Christmas Morning 2008

Christmas 2008 has come and gone - and the full Stickel family had a blast.

I think Erin's favorite toy was her new riding car from Mom Mom and Pop Pop.

She also likes her new stuffed snowman and book from us, her Grinch from Jeanne, and her Little People train from the Stickels.

It was an embarassment of riches - the house is now full of toys, both old and new - time to retire some, I think.

This video: waking Erin up on Christmas morning (or rather, her waking us up...)

Fun with TP

Erin discovered a new toy today - the toliet paper! Enless fun... or at least 100 sheets of double-ply fun. The second piece is a video showing the carnage.

Smiles with Santa

Erin met Santa today - and it was a blast. She had a great time - and Springfield Santa was so sweet. No word on what she asked for. I think it was more Cheerios and some tasty socks.

I'm posting this mostly as a historial recond - I'm thinking next year is going to be a slightly different story!!!

Fun with napkins

Question:

How do you keep an 11-month-old and her Pop Pop busy for hours?

Answer:
Give them a napkin.

No to the NC Sate Cup!

Uncle Joey -

I need a new cup. I don't like this one anymore.

Love,

Erin

Eating Out

Erin likes to eat out just as much as her parents do...

Phillies Celebration 2008

Well, they finally did it. After 28 heartbreaking years, the Phillies won the 2008 World Series of Baseball. Sean and Kate were there to celebrate with 2.5 million of their best friends.

The day started with some tailgating. And a few beers.

Eventually, we made our way inside...

Here - a video of some of the parade action, welcoming Victorino, Rollins, Howard, etc.:

One of my favorite moments - the cool, calm and collected Harry Kalas announces the end of the game and the Phillies' Championship. And in the background: Chris Wheeler goes ape crazy.

After the parade finished and most of the remarks were complete - they raised the World Series Championship banner.

And finally - the ride home.
3 1/2 hours for only 9 miles.
The Thunderbird-surfing idiot here says it all.

Halloween 2008

You all know what a big deal Halloween is in the Stickel household - 2008 was no exception. Concord Ave became a creepy, foggy cemetary, complete with gargoyles and zombies. One hanging skeleton completed the arrangement.

But the highlight for the year was certainly our little daisy - Erin was a flower for her first Halloween. (We decided to go a bit low-key the first time out - zombie baby will just have to wait until next year.)

Here are the pics...

Christmas Card Pic, Take 1

Earlier this week, we tried on Erin's cute "holiday dress" that came courtesy of Mom Mom. The opportunity for a photo shoot was too good to pass up - seemed like a chance for a Christmas Card pic.

The results follow.

We'll try again soon.

Linvilla 2008

Many who know Sean and I know that taking our little one to Linvilla was bound to be a highlight - and it was. I think I started to look forward to this day from the first days I knew I was pregnant. And it didn't disappoint.

Our only real issue: the crowds. My goodness - it was a perfect storm of crowd-iness. Beautiful weather (for a change), an Eagles bye-week, and two weeks before Halloween. Still, we soldiered on - dragging friends Allison, Brian and Brian Jr. along for the ride.

The kids got to see all the animals at the petting zoo, eat their first funnel cake, and help us pick out our pumpkins.

Adding some photos here - the rest are on Snapfish, per the usual.

I am still full from all the food.

Getting Ready for the Game

Erin was all smiles this morning as we prepared her for school.

GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Potato Happiness

Just some cute shots of the little one enjoying her sweet potatoes...

If you want to see all the pictures, click here.

Happy Fall everyone!!!!

Feeding Erin

It's been a while since we've added any new videos, so I thought we'd post a three part piece showing how much fun it can be to feed Erin... and how much fun it is NOT when she gets her face wiped!

Part One: The feeding...

Part two: the celebration...

Part three: the face wipe...(she HATES this!)

Hours of entertainment for mom & dad, though!

Tailgate '08

Click here to see the pictures from Tailgate '08.

This weekend brought us to a favorite yearly tradition and journey - the "Tailgate of the Four Tents."

On Friday, a leisurely drive up to State College (leisurely because I drove and we made Sean sit in the back) gave way to a leisurely afternoon of drinking and shopping. Much like the bar tours of my youth, only this time with stops at shoe stores in between.

Friday night was spent at the usual spot - Zenos - where my rearend was planted firmly in the same chair that hosted it most of Senior Year.

On Saturday, the "best of the best" gathered at the four tents for a marathon day of tailgating. We probably had about 40 of us total - not bad numbers. And the food was amazing. We go "high brow" for this one - London Broil, duck, quiche, etc. The Stickels slummed their contribution - the meatball subs - but they were quite good.

And of course, there was the apple cider & goldschlagger. My face still goes numb just thinking about it.

Hillbilly golf provided a lot of the entertainment - for player and spectators both. At some point, La fell over attempting a tricky bottom-bar double bouncer. We aren't really sure why, as the new mom was the only one not enjoying (and feeling the effects of) the "schlagger."

The day/evening concluded with a rainy, and yet fabulous, win over the fighting Illini. The game was a "white out" (meaning all the fans wore white) and lived up to all our expectations. The boys are now #6 in the country and on a hot streak... looking forward to the rest of the season. What a fantastic game.



Sunday - well, Sunday was all about recovery. Nothing a few pancakes and a nice piece of Scraple couldn't fix.

We can't drink like we did in college, but we can certainly try.

Click here for more pictures.

Busy Weekend

I'm writing this as we are getting ready for a big weekend:

• Neighborhood garage sale
• Block party at the hold 'hood: Waverly Road
• Paul & Lori renew their vows after ten years of marriage

Put perhaps the biggest event of the weekend: Erin is spending the night at her PopPop and MomMom's house on Saturday night, which means we'll get to sleep in on Sunday! I can't wait!

Perhaps seeing our good friends renew their dedication to each other should be the highlight. It's not. Sorry, Fish (a.k.a. Paul.) The sleep-in wins.

Headed home to unpack my flannel jammies now.

Ocean City 2008

Just back from a great week in Ocean City, NJ. The week was jammed-packed and full of fun trips, fine dining and a few days at the beach...

The first part of the week was spent with Mrs. Stickel and Erin's two Aunts: Aunt Sharon and Aunt Tara. Erin certainly enjoyed the full-time attention! She went on her first surrey ride, and got her first "taste" of the ocean and the sand. She loved it.

The weather didn't fully cooperate - the days were mostly cool and sometimes rainy. But we certainly made the best of it!

Towards the end of the week, Erin's Mom Mom and Pop Pop joined us for a few days - and another surrey ride.

One special morning was spent alone - just Erin and her mommy - watching her first sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. It was a very calm and wonderful time. The next morning, Erin and her Daddy had a sweet beach stroll in the early hours.

Make sure you check out the photos!!!

Off to Ocean City

The Stickels are off to Ocean City today. So is Hurricane Hanna. Should make for an exciting drive and move-in!!!

Erin's First Swing

Erin got a chance to ride in her first swing today. She rides in one at daycare so we knew she would like it.

Dad and Eric enjoyed some casual Bocce in the background. check out that form!!!

Like most things, it started as an adventure and ended as a nap.

Labor Day 2008

Another fun party at the Stickels - this one to break in the new house and celebrate the Labor Day holiday. Not like we need an excuse, but when one presents itself.

We enjoyed having our family over on Labor Day weekend - many to meet Erin for the first time! Good food and drink - and excellent conversation (as long as we stayed away from politics. I'm thinking of you, Nate & Uncle Joe!!!)

Sean's pulled pork was at its best - a team effort by all the men.

For all the pictures, click here. Here's a preview:

Looking forward to the next event!

Home Sweet Home

So excited to be home again! (And for more than one day, too!)

Have some shots to add - will get them up soon.

Was really hoping the kid would have popped out a few more teeth while I was gone... no luck. But she's on the verge of being fairly mobile (crawling) so we'll likely spend a bunch of the weekend baby-proofing the house. My, how my life has changed.

Hello from NYC...

Hi everyone -

Back in the states for a full 24 hours before it was off to New York City for a conference. Have met a wonderful group of peers from Thomson Reuters... all wonderful executives interested in making our company an even better place to work. We dealt with a number of topics during the conference, and I'll be headed back to the office with a lot of great ideas and renewed energy.

Have also enjoyed the city. Food and drink especially. We've dined at some great spots. And on the way, I bought a set of sheets for vacation - from a street vendor - for $20. That's just the kinda high-class gal I am.

Must remember to harass Pete Mills for personalized tour next time I'm back up here.

The only downside of the trip was having "ground zero" staring at me all day. Still such a sad and powerful place. I thought I'd be past the sorrow by now, but seeing it - still so largely unrestored - just brings it all back.

I was going to take a few shots of the site, but it just didn't seem like the right thing to do.

Anyways... home tomorrow!

Hello from Jolly 'Ol England

Hungover. Tube ride was a bit rough this morning. Drinking plenty of water. Doing better than drinking mate Tracy, however.

Learned new word last night: Caipirinha. Yummy but lethal.

Hangover got a bit better when I saw this photo from my sis Jeanne, e-mailed from her phone.

I am going to have one spoiled kid on my hands when I get home.

Having a blast in London but looking forward to coming home to bed, hubby and baby.