Daddy's Birthday

So, Daddy's birthday was last week. I really wanted to do something special for him, but he was in Cleveland, and wasn't due home until later that night! So, instead, I had Mommy send a special message to Daddy direct to his email

Later that day, Mommy and I were working hard getting a cake together and for when Daddy came home. Here's me and Daddy blowing out his candles. Happy Birthday Daddy!

Gigglicious

This is for all the folks that have never seen me laugh ...

Ladies: After viewing this video you may experience heightened senses of euphoria.

My First Trip to Seattle

So, this July, I made the trip to Seattle, Washington to see Mommy's family. Washington is actually the 6th state I've been to, and I'm not even 4 months old!

In particular, I owed a visit to Morfar (Swedish for Grandfather = a.k.a Mother's Father) ... here's us hanging out at the casa de Morfar:


No visit would be complete without making sure the Morfar's sink was fully capable of accommodating me for my daily bath ... (ok - sometimes, it's not always daily...shhh!)


Of course, while in Seattle, I had to check out Big Uncle A's favorite coffee spot.


Mommy also took me to visit some of Daddy's cousins. Here's me, Mommy, and my cousin Avit below.


Also, here's me chillin with my cousin and Texas Expatriot Aaron. Aaron is my attorney, and I hope to retain him to handle all my future legal matters when I play football for the University of Texas.


Of course, all of these trips around the Seattle area made Mommy tired - and here stepped in Grandma to take over my personal needs.
Note to Mack Brown - See my leg strength as detailed in the 2nd picture as I'm already standing with little help! Also - note that I've already transformed my Grandma into a Texas fan - see her shirt!


While I was there, I needed to check out Mommy's favorite watering hole (Red Hook Brewery). We met up with her friends Sonja, Kira, and Amelia who couldn't get enough of me - - see below - - nuff said :)


I also visited my buddy Cole a few times, but he was more interested in watching Curious George. Someday, I hope to be as big as he is.
Note to Rick Barnes (UT Basketball Head Coach) - Although Cole hasn't been to Texas, he comes from TALL stock, and may be a potential resource for the team. I'll send you his resume on my next Media trip down there. Say hi to the wife for me.


Ok ok ... So, Grandma and Morfar had a big party for me because everyone was dying to meet me. I tried to get pictures with everyone, but of course ... I may have missed a few. But - here's what I got below:

Me and Kathy ... gotta love Kathy!


Me and Rees "The Professor" Clark. We argue politics and technology together. I have to admit, I let him win the arguments ... for now!


Me and Jill "Auntie Jill" & Paul "Unky P" Zawatski


Me and Joanna "Auntie Jo" Gregson ... She's a sociologist. I don't know what that is, but it sounds FANCY!


Me and Jenny "Cheese Encyclopedia" Davidson. We like to sit and talk over a good Brie.


Me and Sandy Davidson (Jenny's Mom!)

Note: For those of you avid blog followers of mine, the guy in the portrait in the background is my great-great-great grandfather (also known as Morfarfarfarfar) and the high-ranking Swedish naval commander that I spoke of earlier in my letter to Mack Brown.

Me and Bobbi Hamer (Morfar's neighbors)


Of course, at the end of the party, me and Morfar needed to just chill...


I threw this last picture in just because I like this picture. My left-hand index finger is by far my favorite tasting finger, however every now and then, I like it to mix it up with a side of "left-hand middle finger":

Road Trip to Philly (Part II) - The Return

So, on the way back from Philly, we got to hang with some of Daddy's co-workers from Cumberland. I only got a few pics in, but here's me with Stacy and Jessa.


At one point, they tried to convince my Daddy to name me "Momocho Jesstaci Laves" ... I do have to admit, I'd probably would have gone by "MJ Laves"

On these long road trips, I tend to get hungry, so every now and then, I pop in a finger ...


Here's me and Mommy at a truck stop somewhere in Ohio or Indiana (I don't remember). I was tired from all that riding in the car...

I love Mommy! She's the best Mommy in the whole wide world!

...we did finally make it back home to Chicago ... 2000 miles later! Whew! What a trip!

Road Trip (Part I)

I'd like to apologize to my fans for my lack of posting the past couple of weeks. I was on a road trip with Mom and Dad. They drove me to the east coast! I went to five states (IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ) on this road trip, and I just flew to my 6th state (WA) with Mom!

Here's the first installment of pictures from the road trip to Philly. I'll have more soon as I get back to my home computer.

Here's me and my cousin Anna with Great-Grandma Louise:


She's almost 90! (but I'd say she wouldn't pass for a day over 70). I'm pretty impressed that she can shuffle 15 lbs with both hands (meaning me and Anna).

She promised to teach me Pinochle, but if I'm anything like Dad, I'm sure I'll get confused. He told me of the time G-Grandma tried to teach him Pinochle. I think the conversation went like this:

Daddy: "What's a meld?

G-Grandma: "Whattya mean? You know, King-Queen, A run with extra marriage (A, T, K, K, Q, Q, J)"

Daddy: "I know that, but what's a meld?"

G-Grandma: "Look, I just told ya ... KQ, A run, A run with extras, you know"

Daddy: "Ok, I got that, ...but ... what IS a meld?

G-Grandma: "Kristina understands, Alex understands ... I don't understand why you don't understand"

Daddy: (sigh)

I think that is when Daddy gave up Pinochle.
Here's a few more of Great-Grandma, my cousin Anna and me.

We stayed with our cousins Jeff and Kim (Anna's parents). They are super cool and here's us at the menonite market:

Is fried ham kosher?

This is my great grandma, Louise Brill, singing about fried ham. There's really not much else to say, except "watch the video" :

Eureka! I found my hands!

So, the other day, I 'discovered' my hands!
Ever since, they have been the object of my mouth's desire. Everytime I see them, my saliva glands go into overdrive! I will say this though...it is so frustrating to not be able to get my entire fist in my mouth! Maybe one day I'll learn that I should just use a finger or two ... or a thumb.