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.

Getting Ready to Leave...

I'm getting ready to go to London for work... having horrible mixed feelings.

On one hand, I'm leaving my little girl for a whole week... not 1-2 nights like before - and I'll be quite far away.

On the other hand... it's London! As in England! Pubs, museums, pubs, plays & musicals, pubs, and all my friends at work (who can mostly be found in pubs.) I'm really looking forward to it. And do I mention by hotel room, complete with fab king-sie bed and light-blocking curtains?

Have been to Europe plenty for work before, and certainly missed Sean... but that is what phones are for. Erin is less talkative than he is (for now.)

So while I know I'll be a little homesick/babysick, I'm really looking forward to the trip. And afterall - it's not like I'm headed to Stamford, CT!

As for little Miss E, she will be spending much of the week with her Mom Mom and Poppy (Sean's headed to Michigan for work) so she's in for some serious spoiling.

More pictures

Welcome Baby Murphy!!!

We are so excited to welcome baby Murphy to the clan, and as an honorary member of the H-Town Posse. Hopefully, we have the chance to formerly induct her into the fraternity shortly.

Addison Treacy Murphy was born on Friday, August 1 at 11:37 a.m. She was 8 lbs, 3 ozs - and 22 inches - and La was in labor for 29 hours! She did an awesoem job and delivered one gorgeous kid... almost as good looking as her Aunt Katie and Uncle Sean.

Erin is feeling better!

Thanks to everyone who has been asking - Erin does feel much better today. We still have to keep her on the nebulizer, which she still doesn't like - but she is getting better at it. I think it really helps her breathe better, and she knows that. And the fever is going down.

If you were to hang out with her, you wouldn't know how sick she is - she is still in her usual good mood. What a trooper.

Hopefully back to daycare on Monday!!!