Anya and I had a great weekend down in Houston. Like all great vacations, it flew by way too fast.

After battling periodic rain showers, we made it into Houston @ around 330 on Sunday afternoon. Shortly after arriving, Bill and Karen treated Anya and I to a movie (Superman Returns) and dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. I liked the movie a lot more the second time I saw it, probably because I watched it with different expectations. The movie felt better paced and more comfortable in its own skin the second time around. I'm not sure what that's all about. We rounded out the evening with friendly chit chat in Karen and Bill's living room.

We woke up around 1030 on Monday and went to Nana's retirement home soon thereafter. It was great seeing Nana, though she looks more and more frail each time I see her. Despite being in good spirits, it's pretty evident that she's not remembering events and situations as easily as she used to. But she's still quite the little firecracker in her old age. :-)

We went swimming not long after we got back to the house, and continued swimming once the Geists rolled into town. Jessie and Joey appear to be quite the little sea monkeys. Jessie's already a pretty good swimmer, and it definitely won't be long until her still learning brother catches up. It was fun watching Anya, Katie, and Bill help Joey out with the finer points of swimming. It won't be long until the Joey's living in chlorinated water.

Luke and Nadia came over later that night for dinner. It was good seeing the both of them. She's such a positive influence on Luke. Some people have remarked that Luke appears to be back to his former self again. I agree, though I have to say that he's a new and improved Luke. I haven't seen him smile so much since before I left for the Marine Corps.

Later that night, Anya and I went over to Luke's apartment for some light after dinner discussion, mainly about the ins and outs of both "LOST" and "Batman Begins."

Bill and Karen treated Anya and me to an afternoon Astros game at Minute Maid Park with my nephews Jay and Jacob. It was good seeing those two boys again, though the inch (literally) more and more away from boyhood with every moment. The Astros gave a great 4th of July performance by beating the hapless Cubs 7-2.

We all went swimming after the game, though it wasn't for very long due to dinner being served soon after we got back. We said farewell to the Geists, who were headed to Dallas, but hope that it was just a couple days worth of farewells if the Geists decide to roll through Central Texas on their way back home in Florida.

Anya and I had originally planned to stay until Wednesday morning, but we opted to head out to Cypress and watch the Isabells and neighbors shoot off about a grand's worth of fireworks. Despite the heavy rain, the neighborhood kids shot fireworks well into the night. It was great catching up with Jerry and Holly as well. Our original plan consisted of us staying the night in Cypress, but due to some family emergencies, Anya and I had to get back to Austin. Luckily, things appear to be okay (for now) so we're definitely grateful for that.

We're back in Austin now, ready for a busy end of the week, with me having job interviews and guests coming in to stay.

That's about it. A special thanks to everyone who helped make this such a fun weekend, and an IOU to everyone who wasn't here yet deserves a visit from Matt and Anya. :-)

peace and love