Little Sis, Big World

So Danielle starts her post college real world job later this month. Over the holiday weekend, her and her roommate moved into an apartment in center city. Nick and I stopped by to help hang her curtain rods and curtains.

They landed a nice place, in a better part of the city. I'm excited to spend some girl time there. (Yup, I'm inviting myself over).

Temple Graduate!

Last Thursday my sister graduated from Temple University. She had two different graduations to attend; one of which the whole senior class was present, and Bill Cosby showed to give a speech, and the second, where her Fox School of Business walked the stage to receive their diplomas.

Danielle sporting her Fake diploma until she gets the real one in the mail

Dad and Danielle

Big little sis, and Little big sis

Danielle and Chris

Mom and Danielle

The amazing home-made Temple Owl cake- GO MOM!

Saturday, we also took a day trip to the Poconos for the Baptism of Rebecca Lynn, the daughter of our friends Joe and Laura. It was a beautiful ceremony and lunch reception.

An Evening Out

This past Saturday, Nick and I joined Danielle and Todd for dinner in center city. We ate at Bucca di Beppo. The food was delicious; especially the huge brownie sundae dessert :-)

It was a nice get-a-way from the house; a reason to get out of the pj's and into some normal day clothes.

Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the Comcast building and watched the huge wall sized flat screen, then took a stroll through LOVE park, before hopping back on the train to come home.

Basketball Practice

Lindsay, my oldest niece, started learning basketball. A few weeks ago, we went to her practice to watch. It's so much fun watching all the little girls run around, get side tracked, twirl their hair, then go back to running around and trying to get the ball.

Lindsay, in the hot pink

This picture makes me laugh everytime!

She looks deep in thought

While Lindsay is practicing/playing, Paige is playing her own games on the side lines.

She had Nick skipping around. Unfortunately I missed that when recording, but it's still cute.

One Step at a Time

Our three day MLK holiday weekend was spent rekindling relationships with family.

We took a trip to Montrose, PA and spent the night at my dad's. We were greeted with open arms, great food, and good laughs. Thanks dad and Carrie for a great weekend!

Baby sister Ella

While "up north," a visit was also made to my Gram. I've written about her in a previous blog. Gram is doing much better since October. She currently resides in a nursing home for rehabilitation (the same one she worked at for approx 25 years). She has expressive aphasia, but with time and patience, you are able to figure out what she is talking about. She recognizes everyone, and her facial expressions let you know she understands what you are saying. Keep up the good work Gram! I'm so proud of you!

It's frustrating to see what happens when life throws you a huge, unexpected set back. All we can do is take one step at a time, and we will end up where we are meant to be.

Going "Green", Going "Real"

Last weekend, was the weekend. With some family here, Nick and I decided it was time to go get our Christmas tree; and just when I think I know everything about Nick, I keep learning more. Nick has never had a real tree for Christmas (sometimes Nick doesn't have a good memory, so if he's wrong, feel free to call him out)

The entire time we've been together, we've always had a fake tree; with renting at first, then having a new dog, a fake tree was more ideal for the safety of our pets. This year, I put my foot down. With the exception of the past 7 years living on my own, my family and I have always had a real tree. I think its the excitement of going to the tree farm, walking around the field of trees, finding the perfect tree to fit our house, cutting it down, and making it OUR Christmas tree that year; that gives me the feeling of Christmas uniqueness.


Absolutely no offense to those who have "fake-ies," for as much as they can be absolutely beautiful, it's just not the same to me. I love to walk into the house and smell the fresh scent of pine, to water the tree and try to prevent as many pine needles as possible from falling off; it's like a game to me; and making a non perfect, non symmetrical, charlie brown tree.....well....PERFECT.

Scheer tradition continued:

 Find a tree you want; put a glove on top of it so no one else can claim it, while you go tell the sellers you've picked one out.

Blue Spruces are my favorite

Insta-tree!

Brasky is so ready to open his presents!

Frozen Dreams

December 10th, was the celebration of the birth of my sister, Danielle Ute! Happy 22 years Danielle!

Per her request, a few of us met up at the River Rink at Penn's Landing in Philly to go ice skating.

It didn't take long for Nick to get his "ice legs" back.

Todd and the Birthday Girl

Thanks to mom for being the photographer for the evening!

 Following skating, we indulged in dinner and games at Dave and Buster's, before calling it a night.

Collecting all of their tickets

Many Things to be Thankful For

This year has been full of many things we are thankful for; each other, friends and family and their love and support for our wedding; new jobs (Nick accepted an offer for the IT dept of a financial firm!), new house, our crazy animals...and the list continues.

On Thanksgiving, we trekked to the Poconos for our yearly turkey dinner at my Uncle's house. It's fun to see the same people you saw a year ago, and catch up on life, and see how people have changed or grown in the past year. I'm thankful my brother and sister-in-law were able to make the trip with their newborn Natalie.

Karen and Mom

Paige, Carley, and Lindsay

As a yearly tradition we always take a family portrait outside, in the same spot. After doing this for the past 6 years, its fun to look back on previous photos and see have we've changed.

Gatorade or H2O?

This year I was finally able to volunteer at the Philadelphia Marathon. My mom, brother and sister, have been volunteering together for the past 5 years, but I was never able to make it. What a great opportunity to spend time with my family and lend help for such a big event!

We arrived at our water stop location at 6:30am, the sun just starting to show itself.  We were greeted with donuts, pretzels, hot chocolate and coffee for breakfast. Once we filled our stomachs...and woke up, the fun and work began!

Chris and Lindsay

Todd and Danielle

Mom and I

The men unloaded the huge truck filled with tables, hundreds of gallons of water and Gatorade, and thousands of Dixie cups.

Once unloaded, everyone started setting up the tables and lining them with cups, then filling them with gatorade and water. With thousands of runners soon to need liquids, we had to work quickly and carefully.

While waiting, you could see the runners across the river, yet to reach our water stop.

Our water stop provided runners with hydration at two different points in the marathon. Once at 12.5 miles, and then at 24.5 miles.

When the crowds of runners would come together, it was busy! You can only hold so many cups in your hand before you have to run to the tables to get more. Each volunteer finds their own strategy for holding the cups for the runners to easily grab.

How awesome to be a part of such a world wide known event. Even though I don't have the personal ambition to complete this 26.2 mile event, I will be there to support and cheer you on, hopefully a tradition for the following years to come.