The Pekarcik Family

2011-11-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

Ice Cream.....need I say more

An afternoon in the dirt

Look at the those BLUE eyes...she gets them from her Grandpa Mike and Great Grandma Joyce

I love that they LOVE to play together

Spring Break Visit to New Mexico

2011-07-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

In March we took the kids to New Mexico for spring break. We drove down in a minivan and I have to say that over all it went well. The minivan we rented was a 2011 and I have already informed my husband that I HAVE to have one. The first day we only drove about 5 hrs and stayed in a nice hotel in Wichita and let the kids play and relax. The whole reason we stopped was so for the indoor pool which happened to be closed...conveniently. Then we spend the next day...ALL day driving to Grandma and Grandpa's house. They were very happy to see the grand kids. We had a great time visiting the Puye Cliff dwellings and shopping in Santa Fe. My favorite place to go is Jackalobe which has everything neat on earth. I love it. And of course my father-n-law made my favorite...Indian tacos. We had a great time visiting and cannot wait to go back in a few months.

2011-07-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Uncle Phillip and Daddy enjoy visiting while holding the babies.

This is what Chris and Zacdh looked like at the end of each day..:)

We took the kids to see ancient Pueblo Cliff dwellings. It is still sacred ground and it was amazing to see and touch the places where my husband and his family's ancestors lived.

Zachary enjoying his favorite hobby...VIDEOS

Leah and Daddy

Chris was good the entire time. The only fits he threw was when we made him come in from playing outside at the end of the day.

Grandpa gave Chris one of his train hats and was showing him how to adjust it

Chris always wanted to be with Grandpa

Memorial Day at the Liberty Memorial

2010-07-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

Toward the end of the school year Zachary was learning about the Civil War in school and it fascinated him. Every day he would come home and play this game called Warfare 1917. It was neat to see him so interested in history, so on Memorial Day weekend we took him to the Liberty Memorial because they were having vintage military vehicles, uniforms, and old items used during war time. His favorite part was being able to get a pair of dog tags which he proudly wore to school. Disclaimer: I hereby notify all readers that I may have not gotten all the names of the military correct

2010-07-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

This was Zachary's favorite...a british tanker

Zachary next to a troop bunker

...... an old cargo truck

........some kind of tanker

and vintage british uniforms

Chris..Chris...

2010-07-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Christopher is getting soo big!! He is so independent and absolutely refuses to have things done for him. He loves to play with just about anything, but his favorites are cars and the Wii with his bubba. Since Leah, Christopher has shown himself to be quite the care taker. He had daddy swaddle his poo bear which has been dubbed "baby bear" and carries it around the house. He always knows exactly where his bear is...which is usually in the back compartment of his tricycle. When something does not go his way he says "But I cryin" which makes him hard to parent because he is so darn cute!

2010-07-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

Chris was upset because his bear was coming unswaddled

MODOT here comes your most valuable employee

The problem is...he knows he's cute

Since Leah was born Chris swaddles his "baby bear"

From here.....

to here...in bubba's bed

Christopher had a blast finger painting with his cousin Sierra

Artists' hard at work

Introducing Leah Mae Pekarcik

2010-07-19T22:27:00.001-07:00

Wow it seems like forever ago since we had her, but we are still announcing her!! Our baby girl was born May 04, 2010 at 9:41 am. She weighed in at 7lb 1oz and was 19 inches. We are so thankful the she was healthy and were very surprised she weighed as much as she did since she was three weeks early. During my 33rd week I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and was hospitalized for a week. Every time I turned around the doctors were telling me they might have to deliver and it was very hard. Steve and I were scared for Leah and it was hard for Christopher and Zachary. Our faith kept us strong and we got through it with much prayer from family and friends. I finally convinced the doctors to send me home on bed rest....which turned out to be couch rest. By week 37 the doctors thought it would be best to go ahead and deliver our baby girl. We were so excited to finally meet her. She is such a joy!

2010-07-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is me in my third trimester...getting very waiting impatiently :)

Mommy and Daddy

Leah Mae Pekarcik was born at 9:41 am

We are very proud of our sweet baby girl

Its amazing!! Leah was three weeks early and already 7lb 1oz

Zachary and Chris never stood a chance

So peaceful

Dreaming Sweetly

God has truly blessed us

Zachary's Honor Roll Award Ceremony

2010-05-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

This is a long time coming, but after the first semester, Zachary was awarded an Honor Roll Certificate for academic excellence. His dad and I are so very proud of him because he accomplished a lot of this on his own. During this time, he has finished both a reading and math programs ahead of his class and earned a 4.0 GPA. He is currently now enrolled in a tech class, which he earned through good behavior.

2010-05-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

My wonderful 6th grader

Receiving his Honor Roll Award

Zachary and his friend Miles are proudly displaying their awards

Zachary and his amazing teacher, Ms. Baker

Our Christmas..Before Christmas

2010-02-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Since we decided to spend Christmas in New Mexico this year we let the kids open up their presents at home the evening before we left. Zach absolutely loved his MP3 player and the Wii Donkey Kong my brother got him. When he plays it, Chris is right beside him with the other remote shaking it just as hard convinced that he is helping his "bubba" fight through whatever task he is working on. Christopher received a little tool bench and a box of alphabet books which I think he plays with just about every other day. He loves to look at the pictures and he can consistently recognize the first three letters of his name now. Christopher also got his first set of wheels and he loves to ride around the house with his hot wheels stored in the back. The best gift of all was seeing Zach's reaction to telling him that we were going to New Mexico for Christmas. We asked him how he thought we might get there and these were some of his replies...airplane-no, limo-no, taxi-no, we finally had to tell him by train. It was so funny watching him guess.

2010-02-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Fancy new ride

Christopoher LOVES his new set of wheels

The best part is he can store stuff in the back

Growing Up Too Fast

2010-02-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

Christopher loves to wear Daddy's pants

He successfully got them on

Now for the socks to complete his ensemble

Beginning the Second Trimester

2009-12-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Wow I cannot hardly believe I am in my second trimester. I am 15 1/2 weeks and loving it. Other than being tired, (but with two kids I hardly think that will change) I feel great. I have felt a few flutters and small kicks a couple of times and its the most wonderful feeling. Zachary cannot wait to be able to feel the baby move and Christopher only sort of understands enough to know there is a baby in mommy's belly. He looks under the bottom of my shirt actually looking for the baby. Steve and I find out what we are having in 2 weeks. Whats great about this pregnancy is that I have half a dozen friends that are also pregnant and we're all due around the same time.

A Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

We had a great time during Thanksgiving My parents and sister came over and we ate a very nice meal courtesy of the Hy-Vee Chefs and their ability to make a decent turkey. We all thumbed through the black Friday adds and mentally noted what we wanted. Then we had yummy pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting and pumpkin pie. We watched two really bad football games and played miniature pool. The best part of the night for Zachary was when his Papa spent time with him playing on the computer creating a roller coaster theme park. We had a great time just being together.

CoCo Keys

2009-12-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, Christopher, Zach, and I went out for an evening of fun at CoCo Keys. They were running a special where if you arrived before 5pm then admission was free. Since we have never tried it before and daddy was out of town we went and had a blast. I only captured a few shots of Christopher because he was too busy splashing me with water and I did not want to ruin my camera. We met up with some friends from church and we barely saw them the whole night. He was too busy playing water basketball and going down the water slides. Needless to say that by the time we got home my boys had just enough energy to shower and crawl into bed.

2009-12-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

An evening of fun at CoCo Keys

Christopher actually put his face in the water spouts

And loved every minute of it

Christopher's Birthday Party

2009-11-20T12:55:00.000-08:00

Christopher turned two on November 9th and I can hardly believe he is that big. It seems like just yesterday that Steve and I were bringing him home from the hospital. We had a very small informal party for him with only immediate family and grandparents. He got a few toys and some clothes. His favorite toys were the grocery cart and Mickey mouse figurines. He likes to put his brother's hot wheels in the cart and push them around the entire house and he sleeps with Minnie mouse just about every night.

During his party he had the most fun playing with the balloons with grandma and grandpa, and eating his birthday cake. He was not quite sure what to think about the candle. By the end of the night he was very tuckered out and slept like a baby.

2009-11-20T12:04:00.001-08:00

November 9th, 2009

I love my aquadoodle..thank you bubba

Hi Daddy!!

Oh my! The gift of all gifts..a grocery basket

My Great Grandma Darlene is helping me with Mickey, Minney, and "Gooky"

Christopher loved Mickey Mouse no doubt due to his addiction to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Happy Birthday my sweet boy

FIRE..hot

This is what a sugar rush looks like

Yummy..Yummy

This is the sugar rush wearing off

Halloween 2009

2009-11-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

This was a great Halloween!! Zach dressed up as Michael Jackson and loved every minute of it. What struck me funny was that more parents of trick-or-treaters loved his costume than their kids. They were like Michael who? One house enjoyed his costume so much that she told him to "Beat It" after she gave him his candy. The amazing thing was he actually got the joke and laughed. Christopher on the other hand loved Halloween for all of about 20 minutes. He was a Dalmatian and was okay with the costume until we put the hood on. He does not like to have things on his head so he never left it on. He went to about five houses and was given a few pieces of candy. Once he discovered what was in the bag however, we had to pry the bag away from him. We had a great time and even with all the candy consumed, they both slept like babies.

2009-11-13T20:09:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson and his pet Dalmatian....

who did not like being a Dalmatian at first....

but he came around....

and he is done being a Dalmatian again..toddlers!!

Zachary's beautiful pumpkin he decorated at school

Last but not least...MJ and his successful "BAD" album

Grandparent's Day

2009-11-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of October, Zachary invited my mother to Grandparent's day at his school. You would think that because he is in middle school there would be few grandparents, but the parking lot was so full that people were parking on side streets and had to walk at least a block and a half to get to the building. Zachary enjoyed breakfast with his "Nana" and gave her a tour of the building.

2009-11-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

Special Olympics Bowling

2009-11-12T12:53:00.001-08:00

Zachary participated in special Olympics bowling this year and had a blast. He earned a gold medal at the awards ceremony and proudly showed it to all. He also learned that actual bowling is very different from Wii bowling where in our house he holds the highest score...a perfect 300

2009-11-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

My beautiful boy is turning into such a handsome young man

KINGPIN

And the gold medal goes to......

Zachary Abbott

Zach and his good friend Tony had such a good time

Story Time at the Library

2009-11-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

I took Chris to the library for story time a few weeks ago and he loved it. He got to dance to everyone singing songs, play with musical instruments, and last but not least play with a large parachute...which was his favorite by far.

2009-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

Christopher is listening intently as the librarian gives directions about the parachute

Here he goes!!

He is loving it.

A Day At The Zoo

2009-09-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Chris and I joined our friends Sarah and Addy for a trip to the Zoo. We had a great time looking at the birds, otters, sea lions, and kangaroos. We had a fantastic time and the weather was outstanding.

2009-09-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Addy and Chris are intently following the river otters

Addy was staking claim over the giant climbing log.

Addy and Chris are getting ready for the Sea Lion Show

Kansas City Air Show

2009-09-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

While my husband's parents were visiting we also went to the airshow. It was hot..but awesome. Chris did a lot better than I thought he would with the noise. He was so tired by the end that he actually fell asleep through the loudest planes of all..the fighter jets. Zach faithfully wore his headphones and said "I'm brave". Marie Louise is Steve's niece who visited from Germany and she had a great time seeing the planes and joking around with Zachary. He loved having her here. He actually listened to her when she told him how to behave. Maybe I just need a teenager around more often...

2009-09-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

Christopher slept somewhat peacefully during the fighter jet fly-bys

Daddy is helping to shade his baby boy

Marie Louise and Zach were having too much fun touring an old TWA aircraft

Zach was brave with all the noise and had a blast

Zach and Marie Louise with one of the air show pilots

Two Beautiful Sleeping Babies

2009-09-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Even when he can wear the same size shoe as me....he will ALWAYS be my baby

Even when he refuses his baby spoons for a real one...he will ALWAYS be my baby

A Day At The "K"...Royals vs Twins

2009-09-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

My husband's parents came to visit during the third week of August and we had a blast. They all went to the new Kauffman Stadium and watched the Royals host the Twins. Even though they lost, it was a really good game and they all had a lot of fun.

2009-09-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

Zach is trying to hard to be serious

The infamous hot dog derby...I wonder who won..I'm rootin for the pickle

The Royals

The Twins

"I'm Sorry I Pinched You Bubba"

2009-08-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Daddy put Chris in the corner for pinching Zachary..unprovoked

Daddy explains to Chris that it's not nice to pinch

Then tops it off with a great big hug..what a GREAT dad

Zachary Builds A Roller Coaster

2009-08-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

Zachary is playing the roller coaster game...his favorite at the moment

Zachary would play this game for hours...if we let him

Adventures in Babysitting

2009-08-14T20:31:00.001-07:00

Zachary had a great time helping me babysit my good friends little girls.. Rebeccah, Thalia, and Isabella (not pictured because she napped most the time. We played in the water, ate blueberry muffins, and watched a movie. Zachary had the most fun playing ball with Becca and pretending to be a puppy while they played house.

2009-08-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Sweet..Sweet..Becca

No more paparazzi mom..I am trying to eat my muffin

What a beautiful picture of our friend Thalia

Thalia, Becca, and Chris are having fun in the pool

Zach and Becca were playing with the ball in the sprinkler

Our Trip to St. Louis Visiting Friends

2009-08-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

During our trip to St. Louis, we visited lots of friends we had not seen in nearly a year. I got to visit Julie and eat her amazing fruit cake. Her daughter (who used to babysit Zach) came over with her little girl Kiley. Kiley and Chris got along great. We stayed the night with my friend Lori and Zach was very excited to see his friends Matthew and Nathan. Her daughter Hannah and Chris played like they were the best of friends. Hannah would give Chris a hug every time he cried. They went swimming and played at the park for hours. Lastly, Zach got to see his other friend Eric. Those two combined love to play baseball more than any two kids I know. They pretend they are different MLB players and are experts on their stances. We had a great time and cannot wait until next summer to do it again.

2009-08-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Christopher loves cheeks and inched his way closer to Kiley in order to hug her.

Mallorie and her daughter Kiley...I cannot believe she used to babysit Zach

Chris and Kiley are putting are showing their artistic abilities

My beautiful baby boy was tuckered out from too much playing

Eric and Zach show they're baseball stances...they LOVE baseball

Zach and his good friend Eric

Hannah is giving Chris a big kiss...how cute!!!

Hannah is giving her friend Chris a hug

My baby is not a baby any more..he is growing into an amazing young man

Zach and his good friends Nathan and Matthew are having a great time

Matthew and Zach plan to see who can swing the highest

Christopher loves the stairs and had a great time playing on them.

Like Father Like Son

2009-08-08T20:54:00.001-07:00

What more can I say..they are two peas in a pod

Hard At Work

2009-08-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Christopher is playing in one of Zach's old carseats and is determined to figure out the buckle

Hard at work!!

Another Great Trip to Deanna Rose

2009-08-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

Gotta Love the turtles!!!

We took another trip to Deanna Rose and had a great time. This time we went with my cousins Darlena and Tammy, and their children. We enjoyed feeding the goats, riding horses, and just spending time together.

Kortney and Zach pose for us in front of the waterfall

Its official...Chris hates goats

Zach had a blast bottle feeding the baby goats... he kept begging me for more quarters

Zach enjoyed his time in the saddle

Chandler..aka..Bing..loved his time in the saddle also

Kortney is absolutely taken with Chris and vice versa

The "Fake" Nap Lesson

2009-07-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Zachary is teaching Chris how to take a "fake" nap in order to fool Mommy

Christopher blew their cover

They are offically caught!!

The Infamous "Black Hat"

2009-07-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

Accessorizing is really TOUGH and....

really FUN and....

really CUTE!!

Pete and "Re" Pete

2009-07-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Zach is training Chris on how to do his chores for him...later

Daddy & Chris Ride the Carousel

2009-07-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

Daddy wanted to take Chris for a ride on the Carousel, but Chris had other plans.

2009-07-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sitting with Daddy is more his style

Zach's 5th Grade D.A.R.E Graduation

2009-07-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

Zachary is a graduate of the D.A.R.E. Program. He worked hard and I am so proud of him.

Christopher's 1st Swim Class

2009-07-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

During the latter part of June, Christopher enjoyed a two week swimming course introducing basic water concepts with some friends from his play group.

2009-07-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Kick..Kick..Kick

2009-07-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

Christopher is learning how to extend his body in the water

June Playdate

2009-07-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Chris and I had so much fun hosting a water play-date at the end of June. Below are some of Christopher's friends that he loves to play with. Christopher and his friends have been around each other since they were a few weeks old. It so cute to watch them grow an play together.

2009-07-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

Surfer boy

Kaydon

2009-07-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ila and her daredevil

baby girl, Sophia

2009-07-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

Christopher and Victoria at the water table

Addy and Lily are playing so nicely in the kiddy pool

2009-07-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

Jack is happy playing with his Grandma and cousin

Callie and her adorable sunhat

2009-07-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Cutie pie Colton

Lovely Lily

Family Fun at Deanna Rose Farmstead

2009-07-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

July 7, 2009

While my brother was in town, we went to Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. The day turned out to be wonderful. We spent hours walking around, looking at the gardens, and feeding the animals. Maddie and Zachary had a blast. Christopher just wanted to run away from all the adults and explore, while his baby cousin Nathan, was content to be in the stroller.

2009-07-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

Chris is on his way to becoming a rodeo star

Maddie and Zach

Chris and Zach have turned into flowers

2009-07-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Zach can build anything and Christopher will taste anything as long as it is not part of the five food groups