everyday memories

2.14.2012

2012-02-14T17:40:00.003-06:00

valentines party at school.

a glimpse at colins life in forth grade.

love to look at his work on display.

one geoville geometric project.

one geometric circle poster.

i love taking a peek into his daily routine,

his desk and his classroom.

4th grade life is good!

2.13.2012

2012-02-13T23:36:00.001-06:00

the birthday celebration continued today at school.

two dozen sugar high round rock donuts for all your classmates.

the basketball season wrapped up tonight at cedar valley.

it was a great season despite losing our star player early on.

the bachelor viewing lives on.

i cant believe that i watch this show.

i cant believe that i admit to it.

happy monday.

2.12.2012

2012-02-12T23:50:00.000-06:00

look carefully.

it snowed for 10 minutes today.

this amount of snow caused all our football games to be cancelled.

honest!

these texans would never survive in buffalo!

40's today.

70's the rest of the week.

winter days in the lone star state.

2.12.2012

2012-02-12T22:33:00.001-06:00

happy T-E-N colin!

your day was filled with monkey bread, church, birthday calls, snowflakes

and papa murphy pizza.

it was the perfect end to a week long celebration.

heres to life in the double digits!

happy day dude!

2.11.2012

2012-02-11T23:32:00.002-06:00

birthday eve memories at the home field grill tonight.

an evening filled with arcade games, lego gifts and a

chocolate cake!

heres to the last day in the single digits colin!

2.11.2012

2012-02-11T13:47:00.001-06:00

Basketball tournament for one.
UIL competition for one.
Football practice for one.
Three boys.
Three places at once.
Only two parents....
Saturday morning fun!

2.10.2012

2012-02-10T10:11:00.001-06:00

a memoir book again found its way into my hands.

think of it as eat. pray. love without the traveling around the world.

think of it as boy leaves girl for another boy.

think of it as an amish girl goes to the big city.

cute quick read.

laugh out loud lines throughout!

2.9.2012

2012-02-09T17:29:00.001-06:00

birthday mail smiles!

nothing better than an early treat in the mailbox.

2.9.2012

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

december at a glance.

remembering the holiday season in words & photos.

documenting stories for future enjoyment.

preserving memories at their best.

hohoho.

i'm almost done with 2011.....

2.8.2012

2012-02-08T08:00:00.001-06:00

hello christmas cards 2011

hello kitchen table.

hello tape runner and paper trimmer.

hello finished project.

hello december memories.

hello final pages of 2011.

2.6.2012

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-06:00

nice job nathan.

you worked hard on your brett favre project.

i learned how to spell favre this weekend.

we all know more about brett than we need to.

you started early.

you finished with time to spare.

the kitchen table has been your home for the last 3 days.

no last minute runs to office max.

no late nights needed.

way to go!

2.6.2012

2012-02-06T22:00:00.003-06:00

monday notes.

love these journaling cards that just say 'hi'.

love this cousin memory game - perfect for our younger cousins faraway.

love eating $1.00 popcorn while watching monday night basketball.

love this new show - i was hooked the first 5 minutes.

love my target diet - i have 5 extra hours a week.

love the handwritten note attached to a red rose

i received after tonights game from justin.

love reconnecting with old friends on facebook.

love reading a book that makes me laugh out loud.

love watching episodes of this on the dvr without commercials.

love flipping through my people magazine all week long.

love steves version of classic tv episodes that makes us all laugh at the dinner table.

love my winter coat that is warm enough for this mild winter.

love checking out this blog everyday.

love helping nathan finish his brett favre book project thats due tomorrow.

love madonnas halftime show yesterday - i danced thru the whole thing.

goodbye monday.

see you again soon.

2.5.2011

2012-02-05T23:00:00.001-06:00

super bowl sunday in snapshots.

candy. snacks. papa murphy pizza.

no room left for brownie bite dessert.

fire in the fireplace.

colin made the squares.

one cheering for the patriots.

three cheering for the giants.

one dancing to the half time show.

we didn't have a great favorite commercial this year

as we have in years past.

we were all watching till the end.

its a great game when it comes down to the last play!

nice job giants!

2.5.2012

2012-02-05T14:00:00.000-06:00

same field.

different team.

same grey clouds.

different age group.

same day.

different time.

same bleachers.

different parents.

same flags.

different ending.

off to prepare for super bowl sunday fun.....

2.5.2012

2012-02-05T12:15:00.000-06:00

blogging on the go. forgot my favorite good olde camera. substitute iphone camera. justin and nathan won despite the cold temps and blustery winds. one hour to warm up before colin's game.

2.4.2012

2012-02-04T18:00:00.001-06:00

november in layouts.

november in photos.

november in words.

november in thanks.

november in memories.

2.3.2012

2012-02-03T18:00:00.002-06:00

finished this book this week.

a happiness self help book.

small changes to bring smiles.

small changes to bring awareness.

some days i feel like life is a race &

i'm missing the good stuff.

good read to remind us to slow down &

enjoy the little everyday memories!

"life moves pretty fast. if you don't stop and look around

once in awhile, you could miss it."

- ferris bueller

2.2.2012

2012-02-02T18:15:00.001-06:00

working on those december pages.

picking colors, arranging photos, gathering stuff

and printing blog posts to add.

reliving december days.

remembering december days.

recording december days.

2.1.2012

2012-02-01T17:00:00.002-06:00

hello february.

hello book sale at the library.

hello two dollar pile of books from todays trip.

hello early release from school today.

hello 82 sunny degrees.

hello shorts and flip flops.

hello new calendar page waiting to be filled.

hello 143 january photos uploaded to snapfish today.

hello february.

lets make some everyday memories!

“each day comes bearing its own gifts. untie the ribbons.”

― ruth ann schabacker

1.30.2012

2012-01-30T21:07:00.001-06:00

from the fields to the courts.

from footballs to basketballs.

from touchdowns to baskets.

from sunday to monday.

great game justin!

1.30.2012

2012-01-30T09:03:00.002-06:00

weekend recap.

watched mr. poppers penguins, abduction & contagion.

ate at sonic, home field grill & mcdonalds.

played legos, scramble with friends & othello.

watched football on the fields & pro bowl on the tube.

visited target, best buy & sports academy.

filled with sat tests, football practices/games & church.

relaxed & recharged.

hello week.

1.29.2012

2012-01-29T20:51:00.003-06:00

sunday was spent on the fields

from clear blue skies to night time lights.

can't imagine a better way to spend a sunday

than with my guys and a football!

1.28.2012

2012-01-28T20:55:00.002-06:00

i started to clean out my hidden bookcase in the hall closet.

i was going to scan each barcode into my online library at goodreads.

i had great intentions.

i abandoned ship after 30 minutes.

i decided it was a tedious project with no real gain.

i dusted the books off and put them back on the shelf.

i arranged them in ~~alphabetical~~ order of size from tolstoy to tan.

i realized that it just as fun to scan the spines when looking for a book.

i closed the door.

i crossed that off my to-do list.

i was proud of myself to just say 'no'.

great idea but would rather read a book with my time!

1.27.2012

2012-01-27T20:00:00.000-06:00

third place science fair ribbon and dorito smile!

friday afternoons can't get any better than this!

1.27.2012

2012-01-27T13:53:00.000-06:00

friday fun.

catching up on those scrapbookable memories from october 2011.

{scrapbookable memories = sliding october pictures from snapfish into

page protectors in chronological order and jotting down the details/thoughts/events

that describe the pictures}

i call it speed scrapbooking.

i call it my version of project life.

i call it photo albums with words.

i call it everyday memories!

1.26.2012

2012-01-26T09:30:00.001-06:00

dear colin,

a snapshot of you today. i am so proud of you - you started your science fair project over the winter holiday break so you wouldn't be cramming at the last minute. i am so proud of you - you love to play football on your winter flag football team and are always ready early for practice and games. you are a true team player - playing whatever position the coach needs you at. you fill your afternoons with football in the street with your neighborhood buddies - the phone is ringing the minute you get in the door from school as you all coordinate your available times to play. you love to orchestrate teams - making calls to get all the best players. you love to read. you love to play with legos still - your creations are found all over the house - along with lots of pieces! you love to play on the itouch - even facetiming daniel late at night {you still forget about that hour difference in time!} you love to play words with friends and scramble with friends - you remind us to play when we fall behind. you love to watch football, espn in the morning and modern family on wednesday nights. you love to play games - board games, computer games and good olde fashioned pen and notebook paper ones too. you love to take the worlds quickest showers. you love to look at the three big snapshots in sports illustrated every wednesday on the way home from the mailbox before nathan sees them. you love to take your lunch to school everyday - the same thing - a pb&j sandwich, yogurt, zebra cake, goldfish and a sunny d to drink. you love to sleep in football shorts and an undershirt. you pick out your clothes every night before going to bed. you love to be busy. you are always doing something, often several things simultaneously. you are all boy.

go. colin. go.

live. laugh. enjoy.

1.24.2012

2012-01-24T09:51:00.001-06:00

i just finished reading this book.

the reviews have been great but the title just did not appeal to me.

i'm not a fan of baseball & i was hesitant to pick this one up

but when it was just sitting on the new book shelf at the library

i snatched it up thinking it was a sign.

and yes, it was a good read.

and yes, it was about baseball.

and yes, it was about so much more.

the characters just sucked me in &

i found myself dragging this 512 page hard covered book everywhere.

when you lug that much around in your purse, you know you are hooked.

when you read at 4:30 in the morning during an insomniac period, you know you are hooked.

the relationships are a psychiatrists dream.

the ending was not predicted.

the beautiful sentences flowed from chapter to chapter.

good read.

1.23.2012

2012-01-23T22:00:00.000-06:00

as i sit on the sidelines cheering you on, i sometimes can't believe thats you on the court.

as i sit on the sidelines, i am so proud of you never giving up despite the score.

as i sit on the sidelines, i laugh at how you have to have .07 mechanical pencils,

that your room is cluttered with clothes and cords,

that your homework is meticulous, that you check your grades daily online,

that you eat more for lunch than i eat all day,

that you have to have 2 dasani waters in your brown bag,

that you love lays chips but not at lunch,

that you always have one white earbud in your ear,

that you are quiet in the morning,

that you love bluebell mint chocolate chip ice cream,

that you and i love dan brown books,

that you prefer scifi movies,

that you watch csi reruns,

that you unwind with xbox video games,

that you love to share your favorite apps with us,

that you help nathan with his algebra homework,

that you are already picking out your high school classes - trying to

set a course that will allow you maximum number of college credits,

that you play winter flag football on the weekends instead of

playing video games all day,

that you tower over me but still say goodnight every night,

that you love to test me about current musical artists &

laugh that i can never remember the difference

between j-zee and j-cole or rhianna & ke$ha,

that you are always on time to leave for school, practice or life.

as i sit on the sidelines, i just wanted to remember the little things

that you do that make me smile today!

1.20.2012

2012-01-20T22:00:00.000-06:00

tgif. warm winter days. football in the street.

shorts and sneakers. ice cream truck music in the background.

xbox is off. touchdowns are being made.

everyday memories are here.

happy weekend!

1.19.2012

2012-01-19T22:25:00.000-06:00

7th grader smiling.

7th grade super stinger award in science.

7th grader who makes us smile when we see his daily llbean backpack

stuffed to the limit everyday with papers everywhere.

7th grader who faithfully brings his trumpet back & forth to school

everyday.

7th grader who has a cell phone with internet but never uses it.

7th grader who loses his itouch everyday.

7th grader who loves microwave popcorn & goldfish.

7th grader who insists on the exact same lunch everyday.

7th grader who still collects football cards & quarters.

7th grader who loves espn and fox news.

7th grader who sometimes forgets to put on deodorant but

knows every stat about every player in every sport.

7th grader who always is smiling.

7th grader who is in UIL & jr historians at school.

7th grader who goes through pencils like water.

7th grader who only knows how to tell a long story.

7th grader who plays football but prefers to analyze the play with his coach.

7th grader who grants loans to family members without charging interest.

7th grader who keeps us all smiling!

1.18.2012

2012-01-18T21:30:00.001-06:00

just finished reading this book & found myself

laughing through many of the 'changes' that gracefully aging

entails.

i was laughing because i could relate!

i had no idea who nora ephron was.

she brought us many wonderful movies including

when sally met harry, sleepless in seattle & julie and julia.

she worked her way up the journalist ladder back in the day.

she partied with big names.

she married several times.

she has good days and bad days.

she has good memories and not so good memories.

she has memories she can't remember.

and she shares them all with us in this memoir.

cute quick read.

1.17.2012

2012-01-17T22:00:00.001-06:00

i spy winter in austin.

i spy tee shirts and shorts.

i spy boys playing street hockey.

i spy on laughs and grass rolling chuckles.

i spy on teenagers being kids.

i spy on teamwork words.

i spy through the front window.

i spy on a no school holiday to celebrate mlk day.

i spy on 77 degrees in the middle of winter.

i spy on a snapshot of life from yesterday.

i spy to remember the now.

1.16.2012

2012-01-16T21:10:00.002-06:00

what i don't want to forget about today.

letting the boys pick out todays movie from redbox.

shopping for treats to munch on.

making a no school day memorable.

watching rise of the planet of apes.

closing all the blinds to make the room dark.

no cell phone interruptions.

just hanging.

just watching.

just enjoying for 2 hours.

treasuring the days when 1.00 movie brings us all together.

treasuring a movie we can all watch.

{i would of never picked this movie but i actually enjoyed it}

listening to the boys write the following movie based on the ending.

how creative, how different they each thought the sequel would be.

just want to remember today.

1.13.2012

2012-01-13T10:00:00.002-06:00

just finished two easy reads this week.

mile markers by kristin armstrong is actually her blog entries

printed out and dived among chapters.

i enjoy her writing and being a fellow austinite, i see her work everywhere in print.

she compares her joy of runner with the

challenges of life.

well done.

blue nights is a memoir.

i was a little heavier than i liked.

joan didion talks about the death of her adopted daughter

as she reflects on snapshot memories.

sad/deep/well written

1.12.2012

2012-01-12T19:00:00.000-06:00

blogging. why do i blog?

i was thinking of taking a break from the blogger world.

i was thinking why bother with the daily posts.

i was thinking who cares about these little everyday memories.

i was just thinking that i killed a tree.

i was just thinking about going back to an old

fashioned journal & pen.

i was just thinking about leaving the camera home for a day/week/month.

i was just thinking about how much i enjoy blogging.

i was just thinking about how much i enjoy snapping pictures of the big games

and the little piles.

i was just thinking about how much i enjoy taking a couple minutes everyday

to record our everyday memories.

i was just thinking i can't stop blogging.

for these little everyday memories is what makes up this wonderful thing called life.

so heres to twenty twelve & more blogging!

1.12.2012

2012-01-12T11:36:00.000-06:00

my favorite waste of time.

my favorite five minute break from office work.

my favorite iphone app.

my favorite inspiration to be artsy.

my favorite multitask site while watching evening tv.

my favorites are here.

1.11.2012

2012-01-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

adding more dog tags to the chain.

perfect attendence & honor roll.

nice job dude and get a haircut.

love,

mom

1.10.2012

2012-01-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

lego organization at its best.

clear boxes filled with instruction books &

pictures taped to the end to let us know which

exciting building adventure is inside.

most of the creations are displayed around the house

but its nice to know they have a home when i go on

one of my cleaning binges!

you do NOT want to know how many boxes we own.

you do NOT want to see them stacked inside colins closet.

you do NOT want to know what its like to step on a lego.

you do NOT want to sift thru the vacuum contents looking for a piece.

you do NOT want these days to end.....

1.9.2012

2012-01-09T21:04:00.001-06:00

monday night lights.

monday night view from the bleachers.

monday night cheering.

monday night popcorn.

popcorn always tastes better when cheering from the bleachers

on a monday night.

go. 64. go.

1.8.2012

2012-01-08T22:00:00.001-06:00

worlds easiest monkey bread.

at bedtime, spray bundt pan with pam.

toss in 20 frozen rhodes white rolls.

melt 1/2 cup butter and

add 1/2 cup sugar & 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

pour over frozen rolls.

leave on counter - uncovered.

go to bed.

sleep.

get up.

bake 350 for 25-30 minutes.

add frosting while warm.

enJOY!

1.8.2012

2012-01-08T21:51:00.001-06:00

all or nothing.

we each had one shot to name the entire playoff picture

from the wild card thru the superbowl.

we studied. we carefully selected. we set the prize money.

we are all out.

we loved watching tim tebow.

we cheered for tim tebow in overtime.

we all picked the steelers.

we are all out.

fun times. everyday memory.

1.8.2012

2012-01-08T17:00:00.000-06:00

a couple more photos from the field today.

love the iphone photos but something about camera pics.

justin & nathan are on the texans,

colin is on the falcons and

we are on the bleachers!

heres to our first season playing winter flag.

1.8.2012

2012-01-08T14:13:00.000-06:00

football sunday.

3 boys. 2 teams. 1 win.

blogging from the iphone.

1.7.2012

2012-01-07T21:00:00.001-06:00

saturday morning football practice under the blue skies.

morning walk to start the day out right.

words with friends with my best partner.

nathan practicing for his SATs already.

afternoon promises fulfilled with a trip to the lego store.

changing downtown austin skyline.

football brackets all in place for our next competition.

birthday celebrations for a long time friend.

redbox movie gone unwatched.

family day together to recharge our batteries.

i {heart} our weekends together!

1.7.2012

2012-01-07T15:38:00.001-06:00

His Christmas lego gift card has been burning a hole in his pocket!

1.5.2012

2012-01-05T21:02:00.001-06:00

just finished this book.

wow.

it reads like fiction but its not.

it reads like fiction but its history.

you'll find yourself transported back to 1890's and

you'll recognize many of the characters.

i did struggle the first 50 pages but once i got into it,

i couldn't put it down.

1.4.2012

2012-01-04T21:00:00.001-06:00

whats going on here?

why is nathan smiling/receiving $25.00/holding a football trophy?

answer:

after 17 weeks of predicting nfl winning teams,

nathan had the overall best record of all!

steve was winning through week 16 and he thought he had

made all his selections for sundays game - but it was found out that he never

had actually made his selections prior to the 1pm kickoff - suddenly he was

disqualified from 9 games -

hummm...what a great dad to "forget" to complete his

picks, despite being reminded twice....

well, now everyone had the chance to win.

and it was a close one.

final tally results:

nathan 169/steve 166/justin 164/colin 160/carol 158

now we are busy filling out our wild card brackets!

heres to super bowl sunday!

1.3.2012

2012-01-03T15:00:00.000-06:00

christmas is officially over. steve is back to work. the boys are back to school. the house is unbelievably quiet. the kitchen is closed. the video games are on hold. the street is free of running kids and loose footballs. the parties are over. the calendar is clear. the mile long to-do list is finished. the alarm clock is back on. the morning assembly line of lunches is back in motion. i am loving routine/i am not loving routine mood today. i love my to-do lists/i am dreading the new to-do list that awaits me. i am missing all my words with friends players.
today is transition day.
-
but while i'm transitioning, i did manage to stop by my favorite hallmark store and grab some wrapping paper for next year!
but while i'm transitioning, i did manage to stop by my favorite barnes & noble store and pick up a moleskin 2012 calendar for half price!
but while i'm transitioning, i did manage to update my pinterest board with some ideas for next season!
but while i'm transitioning, i did manage to take a minute to think about my one little word for 2012!
not sure what it will be yet.....
back to transition day.

1.2.2012

2012-01-02T23:20:00.003-06:00

{snapshots from today}

today was all about football/playdates/last day of vacation.

today was all about sorting/trading/organizing football cards.

today was all about outdoor games/touchdowns/teamwork.

today was all about picking/filling/hanging those christmas presents.

today was all about ending our non-routine life/setting our alarm clocks/finding our backpacks.

today was all about sleeping in/lazy lunches/late night overtime college games.

tomorrow is reality.

tomorrow is routine.

tomorrow will be here soon enough.

i'm still enjoying today!

1.1.2012

2012-01-01T18:00:00.006-06:00

hello 2012.

heres to a year filled with words with friends, facetime and football.

we started the year off at church. round rock donuts.

sunday brunch at home while reading the newspaper.

we just receive the paper on the weekends.

nothing better than opening the front door to find a rolled up paper

on your welcome mat the first thing in the morning.

makes me feel like june cleaver.

off to watch football. return a couple christmas presents.

crash down the christmas tree and all decorations inside and out.

once we started, we just kept on going.

papa murphy pizza for dinner.

our sunday tradition that lives on.

lego creations. football in the street.

video games. xbox online memberships.

just another sunday around here.

heres to making new year resolutions tomorrow!

stay tuned to see who wins the sippel family nfl regular season

football tally.

25.00 to the sippel who guessed the most winning games

over the 17 week season.

its close.

it could go to anyone.

12.31.2011

2011-12-31T23:30:00.000-06:00

happy new years eve.

an evening filled with truth or dare, hide-n-go-seek,

delicious texas brisket, lady gaga dancing and safe walking home.

goodbye 2011.

hello 2012.

12.30.2011

2011-12-30T22:00:00.000-06:00

how fun is this?

legoland for two lego obsessed young boys.

colin was up at 7am - all ready to go.

we arrived. we parked. we walked in.

we saw the sign.

SOLD OUT.

{think of chevy chase at the gates of wally world}

we shopped at the lego store to help our water filled eyes.

now we have the perfect excuse to head back to dallas soon!

we toured bass pro for an hour or two.

we stopped for a visit at ann and petes.

we headed south.

we made it home by dinner time.

happy way to end our year!

12.29.2011

2011-12-29T22:00:00.000-06:00

off to swimming in the hotel pool.

followed by dinner in the hotel bar.

watched the baylor game on the big screen.

go rg3 go.

doesn't get any better than watching 5 dudes mesmerized

by one heisman trophy winner!

happy vacation memories.

12.29.2011

2011-12-29T19:00:00.000-06:00

hello cowboy stadium.

this is more than just a football field.

this is a destination.

this is our first stop on our staycation.

we toured the stadium on a vip behind the scene tour.

i was in total awe at the attention to detail.

the boys loved it - not easy to please all three at once!

a memorable event for all!

12.29.2011

2011-12-29T10:30:00.001-06:00

road trip.

heading north.

one tank getaway.

odyssey and odyssey caravan.

where can we be going?

12.28.2011

2011-12-28T22:26:00.003-06:00

look what santa left for us under the christmas tree.

does that jolly old guy know us or what?

having fun playing modern family as a family

on this relaxing week off from school & work.

the boys ability to quote lines from the show

has us belly laughing.

we race to see who can quote the episode the quickest.

we totally bend the rules.

all fun!

12.28.2011

2011-12-28T17:34:00.001-06:00

Nfl tally through week 16:
Steve 162
Nate 158
Justin 152
Colin 151
Carol 147
Close race as we head into the final weekend before the playoffs!

12.28.2011

2011-12-28T06:00:00.005-06:00

finished reading dreams of joy this week.

another wonderful historical fiction book by lisa see.

i probably read it too soon after snow flower & the secret fan

because i can see how i will confuse the two books going forward.

great new author to me!

12.27.2011

2011-12-27T23:22:00.000-06:00

Welcome baby Luke! We have a new nephew and cousin for our Christmas present! Congrats to mike and Sandra! Here's to an exciting new chapter in your life!

12.27.2011

2011-12-27T20:00:00.000-06:00

today. here. now.

downtown. huts. hambergers.

three. boys. smiling.

no. better. time.

12.26.2011

2011-12-26T22:00:00.001-06:00

words with friends is in full swing around here.

all five of us are playing separate games against each other.

lots of notification beeps as plays are made.

lots of laughs over word selections.

iphones, itouchs and an ipad are all in full swing.

how come no one wants to play scrabble anymore?

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T21:30:00.001-06:00

justin has been waiting.....

all day to open nan & granddads gift and

our evening ended with a late skype call to lakemont court.

nan granddad mike sandra lauren & aaron all in view.

lots of laughs and disconnects!

lots of legos and madden video games for all!

welcome new home, reindeer plates & autographed paula deen cookbooks

shared for all -

now that all the gifts are opened & the cookies are gone -

all we need is a new baby cousin to arrive!

heres to more waiting....

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T20:55:00.003-06:00

Christmas snapshots from my new iPhone. Can't wait to figure out how to use it! Legos. Xbox games. iPhone's x 2. Words with friends. Brunch here with the hudsons. Skype sessions. Video games on a new tv. Books. Far away phone calls. Merry Christmas memories.

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T20:00:00.000-06:00

cousin kris kringles.

a great tradition continues.

we are challenging each other with football stats,

making failproof knots and

taking in a profile in courage!

heres to great reading in 2012!

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T16:00:00.000-06:00

quiet christmas moments.

i'm not sure what these blue shirt boys are looking at but

i love watching them together.

(note: nathans gifts in the same spot every year on display)

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T15:00:00.001-06:00

christmas brunch on a cold december day.

egg bake. ham with mustard sauce. french toast bake.

fresh fruit. monkey bread. cookies.

nothing better than hanging with family & friends

on christmas morning!

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T11:30:00.000-06:00

poppa and grandmas gift was opened on skype.

poppa and grandmas gift didn't stay long in the box.

poppa and grandmas gift is 32" and is already hooked up to an xbox.

poppa and grandmas gift takes gaming to a whole new level.

thanks poppa and grandma!

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T10:00:00.001-06:00

no words needed.

12.25.2011

2011-12-25T07:30:00.000-06:00

hohoho.

merry christmas morning at 7:30am.

we are ready for you!

12.24.2011

2011-12-24T23:45:00.000-06:00

christmas eve in snapshots.

sarah cooking her way to our stomachs.

becca smiling her way to santas heart.

the boys giggling the minutes away till christmas arrives.

its my favorite time of the year!

12.24.2011

2011-12-24T20:00:00.000-06:00

merry christmas to y'all and to y'all a good night!

12.24.2011

2011-12-24T16:00:00.000-06:00

christmas eve to-do list:

grocery shop.

make cookies.

watch the bills.

go to church.

wait for christmas!

12.23.2011

2011-12-23T23:30:00.002-06:00

our gingerbread house tradition continues.

we build.

we frost.

we add candy.

we watch walls fall.

we laugh.

we cry.

we get white stuff on our hands.

we create.

we make memories!

12.23.2011

2011-12-23T22:00:00.000-06:00

waiting for christmas.

baking for christmas.

iphoning for christmas.

justin FINALLY came to us today & said that there was something wrong with his cell phone.

(justin is about 19 hours later than we anticipated.)

justin said his texts were not going through.

justin said that he needed to contact customer service.

justin received his christmas present early.

there was nothing wrong with his phone.

there was a wrapped box in our closet making all kinds of sounds.

there was an iphone anxiously awaiting its new owner.

merry christmas justin!

the waiting for santa just got easier for you.

12.21.2011

2011-12-21T21:26:00.001-06:00

first batch of homemade christmas cookie have appeared &

are already starting to disappear.

the boys know its really christmas when santa surprises are baking.

nothing better than peanut butter dough wrapped around a mini snicker bar then

baked. cooled. dusted with sugar & melted hersheys chocolate.

what a great way to start the day with a cup of coffee!

12.20.2011

2011-12-20T21:00:00.002-06:00

the leaves are gone.

the rain clouds have disappeared.

the video games are off.

the playdates have been imported.

the boys are raking leaves, playing football & hanging outside.

the christmas errands can wait.

today we are enjoying our friends.

4 days left.

hohoho.

12.19.2011

2011-12-19T22:48:00.000-06:00

its beginning to get wrapped up around here.

hallmark wrapping paper.

grosgrain ribbon.

candy canes & jingle bells.

my favorite part is watching the boys wrap each others gifts

and proudly place under the tree.

traditions continue today.

sarah & i did our marathon shopfest

fuelled by starbucks coffee in the

warm winter raindrops today.

traditions continue today.

justin broke his second retainer.

i know what justin is getting for christmas now!

traditions continue today.

we all enjoyed monday night football together.

darkened stadium and all.

5 more days to go.

12.18.2011

2011-12-18T22:25:00.000-06:00

i'm beginning to think about baking cookies.

i'm looking to repeat my classic santa surprise treats.

i'm looking to try something new.

heres to a cup of coffee & a homemade cookie for breakfast.

12.17.2011

2011-12-17T22:30:00.000-06:00

make a list.

check it twice.

grab your visa.

and just go for it!

12.16.2011

2011-12-16T21:44:00.000-06:00

nothing better than a rocking pj 4th grade holiday party.

nothing better than watching 125 kids dance to thriller.

nothing better than actually knowing the dance steps myself.

nothing better than a sugar high before winter break.

nothing better than 17 days off from our school routine.

nothing better than a sneak peek at life today.

12.15.2011

2011-12-15T22:08:00.000-06:00

its beginning to smell a lot like christmas around here.

hohoho - just joking.

i wish i had time to whip up a batch of these today but

the next best thing is to just dream & blog about them.

find the recipe here.

12.13.2011

2011-12-13T23:56:00.001-06:00

its beginning to sound alot like christmas around here.

tonight was the boys holiday band concert.

tonight the auditorium was filled with beautiful music.

tonight all the sounds that fill our house daily

mixed with the entire band to bring each piece to life.

tonight we sat back and enjoyed the hours of practice,

all the early morning rides and hours spent driving to rehearsals.

tonight we smiled as our guys belted out the songs.

tonight we were proud parents.

well done justin and nathan!

12.13.2011

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000-06:00

tuesday morning tally - nfl week # 14 - a great week for all:
justin & colin: 13/16
steve & carol & nate: 12/16
heres to watching the top 10 nfl plays on espn every tuesday morning and counting our wins!

12.13.2011

2011-12-12T21:11:00.000-06:00

its beginning to feel like christmas around here.

the christmas music fills the air.

the christmas lights glow in the evening light.

the christmas cards fill the kitchen table.

the christmas presents are wrapped and ready to ship.

the christmas checklist is almost done!

12.12.2011

2011-12-12T20:00:00.001-06:00

colin is at THAT age.
the age when he is finally questioning the whole santa thing.
i know.
he's nine.
but remember, he does not ride the school bus.
no santa stories being shared in the last seat for this dude.
i know.
he's nine.
and he has not one, but two older brothers who haven't tipped him on.
(they were threatened, by me, i'm sure at one point)
-
a couple weeks ago, he asked why santa had the same wrapping paper that i did last year.
a couple weeks ago, he actually put his head in the fireplace.
a couple weeks ago, he asked how santa could visit every house in only one night.
-
tonight, in his serious face, he sat down next to me on the couch and sincerely said:
"mom, i have to know about this santa thing because when i get older and married and have kids and i think santas bringing the gifts and he doesn't and what if i was supposed to do it?"
well, what do you say to that?..............
-
i know.
he's nine.
and i'm postponing him growing up.
at least for today.
santa lives on another day.
-
just another everyday memory.

12.11.2011

2011-12-11T09:00:00.001-06:00

its beginning to look a lot like christmas around here.

the tree is up.

the front door is decorated.

colins room is ready to welcome santa.

(texas size marshmallow snowflakes are falling-

saw this on king street last weekend!)

hohoho.

off to shop. wrap. address cards.

12.10.2011

2011-12-10T21:09:00.002-06:00

six years ago, i didn't even know about college football.

six years ago, i didn't even know what a heisman was.

six years ago, i didn't know what a sooner was.

now i watch the big 12 go up and down.

now i cheer all day on saturdays.

now i anxiously await the heisman trophy.

heres to rg3 & baylor!

12.10.2011

2011-12-10T15:00:00.001-06:00

jr. historians club are on a field trip today.

can you see a sippel in there?

can you guess which sippel belongs to this club?

can you guess who ate a texas size round rock today?

can you guess who knows about sam bass & a.w.grimes?

can you guess who just sold 50 candy bars for the fundraiser?

can you guess who gives up every friday afternoon to stay

after school for club meetings?

yep, you guessed it.

nate.

gotta love it.

i still can't believe he ate a texas round rock.

(its a six dollar - very large donut.)

12.10.2011

2011-12-10T11:53:00.000-06:00

can you say heartbreaker?

42 - 42 with 30.4 seconds left.

and you know the rest of the story....

12.9.2011

2011-12-09T21:51:00.001-06:00

friday night lights.

inside. with lights. and bleachers.

and nets. and basketballs. and courts.

friday night tournaments.

friday family fun night on the road.

12.8.2011

2011-12-08T21:22:00.003-06:00

holiday lunch at school.

no turkey or sweet potatoes for this dude.

cheeseburger. fries & a coke.

nothing better than having a lunch date.

nothing better than sitting in a school cafeteria.

nothing better than this smile!

12.7.2011

2011-12-07T21:24:00.000-06:00

just finished reading the help this past weekend

somewhere between charleston & austin.

i'm a little late to this party but

i loved the book and can't wait to see the movie.

12.6.2011

2011-12-06T23:24:00.001-06:00

hohoho.

its absolutely freezing here

but thats not stopping the boys

from playing football in the street

right now.

hohoho.

its beginning to feel alot like christmas!

12.6.2011

2011-12-06T12:55:00.000-06:00

week 13 results of the sippel family friendly nfl competition.
steve & carol 13/16
justin 10/16
nathan 9/16
colin 8/16

12.5.2011

2011-12-05T22:07:00.001-06:00

hello monday.

hello 8th grade bball.

hello nathan selling junior historian

fundraiser candybars in the stands during halftime.

hello cold temps.

hello christmas to-do lists.

hello december.

hello monday.

12.4.2011

2011-12-04T23:58:00.001-06:00

christmas morning in charleston.

complete with brunch, presents & church.

off to airport already :(

miss y'all already!

loved spending time in with you guys.

loved seeing a peek of your life.

loved touring your campus & classrooms.

loved being a part of the charleston life,

if even only for a weekend.

can't wait to come back to see the things i missed!

12.3.2011

2011-12-03T23:01:00.001-06:00

saturday in snapshots.

chocolate, champagne & pedicure.

lunch at charleston place.

j.crew friendship xmas bracelets.

shopping on king street.

chinese takeout & elf.

the party doesn't get any better than that!

12.2.2011

2011-12-02T22:47:00.001-06:00

Woke up with the charleston sunshine.

Coffee and peanut butter kiss cookies.

On the road in the rental to hominy grill.

Grouper, red rice and brownie to eat.

Lots of big trees and one way signs.

School campus tour among the palm trees.

King street three point amazing parking.

Starbucks smalls and hotel bathroom crashing.

Holiday Christmas program by Ashley hall students.

Walks on kings street with the evening crowd.

Champagne and dinner at sermets.

Valet parking by Aaron.

Christmas tree chats.

12.1.2011

2011-12-01T23:55:00.002-06:00

my chauffeur in charleston!

look who found me standing at the curb.

hello south carolina -

sorry it took me so long to visit you!

my party hat is on & i can't wait to see you in the day time.

evening tour of ashley hall.

nighttime walk on king street.

dinner at monza.

heres to girls weekend!

11.30.2011

2011-11-30T22:00:00.003-06:00

happy december first eve.

nothing better than a christmas wrapped present early.

nothing better than a lego advent calendar (or two)

to help count down the days.

nothing better than christmas through the eyes of a nine year old.

nothing better than going to bed excited to wake up

& start the lego fun!

hohoho.