First Family Live at St. John

Last Saturday was the 1st Family Live Service held at St. John-this service will be held the last Saturday of every month. The service is designed to be family oriented and family friendly. It is high energy, has dramas, singing, time for families to dig into the bible together, a sermon geared for kids and adults, and focused on giving/prayers/etc time. It is fully church with a little jazz. Ryan was and will be the preacher and recently highered a guy who is very talented and gifted in this area. Ryan was curious about how many people would attend and said probably 75 or so, so was pretty surprised when 225 people attended. God is good and He was fully present! It was awesome! Prayers for this ministry as it continues to change, and shape the way God wants it to be. Next FAMILY LIVE will be Saturday Feb. 28th at 5 PM. See you there!

Oh, what a January

You know that I am busy when I don't keep up with my blog. I am going to blog all of Christmas, my birthday and New Years at one point because I love having it as a diary and to share some fun pictures. Andrew and I stayed in WI for a week, while Ryan came back to MO. Mom and Dad Z. drove us back and stayed a while which was fun. All of the following has happened between January 6th through January 18th. Fun stuff...

1) Over $600.00 spent on Ryan's Car (huge oil spill)--We spent $500.00 in Nove and $300.00 in December and the car is probably only worth $2,500.00 We are debating if we should sell it or keep it now that it is all fixed. Anyone interested...Toyota Camry, 1997 with 166,000 miles.

2) Garage door broke---spent $233.00 getting that fixed

3) We have a leaky shower in the kid bathroom that we have been ignoring because we don't even want to know how much a plummer is going to cost.

4)Andrew had his first ear infection and lucky him it was a double ear infection.

5) Kristy got a cold sore--GO FIGURE (havn't had one for 2 years and then I had one for my SURPRISE party that Ryan threw me...bummer).

6)Kristy temp of 100.00 for 2-3 days and Dr. says it is a viral Sinus Infection so no antibiotic.

Needless to say I am ready to get back to normal life. It has been a rough week plus but I know that there is only one way to go...up! So, if you haven't heard from me, I am still alive and will hopefully feel better soon!

"OH BA MA"

Well, Andrew can say all of these sylables, and so we were trying to get him to say it all together. Maybe once or twice we heard him say Ohbama's name. We had to laugh.

Surprise Birthday Party!

And a surprise it was! Ryan really got me, once again. My parents, Andrew and I all traveled 8 hours in a car from WI that day, so when I got home and he said that he wanted to go hang out with co-workers because it was a hard week, I absolutely refused. I was tired, Andrew hadn't been feeling well (diagnosed with a double ear infection the next day)and I just wanted to spend time with Ryan because we hadn't seen each other in a week. I got really mad when he kept bringing it up, and then I gave in. I was still in sweats at 6pm, I threw something on quick (didn't even shower because we had an agreement that we would only stay for a hour) and off we went.

What a surprise! 65 people greeted me at the door with a big shout! I looked awful, I had a cold sore, and all eyes were on me. Yikes! After I got over that, I had such a good time. It was great to have young and old friends there and for my parents to be able to meet all of them.

Ryan did an excellent job planning. He was so cute...he totally over bought because he was scared he wouldn't have enough food. He had wine, beer, soda, water, sandwiches, appetizers, dessert, decorations, etc. I could tell that he put a lot of time and effort into making it great for me. I love you honey! You really did get me! Thanks for making my birthday so special!

Our Little Family Celebration

What a merry night we had! On December 23rd we celebrated the birth of Jesus with "Our Little Family" (Ryan, Andrew and I). We opened gifts while having appatizers, then had a porkloin and sourcrout soup dinner (a Slovak tradition), opened more gifts, had a fire in the fire place and just played with all the new toys. I now realize with kids Christmas has a extra joy to it and that I don't need to plan out the whole night, because what we enjoyed most is playing together as a family.




While making sourcrout soup and baking a poppyseed stullen (with raised yeast etc) while wearing the apon that my Grandma Gebhardt made I teared up because I missed my grandparents. My Grandma Gebhardt died when I was in 4th grade while my other 3 died when I was in college. I was't there when any of them passed. And it still bothers me to this day considering I am at other peoples bedside when they die (considering I am a hospice nurse) and that I wasn't at theirs. Although, I do know that I was a big part of their lives and vise versa and for that I am thankful.

New Years Day Celebration

We drove "home" from our mini vacation to my parents house where they hosted a little get together for my 30th Birthday. Mom and Dad Zeman and Peterson were there. My parents set it up so nicely (even using Grandma Gebhardt's china which is only used on "really" special occations). We ate, played family feud and had dessert. Andrew enjoyed having both sets of grandparents there to show off his musical skills. He is so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents! And thanks mom and dad for making it so special for me!

New Years Eve 2008

Andrew turned 17 Month

Our little Buddy loves to: Imitate everything we do. He thinks it is hilarious, and we do too until he does something that we don't think is appropriate to be imitating like plugging in the vacuum. He always has to be doing what we are doing...on the phone, computer etc, so little household tasks of sending an e-mail is challenging now. (You even have your own mouse at the computer which works, but the play cell phone is not cutting it).

He is a little bipolar--gentle, sweet, hugs, kisses, waves, grabs your hand and then Switch...pulls, hits, pushes, scratches etc. As parents we are working on disciplining (which is hard to stay consistent ALL day). We have been doing the time-outs for a couple months now (We do the time-out with him, tell him what he did was wrong/naughty and then we expect him to apologize to the person or pick up what he threw). He apologizes nicely with a hug or kiss and picks up the sippy cup but then does it again. He laughs when we spank him--and behind his back we smirk too because he is so darn cute!

Vocabulary has picked up: Hi, Bye, Mama, Daddy, Muck (milk), NO, Nana, Baba (Babka), Papa (Grandpas'), duck,baby, burr (cold out side), "I do" or "Andrew" it is hard to say which one it is. (used to say dog, down, up, but has stored those away for awhile I guess). Still uses baby sign-language for food, more, milk, all done.

Body parts: Able to point to almost every body part when asked to. Even attempts to do the actions to the song Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Loves action songs and just songs at all (if he is ever crabby in the car we have to sing...the radio just doesn't do it, he likes my beautiful voice!).

Very energetic, playful, smiley, goofy, and mischievous. Loves to climb on everything and anything including couches, ladders, kitchen chairs. We hardly have the TV on but when we do he is only starting to be interested...or for about 3 minutes and then on to something new.

Loves babies-points at them, waves, says "baby," and is pretty gentle with them. Little Andrew we have been trying for a little brother or sister for you, we just have to be patient and let it happen when God says so. You will make a great big brother someday hopefully soon.

You are becoming INDEPENDENT! Pushing our hand away so you can do it yourself. I guess that is our goal, to raise you to be an independent person, but I am glad that you still need us, because we really like that you are still little enough to need us. We love you Baby Andrew (Yes, we still call you our baby).

Cute little Riana

We spent the night at baby Riana's house. I like the picture of Andrew saying "Pee-ew" to Riana while she is getting her diaper changed. It was a joy to spend time with my sister...a new mommy and a cute little baby girl. Andrew did pretty well with Riana. The only problem was is that he wanted to kiss her all the time. He knows how to say "baby" and that is all he said all day and night.

Christmas at Babka and Grandpa Zeman's

We celebrated Christmas with the Zeman side with our traditional Slovak Dinner (My oldest sister and family already celebrated with everyone and were in FL on the 26th when the 2nd Zeman celebration that we were apart of occured). As tradition, Dad and I prepared the dumplings for the sour crout soup which is always a bonding experience for us. Andrews favorite part was singing Christmas Carols and making noice with the tamberines. We were so glad that we were able to celebrate Christmas with family!

All my Santa Sightings

The bottom santa is Santa's helper...it is my Grandpa Zeman! He made a very god santa, although, I still don't think I like this guy even though he did give me some fun toys.

WOW! Look at all those lights!

Went to see lights in downtown Milwaukee with Anutie Tricia, Uncle Mike and Amber. We had so much fun!

Christmas at Nana and Papa Petersons

We drove into town and immediately we started to celebrate with family. Mom P. prepared tons of food and everyone was waiting for us. We ate, opened gifts, ate more, took pictures and played games. What an awesome night to see everyone and catch up on life! Merry Christmas Petersons!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and loved ones! May your heart be focused on Baby Jesus this season. Love the Petersons!

It's a GIRL!

Welcome Baby RIANA HOECK!
December 24th 2008
7 lbs, 8 oz, 20 iches of pure cuteness!

Yeah, my sister Lisa and brother-in-law had a baby girl! We were able to meet her when she was only 1 day old on Christmas day. I am not just saying this, she is a very cute baby! Way to go Lisa and Brad! Hee, Hee! It is so amazing to hold a newborn in your arms-a moment we won't forget.

Mom, Dad and baby are all doing well. Lisa had the baby all natural--without meds (she is my hero!), and says she will never do that again. Riana gets to go home on December 26th--a snowy cold day in Wisconsin.

We are so happy to be an aunt, uncle and cousin. Andrew gently rubbed her face and gave her kisses. He loves being a big cousin!

10 more days until I turn 30!

So, 30 is really hitting me hard. Maybe it is because I have to highlight my hair because I am getting strains of grey or because the next big birthday is 40...yikes....over the hill. I am definately happy with life and I don't "feel" thirty, it's just when I was in highshchool and thought of a 30 year old, I thought old. Life happens I guess and God has blessed me with 30 wonderful years and for that I am thankful!

My parents are so cute...they made me a count down with lottery tickets. All growing up my Dad gave me a lottery ticket for every birthday. Just one most of the years, and sometimes if it was a big birthday I would get "13" or "16." I guess I am gettting too old to get "30" tickets...10 is just great. I didn't win on day 10, but hopefully one of the other days I will be a winner. Thanks Mom and Dad for being so thoughtful!

Is Santa nice?

This guy is scary looking! Help Mom! Help Dad!

Yep, the candycane worked...at least I sat on this guys lap.

Snow FUN!

Humm.....snow?! What is this?

Ok, I like the snow much better when I am in a sled. Weee, this is fun!

Baking Cookies

Neighborhood Party at Our House

We have been very fortunate to have great neighbors. Summer is great because we see eachother often, but come winter we all drive in our garages and shut them. So, we decided to have a Christmas Party. It's kind of a random group, but it was awesome how everyone clicked. (I guess non of us want enemies living right next door). I think I know what made it a good party...it was the food. Everyone did their part, but it helps that we have neighbors that are in the catering bussiness.



Here is Andrew-16 months, Nathan-13 months (lives right next door) and Emma-24 months old (just moved in next to Nathan). Andrew and Nathan are already fighting over the older girl...ha, ha.