Christmas wrap up

I am writing this post from my new netbook. Thank you John! I thought I would post some photos to summarize the Christmas fun. Our first event was Zilker park to sing carols with Asleep at the Wheel and look at the lights. Christmas Eve was enjoyed with friends, family and food (and a friendly visit from the fire department). Followed by midnight mass. Christmas day we opened gifts,hung out (some in their snuggies) and had dinner with the Taylors. The hour in the ham line earlier in the week was worth it! Enjoy the photos.

Happy 21st Birthday Laura

As you all know today is Laura's 21st B-day. Last week we gathered friends and family in Austin to take a photo since we couldn't be with her to celebrate the day!

AUSTIN GETS SNOW IN DECEMBER.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend. Here are some pictures of our Austin activities. We started off with the Turkey Trot on Thursday morning. Then we spent the rest of the day cooking and eating the turkey and watching football. Today we hiked Enchanted Rock with the Lackeys. After the hike we cooked out, it was a nice day.

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claire at tamu

Here are my roomates and I dressed up for Halloween. From the left: me as the Riddler, Liz as Catwoman, Nicole as Robin, Katie as Batman, Bekah as Poison Ivy, Christine as the Penguin.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Claire and Sarah designed the jack-o-lantern this year! They must be looking forward to Christmas since they gave it an elf face. Kellie had the neighbors over last weekend to make cheese cloth ghosts. Austin is going to have a cool dry evening, perfect for trick-or-treating! Have a nice day!

Star Spotting in Floyds Knobs

Yes, it is true. I saw Jeremy Sisto at an undisclosed location this weekend. He was with his family. His wife is beautiful and they have the cutest baby. I was very excited to see him considering this past Friday was one of the best Law & Orders in the last several years. He was very nice and has that same great smile we see on TV. As I got over the initial excitement, I realized that not only did this make me one degree away from Sam Watterson, but one degree from Jesse Martin and two (I said two) degrees away from my hero, Jerry Orbach who shares the same birthday with me. This made my October. No, Bridget, I did not ask if we could get a cameo on the show.

Claire' s confirmation

Claire went to her retreat this weekend to get ready for her confirmation. She will be confirmed at 5pm on Sunday, Nov. 15th. All are invited however, we understand the evening mass may make it hard for some to attend. If you can not make it just keep her in your prayers that day.

Vatican Stamps

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have posted something. The following link is for the Online Vatican Stamp Collection that I worked on two summers ago at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum. The stamps are arranged the papacies during which they were issued. Some of the stamps are very beautiful.

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/vaticanstamps/

UT vs. Colorado!

Last Saterday Sarah and I went and watched the UT game. It was so much fun! Her family got the tickets from friends, so we also were able to get into the Club. It was amazing we felt so important because they had to scan your ticket to get in and stuff. We both ate two pieces of cake and a scoop of ice cream with lots of toppings :p is was delicious! UT wasn't doing so good in the beginning but caught up fast and won! We hope to be able to get more tickets in the future! Notice in the pic the tower is lit up orange in the background!

This weeks swim

Claire and I spent Friday at UT swim center. She was more successful swimming than I was timing. It was fun. Claire took another second off her 50 freestyle and 3 seconds off her 100 freestyle. She is hoping to still better those time and qualify for the meet in Corpus Christi. I am including some photos from meet. Claire is the swimmer diving with the white cap.

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Mass with Laura in DC

Half Marathon - Baltimore

Click Link to view garmin computer info:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/15790359

Update on Claire

Claire is in the thick of her sophomore year. This is a picture of her and a few friends ready for the homecoming dance. Anderson had a disappointing home coming game. She also had her first high school swim meet and took 3 seconds off her 100 freestyle. She was excited about that. She has another meet this Friday. Lastly, she is at the Austin City Limits music festival today with a group of friends. They were excited to go even though it has been raining all day.

9 Mile Training run (Shoal Creek Training Run) getting ready for Baltimore Oct 10th

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Shoal Creek Training Run

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Christine & PJ's new Home

For those that have not been there yet. Here is a picture from google maps.

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pecan street

PJ and I moved into our new house yesterday. We had our first night -- yes trains do run all night. The trains don't bother PJ but dogs walking by is a reason to bark and cry! My new table and TVs arrived today. Hoping to get cable, phone and Internet next week. One more week of vacation and then I have to get back to work.

Laura's Project

this is Laura's project

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Papa's birds of paradise

Baltimore half-Marathon Trip

I’m flying Continental to Baltimore Friday 10/9 (arrive 11:51AM)

Staying Fairfield Inn Laurel between Baltimore and DC

Return Sunday night 11:52

Laura & I will be running the half-Marathon Saturday the 10^th.

First Confirmed Family Case of H1N1

Claire has the swine flu! I would post a picture but you all know what she looks like so picture her with a red nose and teary eyes. She will be out of school this week. She has not had much fever yet but a lot of upper respiratory symptoms. Her friend Sarah goes to the doctor tomorrow and if she has it they are going to spend the week together, watching movies and working on school work. Pray the rest of us don't get it.

Sunday in Chicago

Bridget & I started the day in Chicago with Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. A 134 year old church that caught fire last February and was just reopened last month. After Mass we spent the afternoon at The Art Institute of Chicago. We finished up the afternoon with a beer in Millennium park. (http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/)

Hello from NYC! Last two days have been very rainy. Bought a new coat from Norma Kamali. Today is beautiful. Going to Governor's Island with Jeanne in a little bit. Leaving for my 4 day road trip to VA and DC tomorrow morning and then back to NYC for the weekend.

Sandra if you are going to be in NYC next weekend call to see if we can get together.

PJ got a haircut -- actually PJ was shaved in many spots. Need to take her to the groomer every month so she will not get so matted.

Saturday in Chicago

John and I spent the day sightseeing in Chicago. The Celtic Fest was fun. We saw the sheep herding demo and got closer to our "Irish Side". Laura told us to visit Millennium Park, we enjoyed the flowers and architecture. For dinner we met up with Terri and Don, they just moved from Austin to Chicago. We had a tasty Italian meal.

I don't have any pictures, but I wanted to report that John's soccer team lost by a goal (their best player only showed up at half and the team was down by six goals), and that Katherine's tied. Both played well but could still be a bit more aggressive (i.e. more like their old man).

JFK

Happy Birthday Aunt Sandra!

Blueberry upside down cake

Hi All,

Tonight we tried a recipe for cake on the grill! It was a Rachel Ray summer recipe. It is made in a cast iron skillet and cooks on the grill so we made it after we grilled dinner. The cake was much like corn bread and can also be made with cherries. It was a success and seemed like a recipe someones "forefathers" may have cooked on a trail ride out west.Hope all had a nice Labor Day Weekend!

Trip to Gruene Tx for Labor Day Weekend

Kellie, Bridget and John went to Gruene TX for Antique shopping and Lunch.

Laura and Dad are running a HALFMARATHON

September and October Events:

September 11th - Bridget and I are going to Chicago for the weekend

September 18th - Strake Jesuit 30 year highschool Reunion

September 26th - I'm riding the Rip Roarin Ride in Liberty Hill Texas http://www.riproarinride.org

October 10th - Laura and I are running a half-Marathon in Baltimore - http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/Race_Info/half22d8.htm

October 17 - Ride 100 miles inthe Round Rock Outlaw Trail 100 http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=635

Hey Everyone!

This is my side of the dorm room. The bedspread is new and I put up album covers. I am glad to be back at school, but already busy. I don't miss the Texas heat. I think the semester will be fun. My roommates are awesome!

<3 br="">Laura

Garden Success

Hi from Austin,

I took a couple of photos as we now have eggplants and bell peppers ripening on the vine. I now feel if the economy gets worse I will be able to provide for my family. That is if they can live off one pepper and an eggplant for the year. Here is a picture of 3 of 4 of the eggplants. We actually named them and Herman didn't make the photo. This has been an interesting project from planter design, to building to planting. We will have to research fall planting for when the weather drops below 90.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Andice TX 71 miles

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Andice TX 71 miles

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Got back from eatting bbq in Memphis all week and had to burn it off with a 5 hour ride.

Update on 1112 Studer -- I'm signing the lease on Monday!!!!

After three trips to Houston looking for place to rent for a year, I finally found the place. PJ will have a yard with two gates to jump over. I will have 2000 square feet to buy new furniture.

The house is a block behind the shop Mom has been working at since I was in high school. Starting to look for dog parks so maybe PJ won't jump over the gates.

The real estate agent called today looking for my credit report. I should find out tomorrow if I get the place. More to come on new furniture.
John -- how many people are feeding these days? Are you going to cook like that when I come in for Labor Day?

Lazy Sunday

Hi Everyone! This weekend, I got Mom and Dad to go to free yoga at Barton Springs Pool and then go for a swim. I went to see Wicked with a Laura, Mary Lou, and Marie. Then we had chicken and brisket that Dad smoked with some neighbors and friends. It continues to be too hot here in Austin.

Today, we stopped by Marie's birthday party at an art studio. They decorated mirrors with big wooden frames. Some were prettier than others. The studio was nice, I would like to go back myself and create mosaics on something for the kitchen or garden.

Tomorrow, Claire starts her sophomore year of high school. Dad will be in Memphis for the week, so you can call him in the evenings, when he might be bored. Laura is in Austin until August 28.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

pool

Who can explain all these kids in our pool?

Papa's Birthday

After returning from the hospital Papa celerbrated his 77 birthday. Kellie made a light lunch and a not so lite cake for everyone. It was all wonderful.