Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Boys...

Yup, another boy.  Wish me luck in our testosterone over-ridden house...

But, it means this quote will be going on the wall in the boys' room.  Once they get old enough to share a room that is...

"Sometimes, Being a Brother is Even Better than Being a Superhero."

Monterey, California

AJ and I ran away for the weekend.  We went to Monterey and had a great time.  We were able to go to the aquarium (to which we will definitely have to take our boys to someday) and of course we stopped at the beach.  It was a fantastic getaway and some much needed time to reconnect before this baby comes.  And we even got to listen to some of conference on our way home.  Thank you, Etsy!

Announcing...

... an announcement.  Yes, we have an announcement.  A fun announcement, a great announcement, basically... it's a great BIG announcement!  

As in we'll be getting bigger around here.

If that's not obvious enough...

Coming February 2012.

Fourth of July 2011

This year was a lot of fun for the Fourth.  We were still in Idaho at my Grandma's house.  Joseph was old enough to do (and enjoy) the snappers.  We did over 1000 of those...  He loved them.  He also got to play with Daddy, one of his very favorite things to do.  They even went bike riding...  We also did our own fireworks.  We decided that we didn't need to fight the crowds to see the professional fireworks.  Joseph didn't know any different and he enjoyed the ones we did on the street too.

 Step on the snappers that didn't pop when we threw them.

 They went around and around...

... and around and around...

and around.  And Joseph still cried when we made him come inside for dinner.

 Some of our fireworks.  Joseph also liked the sparklers... But none of those photos turned out very clear.

2011 McCurdy Reunion - Island Park, ID

I suppose I better update this before I get even more behind.  We were able to attend the McCurdy Family Reunion in Island Park, ID this year.  My grandparents rented a lodge and we all got to hang out for four days.  It was a lot of fun and the first year in a lot of years that everyone has been able to come.  I guess 9 months notice is enough for everyone to clear their schedules.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We got to ride the boat (Joseph's first boat ride ever), play in the freezing cold river, watch movies, play a little pool, enjoyed the annual talent show, some people enjoyed the hot tub and we had a family Fear Factor game.  We also visited Big Spring and Mesa Falls.  It was a lot of family and fun.

 He was determined to get in that water...

 He claimed this little stump as his personal seat at the little house at Big Spring.

 Trying to get everyone set for a family photo.

Walking down to Mesa Falls with Aunt Kimme and Uncle Andrew.

 Cheese!

 He was throwing a fit because I told him he had to stay on the grass.  He threw his hat on the ground and pitched a little tantrum.  It lasted a good 2 minutes and I couldn't resist taking a couple pictures.

 He had to touch every one of those chains.

 Jumping on the little trampoline we found in our closet at Grandma's house.

  It was a fun vacation and really good to see everyone again!  Can't wait til next year!

A Visit to The Utah Wolff's & the McElprang Reunion

The first weekend in May (I know, a whole month ago... It's been a little crazy around here lately) we were able to make a trip just south of the Salt Lake area.  We got to visit AJ's sisters who live in the area and see his Mom and Dad before they headed way back North.  Joseph hadn't seen them since last summer and we're so glad they were still around to hang out with.  We even got to see my newest nephew.  He's a cutie and I snatched up all the cuddle time with that little snuggle bug I could get.  They blessed him at home and AJ got to stand in the circle, after a brief stop at the Distribution Center and Kohl's for some dress clothes.  We didn't know they were going to bless him, so we didn't take any.  It was great to get to see some of the family again.  We say every time we visit that someday it'll be home...  Someday...

Friday through Sunday, my mom's side of the family held a reunion in Murray.  We got to see even more family. They all got to meet Joseph and his fun little personality.  It was nice to see everyone again.

We're IN!

We're here in out new place!  We still have a bunch of boxes all over the place and still find ourselves winding through mazes in different rooms.  Joseph's room (I LOVE that he has his own room!) is coming along.  The kitchen is mostly done.  Our room, the bathroom, the laundry room, the pantry and the family still need some work.  Ugh.  AJ has been traveling a lot lately and that leaves me with two hours a day to unpack without my little "helper".

We are enjoying having our own space.  And having Grandma and Grandpa just across town is really great.  I love running my castle again.  We are super grateful that we were able to live with my parents and that Joseph got to know Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Andrew and Aunts Kimme and Kaiti so well.  Well, I better get back to unpacking... it's nap time, after all.

BIG NEWS!

It's official!  WE'RE MOVING!  We've been working on this for about a month.  We'd applied at one place and they just drug everything out for weeks and weeks.  It got to the point that we didn't even care if we got the apartment anymore, we just wanted an answer!  Well, when we finally got the answer, it is was "no".  We were a little disappointed, of course.  But at least we weren't stuck in Limbo anymore.

Last Saturday we went and saw several places.  We liked a few of them, but there weren't any that we just loved, for what ever reason (layout, price, utilities, quality, ect).  On our way to yet another showing, we happened upon some women stuck on the off-ramp.  AJ, being the ever-gallant hero, stopped to help them.  While he was helping, I checked craigslist again, mostly to kill some time while I waited.  I found a new listing that wasn't there twenty minutes before when we'd left the house.  It was actually right in the same area (just across the main road).  AJ finished helping the stranded women (actually, we dropped one of them off at the gas station and she insisted she'd walk back... so we have no idea what happened to them) and went to our original destination.  After we were done there, we decided to drive over and just check it out.  We drove around a bit and then decided to call on it and try to set an appointment up to see it.  Well, it was date night for the lady who had listed the property.  How about Monday?  AJ had a business trip starting Monday.  Joseph and I went with him.  So, Monday was a no-go.  We practically begged to see it before we left, and she acquiesced.

We saw it Sunday evening.  We filled out an application and put down a deposit.  We emailed a signed lease Monday afternoon before we left.  We get the keys on Monday and Tuesday is MOVING DAY!  WOO HOO!  A much better experience than waiting a month just for an answer!  I'm now procrastinating any and all packing (hoping that if I wait long enough, it'll pack itself)...

Our new home has brand new hardwood floors, granite counter tops in the kitchen, brand new carpets, and a brand new washer and dryer.  It's going to be so wonderful to have our own space again.  We are eternally grateful that my parents have been so hospitable and welcoming, but it will be great to have Joseph in his own room and to have a kitchen again.  I've missed my dishes!  =]  I don't have photos yet, but you better believe they are coming.  And you can always hop on over to While He Was Napping to watch my adventures in decorating this place.

Can I get a WOO HOO!?!

Some Photos... and an Update

I know I haven't posted here in like FOREVER, but the sad thing is I really don't have anything to post about.  AJ is currently at the beginning of Phase II of a two phase Army Training for truck driving.  So, he has been spending his days with the US Army and his nights here at home with us.  Definitely a lot better than a month across the country or something, but it has made for some long days for him.

Joseph is still growing.  Not so much up or out, but his brain just seems to have explode.  His vocabulary increases every day.  He is developing quite the sense of humor and loves to tease.  Yesterday I was working on a project.  He came over and told me, "Mom!  Cool!"  That's one of his new favorite words.  My personal favorite in elephant.  And purple.  'Elephant' isn't really distinguishable, but when he sticks his tongue out and says "blaherblan" that's what he means.  My brother, Andrew, came home from his mission at the end of January.  He and Joseph are quite the buddies.  Joseph has also become Grandpa's little shadow.  He asks for "Papa" at least three times a day.

I'm just doing the mommy thing.  And loving every minute of it.  Well, not every minute... Joseph has picked up a habit of screaming when he gets frustrated or upset.  He then gets a time out... which I'm not sure he really gets the purpose of yet.  He did ask me "what I do?" the last time I gave him one though, so maybe he is learning. 

Joseph is that big ol' blur daddy's throwing around.  Joseph LOVES it.

Meeting Uncle Andrew for the first time.