Steep Yourself

13?? Say it ain't so!

2010-01-16T00:17:00.005-06:00

I know. I skipped Christmas. I'll come back to that.
Happy Birthday, no. 1!!! Anyone recognize this
special birthday song rendition?

Finally, a break!

2010-01-16T00:00:00.004-06:00

I promise. This was a very happy morning. And is Elle
serious about food or what?

2009-12-26T00:37:00.000-06:00

Christmas 2009, plus a toot.

2009-11-26T08:35:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving Play Doh

Sara's Fall Orchestra Concert

2009-10-31T23:40:00.004-05:00

Practice with Super Dad

The Arethusa - Live

Ultimate Guys Night Out

2009-10-13T19:28:00.004-05:00

In line 3 hours before the doors.

This is an update!

2009-09-22T22:29:00.002-05:00

to be continued...

Elle's Recital

2009-06-22T07:23:00.002-05:00

Leadership Costs (James 3:1)

2009-06-11T09:58:00.003-05:00

Don't become a leader/teacher! We are held to a higher standard. The higher you climb up the leadership ladder the less room there is for falling out of line. By that I simply mean: "forgiving" others and seeking biblical reconciliation is not an option, you are being watched and are still teaching as you lead yourself through various situations; "holy living" as encouraged in 1 Pet. 1:14 is not an option but a goal to be pursued (see 1 Timothy 6:11) - you are still teaching; "commitment" is not an option, leader. You are being watched and will not be followed if you do not embody commitment; "faithfulness" is not an option, pursue it, as well; 1 Timothy 6:11 - live that passage! If you are in a position to be "seen" and followed, understand what that comes with. I must realize this myself as a leader, and learn to grow the leaders under my care into this reality. Leadership is a privilege and a joy, but accountability can not be sacrificed. Accountability will only grow us and grow our potential to influence kingdom growth.

Gavotte

2009-05-26T23:16:00.005-05:00

Sara is practicing for her orchestra placement test.
She's hoping to grade high enough to
get into chamber.

Sara's Dance Recital

2009-05-15T22:52:00.007-05:00

Videos are coming, but here are a few pics.
CLICK!

Sara? Public speaker?

Pond-E Replay

For Aubri!

No!!! Not in my family. I can't even spell
pom-poms!

The Arts - Hughes Girls

2009-05-15T20:28:00.011-05:00

The Shire

Minuet II

Sweet Water

Minuet III

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-11T23:03:00.005-05:00

Some back yard family shots, then with Grandmere
to Romeo's. Click HERE for the pictures.

Grandmere turns 41? 51?

2009-05-11T16:56:00.017-05:00

We went to the 35th street Brick Oven. Click HERE to see pictures from
the night. Videos will be uploaded shortly. Stay tuned...

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

All Merrill

What's up, Home Slice??

2009-05-11T16:34:00.004-05:00

Thought we'd try to grab a slice of pizza and walk S. Congress.
We had no idea all this was going on!

From the Vault

2009-04-24T20:55:00.003-05:00

June of 2003. Elle is 3 years old. This is packed with a song
from her Sunday morning class, invisible friend Anna Frey
and some quiet chuckles from Sara behind the camera.

Makeover Day

2009-04-04T16:31:00.003-05:00

On a Saturday with not much to do, Elle decided Sara
and I were in need of a makeover.
She's truly contemplating a career as a makeup artist.

Do you know what it's time for... Super Model Documentary Hour!

Elle, Our Artist!

Optional pose.

GMA Video

2009-03-29T20:51:00.003-05:00

Thanks to cousin Rachel for the video capture!

NYC Day 5 - Breakfast

2009-03-23T08:45:00.007-05:00

Snow @ "Maison"

"Ground Zero"

NYC Day 4

2009-03-22T23:37:00.005-05:00

I know I fell behind, but for those interested, here's day 4. Click
this post title to also see some pics from this day.

We're Back!!!!

2009-03-22T15:41:00.003-05:00

Well, New York City was wonderful, but it's good to be home. I really appreciate how beautiful our city is. We spent the day outside in great weather, soakin' up some sun. New York was cold!
To see all our pictures, click on the link to the right of blog.

Day 3 post #1

2009-03-19T07:19:00.006-05:00

Day 3 started off fast and furious, but we couldn't keep up with
the price of gas (time + walking) and it pooped out in the end.
In the morning, up at 5:30 to head to GMA and see if we could get in.
Did that. Next,Angela's Rock & Roll deli for breakfast.
After that it was James doing a run in Central Park. Then
we crashed the Statue. And afterthat, NYC crashed us.
What we thought would be a short napat 6 pm before deciding
on dinner turned out to be a marathon recovery.
We woke up this morning (Thurs. Day 4). See ya.

NCY Day 2 post #2

2009-03-19T00:14:00.006-05:00

We could not take our camera to Wicked, so the evening
will have no updates. But here's our trip to the Museum of
Natural History. And please say hello to our driver,
Salomon (from Egypt).

NYC Day 2 post #1

2009-03-17T23:45:00.007-05:00

St. Patrick's Day Parade!

Day One in NYC (click for photos)

2009-03-17T08:06:00.008-05:00

Here we go!

On the way to Dinner @ Langan's (off Time Square)

Langan's Irish Pub & Restaurant

On the town!

Guacamole

2009-03-13T00:36:00.003-05:00

Orchestra III - some highlights

2009-03-12T23:11:00.006-05:00

In part two the kids play their FIRST actual orchestra piece.
Sara's group moves over to the 2nd violin section for their
harmony parts. She's out of the frame for this song, but
back for the finale.

And the Finale... "Fiddles on Fire."

The Flu hits 2715

2009-03-12T17:11:00.002-05:00

Out with my ladies...

2009-03-12T16:58:00.002-05:00

Monday Funday!

2009-02-23T00:02:00.002-06:00

Breakfast at TacoXpress

Anna turns 4!

2009-02-22T23:58:00.004-06:00

So cute and innocent!

Elle's cute haircut

2009-02-22T23:49:00.001-06:00

We're late for school, dad! Put down the camera!

The Steep improves Sunday coffee services!

2009-02-05T08:58:00.003-06:00

SHCC serves about 180 cups of coffee every Sunday. We'll now be able to serve more efficiently, and give the team from the Steep better tools for their ministry of hospitality. Enjoy this overview of the arrival of the sign and the "machine."

Birthday Dinner!

2009-01-23T21:31:00.000-06:00

Sara's 12th!

2009-01-20T00:29:00.000-06:00

Monday Funday! Hiking at the Austin Nature Trails

2009-01-19T23:41:00.007-06:00

Here's a slideshow. Click it to go to our web ablum!

Watch as we enter the freaky, freaky forest...

Our Monday Date

2009-01-17T14:28:00.003-06:00

Monday breakfast at Curra's!

Ummmm, James got migas.

Me, pondering.

Jimmy-Cool

We went to Summermoon for the free WIFI. James got a coffee and I
discovered their hot chocolate. It was pretty dang good!

2009-01-12T00:17:00.005-06:00

The girls prepare for their cooking "show."

Elle and Friends: O Come All Ye Faithful

2008-12-28T22:54:00.003-06:00

Sunday morning to open services.

Christmas Stuff!

2008-12-26T16:29:00.006-06:00

Watch!

These are actual shades! This is not a stunt.

Merril(sp?)Ann

2008-12-14T21:53:00.003-06:00

Here she is!

1st snow of '08

2008-12-14T21:42:00.002-06:00

Well, it snowed.

James thought our house looked pretty cute
from this angle.
Well, so long, snow.

Getting our Christmas on!

2008-12-01T18:29:00.005-06:00

Elle's Labor Day Concert

2008-11-23T15:57:00.003-06:00

In honor of Labor Day, the 3rd grade fall concert was patriotic!

Sorry, my pictures are backwards! Here's elle after the show with some friends.

Elle was chosen to speak a few lines in the program.

Nervous about her parts!

Lily Hale

2008-11-23T15:38:00.004-06:00

This was our first visit with Lily! Sara decided to match Lily's outfit.

James getting his baby fix.

Here's, toofless elle, showing Lily what to do with her burp rag!

What a sweetie!

2008-11-10T12:56:00.005-06:00

Halloweenie!
We had an open house for Halloween and invited everyone over for hotdogs!

Ugly Betty

Mouse Princess

My friend Nora and Charlie Brown.

My little China Girl and Connor the ninja.

With the back yard finished, the kids got to run around outside.
It was a fun evening!

Sara's first orchestra concert - Photos!

2008-11-03T21:08:00.006-06:00

The excitement's building! Her first concert was
a masquerade event. All the kids came dressed
in their Halloween gitup. Meet the Mouse Princess.

All focused during warm ups.

Sorry this is blurry, but how elegant does she look here?

Sara's first orchestra concert - VIDEO!

2008-11-03T15:40:00.012-06:00

Grand opening. They'll start with Twinkle Twinkle.
Man, she's growing up!

Sara was playing Chopsticks the same night that Leah was
playing it at Judson! Sorry, we couldn't make BOTH performances.

Allegro.

The finale, "Cripple Creek."

Backyard Remodel COMPLETE!

2008-10-30T21:39:00.002-05:00

finally!

2008-10-19T22:00:00.003-05:00

What happened to James' little girl?
She's gone!

Munday Funday!

2008-10-13T18:28:00.006-05:00

Monday is James' day off and the girls had the day off of school as well.
We decided to take a bike ride at Long Park! And we all
have bikes now...

James bought me my first bike. It's the coolest and easiest bike to ride!

Aubri, this one's for you!

big babies.

new stuff

2008-10-13T10:15:00.004-05:00

Ok, so, I'm learning this whole blog thing. We don't take that many pictures anymore, but I 'll put something up to keep things from getting boring.

I did get a new phone and it has a camera on it. The girls like to use it too!
Here's James before his hair cut with Sara being silly.
after.
Ok, so he's pretty handsome with short hair too.
We're at Whataburger for dinner and Elle looses her 2nd front tooth!
Ya know what she wants for Christmas?

Ike hits SW Austin!

2008-09-13T18:42:00.006-05:00

after much anticipation, Ike's arrived.

water.more water. moving sidways.

downed limbs.

pots overturned.

gale force winds!

Relations?

2008-09-13T18:41:00.002-05:00

Remodel Pics (theBEFORE...)

2008-09-12T10:34:00.006-05:00

Old sliding door coming out...

...what you can't see is all the dust INSIDE!!
So this is after 3 nights out of the house.
An even BIGGER mess just getting here!
Clean up begins.... painting ahead.
Let me tell ya. We were all batty by this point.

Remodel Pics (...theAFTER)

2008-09-11T21:34:00.004-05:00

We got french doors!

tile floor and recessed lights!

You can't really see the true colors here.
Try the next one.

somthing called "Pepperoni Pizza"

2008-09-11T18:01:00.002-05:00

At least that's what she said...

What are we doing?

2008-09-11T17:53:00.001-05:00

Well, for an ex web application developer, I'm way behind getting us into this technology. Bear with us. Bare with us? Bayer with us? Whatever. Hang tight.