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hahruby
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Name: Eric and Heather
Location: Iowa
Expertise: Not much. ;-) But I DO know that you need you web browser to be FULL SCREEN sized to see the photos well. ;-)
Industry: Engineering
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
1/10/2005
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| My bad for only blogging twice this year... oh well... Below is our annual Christmas letter. If you didn't get one in the mail (and would like to next year) send me your address! 
Happy New Year everyone!
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2010 seemed like a big deal, but maybe only to me [Heather] since I graduated in 2000. I should start by telling you that 2010 was a wonderful year, and God blessed us. So, in short, here are some of the blessings and other events of 2010.
Winter: John got his first haircut, started crawling and standing. Jack [the dog] ran over the baby a couple times (a crawling baby must seem more “dog-like”). I lost [most of] the baby pounds by month 9 post-partum. (yay!) We hosted a “couples” Bible study in our house and I enjoyed baking treats every week. At some point, Eric agreed we could start to plan a bathroom renovation.
Spring: our Navigator [college] friends and their children visited to “camp out” in our house. (9 adults and 4 kids, including us). Lots of fun was had. John rediscovered the “outside”, and also discovered the fun of pulling pots and pans out of my cupboard (and then hiding inside). March birthdays took us up to Wisconsin to see the Hrubys, and Easter we visited the Strangs. Eric got to drive his brother’s new four-wheeler. Last but not least, John turned ONE on May 7th, while vacationing with the Strangs.
Our vacation started with a flight to Tampa, FL, where Becca Strang graduated from Southeastern University. (Flying with a one-year-old went pretty well.) We also visited the Tampa aquarium. Then we boarded the Carnival Inspiration for a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise. (Also went relatively well with a one-year old). Our stops were Grand Cayman Is., where we snorkeled and pet the Southern stingrays (John too), and Tulum Mexico, where we visited the Mayan ruins and ate fish tacos. Highlights on the ship included seeing a musical review of the 50’s & 60’s, plenty of food (lovely sit-down dinners), sun and swimming, and reading the last Harry Potter book (Eric and I both). John was highly impressed by the water-fountain play-area, but not so much by chocolate Birthday cake. Shortly after returning, John decided that walking was indeed more efficient than crawling, and so joined the ranks of “toddlers”.
Summer: Eric received an “innovation award” for his work on the High Value EGR Measurement Systems. So Eric and I traveled to Moline, IL for an overnight stay and a dinner banquet. Then we started a string of home-improvement projects that, intended or not, have kept us busy many weekends since June. Project #1 – redo the cracked cement patio; 6 weeks and 7 volunteers later, we had a beautiful new stamped concrete patio. A wedding in Wisconsin gave us the opportunity to have a “get-away” weekend (left John for his first weekend stay alone with grandparents). Eric played in the Iowa Games again, where the Waterloo Ultimate [Frisbee] Players tied for 5th place. My 10-year High School reunion happened at the end of July, at which time we also attended my aunt’s wedding, and John made his first trip to the Zoo (in Milwaukee). John discovered laundry baskets, sand-boxes, and running. Eric conquered Project #2—strip hallway wallpaper and repaint (which John prompted us to start by “helping” strip the first few pieces).
Fall: We went camping with college friends in Wisconsin, as per our yearly tradition (friends came from 6 different states!) And finally, we commenced Project #3 – The Great Bathroom Remodel (all D.I.Y—go Eric!), which I hope will be completed as you read this. John’s been having fun visiting and “helping” Daddy in the construction zone; he has also enjoyed thrashing in piles of leaves, climbing onto chairs, chasing the dog, and “playing” the piano. (notice the active verbs.) Almost all our family members have been down to visit us since September, including my sister Steph who wins the Medal of Honor after braving a sick nephew, and coming down with the stomach flu herself. We also said goodbye to our trusty Impala, and moved on to a mini-van in preparation for baby #2 (due March 5th)! I will be at 30 weeks by Christmas, and we do not know the gender (by choice). We’ll let you know who/what the big surprise turns out to be late this winter.
So, I don’t know how we’ll fit next year’s letter into one page, but I hope you enjoyed the glimpse into the “blessings” of the Hruby household. May God reveal Himself to you this Christmas in an unexpected way, and may you be blessed by our love as a reflection of His Great Love. Merry Christmas!!
Eric, Heather and John
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:14 &17
See the attached photo collage. Enjoy!
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|  (At the Florida Aquarium)
John has a cold and went to bed early. Eric is out at an Ultimate shindig (which could only be attended by one due to sick baby). SO what to do? blog about the baby backpack we got a couple of weeks ago (and our vacation)...
We decided to get a backpack carrier for an upcoming vacation, and summer hiking in general. Friends had one that we got to see first-hand while camping/hiking with them and their kids last summer. Back then, John was just a wee mite in a Baby Bjorn carrier, barely sitting up. Now he's a wiggly almost-walker who fusses in his stroller. Not to mention that the stroller isn't going to make it up and down the hiking paths (ie. 1 ft rock "steps") at Devil's Lake State Park, or anywhere else for that matter.
So began the "hunt", including the discovery that there are slim pickings on Craigslist in semi-rural Iowa. We eventually bought one online and just in time for the vacation that was fast approaching. This newest baby purchase is more for the parents than the baby, and I have to say "I LOVE IT!"
Stroller people don't know what they're missing here! This thing went with us through the airport (leaving hands free for luggage --FYI, yes, we packed WAY too much). Then it got used at the Aquarium (no need to look for an elevator-- just take the stairs like everyone else). Directly after getting on the cruise ship, it was in use, as we went to the highest deck (stairs only) to watch the ship pull out of port (and John got a much needed nap cozied up in there).
We took it on shore excursions. Day 1: Cayman Islands-- Pack holds gear like a full sized stroller, but is MUCH smaller to take on the little boat out to the coral reefs/stingray sandbar. John spent most of his time in our laps though. Had a blast! Day 2: Ruins of Tulum in Mexico -- I would have liked to see the stroller try this. Sand pathways. Big-size stairways up to the ruins. Wooden staircase down to the beach. Small-size trinket shops. (yes, we burned alot more calories this way in the 100 deg. heat, and no baby carrier can make a 22 lb. baby feel like nothing on your back, but it was *relatively* comfortable. And hey, those triple desserts at mealtime had to get burned off somehow.) John was pretty happy on the 7 hour round-trip from ship, to ferry-boat, to bus, to Tulum, to beach, to bus, ferry, and ship again.
Since we've gotten home, I've used it on the forest walking paths (mud and sand), at the grocery store and farmer's market, walking the dog, and going "cross-country" from my house to the park. Now, the truth is that this does not replace our stroller, and it is NOT for the faint of heart (or leg) (or back); but I am glad that it has turned out to be this useful in light of my pre-purchase fears (mostly related to cost/use ratios in my head). I think we'll use it plenty and definitely get our money's worth. (ie. I'm glad we got a "cheap" stroller and spent more on this. We'll also skip the cost of the jogging stroller, and perhaps the "double" stroller). Tip: you need really supportive shoes (I use my hiking boots) and also need initial help tweaking the adjustments to fit you correctly. Did I mention it's fully adjustable?
And if you're not a hiker, day-packer, rural-path-walker, or if you live in the city, you still might like one for outings to the zoo, picnics, fairs, or a subway ride once your baby is too big for the front-style carriers. There are less heavy duty ones, too (that also happen to cost less).
Now that I've waxed eloquent about the backpack, here are a couple of photos from the trip:
 Becca's graduation (Lakeland, FL)
 Leaving the Port of Tampa  The Stingray City (Cayman Islands)  Tulum (Mexico) and beautiful beach
  
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| Greetings! I hope this letter finds you all well and warm. Most of this year from May onward has revolved around our “chunky-monkey” baby, John, but I’ll try to reign in my enthusiasm. 
This Winter and Spring we anxiously anticipated the birth of our baby boy: by January 20th we knew the gender and I was getting a bigger “bump”. This was soon followed by Nursery painting and crib shopping (thanks Dad for helping paint). To start off the year, we hosted a New Years Eve party. And Eric created a website for the Waterloo Ultimate [Frisbee] Players, which he has been in charge of over the last 2 years.
This Spring, I had three baby showers (Family, Church, and Work). It was a huge blessing and if we haven’t expressed it yet, we very much appreciated the fun and fuss, and gifts and generosity of all our friends and family. In early May my high-school girlfriend visited from Texas and we danced the polka together at a wedding on Saturday. Wednesday night—after a lovely baby shower that afternoon at work—I attended the closing “Awards night” for the AWANA [children’s] club program at my church, of which I’ve been a “teacher” for 3 years. The next day, by 10am, I was at the hospital in by 10am, and John was born at 4:53pm, May 7th. 6 lbs 10oz. (3.5 weeks early)!
This Summer, both sides of the family came to visit, and mid-summer we were also able to visit family. Other than that, we curtailed our travel this year. Eric played in the Iowa games again this year with the Ultimate [Frisbee] team (they tied for 9th place out of 18 teams). In July, I decided to resign from my job and have been able to stay at home with John. John has been a delight, and we love him more each month. He was 16 lbs 10 oz by 4 months! Meanwhile, his cousins Tim Jessica and Jessica Tim turned 5 and 3 years old this year. On a sadder note, Eric’s aunt Patricia Gottsacker passed away from a massive stroke.
This Fall, we decided to be brave: we went camping at Devil’s Lake State Park with some college friends (and their children) and our 4 month old. We are also hosting a “Marriage” study for a few couples at our church. In October, John and I went up to Wisconsin to visit my family, and then the three (four) of us went up to see Eric’s family for Thanksgiving. While there, Eric got to help his brother install electrical on the new house they are building. We have also been hosting a “Marriage” study for a few couples at our church once a week. John is now (as you read this letter) 7 months old, and rolling over, laughing, and sitting up, and is over 18 lbs. He loves Mom and Dad (especially Dad’s beard and Mom’s nose) and will often smile or giggle if you “boo” at him. The first tooth is just popping through this week!
Jack the Dog does great with John and we know they’ll soon be best buddies running around and getting muddy together. Jack likes to be lying down in whatever room John (and I) are in, even in the nursery. He likes to sniff John’s head (or bottom). And now John is noticing the existence of the fourth family member and laughs uproariously whenever Jack walks by or looks at him.
I’d like to finish with a quote from a book I’ve been reading this December called In Search of the Real Spirit of Christmas (by Dan Schaeffer). I really enjoy the journey it takes me on. “The manger scene reveals as much about the mercy and love of God as do any of his words or acts of compassion….We need only picture the God of eternity, too glorious for eyes to look upon and live, enduring that filthy and incredibly humiliating setting….God humbled himself in a way that even a common shepherd would understand. While lying in a manger…the God-child was announcing in a dramatic way that he had come to be available, to be accessible. He hadn’t come to isolate himself, or to hobnob with only the important people….He humbled himself before us so that we would realize that there was nothing God wouldn’t do to bring us back into relationship with him.”
Merry Christmas!!!!
Eric, Heather, & John
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| I made my grandmother's time-consuming "Stollen" recipe (which is a poppy-seed filled sweet roll) for a church event. The dough batch was to make two, but I only had poppy-seed filling for one. So I made one, and froze the dough for the other. It was a big hit, and went so quickly I didn't want to take a piece for myself.
So I had more dough to use up (lucky me!) and I figured I'd make the other one for the "Marriage" study we host. This morning I pull out the dough to start defrosting. I even called my Mom to make sure I had enough time for defrosting dough (first experience). I bundled up my baby and headed to the grocery store for more poppy seed filling. 2 hours and one cranky baby later, I bustled in the door, set down some groceries, and did a double-take...
The dough, which I distinctly recalled leaving out to defrost was nowhere in sight. I know I have mommy brain now, but this was a shock. And with sudden, icy dread, I looked under the table at the dog's pillow and saw two sheets of chewed-on waxpaper!
BAD dog!! (and he definately KNEW he did something wrong-- guilty ears). No Stollen for me, no treat for my group, and not to mention what horrors possibly await when your dog consumes large quantities of raw dough (the eggy kind). And now all afternoon I've been walking past a strange flourly shmeer on the floor with faint paw prints in it, and I'm annoyingly reminded of my baked-good's untimely demise.*
* (which I probably could have cleaned up in the time it took to write this... but)
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| ...why my mother-in-law loves her food processor.
It's amazing! (see some recipes below)
My mom used hers for shredding zucchini; since my husband won't touch zucchini with a ten-foot pole, I wasn't quite sure what to use it for. Therefore, I didn't have one right away when I got married ("$150 for THAT!?").
Enter the hand-me down from my mother-in-law. So, ok, I used it for chopping large amounts of onion and peppers for my chili recipe. Eventually it died, and I decided to replace it.* (still not willing to pay $150 for one-- got a much less expensive "Oster" brand on sale--- works great!).
First thing I tried: chopping my same old onions and peppers -- check!
Next, I got a cabbage from the family. What does one do with a cabbage? The only thing I had wanted to try was egg rolls (a friend showed me how last year). I was about to shred the cabbage by hand with a knife when my smart husband (who's mother makes sourkraut every year) said" why don't you use the food processor?" I looked incredulously at my plastic and metal machine, and decided "why not", that's what it's for, right? Amazing!! It shredded half a cabbage in minutes! Perfect for egg rolls.
So what does one do with the other half of a large cabbage? Well, I've always liked coleslaw... a few minutes later, and I had another half a cabbage shredded (and a few carrots to boot!). Add some mayo, vinager, etc, and PRESTO! -- delicious coleslaw! (I looked up a recipe online.) I even went to the farmers market and bought another cabbage...
Now I was inspired.
Next, I decided to make some pumpkin pie, but the grocery stores were having supply issues with their canned pumpkin. Enter the butternut squash. You can quickly microwave a butternut and scrape out the flesh (I swear, less than 15 minutes, depending on the size of the squash). So pop all of that into the food processor, and voila!-- ready to use butternut puree (cooks/tastes like Pumpkin). You can even mix the spices, milk, etc into the squash in the food processor, and dump the whole mess into a pre-made pie crust. Yay for pie!
Next stop: maybe I'll try home-made baby food?
*PS, I'm not sure why it took so long for me to try new things in the food processor. Maybe it was the fun of the "new" one. (the "old" one would have probably done all this too!)
Egg Rolls Recipe:
Note: I did not use this exact recipe. (I winged it) I would recommend trying this recipe to see how you like it, then read the user comments for other ideas (like cooking the cabbage and carrots in a little oil before adding to the pork; then filling the rolls.)
Coleslaw Recipe:
Note: I liked this and the only changes were 1) less milk 2) used cider vinegar instead of white. Enjoy! Tasted great for 1-2 weeks
"Pumpkin" Pie Recipe:
Notes for microwave: pierce and microwave whole squash for 3 minutes. Halve squash, remove seeds, and place on dish face-down. Add a little water. Microwave 3 minutes at a time until thick part is completely soft. Let cool.
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