McCurdy Family Reunion

So, I have two weeks to catch up on... we took a family vacation to Idaho the last week in June and the first couple weeks in July. It was great to get to see so many friends and family, but we were definitely ready to come back to our space, our stuff, and our routines. So... Part 1, here we go:

McCurdy Family Reunion

My dad's side of the family has a family reunion every year. We missed last year's, due to the fact that I was 9 months pregnant and as big as a barn. This year we all gathered in Grace, ID and on Monday we made our way down to Downata Hot Spring. We had a reunion here a few years ago (actually the summer AJ and I started dating...) and it was fun to go back with Joseph. Crazy how much changes in just a few years!

On Tuesday, AJ and I went up 4-wheeling with my dad, sister, aunt, and uncle. It was fun to just get away, but we were excited to get back and go swimming. We took Joseph over for a bit and he L.O.V.E.D. playing in the water. Because it was a hot spring, it was more like a ginormous bath tub, but Joseph loves bath time.

Wednesday, we went up to the top of Mt Baldy. Apparently, my great-grandpa used to hike up there every year. It was kinda cool and pretty neat that you could see Grace from the top. AJ enjoyed bouncing around and off-roading. We got back to the campground and it was our night to cook dinner, so we hurriedly did that.

Thursday, was our last day and so we cleaned up and took everything down and drove back to Grace. We all just hung out the rest of the day. It was fun to get to hang out with the family. We hadn't seen some of them in over a year.

On top of Mount Baldy... all covered in cheese.  OK not really.

"Wow... I'm WAAY up here.  Much higher than when I stand up."

Joseph and Daddy.  Going on a hike.

Yes, that is snow they are standing on.  And threatening to throw.

Not sure if he was screaming in delight or displeasure.

I know, what WERE we thinking?!?

The caravan back down the mountain.

Joseph was playing with Kimme.  He is such a little tease.

All that playing called for a nap.  Which was a miracle he took, the road was SO bouncy!

Need an Invite?

Joseph's blog has gone private. If you didn't get an invite and would like one, let me know. I will need your email address 'cause I don't have it... that's why you didn't get an invite in the first place. Sorry!

My Newest Venture

I know it probably seems like I can't stick to one thing for very long, but the truth of the matter is that there is soo much I want to try! Here is my newest venture.

Check it out!


I'm having a special right now. A FREE 1 hour session. Let me know if you're interested. The only stipulation is that I can use the photos for advertising and in my portfolio. What a great chance to update the photos on the living room wall for FREE!

We Have A Walker

I no longer have a little baby! I cant believe how quickly they grow up. Today Joseph took his first steps. AJ was sitting on the couch and Joseph had a hold of his pant leg. Joseph let go, turned around, took a step, stopped and stood there for a second, turned back around and grabbed onto AJ's pants again like it was no big thing. He was a little startled that we got so excited about it. But, it didn't take him long to get excited about it too. He's still pretty unsteady and only takes about 4-5 steps at a time by himself, but I'll give the kid a break. He has only been walking for two hours after all.

These aren't his actual first steps, but still fun to see nonetheless.



ps... if you received two emails on this subject, I apologize. I posted it on our blog as well as Joseph's blog. It was too exciting not to.

Photo Shoot

Meet Kyla.

She graduates from High School next month and she let me take her Senior pictures.

Isn't she gorgeous?!?

Congratulations Kyla and the Class of 2010!






Now I need someone else to take pictures of...

Family Home Evenings

So, I don't know why or where it came from but I had this idea... Ok, actually I do know where it came from. We were pretty good about doing FHE for the first several months after we got married, but once AJ was unemployed (the first time) we were spending so much time together, any semblance of routine went out the window. And then we had a baby... ha... by the time AJ got home from work on Mondays I just wanted to relax. Then we moved. My parents and sisters were doing a little better, but there wasn't a planned lesson or anything. So... I had an idea! Pre-made Family Home Evenings! And since I was spending the time to make them up, why not share them? I've spent quite a bit of time working on it, but it's been fun. There are lessons for almost every situation. There aren't a ton of ideas yet, but I've only been working on it for like 2 weeks. As well as doing everything else that is involved in my crazy life. However, I suggest you CHECK IT OUT and give me any feed back... I'd love to hear it.


www.familyhomeeveningsmadeeasy.blogspot.com

Miss Kaiti

She's not a big fan of having her picture taken, but when Kimme was getting hers done she decided that she wanted a turn too. So, here are a few of Miss Kaiti.

Kimme's Senior Pictures

So, Kimme will be a senior next year. We kinda cheated and took a few "senior pictures" last Thanksgiving when we were in Arizona. We weren't entirely sure when we'd get another chance to take them... that was before we even had a thought about living in the same house... Anyways, enjoy!

Once Upon A Time...

Once upon a time this girl had an idea... to check out this idea click HERE. Keep in mind it's in the very beginning stages, but hopefully you'll get the general idea. I'd love any feedback.

As If My Plate Isn't Already Full...

So, I have this idea... Uh-oh, I know... I'm not gonna spill the beans on it yet, but I'll give you some hints and maybe pique your interest.

It would be an awesome help for LDS mommas. And maybe daddies too.
It would definitely take some time, but will absolutely be worth the time for years to come.
And it would be beneficial for families of all sizes... at least if I get it set up the way I really want to... but that will take some time as well.

We'll see how far I get with this. I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday, AJ!

Yesterday was AJ's 26th birthday. His celebration was actually spread out over a few days. Our San Diego trip was partly for his birthday, partly a second honeymoon, and partly a last hurrah if he has to deploy at the end of this year. Unfortunately, it didn't happen at the most ideal time... we were literally in the middle of moving... but it was nice to have the time together, even if we were both a little more stressed than we would have liked to have been. We promised we would get back there within a year though, hopefully with a little more money to do the things we had originally planned before AJ lost his job. San Diego is a fantastic vacation spot for military families!

I made AJ a cake... well, 54 of them actually. Cupcakes that is. I wanted to try my hand at some decorating. It was fun, but a lot of work... I literally spent all day baking, creating and decorating.

Aeral view, sans fake candles.
Profile view with fake candles.

This might seem a little girly, but when I thought of it I was thinking Spring-y... not girly.

Sunflowers are 'our flower'... so this had a little significance to it... plus, AJ wanted the Oreos.

All the candles lit. I couldn't have planned it better, every single cupcake had a candle in it, be it fake or real... except the cupcakes with the writing on them.

We ate the cupcakes Wednesday. I had made them Tuesday, with the intention of celebrating them because my mom, grandma and aunt were leaving the next day for the weekend. I didn't get decorating the cupcakes til rather late and at that point no one wanted cake. We thought about waiting til Thursday, but the 'cake itch' had set in and just looking at them was rather torturous. So, we gave in.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

I love you!

It's Official, We're Here!

We're here in Nevada now... but 95% of our stuff is still in boxes. I just don't have the willpower to make myself unpack them. But, it's beginning to frustrate me that I can't find our stuff... there are sooo many darn boxes and they all look the same! Although I'm not really sure where to put all of our stuff... 8 people in 4 bedrooms is a bit squishy... especially when there is 3 in ours. Granted, we do have the biggest of the rooms.

I have some catching up to do. AJ and I took a trip to San Diego last week. It was great and a very much needed vacation. But, that post may easily be a long one so it will have to wait. We had a blast though.

We spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the car... we drove at least 500 miles each day! We were so glad yesterday that we didn't have to sit all day!

Joseph isn't really sure if mommy is here to stay... he spent the last two weeks or so with Grandma B while Mom and Dad moved everything and spent day after day in the car. He seems to have a little bit of separation anxiety, which he's never struggled with before. Hopefully, after he realizes that Mom and Dad are here to stay, he'll relax and it won't be a serious trauma each time we leave.

My next few days will be full of unloading boxes... wish me luck!

We're Moving

The good news: AJ has a JOB! The bad news: We have to spend the next few weeks putting everything we own in boxes, packing those into various vehicles, driving nearly 600 miles, and taking it all out of those boxes or putting them in storage.

That's right... We're moving. Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it's off to Reno we go...
It'll be nice to be so much closer to Grandma and Grandpa McCurdy, but we're gonna miss our friends here in Pocatello. It's been nice that we've all been at the same places in life right around the same time. We have kids all within 3 months of age, and it's been fun to let our kids learn to interact with other kids. We'll miss the family that is here too. We don't get to see them as much as we might like. I am excited to get my piano back though. And other places to shop than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart can only satisfy so many needs.

Here's to new adventures in life! May we make the most of what we have and create treasured memories to reflect back upon in all seasons of our lives. Here's to the next season... May it be great!

Check It Out!!

Check out Joseph's new page!  Click on the "All Things JOSEPH" tab in our navigation bar under our header.  Or if that's too complicated just click HERE.

And I'm gonna toot my own horn a little and brag that I designed the background and the header all by myself.  I think they look awesome!  If you'd be willing to let me experiment  with your blog, let me know... I'd love to play with it. 

P.S.  I know I'm a few days behind.  I'm working on it.

Unemployment...

So, the company AJ was working for suddenly shut down and now he has no job...  It was rather sudden and unexpected.  A week and a half ago he got a text message while he was at Drill telling him how they'd shut down and were now all unemployed.  Hummm.... how to pay the bills?  I guess we will find out...  Wish us luck

I finally did it!

I've been wanting to add a navigation bar to our blog for a while now... well, like a week maybe.  I couldn't find any basic, technical instructions to do it though.  It's not an easy process, you need to understand a little bit about html code... which is not a simple thing either, and then there are several steps.  After spending several hours yesterday, I finally got our navigation bar done!  AND it actually WORKS!!!  I'm still tweaking to get it like I want it, but for the most part, I'm very happy with it!  Woo-Hoo!  Check it out, play with all my pages!

Guess What!?!

So, Blogspot has added this cool, new little feature... Pages!!!  Why is this cool?  Well, now I don't have to have six different blogs, I can just make a new page and wah-laa.  It's got it's own little tab right underneath our page header.  All you have to do is click on it and bam!  You're there!  I'm very much in love with the new addition.  Especially since one whole page is devoted to Joseph, Joseph, Joseph!  And I don't have to feel like one of those crazy moms that only ever talks about her kids.  He's got his page where I talk about him, if you don't care, don't read it.  Simple as that!  It's awesome.  You can add up to 10 pages.  I have 3 of them right now... I'm sure more will come.  Enjoy!

I Scratched

I scratched my shoe shopping itch... I have four new pairs of shoes and a new "Mom and Joseph" purse.  It's big enough for a small outing without being huge and heavy.  I can put a couple diapers, wipes, a bottle, a binky and a couple toys, as well as all my "mom" stuff in it. 

Our new TV and surround sound system is all set up, although I still don't know how to control all of it.  I did several loads of laundry (unfortunately, it isn't finished yet, but eventually I'll get there).  And I put up the 'flower garden' in our half bath under the mirror like I've been wanting to FOREVER!  I'm quite happy with it.  I'd call it a successful day!  Now, if I could just get some decent sleep my life would be perfect.

Suzie Seamstress

I spent the day hemming new pants...  It's AMAZING how clothes, and clothes that fit, can make you feel good.  I dunno, maybe it's the "What Not to Wear" binge I've been on lately.  However, since having Joseph I've also accepted the fact that I have a new "mom" body shape too.  My hips are the biggest change, they are curvier than they used to be...  my size 6's aren't quite cutting it anymore... so up a size I reluctantly go.  My loving husband patiently waited while I tried on pair after pair after pair of pants on a trip to Idaho Falls.  The women's pants came up to my boobs almost, they came up waay higher in the torso than I was hoping for; while all the junior's pants were all skinny jeans.  I have way too much thigh to wear a skinny jean.  It was an experience and I can understand why some women don't like to go shopping.  Anyway, I hemmed up the 5 new pairs of pants I did find and I feel super awesome!  I'm kinda feeling an itch for shoe shopping though...

However, we got a new TV...  I doubt that will work for shoes, but I may have to try my hardest not to scratch the shoe itch ('cause the TV wasn't free) at least for a while........ Wish me luck, if you know me, you know I have a weakness for shoes.

The Best Two Years...

I can't believe AJ and I have been married for 2 years already!  We've accomplished a lot more in two years than I had planned.  We didn't think we'd have kids quite this soon, but we both started itching for little pitter-pattering feet and then there was that institute class... it was a hopeless cause.  I love being a mom and wouldn't change it for the world, most days anyways.  Our anniversary was on Monday,  My cousin and her hubby were kind enough to babysit for us the Friday before.  It was the first real date we'd had since the beginning of August!  I miss our date nights.  I miss being able to say, "hey, let's go do..." and just going and doing.  Now we have to pack a diaper bag, carseat a baby and preheat the car.  As AJ once put it, "It's an ordeal."  And I'll admit I got upset that he said that.  I'm going to blame hormones 'cause I'm a woman and I can.  Sometimes, I wish we had more family a little closer.  You can only ask people to babysit so often before they want to be paid for it... and let's face it, we can't afford a regular sitter.  Grandma would say 'yes' more than some... it's just a grandma thing.  But, I'm not complaining, not really.  Just wishfully thinking.  Sometimes it would be nice to have some time with just my husband, especially since we don't have a ton of it left.

Anyways, we went to a delicious dinner... we filled up on drinks, popcorn and sticky fingers.  We had to bring the entrees and dessert home for later.  We were going to see a movie but they had all already started or wouldn't start for another hour or two.  That was later than we wanted to make our sitters stay so we took the seats out of the back of our Jeep and threw in some blankets, hot cocoa and a laptop loaded with movies.  We found an out-of-the-way side road and settled to watch one of the funnier movies I've seen in a long time... although I could've done without so much language and dirty talk.  But it seems like all the movies these days are like that.  It was actually a lot of fun.  And we really needed the time off from being parents to just be married.  It was awesome.  Thanks so much, Heather and Jeremiah!

We have a Valentine's Day tradition.  Since Valentine's Day is on Sunday and AJ has to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday we did it on Tuesday to make sure it got done.  Since our anniversary is so close to Valentine's we are pretty laid back about this holiday.  We go to the store, agree on a set dollar amount and then split up and get each other gifts.  I love this tradition because I don't have to stress about covering both our anniversary and Valentine's Day.  It's great.  And it's fun to sneak around the store, I mean Wal-Mart is only so big.  Our gifts are random, but fun.  This year I got a cake plate (I've been wanting one for a year and a half), champagne glasses (they are our fancy glasses when we have special dinners... and I broke one of the two we had last week), a cake mix and frosting... for my cake plate.  Not really a typical Valentine's Day gift set, but it's totally us and I love it. 

This month I've been doing the ABC's of Love.  Each letter gives some way for me to show AJ that I love and appreciate him.  For example, A was for aphrodisiac.  He got chocolate dipped strawberries and a risque note in his lunch he took to work.  R is for Robe, he didn't have one and we both thought he needed one.  It's been fun to surprise him each day.  It isn't always really romantic, but it gives me a chance to remember what a fantastic man he is and how much I love him.  I really am not looking forward to next year... but hopefully the extra effort this year will stretch and it won't be so terrible. 

So, here's to the past two years and the eternity to come.  The great times, the not-so-great times, and the awful times.  Here's to falling in love every day, always with my knight in shining armor.  Here's to the man that catches me each time I fall.  The father of my children, my soulmate, my eternal companion, my lover, my best friend, my husband.