Zoo and fun splash pad

We got to go to the zoo with Heather, Kena, and Benson to try out a different water scene than our usual one. Joe really likes the zoo and says he wants to feed every animal while we are passing it, especially the giraffes. The zoo has a couple of splash pads with fun rock slides and caves and Joe LOVED it. I took a risk and snuck my camera in through some water hoping it didn't get wet and I was able to get some pictures of these cuties sliding down the slide. Nice change of venue! Thanks friends, we had a great time!

Mom's Birthday, My Birthday, Dad's Birthday

Well these 3 birthdays were in May, but I wanted to document them in June for fun. My mom's birthday is 2 days before mine and my dad's is the day after mine. May is a birthday filled month in our fam and I love it! We'll start out with mine being on Memorial Day. Unfortunately Steve had to work so Joe and I went swimming, took naps and the second dad got home we went swimming again, went out to a nice pizza place by our house followed by ice cream and a stop at Blockbuster. It was my kind of night. Thanks to my friends and my wonderful family who actually called.
I'm usually in town for these birthdays for some reason so it was hard for Steve and I not to be there this year, but I guess life is just getting more busy. My mom is the best woman I know. She somehow does everything for everyone without hoping for anything back, and most of the time she does it without getting anything back. Everyone always tells me how beautiful my mom is and all I can do is agree. She is such a hard worker never stopping to put her feet up. My dad is the luckiest man because she pretty much spends her days trying to make his life easier and waits on him. It is so refreshing to see how much she loves him and appreciates him for who he is. She is the best grandma and Joe tells me frequently that he is leaving me to go to grandma's by himself! Thanks mom for being my best friend I love you!
My dad is such a sweet man always putting his family first. He sacrifices his own wants for his family's needs. He is an amazing coach and leader. I love watching Frasier with him and trying to tickle his little knees and being reminded of how strong he is :), and that quite frankly he doesn't like when I do that. I love how much he loves his baby Joe and that somehow my child can do nothing wrong in his or my mom's eyes. I love that he loves my mom more than anything and that he tries to surprise her with presents in the sweetest way. My dad is super smart...business smart, street smart, church smart, but he would never make you feel like he knows it all. He actually won't give his opinion unless someone really wants it. I love that he still calls me Jennie-the-Rose even though I wrote that on my papers um....a long time ago.

Grandma & Grandpa Jurca came to visit!

Grandma & Grandpa came to visit us in sunny Arizona. The ladies did a lot of shopping, the men did a lot of golfing, and Joe got a lot of attention. We first went to Old Navy...can you find the little person who doesn't belong in the mannequin section? He was actually talking to this little girl.
I can't believe I only took a couple pictures, it must be that I'm pregnant and spaced it. We had tons of fun swimming, shopping and eating. We were so excited to have visitors and really enjoyed their company! xoxo Thanks for coming!

Perfect Serenity

A couple of weekends ago, we woke up and didn't have anything that had to be done right away so we enjoyed a fabulous morning at the pool, came home for naps and when we woke up we went golfing. Joe liking it would be an understatement. He behaved so well and was quiet while his dad hit, stayed in the cart until putting time, and spent lots of time looking for bunnies.



He asks frequently to go to the golf course with his daddy now. We need to get him his own set of little golf clubs. Everything at the golf course seems better, the grass seems fresher, it smells better, the ponds seem way prettier than they would be if you just were at a park, and there is just a sweet peacefulness there.
While in Valencia, Joe and I waited the whole week for Grandpa to say he'd take us. I bet he was probably worried that Joe would hurt himself on the cart, pull out all his clubs, or not shut his mouth the whole time...Well if he thought that he would have been wrong.
Joe sat for all 9 holes, quietly, right next to his mom. He got to see 2 tunnels, about 6 geese, a bunch of rabbits, water, fish, and some squirrels. He would clap for his grandpa and say good job on almost every hole. At the end he found that he could sit in this little basket and was probably bummed he didn't find it earlier.
This is a hole where Joe got to get out and walk up to the geese. He of course got a little too close for my comfort and I ran and got him right after this picture. How much better could it get? Geese, water running, grandpa doing what he does best, and my mellow boy being mellow. It was a great day, or should I say hour at the country club. My dad flew through the 9 holes and then spent some time putting with Joe at the end. I really enjoy going and watching my dad and Steve golf, it is so peaceful and I love peaceful family time since it doesn't come very often!

Joe is going to have a little...

SISTER !!!!!!!! Here she is giving a little wave to the fam with her hand by her head.
Yep, he is excited, a little shocked, and a little nervous about how our family is going to change around October 24th! Steve and I are thrilled to be adding to our family and I will admit I totally thought it was a boy when we went to find out today. The ultrasound tech said, so what do you think it is? I said, o a boy, but we'd love either...She then asked Joe, what do you think it is? Joe said, a little brother...She then said, o it's a girl! Steve doesn't make predictions :)
Here is Joe when we first told him and some family a few months ago. He couldn't be any prouder and he says he will be the best big brother in the whole world...Great, he's gonna like her friends, she's gonna like her big brother's friends...Oh how I am going to have to be on my feet! We really like our doctor who happens to be LDS and he has been super nice at my appointments. Ah! We are so excited for this little princess to come!
***By the way this will probably explain why the blogging has lagged, the comments on your blogs have been few to none, and the phone calls to my friends in San Francisco since moving have been almost none! With Joe I was sick 6-16 weeks everyday for most of the day with headaches and throwing up. This baby I had horrible indigestion and nausea from 5-7 weeks, throwing up from 7 weeks-13 weeks feeling like I was going to die, and now nausea every night from 7 on. I would love to feel normal soon! My poor husband has been AMAZING and stepped in to pretty much take over my job as much as he could. Couldn't have done it if he wasn't so relaxed and helpful. Love you honey!

Joe's Prizes

Long story...Joe is now 2 years old and some change and we got him to sleep in his own bed and through the night! Woo hoo! For anyone who is thinking of judging, please don't and listen to some reasons of why this has taken so long. #1 When he was born in Provo, he did have his own room but he was super colicky and so when we could get him to sleep we did and let him sleep wherever he would sleep the longest...in our bed....Having a colicky baby was soooo hard during RSV season because we couldn't go out, Steve was in his last semester of school, and o did I mention colic is so not fun! #2 We moved to San Francisco and decided we weren't going to pay at least $700 extra for a bedroom for our 7 month old.We tried moving him when he was asleep, the crying thing which I don't do well with, and letting him sleep on the couch which he actually did for awhile. We did try putting his crib in our walk in closet which worked for not very long. It was a little walk in closet and I wouldn't have liked being smooshed in there either, so #3 we got to Arizona decided Joe needed his own room and a big boy bed since he never like his crib and wah la. We made his room a fun place for him which I will hopefully post pictures of soon, it is a cute little cowboy room and started trying to get him on a routine. The deal is he has to sleep in his bed for his whole nap and his whole night time sleep and he will get 2 stickers for the day. Who thought anyone would be so excited for stickers and a small prize at the end of the week!? Our sweetie! He told his dad ALL about his chart the first day and is so proud of himself when he comes to tell me he's awake to get his sticker. For the last week and a half, Steve & I have been sitting in his room reading while he goes to sleep. It's been a super nice release for me to get some time because I love to read and we have been getting him comfortable with the dark, knowing we aren't leaving, etc etc. Well for the last few nights we have been super tired so we have either gone to bed or hurried and done some stuff around the apartment while he is going to sleep and he has gone to sleep by himself! I am super proud of him! A little bit of me misses cuddling and snuggling but I am able to get some more stuff done.

We went to Wal Mart and I totally forgot he needed a prize and we saw these squirt guns. We got 1 for me, Joe and Steve and I told Joe we would have a fight when daddy got home. We watched American Idol finale (Tuesday,loved it) and then as we were going to the pool to have our fight, Steve got a call from someone in the ward (he just got called as the Executive Secretary so I guess he will be getting a good number of these), and we had to share him. Joe was so patient for an hour and a half while we waited for Steve to get back. We only had 20 minutes at the pool and then the boys continued their fight in the bath. Steve is such a good dad to come home after a 12 hour work day, entertain Joe, go serve, play, wrestle, and swim with Joe and the get him ready for bed. I really really appreciate it! Joe is a crazy boy when his dad gets home and I love it! It was soooo enjoyable seeing him so happy! I love him so much, he is such a fun little boy and I have loved this stage of learning to talk and show more personality.
*He is into singing these songs right now: I Am A Child of God, Once There Was A Snowman, I Am Like A Star, Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam, You Are My Sunshine, If You Are Happy, Hurry Hurry Drive That Fire Truck, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and The Wise and Foolish Man
*Some of my favorite sayings right now: Waking me up from a nap and he is in my face-time to get uPPPppp, Joe why did you do that? (take his shoelaces out, why he wants to go shopping, anything)-because I love you, to his daddy whenever he talks to him-daddy please come over now, to his horse Patches in his room-hi Patches, mommy Patches is hungry he needs some cereal, in the car-mommy its soooo bright I need sunglasses right now, mommy I need some armpit (deodorant), trying on shoes at Target-ooo sweeeet I like em, during Sacrament he lays on Steve's lap and I hear him silently singing-What's gonna work? Teamwork What's gonna work? Teamwork-yes we love Wonder Pets at our house
Joe you are the sweetest little thing and we just love you to pieces!

Happy Birthday to my sista sista!

Chelsea, Selina Ballerina, Chels, Sista Sista, Sissy, Princess Happy Birthday! I can't believe you are 21 today and that I am not there to celebrate, but Joe and I probably wouldn't fit in at ballroom dancing tonight! You know you are the best sister ever and that besides mom no one loves my baby Joe like you do! Thanks for always being behind me even if you aren't as feisty and up front about it as I am. I am so proud of you for doing so good in school and being such a good little wifey to Benny boy. Crazy to think we have 21 years of memories: 3 year old me carrying a couple week old baby you to the couch, taking you on wagon rides to Coronado, rock n a roll yeah yeah yeah, bath tub bikinis with barbie soap and gold scrunchies and hair done to the nines, singing to the video camera by myself while you whine, talent shows, barbie weddings on the stairs, knocking your teeth back with my head because you pulled me into you, golf tournaments with unfortunate sprinkler events, matching until we were 13, cheerleading, laying out, missions, golf lessons with the golf club going farther than the golf ball, Coronado trips, teasing the boys, you living with us for a month, the fun chair and scrambled egg event, singing to Joe, meeting Ben and thinking he was too good to be true so I kept talking about you to him since you were too shy, and then I made dinner for him pretending it was you while you danced around the kitchen, and because you weren't being as aggressive as I thought you should be I told you what should happen next and next until you got the picture, skiing down the bunny hill I think we have both been taken down or cut off by Cassidy :), model pictures with me being cropped out afterwards, helping you get a dress for Ben's sister's wedding, seeing my beautiful sister go through the temple, get married in the temple and not shed a tear very unlike me and mama, dancing the night away with our babes actually mainly by myself because mine took over Joe for the night--amazing, San Francisco surprise trip, and hopefully many more trips to come, and spending countless hours on the phone worried about baby brothers and our adoring parents. I love you love you love you and thank you for being the wonderful sweetheart of a sister that you are.

Happy Birthday to my big sister Julie!

My sister in law, Julie, had her birthday May 4th. I am a total lagger, but I was waiting for some information from her about a mini triathlon she just completed. She signed up last minute and totally rocked it. She ran 3 miles, swam 1/2 mile, and biked 10 miles in just over 2 hours! Julie is one of my best friends and I am such a loser for not taking full advantage of her when I lived in Utah for cooking lessons, budgeting lessons, or mothering lessons. I love calling her just to call her and I always get off the phone feeling wiser and rejuvenated. She is very helpful when it comes to seeing things from all sides and hoping for the best. I love her and am so happy that with her there is no line between sister and sister in law! xoxo

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to tell my mom and mother in law Happy Mother's Day! I am so lucky to have the greatest mom in the whole world. She is so selfless and puts everyone's wants and needs in front of her own. She takes great pride in honoring my dad and I love to watch them be so happy after being married for so long. She is my best friend and is always there to listen to me ramble on about whatever is going on in my life. Joe wants to say that she is the best grandma because she lets him call her whenever he wants to count to her or sing to her or just sit there. I love you mom and hope someday I can be everything you have been to me. On to my mother-in-law Bev, I am fortunate to have a mother-in-law who I call frequently to get help from. She is such a great mom and brought up 4 wonderful children, 1 of which I am able to call my sweetheart and thank her for raising such a wonderful husband and father. Bev loves her children and would do anything for them. She loves Steve's dad more than anything and is a wonderful grandma. Joe has withdrawals from both of his grandma's because of all the attention he gets at their houses from sun up to sun down. Thanks for the fabulous examples of womanhood! Love you!

Whit's wedding and trip home

Joe has this Airplane book probably written before I was born explaining all about airplanes, the captain, co pilot and flight attendants. While we were walking onto the plane, we happened to be walking with the captain. Joe was speechless! The captain invited us up to the cockpit and Joe loved it, he only turned around for this picture because the flight attendant called his name and he didn't recognize the voice. He is still talking about how he got to drive in the cockpit.
We didn't do very much while I was there, which was perfect I was there to just hang out. We did get to go tux shopping for JK since he was going to an LDS prom and I thought I would get to see him get measured and all that fun stuff, but they already had his measurements and he was super easy so we were in and out in 5 minutes.
Me, Whit and Erin. My sweet friend Whitney got married April 25th and I was lucky enough to be home and got to go to her reception. It was fun to see some friends I haven't seen in awhile and finally meet this English lad I've heard so much about...Brittany, remember hearing about him in May at Julie's :) great times. Congrats to the newlyweds!
It was so fun to get to go. I needed/wanted to see mom, dad, JK and Ben, wanted to see Whit's new hubby, and needed Chelsea to do my hair! Thanks for the fun family and thanks Steve, Ethan and Josie for coming to see us!