February Update

We are a few days late with our February update--but here it is!!! It was a little more low key than the past few months, but full nonetheless.

Baby Zach is here!

First up we have to introduce you to the newest member of our extended family---Zachary David! Our new nephew/cousin was born on Thursday, February 28th (15 minutes short of being a leap year baby!). He weighed in at 8lbs. 8oz and 22 inches long. Jenny and baby are doing great! I'm sure we will be posting lots more pictures on here in the future. Here are a few pictures taken just minutes after he was born and 1 of cousin Dylan saying hello for the first time.

Pinewood Derby Race:

Adam participated in a Pinewood Derby race this month with Cub Scouts. He was given a block of wood and wheels to make into a race car. Although his car was not exactly the fastest one in the race, he did win a prize for originality.

GO GIANTS!!

Tim was on cloud 9 for most of the month when his New York Giants won the SUPER BOWL.

Valentine's Day:

The daycare celebrated Valentine's Day with a party! Dylan had fun writing out his own valentine's and handing them out.

That's about it! Adam continues to have hockey twice a week. Dylan completed level one of his Snowplow Sam ice skating class. Other activities this month:

• Sarah attended a scrapbooking retreat with some friends in Marion at the beginning of the month. She enjoyed having some time to herself and creating until the wee hours of the night.
• Dylan was super excited to attend Kindergarten round-up at Pierce Elementary school this past month. He visited each classroom and had a guided tour of the school from his big brother.
• New camera! With our old camera slowing down with every picture, we took a small portion of our tax return to purchase a new camera--a Canon Powershot S5 IS.

January

January is almost over and as usual the Sines family has been busy! I don't think there was one free day on the calendar! Here's a review of what we have been up to....

New Year's Eve:

We started out the new year with a quiet family "pig out". We dined on nothing but appetizers and watched movies all night. Menu: chicken wings, bread and spinach dip, and nachos supreme. Yum!!

Tim Turns 35!!

January 4th marked Tim's 35th birthday!!! We made it a hockey weekend for Dad. Friday night the boys spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa Patrick while Sarah and Tim went out with some of Tim's co-workers to a Roughrider hockey game. Saturday night we celebrated as a family by going to yet another hockey game. For an added bonus Sponge Bob was there!!

Scrapbook Closet:

After lots and lots of nagging, Sarah finally has a place to store and work on her scrapbooking! With the help of Sarah's dad and Adam, Tim transformed a spare closet into "Scrapbooking World" (as Dylan calls it). You can find Sarah tucked away in her closet every night working away.

Ice Skating Lessons:

Dylan started ice skating lessons this month! He's doing a great job. There are 5 other little boys in his class that meets every Saturday morning at the ice arena. Soon he'll be skating circles around Adam!

Baby Shower:

Last weekend Sarah and her mom threw her sister, Jenny, a baby shower. Soon little baby Zach will be here and Sarah will be "Aunt Sarah"!!! Hopefully we will have pictures to post soon!!!

Other events this month:

• Outback Steakhouse for Mom's Night Out!
• Ideal Computer Systems Holiday party at the Longbranch Hotel.
  
• Adam signed up for another session of instructional hockey.
• Tim travels to Texas for a business trip--quick visit with college roommate Bryan before returning home tomorrow (31st).

I'm sure next month will be full of more family fun. Make sure to check back for future updates!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Sines Family!!!! Time escaped us during the mad rush of the Christmas season, so we did not get our Christmas cards out as planned. Since Christmas cards always provide a great opportunity to stay in touch with friends and family that we don't see very often we were really disappointed. We decided to create this blog instead! This way we can show everyone what we have been up to and update it as needed. Bookmark this page and check back--hopefully we will update it monthly or when we have news to announce. Leave us a message! Enjoy!

2007 Update:

DylanDylan and one of his creations!

Dylan continues to grow and grow! It won't be long before this "baby" in the family will be eye to eye with his big brother. As usual, Dylan continues to be very entertaining with his witty comments and craziness. This fall Dylan started to learn to read! He is doing great and cannot wait to turn 5 in May so he can go to Kindergarten. Dylan enjoys being home with Mommy and the daycare (although he did tell us he has a "mean teacher named Sarah" who "puts people in timeout"). He has a vivid imagination and loves to build and create things.

A new bike!

AdamA REAL hockey player!

2007 has been a big year for Adam. This fall he started 1st grade. He continues to love school and excels in all areas. He has even started to correct his own parents at times!! Because of Adam we have become very busy. This fall he joined the Cub Scouts. Daddy has volunteered as the Assistant Den Leader and together they enjoy fun outings in the community. I think Dad enjoys the popcorn the best! Adam's biggest excitement of the year has been signing up for Instructional Hockey at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. After 4 years of rolling around on his plastic spiderman skates--he is now a REAL hockey player! He can't wait for Thursday and Saturday mornings to get out on the ice.

Tiger Cub

SarahSarah at Navy Pier in Chicago

Sarah has also had a very busy year. "A Place to Grow Childcare" continues to be very successful. She regularly receives phone calls from families who have heard through the grapevine about the childcare and are looking for a open spot. Although the job can be very exhausting, she enjoys teaching the children and providing quality childcare for families. This past year Sarah embarked on another endeavor by becoming an Independent MemoryWorks Consultant. After a short break from scrapbooking she has dived right back into things. You can check out her creations on her scrapbooking blog-- Sarah's Spot Sarah also continues to put together a monthly Mom's Night Out where she gets to dine monthly without kids (or a husband!).

A Place to Grow Childcare Christmas Party.

TimTim and his bbq on vacation on MN.

This was Tim's first full year with his new job at Ideal Computer Systems. The new job has given him the opportunity to travel a little this past year including trips to Idaho, South Carolina, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. He enjoys sampling the best local cuisine America has to offer--including poisoned Sesame Chicken in Idaho! Tim's BBQ and brewing are both going well, although.....we did experience a large fire on the deck caused by the smoker. It was quite a sight to see Tim battle the blaze in his underwear before the fire trucks arrived. Luckily, the fire was contained to the deck and did no damage to the house. During September Tim took on the huge task of remodeling the bathroom. After many phone calls to his carpenter brother, the end product looks great!

A new shed!

Other events this past year:A trip to Milwaukee to visit Sarah's Aunt Sandy & Uncle Lamar.

A weekend trip to Chicago without the kids!


Week long vacation in MN with the Ballou family.


Long weekend camping trip at Sugarbottom Campground in Coralville.

Patrick family reunion in Iowa Falls that Sarah and her sister organized.