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! ...

You Don't Know Quack!

You may think you know all about Aflac...but you may not know quack!...

A look Back at 2009 (with Humor!)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

A Fashion Statement?

Ok, so I'm not making a fashion statement! This is me in a hospital room, as I recover from surgery. Not bad, really, for just having had my neck slit open. The scar will be a future story in itself to the grandchildren how I was a hero in a knife fight with villains. "You should have seen the other guy! He wasn't so lucky?"

The hospital gown is a standard issue gown. Acts like a dress in front, but wide open in the back! White with blue spotted something to break the monotony. But get a load of those support hose! Basic white...but quite warm, I do say. It is to assist with blood flow and helps to prevent blood clots in the legs when coupled with a pair of air assisted support leg ens. Those medical people; they think of everything to bill your health insurance company with!

And now the coup degras...those purple non-skid slipper socks! Screen printed on both the top and bottom, I think, so on extended hospital stays you can get longer wear before needing a new pair. A medical equipment cost savings!

Anyway...in and out of the hospital in a little over 24 hours, start to finish! Now the recovery begins. I'm just hoping the scar doesn't turn into a big smiley face and ruin my story to the grand kids! :(

Winter in AZ

Even though we have loved the fact that we have not yet had to shovel any of Arizona's Winter Sunshine, we still have a yearning for the good things about winter. Bright white snow, crisp clean air and snow skiing. (Well, snow skiing for me; Heidi would rather curl up with a hot tea and a good book by the fireplace!) Flagstaff gives us that opportunity. Just an easy 2 hour drive north along Interstate 17 from Phoenix, Old Town Flagstaff has the charm and feel of Traverse City, Michigan with mountains. With a population of approximately 55,000 people, most of the town was build in the late 1800's and is still bustling with lots of upscale shopping, eating, unique gifts and local art.

I even had the opportunity to ski the Arizona Snowbowl. Starting at nearly 10,000 ft elevation you can go up the ski lift to 11,500 ft of the San Francisco Peak, and see the world from a new perspective. The top picture above is the view at the ski lift half way up the mountain and what a sight it is to see! Skiing here is similar to Colorado; with some longer runs down a few pretty steep mountain faces. Or, you can choose to ski the shorter sloops, but more challenging and longer runs than you would typically see in Michigan.

This is a view of the corner coffee shop where we had breakfast on Sunday morning at the corner of San Francisco and Aspen. Look close, that is not a ghost, it is Heidi's reflection as she drank her tea. Old Town Flagstaff is even busy on a Sunday!

I think I have found a new playground. A place to get away to beat the heat and kick back to relax!

Christmas Greetings

Hawaii, we went, for Thanksgiving this year.
A great chance for family to share some good cheer.



We had a great time; and kept for a shrine,
the memories of fun, food and great wine.
With sand in our toes and plenty of sun,
it was just a lot of fun!

Our family is growing this new year,
2010 will bring some joyous tears.
As J adds a wife,
…and Rob & Erin creates a new life…
…an unexpected surprise to Rob's new wife!

Rather than Alaska, we wished our kids lived here,
so, as parents, we could really be near!

We pray that this Christmas, is for you,
filled with the spirit of what Christ can do.
Bring Joy and happiness, all the year through,
to each and every one of you.

Merry Christmas
& Best Wishes for 2010

Mike & Heidi Dvorak

New Address:
16201 N. 111th Ave
Sun City, AZ 85351

Email mikedvorak7@gmail.com
heidi.dvorak@hilton.com

A Growing Family in 2010!

It's now official...while in Hawaii we were collecting new family members. Dianne will join the family when she marries J in March 2010. That wedding is planned for Las Vegas.

....and, not to be outdone, Rob & Erin announced that a new grandchild is coming in August!

Here we are all together for a fun night out for dinner in Kawaihae. J & Dianne are on the side of the table with Heidi. Rob & Erin are on my side of the table. This was a fabulous place for a gourmet meal away from the the resort.

Wow...2010 will be an exciting year in the Dvorak Family!!!

So long 2009 and "Hello" New Year! Bring it On!!!

Hawaiian luau

This is our family on the Big Island of Hawaii, on our last night of a week packed full of food and fun in the sun. It really passed by too fast, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Sun City Golf

A bad day golfing, trumps any good day at work! Of course, half of the guys in this picture don't work...'cause they are retired. (...or is that just tired)?

From left to right...Jim Moore, Me, John Sharpe (my brother-in-law) and Jack Sharpe (my father-in-law).

We had an awesome time playing on a picture perfect October day in the Valley of the Sun here in Arizona. John was out for a quick long weekend trip to enjoy some fun, food, drink and golf. Come on back when you can stay longer, John. You know what they say, "All work and no play makes you a dull guy!" ...Besides, your golf game needs some more help! :)