Adventures in Phoenix

Christmas 2006

Hi Everyone!!

Greetings from your long-lost future Miss Czech Republic. Mommy and Daddy say "hello" too. Since Daddy is taking his sweet time in setting up internet and phone service at the apartment, I took the initiative and crawled down to the local internet cafe to upload photos to our blogsite while sipping a delicious cappucino.

Life is slipping by quickly. I can't belive Spring is nearly here already. Daddy said Winter would last forever here in Prague but, of course, he was dead-wrong. It's been the mildest Winter in 50 years. We've only had a couple of snow days so far. That's a good thing because the Czechs are not big on snow removal and Mommy and I slid all over the place in my stroller on the ice.

The flight to Prague was stressful for Mommy. As you all know, she's not the worlds best flier. Daddy had to practically put her in a headlock to get her on the plane in Phoenix. Luckily, she came to her senses and seemed herself for the rest of the trip. I slept most of the way but unfortunately peed all over Mommy just outside of Prague. Imagine the three of us, standing at the luggage carousel in Prague, me wrapped in a stolen airline blanket (and nothing else) and Mommy wet and smelling like pee. It was not a pretty sight.

We had to book two cabs, one for us and one for our luggage, to take us to our new apartment in the city center. It's huge and has lots of fun places for me to crawl to (yes, I'm crawling now).

After looking at the new photos, please check out our new Prague blogsite at http://schmicking3.blogspot.com

Much love to all.

-Laurence, Melinda and Britt

Aunt Natalee and the kids were all for staying home but Uncle Tony insisted we drive up North, in a snowstorm, to take the Polar Express to see Santa. He also insisted on carrying Mommy's diaper bag because he said it matched his shoes.

Grandpa Bob and his young trophy wife, Melinda, with the rest of the franchise trying to keep warm in front of the Polar Express train. Lexi looks the warmest of the five.

Grandpa (a.k.a. Poppa) Bob and I had fun on the train just to spite the rest of family.

Hey, you're not the real Santa! I should know, I met him at the mall in Plano, Texas.

I really overdid it at the party. Luckily Grandma Nellie was my wing(wo)man.

Don't Mommy and I look cute in red? The guy in the background couldn't keep his eyes off of us.

Mommy and Daddy's failed attempt to pawn off the Christmas baby on unsuspecting family members.

Looks like Chris Cringle put in some overtime this year:)

I've got this gift opening thing down COLD! Keep 'em coming Santa.

Three ladies and an old man. How do those girls look so fresh on Christmas morning?

Christmas: The Aftermath. If you look closely you'll see Lexi's slippers poking out from under the tree. She apparently had too much eggnog and passed out.

The colorful wrapping paper was my favorite Christmas gift, of course. Don't eat the green one though, it's not ripe yet.

Christmas robots are considered a delicacy in some countries.

Turkey, Texas Style

Hey ya'll! Larry Sophie here with another update. I just got back from my trip to Texas. It sure was fun. I got to meet all of my Texas family, go to a ladies' tea, go for long walks, and take my very first trip in an airplane. It wasn't scary at all, but Mommy sure was a nut during the flights. Anyway, I loved staying with Grandma & Grandpa and I can't wait for my next trip to Texas.

Next time I post, it will be from the Czech Republic...wherever that is.

Love,
Larry Sophie

P.S. Grandma Monica gave me my first Care Bear and his name is Funshine and I love him.

Gobble! Gobble! I love Turkey Day!

This is the Ladies' Tea, hosted by Grandpa Steve's Mom, Karen. It was lots of fun, even though Mommy didn't let me taste her salmon salad sandwich. But, someone did slip me a piece of melon. Yum!

What's so funny?

This is Scooter. He says "Aroooooo!"

Grandma, read me the part where he eats the rabbits.

This is my Grandpa Steve. He liked to fly me around the room and let me look out at the little furry things that kept barking at me.

Four Generations! That's me, my mom, my mom's mom, and my mom's mom's mom! At least we know where my eyes and cheekbones come from!

My Great-Aunt Debbie and Great-Uncle Randy came to visit me from Houston. The next day they went to a football game and had to keep warm with Runzas. Mommy, what's a Runza?

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Laurence....here's me with my "Aunt" Andy! She came up from Austin to see me!

Brrrr! It was really cold during my visit, luckily Grandpa Jerry bought me this super hat!

Everything IS bigger in Texas, including their Christmas trees!

I'm all packed...let's go!

Six Months!

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for coming to look at my blog. It's hard to believe I've been posting for six months now. I went to the doctor today and here are my stats: I am 15 lbs. 7 oz., 27 inches long (that's top of the charts!), and my head is 17 and 3/4 inches (which is off the charts!) Dr. Sarihan said it must be all the breast milk that makes me have such a big brain, but I think it's more like some big-head DNA, ala Daddy and Grandpa.

Guess what? I'm going on my first airplane ride on November 20. I am going to Texas for three weeks! I get to also go to my first Harrison Ladies Tea, and shop till I drop with Gommy and Grandma Monica. It's going to be so much fun.

I hope you all have a happy turkey day. Come see me in Texas!

Six-month-olds keep very busy...like eating this stuff Mommy & Daddy call "num num". It's delicious and makes my diapers REALLY stinky!

Wanna watch some tv with me?

Mommy must have put something in the milk. I sure am sleepy!

"Saturday, in the park...." Daddy took us for a picnic at Anthem, which is like Disneyland, but a town. It's a little creepy and I don't even know what creepy means! But, they had trees, grass, and cute bunnies, so it was perfect.

Mommy thinks this picture should be on the cover of Parenting magazine.

I'm even pretty upside down.

Hey, where's the wheat thins?

Grandma & Grandpa Schmick bought me a pterodactyl! It's my favorite prehistoric animal.

Tastes like chicken.

5 Months!!!

Dear family and friends,

Can you believe it? I came out of my mommy's tummy 5 months ago. It seems like yesterday, I can only imagine how fast time flies for mommy and daddy. They keep telling me to slow down and to stop growing up so fast but I can't help it. I can already roll all over my crib and can stand for hours in my exersaucer. It won't be long until I can crawl, walk and talk. I can't wait.

Love you all,

Laurence Sophia

Hello and welcome to my crib. The weather is FINALLY starting to cool down so now I spend my afternoons lying naked on mommy and daddy's bed with the bedroom window open. Few things in life are better than lounging naked in the warm sunlight.

Fresh air on my naked bum feels terrific!! Now if I could just find a way to eliminate my diaper lines...

Grandma Ruth came down for a visit and wouldn't stop kissing me!! I have that affect on some people.

Mommy and daddy took me to my very first Oktoberfest. I had a great time but got so excited I slobbered all over my clothes. Eventually mommy had to take them off because they were soaked.