austin Texas.... with new pictures and links to the original posts!

( I don't know what was happening here.... but it's funny)

10. Hives

We had just pulled into Austin in our moving truck and had gotten settled for a short stay with my mom. We didn't think we would live at her house for more then two weeks.... a month, tops. Well.... we were dumb, and it turn out that finding a job was harder than expected. We also found out that Madelyn was allergic to cats. The wonderful union that is cat dander and unemployment stress caused Madelyn to break out in head-to-toe hives. The cure? None. The relief? Cold showers and oatmeal baths. Welcome to Texas!

9. The Move

A little over a year ago Madelyn and I started out on an adventure, we quit our jobs, packed up all of our stuff, and left for the unknown. We pulled onto I-80 ready for the open road and a new life. This excitement lasted for about 2 hours.... then we hit windy Wyoming in a large top heavy box pulling a trailer. Then it was 2 days of plains..... nothing but fields, gas stations, and fast food. This is of course until we reached our final night at the luxurious Days Inn in Oklahoma City, located right next to the McDonald's and what appeared to be a strip club. Ahhh.... the open road!

(Taken on our anniversary trip to Galveston)

8. The New Car

The Subaru getting totaled was certainly a sad occasion, but the money we received from insurance allowed us to get a brand new (to us) car..... although we still miss the Subaru.

(Never had a place to put this picture.... why not here?)

7. Barton Springs

We first mentioned Barton Springs in a blog post titled "The Perfect Day". Barton Springs is one of the places that makes Austin such an amazing place. There is nothing better then jumping in 60 degree water on a hot and humid (very hot.... and very humid) summer day. Add some floats, the 3 dollar admission, and taking a nap on the shady grass hill and you have the perfect summer destination.

(showing our guests around historic Gruene Texas)

6. The Aggie Wedding

Madelyn and I had been in Texas nearly 8 months when we headed down to Bexar Hall for my cousins A&M themed wedding. We have been to a lot of weddings before.... but this was certainly the "Texas" experience. No amount of Texas training and education could have prepared us for this. Barbecue for dinner served from a bowling alley, maroon bridesmaid dresses, country and German music, and the wonderful Bexar Hall. Not only did we learn a lot about local Texas culture..... but we also had a lot of fun. I don't know if we will ever attend a cooler wedding.

5. Decemberists

My sister's addiction to Myspace payed off big time. The Decemberists were playing a secret show downtown at a very small club, and luckily my sister didn't have work that day and she happened to be checking her Myspace page. She headed down to the club, waited in line, and Madelyn and I arrived an hour later for the best intimate concert of our lives. The best part? The Decemberists are one of our favorite bands. This was the moment where we realized living in the "Live Music Capital of the World" has its perks.

(waiting for the Decemberists. Umbrellas needed for July in Austin)

4. New Apartment

Don't get me wrong, my mom was a huge help in our move to Austin..... but moving in with your parents at 24 with your new wife is definitely a humbling experience. Moving out of my mom's house, and out of our storage unit, was definitely one of the best moments of our Austin experience. Although, I do miss the free food, cable, and internet.

3. Arbuckle Wilderness

Hungry Zebras and Ostriches, open windows, moving cars, and children should never be in the same cage together. How this place remains open after all these years is amazing to me. We found out that Madelyn is REALLY afraid of Ostriches, and that Zebras will and do bite, Subaru found that out the hard way.

2. Visitors

Moving across the country has been a very rewarding and exciting experience. But it does come at a price..... we miss our families. So of course there is nothing better then when our families come to visit. My dad came and helped us move into our apartment...or should I say we helped him, Madelyn's mom and dad came for her birthday, her aunt Peggy dropped in for a night, and her dad has dropped in a number of times as he is known to do. Getting to know a new city is amazing, but getting to show people around is twice as fun. Come and visit us!

(A huge Texas star.... what better way to spend tax money?)

1. Dell

I don't know many people who can say they love their job..... but I do. Getting hired on at Dell was the best thing that has happened to us, and has allowed us to continue on our crazy adventures. Go buy a Dell computer or better yet, a server...... support our adventures so our blog can continue.

(My dad got me an awesome new camera for my birthday, I told him I would post a picture taken on it. Although it's not the best shot, there is no way my point and shoot could have taken this... thanks! BTW, this is a shot of the Penny Backer bridge with downtown Austin far in the background)