A Giant Family Tree: The Mara and Rooney Families

Congratulations to the NY Giants for their big superbowl win this past Sunday! I'm not a huge sports fan, but you gotta love it when your hometown team wins the championship. One thing that intrigued me was the family aspect of the Giants team. I found this famliy tree from the NY Daily News and it breaks down how the team has been passed down the Mara family tree from the original owner, Tim Mara. So interesting that the original owner's grandson, Chris Mara, and Art Rooney's granddaughter, Kathleen Rooney, married! Art Rooney had great respect for Tim Mara, even naming his son Tim after him. Take a peek at their tree to see the connections.

DIY Bridesmaid and Bride Shirts

A great DIY project for bridesmaids! It's quick, easy, and WAY cheaper than ordering from online stores.

I found the custom monogram template from weddingchicks.com- an DIYers dream website with printable templates and beautiful wedding inspiration.

Items needed:

• Avery Light T Shirt Transfers- 1 sheet per shirt, pack of 6 sheets were $12.
• White T Shirt or Tank Top- I got my shirts at Old Navy for $6 each.
• Iron with NO water and steam set to OFF
• Pillow Case to protect ironing surface

Let's get started!

Customize your monogram and bride images. I used deep ocean and the date line for "Bridesmaid". When the image opens, right click and save the file to your desktop.

Flip the image horizontally before printing. The words should look backwards when you print them so when you place them face down on the shirt it will be correct. Print a test on regular paper to make sure the image prints correctly. -------->

Put the Avery transfer in your printer (make sure it's facing the right way) and print your image.

Cut out the image.

Heat up the iron and lay your pillow case on a hard surface (not an ironing board). When the iron is nice and hot iron all the wrinkles out of the pillow case.

Use a lint roller to remove any fuzz or threads from the front of your shirt. Iron the shirt and make it all nice and smooth, then lay your cut out image face down on your shirt.

You're ready to start the transfer magic! With even and consistent pressure, press the iron onto the back of the avery transfer and shirt for 3 minutes.

Allow the shirt to cool down for 5 minutes.

Peel off the back of the transfer and viola! You have a beautiful custom shirt!

NYC Veterans Day Parade 2011

The NYC Veterans Day Parade is the largest celebration in the country, with 20,000 veterans, supporters, bands, and other entertainment marching in the parade. It was a beautiful fall day. I had the great opportunity to chat with some sweet WWII Veterans, thanking them for their courage.

Click the picture to start the slideshow. Then click the square and arrow icon in the lower right hand corner to view the pictures full screen.

* I now have a Centenarian in My Family- Happy 100th Birthday Maw!

Steve's grandmother, Genevieve "Maw" Louise Woodard Burchett, turned a young 100 years old this past Friday- August 19, 2011. She is a lively, humorous, and inspirational woman. Her life spans time periods we can't even begin to fully comprehend. In her lifetime she has persevered through 2 world wars, the great depression, and unprecedented advances in technology. I am so proud and thankful to know her and be a part of her family. A glimpse into the past 100 years of her beautiful life.

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