30 days of Thankfulness: day 13

Day 13: Today I am thankful for my family.

I'm thankful for the support of my family. There is no way I would be able to be successful at what I'm doing if it wasn't for these people. I'm thankful for how quirky we are. I'm thankful for how we watch insane amounts of football. I'm thankful for my mom and how she keeps the peace. I'm thankful for how we talk about our issues honestly. I'm thankful for the yummy food we make in the kitchen together. I'm thankful for my dad and how he is almost always the voice of reality. I'm thankful for how our family traditions change almost every year. I'm thankful for my brother and his ability to be able to fix just about everything.

We're a crazy bunch, but I sure do love them.

Recap: a week in the life

This last week has been nothing but absolute craziness!

last Thursday: Bachelorette Party for Emily in downtown Portland

All the Ladies!

Friday: last minute wedding craziness and rehearsal dinner

Saturday: WEDDING DAY!

getting her hair done!

morning of the day!

the Beautiful Bride and Maid of Honor

My handsome date! :)

The couple's first dance

the 4 of us :)

Later Saturday evening, I drove to my Aunt's house and started family craziness! My aunt was having a surprise 50th birthday party and I got there just to enjoy the tail end of it (still in wedding attire!)

My big brother and I

Sunday: What a great day! We had church outside at my uncle's cute little country church. After church, we had a chilli cook-off picnic and played all sorts of games.

Me and Dan with our grandparents!

I'm the auntie of this cute little kid :)

my Mom and I. Isn't she beautiful?

Blake and my Mom playing in the grass

my Grandma playing and singing with Blake

Later that afternoon, we got to watch old family videos of when my mom was a kid. It was so cool to see my mom as a little kid and my grandma as a cute little young thang! We decided to spend the evening hiking Multnomah Falls!

All the cousins! We're all so big now!

 

Me with Dan, Stasia, and Blake

Oregon is stunning!

Dan and I at the top

After the hike, we all went out for pizza!

Monday: We had a leisure morning and then we decided to go float the Sandy River. 

Dan tied the canoe to the car!

Family picnic

Dan and I floating along

Stasia and I showing our excitement!

Tuesday: I'm back in Corvallis! Anna and I did our blackberry goodness!

Wednesday: Emily and Jonathan drove through Corvallis post-honeymoon, so they met up with Greg and I for a bit. We ate at American Dream pizza and strolled a bit through campus. Later that evening, my family arrived! We went out for Indian Food and stayed up late all talking. 

Thursday: We spent the morning walking around the OSU campus!

Starting him young: He's a beaver believer!

I literally said while taking this picture, "Oh no! I'm ganna look like a freshman!"

In front of Valley Library: Dan, me and Mom

Blake and I in class

We spent a bit of the afternoon cooling down in my apartment and then headed south to the Oregon Coast!

It was in the 60's!

Stasia and I found a really cool pirate ship slide!

We went to Mo's for dinner and enjoyed yummy clam chowder!

I had a great time with my family! I'm so excited for this weekend and my adventures with Caeli in Portland!

This summer has been nothing like I expected, but I have been overwhelmed with love, friendship, and God's faithfulness. I love the many adventures I have gotten to go on, experience, learn from, and grow.

I'm an aunt!

On December 22, 2011, we welcomed my nephew to our family. His name is Blake Daniel Curcio, born from Stasia and Dan Curcio in Santee, CA.

My brother, Dan, and his wife, Stasia-about to push!

Dan and I with newborn baby Blake

Then we got to spend a wonderful Christmas with Stasia's parents, and my parents all together. This is the first time we have all been together since the wedding of Dan and Stasia. I really loved having everyone together spending Christmas with our new love, baby Blake. Since he was born on the 22nd, Dan and Stasia got to bring him home on Christmas Eve, which was just perfect!

Stasia and Dan in the front, holding baby Blake, then my Dad, my Mom, myself, Jim, and Cindy

me getting some cuddle time with my nephew

Baby Blake 1 month old today. He's already so big!