Calling all Kerr's...

Many many years ago, my family lived in Hacienda Heights, CA (near LA) and we were very close to the Kerr family. The Kerr's have four kids that were mostly around the same ages as our five. Bryan, Jodie, Kelly and Becky. We spent a lot of time with them (the Lauper and Faubus families too) and I have a lot of fun memories with them. One in particular was when I was sick at school and my Mom was unable to pick me up, so Suzie did. I laid on their couch and got to watch Footloose until I was picked up by my Mom. Or the fashion shows Jodie and I would put on when we'd get new clothes for our birthday's. Dressing up in friends old prom dresses...fun days at the beach or in our swimming pool.

In 1986 our family moved to Napa and the Kerr's came over the morning we left to say goodbye. I was 9 and I remember feeling really sad that morning. Luckily, we kept in touch.

Jodie and I were the only kids who stayed in (somewhat) close contact over the years. Both being girls and just a year apart, it was easy. Our parents did too, but out of the kids it was us. (Maybe it was a secret plan of our parents to keep us more focused on letter writing and less on the boys! Oh we were so boy crazy! Yes, by 8 years old, I thought I had found my husband). Anyway, we'd fill in the rest of our families through our letters and pictures. Now we can through our blogs!!

Jodie's husband was recently deployed and she is having a rough week, so I thought I'd post some pictures that might make her smile. Well, that is my intention. Sorry if they make you mad. :)

This was probably 8 or 9 years ago. My roommate and I threw a 'Disco Party' and I randomly sent Jodie an invitation (in the mail...no email back then). I got a call from her shortly after telling me she was coming! I was so excited! She was going to school at Long Beach State and she met a guy there who I grew up with in Napa. He happened to be coming home that weekend so she tagged along and got to stay with me! It was so fun showing her off to my crazy friends! Below is us getting ready for the party:
Here is us after the party, talking about the night and getting ready for bed. I look confused, Jodie looks like a model... Now here's the great ones! Shortly after we moved to Napa, the Kerr's came up for a visit. These are all pictures of pictures, so the quality isn't that great. The originals are a little red, I did the best I could. Starting from the left, circling around: Kelly Kerr (batman), Becky Kerr, Jodie Kerr, Bryan Kerr, John Mills, me, then Ryan Mills is standing on top.
Here is Jodie and I in our old driveway. Looks a little like a postcard. It seemed pretty rural back then, it's changed a lot.
Here is a picture I found of me, Jodie (middle) and Kristen. We used to go camping with church and we would have so much fun! I'm guessing this was about 1984. Was this the summer our Mom's gave us our haircuts there? It must have been 1984 because we wanted to be Mary Lou Retton and Julianne McNamara SO BADLY and flip around like them in the summer olympics. I went through a phase where I cut up all my pictures, this is my result.

Anyway, this is just a little something for our families to look at and laugh at. It's been fun to keep in contact with them through blogging. All the kids are married with their own families now. It would be a fun reunion someday to get everyone together at Otterbein park and search for tadpoles. (Is that park still there?)

Jodie, hang in there! Steve will be home before you know it. We're all thinking of you guys and sending lots of love and support. I hope these pictures can bring a smile to your face. Call if you need to chat! Love you!

We're rolling into new things over here!

I don't know how I did it but I figured out how to get my video's to play on here. FINALLY! This is a video of our little man rolling over. I know I sound stupid in the background and messed up my words. But, at least you didn't hear one of the made up songs I sing to him all day long. (This morning it was a 10 minute song about him having curly hair). Now, PRESS PLAY!!!

A little reminder...

1) That I'm so cute...
2) That I'm...well... read the shirt... 3) That I'm learning new things... And if you don't agree with #2, notice how tightly I'm gripping in #3. I don't let go.

All about my love...

I stole this idea from Kelly. I thought it was cute since Valentine's Day was this week...In honor of Erik.....My Love...

What is his name? Erik Karel Henry Mrazek
How long have you been together? Um...almost 4 years, married 1.
How long did you date? Over 2 years.
How old is he? 30
Who eats more? Depends on who can use the "but I'm pregnant" excuse!
Who said I love you first? I told him, but in a letter. Totally lame. (He thinks he did).
Who is taller? Erik
Who can sing better? Erik has a very nice voice.
Who is smarter? Erik by far.
Who does the laundry? Both, but mostly me.
Who pays the bills? ME! I stress way too much about $$ to let him do it.
Who sleeps on the right side? Erik. Although, when Erik is in the bed, it's always the right side. heh heh.
Who mows the lawn? Our landlord. (Renting does have some great benefits!)
Who cooks dinner? Mostly Erik, he's a great cook.
Who drives? Both.
Who is more stubborn? Stubborn is my middle name!
Who kissed who first? I think him. We had gone out with bunch of people from work and we were saying good-bye...hugged...and kissed...then I ran back to the car where my friends were waiting...waited for the car to drive away and started screaming "He kissed me!" Over and over. (Remember that, Jackie?)
Who asked who out first? He asked me. He came up to Napa and we took his junky car (sorry Erik, it was!) to Chinese food. The food was so bad that we called it our first pseudo-date.
Who proposed? Erik, on the beach at sunset in Carmel. We spent the weekend there, it was the best weekend ever!
Who has more friends? This is a dumb question.
Who is more sensitive? Again, it depends in who can use the "but I'm pregnant" excuse.
Who has more siblings? Me.
Who wears the pants? The men always think they do.
Who does the dishes? Both. But, when I do them, the entire kitchen gets cleaned. When Erik does them, he does just that. The dishes. Nothing else.
Who is more likely to admit when they are wrong? Duh, ME! Those of you who know us know that's a TOTAL LIE!
Why do you love your husband? Well, even though he told me he loves Max more than he loves me (yes you did, Erik) he also told me he loves me more then my own Mom loves me. Now that I am a Mom, I know how much that is. He's loving, caring, attentive, understanding, patient, gorgeous...shall I continue? (Or my original answer, Have you seen the size of his hands?)

Love is in the Air

Only in California...

Lubor, known as Deda (Dee-yeh-dah) to Max (that's Grandpa in Czech), came up to Vacaville on Sunday morning for a quick visit and brunch. Lubor is working on a project in Montreal so he is out of town during the week. We are so lucky that we get to see him on the weekends when he is home. We walked downtown for brunch and took a quick walk through Andrew's park. The weather was perfect, we really enjoyed his visit!

Max loved his time with Deda.
This was just after we returned from our walk. Lubor and Max got a few minutes to say goodbye, see you next time Deda!
Daddy and Max.
We have a great lemon tree in out frontyard that has a ton of lemons right now. We have neighbor's asking all the time if they can pick some. In fact, just this morning a neighbor asked how much we charge for picking lemons...hmmm...now there's an idea! If you live nearby, please help yourself to our lemons. (Technically, they are not our lemons, they really belong to our landlord, but he'd be the first to climb the tree and pick them for you if you'd like...and he'd LOVE it if you 'd take some of the pecans that fall onto the grass too!) We could never eat/use all of them. You pick 'em ,you keep 'em. And we won't charge you. Although, you might have to help us figure out a way we could get our hands on all those ignored orange trees around town. I love the look of orange trees.
Mommy and Max. (I still can't believe I'm a Mommy now). It was about 70 degrees today. Notice the short sleeves and no blanket or hat! California is good for winters! Tomorrow morning Deda will be back in Montreal where it is around 18 degrees. He said coming home for the weekends was like a mini vacation. Wow, what a change!!!

Who are you calling old?

Friday was a very special day. Grandma Dora celebrated her 90th Birthday!!!! Dora is Erik's Mother's Mother and she is one special lady! Most of us would think of a 90 year old to be, well, old. Not this one. Grandma, or Mor Mor, is the most active 90 year old I have ever met! She lives in a house by herself and her two cats. She does her own gardening, errands and appointments, attends church and church activities along with gardening clubs. She has the most amazing memory. She can remember dates and events like they were yesterday. It is so great to hear about her life and what it was like growing up.

We drove down to Grandma's house on Saturday and met Gail (Erik's Mom), Nicole (Erik's sister), Brian, Vivian, and Ethan. We went to lunch at the Westley Hotel for a special celebration and back to Grandma's for cake and gifts. It was such a nice day.Vivian, Ethan, Brian, Max and Erik enjoying the sun we had.
Mor Mor making her birthday wishes and blowing out her candles!
Tummy time on the grass.
Mor Mor and Max.
Gail, Nicole, Ethan, Vivian, Brian, Dora and Erik.
Mor Mor with her grandson and great grandson.
Grandma Gail feeding our little big man.
Nicole and Vivian. I LOVE this picture!!!!
All of us at lunch, which turned out to be dinner too. The meals were huge! They surprised us with custard and baklava and a song to help celebrate.
Happy 90th Birthday Grandma! Here's to many more happy years!!! We love you!

Anyone see a difference?

Max got to meet his new cousin Riley tonight. It reminds me of the picture that was attached to the story about the 17 lb baby.

They are only 2 months apart!!!!! Both are very healthy and happy.
Max loves to smile now. We love it too. Above, he is smiling at my Mom while she was getting him dressed. Max had his 2 month check up today. He's doing great! He weighs 13 lbs 1oz and is 24 inches long. We think he's 25 inches, but I guess our tape measure is different than theirs. hmm...

Is it fun...

... is it addicting...or is it just annoying?

What is it? Go to Levelgame.net ... it's all of the above!

We voted!

Did you ? ?