Turning over a new leaf

Once again, I took a blogging hiatus and it has been tricky to start again.  What should I re-start with?  Is this important enough to blog about?  Why can I not stay committed to blogging?  I have been so encouraged and supported by others blog posts that it does not seem fair to take so much away without at least sharing my journey with others.

I used to say I was so busy...LIE!  We are all busy...it is all about prioritizing.  That is my new goal.  I am going to prioritize.  Not just with blogging, but in my everyday life.  I have a long list of things I want to do, need to do, have to do and should do.  No more excuses.

I would appreciate any tips, ideas or just general advice on how you stay so dedicated to your blog.  I love reading and catching on your blogs!  I love even more getting a good laugh at your pics, funny stories and learning that your lives take you on crazy journeys too!

Thank you for sharing.  I have been truly blessed by your blogs!  Here is to me turning over a new leaf!

~Hannah

Starting the day on the right foot!

Tuesday's are my Monday.  After a Sunday at home, I feel relaxed, rested and ready to start the week.  Then, the weekend hits me on Monday night and I feel worthless on Tuesday morning. 

All that to be said, I was so excited when I started my new job and be able to be more involved with the Women's prayer group, late night girls night, and just the simple pleasure of not having to go to bed at 9am to be at work at 5am.  It did not happen as soon as I planned, but after weeks of learning the ropes, I am feeling more adjusted to the new job and ready to make commitments outside of the house and work! 

Today, I was able to join in the Woman's Prayer Breakfast with a few gals from the Christiansburg NLCF group.  It has never felt so great to get up early, meet for fellowship, sip hot tea and share our prayer requests with sisters. 

Normally, I would be exhausted after an early morning and a 12 hour day at work, but not tonight.  Tonight I felt awake and energized.  I am so happy for the friendships I have made, the accountability that has come from those friendship and the growth I have experienced in the short time I have spent with the group.

Thank you ladies for the encouragement, support & early mornings!  Here is to Tuesday mornings!

Countdown to the Ho Down!

 Swing your partner, here we go!

2010- Steele's & Spencer's

Fall is in the air and that means Deck Dance time.  Every year my parents invite people for the Annual Deck Dance.  Western outfits paired with square dance callers and it is a good time.  We always have a great time and this year will be no different.

Dancing action- square dancing!

Siblings missing the oldest & youngest!

I am excited to see some friends we do not get so see very often as well as introduce new friends to the Deck Dance experience!  I am also excited to re-visit an old place I love...Carter's Mountain!  Three years ago (Oct. 20th), Chris proposed to me at Carter's Mountain.  We have not had time to go back since then and I cannot wait to go this weekend.  Carter's was always a special place to me throughout my high school years and I often returned in previous years.  It is shaping up to be a wonderful fall 2010!!

2008- Maggie had on her bandanna to be festive!

Down and Dirty!

US Marine Corps Mud Run
Columbia, South Carolina
September 25, 2010
http://usmcmudrun.org/

As some of you already know, Chris, myself and a group of friends make the trek to South Carolina this past weekend for the mud run.  After taking off early from work, we packed into the truck and got on the road.  Four bathroom stops later, we arrived and proceeded to unload 5 people, 3 bags of towels, 2 air mattresses, and an ample supply of snacks into one hotel room.  Yes, I said one hotel room...1 bed, 1 pull out couch, little floor space and ONE bathroom!

We headed out to paint the town since our running time was not until 3pm the following afternoon.  Being from a small town, we took advantage of a fun town!  We found a fun sports bar to have dinner and moved on to a fun bar called Flying Saucer.  With over 200 beers on tap, we thought it would be a winner.  False...Chris and Galen both were bummed when they were out of their 1st choice beer, but with 200 beers, there were plenty of other options.  The back splash was so cool, but I did not get a pic:(









A few more stops, a little singing and a lot of goofing off and we headed back to the hotel to cram in for the night.

Laughing at Rob

Rob really wanted the bartenders t-shirt

Wardrobe change!

Fast friends!

 

Saturday morning we woke up pumped and ready to race.  After 2 hours in traffic (apparently, we were not the only ones ready to race), we soaked in a the race happenings and waited for our teammates to arrive!  And then it was race time...

Start line- 34,000 participants!

Brandi & Hannah- ready to get muddy

The course map- I did not even look...I did not want have a reason to back out!

Slightly unsure of what they have gotten into!

Pre-race stretching

The Boys- Galen, Trey, Chris & Rob

The Girls- Leah, Erica, Brandi & me!

32 obstacles and a whole lot of mud later...

Still smiling...great team work!

A little muddy!

A couple that runs together, get muddy together!

This was after our 2 minute cold shower...it was the best shower ever!

We had a great time and we are pulling teams together for next year!

Here's to another great weekend!

Lazy days at the beach!

We were so lazy that we took very few pictures and it took me a month to blog about it!  Either way, we had a great trip.  Emerald Isle with the fam for a week...what is there to really complain about.  We lounged, ate, golfed, ran and enjoyed the time together with the family. 
The best part was the surprise to mom.  We had made light of her birthday in July (the big 60) and so we treated her to a day of food, birthday memories & a professional photographer to capture the antics of 11 people.  Since we have had so many weddings recently, we have not had a family picture without wedding dresses, suits & flowers in a very long time.  We had a fantastic time on the beach in our well coordinated outfits and our photographer, Cindy, did an amazing job.

Here are just a few of my favs...

Sibling love

The whole gang

Picture perfect

Goofing off for the camera

The boys

The Ladies

Baywatch boys!

Always showing off

Fond Memories

The emails have started, to list have been made & the excitement is growing!  It is vacation time!  Chris & I are headed to Emerald Isle next week to spend the week with my family at the beach.  Not only is this Chris's first time to vacation with the Sylvester Fam, but it is the first Sylvester beach vacation in 3 years.  Last year (2009) we stayed in Charlottesville & enjoyed all the local attractions that we had taken for granted in the years of growing up there.

Staycation on the Bentivar- Charlottesville- 2009

Pollock Wine Tasting

Blue Ridge Brewery

Music in the park- Staunton

Peach picking

Peach Picking at Chiles Orchard

Abigail was the paparazzi

Hike on the last day

Corn hole until it was dark

The year before was our off year since it was the summer of weddings & there was no time to get away as a family.  Plus, with three family weddings in one summer (us, Susanna & Matt and my cousin, Sarah & Brian,  it did not leave much time for anything other than wedding planning!

Our family vacations have always been a special time.  My parents are gracious & generous to rent a house so that we can all pile in for a week of sun, sand, games & good food!  I have a picture stuck in my head (before digital) of all 8 of us lined up the stairs at our beach house in the Outer Banks.  Adam was 8 weeks old & we shared the week with the Costello family.  I wish I could find & scan that picture.  Here are some memories of our previous years...

2003 (Corolla)

2003-Outer Banks (Duck)

Mom with her girls

2006- Folly Beach, Charleston, SC

Matt & Danielle (friend)

Family Pic on the Beach- missing Aaron

Relaxing with a good book

Matt, Adam, & Caleb

Sisters

Abigail & Donna on the beach

4th of July & birthday celebration cake for Mom

2007- Emerald Isle, NC

Fireworks on the beach

Family dinner for Mom's birthday

Caleb & Donna on the beach

On our way Home!

So, here is to another great vacation with the ever growing family!  Coming soon...pictures from Emerald Isle 2010!!

Until next time...