7.28.2009

the car seems quiet today.

the road seems to never end.

the movie laughs seem to be muffled.

then the surroundings change.

landmarks we recognize.

highways we are familiar with.

landscapes that feel like home.

we count the mile markers.

we watch our speed limits.

we are home.

safe and sound.

the house always smells like fresh paint when we open the door.

air conditioner at home is working.

refridge is completely empty.

bags and suitcases fill the foyer.

the answering machine is blinking with telemarketers.

the mail bag is heavy.

so much fun on vacation

but it still feels great to be home.

nothing like your own bed to fall asleep in.

7.27.2009

memphis or bust.

we made it in record time.

hyatt place is our new favorite.

road house for dinner.

perfect for sleep/shower/breakfast to go.

one more day left on our vacation.

one more 12 hour day of driving.

why does the ride home always seem longer than the ride there?

7.26.2009

sunday morning fun

bob & faith hosted an ice skating party

at the leisureplex

we owned the place some watched from the warm upstairs windows

and some enjoyed a cold view from ground level.

the austin sippels came a little underdressed
in shorts and tee shirts

but made it on the ice with alot of help!

fun stuff

followed by a brunch at the beach

under the tents.

31 sippels together for the last day

1 family at a time said their goodbyes today.

the texas sippels first to part

we'll meet y'all back on the beach

next summer.

heres to a years worth of laughs,

love & memories crammed into 2 weeks.

heres to future sippel stories, hundreds of pictures

and forever memories.

see you all soon.

off to see the newlyweds

and say more goodbyes

under salvatores chandelier

dinner on decks & a drive thru at mightys

sweet dreams family

we'll see y'all soon.

7.25.2009

our celebration week continues.

as one couple starts their married life together yesterday,

another couple celebrates 50 years together today.

bob and faith renewed their vows at crescent beach

surrounded by family & friends.

no celebration would be complete

without the kiss
or the cake!

happy anniversary.
celebrated in the true sippel home
where we all return to each summer

to relive sippel stories

to hear childhood memories

to gather around the table

to share together as a family

to make our own stories

in classic nathan thought

"we wouldn't be here today if poppa

never married grandma - ponder that"

good stuff.

great celebration.

delicious food.

a couple raindrops.

a family picture on the steps.

enJoy the simple pleasures together.

7.24.2009

the big day is here.

aren't they stunning together.

nothing like a romantic wedding
on a beautiful day

filled with blue eyed flower girls
and blue bridesmaid dresses
with wedding updos from studio m

the wedding was at 2

the church reception at 3
the limo bus at 4:30
the pictures at 5
the dinner reception at 6

colins prayer at 7
(he wrote it all by himself &

was a natural with a mic)

the dancing was till 11:30
complete with the bride and groom dance.
did they take lessons?
they must have been practicing.
1 bride and 10 bridesmaids doing the thriller dance.

i pray its not on youtube somewhere.

lots of love.

congratulations on such a beautiful day.

heres to the memories of a lifetime together.

love always.

7.23.2009

happy birthday conor!

we celebrated with cake. presents. pinata.

surfs up and a couple raindrops!

happy day.

wedding rehearsal tonight.

colin loved his special lego kit from lauren & aaron.

aaron & lauren had such a beautiful night.

can't believe tomorrows the big day.

too excited to sleep.

lots of stuff to pack for the city.

colin was sad that the ring bearer didn't have more to do.

he now has a special role.

will have to wait till tomorrow to hear what it is.

happy thursday.

7.22.2009

todays top 5.

catching up with mahaney. stephanie & lisa.

chatting away with rosie & debbie.
finding 4 out of 5 brothers together at once.

finding the missing ed & erin.

the real reason we have all gathered together
this week.
happy 50th celebration all week long.

we all gathered at rose & jims for dinner.

all 31 of us.

together for the first time.

happy day filled with family dinners.

and bridesmaid luncheons.

and dance practices.

and guy lunchs at harry harbour.

and tuxedos.

lots to do this week.

lots to celebrate.

carry on.

7.21.2009

event: battle of the sexes

hosts: ryan & julie

boys vs. girls

zangs vs. eastlacks

weather: rained all day - dry all evening

cloudy and cool.

first event: pizza dinner

dressed in our special shirts.
with our special nicknames on the back.

up next - the three legged race

followed by family volleyball x 5 games

then tug-o-war with 30 lbs of cooked spaghetti

then the dunk machine with the bride & groom

taking turns.

followed by cake & coffee.

then smores and bonfire.

then girly party stuff too!!

fun night.

lots of laughs.

what a great way to combine the families!

7.20.2009

paddle boat rides.

wedding table cards.

tim horton timbits.

cousin megan & megan in town.

wedding spirit is everywhere.

iron on letters.

conors birthday cupcakes.

monday fun everywhere.

7.19.2009

sunday smiles.

the boys slept over at nans last night -

complete with ice age at the movies & smores in the backyard.

tom & steph arrived & the party is really starting.

lots of girls & dolls.

lots of boys & basketball.

lots of girls & chats.
lots of boys & bbq.
lots of celebrations to come this week.
lots of party hats to wear.
we are ready!
enJoy.

7.18.2009

unoffical wedding week begins.

pedicures x 6.

lunch at le metro.

steve golfed with ed x 27 holes.

cherry hill dinner with ed & erin.

a day filled with laughs & love.

a day filled with pretty toes & golf cards.

a day filled with fun & memories.

7.17.2009

day seven. filled with golf at cherry hill. filled with rain. filled with andersons ice cream. filled with pizza at nans & granddads. filled with table seating arrangements. filled with strikes and spares. filled with nathan/uncle mikes unique bowling style. filled with laughs. filled with family. filled with memories. official countdown = one week to go till the big wedding!

7.16.2009

day six.

family tennis.

afternoon golf.

cherry hill bingo.

a family favorite.

nate won.

on his list of things to do this summer.

bridget won.

daniel won.

guests started to sit at the kids table.

the lucky table.

good stuff.

makes for great sippel stories.

7.15.2009

10 great memories today.

#1. million dollar view from back deck.

#2. minnow fishing.

(caught one! it was one thing on nates list

of things to do this summer.)

#3. swimming with our cousins.
#4. running bases & backyard giggles.
#5. hanging out with paul & debbie.
(before the incident)
#6. walking to the palmwood for dinner.
(and ordering before the other large table)

#7. early morning golf.

#8. ice cream at the shack.

#9. am walks together with tim hortons.

#10. only 5 stitches.

7.14.2009

day four filled with 'antique' legos & wedding planning

at nan's.

afternoon swim at fox.

sandra & mike arrived from florida to hang with us.

julie & hannah arrived to party with us.

our trip wouldn't be complete without dinner at brennans.
steves toe survived without incident.
hannah & colin colored away.

the soon-to-be-married couple practiced their
camera smiles for us.

good stuff. wedding talk. chicken wings.
sippy cups. catching up. making lists.

talking.

laughing.

making everyday memories.

7.13.2009

day three. the chilly day didn't hamper our fun. bundled up and headed to the beach with paul. debbie & the kids. sand castles & tunnels. running bases & tag. catching up. dinner at the blue house. vacation days are the best.

7.12.2009

day two.

same shirts.

same seats.

on the road again.

movies, wii and game books filled our day.

sandras mix cd tunes filled the car.

lanovas was our first stop.

pizza and wings - the real stuff.

ets and might taco will be next.

over the bridge & off to celebrate poppas

birthday at ed & erins.
new rental this year.
light & bright.
we quickly unpacked.
it already felt like home.
vacation we are here.