Sarah's 15th Birthday

Sarah celebrated her 15th birthday with friends.  First we had lunch at Newk's and then painted pottery at The Pottery Place.  Later in the evening we had a family dinner with Mama and Papa.  It was a good day!



Emily, Sarah, Samantha Herdt,

 Lauren Stewart, and Syndney Sykes

 

Birthday Cake 

It is on fire!!

Make a wish!

Sarah with her Papa

Sarah with Papa and Mama

Gift time!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

The Last and First Year of High School

Today our family begins the bittersweet journey of one daughter starting her last year of high school and one daughter starting her first year of high school.  Emily is a Senior!  How did this happen?  Sarah is a Freshman.  Could this be possible?  It seems like yesterday they were both in elementary school at Erma Siegel. Better yet, wasn't I planning play dates with friends just last week?  When they are younger it seems like time stands still and you can't wait for them to be older, bigger, more able to take care of themselves.  THEN - all you wished for happens and you are wondering what was I thinking?!?!?! 

To my beautiful daughters:  I wish you a happy school year and may you make memories to cherish the rest of your lives. 

Freshman Cheer - Media Day

Sarah and Emily

The Siegel High School Freshman Cheer Squad

Cheerleaders and Freshamn Football Players

Sarah

Emily's 17th Birthday

Although Emily's birthday started out stressful with health situations with Mama and Papa, she was still able to celebrate.  She spent the day shopping with Sarah and friend, Kailey.  Later we had a family dinner at Carrabba's and topped the night off with birthday banana pudding! 

The gifts

Rocking the shades

Sarah and Emily

Birthday Banana Pudding

On Fire!

Look at all that smoke!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary

My parents were married 50 years on June 3, 2011.  We celebrated with a small receiption at Tuckers Cross Road's Methodist Church where Jeff (my brother) preaches.  Unfortunately Jeff was in the hospital and didn't get to preach or enjoy the goodies.  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Dad and Mom

Emily, Sarah, Dad, Mom and Emily

ME, Dad, and Mom

The cake (it was delish)!

Simple flowers but pretty!

Beauty after the Storm

Last week was a scary and crazy week for my family.  Jeff had some trouble while in the hospital and gave us a big scare.  He is okay now - not perfect but okay.  The girls and I were busy with school, work, cheer practice and then the cheer banquet for Elite Energy All-Stars.  Tommy was just busy period!! 

On Saturday, I took a mental, emotional, and physical break.  I did nothing but laundry, some booster club stuff, and watched television.  Saturday evening Tommy, Sarah and I went to the Murfreesboro Block Party on the Murfreesboro square and enjoyed listening to Sidewalk Prophets.  It was a relaxing way to spend the evening after a very difficult week.  Late Saturday night there was rain, thunder and lightening. 

THEN.....

Sunday morning we woke to a glorious day - Easter!  My girls put on their new dresses and asked me to take some pictures of them.  Here are the pictures and what I call the beauty after the storm (literally and physically)......

They ARE what is beautiful in my life!!

Anniversary Quilt Update

I posted in June about the quilt I would be making for Tommy's gift to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  Now that it is only 231 days until our anniversay, I thought I better get busy.  In September, I washed and ironed all the fabric.  With all the snow days we've had over the past few months, I was able to cut all the pieces.  Today I sewed!  I have 6 blocks out of 15 complete.  Originally I hoped to have the quilt top pieced by the end of February leaving me plenty of time to hand quilt.  I will need to adjust my schedule. I plan to have the quilt top pieced by the middle of March and handquilting finished by end of August.  Wish me luck!

Four of the six blocks I made today.

All the supplies (minus quilt blocks) for the quilt.

All evidence of the quilt packed away neatly.

Would you guess there were quilt blocks

and other fabric for a quilt in this box?

I'm hoping not! 

Tommy hasn't asked any questions yet!

The quilt box back in place. 

Believe it or not he sees this everyday

and never asks what is in there.

I bet he thinks it is just an empty box!  :)

Valentine Rag Wreath

Ever since seeing this wreath online I've wanted to make one.  I decided to take the plunge and make a Valentine Wreath.  I'm thrilled with the results and have already hung it on my front door.  Plus I get to add another thing to my finished projects list.

CheerNation Nationals

In December Elite Energy attended the CheerNation Cheerleading competition in Nashville.  Emily and Sarah's squad won 1st place for Senior Level 2 AND Grand Champion for all of Level 2.  Because of this honor, all four Elite Energy Allstar squads were invited to CheerNation Nationals in Atlanta this past weekend.  There was some stiff competition but the Elite squads did a wonderful job.  I'm especially proud of the White Squad (my girls' team) for giving two very solid performances. 

Emily & Sarah with 1st Place Senior Level 2 trophy

from CheerNation Competition in December.

Elite Energy White Squad -

CheerNation Level 2 Grand Champions!!

The next few pictures were taken while at nationals in Atlanta.  Emily and Sarah have many buddies.  Below are a few of them.

Ainsley Noel, Sarah and Emily

Sydney Conklin and Emily

Sarah and Grace Lovinski

Beautiful Smile!

Today was "braces removal" day for Sarah.  After 1 1/2 years on the second phase, Sarah is now braces free.  Even though she did not want me to, I took a before and after picture.

Before

Look at that beautiful smile!!

The Snowman

Another snow day today!  Delaney stayed with us and had the girls in the yard building a snowman.

Ready to shovel snow!

Delaney Rae

Emily and Delaney

Sarah, Delaney and snowman makes three.

My girls!

Posing with their masterpiece!

First Snow of 2011

Murfreesboro was blanketed with 5 1/2" of snow last night.  The girls are out of school.  Tommy had to work but we are hoping he will be home early.  We've relaxed, played Wii, cut quilt fabric, made supper and watched movies.  It has been a good day!



Sarah writing in the snow.

Our home blanketed with snow.

Sarah's boot print in the snow.

Trees in our front yard.

The view from our front porch.