Oliver Daniel Currit

Here is Oliver!

Happy Day After Memorial Day

I haven't blogged for a while because NOTHING HAS HAPPENED! This weekend, Jo and I found ourselves all alone for Sunday dinner. We realized that it has been about 28 years since that has happened. We sat there, looked at each other and realized that we really didn't know what to do with ourselves. We are used to being too busy so we don't know how to handle not being busy. I am sure we will adjust, so don't worry about us, but it is a transition.

Yesterday, we Skyped with Danny, Jenni, Jakson and Oliver! Oliver is as cute as can be. Jenni did an excellent job! I just hope that Oli knows how to sleep at night and that Jenni recovers quickly.

It's Monday

What a great day yesterday was. Better than Christmas. Aren't we glad to finally see Oliver's face? Hopefully we can get some pictures on the blog before Alex writes tomorrow. I think if I saw a picture of newborn Oliver without knowing who he was, I would say he looks like Jak enough to be his brother, and like Tommy and Travis as newborns. That would be my guess. Hope Jenni is getting lots of rest. I think she needs a very large milkshake or Jamba juice. Did you know "Oliver" is from the Viking name "Olaf"? Travis, a small package is coming.

Our New Grandson

Congratulations to Danny, Jenni and Jak on the birth of the new baby boy. Especially to Jenni: thanks for your hard work. It was a long happy night. We are very grateful. Check out the blog. Danny promised soon to post pictures and details. (weight? length?) Apparently he doesn't look like Jak did.

We love you all! Such happy news!

the reception

ufff, that was a bit tiring, 3 hours in a train then a reception and then another 3 hours in the train all in one day. The reception was a lot of fun, much better then the one at the French Embassy two years ago, organized for French Goverment Scholarships winners. We arrived with my Mum at the residence of the Ambassador. It was so hot that we werent exactly fresh, but being honest and modest we were the best looking people there:) Everybody was dressed as if it was a funeral, black and white. Weird. Then the Ambassador gave a speech and another important guy, but I forgot his function. Then it started to rain, so we had to move from the garden to the inside of the Ambassador's house. Then they would read all the winners names and everyone had to go to the stage , make a bow, strike a pose to the photograph and all sorts of embarassing but touching things.Then everyone chatted, I met some nice interesting people, I talked to the Ambassador's wife, who was really sweet. My Mum has realy enjoyed herself I guess she was so proud to be there with me that suddenly she became extremely social and she was chatting with everybody, even in English ( just the basic conversations). I was proud of her and it was so nice to have her there as its Mothers Day today it was my additional present. We had a wonderful time and for the first time I felt as if I had done someting really big and cool. It feels nice:) Enjoy the pictures.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to Danny and Jenni! What fun your wedding was! They are hanging on, hoping this date isn't also the baaby's birthday. I think they are going to make it to the weekend. Congratulations on, I believe, four busy, admirable years.

News from Home and Abroad

May 21, 2007

Hello from Sandy. We really enjoyed Papa Herb's visit this weekend. Dennis took him to Kennecott (one of my favorite wonders) to see big trucks. It is unbelievable. Or, maybe, you have to see them to believe it.

It's raining like crazy today. The temperature dropped 30 degrees in a few hours. My garden is happy, and so am I.

I really like the on-line card, Travis. It was fun.

Alex writes tomorrow. He says his brothers are lousy penpals, except for one, who writes him regularly and is much loved and appreciated.

Jenni is on the countdown. We started to guess days for delivery. I picked Monday. I think Tommy picked Wednesday, Dennis, Friday. I think we're avoiding thinking it could be two weeks overdue like Tommy was. Her Dad is visiting on Friday, so that would be a fine day for the baby to come. My candle is ready.

G-ma is reading Emma by Jane Austen. I need to buy that movie. I envy her the fun of reading (and the work of reading) a delightful book.

Aunt Kathy has her surgery this week. It will be nice to get it over with.

Oh. The big news: Agata and her Mom meet famous people at a reception at the U.S. Embassy for Fullbright Scholars. What an honor! I wonder where the embassy is? This whole thing is such an honor. Congratulations and take pictures. I believe this is happening this Friday.

Keep writing (to Alex, too).

We love you,

Mom

Travis and Cinco de Mayo Graduation

Here's the party: Cinco de Mayo with Travis's buddies and partners. Gordon, Courtenay, Sabrina, Skylar, O.J. and Toni

The pinata took a long time to break.

Some Pics from the University District Street Fair

Well, festival season is upon us here in Seattle, and to kick it off we visited the U-district Street Fair this weekend. For Travis and Agata: This all took place one block from where we live.







Here's Jenni and her friend Becca.














Random people crowding the streets.












This guy's booth was called something like "Sensory overload video games". You paid him money and then he made all kinds of noises and flashed shiny objects at you.

































Jak discovered the puzzle booth.

Travis and Mom at Huntsman Center ready for Travis' graduation


Dennis and Travis putting on the honors cords















Travis receiving his diploma (cover)


Travis' professor walking over to shake his hand

No Baby Yet

Wow, with a curse like that from Travis I figured I'd better post again quick before I joined the black list, seeing as I'm not exactly known for consistent blogging. Well, no baby yet--which is to be expected since I'm still not due for another 9 days. But, once you hit the "good to go" zone, which is 3 weeks before the due date, it's hard to not feel like it could be any minute. We are getting so excited we can hardly stand it. For some reason, I think we are even more excited than with Jak. Maybe because Jak has turned out being so much fun we can't wait to have another little boy in our house. It could also be because we have a little more time now than we did the weeks before Jak was born so we are actually able to plan and anticipate a little more which is so exciting.

We are starting a tradition that involves you all directly. We are getting everyone a candle. (okay--just the Utah folk--Jolene/Dennis, Tyler and Tommy since it is my mom getting them and we don't have time to send them to all the far reaches of the world) As soon as you hear that we are at the hospital or have had the baby you light it to celebrate a new human being and especially a new part of our family. There are no rules for how long it has to burn or whatever-although I would leave it burning as long as possible--i.e. for the evening. You don't have to stare at it or anything, just have it in the corner while you're doing homework or reading or whatever--the point is to take some time to celebrate a little. Maybe eat some cake too or something :). Then this little guy will literally have people all over the world thinking about him and welcoming him here. I know it's a little sentimental--I can't help it. Maybe it's a maternal thing, but I just feel such a strong desire to make a big deal about this and I don't want us to ever get to where having children gets routine and isn't a big deal, because this is an entirely new person. I actually got the idea after talking to a friend from Africa and another friend who has some Navajo birth traditions--I think other cultures are better at celebrating birth-they had a lot of cool ideas. Anyway, let me know what you think about it. Travis/Agata and Alex--I hope you can find your own candle and do it too.

Well, other than the anticipation, everything is really just life as usual here. It's good to hear from y'all.
Jen

PS Did you all know what a romantic your brother is? He is getting me flowers for every week I'm still pregnant (he started a few weeks ago) because it is so easy to countdown that he figures it's a way to be excited for every extra week that I am still pregnant. I'm loving it. Girls (especially 9 month pregnant ones) love being spoiled.

sniffle

Im sick. Ugh. A throat that feels like I swallowed a rabbit and a head drowning in its own mucus. I am highly suspicious that its timing, which coincides with the start of my work at a local elementary school, is not coincidental. Those places are the Valhalla of germs, where they go to live an easy life and prey on poor suckers.

Im quite enjoying my work though. Ive started to pick up more hours, which is nice. Teaching english is a whole lot of fun, in my opinion, all the power trips and listening to yourself talk of teaching without having to really know anything or prepare too much.

Agata finally received her official fulbright terms, they will indeed be giving her the money they owe her, which is nice. No news on the ticket yet, so who know when she will arrive.

Other than that all is snot. Carry on and be excellent,

TQC

ps tommy danny tyler a pox on you all for never blogging!!

Mama's Day

May 15, 2007

Dear Fam,

Thanks for all of the phone calls and visits on Mother's Day. We got watching a sweet movie and napping Sunday afternoon, then Marty and Brandi and Daniel came over, then the exciting Jazz game started. (It was good. Another one tonight.) It was nice to talk to Alex in the morning. We wish we could have networked with all of you for the phone call. Be sure to write him. He loves to read your e-mails and blogs. He's doing fine. It's very hot there. And it's started to rain. Apparently it will rain for weeks. What would it feel like to have constant heavy rain with the temperatures at 115-120 degrees?

Good luck to Jenni especially, and Danny and Jak in the next few weeks (or days) with the birth of the new baby. We can't wait to see his little face.

Alex is travelling to a conference in Chiang Mai (north) in a few weeks. He travels on a train. That should be an adventure.

Soon I will scan in some pictures of Travis' graduation. The weather has certainly changed since then. I'm exhausted from gardening.

Love, Mom

the festival of Lodz

This weekend we are having a huge festival in Lodz. There are concerts in the streets, you can buy some handmade stuff like beads and thing to eat. It is warm,so we had fun this morning just hanging around and watching people. Then we went to the 3D cinema with my cousin and my grandpa and we watched a movie about underwater world. This was so cool, especially an episode with seals. My grandpa loved it and was so proud to go out with some young people who enjoyed his company. Here are some pictures ( Im posting whereas Travis is trying to pretend that he is not sleepy, he sleeps all the time:):)

Polska

Dzien dobry fam!

As mom told you, I safely arrived in Poland, an uneventful flight, rather boring actually as the overseas one didnt have any movies :(:( Agata was waiting for me at the airport and it was fantastic to see her again, even though she did kick my butt a bit :) We took quite the deluxe bus back to Lodz, and I've been sleeping ever since. This darn jet lag, I have yet to figure out how to beat it. Yesterday I met with one of the people for whom Ill be working and set up my hours; unfortunately my training for my other job isnt until next friday. But securing the first job was great news, which Agata and I celebrated by going out for a 'chic kebab' at this restaurant that serves dismantled kebabs for cheap but in an atmosphere of fake luxury with a real waiter and all that.

Were busy getting things in place for next fall, too. Agata has been going to the doctors these last few weeks to get all her tests done for her visa (shes syphillis, tuberculosis, and mumps free, if anyone was wondering :) In two weeks she has a formal reception at the American Embassy in Warsaw. She's taking her mother and will be presented with some kind of award or trophy or certificate commemorating her Fulbright. We keep getting paperwork and long, extremely helpful emails from students and faculty at UW, which is exciting. We will both need to register for classes by June. Ive been poking around for housing on the internet but no one so far will consider a pre-lease for September, which makes sense as thats 5 months away. Guess Ill wait until July to get really cracking.

I hope Jenni's doing well these last few weeks with the baby in the belly. I have no idea what the end of a pregnancy is like-- is it harder than the rest? easier?

Ive been extremely dissapointed to discover that I cant find the Jazz games anywhere on Polish television :(:( Ive been reading a lot about them which makes me very jealous as the descriptions are always "Jazz win in another amazingly dramatic, exciting game, one of the best basketball moments in history." Grr.. Im going to try to listen to the next one over internet radio, even if it means waking up at 3 am.

Well, guess thats all. Keep on keeping on. Tommy-- seen any good films in your class? Im always looking for reccomendations.

Be Excellent to Each Other.
TQC

Update from Home

May 8, 2007

Alex writes tonight. Travis made it to Poland. We miss him! Dad and I have so much to do around here and so little motivation with everyone gone. Hope you are all well and happy. Agata liked her beading kit Travis took to Poland. Jak liked his airplane. We love you all and miss you a lot. We are looking forward to the new baby grandson. Did you catch on that I have no real news?

Love, Mom

Tyler, Tommy, Jenni, Danny and Travis at first barbecue

Dad grilling, Tyler playing guitar

Jenni, Danny and Travis

Remember the smoked salmon Dad made? Jak is napping in the house

Still Learning How to Do This

Something in three at night with glowing eyes freezes in the light of Tommy's camera.




Is it a bat? A ferret? A skunk? It's a ring-tailed cat. Only it's not a cat at all but a member of the racoon family, a civet....which I think means it can produce a mean smell, or at least something about the civet is the base for perfumes.


Layers of red rock beauty

I think this next shot is on the way to the Escalante River looking up at the rocks. They might have even climbed down to the canyon from the shelf on the top.

More Escalante--Maybe with Titles (we'll see)

Spring cactus flowers. If you dare, the meat of this cactus could keep you alive.....


















Sam at waterfall. Looks like Dan coming through behind him.
























Tommy, content in his favorite place on earth




















More rare cactus flowers. I think this might be yucca.

Tommy's Escalante Pictures Randomly Chosen By Mom