Flashback Friday- Old Christmas Cards

One year for our Christmas cards, I sent out our Kempiak family tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus, along with the recipe. On the front cover was this photo...


On the inside was this one...


Baylee= 4 years old
Nathan= 1 year old

Flashback Friday- An Awesome Stocking Stuffer!

Just a week old, I took Nathan for his first photo shoot. I think he's the best "stocking stuffer" in the world!

It's Been 20 Years...Hard to Believe!

I know, look at my 80’s hair! The bigger the better, baby! I worked hard at getting this hairdo to cooperate each morning, especially with how very straight my natural hair is. So, the timer in the bathroom would go off at 4:30AM…2 sets of hot benders, 1 set of hot rollers, and a curling iron. I’d wake 20 minutes later to go through the regime then add the final, most crucial ingredient…mega hairspray!

Why am I posting this today? Am I a glutton for some embarrassment and ready for some smart-alecky comments back or do I just want to give all my faithful “readers” something to laugh about? No, tomorrow would have been my 20 year high school reunion from Westlake High School (in Westlake Village, CA). I couldn’t get Jon to take me and going alone didn’t seem “okay” with me. I would have totally enjoyed myself, I know. I loved that school and so many people I attended with. I just wonder if we would have recognized each other without the “hair”.

I looked up some things that made the news in 1988 and the “popular things” that surrounded us…here’s a “flashback down memory lane”…

What things cost in 1988:
Average Cost of new house $91,600.00
Average Income per year $24,450.00
Average Price for new car $10,4000.00
1 gallon of gas 91 cents
Movie Ticket $3.50
US Postage Stamp 24 cents
Dozen Eggs 65 cents

Most Popular Television Shows
1. The Cosby Show (NBC)
2. A Different World (NBC)
3. Cheers (NBC)
4. The Golden Girls (NBC)
5. Growing Pains (ABC)
6. Who’s the Boss? (ABC)
7. Night Court (NBC)
8. 60 Minutes (CBS)
9. Murder, She Wrote (CBS)
10. Alf (NBC)

Popular Movies
1. Beetlejuice
2. Big (Thought it was funny)
3. Bull Durham
4. Cocktail
5. Colors
6. Coming to America
7. Crocodile Dundee II
8. Die Hard
9. A Fish Called Wanda
10. Good Morning, Vietnam (Saw that at a drive in movie theater with a boy!)

Popular Music
1. "So Emotional” … Whitney Houston (I can't get that song out of my head now!)
2. "Got My Mind Set on You” … George Harrison
3. "The Way You Make Me Feel” … Michael Jackson (was obsessed with this guy!)
4. "Need You Tonight” … INXS
5. "Could’ve Been” … Tiffany (Boy could I sing this song full of heart!)
6. "Season Change” … Expose
7. "Father Figure” … George Michael
8. "Never Gonna Give You Up” … Rick Astley (Annoying )
9. "Man In the Mirror” … Michael Jackson
10. "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” … Billy Ocean

1988 News
The Hubble Space Telescope Goes into operation to explore deep space.
A bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland on December 21st .
Prozac was sold for the first time as an anti-depressant.

What do you remember about the 80's? All I know is, I sure want to throw an 80's adult party so I can put my hair back up and wear my LA Gears that I've saved just for the occasion!

And I wonder, will perms ever come back in? Deep down, I sure hope so!

Flashback Friday

Our family is so not in the popular crowd these days! In the past two weeks, we’ve lost count of friends that are at Disney for fall break. Somewhere around 18 families we know went to the Happiest Place on Earth and NOT us (boo hoo). So today on Flashback Friday, I decided to reminisce about a Disney trip I’ll never forget. It’s etched in my mind forever!

Right before Baylee turned 3 and Nathan 1, we spent several days at our favorite place, Disneyland. We love visiting there in November, right when the Christmas decorations fill the entire park. It’s a magical place already, but wow…with Christmas, it really is magical.

The kids were in awe of the characters for sure and spent much time snuggling with any of them that would join.

As a first, we spent the $10 per person for a semi private birthday party with Minnie and Mickey. Since then we’ve returned to do it again because it’s such a blast.

This is a photo of our Baylee. Isn’t it cute? As we were walking down the stairs from Dumbo (a ride we did a lot), she just sat herself down and said, “Daddy, take my picture” then smiled. So sweet!

Nathan on the other hand loved the carousel. When Jon and Baylee went on Dumbo 3 times in a row, we just hung out on the merry-go-round.

This was probably my favorite part of each night. After fireworks, Main Street USA (and near Small World) gets even more magical as it snows (bubbles). It really looks like it. The first night we experienced it, Jon and I just cried, happy tears. It was so neat experiencing it with our children.

I love Disney. I’m going through withdrawals! Please tell me our family wasn’t the only ones not invited to the park (he he).

Flashback Friday-My First

I’ve seen it done before on other blogs and have been intrigued so I thought I’d give it a try. No plans for doing this weekly, I don’t think, but just another opportunity to keep a written journal of my life as a parent, wife, mom, and friend and the journey those 'titles' take me. So today, I begin “Flashback Friday”. Anyone want to join? It only takes one photo and just a little writing.

When Baylee was little, I still worked as a teacher. Lara, my dearest friend from childhood, worked too as a teacher, both of us doing a “job share”…just not with each other. Lara worked mornings and I worked afternoons so daily we’d flip flop babysitting services for one another, giving our kids 5 days of play dates.



The kids loved playing together (and still do). They especially loved being pushed around whether it be in a laundry basket or in a play car.



Baylee walked before Alyssa, but that didn't stop them from getting around together. Alyssa would just belly crawl to wherever Baylee was (whether Baylee would like it or not...territorial toddler at times). They had their own 'language' spoken too.

Justin was fascinated with Baylee’s thumb sucking and would cuddle with her and give it a try. His thumb tasted “different” and not as “yummy” he’d tell us.


Baylee was born a ‘natural mommy’, we’ve always said that. Here’s an example. Baylee didn’t like dirty diapers and apparently Alyssa had one. Since Ms. Fink was “busy” Baylee took it in her own hands, getting the wipes, changing pad, and a new diaper. Alyssa didn’t mind who was taking care of her. So cute!

I hope you've enjoyed some of the adorable photos of Alyssa, Justin, and Baylee I've pulled out of my archives. It’s been fun strolling down memory lane.

They’ll be forever friends, just like us mommy’s who have known each other for 20 years!