1.27.2010

{william sonoma - message in a cookie kit}
a special handmade valentine here.
a mini valentine banner here.
valentine gift tags here.
a valentine brownie bag here.
hugs and kisses cookies here.
cupcake decorations here.
i {heart} valentines day.

1.26.2010

{our backyard- taken on the way to randalls on sunday}

10 random thoughts today:

someone in our house got their cell phone taken away at school today.

someone in our house today paid $15.00 to get their cell phone back today.

someone in our house today got a 100 on his social studies progress report.

someone in our house today almost had the minivan door close on him

during the morning drop off.

someone in our house today took 8 sudafed cold tablets.

someone in our house today watched american idol.

someone in our house today read books in bed with mom.

someone in our house today started watching friends season 2.

someone in our house today got hit in the face with a football.

someone in our house today studied for acls next week.

1.24.2010

sunday mornings & church.

sunny afternoons & basketballs.

football championship games & overtime.

new dinner recipe & chocolate cake.

homework & laundry.

family time & sundays.

together.

1.23.2010

a packed saturday day...errands at pottery barn, restoration hardware & joseph banks...basketball games & bowling birthday parties for taggert and riley...pizza and family movie night with ice age three...saturdays just seem to fly right by.

1.21.2010

yes. its a yardstick.

yes. i lost a bet with steve.

yes. i'm a good loser.

yes. its a long story.

yes. it is my everyday memory today.

spring cleaning in full swing.

unused desks to the curb.

windows wide open. vacuum on overdrive.

finding treasures under beds & inside closets.

trash bags overflowing.

simplify. keep it simple.

less is more.

less is easier to clean.

less is invigorating.

another new years goal in the making.

1.18.2010

the story behind the colored pencils.
take one semi-controlling color freak mom.
add one artsy third born son.
time to make a title for the science fair project.
i carefully select colors to coordinate with the pictures on the board.
colin selects the pencils as noted above.
i gently try to persuade colin to use the 'correct' colors.
colin gently tells me that these colors are better.
why i ask.
because this is the color of lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice,
water and milk.
because this is the order we did the experiments.
because this matches the liquid photos.
who exactly is the color control freak here?
like mother, like son?
good stuff.
everyday memory.

1.18.2010

happy martin luther king day.

happy no school monday to my boys

and all the wonderful teachers in our family.

monday holidays are way better than friday holidays.

heres how we spnt our day off.

our mlk tradition.

lots of smiles & secret ink chemical reactions.

several frozen cups and chilly thermometer readings.
another successful experimental season.
(as long as you don't count the rock candy
that just would not grow!)
sonic happy hour.
sunny 70 degree day.
all windows wide open.
happy monday!

1.15.2010

fffnotr.

(friday family fun night on the road.)

$1.00 hot dogs for dinner.

9 seats in a row.

1 brand new arena filled with

1 texas star hockey team.
1 special hockey puck for each family.
thanks frank p. for the pucks.
(helps to know someone)
don't forget our great texas star blankets.
tonight reminds us of our fun times in poppa & grandmas
suite at the sabers games.
a texas win completes the night!
we have found a new fun event.
welcome stars !!

1.14.2010

that yellow blur is colin at basketball practice tonight.
that yellow blur has passion.
that yellow blur has the new sneakers.
that yellow blur has his mothers athletic ability.
but
that yellow blur gives 150% with a red faced sweaty smile &
a night time prayer that is thankful for a great defensive
move at practice tonight. the coaches smiled. his teammates
patted him on the back. it was just a split second in an hour practice.
but
his smile had just a little broader grin.
his eyes had just a little twinkle.
his run had just a little edge to it.
his heart had just a little extra beat.
good stuff.
but
great stuff from a sideline cheerleader.
go colin go.

add 2 more dog tags to nathans collection.

A honor roll & perfect attendance.

does he look like harry potter today?

maybe its the glasses.

maybe its his serious school face.

at 2:45pm this face does change as

he is hanging out the van window high

5ing all his buddies through the car line.

nathans day gets even better.

its wednesday &

his sports illustrated is awaiting him

in the mailbox on the way home from school.

i think he likes this subscription

more than the cell phone!

nathan now.

is reading his current issue of SI, working on the

new puzzle & watching american idol -

simultaneously.

thats our nate.

enjoy these simple days!

1.12.2010

gratitude journal for today:

$1.00 books purchased at the library today.

tuesday errands in a short sleeve shirt.

minivans with sunroofs.

baking homemade peanut butter cookies.

a new family puzzle.

american idol watched by the whole house.

reading outside on the back patio.

spongebob alarm clocks.

1.11.2010

{colins new dog tag - an early morning awards ceremony - is he even awake yet?}

weekend recap. fridays on friday for dinner. christmas thank you notes mailed. one christmas tree & ornament box packed away. one train & track safely stored till next december. basketball practice x 3. one dallas cowboys game. one new artichoke dip recipe. fires & smores. steves world famous yankee chili x 5 pounds. big love season premier. cold & sunny weekend. making to-do lists. achieving goals. updating the calendar with must watch tv shows - american idol & grey's. school newsletters. ok week - we are ready for you.

1.10.2010

take one christmas present. (the pioneer woman cookbook from sarah)
add one new years resolution. (try three new recipes per month)
stir in a sunday sunny morning after church. (new series on what fuels you?)
result? (see above)
a new breakfast meal!

1.8.2010

{last nights championship game}

follow-up on yesterdays longhorn game.
let the boys stay up until half-time.
at one point, i thought i was going to have to wake them back up.
but then the wheels fell off the cart.
colin ran downstairs early this morning.
eager to hear the results.
we made him go outside & get the paper.
i came out to the kitchen to find him with his head down on top of the news.
it was not a great way to start a friday.
was i ever this excited over football when i was 7?
nathan arrived downstairs in time for breakfast.
he had already watched espn.
it was not a great way to start a friday.
was steve ever this involved in college football at 11?
needless to say, no one wore their ut shirts today.
it was an indiana university shirt day today.
love college shirt day every friday,
just a little hard after a thursday night loss.
its 7am. its 24 degrees.
heres to a sunny afternoon!

1.7.2010

getting ready step four.

decorate the inside.

decorate the outside.

decorate the mantel.

now decorate the tree.

1.7.2010

getting ready step three.

pick up some treats at the store.

so many to choose from.

cakes, cookies, colby cheese in the shape of a longhorn.

who knew?

lots of partying tonight in this town.

1.7.2010

getting ready step two.

hang the flag outside.

take a picture.

let your neighbors know who you are routing for.

then take down the flag

because it is so windy here today.

1.7.2010

getting ready step one.

buy 5 sheets of burnt orange scrapbook paper for 1.00.

cut out paper longhorns.

tape to a piece of string.

add two thumbtacks.

hook'em horns!

1.4.2010

five little monkeys shooting basketballs.

one shouts 'playground' and then there were four.

four little monkeys playing twenty-one.

one spots a lizard and then there were three.

three little monkeys practicing foul shots.

one got hit in the nose and then there were two.

two little monkeys running full court.

one takes a water break and then there was one.

one little monkey dribbling down the line, remembers

his backpack filled with homework due tomorrow and then

there was none.

-

five little monkeys

high on round rock donuts

ran & jumped till their cheeks were red & rosy.

off to warm up.

then out for some 'invincible' football.

-

last day of winter break.

filled with video games & movies.

library & bball courts.

just chilling & hanging.

no to-do list.

thats what vacation days are for.

1.3.2010

there is nothing better than bringing a little piece of summer into a winter day.

one bag of jumbo marshmallows + one hershey chocolate bar + one box of graham crackers

= one table full of giggles, sticky fingers, toasted treats and sugar highs.

to the joy of the simple pleasure.

to the joy of the stomach hurting laugh.

to the joy of grilling my first hot dog.

to the joy of friends & the dallas stadium.

to the joy of today.

1.1.2010

one blog.

one binder.

one year.

-

goodbye 2009.

heres to a new year of blogging ahead.

heres to the day to day living.

the routines.

the little things.

the everyday memories!

-

welcome 2010.

12.31.2009

{today, together}

today is the last day of the month, the year, the decade.
today is always a day of reflection, a day of looking back & forward.
today is an anniversary day in our house.
today is always associated with our move from buffalo to austin.
today is new years eve.
today is now.
today is here.
enjoy. reflect. move forward.
renew. refresh. rejoice.
thank you 2009.
embrace you 2010.
we are ready!

12.30.2009

{ a random snapshot from christams day }

colin building a new lego kit.

nathan playing on his cell phone.

a new longhorn flag hanging.

a fire in the fireplace.

filled stockings still hanging.

all traces of wrapping paper removed.

egg bake aroma fills the air.

christmas memories now.

12.29.2009

from here...

to here...
to a new dinner on the table.
its my version of julie & julia.
tonights entree was comfort meatballs & mashed potatoes
from the pioneer woman.
the perfect meal for a cold tuesday evening.
a quick trip to the cedar park arena,
a spin around the parking lot &
a cocktail at dave & busters.
more memories in the making.

12.28.2009

vacation days are great days

to work on science fair projects.

heres the cast of ingredients.

heres the project in the freezer.
we'll let you know the results.
(due date: by january 21st!)
heres to a day of getting back to normal -
filled with grocery shopping, laundry
and monday night football with some boggle
games in between.
happy day.

12.27.2009

take one sunday afternoon,

add one christmas firepit,

one nfl football game on tv,

and lots of fans.

sit. squint. watch. cheer.
enjoy!
another vacation memory made.

12.26.2009

post christmas down time.

perfect time to hit the alley.

the bowling alley.

nothing like a pair of rented bowling shoes

to beat away the post holiday blues.

put those video games on pause.

the best of the 80's music is playing.

heres to strikes, spares & gutter balls.

12.25.2009

christmas brunch.

6 smiling children in a post present smile.

the mini marshmallow pumper in action.
friends season one on the screen.
the christmas gifts all organized.
slowly reading new game directions.
leftovers for dinner.
evening long distance phone wishes.
may the blessings of the birth of Christ
engulf your day, your heart, your life.
-
"therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign, the virgin will
be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call
Him Immanuel."
isaiah 7:14

12.25.2009

christmas morning arrived at 7am.

boys were allowed downstairs at 7:30am.

santa was very good to us all.

some gifts came with mini marshmellows.

some gifts came with many pieces that

had to be opened and created asap.
some gifts came with lots of statistics.

some gifts came with a built in camera.

cell phones. legos. movies. clothes. friends. clue game that

sends text messages to your cell phone during the game.

(i remember the little brown envelope version -

what happened to that?)

football cards. ubs keys. playing cards. wii games.

basketball game for outside. books.

longhorn flags. golf vest. speakers.

a great relaxing morning.

fire in the fireplace.

blue skies with a chill in the air.

wrapping paper everywhere.

it doesn't get any better than this.

holiday brunch up next!

12.24.2009

christmas eve anticipation.

the boys could barely wait.

they decided to exchange gifts tonight.

it was so fun to watch them open each others gifts.

all very thoughtful.

movies, posters & one sockem' game.

what an end to a memorable eve.

12.24.2009

6 snapshots to christmas eve.

#1) pioneer woman whips up one or two or fifty dishes.

(i know now where she inherited this from)

#2) a quick game of chess on the floor in the middle of the party.

trying to pass the time till santa arrives.
#3) hohoho santa - we've been angels this year.
#4) hohoho santa - we've been angels this year!

#5) dirty santa strategy plans in the making.

#6) steve admiring justins haircut from yesterday.

(honest?!)

heres to sugar plums dancing in all the boys dreams tonight.

heres to dirty santa rules & presents.

heres to tools and boxes and blankets.

heres to mistletoe martinis.

heres to santa coming tonight!

hohoho.