Happy 14th Birthday Ben!

Happy 14th Birthday little brother! It is amazing to me how fast you are growing up. Here are a lot of reasons why I think you are awesome!You look so handsome in a tux
You are a good dancer and sometimes do what your sisters want you to without throwing a huge fit
Look at you just 2 3/4 years ago! You have grown up so much and I just wanna squeeze your cheeks and kiss you!
You like to dress up as a fat person because you are the complete opposite, but you like to make fun of me and baby Joe for being fat!
Uncle Ben is so cool, since baby Joe doesn't have the hop ability yet, Uncle Ben was so patient as to help him. Can we lower the hoop any more?
Uncle Ben is willing to play in a box, remember when you broke it getting in, that was funny!
Uncle Ben lets Joe ride on his shoulders and drool in his cool hair!
Ben is usually on the winning team in whatever sport he is playing
He is amazing at basketball and has some sweet hops
He is very athletic and very competitve
He takes great care of baby Joe
Ben and I are the 2 feisty ones that are the first and the last and we bring the 2 mellow siblings down to the real world.
Ben, I love you so much! You are pretty funny when you aren't teasing me. You are my idol with Guitar Hero, but I think I'm getting better. I am so glad you are a worthy Priesthood holder for my baby to look up too. Keep it up! You are a stud and a good, loyal friend. Thanks so much for letting me paint MOST of your room without your help. I needed the experience. Thanks for all of your help with baby Joe. You are the best, happy birthday!

Joe-loves

Joe had a check up last week and here were his stats: 22.2 lbs and 2 ft 6 3/4 in. He was a superstar throughout the shots and was even able to have a little beach date with some of his friends right after. Usually when he hears Sarah's name, he is all smiles and will put on a happy face.
Something new about our happy boy is that he goes to nursery! He has no choice, Steve and I recently got called in there. He loves it and is pretty good. He likes all the toys and loves to walk around and see everything that is going on. Last week at church, I was trying to show him where his dad was as he was preparing the Sacrament. I thought, great Joe will like to watch his daddy and hopefully he'll be quiet. Nice going Jen! He quietly was whispering daddy, daddy, teve...He got off my lap and acted like he was going to see some of our friends and bee-lined it for the stairs up to his daddy. Sacrament meeting pretty much went down hill from there, but it was cute of him to try and be with his dad. Joe has 15 teeth! 7 on top and 8 on bottom! Today Joe and I went to the park and for the first time he actually went down the slide by himself, pushed off and everything. I didn't just toss him down it! I was so proud that it clicked and that he wasn't scared, I could've started tearing up, but I had to remind myself I was at a very crowded public park. It's amazing that such a simple thing can melt your heart when you're a mom. I'm in awe at the little things he is able to do every day. I'm always asking for high fives or the rock for every little achievement and I feel so blessed to be entrusted with this sweet son to raise and teach. He gets very excited when I start singing the itsy bitsy spider and he now does popcorn hands. He brings Steve his shoes and socks and tries to help put them on. He loves to be a helper. He is a very picky eater. I was making him a quesadilla last night and snuck some corn (like 2 corn pieces) and black beans (like 2) in his quesadilla and he ate around it and handed the "different" part back to me, like yeah right mom! He has this car that his friends Kena & Ryder got him & he gets into it & says bye bye as he is waving to me. I'm not that into that achievement! Aunt Chelsea will be dropping him off at his first day of preschool and kindergarten so that his mom won't have to say bye. He is the cutest peek a boo player there ever was and is thrilled when someone finds him. Steve & I are having the time of our lives with our boy!

Tuesday Tell All...Taste

A few of my favorite tastes are:
*Watermelon
*Root beer floats
*Cupcakes
*Cookies
*Bruschetta
*Jamba Juice
*Pizza Factory Breadsticks
*Pluto's Salads
*Guittard Chocolate Chips
*Chicken
*Shrimp
*my mom's roast

Happy 16th Birthday JK!

This is my studly brother JK! Here are a few of the reasons I am crazy about him...He is handsome and is one of the few guys I know that has class
He is a true gentleman and is probably the best dancer there is out there. He is a fantastic boyfriend to the lucky Lauren Vega and hopefully she realizes how very lucky she is and if she doesn't, I will help her :)

He keeps Ben, Chelsea and I in line
He is a good sport (#10 all the way to the left) shaking the opponents hands
He saves my parents money on Halloween costumes and just paints himself. He also loves my brother Ben who is 2 years younger.
He is an awesome uncle and does whatever baby Joe wants to do at the moment...lay in the middle of the football field after an intense game...
Play in a box...
Ride the skateboard with assistance, around and around and around the tennis court
JK is unbelievable in his wood class. He made this for baby Joe when he was born within the week of his birth. One day when we live in more than a tiny apartment, this baby will be up on Joe's wall. It is freaking amazing!
JK loves to play golf and tennis and has a natural talent in both. He recently has whooped my mom in tennis and is pretty to close to beating my dad, both of whom have played for over 30 years.
JK usually does whatever his annoying sisters ask him too and does it without complaining.
Our fantastic four would not be the same without our Joseph Keith. He is mellow, passive, athletic, completely ripped(sorry JK I had to let the world know), sweet, an amazing singer, dancer, and peacemaker. He evens me (the feisty stubborn a little too honest one), Chelsea (the dreamer living on a different planet most of the time), and Ben (the tough sensitive sometimes scary, but I always beat him) out.
JK we love you! I am so grateful that Joe has such a good example of a worthy Priesthood holder to look up too! I hope you had a fabulous time on your little surprise today with your friends to Hurricane Harbor! Lauren & those girls are such sweethearts and I'm so glad you hang out with them, and that you let me hang out with them :) And what do I need to say about CJ? I love him and am so glad you guys are such good buddies still! xoxo

Tuesday Tell All...Smell

I love the smell of:
*fresh flowers
*Subway
*Abercrombie
*chocolate chip cookies
*Brenda Curtis' home
*Steve's aftershave
*Coronado
*Marriott Monterey
*Kenneth Cole Reaction
*Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
*baby's breath
*clean laundry
*Boudin sourdough

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful dad. I don't think I fully appreciated him until I was out on my own. I learned that all he ever wanted for me was the best life had to offer. He is such a hard worker and is a good provider for our family. I really love that he does not give advice unless we ask for it. He doesn't pry into any of his childrens lives to find out what we are doing and why we are doing it. If we are about to make a big decision and ask for his input he will give it, but not until it is asked for. I love that he married my mom and although he already had 5 sons, he had 2 more girls and 2 more boys. I love that he loves baby Joe and that he loves Steve. He is such a smart business man and is our Pro Joe! I love that no matter what I always knew I could ask my dad for a blessing and he would drop anything to be there when I needed him. Whenever I have been preparing for a talk or lesson and have had a little question, my dad literally pulls out books and volumes of things for me to read and I have more information than I needed, but he makes it so interesting. He is respected by everyone especially the boys that he helps coach football too. Years later there have been men that have come back and their sons are now on the football team and they rave about my dad. I am proud to have him as my daddy! I admire the love he shares with my mom, they are such a good example! We love you!
Steve's dad is amazing. He is so sweet and patient. I appreciate him making me feel so welcome into the family. He is so strong and is the only member in his family. Steve has raised a wonderful family in the gospel and started off right with a temple marriage to his sweetheart. He makes a great coconut shrimp dinner and can fix about anything he needs too. He would give the shirt off his back to any of his kids that might need it. He is such a great grandpa. He has taught his children about hard work and how to work. Steve can not be replaced, he is such an amazing administrator at his school. So far he has taught me to try to ride by the seat of my pants. Since I am such a planner of the littlest things, this has been a hard one for me, but it is a frequent way of living at the Jurca home. He is very funny and takes great care of his wife and home. We love you big Steve!
For my husband...I took him to Monterey for the weekend as a surprise from me and Joe. Working for Marriott finally paid off, we got a trip! I got Steve a tee off time and while he was golfing Joe and I saw some deer, up so close!
We watched a boat race
We went to the beach, where in order for Joe to play in the sand, he insisted that his shoes stay on...funny and kind of weird. After the beach and ice cream he fell right asleep in the car. Since I didn't want to go back to the hotel and have to valet park and get him out, I drove to a bookstore bought The Host by Stephenie Meyer and parked at the beach...It felt amazing! I didn't know if the trip was more for me or Steve. I haven't gotten to read and relax in so long! Thanks Joe!
We went to a cute little Island Steakhouse Restaurant in Carmel, and unfortunately Joe started wheezing and not being able to breath very well. We took him back to the hotel where he didn't improve at all and at 4:30 this morning drove back to San Francisco so we could give him a breathing treatment. We knew that if we went to a hospital it would take 4 hours whereas just going home would take 2 and we would be at our own home. We will do the aquarium next time, which will hopefully be soon!
My honey standing outside Pebble Beach...finally he has seen Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, Poppy Hills, Cypress, Spyglass, and a few others that Mike (his brother, amazing golfer) hasn't seen yet. The drive was beautiful and Steve was so excited!
Happy Father's Day! Thanks for being such a wonderful father to our baby! Steve and Joe are so cute together and they act a lot alike. I really appreciate Steve's help with Joe. They have started to play ball together and it is very entertaining. Joe is so lucky to have such a great example to look up too. Love ya! Hope you enjoyed your surprise!

My haves...and a fabulous good news minute!

Today was a great day for our family! Our niece Emily received a kidney transplant! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
2nd my sis Chels posted some beautiful pictures of her wedding, I love weddings!

To this long post, I found it on my friend Chandi's blog and decided it was would be cool for Joe to look at some day.
All you have to do is copy the list and bold what you have done.
This is a great thing for kids to have their grandparents do.

200 Have and Have nots!

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper(lots!!!)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins, I'm counting our honeymoon & the Coronado few
8. Climbed a mountain Thanks to Bruce and his "moderate 6 mile" hike in Canada
9. Held a tarantula, no but there were 2 in our house once, we lived in the country
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath-not on purpose
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run-does Wii count?
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking-just today for Joe and Sarah
33. Adopted an accent for fun-only in front of Steve
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors-Canada for Steve's side
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-for a second, then I got the best surprise, Joe
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland - no, but I REALLY want to
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke-only every Sunday with Chelsea, my poor family...I Get Lost in your Eyes :)
50. Lounged around in bed all day-before Joe
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain-and the snow, and the sweltering heat...the things my poor husband puts up with
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie-music video for Lil Romeo, thanks Lora!
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch-thanks to my mom and Julie for making them idiot proof, even though I have had some flat batches here!
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently-does high school Spanish count?
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check-I'm sure I did when I was learning the rules of finance
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy-the little vacumm popper
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person-Our family loves our Congressman Uncle Buck!
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge-drive it all the time, but I have no desire to walk it
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing-almost
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about-in the process
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions-felt horrible for that one
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name-my last name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands-watched my big brother Jack do it, but I opt for one swing with the swatter
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad-don't you read part of that in high school?
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream-my mother reminds me almost every time I talk to her :)
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care-that was pretty rough
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep-no matter how big Joe is, I will take any cuddling time I can get
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone-my poor brothers against their will
122. Ridden a train-the Bart counts
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need-I am improving
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book-really would love too
128. Pieced a quilt-with my Grandma and mom
129. Lived in an historic place-we are right now!
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage-Peter Pan 2nd grade and talent shows
131. Asked for a raise-nice that my parents were my bosses
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon-mini one for breast cancer in high school
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite-Hotel Del is as close as it gets to 5-star for me...Thanks parentals!
140. Flown in a helicopter-That's how my amazing husband proposed and how we got to the top of the mountain!
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment-working on it
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted-a caricature...
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted-Hotel Del Coronado!
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away-never got past the front door, my dad is faster than he looks
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss-only when I'm the babysitter
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox-my little pony and a longaberger basket
160. Gotten food poisoning-Jim's Family Restaurant shortly after we were married...horrible
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission-Steve said that was a requirement when we got married so I guess one day we will
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks-good old Marcrest house
164. Gone to the opera-Phantom of the Opera-broadway or opera?
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine-I won an Excursion limo to prom with a bunch of my friends, & when we were younger Jeff, the McKeon family's limo driver, would take us to the airport or to get ice cream
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz-thanks to my mom and cotillion I could probably waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books-and Full House books
171. Been stuck in an elevator-only in our apartment building and I was freaking out
172. Had a revelatory dream-about my sweet Grandma Rose
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane-hate turbulance & flying into St George in a tiny plane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life-haha my young neighbor was running down the street, who knows where his mom was and I stopped him just before getting on the main street where a car was coming too fast, not too dramatic
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint-loved cross stitches
178. Laughed till your side hurt-love it when my jaw is sore
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier-Hollister, Little Things Mean A lot, I won't even name the other one for my sister's and brothers sake
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Mini High School Reunion for my hubby

A couple weeks ago Steve's friend Jake and his dad Ron came to stay with us because Jake had a golf tournament at Lake Merced. While they were here we found out Blake and his wife Breann were here celebrating their 2nd anniversary. Also Mark and Tami are here for dental school until this weekend when Mark graduates :(. I had to take the opportunity and have a little party. We had Mark, Tami, Ryder, and Mark's parents, Blake and Breann, and Jake and Ron in our tiny apartment for dessert. These great people make me wonder if I could live in St George, only for about 2 seconds before I realize I couldn't deal with the heat...I almost couldn't bare it today in San Francisco!Mark, Jake, Blake and Steve
Of course Steve had to challenge his buddies to some Wii time while I finished making dinner
Joe and Ryder, Mark & Tami's little boy...playing Mario Kart with their steering wheels. These little guys are only about 5 months apart and we are going to miss Ryder!
Joe loved Jake and his dad, he felt very comfortable hopping into bed with them and thought Ron was pretty cool. Joe's new favorite place is the golf course, he could've walked the course all day had we not been worried about the many balls he might get pummeled by! Kath, wish you could have come, I tried to feed him well!

Joe loves

I have slacked on my Joe loves for awhile, so here they are. Joe is now almost 17 months and is such a cool kid. He is talking more saying kna kna for knock knock, buh bye, no no, keys, doggie, mommy, & daddy. He is a dancer, well more of a head bobber. He loves when his daddy gets home, it is the best part of his day. When daddy gets home the boys play ball on our deck and Joe thinks dropping/throwing the ball is fabulous! He likes to play the wii and is obsessed with driving. He says choo choo for the train and likes doing certain puzzles. He is still a very picky eater but will eat gogurts now which is big and still likes his pirate's booty. I practically have to sit on him to change his diaper and dress him. Whenever my phone rings he will say hi over and over until I pick it up, but then once I pick it up of course he won't say anything. He is hilarious and still does his cheeser smile. We love our boy! Here is a video of him dancing for his Uncle JK. Sorry it's dark, I like it anyway!

Tuesday Tell All...Sound

Some of my favorite sounds are:
*Joe learning to talk
*Steve's "oh my goodness" laugh
*Chelsea's pity laugh
*My parents laughing when they are watching Frasier
*JK & Ben's singing
*music
*my phone ring because Joe starts saying hi, hi, hi, hi, until I pick up
*I love the way the ball sounds when it is hit in the right spot with either a tennis racket or a golf club
*I love how it sounds when Joe calls me mommy!

Tuesday Tell All (on Wednesday, almost Thursday)...Sight

I love seeing my boys smile...To me it means that for a moment all is perfect in the world. From Steve, I think I did something to make him happy, maybe say something funny, make a good dinner, or do something special for him. From Joe, I know he loves me, needs me, and that we are buddies.
Whenever I see this freaking bridge, I know that we are FINALLY almost to Coronado...And in the last couple years, the Jurca's car has been the first to see not only the bridge, but also the...

San Diego Temple, but don't worry mother you can still call the Matterhorn. No one really cares about that one because it means we are only 1/3 of the way there! xoxo