Picture Day 2010

It was picture day, and I won't say which ones, but I hope some of the professional pictures don't turn out like the ones I took at home. We were trying to practice smiling, and some weren't in the mood at 7:45 am.

Angle Orchard- Labor Day- 09/06/10

We picked lots of peaches and lots of apples. Now I just have to decide what to do with them.

James Turns 3

We swam and grilled to celebrate James' third birthday. James came to the party late because he needed a nap, but he had a good time once he got there. This child is so entertaining. I love his energy and enthusiasm. And he has great facial expressions. I remember his birth, I think, more vividly than the others because just hours after he was born, Alice (Karen and Jared's baby) came along. She would have been 3 today too. I think about her often, and maybe even more now that we lost Jeremiah. Happy Birthday James and Alice!

Zeus

This is Zeus. He's a big horse. A clydesdale. If you want a bouncy ride, he's your ticket.

Soccer 2010

Well, a few weeks into the season and I'm not sure I'm impressed. Lilly and Janna's teams/coaches seem to be doing okay. Bob's and Abbey and Emma's not so much. One has never played soccer and doesn't know any of the rules, and one is young and too busy texting to pay attention to the game, and constantly yells "SHUT UP!" at the kids. If I have to sign a paper with AYSO saying I will be on my best behavior as a parent, why shouldn't the coaches have to follow the same rules? Practices have been tough with 4 different schedules to keep up with. Thank goodness they put Lilly and Lia on the same team and Cindy has been so helpful getting Lilly to practice. We haven't had games for 2 weeks due to rain and Labor Day, so this Saturday we start again. A long day at the fair grounds it will be. And I'm pretty sure some of the kids will not ask to play soccer again next year.

Mt. Graham 08/14/10

The Saturday after school started, Amy, Cindy and I took the kids up the mountain for a picnic. Some of them whined about bugs the whole time, but it was a nice, relaxing afternoon. Until Brook got a bloody nose that never ended. It finally clotted and stopped bleeding, and as we were ready to leave it started bleeding again. And when we started to leave, my suspicion was confirmed that my van battery was dead. Thank goodness Amy had jumper cables in her car, and we were back on the road. Since then we had to replace the battery, and a fuse because I lost my tail lights/brake lights.

1st Day of School

The kids are liking school so far. Of course it's only been 3 days...

Siblings

Curtis Siblings 08/08/10Cindy-Shona-Kally-Kristi
Chelsey-Dustin-Jay-Kim

I Turned 30

I never posted about my 30th birthday because, well, we were busy..... and stuff. I had a very nice day before my birthday. My parents came from Mesa, and all of Jay's family came over and we swam and ate most of the day. Jay was recently out of the hospital and supposed to be on bed rest, but he emerged to cook some good meat on the smoker. My mom and girls made me a fruit pizza. Cindy make cake for Shona and Kristi's birthdays too. We drove out by the fairgrounds to watch fireworks that night.

My nice neighbor Reyna made me a treat too.

My actual birthday didn't turn out so hot. Well, Jay's knee was hot when we woke up Sunday morning, so I called the doc right away, and he met us at his office. He thought the heat and swelling was due to overuse. Considering Jay swam the day before, I think that's a good assumption. He sent Jay to the hospital for blood work just to be sure there was no infection. On the bright side, after 11 years of marriage, we finally know Jay's blood type (I requested to have it checked). We missed church except for some of the girls who went with Sean and Cindy. That evening we went to Dustin and Amy's so Jay could rest, and the kids had fun playing there. Thank you all for the phone calls and e-mails. I don't feel any different than I did when I was 29.

Ranch Trip 08/01/10

We drove out to the ranch yesterday. Sean's (our brother-in-law) parents were in town from New York, and I guess they needed a little adventure.

We looked at water tanks

Looked at horses (I swear they're there)

Looked at windmills

Climbed fences

More water tanks

Got completely stuck in the mud due to all the recent rain

Heard THEN saw a rattlesnake. And saw another one later. First one I've ever heard. Seen plenty of dead ones. Alive ones are NOT exciting at all.

Saw a tarantula

Played on the rocks

Fell asleep on each other before we got home (they didn't like the flash)

We drove over all kinds of rocks and bumpy roads with a bulge in the tire. I took the car to the car wash this morning, and this is what my tire looks like now. Time for a new one.

I love this little face!

And she loves lemonade!

Dead Teeth

I hope these 2 front teeth fall out soon. They're not even loose, but months ago when she tripped on the stairs she hit them pretty hard, and they've been turning gray ever since. So attractive.