Austin Life

Easter

2009-04-13T17:27:00.005-05:00

We did the Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt again this year. Big success as you can see!

Our friend Kimber

The kiddos

Our friends Nyla and Miranda

Kimber's brother Weston

Nyla and Miranda's mom, my friend Joanna

Our friend Tama

A real Easter bunny named Cotton

Puddle-luscious

2009-03-25T21:48:00.004-05:00

It rained today and my kids were full of joy.

"Speedo Super Hero"

A POEM BY e.e. cummings

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles
far
and
wee

Hair Models

2009-03-25T21:43:00.001-05:00

Here is a glimpse of our breakfast this morning and of Elia's new hair cut.

Diaper-head Ninja Kids & Irish Emerson

2009-03-20T21:06:00.004-05:00

Cuties

2009-03-20T21:00:00.001-05:00

Emerson 1 1/2 months

Emerson 2 1/2 months

Austin's 1st Computer

Spring Planting: clovers, daisies, sunflowers

Sweet Valentines

2009-02-26T15:15:00.000-06:00

Tony's pics of us at Scottie and Tyler's b-day

2009-02-26T15:11:00.002-06:00

Random cuteness

2009-01-30T07:45:00.005-06:00

Austin crashed out in the middle of the pizza place!

What a lucky girl!

2009-01-30T07:38:00.005-06:00

Settling in

2009-01-16T16:12:00.003-06:00

Nap Time

Bath Time

??? Time

Sister Time

We are Five!!!!!

2009-01-11T11:49:00.004-06:00

Emerson Eve Vaclav

2009-01-10T13:53:00.003-06:00

Our precious baby girl arrived at 12:05pm on January 6th. She weighted 7 lbs 8 oz and was 20 3/4" long. The labor and delivery were quick and without complication. So far she is super chill and content...

Meeting the family

2009-01-10T13:45:00.004-06:00

Emerson was so happy to meet her brother and sister...

Homecoming!!

2009-01-10T13:39:00.003-06:00

We came home from the hospital on Thursday...

BUNK BEDS!!!!

2008-11-24T13:49:00.002-06:00

Thank you grandparents!! We are loving the new bed room furniture...

Haircuts

2008-11-24T13:44:00.005-06:00

Both the kids got their first haircuts at the beginning of November...

Lovely

2008-11-24T13:39:00.003-06:00

Halloween

2008-11-24T13:31:00.003-06:00

Elia was a pink Mermaid and Austin, well, we decided that he went as our friend Derek...

We are still here...

2008-10-29T20:36:00.004-05:00

So it's been about a year since I've posted here. A lot has happened and the kids have grown a ton...as you will see because I know that is the real reason most of you check this site. =)

A few things that happened in the last year which are not pictured here:

We went to Disneyland with Michael's family
Elia had her first dance recital
Elia turned 3 years old
J and Jana got married
Michael went to El Salvador
Michael and J's sister Leigh Ann got pregnant with twins
J and Jana got pregnant
Austin turned 1 year old
We got pregnant
Michael attended the US Barista Competition
We opened the second Caffe Medici
We survived a bloody hot summer

...and that brings us full circle to this fall. Still lots of events and celebrations going on. Perhaps I will be better at keeping this site updated in the coming year. We'll see!

Sillyness

2007-11-05T11:43:00.000-06:00

Halloween Night

2007-11-04T22:01:00.001-06:00

We went trick-or-treating, or should I say, "trick-o-tweeting" with our neighbors Greg and Jolie and their boys--the Supermen--Connor and Camden.

The Cat & Superman #1

The Mouse

The Sugar Crash

Neighborhood Halloween Party

2007-11-04T21:55:00.000-06:00

It's been a while

2007-09-25T11:28:00.000-05:00

It's been a full month so far. Here is a bit of what we've been up to.

Getting tatoos. We're glad our employees have such a positive influence on our kids!!

Perfecting the Faux Hawk. And while he's at it--learning to crawl. Yes, that's right. For all practical purposes, my 5 1/2 month-old is mobile. It's more like an inch worm move than a crawl but if he is on the floor he is definitley going some where.

Praying. Okay, actually she was watching Veggie Tales but there's a prayer in there some where. =)

It's almost done

2007-09-25T11:12:00.001-05:00

The remodeling is almost done. Michael, Jimmy and a few others have been working miracles in our place. So far they have demolished the kitchen, both baths and ripped out all the flooring. They re-routed plumbing and electricity, rebuilt walls, textured and painted. This week they laid the tile in the kitchen and are tiling the bath as we speak, or type, whatever!

I decided these are the last house pics I am going to post unitl it's done because I think it will be fun to unveil the final product. But for now...

An artist emerges...

This is Jimmy. He is a miracle. He is a customer at the shop who took it upon himself to help rebuild our house. He has worked hours on end with Michael everyday for the last month. It is difficult to put into words how much this has meant to us because without his help we'd be looking at a move in date of 2008!!

Austin is not afraid to get his hands dirty either!

Sneak peak -- which room do you think this is?

2007-09-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

Elia, Austin and I went to Ft. Worth to celebrate Jude's 4th birthday. It was chaotic kid craziness and it was tons of fun! Erin and Josh are lucky enough to have made friends with some really neat couples that also have young kids. Since we don't have too much of that here in Austin it was cool for me to experience being around a lot of families. Elia and Austin had a blast as you can see...

Austin co-chillin' with Jett

Beautiful Mom

The kids enjoyed pizza and the most Incredible cake I've ever seen!

Josh and Mike manned the Incredible pinata and all the kids went candy crazy when it busted...

JJ supervised, or shall I say refereed, the most action-packed game of Duck, Duck, Goose you've ever seen...

Sillyness

2007-09-25T10:31:00.000-05:00

Elia's Back!!!

2007-08-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

and from the looks of it, she didn't miss us too much!

The park at Michael's elementary school:

The Amarillo Town Club pool:

The back yard:

The "scary guy" at Michael's high school:

"Mimi I'm gonna get you!"

What a little Lady!

2007-08-19T23:34:00.000-05:00

This week Elia is staying with Mimi and Pawpaw in Amarillo. She left Saturday and won't be back until Friday. She is having a blast. We are trying to keep ourselves busy and detox from all the Veggie Tales jingles.

We miss you Sweety!!!!!!

Progress

2007-08-19T23:30:00.000-05:00

Michael and Jimmy have been busting their tails to get the house ready. For example:

Old bedroom...

No bedroom...

New bedroom...

New House

2007-08-19T23:24:00.001-05:00

These were taken the day we actually bought our new condo:

View from our porch

First house guests

Peek-a-boo, Beans we miss you

We call this one "Mixed Emotions"

Fuzzy Haired Sleeper

2007-08-19T23:17:00.000-05:00

Big News: Vaclavs on the Move!!

2007-07-30T22:23:00.000-05:00

The rumor is true. Michael and I are buying a condo; we're scheduled to close next week! Are you wondering, "Wait a minute! When did this happen? This came out of now where!" Yeah our thoughts exactly! A couple of weeks ago we started looking on the East side for a fixer-upper and praying that God would lead us to just the right house, just where we need to be. As it turns out, that place is not on the East side. It is much closer to where our hearts are: two blocks from the coffee shop!

Crazy right! We did not even consider buying in Clarksville. But thankfully J had his eye out and came across a 3/2 condo literally two blocks north of the coffee shop. We were skeptical but looked into it anyway because it was "sort of" in our price range. That was like a week and a half ago. I can't describe how quickly and smoothly and peacefully all this has gone down except to say that God did not just open the door--he threw it wide open and shooed us in.

Check this out to get an idea of just how ROCKIN' this location is:

In WALKING DISTANCE from our house there is: a grocery store, pharmacy, J's house, the coffee shop, elementary school, 3 parks, 3 pools and a multitude of babysitters!! Here are some preliminary pics:

Dining room:

Living Room:

Living Room:

View from Front Door: On the left is the kitchen, then the bath then the guest room. On the right is the laundry then the master bedroom w/ bath.

In the coming weeks we (Michael) will do some remodeling and we hope to be moved in by mid Sept. We plan to replace all the flooring and completely re-do the kitchen and of course repaint. All those white walls just won't do!

We can't wait for you to come stay in our guest room!

Newest X-Game Competition:

2007-07-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

Xtreme Sleeping

That's right folks. The youngest competitor ever, right here in Austin TX. Scottie Sachs might have met his match!!

"Hi Mom, I'm Ready to Go."

2007-07-29T21:59:00.001-05:00

New Friend coming from the other side of the world

2007-07-23T10:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday our friends Keith and Sarah finally became the parents of their little girl May. They adopted her from China where she has been in an orphanage. May was abandoned in a shopping mall when she was one day old. She is healthy and beautiful and we can't wait to have a play date!!

At Chateau Vaclav

2007-07-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

Dinner time...

Austin's new chair...

Yes, she actually was sleeping like that...

4th of July

2007-07-14T13:54:00.000-05:00

Cameron and Uncle J hosted a killer Independence Day party--complete with juicy steaks, severall rounds of Phase 10, swimming, napping and fireworks. Good times. Elia found the fireworks disappointingly "Scary"

"We are the champions--of the world"

2007-06-29T15:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, maybe not the world but of the South Central Region Barista Competition for 2007! Our baristas took 1st and 2nd place. So last night we had a party to celebrate Patrick and Clancy.

Reigning champ Patrick (left).

2nd place champ Clancy (red shirt).

Diana and Emily doing what they do best--having fun.

Sweet Babs cute as ever.

Classic Cameron Cougar Melloncamp.

This month has been crazy!!

2007-06-29T15:33:00.000-05:00

June has been all about visitors! Spending good times with old friends, new friends and family. Man we are lucky to have so many awesome people in our lives.

Here's Austin with Ed (who works for us) and his girlfriend Kat.

Sam and Jeanette modeling the fabulous Medici apron.

Turns out Austin is quite a people-person, which is good because around here there's not much choice. =)

Owen was sweet enough to share his room with us for a week while we did all the Barista Champ stuff in Dallas.

What City do we Belong In?

2007-06-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

Alison:

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart

Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome

Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand

And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

Michael:

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern.

A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.

A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything.

No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Leslie Love is the Best

2007-06-01T16:29:00.001-05:00

Can you tell me who I look like because my parents don't have a clue?

2007-06-01T16:27:00.002-05:00

Hard to believe but...

2007-06-01T16:24:00.001-05:00

...this is NOT the bathing suit portion of a beauty pageant. Our daughter is just that cute!!

Family

2007-05-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

This past weekend me and kids went to Huntsville to celebrate my grandmother's 85th birthday. Their great-grandmother, Martha Lee Jagot, was born in Marshall, TX in 1922. When asked about what it was like growing up during the great depression she said, "We were poor. But we we didn't know it because everyone was poor."

Mimi, as I call her, may have been poor as a child but is now rich in many ways. To name a few: she has five children, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who all love and adore her. I can't imagine what it would be like to hold Elia's granddaughter or Austin's grandson!!

We also stayed at with Terri and my dad, or as Elia calls them, "Grandma" and "Grandma-pa." It is always a delight to visit the Kelley farm, complete with cat, dog, chickens, sqirrels, grey tree frogs, a variety of birds, seasonal deer and hogs, the occasional snake and other "critters" that make their home in my folks back yard.

Lovely Children

2007-05-12T19:56:00.000-05:00

Grandma & Grandpa

2007-04-24T21:54:00.000-05:00

Hospital & Going Home

2007-04-15T16:01:00.000-05:00

Cuddle Time

2007-04-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Sister Love

2007-04-15T15:58:00.000-05:00

Mimi Love

2007-04-15T15:56:00.000-05:00

First Bath

2007-04-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

Austin Michael Vaclav

2007-04-07T10:56:00.000-05:00

We are all doing really good. Austin was born on April 2 at 3:43 pm at 8 lb 2 oz and 20 in long. It's a boy. Alison was hard core. They broke her water at 10:00. The harder labor kicked in shortly after that and whalla baby. Well there was some pushing involved. Alison made it look easy.

Elia is doing good. She really loves Austin and thinks he is "pretty". She was a little stand offish with us for the first couple of days, but so far she has handled the transition like a rock star. We love you guys and thankyou for your prayers.
Michael and Alison

We are keeping our afternoon naps pretty sacred right now. So if you want to come by the house, come before 1:30 p.m. and after 6:00 pm.

Imminent birth!!

2007-03-31T16:28:00.000-05:00

If I do not have the baby today or tomorrow I will be induced on Monday morning. We're praying I go into labor naturally but if not we are super stoked to meet the baby on Monday. Stay tuned....

For those who are wondering

2007-03-27T18:22:00.000-05:00

The baby has not arrived yet. But I am happy and big as a watermelon. =)

St. Paddy's Day

2007-03-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am still prego and feeling great. My due date is not until the 26th but I started dialating last week, so it could be any day now...

We are all doing really well. The coffee shop is rockin'. Elia is as cute as ever...as you can see.

I will get pics of the new baby up here as son as he/she arrives. =)

Caffe Medici in this week's Austin Chronicle

2007-02-15T15:02:00.000-06:00

Everyone must check out the rockin' review we got in the Chronicle this week (it's at the bottom of the page).

Weekend with Nana

2007-02-13T15:49:00.000-06:00

To whoever is out there...

2007-01-30T13:59:00.000-06:00

I don't know who all checks this sight--maybe no one. I am not technologically advanced enough to tell if people look at this thing or not.

But to whoever is out there I want you to know that I changed the settings so that you do not have to have an account to leave a comment. So, if you're so inspired you may drop a word or two.

That's all. Have a good one!
Alison

Oh, yeah, Christmas happened

2007-01-25T15:41:00.000-06:00

Christmas at the daycare -- This was her last day at school; she was sad, but not for that reason. Apparently Elia didn't like the Christmas program, but she did like the Christmas cookies...

Christmas at Mimi & Pawpaw's -- We spent Christmas in Amarillo. It was delightful in every way. Elia and Cade were busy chasing Mimi and Pawpaw around the house while the parents replenished their film-watching reservoirs--and slept. Thanks again for that Mickey & Marilyn!!

cuteness

2007-01-23T22:37:00.000-06:00

Birthday!

2006-12-12T16:56:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Elia's birthday this Sunday. Friends and fam came to the house for hot dogs and the most rocking-est cupcakes you've ever seen, compliments of Barbara Beeson. I will try to get pics of them soon...

More Thanksgiving

2006-11-30T14:02:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving

2006-11-28T14:40:00.000-06:00

We had an awesome time in Huntsville. More pics to come...

Mad Little Indian

2006-11-13T14:20:00.000-06:00

My mom took Elia to the Natural Gardener this weekend. The teepee was not her favorite...

Our Peeps

2006-11-12T18:45:00.000-06:00

Diana

Uncle J

The Marzocco

Clancy

Our First Day

2006-11-12T18:26:00.000-06:00

The Sign--Elizabeth generously offered to create a sign so we could let everyone know we were open.

The Counter--Michael and I worked together on our first opening shift.

The Customer--Joe, who is a contractor for the owner of the building and was a major contributor to the reconstruction of our shop was our first paying "custy" (as Cameron calls them).

The Money!

Coffee shop

2006-11-08T14:15:00.000-06:00

Here is the coffee shop a week or so after we opened (Photo by J Vaclav). I know we have been horrible communicaotrs about the whole process but we'll get to it as soon as we can because it's amazing so far. I will post more pics when I get a chance....

Our second

2006-11-07T18:20:00.000-06:00

Here are the ultrasound pics that we got yesterday. I got to be the guinea pig on a new 2D ultrasound machine they were testing so the video especially is pretty good. We were happy to learn that the baby seemed totally healthy. It is due to arrive on March 26th!

Our first

2006-11-07T18:09:00.000-06:00

To get started we have couple of Elia around Halloween. A tail was as much of a costume as we could get.