Ruthie's Favorite Christmas Present

This is my first time trying to load a video - it looks a little squashy, but it's the best I could do for my first time. My parents gave Ruthie this piano for Christmas and she LOVES it. She plays it all the time and dances to the music. Last night, we caught some of her antics on video. 

As you watch it, you'll hear Ian ask me if I can post video to my blog, which finally prompted me researching how to compress videos small enough so they would load. And wah-la, the finished product:

It's a Hard Life

But someone has to do it.

Sunset at the beach last night. Eat your heart out, east coast. :)

Family Trip to Balboa

We recently took a little family day trip to Balboa. We had the day set aside to help Mary and Mike move (see post below) but when they didn't close, we found ourselves with a whole day with nothing to do. LOVELY! And since I love to have adventures, I quickly thought a quick trip to Balboa would be just the thing.

I have many fond memories of that place as a child; when we would come to CA from TX to stay at our place in Huntington, we would always go to Balboa  We would usually go to the Ruby's there, my mom's favorite, and then we would ride the ferry and play around at the "Fun Zone." The "Fun Zone" has changed quite a bit since I was a kid (gone, sadly, is the Very Scary Ride roller coaster that we used to ride for a quarter) but it is still fun. Ruthie enjoyed watching all the other kids play in the arcade and on this super jumper attraction thing they had.

The last time Ian and I were in Balboa, I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant. We had a great time then, going to a nice dinner and having our last hoorah (of which we had about seven), but it was also very fun to take Ruthie and let her explore the little island.

Here she is, taking in the sights with Daddy.

We let her get down on the boardwalk and do some of her own walking and man alive, did people eat her up. They loved seeing this little tiny person walking down the boardwalk on her own. She did look very cute, I have to admit. (She doesn't normally let me hold her hand, but she allowed it temporarily for the photo.)

And here we are on the ferry. She really wanted me to let her go so she could see the water better, but I decided it was best if I kept two hands on her. =)

We had a lovely day and are looking forward to our family get away this weekend to Huntington (for more of our anniversary celebration) and Ruthie's first over night to Grandma and Grandpa's!!

Life with Ruthie

For the past two weeks, we've had a college student from our church staying with us. She was supposed to move on December 29th into Mary and Mike's new house, but due to an inept loan broker and a bunch of crazy delays, they are just getting the keys to their new house today. Anyway, in the meantime, the girl who will soon rent a room from them has been staying with us. She is studying photography at Cal State Long Beach and a few days ago, she took some really great photos of Ruthie that I thought would share here (if Ruthie lets me - she is sitting on my lap and grabbing everything at the desk as I type). There, I just put her down for a nap and this is now MUCH easier. =) Anyway, here are a few of the photos of our girlie!

Something Incredible Happened...

...four years ago today. I walked down the aisle, to become the wife of Ian Edmund McCurry. (Hard to know who is happier in this photo - me or my dad. =))

I thought I could not have been happier that day - I was truly happy. But in the four years since, my happiness has only grown, as I've been loved so well and been able to love in return.

Now, in addition to our love, we have Ruthie to love as well. And, I don't think I've said it here yet, but we will have a new little noodle to love come June.

God is so good and we are so grateful.

Happy Anniversary, Ian. I love you!

Our Christmas

As I'm sure was the case for most people, our Christmas season was action packed. And so good. We are so thankful for Ian's break and the extra time off it affords us, and we're especially thankful for so much wonderful family that we love seeing over the holidays.

In no particular order, here is the McCurry 2012 Christmas!

Making cookies with the four oldest Marsh kids:

We had Christmas with Ian's side a little early this year, and hosted the event at our house. We had brunch, gifts and for the first time in a long time, a family photo!

We also had a chance to see Ian's Grandfather and his wife, Dina. They love Ruthie and it was a great visit.

Our little family Christmas at home:

Sadly, I have no pictures of any of the celebrations with the Sunukjians, but we had Christmas brunch with everyone at my parents on the 24th, and then had my parents and sisters over for our tradition of tortilla soup before going to the Christmas Eve service at our church. On Christmas Day, we had our little family Christmas at home (see above photos) before heading back to my parents' house for a very low-key celebration with them and Mary's family. It was wonderful and very restful.

And, we took another picture of Ruthie with her Memorial Hospital Stocking. What a difference a year makes! 

2012

2011

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!

The Weather is Amazing

I know most of the country is inside, but man oh man, it is days like today that make LA traffic worth it. It is about 68 outside, sunny and LOVELY!

It was cool this morning, but I still met a friend for a nice brisk walk. I bet not too many people meet up at 8 am in January with babies for a walk along the riverbed. Delightful.

And for the past 30 minutes, Ruthie and I have been enjoying the sunshine in the backyard. She has been busy playing in her house, eating chalk and trying to turn on the hose. Never a dull moment with this girl. :)

Here she is, showing you all how excited she is to be outside.

Happy New Year!

I was back to my old tricks this year, working on New Year's Eve. But this year, as a part time consultant, I got to pick my hours. So I chose to work the family event Downtown, which ended at 10 instead of 2. Hooray! And Ian and Ruthie came down and joined in the excitement for a little while too, which was very fun.

I wish everyone a very happy start to 2013!!