tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365732652024-03-13T21:19:45.318-07:00Family/Pamilya/Ka-jokWe orignally created this blog to keep our friends and family updated on our journey to adopt our son, Dong Joon Andrew Borowski. On June 8, 2007, the adoption became final and we are now a family of four. We continue this blog to celebrate the wonderful milestones of Dong Joon ("D.J.") and his big sister, Veronica.Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-33049182914432420622008-11-24T11:42:00.000-08:002008-11-24T12:10:51.231-08:00Happy Thanksgiving 2008<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/SSsFe9PlGpI/AAAAAAAAAKI/TaDLv4_5hD0/s1600-h/octnov08+133.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272313818161420946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/SSsFe9PlGpI/AAAAAAAAAKI/TaDLv4_5hD0/s320/octnov08+133.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>In front of Jonathan Borofsky's "Hammering Man"</em></div><div align="center"><em>Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX</em><br /><br /><div align="left">Before I got married, I imagined holidays would be about continuing family traditions. However, the most important thing I have learned over the past four years is that all families are unique and rather than try to recreate my own childhood, maybe it's time to let traditions come alive in new forms, perhaps creating some new ones. After all, our family was formed in a "non-traditional" way, so why should we stick to convention?</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Thanksgiving is one of those times what creating tradition becomes especially important. Since we don't have any family in the area, we usually wait until the last minute to make plans, usually in the form of getting ourselves invited to someone's house or hosting an impromptu Thanksgiving feast for other Thanksgiving "orphans." Even though I don't very much care for this holiday, Thanksgiving is one of those times of the year where we can mark milestones and think about how much we have changed and grown during the past year. This realization, along with my weakness for craft foam, inspired me to make the cheesy, yet cute, Family Turkey:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272313488718970530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/SSsFLx-YPqI/AAAAAAAAAKA/AZo2TRSq2kI/s320/familyturkey.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /></div><br /><p>Yes, I know it doesn't look like much now. But the plan is to add the kid's hands every year to mark how much they have grown. And since Veronica can write her own name now, it's especially meaningful to have her write it on her hand this year.</p><p>I wish you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your turkey, football, and any other traditions that you have. And if you're so inclined, start another one.</p><br /><p></p>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-41223482937935584452008-11-12T08:58:00.001-08:002008-11-12T08:58:30.201-08:00I Signed The Petition for Preemies! <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/"><img src="http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/images/iSignedPageBanner1.gif" border="0" /></a> <br><a border=0 href="http://www.gigyamailbutton.com/wildfire/gigyamailbutton.ashx?url=aHR*cDovL3d3dy5naWd5YS5jb2*vd2lsZGZpcmUvd2Zwb3AuYXNweD9tb2R1bGU9ZW1haWwmdXJsPWh*dHAlM*ElMkYlMkZ3d3clMkVtYXJjaG9mZGltZXMlMkVjb2*lMkZwYWRwZXRpdGlvbiUyRg==" target="_blank"><img src="http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/i/includeShareButton.gif" border="0" width="60" height="20" /></a><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIyNjUwOTEwMDg2MiZwdD*xMjI2NTA5MTI2NzAwJnA9MTc3MDUxJmQ9Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTEmdD*mbz*4ODYxMzM4NDY2YjY*ZDZiYWJlZDY3N2EzZTRjNTYyMA==.gif" />Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-32260654037893001922008-11-12T08:19:00.000-08:002008-11-12T08:33:45.350-08:00Quick updateI took at hiatus from blogging, but after some friendly nudging from a couple of friends, I came back. Truth is, the longer you wait between blog posts, the harder it is to come back. So much went on and it was hard for me to summarize it in one post. <br /><br />So here's the gist: <br /><ul><li>We are all doing well. </li><li>Over the summer, D.J. finally got his citizenship papers, marking an end to a very long journey. All the legal work regarding the adoption is over and we can finally breathe. </li><li>We took a road trip this summer and drove through Oklahoma, Tenesee, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. I got a speeding ticket in Illinois.</li><li>Erek continues his job with the Federal government. I now teach two anthropology classes.</li><li>Veronica celebrated her 4th birthday in style (see slideshow)</li><li>Kids still attend the same preschool: Veronica 5 days, D.J. 3 days.</li><li>Veronica loves soccer, dance, and gymnastics. She also says she wants to play the violin.</li><li>D.J. started gymnastics as well. His favorite things are swinging on the bar and jumping in the foam pit.</li></ul><br />I will try and continue the updates. Now that I think about it, I miss blogging.Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-63119226629298686402008-11-06T03:49:00.001-08:002008-11-06T03:49:37.139-08:00Messiah Lutheran Trike-a-Thon<div style="width:400px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w267.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/trike-a-thon/f9c9b552.pbw" height="300" width="400"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/trike-a-thon/?action=view¤t=f9c9b552.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-20297653133170776622008-11-02T13:34:00.001-08:002008-11-02T13:34:46.319-08:00Halloween Summary<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w267.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/Halloween/5717aee1.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/Halloween/?action=view¤t=5717aee1.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-66318838240479542542008-10-22T12:40:00.001-07:002008-10-22T12:40:11.908-07:00Veronica's Birthday - September 8, 2008<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid267.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii309%2Fvondja%2FVeronica%2520birthday%2Ff1d6c074.pbr&hostname=stream267.photobucket.com">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-65638922839658304062008-10-22T12:21:00.001-07:002008-10-22T12:21:37.258-07:00Borowski Summer Road Trip 08<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid267.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii309%2Fvondja%2Fsummer08%2F286e339f.pbr&hostname=stream267.photobucket.com">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-36897162365925542162008-10-22T12:17:00.001-07:002008-10-22T12:17:35.866-07:00Family Day/Citizenship Ceremony<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid267.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii309%2Fvondja%2FCOC%2F7c6223c5.pbr&hostname=stream267.photobucket.com">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-34538823179415531012008-10-22T12:01:00.001-07:002008-10-22T12:01:48.901-07:00Independence Day 08<div style="width:400px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w267.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/summer08/cf9994c5.pbw" height="300" width="400"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/summer08/?action=view¤t=cf9994c5.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-3305965071201852822008-05-31T13:28:00.000-07:002008-05-31T20:53:09.975-07:00Summer's Here!!As you many have noticed, I am addicted to making <a href="http://photobucket.com/?special_track=nav_logo">Photobucket</a> slideshows. I especially like making remixes so I can add cheesy music and cool transitions. Below is my latest creation - in honor of the beginning of summer, I have created a slideshow that celebrates having fun at the pool. Enjoy!Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-28678508197659946482008-05-31T13:26:00.001-07:002008-05-31T13:26:46.409-07:00Summer Fun Slideshow<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid267.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii309%2Fvondja%2FMay08%2F06a4b276.pbr&hostname=stream267.photobucket.com">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-55275850111417528102008-05-13T16:23:00.000-07:002008-05-13T16:45:41.048-07:00Happy Mother's Day!Erek and the kids really made this past Sunday wonderful! It started with Veronica and D.J. "cooking" me a tasty breakfast of cereal and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It was the best breakfast ever! We then spent the morning at the the church nursery, as it was our week to watch the little ones while their parents were at mass. It was a little chaotic, but we managed to get most of the kids to color Mother's Day cards. <br /><br />We then headed to <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/dinosaur_valley/">Dinosaur Valley State Park</a>, which is home to "some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world." We spent most of the time splashing in the Paluxy River. Even Maggie, who usually avoids bodies of water, seemed to enjoy it when Erek threw her in. <br /><br />Check out our slideshow below!Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-35168895163368889792008-05-13T16:21:00.001-07:002008-05-13T16:21:23.100-07:00Mother's Day at Dinosaur Valley State Park<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w267.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/May08/a8a0bfe7.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow&landing=/slideshows&type=3" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/May08/?action=view¤t=a8a0bfe7.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-89931836998734542352008-05-08T11:37:00.000-07:002008-05-08T11:48:20.958-07:00Donnie and Marie? The Carpenters? Jonas Brothers? No, it's Veronica and D.J.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/SCNK4uCQpSI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gCAzGmme6s8/s1600-h/IMG_0245.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198080733206324514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/SCNK4uCQpSI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/gCAzGmme6s8/s320/IMG_0245.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/May08/?action=view&current=IMG_0245.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br />Veronica and D.J. are trying to be the next great sibling music act. Their repertoire includes hits like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," "The Wheels on the Bus," and <a href="http://borowskiadoption.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html">"Amee"</a> (They are still obsessed with this Pure Prairie League Song).</div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-17955371040499807792008-04-29T09:29:00.001-07:002008-04-29T09:29:07.216-07:00Austin trip with Aunt Kara<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w267.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/Austin/ee13ef97.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://i267.photobucket.com/redirect/album?action=slideshow&landing=/slideshows&type=80" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/Austin/?action=view¤t=ee13ef97.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-44754098363672452462008-04-02T08:37:00.001-07:002008-04-02T08:37:47.801-07:00Easter Montage<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid267.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii309%2Fvondja%2FEaster08%2F3c7764fd.pbr&hostname=stream267.photobucket.com">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-80477620768826602892008-03-21T13:24:00.000-07:002008-03-21T13:35:42.335-07:00A hunting we will go...Last weekend, our homeowner's association put on their annual egg hunt. It was a success and both kiddos came home with a bucketful of eggs. Check out the decor on their Easter buckets, by the way. Decorating plastic buckets for Easter is fast becoming a Borowski family tradition (that and using the same buckets for the sandbox and pool during the summer - we love multi-use stuff!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_0058.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="get ready" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_0058.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Ready to go<br /></span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_0065.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="veronica" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_0065.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Veronica and her loot</span></em><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_0060.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="dj" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_0060.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><em>D.J.'s got the hang of it</em><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=easter.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Easter" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/easter.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Thanks, Easter Bunny!</em></p>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-17163188976535132622008-03-03T11:23:00.000-08:002008-03-03T11:29:23.269-08:00Veronica, the Dog WhispererThis morning, Veronica tried to get our mutt, Maggie, to sit. Here's how it went:<br /><br />Veronica (in whiny voice): Maaaaggie. Sit!<br /><br /><em>Maggie unresponsive. She runs into the bedroom and under the bed.</em><br /><em></em><br />Veronica: Mommy, Maggie won't sit.<br />Me: Well, that's not the way you talk to Maggie. Try again.<br />Veronica: Maggie, sit PLEASE.<br /><br />Maggie still didn't sit. But at least Veronica has good manners.Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-59743502573082436022008-02-26T15:08:00.000-08:002008-02-26T19:27:38.509-08:00February wrap-up<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I have been wanting to create a new post for a while, but we had technical difficulties. After almost four years of faithful service, our <a href="http://www.superwarehouse.com/Canon_PowerShot_A80_Digital_Camera/9026A001/p/347650">Canon Powershot A80</a> could give no more. We had seen this coming - the past couple of months we had to use scotch tape to keep the thing working. While we were researching cameras and waiting for our new <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14901">Canon Powershot SD1000</a> to come in the mail (Erek found a sweet deal online), we had to resort to a disposable camera to capture our special Kodak moments.<br /><br />February may mean Valentine's Day to most people, but for us, it means Daddy's birthday (not to mention Ninang Nicole's and Tito Vlad's!!). We celebrated with a cookie cake, flax seed, and a trip to <a href="http://www.gattispizza.com/gattitown">Gattitown</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=familygtown.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171494521759190274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R8TW3idVzQI/AAAAAAAAAJo/gKJzo0mS-aY/s320/birthday+cake.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> <em>Daddy, kids and cookie cake</em></p><p align="center"><em></em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5171494663493111058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R8TW_ydVzRI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Nsot93Js2kU/s320/birthday+cards.jpg" border="0" /> <em>Daddy and birthday cards</em></p><p align="center"><em></em><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/familygtown.jpg" border="0" /><em>Fun in the Gattitown photo booth</em><br /></p><div align="left">I can't believe it's almost March! Wasn't it just Christmas? Seriously, it's hard to remember what month we're in, especially since DFW has such funky bipolar weather patterns. I guess the good thing about it is that once in a while we get a gorgeous day thrown in...</div><p><br /><br /></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/jetski.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><em>Sunny day at Suncreek Park</em></p><p><br />Until next time.... </p>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-14720786000697971112008-02-13T15:38:00.001-08:002008-02-13T15:38:28.813-08:00Tribute to Pure Prairie League<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/20080210191113.flv">Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-858394910601639582008-01-30T08:39:00.000-08:002008-01-30T09:33:56.007-08:00D.J.'s First Month in the Terrible/Terrific Two's<p align="center"><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_2738.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_2738.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />The Borowski family has survived the first month of 2008, and more imporantly, the first month of our Dong Joon being two years old! D.J. turned two on December 30, just in time to welcome th<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" target="_blank" action="'view&current="></a>e new year. We celebrated with Lolo and Lola by making cupcakes and spending the afternoon at Liberty Park in Plano.<br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=tank.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/tank.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, that is a tank you see on the playground.<br /><br />The following week, we had D.J.'s birthday party at <a href="http://www.wigglyplaycenter.com/">The Wiggly Play Center</a> in Frisco. I have to point out that this is the only facility of its kind in the United States. The only other Wiggly Play Center that exists as of now is in Sydney Australia. Anyway, D.J. really loves The Wiggles (it is the only television show he will watch) so was so excited to have his party there! All the children pointed their fingers, did the twist, and ate a lot of "hot potatoes"!<br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_2716.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_2716.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_2731.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_2731.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />D.J. blew his candles out in one puff - not bad for an asthmatic!!<br /><br />Speaking of D.J.'s asthma, I am happy to report that he has been doing so much better this season compared to the beginning of 2007. He has had his share of nasty viruses, but the wheezing has been minimal. He does has to use the nebulizer once a day, but we don't have to hold him down and/or put him in a straightjacket to keep his mask on anymore.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_2745.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_2745.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>After D.J.'s birthday madness was over, Daddy went in for surgery on both feet. Yes, both feet. I'm not going to go into any details, but we're hoping that the procedure will help him be able to run, hike and boogie down the way he used to. He spent a couple of days on the couch, but he is now hobbling around wearing two very large boots. The kids enjoyed having him home and most of the time they were careful not to climb on his legs.</p><p><br /><br /><a href="http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/?action=view&current=IMG_2743.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/vondja/IMG_2743.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's it for now. I hope everyone is having a wondeful January. Happy New Year!</p>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-6391915631516687022007-12-26T11:18:00.000-08:002007-12-27T05:49:59.291-08:00Visions of Sugarplums...<div align="center">Here are photos of holiday cheer....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148363573939909378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3KpZK8_swI/AAAAAAAAAIg/2OiE2VjAwYw/s320/IMG_2651.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148364235364872978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3Kp_q8_sxI/AAAAAAAAAIo/zl4W5355mQk/s320/IMG_2654.JPG" border="0" /><em> Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How lovely are thy branches!<br /></em><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148364536012583714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3KqRK8_syI/AAAAAAAAAIw/NZf_FRJsD_Y/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Reindeer games</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148364682041471794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3KqZq8_szI/AAAAAAAAAI4/5wRRYKr3whQ/s320/IMG_2664.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Veronica in the Christmas Pageant...isn't she angelic?</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148364849545196354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3Kqja8_s0I/AAAAAAAAAJA/kf2X6tnAyAg/s320/IMG_2677.JPG" border="0" />Christmas morning!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148365171667743586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3Kq2K8_s2I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/KZFK_qS-gxQ/s320/IMG_2680.JPG" border="0" />The holidays are so tiring!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148365034228790098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3KquK8_s1I/AAAAAAAAAJI/Q_h2hSa2jLA/s320/IMG_2679.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center">World's greatest stocking stuffer - scissors!!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148366318424011650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/R3Kr468_s4I/AAAAAAAAAJg/tYoJKlFafAg/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Why do they do this to me every year???</p><p align="center">And we'll end with a song...not exactly a holiday song, but just as cheery.</p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-D0qHH2TGWyzzFUxHgDp-HQ_ZWUJnMjU4h2swkp2NXSngGe9cn4Qp8-NAH8CK6mUZM7mmB6diQlA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-84804466434508620142007-11-08T11:30:00.000-08:002007-11-08T11:54:48.775-08:00Happy Anniversary!<div align="left"><br />Today marks one year since we brought our little Dong Joon Bug home from Korea. I can't believe it's been a year already. It certainly has been a bumpy ride, but it is clear that D.J. is an integral part of our family. Let's compare:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130555389216331682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/RzNk8ZK0l6I/AAAAAAAAAIA/pa-9RG6GpjU/s320/IMG_1626.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">D.J. shortly after I met him for the first time</span></em></p><br /><p align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130555840187897778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/RzNlWpK0l7I/AAAAAAAAAII/qGLxTrpwI4k/s320/IMG_2520.JPG" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">D.J. two weeks ago, very proud of his Jack-O-lantern</span></em></p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130558000556447698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/RzNnUZK0l9I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Xq9XBX8PeKA/s320/IMG_1670.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Veronica "helping" D.J. eat when he first came home</span></em><br /> </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130556458663188418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/RzNl6pK0l8I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/OqK_mbYiT-4/s320/halloween2.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Butterfly Girl and Werewolf Boy, Halloween 2007</span></em><br /><br /></p><br />Our family celebrated by going to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=DKUS,DKUS:2006-35,DKUS:en&um=1&q=korean+restaurant&near=Plano,+TX&fb=1&view=text&latlng=33019338,-96746150,10539284231743806513">JinMi </a>restaurant. After covering himself in Kimchee and rice, D.J. enjoyed a rasperry sorbet (non-dairy, of course) from <a href="http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/">Cold Stone</a>. Veronica had to have the Cotton Candy ice cream because it's blue.<br /><br />What a year! Happy Anniversary to us!Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-85444149631781254422007-10-11T08:47:00.000-07:002007-10-11T09:53:05.635-07:00Fall Fun<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5HbsjzBwI/AAAAAAAAAHE/mS7g34-h01I/s1600-h/tractor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120108367510177538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 136px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" height="161" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5HbsjzBwI/AAAAAAAAAHE/mS7g34-h01I/s320/tractor.jpg" width="148" border="0" /></a> The weather is still warm, but that doesn't stop us from participating in all things autumn. We kicked off October with a trip to the <a href="http://www.bigorangepumpkinfarm.com/activities.html">Big Orange Pumpkin Farm</a> in Celina, TX where the kids enjoyed a hayride, petting zoo, and of course, pumpkins. This was D.J.'s fir<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120108865726383906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" height="252" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5H4sjzByI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/w55L_NRNeEo/s320/sheep.jpg" width="169" border="0" />st trip to the pumpkin patch and he reacted in his usual high-decibel enthusiasm. He loved feeding the animals, especially the goats and sheep. Veronica, of course, went straight for the tractor.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5IisjzB0I/AAAAAAAAAHg/3QMWblgV_Tc/s1600-h/IMG_2417.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120109587280889666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="111" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5IisjzB0I/AAAAAAAAAHg/3QMWblgV_Tc/s200/IMG_2417.JPG" width="144" border="0" /></a><br />Erek and I thought it was about time the kids went camping , so last week we packed up the tent, sleeping bags, and the dog and headed to <a href="http://www.oklahomaparks.com/detail.asp?id=1+5U+6446">Lake Murray State Park</a> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ardmore</span>, Oklahoma. We were a little worried about how Veronica and D.J. would deal with sleeping in a tent with us, but they did very well. Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short because it started to rain very hard on Saturday. So, after a very wet hike to the lake, we came home. We plan to go back next month.<br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120109256568407858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5IPcjzBzI/AAAAAAAAAHY/Hh-1qYAfZTM/s320/IMG_2408.JPG" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The tent is up!!</em></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120110085497096018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5I_sjzB1I/AAAAAAAAAHo/OiS93oIdO-o/s320/IMG_2421.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking for rocks to skip on the lake</span></em></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5JPsjzB2I/AAAAAAAAAHw/tAgYb54P47A/s1600-h/IMG_2412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120110360375002978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5JPsjzB2I/AAAAAAAAAHw/tAgYb54P47A/s320/IMG_2412.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">We love camping!!</span></em></div><p>Finally, big news - Mommy has joined a band! Yes, I'm fulfilling a childhood dream. Our band is called Black Prairie and we are made up of mostly members of the Our Lady of Angels Church Choir. Our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">reportoire</span> includes hits from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lynard</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Skynard</span>, Jimmy Buffet, America, The Bee Gees, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chesney</span>, Pam <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tillis</span>, and the Eagles. Sam, our lead singer, has also written some beautiful songs that we cover. I mostly sing back-up and do percussion, but I get to sing lead occasionally. We had our first gig last Sunday when we played The Park in Plano, a local nursing home. We were a hit! However, I must mention that most of our audience was hard of hearing.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120110502108923762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rw5JX8jzB3I/AAAAAAAAAH4/Z_HzpJyiEpw/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Black Prairie</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>From left to right: Blake, Rick, Sam, Shawn, Lorie, A.J. and me. (Not pictured: Gordon, our awesome lead guitarist) In the center is Diana, our biggest fan.</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><div align="left">Our next gig is at the church picnic on October 21st. Ironically, we are working on the REM song "Losing My Religion."</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">That's all for now!</div></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36573265.post-25032045596615107272007-09-29T12:07:00.000-07:002007-09-29T12:34:40.124-07:00Happy Birthday, Veronica!Since we are almost in October, I decided it was about time to post some pictures from Veronica's birthday. Veronica turned the big "3" on September 8, 2007. The grandparents and the Lolos joined us to celebrate. For her big day, Veronica chose to go to Reptile Fest at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. She was very impressed by all of the "sneaky snakes"!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115706242417772914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6juSqPSXI/AAAAAAAAAGc/FzX3096i6Xw/s320/python.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115705147201112386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6iuiqPSUI/AAAAAAAAAGE/qW9og7vKsc4/s320/DSC00755.JPG" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking at snakes with Grandpa</span></em><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115705615352547666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6jJyqPSVI/AAAAAAAAAGM/4aQjMiFx524/s320/DSC00789.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Blowing the candles on her cupcake</span></em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Then came the birthday party at Kiddin' Around Playcare. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115707135770970546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6kiSqPSbI/AAAAAAAAAG8/8AFLJtG0LvI/s320/IMG_2257.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Dora and Diego cake made by Mommy's wonderful friend, Angela</span></em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115706710569208226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6kJiqPSaI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Y4ky8VUdCPs/s320/Cake+Time.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Blowing out the candles</span><br /></em><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6j8SqPSYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/24eu4_TOIlY/s1600-h/Pinata+Fun4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115706482935941506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6j8SqPSYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/24eu4_TOIlY/s320/Pinata+Fun4.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Pinata time!<br /></span></em><br /><div align="left"><br />There's a lot to write, but Mommy and Daddy only have a short time to blog. You just have to be satisfied with pictures this time.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115705898820389218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iDHwOOwuYYY/Rv6jaSqPSWI/AAAAAAAAAGU/9lyng8AJ5mI/s320/IMG_2293.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div></div></div></div></div>Erek and Portiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596096773624342144noreply@blogger.com1