My child is skipping school!

Yes, according to Taft High School, I have a high-schooler. And not only do I have a child, but my child LOVES to skip school!

I can only confirm this with the following audio clip from my cell phone voice mail:


I have been contacted about a dozen times over the past month for everything from skipping school issues to making sure my child gets enough sleep before his/her TAKS tests!

Though all this talk of kids probably has you wondering... what will the first lil' Siefer look like. So, here you go....

A cutie, huh! =)

Party at the Coast

We had so much fun down in Port Aransas a couple weekends ago. We love to sneak down there in February when it is still beautiful, great weather, in the 70's, and completely deserted! Oh, and you still pay winter rates, so it's a steal.

For some reason it took 4 hours to get there (cough, Jeremy-grandma driver Siefer) and 2.5 hours (Rory-Italian-speedster-driver) to get back. I'll let you guess who was driving which leg of the trip!

It was fun to drive over the big bridge through downtown Corpus Christi and head out to the ferries.

We finally arrived at the ferries for the .97 second trip across the inlet. I took this time to take in the scenery.

Jeremy took this time to capture photographs of his cargo shorts....

...and his leg hair! And since I'm writing this blog -- I'll include both!

One of my favorite things about the shops down here is the use of massive sharks in front of the storefronts to draw in the tourists! I challenged Jer to take photos of all of them, but we just got this one... nothing says "Come buy stuff," like a big hungry shark!

We finally arrived at the Mayan Princess!! Our favorite.

This trip involved some great walks on the beach and of course a Pina Colada down by the harbor!

It was fun to get away -- and I even got a mini sunburn -- proof that we kicked back for a weekend... which is a total anomaly these days because of the business! More on that front to come soon!

Dax & Bane

So, I am definitely getting the itch for home ownership. I find myself longingly looking at things like expansive granite counter tops, pretty shiny faucets, and hardwood floors, while at Home Depot, and all of them just make me happy. I know, it's a problem! Especially while we are still living in the apartment.

But, I think that our apartment complex is trying to subtly tell us it is time to move on too! I'd like to introduce you to Dax & Bane.

Just a month ago we came out to find that "Dax & Bane" had made their mark all over the whole apartment complex...

Here's some of Dax's work for you...

...and of course Bane too...

..and now, the two of them together.... Bane is a little shorter in height, while Dax has great arm reach.

This one was Jer's favorite... "Don't Hate Tha Dax & Bane!".... Now Dax and Bane, why would we ever hate you?

... I mean, we have your amazing artwork to enjoy now! I think this one was Bane again...

I'm kind of bummed that I didn't get a photo of the "Dax & Bane 210" display that was on our stairwell. Dax and Bane were representing our San Antonio area code really well! That would have been a good one too.

Just for fun, whenever Jeremy and I are outside, and around some of our other apartment neighbors we like to shout out to each other, "Hey Dax, can you help me with these groceries!" Then Jer will say, "Sure Bane, I'll be right there!"

Do you think we have the neighbors convinced we're the culprits? =)

I think I'll continue to chronicle the crazy world that is my apartment complex. Expect more of these posts to come!

Sioux Falls Christmas

We headed up to Sioux Falls this year for Christmas! The best part was raiding the Siefer's closet for warm clothes so that we could take the sledding challenge over at Tut Hill!

Sleds at the ready -- check!

Sister-in-laws in one sled --- check!

Husbands being wussy and just watching for their own pure delight -- check!

While I don't have a picture of our landing down at the bottom of the hill, I have to assure you it was amazing and filled with lots of screaming!

Marianne, put together a beautiful tree -- with a new motif this year.

And of course the traditional gift-opening was great fun with Marianne and John. I have to say that they just weren't as excited about all of the "finds" Jeremy and I discovered at the Dollar Tree and then packaged up for them as stocking stuffers. Who knew velcro could come in so many colors!!!

Awww, cute family shot... the two married couples!

Christmas involved lots of eating!! I think this prime rib was the jewel in Marianne's crown of accomplishments for the week....

But dang if this Bing Cherry stuffed french toast didn't amaze me too!

She even brought the Bing cherries back from their recent trip to Wisconsin to use them in this recipe... that is love!... and for me it should definitely become a new Christmas tradition!

Okoboji Winter

While we were up in South Dakota for Christmas with Jeremy's family we took a day to drive over to Okoboji. It is where we were married in July of 2007. Only, it looked VERY different this time. I was amazed to see the snow --- we had to hike through knee high drifts to get to the house!

And long gone was the clear water...it was replaced with ICE! The whole lake was iced over. I guess this is where my Texas roots put me at a disadvantage... because I was amazed at all things winter on this trip... including: snow blowers, shoveling snow, ice fishing, and more!

Jer woke up early in the morning to take some beautiful shots of the lake.

There were a few cold souls already up with an auger -- drilling their hole for their ice fishing hut.

I finally woke up -- borrowed some winter gear and we were off to explore!

...so these are how mittens work!

...ready for the cold -- bring it on!

So crazy to see the water iced over -- when we were just jet skiing in this cove this summer!

I climbed up to the Eagle that graces "Eagle Point".

...and made the obligatory snow angel!

Then we headed back home that evening....

...across the frozen tundra!

It was so beautiful to see the winter season in full effect -- but I have to admit -- I am loving my 70 degree temps back home too!

Fruit Cake Club

One of those major life moments has happened and I feel it is only fair to share it! I am now a member of the "I received a fruit cake as a present and I can't exactly tell you how old it is" Club!

See "Exhibit A" here below:

At first glance it does look pretty tasty -- but then you start to notice a few choice dents. Maybe this fruit cake has been around the block a few times?

Only upon further inspection do we find the approximate creation date... 2000!

Yes, we think it may be close to 10 years old! =) The best part is that we are saving it for next year --- who knows, if you are really nice to us you may be the recipient of this fine specimen next year!

Running out of Magnets

It is one of my favorite times of year again -- the Christmas Card season! We are starting to run out of magnets for the cards as they come through.... I love, love, LOVE seeing everyone's families and hearing the newest stories.

Here was a quick glance at our refrigerator in early December!

If you missed our card this year and want to get on next year's list -- please let me know.