Arizona....meet the Curtis Family

So the Curtis family went on vacation. We packed our bags, got up earlier then anyone should ever have to, got on a plane....and then another plane, and made it to Arizona in about eight and half hours. We stepped off the plane to 70 degree weather and sunshine...so I think we all felt that the traveling was worth it!

We were able to spend time with lots of family members, on both sides. Aaron's grandparents live in Arizona so we saw them quite a bit. Aaron's parents, sister and family, brother and kids also came out and it was nice to spend time with everyone since we don't get to see most of them very much. It was nice to see the kiddos play together. I also was lucky enough to see my aunt and uncle, cousin and family, and other cousin and wife while we were out there. It had been a long time since I saw most of my family and it was nice to catch up and introduce them to my kids. All in all...lots of family time...which is what we wanted.


We did squeeze some other fun times in, including a trip to the zoo and Aaron went to a Cubs/Sox game. Natalie did some mountain hiking and checked out the local park. We could have probably used another day or two but at least we left wanting to go back.

We had a longer day on the trip home, about ten hours all together, yet it seemed to go faster and smoother then the trip out. We were glad to be home, but it was a bit on the chilly side. The kids are still recouping from the travels and trying to get back into the Central timezone. We are now looking at planning our next big adventure....who knows where that will be!!!

Ouch!!!!

Ok...I'll own up to the fact that our little guy became a man at just shy of 11 months old on my watch. He got up close and personal with the corner of a bottom drawer while helping me sort clothes and he has the beginning of his first of what I expect to be many scars to come. After a call to the doctor and some lengthy him-haw'n on my part I took him to the doctor last night and he received two stitches to an area by his right eye. It was too close to his eye to be glued shut and the stitches will help it heal a little nicer. Thank goodness I didn't have to witness the official sewing up but sometimes it's harder waiting in the waiting room. He was a trooper and I could almost say he is a little proud of his badge of honor...boys...go figure. Anyway...he will survive and so will mom with a little extra helping of guilt. Here's a picture of my little stitched up man...

Bye Bye Bottle and Scary Girl

Ok...so I may be jinxing myself but it appears that my sweet little baby boy is growing up. He officially chose to stop nursing about a week ago and I can't say that he seems at all distraught about his big decision to break loose from mommy. He also decided that a bottle wasn't necessary anymore either...so for the last few days and nights he has been strictly on the sippy cup. For a guy who didn't want anything to do with one until a few weeks ago he has really caught on quickly. It's funny...we bought a bunch of different sippy cups to try to find one that he would drink out of...and the one that worked was the disposable cheap ones that cost like fifty cents. Go figure. We also found that he is starting to grasp the sign language we've been teaching him...he starting to use his milk sign when he's wants his sippy. I tried to get a video of him but of course he wasn't cooperating. However, we did capture a picture of our big boy using his sippy before bedtime:

Now we turn to my little pink vampire. She's been sick ALL week...and I repeat ALL week. It's been one of the longest weeks I've had in quite awhile. Luckily I was able to pass her off on Aaron on Friday while I attended a women's retreat here in town and he got to experience the wonderful world of grumpy pants. She had a pretty high fever and just wouldn't eat or move or use any of her well learned manners...but she did master the art of whining. I have to say that we cut her some slack since she was sick...but boy were we glad to get our energy filled Natalie back today and hopefully couch potato whiny sicky sickerson Natalie will not return for awhile. Last weekend we were at my parents and she "won" some little prizes after getting tickets for games she played. She picked these nice little pink teeth and gave me her scariest monster face....so don't be scared....

We also wanted to remind you that our Internet provider has changed hands and our new email address is curtiskids@comcast.net. Hope every one is having a good weekend!!!