*Elder Curtis' 6 Month Mark!

Today marks Danny's 6 month mark since he officially entered the MTC. He is now serving in Seoul Korea & lovin' it. He's told us some funny stories like when him & his companion rescued a lady being attacked by a squirrel! Seriously..I know it sounds like a SNLive skit, but knowing Danny..his like IS a SNL skit. Also he said that the local kids kept sneaking in their apt. when they were out & would steal their shoes for fun, although returning them later. The Korean people love the elders & he says they are sometimes bowed to as they are passed in the streets. We sure hope he keeps safe over there right now. *Oh how we miss our Danny but know he's where he is supposed to be!

*Happy 1st Birthday Ethan

Today is my little nephew Ethan's 1st Birthday! We got to watch him for a few days last week when his Mom & Dad spent a couple days in California. (We swapped babysitting duty when we got back from NY.) Ethan was happy as pie as long as his "Auntie Mama" (Me) was holding him...& holding him & holding him. Wow Steph you're amazing! You must have bigger arm muscles than me! Here's a couple pictures of his "Pre-Party" we had for him while he was here. He's back now in Idaho Falls & we already miss him:( Anyways, we love our little Ethan Man & wanted to wish him a very Happy 1st Birthday!

*I just LOVE pictures:)

Yesterday Kristal came & took some pics of the kids. Daylan had just had a terrible 2's tantrum right before & Spence was anxious to play with friends who were waiting in the hallway, so the boys didn't really cooperate. But she caught some of these cute pics of Kaylea on her bed. After that we had "craft day" here at my house with Vonda (Kristal's Sis) & Koe (from E.A.) and we made these fun memory boards.

*Our trip to New York

*Well here's a little blib of our trip this past week to New York. We spent some time in Manhattan @ Ground Zero, shopping & went to some Broadway shows. We also went up to Palmrya to visit the church sites there including The Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah Pageant. These were the most spiritual highlights of the trip. Niagra Falls was the last part of our vacation. We had an awesome room with a view & got to go on this scary water rapids ride!

*Oh..those Life Lessons

**Ok- So this must be the month for "Broken things." To add to the list with my broken laptop & camera; Yesterday in the Walgreens parking lot when I was trying to back out of a parking spot, our Escalade just stopped working! It just broke. It wouldn't go in Reverse, so I had to go into neutral (but it wouldn't show me what gear I was in, which was scary) just to get out of the parking spot. I called roadside assistance & while turning the car off/on again 4 times, it worked enough to let me get home. -another prayer answered by my "faithful"son Spence-

*The other faith promoting story happened last week when we were driving back as a family (in a rental car) from Rexburg to SLC. While Tim was on the phone with an important business call, we failed to notice we had NO GAS left. Suddenly we began to putt-putt in the fast lane. We carefully went over 2 lanes to the shoulder & putted our way up the exit ramp. I said "Ok kids -say a prayer!.." As I looked up I heard Tim say: "I think it's already been answered." There was a gas station about 1/2 mile away. Tim ran his fastest as we sat in the hot car. Daylan was asleep & had been throwing up earlier that day. I was scared that he might get REALLY sick in that hot car. As Spencer/Kaylea both prayed simultaneously for the "Wind" they said...it soon came & so did my tears. I called my Mom for some more comfort & while still at the Reunion, all their prayers were with us. Within a short time, I saw my little Timmy running back in the record Idaho heat with a red gas can...More tears came.

*As we completed the drive back to the airport, & after seeing "Zero" more gas stations right off an Exit ramp, I realized something; an important lesson. In my mind I began to compare "Life lessons" (could be the little annoying trials OR the BIG ones) to teaching my kids how to swim. I had a lightbulb moment.
**In order for our kids to learn how to SWIM, they must struggle 1st in order to LEARN. It's hard for us as parents to not just reach in there & save them from the struggle. BUT we know as parents in order for them to really learn for THEMSELVES, they must first STRUGGLE. Although the struggle, we as PARENTS are standing right above them making sure they don't drowned! **I believe our Heavenly Father does the SAME with us!-He lets us struggle so we can learn, but then catches us before we drowned!**

*The Curtis' in Idaho Falls

This is my Fam in front of the Falls & the Idaho Falls Temple. (taken on the *4th of July*)Everyone was there except Danny (better known currently as Elder Curtis) That day we of course went to the parade, walked around the downtown booths, went to Marcus' parents house for some fun on the boat in their backyard lake & then watched the fireworks that night out on the blanket just outside our hotel room. A Fun Day:-)

*4th of July in Idaho Falls

*-We traveled to Idaho Falls, (where my sister Steph lives) for the 4th of July. These were taken of the kids at the morning parade. They spent some quality time with their cousin Ethan!



* "Our Country 'tis of Thee... Sweet Land of Liberty"


- Later in the week we went to Rexburg where we attended our Curtis Family Reunion! My family saw cousins we hadn't seen in years! (pictures coming soon--from my Mom's camera.-mine broke)
-Is it me or is my Mom making a gang sign in the background? :0 hehe

*Laguna Beach (May '07)

*Ok so I just learned how to do this whole slideshow thing...still learning.:/
These are a couple pics back from May when we went to Laguna Beach to visit Tim's parents & little sisters.