Friday, December 26, 2008

Happy Holidays



Even though I woke Christmas morning in a different place than years past, it still had a familiar feel. I awoke to the sound of my dad chopping wood and got myself ready as the smell of wood burning filled the air. Ahhh! Oh how I have missed having a wood burning fireplace on Christmas. And, probably one of the big reasons I wanted this house. As a child I dreaded hauling wheelbarrows full of logs up to the house. But, its been over 10 years since we had a wood burning fireplace and even longer since I hauled those logs so in a way I miss it. And miss seeing my dad hunched over the embers.

Soon enough the kids were up and scurrying about the house checking to see if Santa ate their cookies. Despite efforts to camouflage the violin Grandma Pam got Sydney that was the first thing she noticed. I think its safe to say everyone got everything they wanted(needed). Santa brought Sydney an IPod Shuffle and the reindeer pictures she requested and Andrew got his dinosaur.



Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve


Happy Holidays! Hope everyone has their holiday shopping finished & planning to spend the holiday with friends & family. Our family will be hosting Christmas for the very first time. With the exception of the one year when we went to the Florida Keys and surprised my grandparents on Christmas this will be the first time I have not awoke Christmas morning at my parents house. This year, Mom, Dad, Angie & David will be coming to our house. We will have our traditional appetizer dinner and then likely watch a movie. We had hoped to see the new film, "Marley and Me" but after learning the ending decided that might not be the best choice for Sydney.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I wot you to tac a pichr of rodorf.
PS I Lov You. I wot you to bring a horse to.

Love, Sydney Lavelle

Monday, December 08, 2008

Erie PA Competition



Creeping our way through the snow belt during a blizzard we made our way to Erie, Pennsylvania for our first cheer competition of the season. Unfortunately, the weather kept away most of the teams but Sydney & the NEO Cheetahs did a fantastic job & walked away with second place.



Sydney & her Big, Chloe. NEO has a mentor program where younger members are matched up with veterans.