Happy Independance Day!

Last night we watched the Maumee/Perrysburg fireworks from Jamey's parent's house for the last time. After less than 2 weeks on the market, the Seagert's sold their house and will be moving later this summer. Guess we will have to find a new location next year...

Although, Jamey wants to sneak an addendum into the closing docs giving us all full rights & access to the property every July 3rd! Grace enjoyed sparklers for the first time with her mom. It was an unusually cool evening (for July), but the girls spent some time in the pool. All the kids were glad to watch the fireworks after missing them the night before, at Belmont, due to rain. We headed down-town for Toledo's "Red, White & Kaboom" waterfront fireworks on Friday night. We fought through the crowds and managed to find a small spot to "set up camp"; but, we are all deaf now since our "spot" was about 10ft from WIOT's speakers! All in all, it was a fun holiday weekend.

Celebrating Grace's First

This past Sunday we got together with some family and friends to celebrate Grace's first birthday. The weather held off long enough so that we could spend some time in the pool and enjoy the sun. Grace was able to take her first swim and she loved the water. That was no surprise to anyone who has given her a bath. Jamey showed off her creative side by decorating Grace's first cake. It was topped off by one of the cookies we saved from Jamey's baby shower last spring. Don't worry, we froze it and to be honest it was only for show. Grace loved digging into it.

IT'S A BOY! Introducing Mark Allen Koralewski...

Congratulations Brian, Mary & Sophia on the new addition to your (our) family!

I'm filling in for Steve here, as he is away on business in Seattle. I'm sure that he'll have more to contribute upon his return! But, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting this lil' guy yet - I thought I'd give ya a "sneak peek"! As you can see from the pic, he was very alert and doing great at less than an hour old. I was amazed at how active and strong he already is!

So... Mary (and Bri) left for the hospital last night around 10:45pm, hoping that it was the "real deal". After several long nights of contractions and no sleep, we were saying a prayer that she had progressed enough that she'd get admitted! Yea... an hour later she called to say that this was it - they were having a baby!

Unfortunately, after the epidural, Mary's labor stalled through the night and little progress was made. Still, with blood pressure cuffs going up and down, IV's beeping, nurses coming and going, the anxiety of waiting, and pitocin induced contractions - sleep was not on the menu! By mid-morning they broke her water and things picked up from there. By 11:45 we got the call that she was approaching the final stages, and we should head up. Almost an hour later Mary and Brian got to finally hear, "It's a BOY"!

I was on my way to the hospital when "Mak" made his entrance; so, I got to hear the news from proud big sister Sophia, "Aunt Jamey, I have a baby Mak"! Minutes later I was falling in love with another Koralewski baby... in the same exact room where I delivered Gracie exactly one year and one day ago...CRAZY!

Brian & Mary are really excited for all of you to meet little Mark! She'll be at Toledo Hospital until Wednesday.

I Can't Believe She's One!

Wow! A year can fly by so fast. Even though it went by quickly, it is hard to imagine our family without Grace. She has definitely become a favorite with all her siblings. Each one of them enjoy their own time with their little sister. She has developed quite the personality and loves to flirt. She has a smile to die for. She is picking up new words everyday, and is bound to start walking sooner than we would like. We still have a lot of work to do to baby proof our home. It has been awhile since we've had to worry about that.

Happy Birthday Surprise...

This afternoon we went to a birthday party that featured a traveling reptile zoo. Hannah loved it; but, Grace did not share her feelings in the beginning. After a few moments she warmed up to the python. The photo on the right was taken just a second before she grabbed it's neck and tried to put it's head in her mouth. We were able to release her grip before she decapitated the poor beast.

Happy 25th Anniversary

Congratulation to Kent and Terri Seagert who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary today. This past Sunday we celebrated the occasion with some of the family at their house in Maumee. Below is a photo of the all the of us with Kent's parents and his sister's family. This was one of the rare occasions that we are all together at once since we have all started our own famlies.

Happy Father's Day

Today is a day to honor all the dads, grandpas and great-grandpas in our lives. Their helping hands, dedication, support, and love has helped shape each and everyone of us. We wish you all good heath, happiness and lots of laughter this year.

Thanks for all you do for us!

"Presenting Mr. 7 year old!",

yelled Caleb as he ran into our room this morning. He was so proud to be a year older. On his birthday he had two of his friends from church come over to stay the night. After playing for a few hours, the boys, Hannah, Emma and I headed to the Perrysburg Pool for a few hours. We then went and rented some movies. They were all wound up by the time they tried to settle down to watch Inspector Gadget. The next morning I treated them to chocolate chip pancakes topped with syrup and whipped cream. Sunday evening we had some of the family over for cake and ice cream. How do you like my attempt a his Transformer Cake? Caleb did not have too many requests for presents, most were video games. We managed to only allow him to get one. Some off his favorites were his "real" rocket, a few remote controlled creatures, Legos and Poke'mon toys. After the wind died down we headed to the school to launch his new toy. Mema and Ampa joined us. To our surprise, the rocket seem to reach approximately 600ft. We were able shoot it off twice before the bugs began to get the best of it. The kids all seemed to like the gift a lot more after they saw what it could do. We then spent the rest of the night playing his new, "Lego Indiana Jones" PS2 game. It was a lot of fun and it really follows the original movies.

Earlier in the week we "attempted" to make some brownies for Caleb to take on the last day of school for his birthday celebration. Jamey was working late on her computer and just as I was going to bed realized that we never made the treats for his class. I quickly mixed up the brownies and put them in the oven. I set the timer for 45 mins. Jamey also set the alarm on the cell phone, just in case she dozed off on the couch and did not hear the timer from the kitchen. When I woke up I could smell a slight hint of burnt brownies. Thinking that Jamey got them out a little late I finished getting ready for work. When I got down stairs I found Jamey asleep on the couch where I left her. I also noticed the oven was still on.

I think we discovered a new way to make coal!