Club Curry

Fall, glorious Fall...

2011-11-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Esther Short Park

Fort Vancouver Park

Forest Park

A little Charlie Brown...

2011-11-07T16:48:00.001-08:00

What is Halloween without a special Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin night? Chris had to work, so the girls and I celebrated the beginning of the holiday season by making pizza, having a special dinner together, and making pumpkin bread, and watching the Charlie Brown special. I LOVE this time of year! It makes me happy :)

Halloween 2011

2011-11-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Peter Pan and Wendy were this years picks! I was so happy that they chose something other than a disney princess!

The whole clan! We had Millers, Ehlers and Wagners over for soup, salad and biscuits before we went out and bombarded doorsteps with our 10 children!

Wendy from behind :) I just think this shot is so cute!

Ella is gettin into the spirit of Halloween!

The Whiteboard

2011-11-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

So Annabelle was given a whiteboard for her 7th birthday last January, and I think it was the perfect gift for her! My 7 yr old loves to communicate her feelings amongst other things by written word. She tends to do her whiteboard messaging after she goes to bed, so it has been fun to be surprised the next morning with her messages and drawings! Which range from math problems to sweet notes written to her mama that I will forever treasure :-) I made cookies with the girls a couple weeks ago, and that is the night Annabelle wrote her note to me. It is so easy to please these little ones! She was delighted that we made cookies together, and made sure to tell me on the whiteboard.

Yet another phase of life....

2011-11-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

So I have now graduated from toddlerhood to school age! Completely bittersweet. My baby began Kindergarten in September, and now there is no going back :/ I am so happy for her, as she was beyond excited to go to school with her big sis! But it is new territory for sure. I am realizing I have to figure out where my place is too. I have thought maybe I would go back to school for a masters in counseling (I currently have a bachelors in health education). But then reality hit that I really only have about 2.5 hours to myself each day as Kindergarten is only half day. So this year is going to be spent doing less, being home with my Kindergartner, volunteering in their classrooms, and spending more time at the gym :) I am so thankful that this transition is gonna be slow and not drastic. And next year? Who knows. Maybe I will do the same thing. I am trying not to hurry out of motherhood and into career-hood. Although I know someday I will want to go back to work, I want my family to take first priority. So we will see if God continues to allow me to stay home, and just take one year at a time! All I gotta say, is that God is good. Chris continues to work from home, allowing me to work in a friends cake shop twice a week from 10-3, so I could bring in a little extra income :) It has been really nice to get out of the home and do a little something different, in a quiet, calm environment, and then neat to see how God blessed us with the income we needed and schedules that work out.

Beach time!

2011-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

We purchased a groupon for Newport Aquarium tickets, as did our friends the Ross's, so a beach trip was therefore in order! We stayed at a place a little south of Newport called Waldport. Not much to Waldport, but who needs much really when you have the Ocean! The house was really nice, although when we got there, all the beds were unmade, and had clearly been slept in. So, we had to do a little laundry, but are getting our housekeeping fee back! It was a really relaxing trip, and the kids had their own little bunkroom with pingpong table and big screen tv....and adults rooms downstairs, plus it was a beachfront place. We enjoyed quality time with friends, played lots of Dominoes, hung out on the beach for a bit (it was pretty chilly), enjoyed a trip to the Aquarium, and did a lot of laundry.... :-) We for happy to get away and put our toes in the sand for a bit!

Annabelle...creating with shells :)

Annabelle, Ella R, Ella C, Tobin...gettin their feet wet!

Girls!

Chris and I, and our infamous, one-armed shot :)

All the sleepy kiddos...sometime in the 7:00 am hour...

All of us (minus Chris who is taking the pic), at the Aquarium

Jelly Fish

Little miss cutie pie Ella ;)

These three sharks all converged and ran into each other! The sharks are definitely the best part of the Aquarium.

Annabelle!

Cali vacation 2011!

2011-08-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

This was the highlight of my summer so far! Such a treat to be with all my siblings for a week. We had a lot of fun together, eating, wine tasting, and playing. Not a bad life at all. Although, all good things do come to and end, and that happened for us in Roseburg, OR. We were almost home, on the last 4 hours of the trip, when after our lunch stop to McDonalds, the car refused to start. So, after some deliberation and frustration, we surrendered and called a tow truck and booked a night at the Super 8 in Roseburg. God is good though, we got the CRV into a Honda repair shop that morning and he had us out by 11! The girls consequentially thought that Hotel stay was the best part of the trip! Hmmm. I guess adventures are what these little ones live for :)

Varenyky making night. MMMM. SO. GOOD.

Mario's Ristorante Italiano!

A little nature....

My Belle :)

Mom and Jay, after Jay finished the San Fran marathon!

Jay, me and Bethany

Chris and Annabelle, enjoying a Mexican Brunch in San Francisco

Bethany, me, Chris and the girls

Two little girls, dipping their feet in Grandma's pond :)

Chris and I, wine tasting with Jay and Megan

Snow Cone!

Family pic at Mario's

My mom and siblings :)

Mom and Belle being silly!

Smores!!

Berry picking fun!

2011-08-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

Mother in law visit- aka- Grandma Precious!

2011-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Chris' mom, Leslie is living in Morocco, and couldn't take it anymore, so she had to come visit her grandbabies :) She came for a week in July, and we had lots of rest and relaxation, plus some fun too!

Moroccan scarves for the girls :)

Fun with tata at Lake Vancouver :)

Pretty Pretty Princess with Grandma

Lunch at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland

Grandma and Belle

Grandma and Ella

A little bowling fun

Bowling fun with Tata and Kevin!

Ballet galore!

2011-08-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

So we enrolled Annabelle in ballet at the beginning of the school year, as she was asking for a dance class. And Ella we enrolled in a ballet class mid-year, as she was just plain bored, and needed something of her own since she was not yet in school. So, we did a lot of driving to and fro on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then recital season came upon us, and it was pure madness. Seriously. Pictures, and rehearsals, and more rehearsals, and dress rehearsals. Then, the recital, which after all the rehearsals, you feel like you have already done it all! But, man, how fun it is to watch those beautiful little girls dance with a huge smile on their faces, on stage. It was a crazy, but fun experience. :)

14 years of wedded bliss....

2011-08-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe it hasn't all been bliss. But it is true that it gets better and better each year. We enjoy each other immensely, and savor each and every date we get. My favorite date so far is the pedicab experience where we were pedaled around downtown Portland to a few breweries for beer tastings and dinner. I am so happy to say that after 14 years, we still like each other ;) For this anniversary,my day started out with a dozen roses and a sweet card, then in the evening we went to a place in Portland we hadn't been before called "Grain and Gristle". Great place. They had an interesting menu, and good food. Wasn't the most romantic place, but I guess they can't all be, especially if we are working within our budget! Then we went to Belmont station (beer store), for Chris to get his anniversary gift(s) :) And lastly ended up at Rimsky's coffeehouse for some coffee and dessert. Cheers to another year as Mrs. Curry!

Had to add this pic b/c it shows a great man who plays pretty, pretty princess with his girls, and isn't afraid to put on some pink jewelery. I love who Chris Curry has become :)

I just can't get enough red roses. Love them!

A Hoppy Passion

2011-08-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well this man of mine has had many passions in our life together, and has pursued many hobbies. This is what happens when you are a lifetime student of learning anything and everything! Well, I have never seen Chris more passionate about any other hobby. Making beer completes him in a way no other hobby has. It really is fun to watch him do something he enjoys so much. He gets a chance to be creative and to create, and then enjoy the fruits of his labor! His first beer was a wheat beer, very light and crisp, which I also enjoyed! He just bottled his second beer, an IPA. I am sure our garage will slowly transform into a brewery over the next few years. But hey, it really is a small price to pay for a content and fulfilled husband :)

Look at that giddy man, stirring his first ever homebrew :)

Cooking the hops in our kitchen. NOT a good smell! He has now purchased an outdoor burner, and I am so thankful for that!

This is the pail it sits in while in ferments....in our closet :)

The little one is 5!

2011-08-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well, our little one has hit the 5 year milestone mark! She had a very mac n cheesey birthday, with a big park party with all her friends, mac n cheese and hotdogs, rootbeer floats, and more mac n cheese for dinner, then we roasted some marshmallows to finish out a fun day! She still doesn't feel 5 to me. But she is my baby, and I am in a bit of denial. I am pretending like I am not gonna have to put her on a schoolbus in September! More blogging to come on those emotions. But for now, we will just party :)

Ella is enjoying her birthday cereal :)

Her friend Timmy got her mac n cheese for her birthday. What a smart boy....he knows
the way into this girls affections!

Makin a 5 year old birthday wish!

A birthday pic with her sis

A finish to a really great day for little miss Ella Curry!

He IS Risen!

2011-04-25T15:34:00.001-07:00

Another great Easter celebrating our risen Lord with family. We thoroughly enjoyed a very worshipful church service, a delicious meal, egg hunting all over the house and homemade carrot cake.

The whole fam after church

Two very excited girls!

Sisters, walking down to check out their Easter surprises together :) My personal fave!

Annabelle checkin out the goods!

Ella...deep in thought about where to look for the next egg

Annabelle is wasting no time at all.

Uncle Kevin is playing a little Annabelle guitar :)

My Alton Brown carrot cake. Pretty delicious!

Ella finding treasures.

This girl loved the scalloped potatoes so much that she licked the spoon...

Me and my girls!

Refreshed!

2011-03-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

So I got the privilege of spending a very stormy and wet weekend in the Coastal California Redwoods at Mt. Gilead's Women's Retreat with my mom for the second year in a row. It is such a blessing in my life, as I have shared before. The place where I grew up in my faith and met my husband. Gilead is the place where I am convinced that Jesus lives :) . So, I will try to go every year that God allows! This year was all about healing fractured relationships, accepting grace and believing the truth that God loves me just the way I am. The two things that were pounded into my brain were: "Jesus knows me, this I love", and to "get out of my own way", so that Christ can use me! I cannot do this life successfully without him. Some great reminders for me. I also was extremely encouraged by listening to women share their struggles and faith journey's. I got to reconnect with some old friends also! Mom and I had a wonderful time together too :) I feel refreshed, focused and incredibly grateful for my life and circumstances. God. Is. Good.

After a crazy storm on Sunday evening, somehow, these logs were picked up
and thrown up into the power lines!

More crazy storm aftermath....a tree branch pierced the dining hall awning!

Ruth Burch, Terah Lites and I, all former Mt. Gilead staffers.

Mom and I :)

Sweet Sacrifice

2011-03-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Ok. So lent has not been something that I usually participate in. Kinda like I don't really make New Years Resolutions either. I figure, why set myself up for failure? I know, high expectations eh? The thing is, I am always trying to have more discipline in my life, and it is an ongoing battle. But I felt a desire to give something up this year for the lent season. I have felt particularly lazy and unmotivated recently, with my spiritual walk, and in everyday life, so I gave up the thing I think I am most addicted to, and in the area I am the least disciplined in, which would be eating. I have some sort of sugar fix about 3 times a day, and it's not always a big dessert, but still it adds up (especially since I dump a ton in my coffee every morning). I figured, if I have this desire for sugar, three times a day, then three times a day I can remember why I am not having it, and have found myself thanking God for who he is, and remembering his sacrifice for me, and that I really don't deserve to be alive, much less have a sugar fix. It really is small potatoes, considering the bigger picture, and that others don't even get three meals a day. I am craving sugar, for sure, but so far am enjoying the discipline - go figure!

A good reminder

2011-02-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

Found this lovely reminder on Annabelle's nightstand this morning :)

Birthday Mad Lib

2011-02-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

Seven

2011-02-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

Well, my firstborn is 7. She once again talked her parents into letting her have yet again a slumber party! So Annabelle, Katrina, Emma, Starlena and Siera partied it up on Friday the 4th! It was a pretty jam packed 15 hours of fun. The girls started out making their individual pizzas for dinner, then then we opened gifts, had some strawberry shortcake, did a mad lib, made some bracelets, watched a movie and then bed. Bedtime was a bit of a challenge, but that comes with the whole slumber party package. Everyone started out in the sleeping bags in the loft together, then around midnight, everyone moved to a bed, and wala! That was enough to get them to sleep! I made some choc chip waffles, and eggs for breakfast, and then more bracelet making and yet another movie, before parents came at 10. It was so much fun, I think Annabelle just about burst! It is worth it all to see my little 7 yr. old have the time of her life!

The fab 5!

Some delicious pizza

Happy Birthday shortcake :)

Star got Annabelle a matching Tangles doll

concentrating hard on bracelet making!

A pain in the knee

2011-01-21T14:41:00.000-08:00

So, as I posted earlier, I injured my knee, in a humiliating ice skating fall, where the little kids were zooming up to me on their ice skates asking if I was okay, and if I needed help. And all I could do was curse under my breath, and try not to scream, because it hurt so bad. So I eventually got up, left the ice, only to trip on the rubber flooring on my way to the locker. In any case, I was super happy to put my shoes on. So at the end of the day, I ended up with my own self-diagnosed (well with the help of the internet of course), MCL injury, with a possible PCL injury. It has been about 3 weeks, and I am just now able to extend my leg fully. Man, you really don't want to mess with the knee. The pic below shows the many forms of icing/heating and stabilizing braces I have been wearing for the last three weeks as well. Why not go to the doc? Well, from my research, the doc would need an MRI to tell me what I actually did, and with insurance, that MRI would cost over a thousand dollars! So, I am doing exactly what the internet says to do, and seem to be healing/progressing. So I plan to baby it for another 30 days, and then hopefully get back to running. I have been learning that I cannot rely solely on exercise for my release, and that God's word, and my time with him often get replaced with running. I also have been forced to focus on my diet more carefully, and practice some discipline and restraint there. So as frustrating as it has been to do a whole lot of nothing most of the time, it has taught me some valuable lessons about myself, and has given my hubby an appreciation for all that I do around the house!

Suprise family extravaganza!

2010-12-31T17:39:00.001-08:00

The day begins with taking the girls ice skating for their first time :) This is the ambitious group who has not stepped on the ice yet!

Here is Annabelle having a fabulous time ice skating, with many falls and all, she loved it!

Chris and Annabelle skated for about 2 hours together!

So here are Ella and I, about 45 minutes in, off the ice, as I fell pretty badly on my knee, and Ella bumped her head on the ice. We became the official picture takers.

The girls of course chose McDonalds for lunch, and Ella found a very clever way to
hold her drink :)

And our last stop was the $3 movie theater to watch "Despicable Me". I was happy to put my leg up, and the girls laughed quite a bit. Great family movie! We ended the lovely day with pizza making and yet another movie (Toy Story 3), and then we put two very tired girls to bed :)

Rainy fun

2010-12-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

We spent some time in downtown Portland, rain, cold and all, with Chris' dad and stepmom and sister. It was kinda crowded, and cold for us old people, but the girls had a BLAST, skipping down the street in puddles, walking with umbrella's, riding the MAX train, and being with their family! Oh how I need their perspective more in my life. Thank goodness it is a new year! :)

Christmas 2010

2010-12-31T16:27:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was different for me than ever before. I hosted Christmas this year, and usually when I host, I am completely preoccupied with the details so as to make everyone's Christmas experience a relaxing and fun one, and in the process I lose perspective, and forget that Christmas is time for reflection on Christ's birth, not to mention end up using credit cards so that everything is just perfect! This year, I chose not to do that, and I just let everyone help out with the meal, and details, and it was such a joyful Christmas. Plus, I had my mom and dad and brothers here, we were definately missing my baby sister, but it is not that often that we all get together, and it was in my home. My dad's snoring and all....I wouldn't trade it for the world :-)

Ella and Uncle Ian (my younger brother)

Ella and Tata (Chris' sister)

The girls singing happy birthday to Jesus! A tradition from my childhood :)

My family at my church for Christmas Eve service

The whole family :) I love these people and feel extremely blessed!

decking the halls

2010-12-16T14:12:00.000-08:00

I am really into the Christmas spirit this year, and am loving all the decor and music around me, thus had a pretty fun time sprucing up the house this year! We even put lights on the outside of our house this year...first time ever!

belle my ballerina!

2010-12-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

Annabelle performed in a Christmas, end of the year, ballet performance last Sunday night. It was so much fun to see her out there, perfecting each move. She does everything she attempts so well, and I am incredibly proud to be her mama!

Partying like it's 1975!

2010-12-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

Chris and I went to a friends 40th birthday party 70's style on Friday night, and had a whole lot of fun getting outfits together, and growing special facial hair, etc. Chris still has his mustache and sideburns. I did notice a few looks in the store the other day....although I will not worry unless he starts to drive a windowless van.

So much to do...

2010-11-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

**Note the bottom sentence of Annabelle's to-do list for last weekend: "remind mom and dad to give me a surprise". Yes, she just lost a tooth, and that darn tooth fairy forgot to put money under her pillow 2 nights in a row! This girls parents are just that bad. So bad in fact, that it forces their 6 year old to write a subtle "to-do" list to remind us that we need to get the job done**

Birthday Fun

2010-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

October is always a fun, busy month for Chris and I since we both have October birthdays. This year, we really lived it up with a birthday dinner at HopWorks Urban Brewery in Portland with friends, I got a weekend away with a friend to her beach house on my birthday, and then Chris and I got to go to a cabin right on the Puget Sound in the Seattle area with another couple, this last weekend, thanks to the wonderful friends we have who agree to have our girls overnight (such a blessing, since we don't have grandparents in town!). I forgot to bring my camera to HopWorks Urban Brewery, but we did get to sit in a cool little separate room that was once a vault. But here are some pics of all our fun:

Happy 36th Chris!

Kristin and I in Pacific City, Or

My hot husband, finding lots of clams on the beach

Isn't he a beautiful little guy?! They are ALL over the place on the Puget Sound beach, it was like taking a field trip to the tide pools... we also saw a ton of clams and sand dollars, and even some crabs that were taken back and cooked right up!

This is the gorgeous view of the Puget Sound from our cabin.

Preschool time!

2010-10-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

So Summer and I began a Monday morning preschool routine for our little ones last year, and are continuing on into this year. Addy and Ella are loving the "school" time together :)

All about the beer

2010-10-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

So Chris' latest and greatest hobby has been beer. Not just because he likes to drink lots of it, but because he enjoys experiencing all the many local and international beer flavors there are out there, and pairing them with the right food, etc. Portland is really the best place to do so, short of moving to Germany, which is NOT going to happen anytime soon. Anyhoo, the Curry family went to the Hood River Brew Fest on Saturday, and had a great time. Until 5:30, kids are allowed in, and they had lots of things for the kids to do, and food vendors, etc.

Beers were tasted, faces were painted, live music listened to, and danced to, and I even found a beer that wasn't fruity, that I enjoyed! The kiddos did great, and it was well worth the trip!

My delicious beer (Belgian style Kriek) and my little Hawaiian Belle!

Ella,who looks like she belongs in Avatar, and Annabelle, ready to head to Hawaii!

Nothing like a cute little girl with a blue face, dancing, to grab your attention! :-)

Chris and the little goof ball

Daddy with his girls

Joy of Dance

2010-09-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

God has been gracious, and we were able to enroll Annabelle in ballet 1A with "The Joy of Dance" this Fall. She has had 1 class so far with Miss Tasha Irwin as her teacher! It is really so cool, because Tasha and Danielle Irwin are now running "The Joy of Dance" studio and I got the privlege of seeing The Irwin girls grow in their faith and ballet skills while attending Hinson Church and working with them in the youth group, and they have grown up to be beautiful, talented, God-fearing girls who dance for the Lord, and glorify them in their everyday lives. This is why I chose "The Joy of Dance" for Annabelle. My hope is that as they teach her she will see the benefit of using her talents and gifts for God's glory.

Annabelle's first day

2010-09-09T13:40:00.001-07:00

Annabelle had her first day of first grade at Walnut Grove Elementary School yesterday! She was so excited, she was up at 6 am, reading in her room cause she couldn't sleep. This girl lives to learn and be social, two things that going to school provides. Her favorite thing about this year...well two things: she got Mr. Peterson (her favorite teacher), and she gets to eat lunch at school. She was so proud of herself, the first thing she said to me when she got off the bus, was; "Mom! I ate all my carrots!". You give them a little independence and they prove you proud! I am hopeful that this is the first of many good decisions this little beauty of mine will make :)

Camping in luxury

2010-09-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Annabelle with two of her buddies, Isaiah and Mikayla

All of the kids (minus the 3 Sweeney kids who left a day early)

The whole group

I just followed in suit with Ella...

Kristen, Jenn and I

The Curry family went camping for the first time together as a family over Labor Day weekend. It was a really great time "roughing it" at the Thousand Trails Campground in Chehalis, Wa. If you have never been to Thousand Trails...while yes, we pitched our tent and made our own food, we also had access to a pool, a hot tub, mini-golf, and other fun things for the kids to do. Not so serious camping, but FOR SURE the way to go with kids! We went with our lifegroup and had a grand total of 17 kiddos, 12 adults and one large group campsite, where the kids gleefully rode bikes together, swam, and ate lots of other people's food. Kinda a dream for a kid. It was really a lot of fun, and we really couldn't have asked for better cohesiveness within a group. The kids did fabulously. We even got a compliment from the older couple staying at a campsite across the road from us. Not too shabby!

Daddy's little Lakers fan

2010-09-09T13:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the brightly colored clothing options at Children's Place, Ella can root for her daddy's basketball team, and look stylish. And yes, Ella picked this outfit all on her own too, that is the beauty of it all :)

rockin the 80s in the 00's

2010-08-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah. Annabelle is sportin' the side ponytail today (totally her request), so I put her hair up, and she runs into the bathroom to check it out and comes out struttin' like she is walking the catwalk...then says, "hey Ella come look at my hair". Ella replies: "ooooh". Annabelle says: "is that a good oooh, or a bad oooh?" Ella replies: "a bad oooh."

Toes!

2010-08-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

So we painted Ella's toes for the first time the other morning, a sparkly pink! She was so very excited! We are working towards painting the fingernails, but she has to stop chewing them off first! She has incentive now. I'm hoping it works! At least she has stopped chewing off her toenails. :-/

Fashionista?

2010-08-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

I just had to post a few pics of Ella's recent fashion. She has been all about picking her outfits lately, and we can't help but smile at the awesome creations she comes out of her room wearing :) There are so many more, but here a few that we actually captured on camera...

A blessing to me

2010-08-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

So, as you all know, I like to run, and have been doing so for the last few years pretty consistently. Running to me has been my release, my exercise, my breath of fresh air, and a challenge when I run in races. But it also is time away from my family when I train for a race. This has been a spot of contention in my marriage over the last couple of years, and mostly because my husband did not understand what running means to me, and was not happy with my absence. So as we worked and talked through this rough spot, Chris began to let it go, and at least partially understood why it was so important to me, and became less angry with me for taking runs. This year has been even more amazing, as God has now given my husband a desire to be more healthy, and he has lost 40-50 pounds, by eating healthier and RUNNING! I had secretly hoped that one day I could run with my husband, that he would see the joys of exercising outdoors and that we could do this together. It is hard to get away for runs together with small children, so when my mom came to visit in June we went on our first run together, and I must say, I got a little emotional. I feel like I have a new husband, and it is so wonderful to enjoy running together! Pics of weight loss will come soon :)

California in 2010

2010-07-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

We took our annual trip to Cali this last week, and drove our little family down to Camino,Ca instead of Santa Rosa this year, as Chris' mom and step dad were there with family on a vacation from Morocco. So we spent a week in Camino. Where, you might ask? Up in the foothills of Tahoe (about 45 min from South Lake Tahoe). It was beautiful, and we had a really great time relaxing in the beauty that this small town had to offer, and catching up with Chris' mom and step dad that we haven't seen in a year! Plus some very needed stress-free time together as a family. Not to mention two very gracious hosts: Glen and Gigi Gentilin who let us overtake their home for a week. Our week of adventure included:

Good down time with Grandma Precious and Papa Tom
Many family meals out on the back deck
A visit from Amber's mom and sister
A visit from tata and uncle Kevbo
A 4th of July picnic at our hosts' church
Hula hooping
Art lessons
Visiting good friends
Running on a new trail
Watching a family of Turkey's roam the neighborhood
An air conditioned home
Two lost teeth
Lake time
Swimming
Hot sun
In N Out
Really yummy ice cream
Sushi and amazing homemade Korean wine
Toy Story 3
Cool new Hello Kitty and Disney princess sunglasses
Sleeping in new princess sleeping bags
1000+ miles driven with 4 and 6 yr. old girls
A nights stay at The Days Inn

Growing.....and cutting

2010-06-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

Annabelle couldn't take the excruciating hair brushing I put her through each morning, any longer! She has been asking for short hair for quite some time, and I kept saying , lets wait until summer. Well summer came. We have a neighbor who is a hair stylist, and offered to cut Annabelle's hair. Annabelle is the most excited that she has bangs. I have never done bangs on her before. It also just so happened that we went over and did the hair cut at our neighbors house on the last day of school, so watching that haircut was almost more than my heart could handle. Last day of Kindergarten, and a haircut. Not only all that, but now all she wants to do is run around the neighborhood park, playing with all the neighborhood kids. We have entered a new phase of life. It is bittersweet to say the least. I made a last day of school cake for Annabelle, congratulating her for a job well done. I am so amazed at how academically inclined she is! It is so fun to see her love to learn. She tested off the charts in all things with words/phonics/reading this year, and is in a summer reading program through the library. New beginnings are good. God is good. Amen.

Before

During

After

Ella turns 4!

2010-06-14T20:29:00.000-07:00

Our baby is no baby. It is unbelievable that I have a 6 and 4 year old. Where the heck have the last few years gone? We celebrated our spunky little monkey last weekend. My mom and Dad and Andi and Kevin came to join in the fun, with a family BBQ pizza extravaganza, complete with margherita pizza, BBQ chicken pizza and mac-n-cheese pizza, courtesy of the birthday girl. Not to mention she had mac-n-cheese for lunch. She can inhale that stuff. I really need to start making it homemade, and freezing it. Then the next day I teamed up with a good friend whose 4 yr old had a birthday a couple days before, and we did a joint birthday party for Logan and Ella. It was a big carnival party at the park, that would have been awesome, but it of course downpoured, so we did it indoors, and it turned out great anyway! A glimpse into who Ella is at age 4:

- LOVES mac-n-cheese
- chews off her finger nails and toe nails with her teeth (she has nubbins for fingers)
- loves to play dolls and loves any dolly accessory.
- her best friend is another little girl named Ella.
- she still enjoys a good cuddle with her mommy.
- she continues to be a shoe thief and is especially attracted to high heels.
- she really does say the darndest things, alot of the time.
- she has a tender heart and can be very nurturing.
- she loves to be read to.
- candyland is her favorite game with go-fish coming in as a close second.

goodbye Tuesday night addiction...

2010-05-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

We began watching LOST with the rest of 'em back when it began in 2004, and have been hooked all 6 seasons. So fun to watch a show with so much depth that makes you think and talk about it afterwards. I mean, I am all for a good comedy with no thinking involved, but this was a great hour each week that Chris and I really enjoyed together! We will miss LOST and all it's complexity. We had a LOST finale party last night to finish off the series, complete with Dharma Beer, and some REALLY amazing chocolate oreo truffles thingies (thank you Sarah!). It was so much more fun to geek out with other LOST fans!

Amazing deliciousness :)

glued to the tv...

Mmm...dharma beer

Monmouth, OR

2010-05-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Chris and I took the opportunity (thanks to a cheap groupon rate) to go away for a night at a B&B in Monmouth OR. It was MaMere's B&B, New Orleans style. It was a gorgeous place, and we would love to go back. We did a little wine tasting at Eola Hills Winery, had a nice relaxing dinner at a steakhouse, had some dessert at a local winebar, shopped main street, and read in the park. It was such a great time to be together and to enjoy one another's company, something we are finding harder and harder to do with small children! A wonderful weekend, and we thank Aunt Andi for entertaining the little ones so we could have this much needed time away.

Breakfast on the porch of "the Pink House Cafe"

MaMere's B&B

A pic at the River

Koi Pond at Eola Hills Winery

The Yard

2010-05-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Here is what has been in the works for our garden/yard this year: lots of flowers (cause I love 'em), an ornamental crab-apple tree, roses, cucumbers, broccoli, jalapenos, sugar snap peas, cilantro, parsley, basil, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, strawberries and pumpkins. It is quite a lot, so we will see how it all turns out! I am already on my second batch of cucumbers and basil, cause something underground ate the plants all up! Here's a few pics of what I've got planted so far:

Easter Sunday

2010-04-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

We attended a newer church Easter morning as a way to support a church that our church has helped plant out in Battleground called Daybreak. It was a good experience, but definately reaffirmed that even with all the changes going on at Compass, it is still where God has us, and we are happy to be a part of it, changes and all.

Ella's Favorites

2010-03-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

When asked by her mother...this is how she replied....

What is your favorite thing to do? - play on the computer
What is your favorite movie? - Madeleine
If you could paint your room any color, what would it be? - pink and purple
What do you want to be when you grow up? - a doctor
Who is your favorite person? - Ella Ross and Micah
If you could be called by any name, what would it be? - Danbo
Who's your favorite character in the Bible? - Jesus
If you had $5, what would you buy? - milk
What's your favorite thing to eat? - mac-n-cheese
What's your favorite dessert? - pumpkin pie
Who's your favorite person to play with? - Ella Ross
What's your favorite game to play? - Candyland
What's the best kind of cereal ever? - raisin bran
If you cold go anywhere today, where would you go? - Target
What's your favorite bible verse? - Jesus

Blessed weekend

2010-03-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

This last weekend, I had the opportunity to go back to the place that I hold near and dear to my heart, Mt. Gilead, to attend their women's retreat with my mom. I could talk your ear off about this place. It is a wonderful place where I grew up in my faith and met my husband, and sometimes I wish I could live there (retirement!). It is in the heart of the California Coastal Redwoods, right outside Santa Rosa, Ca. Those form-able teen summers were all spent there, and I constantly realized my need for God. I came across a quote that I just love speaking to this exact thing:

"Of all the needs (there are none imaginary) a lonely child has, the one that must be satisfied, if there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaken need for an unshakable God."
- Maya Angelou

Mt. Gilead was that for me. The people during those years at camp gave me hope and showed me I needed God in my life, and I truly believed it! Not only did wonderful people invest in my life but God met me there, every time. And when you meet God, you are changed. I am so thankful for having Mt. Gilead then, and now! Going back there was such a treat for me. The whole time I was there I could just feel all the distractions melt away, and I could just be with my God, and amongst other godly women. It was like needed therapy for me! I was in an complaining, un-thankful place when I left home, and just escaping to Mt. Gilead for 2 days, gave me the perspective I needed to see that my focus had shifted off of my Father and onto my circumstances. I was a much needed drink of water for my soul. Can you tell? I am getting poetic on you :) Anyhow, I soaked it all in, and am in a good place, and am admiring a good God, who is faithful. I also had some really wonderful, much needed time with my mom, got to see some old friends, and climbed the rock wall all the way to the top. Yay for taxes that allowed me to do this wonderful weekend!

Shamrock Run!

2010-03-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

So I got the chance this morning to run in the Shamrock Run with my good friend Jenn. She is a new runner, so we trained together, and did the 5K this morning with 21,000 other Portlanders (well they had many different legs...the 5K had 7500 people). It was quite crazy, but fun, running through the streets of downtown Portland! I did not bring my big camera with me to the Finish Line, so the pic I have is of us in the parking garage, and then one at breakfast. We celebrated with breakfast at the Tin Shed in North Portland. It was so good! Usually there is a long line on the weekends, but it also happened to be the time change this morning, so we got in there before the crowd hit! It was an awesome way to start my Sunday! Happy St. Patty's everyone! Hope you will enjoy some corned beef this week. I know I will :)

Mmmm good!

2010-03-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

So these beautiful dishes have been the result of Spring-like weather, Chris' love for bbq and a desire to eat healthier. So good! Did I mention...it is all Chris? When it rains or is cold, I get to cook, but, apparently I have become the side-dish wife...or really I just make salads when Chris gets his bbq on! I am loving it!

Dancin' fool

2010-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Annabelle's elementary school holds a "sweetheart dance" every year on Valentine's weekend, so Chris took our little Kindergartner to her first dance this last Friday night! I so wish I was there with the video camera, because Chris said Annabelle ran to the dance floor, front and center, and followed the DJ the entire time. She LOVED it! Not to mention that she was pleasantly surprised to get to dance....when she thought she was going to a dance....to watch a dance! So except for a couple daddy/daughter slow dances, she pretty much danced the night away with her friends! The pictures say so much more than I could about how much fun Annabelle had....

All ready to go!

Doin' the twist...all the way down to the ground :)

Concentrating hard while learning "the macarena" with Emma!

After the bubble machine! And possibly doing the "thriller dance?!"

Trying to do the limbo...

Valentines Day

2010-02-15T09:52:00.001-08:00

So I got crafty this Valentines Day although I can't take full credit for the idea. I fondly remember my mom making 4 little mailboxes one year out of half gallon milk cartons for us kids, so we could give each other "mail" and then my mom used them to write us little notes and give us treats now and then. We loved it! So since I didn't have the milk cartons, I went to Joann's to find something that I could make work, and they had these cute little mailboxes! So I just painted them, and found a little wooden applique of a heart and crown, for a reminder to the girls that their hearts belong to the King! I am hoping they get good use before Ella destroys them...but, hey...I had to try! I already caught Ella trying to break the door off her mailbox! She is like her daddy in that she wants to take things apart. It will also be a good reminder for me to make sure I love on my girls on a regular basis throughout the year, and not just on the hallmark holiday!! :)

The slumber party

2010-02-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, I did. I hosted 4 giddy 6 and 7 year olds plus an extra giddy birthday girl for a slumber party at our home on Friday night, the 5th. It was a crazy day, and am amazed it worked out as well as it did. The day started with Chris is extreme pain, as he went into the doctors office to find he had strep throat/swollen tonsils and a peritonsilar abcess to boot. He was barely able to talk/drink/breathe. So I dumped the boys I watch off with their grandma, and we were off to the er, which is where Kasier sent us, but come to find out, they sent us there, only because they could not get a hold of the ENT doc who would lance the abcess in Chris' mouth so he could breathe! So thank goodness while were waiting in the er, a good friend had her husband come pick up my kiddos so that I could be with Chris during all this madness. So the er nurse poked Chris' arm too many times, and gave him an iv and some drugs/fluids. Then they finally got a hold of the ENT doc, made an appointment, and we were on our way to place # 3. About an hour later, Chris was relieved, and we were on our way home, where a slumber party was about to commence. I had all sorts of things I had planned to do for the slumber party...but obviously, the day was spent elsewhere...so went to the store, bought some cupcakes, and made do! Annabelle still had a fabulous time with her friends, eating store-bought cupcakes, watching a barbie movie, dancing to barbie movie, eating popcorn/drinking soda, playing sorry, and then waking up to a pancake/egg/OJ breakfast (at 6:30 am!). It was a good time had by all. And then I took a nap.

February 4th

2010-02-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

Annabelle turned 6 last Thursday. I cannot believe how big my baby is! Annabelle has grown leaps and bounds in one year. To give you a glimpse into who she is becoming, here are some of her favorite things: friends, school, reading, sweets, bossing around her little sister (and whomever else will let her), asking questions,watching movies and eating pizza/burgers, yep, she is an all-american girl! This year, the lucky 6 year old got two celebrations. One with the fam on her actual birthday, and then a slumber party with 4 of her girlfriends the next night. Annabelle started her birthday with a bowl of Frosted Flakes, (her pick), a day at school with her daddy volunteering in her classroom, some donuts with her classmates, a movie with her daddy, playing her new wii game, homemade pizza with her family and her tata and kevin, and then we ended the glorious day with her choice of birthday dessert: blueberry pie.

2010

2010-01-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

A New Year...another year to live for his glory. Instead of listing my silly resolutions, I recieved an e-mail of these 10 resolutions as stated by John Piper in an article... and thought they were definately post worthy, so I decided to post his for you all instead. May the new year bring you closer to him in 2010!

10 Resolutions

(Posted by John Piper, Dec 31, 2009 11:42 PM PST)

1. At least once every day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with wonderfully mysterious things above and about me.

2. Instead of the accustomed idea of a mindless and endless evolutionary change to which we can neither add nor subtract, I shall suppose the universe guided by an Intelligence which, as Aristotle said of Greek drama, requires a beginning, a middle, and an end.

I think this will save me from the cynicism expressed by Bertrand Russell before his death when he said: "There is darkness without, and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere, only triviality for a moment, and then nothing."

3. I shall not fall into the falsehood that this day, or any day, is merely another ambiguous and plodding twenty-four hours, but rather a unique event, filled, if I so wish, with worthy potentialities.

I shall not be fool enough to suppose that trouble and pain are wholly evil parentheses in my existence, but just as likely ladders to be climbed toward moral and spiritual manhood.

4. I shall not turn my life into a thin, straight line which prefers abstractions to reality. I shall know what I am doing when I abstract, which of course I shall often have to do.

5. I shall not demean my own uniqueness by envy of others. I shall stop boring into myself to discover what psychological or social categories I might belong to. Mostly I shall simply forget about myself and do my work.

6. I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what Lewis calls their "divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic" existence.

7. I shall sometimes look back at the freshness of vision I had in childhood and try, at least for a little while, to be, in the words of Lewis Carroll, the "child of the pure unclouded brow, and dreaming eyes of wonder."

8. I shall follow Darwin's advice and turn frequently to imaginative things such as good literature and good music, preferably, as Lewis suggests, an old book and timeless music.

9. I shall not allow the devilish onrush of this century to usurp all my energies but will instead, as Charles Williams suggested, "fulfill the moment as the moment." I shall try to live well just now because the only time that exists is now.

10. Even if I turn out to be wrong, I shall bet my life on the assumption that this world is not idiotic, neither run by an absentee landlord, but that today, this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course I shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the architect who calls himself Alpha and Omega.

A very snoggy Christmas

2009-12-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Well another Christmas has come and gone. Quick. Crazy. Fun. We had Andi, and my mom and younger brother, Ian from Santa Rosa, Ca. join us for Christmas this year, and it was nice and quaint. The girls got spoiled and we had great fun being with family for 5 straight days! Here were the highlights of our Christmas:

*Mom and Ian, arrived at our door from California on the eve of the 23rd
*Snog...aka: freezing fog, that looks like snow on the ground...a new word, coined by ella!
*Nutcracker on Christmas Eve at Keller with mom, Belle, Ella, and Andi
*Annabelle reading scripture at our church's christmas eve service
*A happy birthday Jesus cake with candles
*A plate of sugar cookies left for Santa, eaten by chris before Santa even came!
*Chris "enjoyed" an accidental cup of lactaid mixed with bourbon (meant to be eggnog)...we all enjoyed laughing at him as he tried to finish it so as to not waste the bourbon!
*Two new scooters for Annabelle and Ella from uncle Ian!
*matching christmas jammie pants for us ladies
*making sugar cookies
*Shopping the Macy's sales...
*Taking Ella to her first movie at the theaters..."Cloudy with a chance of meatballs". Her favorite part was definately the guy who had a huge macaroni noodle stuck on his head.
*All of us helping Ella put together her favorite christmas gift over and over....a puzzle with the different layers of the human body (bones, organs, skin, and clothes). She must have done it 100 times!
*Some really yummy meals made by my catering chef brother, Ian. My fave...Chicken marsala with cheesy polenta and brussel sprouts.
*A dinner out to outback Steakhouse on kids eat free Monday!
*Then some actual snow just a couple hours after my mom and brother drove away! A wonderful way to end a great week!

Nutcracker

2009-12-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

Another trip to the Nutcracker for us Curry girls, and this time we included my mom and Ella. It was great fun. I am glad my mom got to experience Ella's first time to see the Nutcracker. She also fielded the 300 questions Ella asked during the performance. Which my mom thoroughly enjoyed and the man in front of us clearly did not enjoy :) In any case, this year was extra special, because we also made it onto the 5 oclock news as we were entering into the Keller Auditorium. Well they pretty much only showed my mom and one quick shot of me. I was bummed they didn't put the girls on, because they interviewed them on the meaning of christmas, and their response were great! Annabelle said the meaning of christmas was "giving", and Ella said the meaning of christmas was "barbies!". Here's the link so you can view our little news segment if you so wish!

Ella's audience

2009-12-04T18:59:00.000-08:00

As if she needs more people to laugh at her...... this is what Ella has begun doing on a regular basis. Gathering all the animals/dolls/chairs and setting them up to watch her.

school pic

2009-12-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Annabelle's first picture day experience!

Tilt your head to the left
Now look to the right
and smile!

Giving Thanks

2009-12-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

So another year has passed, and I continue to be thankful for this life I am in! We couldn't be more thankful for the little things this year, that actually mean a lot in this economy where so many people are not making it. We are grateful for jobs, a home, healthy children and the freedom to worship our great God at a wonderful church. Everyone in our families stayed put for Thanksgiving this year...including us Curry's. We had a wonderfully mellow Turkey Day with just us, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I went for a rainy walk in the morning with my friend Jenn, and then warmed up by the fire browsing the black friday ads, sipping coffee while Chris prepared the turkey, and of course football on in the background. The girls were even pretty mellow and really seemed to enjoy the family time together. After our tummies were stuffed with Turkey, carbs, and pie, we decided to get crafty as a family and draw/write what we each are most thankful for this year, which is now displayed on the wall in the stairwell! Happy Holidays friends! I am thankful for each one of you :-)

Mr. Curry and his turkey (which was amazing!)

Annabelle's indian vest made by Annabelle :)

My beautiful family :)

mmm....pumpkin pie!

Our thankful craft. Ella is thankful for "her family and windows", Annabelle is thankful for "sun, rain and school", Chris is thankful for "a houseful of wonderful women", and I am thankful for "a beautiful, healthy family"!

Halloween 09

2009-11-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, yes I know we are well into November now, and you all have moved your attention to where & what you will be eating/making for your Thanksgiving meal, but I had a super crazy last couple of weeks as I had been planning a women's retreat for my church, and the retreat was last weekend. So now that my life is back to normal a little....I thought I'd post our Halloween pics. It was a bit of a hectic Halloween, as I told Annabelle I'd make her a fairy costume, and then wasn't able to find time to do so, so she ended up borrowing one of the Miller's costumes, and therefore became a mouse for Halloween. I was so very thankful that she gave me some grace on this one, and that she was happy to be a mouse. The girl was just happy to go out with her friends and come home with a bucket of candy! My poor little Ella was sick with fever on Halloween, so we stayed home and handed out candy, while Chris donned a beautiful 80's butt-rock inspired wig (once again, courtesy of the Miller's) and took our little mouse trick or treating around our neighborhood. Sickness may have thwarted our plans this year...but next year we will come back strong! :)

Our little mouse who took an extra trick or treat bucket around for her sick sister!

The annual trick or treating trip with the Millers....this year we have a mouse, a cheetah, Belle, and Dorothy!

Two crazy little animals!

Rock on Mr. Curry, Rock on....

My sweet little sick Ella:)

Ella

2009-10-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

What do we do with this 3 year old?! She is making us crazy!! Honestly, I know this age is tough for everyone, but man, we are tired! I am pulling my hair out everyday, and yet, she is the one who continues to keep us laughing and smiling..... and I know many of you know what I am talking about. She has either inflicted pain on one of your children, or worn your shoes around our house, or gotten into your purse while you were visiting. I Love this girl :-)

I did it!

2009-10-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

I, Amber Curry 3 days after my 33rd birthday, ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles) in 2 hours and 30 minutes along the Vancouver waterfront and around Fort Vancouver. I have been training for the Vancouver "girlfriends" half marathon since May. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I am much grateful for my family's support and patience as I spent many hours each week out on runs. Training for this gave me the motivation to push and challenge myself physically, doing something I really enjoy...plus a great release of endorphins! Such a sense of accomplishment! Looking forward to next year :-)

Crossing the finish line!

My "I did it" pose....

A pic with my girlies and the sign they made that you can't see! It said "Good Race Mom!)

My awesome old man

2009-10-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Mr. Curry turned 35 yesterday. He definately does not like that he is halfway through his thirties, but I love him more each year as he continually grows in his faith, and continues to be more loving and caring and wise. Age is great when you look at it that way! I love this man! Happy birthday to you Christopher Randall Curry!

Bookworm

2009-10-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, Annabelle has been in Kindergarten for 3 full weeks now, and I must say I am impressed with Walnut Grove school, and her teachers....and of course my Annabelle! The school has wonderful curriculum, and is very organized and on top of things. The first week into school, they tested Annabelle's reading level and discovered that she is reading at a 2nd grade level! We couldn't be more proud of our bookworm. She continues to wow her parents and her teachers. She gets to do some things in Kindergarten, but spends most of the time reading with the first grade classroom, as Walnut Grove focuses mostly on their reading programs. She is feeling quite special, which I am thankful for. I love how proactive these teachers are! They see the special abilities in my little girl, and it just confirms our decision to put her in this school was the right one! Looking forward to Parent Teacher Conferences to find out more! :-)

Transitions....

2009-09-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Annabelle has lost her first tooth at age 5.5. It is amazing how quickly this baby of mine continues to become a little girl. Man o man, am I ready for this? Tuesday afternoon, Annabelle came to me saying she wanted to get her tooth out, but it was hurting her, so I asked if I could give it one little twist and see what happens...after a few minutes of coaxing, she let me, and one little twist was all it took! Out came one tiny little baby tooth! I am finding these little events to feel bigger than they seem. And I think Annabelle has been a bit overwhelmed by it all as well. She has been over- emotional these last couple weeks, with her new status as Kindergartner, less time at home, and now her first tooth gone, it has been a rough and exciting couple weeks for all of us. I think it all came to a head last night. I went to bed at 9:30 (on good TV night) as I was purely exhausted! After an afternoon of many tantrums or breakdowns...whatever you want to call them...over little things with Annabelle, and then the usual keeping up with Ella's antics, and an emotional Kyle too (the little 4-yr. old boy I watch), I made an appointment at the gym, so that I could go work off some built up tension....I mean I was ready to explode. And like two hours prior to even leaving for the gym, Annabelle had started complaining about not wanting to go to the childwatch at the gym, because it is "boring and has baby toys". I told her, mommy needed it today, and she was gonna go anyway. So after many tears and much arguing, we pull up to the gym and I drag her inside, thinking all the while that once we get there everything will be fine. WRONG! Annabelle screamed and clung to me like I have NEVER seen her do, like an animal was chasing her! The ladies in the childwatch were being so supportive and trying to help, but to no avail. After about 10 minutes, I was drenched with sweat and in tears myself, so I gave up and we went home. Annabelle won this one. I felt defeated, but also felt compassion for my little exhausted girl, who ate some dinner and went to bed early after we had a little conversation. My mothers words were ringing in my head from when Annabelle was a baby...."Amber, you are going to have to be prepared to drop what you want to do and go home at any given moment." This was that kind of moment. I could not control Annabelle's emotions. And I never will be able to. A good lesson for me. We don't always get what we want, as I often tell my children! Thank the Lord for new days and starting over. Annabelle got in my bed with me this morning and the first words out of her mouth were, "I love you mom"....her apology to me. It melted my heart, and gave me what I needed to go forward with this new day! God is so good, and has given me these precious girls. I have a thankful heart today.

Just like the saying goes....

2009-09-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

spilled milk.....

cryin' about it...

Our firstborn's big day....

2009-09-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe we just put our baby on the bus this morning and sent her off to school to have an experience all her own in a place we've only visited once or twice. Annabelle came out of the womb with a thirst for learning, and has been a little sponge ever since. She has been so anxious to get to go to school that today's built-up anticipation was incredibly high! We are so proud of her as she has already learned how to read and write, and can't wait to see her thrive in school. Part of me is sad that I don't get to go with her, and part of me is so happy to let her have this experience that is hers alone! When we walked out to the bus stop, she of course screamed and squealed with delight as she met up with her best buds Emma and Katrina. Then when the bus finally came, Annabelle was off and running to get on with her friends, and would barely acknowledge her teary eyed mother, who just wanted a pic of her in front of the bus! (which I finally got!) This just exemplifies Annabelle's personality....one of exuberance and excitement for each stage of life. She loves to be around people and is very kind-hearted. Chris and I really look forward to living out this public school experience with Annabelle and being as involved as we can. When she got off the bus, I asked her what her favorite thing about her day was, and it was of course...riding the bus! Cheers to the new Kindergartner!

backpack on, all ready to go.

Annabelle, Emma and Katrina....very excited to all go to school together!

Waiting in anticipation for the schoolbus to arrive....

A dream for a 5-yr. old girl, realized.

Back in the 1860's....

2009-08-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we went on a family outing to a local event on the Fort Vancouver Reserve, where they recreated a baseball game from back in the 1860's, complete with their heavy wool uniforms, ladies walking around in their big frilly dresses with parasols, and a live band playing music. People just sat on the grass around the baseball diamond which was really rather large. The bases were really far apart. And the players played without gloves back then, so that was interesting! We took a picnic and had a great time!

The field from the right field side where we were sitting

Batter up!

Back then a baseball game was no reason to dress down!

I am pretty sure the girls were more interested in their lollipops than the game!

Sewing project!

2009-08-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

So, I almost forgot to blog about my sewing project I accomplished at the beginning of the summer....two little summer dresses for my girls. I re-learned earlier this year how to thread my ancient sewing machine, and to my amazement when I pulled it out to sew these dresses...I was able to thread it correctly, so about 3 hours later (with good friends and coffee), I was finished with my project, without even using a pattern. Patterns kinda stress me out, I'd rather do something where you measure your child, pin and sew. I'm pretty proud of myself for sewing something for my children... something I vowed I'd never do, especially growing up with a seamstress for a mother, who would continually tell me "I could make that for a lot less", every time I wanted her to buy me clothing! So I guess we do eventually become just like your mothers....which really, I am okay with:-) Next on list....drapes for living room!

49ers all the way!

2009-08-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

Okay...you may wonder why I am talking about a football team and I have a pic of my red entryway up? I painted the entryway red last week, and my husband commented last night that he knows now why I chose red, with our beige trim....49ers colors! I have been a 49ers fan since I was young (I grew up in Northern Cali). Chris has of course been a Rams fan since he was young (he grew up in Southern Cali), and we subsequently have rival football teams. I think I am one up on him now. He will be reminded of the 49ers each time he walks through the door.
Ha ha!

First Fruits

2009-08-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

This lonely little tomato was divided into 4 quarters at dinner last night as we all partook of our first garden fruit of the summer. It was delicious and we are looking forward to more :-)

My favorite place to hang...

2009-08-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Since we moved into this house, I dreamed of making our little sloped backyard a beautiful place to sit in and enjoy, play, eat and entertain. Two years later, we have finished, complete with garden, flowers, BBQ & BBQ workstation, patio table and compost pile....alot for our little space! I do plan on adding a clothesline for the summer months. It was alot more work than either of us thought it would be, and I am sure over the years we will add and change, but it sure is nice to know we can sit and enjoy the backyard without staring at the unfinished projects!

sisterly love

2009-08-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to these two fighting in my room over whether or not daddy was at work yet...as they didn't see him in bed with me...then about an hour later, here they are lovin' on each other, huggin' and kissin' and watching cartoons. Now I just pray they will grow up to be the best of friends :)

Grandma's galore!

2009-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Chris and I were able to take a two week family vacation this year, one week was spent in Santa Rosa at my mom's and the other spent here with Chris' mom. This last week, we had some great fun, and wore the girls out pretty good! But we got to go to St. Helens, and pick some really yummy Sauvie's Island berries, and go swimming, and eat great BBQ. All the good summer stuff jam packed into a week with Grandma! Here is a slideshow of our action-packed two weeks!

Artsy Fartsy

2009-07-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is how I have always referred to artsy people....probably because I have not one artsy bone in my body....but last week I got to take Annabelle to Art Camp at Compass (kinda like our church's VBS), where they teach students K-6th grade art and art techniques according to their grade level. So this was Annabelle's official introduction to art, and she loved it. She is in a phase where she loves to be creating and coloring anything on paper anyway, so she had a blast! Here are a few of her pieces...the rest is still on display at the church.

A monster

ladybugs on leaves

Mermaids saying hi to each other

A starfish and some purple seaweed

Daddy Day

2009-06-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

For Chris right now, it is all about the BBQ, so for his Father's day present, he built himself a little outdoor BBQ work station on Saturday, then on Sunday, he grilled up some pretty delicious steaks while enjoying his favorite beer. We then feasted on BBQ steak, corn on the cobb and a red roasted potato salad. He of course had a nap and watched some golf as well. All in all, the perfect day for Chris!

The man of the hour, showing off his handiwork!

In action...

When I told the girls to take a picture for Daddy...they gave him the wave..

Ella's new wheels

2009-06-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Well...not exactly new, passed down from sister of course, but new to Ella! Annabelle graduated to a bigger bike, thus giving Ella her old toddler bike, and after putting the training wheels back on, Ella gets to join the bike world, and ride with all the big kids. She is pretty excited. Here are some pics of her first venture.

Donning the safety gear first of course!

Forward, forward, forward....for some reason she is inclined to pedal backwards.

She tends to migrate towards the curb.

Focus, focus, focus...I got this.

Thanks dad!

12

2009-06-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Cutting the cake back in June of 1997

Well, can you believe Chris and I have been married for 12 years?! These years are flying by, and it is fun to look back at how we have grown, separately and together. We got a bit of a treat this year.... for payment of Chris' website design services for a friend, he was paid with an overnight stay at the swanky "Hotel Deluxe" in downtown Portland, and a fantastic restaurant called "Andina" in the Pearl. So we did our 12th anniversary in style....not too shabby for the Curry's!

Drinks in the Hotel Lounge...a beer for the man and a very chocolatey cocktail for the lady.

The Hotel theme was the 30's and 40's movie era's....these are the best jazz hands I could come up with!

The love of my life.

Celebrating our 3 year old!

2009-06-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad, Auntie, Grandma, Grandpa and many friends came to celebrate our Ella on Saturday the 6th. We ate bbq'd hotdogs & had strawberry cake with vanilla frosting, and strawberries on top, oh and strawberry lemonade (can you seem the theme here?!). Ella didn't really want a theme, all she cared about was her cake, and that it had frosting for her to lick off. The highlight of the day was definately gift opening time, as Ella remained very stoic and quiet, while all the other curtain climbers gathered at her feet and ooohed and aaaahed at every gift and card. This was serious business to Ella...no need for laughing or smiling. Then of course when her sweet little friend, Charlotte, had decided to come sit by Ella on her seat, Ella very quietly shoved her off....sending sweet Charlotte onto the floor and into tears, which then proceeded to make Ella feel bad, and she pretty quickly had a change of heart, and stopped the gift opening to make a spot for Charlotte right next to her, and the gift opening resumed, with happy girls and boys. Ella's gift highlight was definately her play baby stroller and crib, along with baby doll # 473....or so it feels! Babies are Ella's current passion, as she cares for the pretend ones gently, and pokes and prods the real ones harshly. I look forward to a year of growing up, potty training and having more one on one time with Ella as sister goes to Kindergarten. Here' s to year #3!

Soaking up her moment during the birthday song

blowing out the candles with all her might!

Ella's classically stoic gift opening expression

Ella's favorite gift, which she started playing with immediately!

Me and my birthday princess at the end of a pretty wonderful party!

Three!

2009-06-11T15:13:00.001-07:00

Ella is now 3! It was inevitable I suppose. She is truly a delight, and a terror every day. She relished in her birthday glory on her birthday....June 5th. We give the birthday girl the choice of each meal for the day, and Ella chose, oatmeal for breakfast, a nap for lunch, and 1.5 bowls of mac and cheese for dinner at Red Robin. Of course topped off with a free ice cream with whip cream and sprinkles accompanied by the Red Robin birthday song. Ella was a little frightened as she was serenaded, but the ice cream made it worth it all. Then we got to go to the airport and pick up grandma (Amber's mom) who had flown in for her party! A delightful day for the birthday girl...her choice of food, a long nap, and grandma!

Ella, using the tongue to concentrate hard on holding those three fingers up!

Red Robin employees, faithfully singing the birthday song to Ella

mmmmm.....whip cream and sprinkles.

Ella is guarding her free birthday dessert with her life

The whole fam

A memorable Memorial Day

2009-05-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

We had beautiful weather Monday for our Memorial Day, so the Curry's went on a family adventure and had a picnic and then hiked up Beacon Rock here in Vancouver. Ella's little legs only carried her for about half, but I enjoyed the workout of carrying her for part of the way...it was about a mile one way. A great way to end a really great weekend with some great family time!

Japenese Gardens

2009-05-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

We got to enjoy the beauty of the Portland Japanese Gardens for the first time on Saturday, and they were amazing! The girls even stopped to "sketch" some of the things they saw. Here are a few pics of the million we took!

My little protege

2009-05-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have officially signed up to run my first half marathon in October. So the training has begun! Here I am stretching after a run, and my Ella loves to stick her little legs up on the stairs and stretch with me. But I think mostly she is trying to keep herself from falling over :-)

Summer goodness

2009-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

It's beginning to feel a lot like summer :-)

Sick

2009-05-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

So my ella had a fever last night and as I gave her tylenol and put her to bed, we prayed together for Jesus to take her sickness away. So this morning we had this conversation:

ella: mommy, when is Jesus coming?
me: what do you mean ella?
ella: I thought he was going to come and make me feel better.
me: well, we can't see Jesus, but he is real and when we pray he listens. Do you feel better?
ella: no, I'm still sick.
me: well we can pray again...(prayer)
ella: okay, I feel better!

No more hair

2009-04-16T16:41:00.000-07:00

Before

After

So after 12 years of his beloved goatee...he has shaved it all off! Thank you husband! Even if he grows it back, it has been fun to have his real chin for a little while...haven't seen it since we were married!

Spring & Easter

2009-04-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

The girls in their Easter finery!

Annabelle & Chris...walking back to our car from a community egg hunt

Ella...Easter morning

dying eggs!

Spring has finally sprung in the northwest!

Beautiful silence

2009-04-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

Chris and I were invited by the Thoms to the Ochs Family Ranch in Rosewood, OR this last weekend, (friends of the Thoms). We experienced God's beautiful desert, silence, many hikes, and some great adult fellowship. Now that I have doubled the children I care for, I was in need of some serious adult conversation! It was an absolute blast and a blessing! Thank you to the Elders, Ross', and Andi for watching the kiddos, kinda last minute!

Watching a cattle branding.....the whole community comes out and tailgates with drinks and snacks and then they all celebrate with a meal afterwards!

A view of the plateau they call "flat iron", we drove/hiked up to the top!

This is at the bottom of a 20-foot deep cave that we climbed down into in pitch darkness (and a couple flashlights)

Me and my man in the wilderness

Here is a shot of the property...well the house anyway...the whole property equals a couple thousand acres!

From 2 to 4

2009-03-17T16:36:00.001-07:00

So due to the fun times with the economy, we have come to the point where I needed to bring in some income. It was a God thing as we kind of just surrendered up our finances, and cut out some unnecessary spending (cable tv, etc...) and then like the next day I got a call from my good friend Amy (whom I used to work with eons ago) and she was in need of full-time childcare for her two boys (3.5 and 6 months). I am still able to stay at home, and have gone from two to four kids overnight. Pretty crazy, but good! They are wonderful boys, and well behaved. I am encouraged! He knows our needs, and provides them! So here we all are in our greenery to show some St. Patty's Day spirit!

A wicked good time

2009-03-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to go to Wicked this weekend, with a couple girls from church. It was such a blast. Definately a must see if you love Broadway. It has moved to my most favorite Broadway show slot! It had all the elements of a good musical. Great music, a great storyline, and comedy. Loved it! Also, I forgot my camera that night :-( So you will have to settle for just the advertisement as proof that I went!

SOUL Sisters

2009-02-24T08:22:00.000-08:00

I have been extremely blessed by this group of girls that I was put on a floor with my freshman year at Biola University in 1994. Some of us bonded through playing girls flag football together on Saturday mornings, none of us really knowing much about football. We had to come up with a team name, and because we lived on Second Odd (second floor in our dorm and odd numbers), we called ourselves SOUL (second odd ultimate ladies). It has been 10 years since we graduated Biola, and we continue to gather together and create some pretty great memories. We had our 3rd reunion in Seattle this last weekend, and I have once again come away blessed by these amazing, godly women.

SOUL, on the field, Biola U. 1995

7 of the SOUL sisters.....Dephanie, Danielle, Renee, Melissa, Amy,Traci and I, Seattle, WA, 2009!

Readin' fool

2009-02-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

This girl has developed a love for books, and has mostly taught herself how to read. When I ask her where she learned she says: "Word Girl" (a PBS show). I have worked with her over the last year on her letters and writing them, but she picked up on reading pretty much all on her own! Watch out Kindergarten!

Pancake love

2009-02-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

A lot of love, whip cream and family time :-)

Birthday madness

2009-02-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

Annabelle's moment....and yes, that is a teapot cake created by the amazing Summer Miller!

The Birthday Girl in her ballet glory

The new bike!

says Ella: : "why can't it just be all about me?"

Annabelle's newly rited passage into little girl-hood...we painted her fingers and toenails for the first time!

So, if Annabelle hasn't already told you three or four times.....she is now 5! Her actual birthday was Wednesday, Feb. 4th. She had a great day of getting all her favorite food (Pancakes, McDonald's and homemade pizza), and some presents and cake. We got her a bigger bike since her knees come up to her chest as she pedals her toddler bike....kinda embarrasing! And then we did a full blown Dress-Up Tea Party on Saturday the 7th. She told me her invite list which ended up being like, 15 girls, and all of them except for one came! It was madness. And thank goodness there were presents and gifts, because my attempt at game time was disastrous! I thought it would be fun to play Freeze dance, and I had one prize to give away to the winner. So we began the friendly game of elimination, and as each girl was eliminated, they proceeded to either cry, or just refuse to leave the game. But with the help of other mothers in the room, we got through it and declared a winner! In any case, Annabelle had the time of her life, as she had her friends surrounding her. Here are a few pictures of the birthday festivities.

A mom, encouraged

2009-02-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

So a dear friend of mine gave me a book for my birthday called "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss, published in 1869. The title alone kind of made me hesitant to crack it open, but with the praise she gave me about how this book changed her thinking, I knew I needed to read it. I loved every word of this book. It is a fictional book of journal entries, following a woman's life, and all her deepest feelings and fears in faith and motherhood. It astounded me how much I could relate to this woman who lived in the 1800's. She was so very real and honest about all her shortcomings, yet her faith in Christ continued to mature amidst the shortcomings....or in other words, sin. As a mother of little ones, I am plagued with sin and regret on a daily basis, and this book was such a great reminder of the fact that this Christian life is a journey and I have not arrived...I am not even close, and that's okay. Here is what resounded with me most when I finished the book:
"Every act of obedience is an act of worship." "Why do we waste our lives before we learn how to live?" "I am not sure that we do not learn as fast as we are willing to learn. God does not force instruction upon us, but when we say, as Luther did, 'more light, Lord, more light' the light comes."

Bling

2009-02-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

Chris let Ella spruce him up a little with a few rings and necklaces the other night. Personally I like the kissy lips Chris is sporting more than the rings....just my opinion.

Lovin' the Y!

2009-01-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

So for Christmas, we were given a years membership to the YMCA. I knew about the Y from friends who go there, but never really understood how cool it is. I have been so very thankful for the gift that keeps on giving. It is wonderful because it is so family friendly. It is not just a gym for Chris and I to go work out. Their mission statement is based on Christian principles and family values, and they have childcare for free, up to 2 hours. They have a great swimming pool, and a large gym, and lots of classes for adults and kids. And they even have "parent appreciation" nights twice a month, where they watch all your children for 3 hours for only $5. I feel like I have been a nicer mommy and better wife over the last few weeks. Regular exercise, social interaction for the girls and some alone time for Chris and I. It has been the outlet we all needed.

Wii love it!

2009-01-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

So we tend to be the house where the games are played. And over the Christmas/New Years holiday we were given the chance to play Wii a lot. We recently borrowed a friends Wii, and are addicted to something we don't even own! So much fun. Chris rocks at the guitar (rockband), Annabelle is a star bowler, Ella loves to give high fives to everyone playing, and I love singing for rockband and bowling. Good times.

A Happy New Year

2009-01-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed ushering in 2009 with my good childhood buddy Kristi and her husband, Mike and their adorable son, August. They drove all the way down from Chico area in Cali with their 9 mo. old to be with us for new years eve and new years day. This was the first time I had seen her baby boy, and this was the first time she had seen my 2.5 yr. old, Ella (who, by the way, poked her baby in the eye, and almost stomped on him with a large boot). I am so thankful we got to celebrate the new year together. I had to throw in an old school pic of me and Kristi back in the day...I think this was 5th or 6th grade...and we had decided to get all dressed up and take a picture to send to Kirk Cameron with our fan letter. Oh yes...I am that old!

Kristi & I, Willits, Ca, 1985ish

Mike, Kristi, Chris and I, ringing in the New Year!

The adorable August!

Our best attempt to take a photo with the kiddos!

Mike, Kristi and August Kipp

A new blog to check out!

2008-12-30T10:41:00.000-08:00

Hey friends! Just wanted to let you know that Liz Shepard finally has a blog, and would love for everyone to keep up with her family and life and be able to view it...so i am helping her a little! Her blog address is:

http://pickseedust1.blogspot.com/

Check it out!!

Happy New Year all!