Our Digital Christmas Card & Dvorak Year In Review

NASCAR @ PIR 2010

Getting ready for an exciting weekend at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) for the Nationwide Series this weekend.  It is WypAll 200, 200 laps for 200 miles!

The day will begin at the Nationwide Corporate Village.  A "Chalet" tent outside the track area with food, beverage & gifts for all guests!  Maybe even a pit pass to enter the garage and see what goes on under the hood of these spectacular autos. 

A great vantage point to watch the race with my fellow Nationwide workers and even some from Columbus, Ohio, the home office of Nationwide.  An opportunity to rub elbows with the top brass and make new contacts.

Yesterday, our On Your Side Center kicked off the NASCAR Celebration in Phoenix, with an event featuring the Nationwide Show Car.  It comes with a simulator so you can race your car to victory lane.  Well, maybe with a crash or two along the way!  Believe me 120 mph is fast, even in a simulator!

So, I'm looking forward to a fast paced, exhilarating weekend at the Phoenix International Raceway.  Hold onto your hat and don't forget the earplugs!

Kodiak Jack

New pictures of Jack Jakob...otherwise known as Kodiak Jack. Snow has arrived in Alaska and nothing warms the hearts of grandparents as sweet grandchildren. So, here it is, a picture I like to call Army Jack...

The second is his birth announcement:

Grand kids are truly Grand!

There's no place like home

My good buddy, Doug Edwards, made this quick video of Owosso, Michigan. Because I have not been there in nearly 2 years, he thought I should have a glimpse of my home town. Thanks, Doug, it brings back old memories and thought I would share it with the rest of you.

If only Dorothy had this technology in the Wizard of OZ; she would have never left Kansas!

Labor Day 2010

Well, it's the Labor Day Weekend. Where does the time go? September already. Next thing ya know, we will be celebrating Christmas and ringing in 2011.

For all my friends back in the Mid-West, Labor Day is the official end of summer. I know this, as trying to take a dock. boat and hoist out of the water in Lake Huron after this day requires a wet suit, as the Great Lakes gets very cold, very fast. But here in the "Valley of the Sun" of Arizona, our last official weekend of summer is somewhere around...uh, Thanksgiving! Now do not get me wrong here, the temps will cool down, as we will Begin seeing daily highs barely in the 90's! And by the end of the year, it will routinely be a very comfortable 75-80 degrees. We can sit out and use our patio well into December and do not shove any sunshine all winter long!

Enough about that, the other thought for the day are some picture posts I wanted to share with you.

One is of Samantha this weekend, driving my Dad's pontoon boat on Lake Bellaire in Michigan. She was up there with J and Dianne on a little weekend trip. She looks like she is having fun? I believe she was! :-)

The other pic is of our Kodiak Jack, from Alaska. Just 1 1/2 months old, here is one of the best photos I have seen of an infant. And I'm not just saying that because he is my Grandson. No, No...this is precious!

He is being held by his Dad, Robert. What an awesome shot! Now that photo is worth paying for.

Family....there is nothing better and Grandchildren are the best. We just wished we didn't live so blasted far away from them!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

Kitchen & Window Renovations

This is for our friends Bob & Mary Lou Luke from Marquette, Michigan. They have just purchased a house here in Sun City on Riverview Golf Course and are making renovations. So here are the latest updates...

It's All in a Name!

Well He has finally arrived! The long expected appearance of the nearly famous. He came into this world on Friday July 16, 2010 at 4:56pm (Alaska time) weighing in at 7lbs. 13.6 oz, and 19.5 inches. Mom, Baby Dvorak & Dad are doing fine, all relieved and ready for a good rest. (Well, that won't happen for about 19 years!) Before the parents know it; they will hear, "Hey Mom & Dad, can I borrow the keys to the truck and 20 bucks? Got a hot date tonight!"

Bumpa and Nanna are very pleased, sorry we aren't there to share the love!

Oh, didn't I mention at the start of this blog that we have a name? Almost forgot!

...so drum roll.....It is now official...

Jack Jakob Robert Dvorak

Now that is a great name! But I think he is still "Kodiak Jack" to me. That can be our special thing!

Star Wars with the wife & kids

OK...just something to watch that should make you chuckle!!! Starring, Heidi, J, Rob & Me.
click on the link below:

http://starwars.jibjab.com/view/wDaxqTTkx5Nzcl5g

Help Us Rent Our House

Our House in Owosso, Michigan will be available to rent beginning July 1st. Please pass this along to people you know in Michigan and help us to rent this beautiful home!
Thanks for your help. Mike & Heidi

Arizona Flat Track Racing

AMA Motorcycle Flat Track Pro Racer - Bryan Smith & Myself at Yavapai Downs, Prescott, Arizona on Saturday May 1, 2010 for the Budweiser Arizona Mile.

It was the perfect day in Arizona's high country. Temps in the low 60's, a bit of a stiff breeze in the air and a slight threat of some sprinkles a few times, but mostly sun. The roar of the motorcycles at over 120 mph in front of us on the mile long dirt oval for the adrenaline rush of flat track motorcycle racing. It is more of a free-for-all in racing, but it is exciting just the same!

Jack Sharpe (my Father-in-Law)and I came out to see some old familar faces, as Michigan pro racers dominate this sport. For me, it was to catch up for a moment with Bryan Smith #42, from Flushing, MI. Bryan and his family was an insured of mine at my agency back in Michigan. So it was good to see him and his Dad, Barry, if only for a few minutes.

Bryan and a couple of hard runs to qualify for the Main Event. He is a tough competitor and we were proud to see him get a spot in the final. Coming back from the 17 th position in an 18 bike race, he was in 5th place after only 2 laps of 20. Then as quick as that happened, his engine gave way and he was out of the race on the far side of the track. What a heartbreak, but we know that there are other races in this season, and Bryan we wish you well. See you back in AZ in October for the final race of the season!

We will be watching and cheering you on. Follow Bryan Smith at the AMA official website: http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/

RESULTS of the race on Saturday here in AZ :AMA Pro Racing GNC Twins National: 1. Joe Kopp (Duc); 2. Sammy Halbert (H-D); 3. Kenny Coolbeth (H-D); 4. Jared Mees (H-D); 5. Chris Carr (H-D); 6. Jake Johnson (H-D); 7. JR Schnabel (H-D); 8. Rob Pearson (H-D); 9. Don Taylor (H-D); 10. Luke Gough (Suz); 11. Henry Wiles (H-D); 12. Aaron King (Rot); 13. Brandon Robinson (H-D); 14. Mick Kirkness (H-D); 15. Chad Cose (Suz); 16. Nichole Cheza (H-D); 17. Bryan Smith (Kaw); 18. Matt Wait (BMW).

Nice to see that Sparty has showed up to the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Final 4! Go Green!!!!

Obamacare...a Facebook post

Frederick Waiting to hear from you on Obamacare.
5 hours ago · Comment · Like · See Wall-to-Wall

Mike Dvorak
You have got to wait for an answer from me? ...what the F@#k! It is socialism, baby...get used to it! ...and now don't you feel warmer and fuzzier? Obama is using the Social Security you and I were going to get to insure the 40 million who did not want to buy health insurance. + tax us more and put or kids and grandchildren in bankruptcy. & Rep. Bart Stupid from Bay City made it all happen all while your donations to Michigan Right to Life endorsed the son of a B#$& % and never asked who he ever supported in the the anti-abortion movement. Go figure! This is the same argument I had with Barb Listings of RTL Michigan 15 years ago when they endorsed our Democrat in the Michigan House. Who did he ever support or give $ to in the movement. (I will answer that...no body. he took your Catholic money and supported the likes of Carl Levin, and other Dems who were working against you. Never any Pro-Life politicians or Pro-Life Activities.) Ya, he came to some Pro-Life dinners, but his meal was paid for him! ...OK, I'm sounding bitter here, right? THE F'...n MORONS SHOULD ALL BE LINED UP AND SHOT! But take notice, the voters are alive...and pissed...and I'm looking for a blow out in November to every congressperson who thwarted the will of the American People! Give Me Liberty or Give me Death. (oh, that phrase has already been used?) ...well good it will work again!
about an hour ago ·

A Perfect Vegas Wedding

Well, it is done! The time we have spent, the months planning and getting ready for this event has come and gone in, what seems like, a blink of the eye.

US Army Staff Sargent John J Dvorak is now united with Dianne Browning-Johnson.

We have gained a daughter-in-law and a new grand daughter, Julia. Now, do the girls move to Alaska or wait it out in Michigan? Time will tell. It depends on a lot of things over the next few months. Does J get

extended in his current assignment? Or, does he get a new assignment? ...or, maybe does he get a job back in Michigan and go home? We just hope the right factors will guide their plans and decisions. I have faith!

This photo was taken by J's Aunt Susan Potter, from Washington DC. What a great shot! We had a wonderful time catching the sites and sounds of Vegas. Plus catching up on family, and spending some quality time with everyone. Lifetime memories. Thanks to all who came out and shared the moments as we helped J & Dianne start their life together.

Here is the extended Dvorak Clan attending the wedding. What a great looking group!


...and then there is Samantha. What a peach she is!







It's Vegas Baby...where we found Lady Luck, not in gambling, but in our Family!

It's Vegas Baby!

That is where we are headed for 5 days of fun and who knows what in Vegas! Oh, by the way, in the middle of it all, my oldest son J is getting married! Vegas...it seems like the perfect place to converge for a gathering of friends and family. What a great place...and what goes on there, of course, stays there. Whatever that means. Like us old people are going to do something that the young have not ever tried? Like someone is going to invent the next step in human euphoria. No, we are just going to have the best damn time anyone could imagine, with what is at our disposal and within our means. Right?! (The answer is, "Yes.")

So what do we do...well, first the intent is to have my son get married. We gain a new daughter-in-law (Diane) and another grand daughter. Her name is Julia. We get to see our Samantha Slamma -Jamma Superstar. My Dad, Sister and Brother. Also, from J's Mom's side of the family, Uncle Dan & Aunt Susan, and Uncle Dave! They are traveling from Washington DC and Chicago, respectively. Some 30 - 40 friends and family, all coming for J & Diane.

The ceremony will be brief and small, but the 5 days of togetherness will be forever in our memory of the great time we will have all shared together with fun, food, drink and great companionship! Thanks in advance to all...and best wishes & much love to J & Diane, along with Julia & Samantha.

New Baby Pictures

OK...it is not what you first imagined. You probably thought of a cute bundle of joy, spitting up on his folks at some Dvorak Family gathering. Or, maybe you were thinking of the first time he took a step or fed the dog something the dog should never eat! Right? Yeah, that is what you were thinking. But what we have here is absolutely, the most precious pics of my new grandson and we are thrilled. I'm surprised it is only hanging on our refrigerator door by some pizza company's magnet and not framed and hanging in our living room, along with the rest of the family pictures! So, here he is, the next family member to carry on the Dvorak namesake. Good ole what's his name (or what is going to be his name?) In the meantime, we call him Peanut. So here he is, Baby Boy Dvorak.....

Coming in July 2010 to the wilderness of Alaska! ...

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A look Back at 2009 (with Humor!)

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