Oh what fun...

It is to celebrate Christmas and a birthday within two days! :) Well we can finally relax. We had a great Christmas with our families. Christmas Eve we went to my cousin Jenneth's house. We had dinner and did our Chinese gift exchange. It was the first time for some of my cousins to see Kooper in person. The kids had so much fun playing together. We have eight kids in the family now and all but two were there. It was great to see everyone again. Christmas day we stayed home and had my mom and dad and Jeremy's mom and sister over for lunch. We started the morning by letting Kooper get his presents from Santa, then we held off on the rest until everyone else got here. Then we had lunch and opened all of our other presents. Kooper got some really neat stuff. I got a new Fossil purse, a Sony camera and some beautiful earrings. Jeremy got some clothes, a medicine ball, and a new leather jacket. After everyone left we all took a nap! Two days later... we celebrated Kooper's first birthday. I can't believe he is already one! It seems like yesterday that he was just learning to crawl. We had quite a group over for his birthday. Jeremy grilled hotdogs and hamburgers and we had cake and ice cream. A friend of mine made cake, check out the pictures in the slide show, she did a GREAT job. I loved it. I branched out and made a cake of my own. I wanted Kooper to have a cake that he could dive into so I made him his own baseball cake. He didn't seem too interested in it so we had to help him a bit, which even then he didn't want the cake. What kid doesn't want cake!?!?! Oh well, I'm sure next year he will be all over it. Then he opened presents, which again he got some great toys. Now I'm just wondering where on earth am I going to put all these toys. I told Jeremy we needed a bigger house just to store all the toys. After the birthday party we again all took a nap. Today, Sunday, we didn't do much of anything. We layed around at my parents and went to the grocery store. All in all, we had a great Christmas and birthday party. Thanks to everyone for coming to Kooper's party. Don't forget to check out the two slide shows I made.

Kooper's only chance at playing football

Here is some video of Kooper playing with his football his Grandpa Zdunkewicz got him. I refuse to let him play football when he gets older so this is his only chance. :)

This was in the car on our way to home from Alabama. We went and surprised Britni for her birthday. They were playing Auburn at Auburn on her birthday so we drove to Alabama and surprised her. We were able to stay for the game and have dinner with her two nights while we were there. She was VERY surprised to see us. I just thought this was such a cute picture of Kooper.


This was taken on our snow day.



Snow day two!

Gingerbread Houses

Well last Friday we made Gingerbread Houses in my class. Each student got to make their very own house, so needless to say it was chaotic, but fun. We had LOTS of parent helps so it went very well. Their houses turned out great and they are being displayed in our school library. Here is a picture of me with my team. Most of us ordered aprons for Gingerbread houses. We love dressing up! :)

Snow!

I can't believe it snowed in Texas! We were at school last Wednesday when someone said it was snowing. Some of the teachers ran outside to check it out and sure enough it was snowing. We were all so excited, I felt like a kid again! I couldn't resist taking Kooper out in the snow, even though it wasn't much, I still wanted to be able to tell him that he was out in the snow. When we got home it was still snowing and some actually collected in the backyard on our patio funiture. I was able to make a tiny snowman too! I know Kooper won't remember it but I have pictures to prove it!

He's Walking!!!

Well we practiced and practiced this weekend and... he's walking now! He will pull himself up at the table or couch and then take off wherever he wants to go. He can even walk with stuff in his hands. He has a bat in one hand and the remote in the other, just like a man! :) We are so excited!!

Standing on my own!

Well I still haven't been able to get Kooper to walk for the camera however I did get some pictures of him standing all on his own. He's really getting brave. He's starting to just let go of things while standing, but then after a few seconds he just sits down. His babysitter, Sandy, has been working with him during the week. I also noticed today that he has another tooth. This one is on top and its one of his two front teeth, the other one looks like it could come in any day now along with a couple of his other incisors. I had heard a story of a baby starting to walk one day, then stopping. They took him to their pediatrician because they were worried. Well the pediatrician said that he had teeth coming in and once the teeth came through he would take off walking. So... we're hoping that now that he cut those teeth he's been working on for weeks now he might start walking. It's so hard to believe he'll be 11 months next week. His one year birthday will be here before we know it. I can't wait to see him during Christmas! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Got the Giggles!

Jeremy was laying on the floor in the living room throwing a small teddy bear up the air and Kooper thought it was hillarious. I had to get a video of him laughing. He was laughing so hard he was turning red and would start coughing. :)

First Steps!!!

Well Kooper took his first steps the other day, by himself! It was last Thursday and we were at my mom and dad's, Jeremy was at class so unfortunately he missed it. Kooper was holding on to their ottoman and I was sitting on the floor leaning on the couch. I told him to come to me and I held out my hands. He let go of the ottoman and took about four steps to me, then he got close enough and he just fell on me. I was so excited! I could not believe he actually did it. He's done it a couple of other times since then but Jeremy has still not seen. I was also not able to get any pictures of him doing it. It seems like every time I take out my camera and try to get him to walk he refuses. So I guess I'll just have to wait on the pictures and videos, but it won't be too long and he'll be walking all over the place!!! Other than that that's about all that's been going on around here. I was a hostess this past weekend of a baby shower for my girlfriend from work, Sarah. She is due in Jan. Some of us from work threw her a shower. She had a good turn out and got a lot of great stuff. I am sooooo ready for Thanksgiving break. I need a break from work. It will be nice to stay home for a few days and relax a little and play with Kooper of course. Maybe we can work on the walking! :)

Red Ribbon Week

Last week was Red Ribbon Week at school. We had a day that we wore our pajamas to school and a day that we wore team shirts.

This is us in our pajamas. We were missing two of our teachers in this picture.

This is us in our team shirts. The night before some of us got together and made these shirts. We messed the first ones up so went back to the drawing board and came up with these. You can't see but we also have our last names on the back. They turned out really cute! Everyone at school was jealous!!

Halloween

This is me with some of the other second grade teachers on Halloween. We dressed up as Scarecrows and paraded around school. Our second graders also dressed up. We had a fun day!

Wimberly, Texas

This past weekend I went to Market Days in Wimberly, Texas. My mom, Kooper, my cousins Brenda, Haddley, Brooke and Paige and myself drove up there early Saturday morning. We got there around 11am. We stayed at the Leahy's Creekside Cottages. The Leahy's are neighbors of mom and dad and allowed us to use their cabins, or cabbages as my four year old cousin Brooke called them. :) There is a goose that lives there on the creek. It was quite hungry when we arrived but we didn't have anything to feee it. Kooper was scared of the goose because it kept making noises at us. We went and ate lunch and then decided to head on over to Market Days. We walked around looking at all the different booths. Some of it was antique stuff, some was craft items and then there was some that just looked like garage sale junk. I bought a few things, come Christmas decorations, sunglasses and few other things. I think Haddley bought a couple of things, mostly for the girls. Brenda bought a CD of some guys who were playing out there and mom walked out without buying anything. We stayed the night in the cabins, woke up early the next morning, packed up and headed back to Market Days for a couple of hours. Then we headed into town for lunch. After lunch we looked in a few shops in downtown Wimberly then decided to head on home. Here are few pictures from our weekend.

Kooper making an escape out of the cabin.

Another escape!

The goose that lives at the creek.

Kooper looking at the goose. He wasn't too sure about it.

This is the view of the creek from the back porch.

Kooper did not want to take his picture on the hay. This is him and his cousin Brooke.

So, I tried again, but this time I held him. This is Paige, Brooke, Me and Kooper.

Baptism

Kooper was baptized today. He was supposed to be baptized last month but that was the weekend of Ike so we moved it to this month. We went to mass at noon and the baptism followed mass. I would say there were probably 10 to 12 babies that were baptized today, which is a large group but due to Ike we were all this month. Deacon Sid Sandiford performed the service. We did the majority of it as a group and then we took Kooper to the fountain for Deacon Sid to do the water part of it. Kooper did very good for having to sit for almost two hours. Mass was an hour and then the baptism took almost an hour. He started talking during the baptism, very loud infact. There was a boy about two pews in front of us that was crying and Kooper was looking at him like what are you crying about. It was funny to watch his facial expressions. Deacon Sid came around first asking each child's name and what we wanted for our child, in which we responded "Baptism". Then he spoke for a minute, then came back around and annointed him with a cross on his chest. Then we went to the back an he poured water over his head and did the actual baptizing. Rachel and Chad, his godparents, then took his baptism candle and lit it using the church candle. Deacon Sid said a few prayers and few other words then he came back around and annointed each child on the forehead with the sign of the cross. He said his final prayer and we were done. We took a few pictures at the church and headed home. A friend of mine, Kristi, picked up the food from Cliantro's and brought it to the house for us. We had the house set up for about 30 people and I'd say we had pretty close to that amount show up for the reception. We ate, visited, took more pictures and eveyone left. Then Jeremy, Kooper and I all crashed. We all took about an hour nap and got up around 6pm. Kooper did so good today. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. I'm also thankful for Chad and Rachel for being Kooper's godparents. I know they are both great people and he will always be able to look up to them and go to them for guidance. Thank you to everyone who came, helped out and shared in this joyous day for us! We will remember this day for always!!

Happenings

I just thought I'd post even though not much has been going on. We had Kooper's picture taken this past weekend at Studio One in the mall. We took a pumpkin with us and put him in his overalls. He was so cute standing with the pumpkin. He also had his nine months check up at the doctor's office. He had to have blood drawn and he got a flu shot. He did not like them doing the blood work because they had to prick his finger and squeeze, boy did he scream, and of course I'm having to hold him still. The flu shot wasn't so bad because it was just one prick, but he survived. This coming Sunday, Oct. 19 he will be baptized, finally! We were supposed to do it on the Sunday of Hurricane Ike, well that didn't happen. So we rescheduled everything, the food, the family, etc and we will be having it this Sunday. We will go to Mass, then the baptism will follow around 1pm and then we will have everyone back to the house for food. I will post those pictures next week sometime. Other than that we have just been going to work and hanging out. I will post again next week after his baptism. I hope everyone is doing well!

School Happenings

These are some of the second grade teachers that dressed up for career day.


Me, my friends Sarah and Shannon. We all attended SHSU. Go Bearkats!!!

In school this week we've been encouraging our students to further their education after high school. We're calling it Education: Go Get It! Monday we dressed up as different careers, Tuesday we wore college shirts and Thursday we are going to wear shirts from the local middle school, junior high and high school. Each day we are talking about college and higher education. Monday we talked about different career options and how second grade can help them prepare. Tuesday we talked about going to college. I got on to Sam Houston State University's webpage and showed them a few things. I went to the girls soccer and basketball pages and showed them Britni's picture. They all thought that was cool. Tomorrow we will talk about the military, trades and other options besides college, although I tell my kids they have to go to college. :) A lot of my kids wore their college shirts today. There were a lot of Horn fans! I wore SHSU of course, so did two other girls I teach with. We're having fun wearing our jeans all week and sharing some of our experiences with our students.

Bunco Night

Last Friday night I played Bunco for the first time. The teachers on my team along with a couple of other people have started a Bunco team. We are going to play once a month. Each month will be held at a different person's house. They will host for the night and provide food. This past Friday we went over to Amanda's house. She had chicken enchilada cassarole, homemade salsa, chips and queso. Many of us didn't know how to play so Amanda and her friend Robin had to teach us. At first I thought I was going to be lost all night but once you start playing you get the hang of it. We had to play with three "ghosts" because Pat, Carol and Brandy couldn't make it. We play again in November at Shannon's house and I'm looking forward to it.

Z Family Pics

Jeremy, Jill and Kooper Martin



Tamara and Jimmy, Cindy and Amelia Bennett







Jill Zdunkewicz-Martin, Tommy and Linda Zdunkewicz


Jimmy, Vic, Bobby, Robert, Dan and Tommy


Jana, Catherine and Cindy Zdunkewicz


Jimmy, Robert and Bobby Bennett


Tommy, Bobby, Dan, Vic and Robert


Jimmy and Amelia, Robert and Bobby

Zdunkewicz Family Reunion

This past Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 we had our first Zdunkewicz Family reunion in probably 10 or more years. We were invited out to Fulshear, TX to my Uncle Vic and Aunt Mary Rose's house. They were gracious enough to host the reunion. In attendance were my dad's two brothers Vic Zdunkewicz and Dan Zdunkewicz, along with their wives, Mary Rose and Gloria. There were many of my cousins there as well, including two from out of state. Colonel Robert (Bobby) Bennett and his wife Colonel Sylvia Bennett came from Washington, D.C. Jimmy, Cindy and Amelia Bennett came from Atlanta, Georgia. There father Robert Bennett Sr. also came from Atlanta, Georgia. Jimmy and Bobby are the sons of the late Dorothy Bennett, also my dad's only sister. She passed away in April 2008 and will all miss her dearly but we know she is smiling down on us all. The reunion was a hit if I do say so myself. We arrived around 3pm and stayed until about 8pm. We talked, told stories and even got to know some of our relatives we haven't seen in years. I had never met Jimmy or Bobby, atleast I don't remember meeting them. Bobby is in the military and served in Desert Storm. I was in the fourth grade at the time and I remember writing to him in Saudia Arabia. He wrote back a couple weeks later, I think I have the letter somewhere. We really had a great time with everyone and I'm so glad we were able to get together. Our intentions are to do this again in two years when the Bennetts can return to Texas. I hope everyone else enjoyed themselves and it was great to see all of you. Take care!

You Should See The Other Guy!

Well Kooper had his first big booboo. He was at the sitter's house and fell and hit his head. The concrete won. His sitter, Sandy, called me right away to tell me, luckily all my students were gone so I went over there to get him. She felt horrible about what happened but I tried to tell her that these things happen. I pinched his finger in his high chair a few months ago so I know how she feels. I was worried about a concusion so I went ahead and took him to his pediatrician. They saw us right away and the doctor said he looked fine. He checked his head, eyes, ears, chest and arm (because he also hit his shoulder pretty hard). He said everything looked fine. He told us to wake him up tonight every four hours and make sure he doesn't vomit more than twice, which he didn't. So tonight will be a long night for us but that's fine with me as long as my little buddy is ok. Kooper actually seemed fine. On our ride to the doctor's office he was talking to me and playing with his toys in the back seat. He didn't like the doctor pushing on his head but he was fine otherwise. The doctor cleaned the scrape on his eyebrow and put a bandage on it to keep it clean. Jeremy said he looked like a boxer and that we should get boxing gloves for him. I'm a little disappointed it happened now because we have a family reunion this coming Saturday and some of my family has yet to see Kooper. Oh well, he'll get lots of lovin from everyone.

Ike Update

Well Hurricane Ike hit early Saturday morning. We lost power somewhere between 11:30 and 2am. Jeremy, Kooper and I came over to my parents house on Friday, September 12 and we are still here. They got power back Sunday night, that would be Sunday, September 20th. Our house in Legends Ranch still does not have power so my parents are letting us stay until power is restored to our neighborhood. We are so ready to get back to our own house although we are very greatful to my parents for putting up with us for the past week and a half. Jeremy's mom let us come over and do laundry when my parents still did not have power, so thank you for that!! We did have a generator at my parents' house so that was nice but you don't realize how much you miss something until its gone! Kooper did very well through all of it but I can tell he's ready to be back in his own bed, he's been sleeping in a pack -n- play for the past week and a half. I tried to take a picture of Kooper each day to document the days without power but I missed a couple days and now its just getting old, especially since my parents have power now. We will continue to check our house each day for power and hopefully it will be restored soon, they are saying Thursday, but we will hope and pray for sooner. I hope everyone fared well through the storm, although it was a pain not having power we were very lucky. We had no damage to our house and most importantly we were all okay, so I am very thankful for that. To all who did have damage, just remember things can be replaced and if you need any help please let me know. I now pray that we don't have another hurricane for a long while.

Take a Hike Ike!

We are getting ready for Hurricane Ike. We decided to go to my parents house for the weekend so we could all be together. We didn't board up our house but we brought all of our lawn furniture in. We went to the grocery store and bought extra formula and baby food for Kooper. We also stocked up on water, batteries, gas and food for us. Jeremy helped my dad board up their house, or atleast most of the windows. They also secured all of their outdoor furniture and we got all three of our cars in the garage. Now we are just waiting. This will be Kooper's first hurricane and even though I know it won't be, I hope its his last to experience. All of our family and friends are staying put except for a few. A friend of mine and lives in Pearland evacuated to our area to stay with her family in Montgomery. Britni came home from college to stay with her mom and grandma. Other than that I think everyone is staying put. I hope everyone fares well. Be safe and take care.

Go Texans!

Last Sunday we went over to Jeremy's dad and stepmom's house for our first Sunday of the month lunch. Lisa has started a new family tradition of getting together on the first Sunday of every month. Each Sunday we have to write down a memory from the previous month, this is our ticket to lunch. This past Sunday we had to bring a baby picture of ourselves so Jeremy and I dug out some pictures. I think she is making a scrapbook or something of the family. We also watched the Texans game, which they lost, bad. It was Kooper's first game to watch so we had to get him a jersey! He looked so cute even though it was quite big, but he'll grow into it. We enjoyed visiting with everyone and getting to see everyone.

Go Bearkats

Last night we went to Britni's game in Huntsville. Jeremy's mom, dad and stepmom Lisa came as well as some of Britni's high school friends. They played Colorado State Pueblo. SHSU won 1-0. After the game we briefly said hi to Britni and her friend Deanna. Then they had to go to a meeting. We packed up and headed home. They play again on Sunday.

First Hair Cut

Kooper got his first big boy hair cut today. We took him to Sport Clips, of course. He sat in the chair with Dad standing in front of him and I was taking pictures. He did great until Wendy wanted to cut the hair around his ears. Jeremy had to hold his head still and I held his hands down. He got a little mad at that point but was fine after she finished. He did so good and now he's looking sharp.

Cheerios!

New School Year!

Well on Monday I started a new school year. It was a good first day for all of us. I have 21 students right now, I could get one more which would put me at the max. I have a student from Haiti and he speaks French. For those of you wondering, no I don't speak French but I guess I'll learn. Our day ran pretty smooth. Everyone made it home okay so that's always good. Day two also went well. Our first big event is grandparents day on Sept. 5th. Kooper has been back at the babysitters, Mrs. Sandy's for a little over a week now. He enjoys going over there so you know that makes it easier on me when I leave him. Sandy tells me that he's not too sure about his friend Colton yet. She keeps another little boy who's about a year older than Kooper. I'm sure Kooper will adjust and learn to play with Colton just fine. Kooper is crawling better and better everyday. He's also pulling himself up now. He grabs the coffee table and pulls himself to a standing position, then bangs on the table. He will be walking in no time! Well that's all for now.

Paige's Birthday Party

On Saturday we went to our cousin Paige's birthday party. She turned two years old. She had a petting zoo out in the front yard and pony rides in the backyard. Kooper went into the petting zoo and saw a duck, a donkey, a llama and a goat. There were other animals in the petting zoo, a deer, a pig, a bunny and chickens but we only looked at a few. Kooper also went on his first pony ride. Jeremy set him up on the saddle and walked around with him. It almost looked like he knew what to do because he grabbed the saddle horn. We had lunch and visited with our family. By this time Kooper was done, it was definitely nap time, so we loaded up and went home. Kooper's party gift was a bag with a bear and book and of course a cowboy hat! He looked so cute in his hat. We had fun seeing our cousins and celebrating Paige's birthday!