Extreme Makeover!

I just realized how long it has been since I have posted anything on here. I have been really busy with finals, cleaning the house for the In-Laws, Christmas shopping and the like. My sister gave me her Xbox 360 elite, which is a gaming console for those of you who don't know. The other day, I was playing it, not paying attention to Eliza. Apparently neither was Kelli. Kelli gives Eliza something to play with whenever she puts on her makeup. Well this particular day, she gave her a tube of mascara to play with not knowing that Eliza knew how to unscrew it. She went into the media room, and was quiet for about 5-10 minutes. For those of you who know Eliza best, you know that that is too long. Kelli went to find her, and Eliza just smiled at us, proud as could be that she had made herself look beautiful. Kelli then took her to the mirror so she could see what she had done. She looked horrified. That was the funniest part. Here she thought she had made herself look so good only to find out that she had made a mess.

They grow up so fast!

Eliza lately has been copying everything we do. The funniest was when we were in the grocery store and she grabbed a bar of deoderant, lifted up her shirt, and tried to apply it to her under arms. She will take Kelli's make up and pretend to apply it to her eyes and cheeks. I figured if she was going to learn how to do things, why not something practical? Say, playing the guitar. She is doing great, she picks up on it quick.

Halloween

Halloween was a blast. We decided to go with a Star Wars theme this year. Matthew, Eliza, Kelli, Rocky, my friend Jason and I all dressed up. Eliza actually managed to get trick or treat out occasionally, and Matthew just said "Hi" and "Bye". Rocky's costume didn't turn out the way that we wanted it to. It was way too big and he kept stepping out of it and tripping on it while he walked. Jason and I had a duel in the front yard, it was really cool to watch at night. The pictures didn't turn out too well, but you get the idea. I'm not sure what we are going to do next year, but we have a while to think about it.

Six more weeks of winter?

Lately, Kelli has been noticing poop on the back wall in our backyard. She had no idea what animal was leaving its droppings around in our yard. Well, today, she and Eliza met the culprit, who happened to be Phil. Apparently, he decided to visit us and tell us that he doesn't see his shadow. If Rocky and I had been there, he wouldn't have been around for very long, at least not without getting a little exercise. Oh well, I'll teach Rocky to hunt later.

The final moving day!!!!!!!!!!!

As some of you know, we have been moving from our town house into our new home for about a month now. This is the final week that we had to get everything out and get it cleaned. We worked all day Friday and Saturday. Eliza stayed with her aunt on Friday so we could work with out her under foot. Saturday however, she stayed with us and proved to be a big help. She helped Kelli pack up a box, then she managed the unloading. She told us where to put certain boxes and which ones to unpack. She going to be a good manager someday....

The newest member of our family!!!!

As most of you know, or should know, we bought a house. There have been millions of things that needed to be done. We have just finished number 12. For those of you who are not good with math, there is still a lot of things that need to be done yet. I try to get at least one thing on my list done a day. Again, those who are not good with math, we are looking at about a decade before I put a good dent in the list, assuming nothing else gets added on between now and then.
On Saturday, Kelli, Eliza and I decided that it was time to expand our family. I can't deal with any more bottles, diapers or midnight feedings. So instead of another baby, we decided on a dog. We have been shopping for about two or three weeks now, and finally decided on Rocky. He is eight years old and mild mannered. Or so we thought.
The first day that we brought him home, we took him in the back yard to let him get familiar with his new territory. He sniffed around for a little bit, looked at us, smiled and started to run around, happy as can be. We let him into the house, he wandered around a bit, found a good place to lay, and stayed there for a majority of the day. I took him on a walk, and had him leash trained in about 10 min.
Sunday, I decided not to crate him while we were at church, to see how he would do. If our house was torn to shreds, we would know he couldn't stay by himself. I came back, and the house was in one piece. I took him and Eliza for a walk after church and they loved every minute of it. Sunday, I let him go out back while I did some work, and he became friends with the neighbor dog, and laid out in the sun. He walked around the yard for a little bit, but didn't seem interested in playing or anything.
Then we get to today, Monday. I had meant to wake up early and take him for a walk before I went to school. That didn't happen, I ended waking up really late and barely getting to school on time. After my morning class, I came home to do some work before my next class. On my way home, Kelli text messaged me to let me know that Rocky had run away........
We searched the neighborhood for a good hour. Eliza kept asking for Rocky. Kelli felt bad because she felt responsible for letting him get out. He jumped the wall in the back yard. Not her fault at all.
I decided to look for him again after supper, and five minutes out, I saw him run behind a house down the street. I told the people in that house to keep an eye out for him (what a way to meet your neighbors). Two minutes after that, I decided to quit looking because it was getting dark. I looked back and saw him looking at me. I called for him and he came running. He is now safe and sound in his new home, and we are all glad to have him back. This has been quite the learning experience, build a higher wall..........:)

The Closing

Well, we are officially home owners now. It became official at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Kelli and I are having fun fixing and decorating and getting it ready to move into. We hope to be sleeping there this Saturday. There are projects galore, and as soon as I think I'm done, two more pop up. Welcome to home ownership I guess. This week we are packing, and Saturday, we are moving all furniture, and what we need to survive or whatever gets packed this week.

Apples and the Zoo

Hello all. Mom's parents have been in town the last week or so for a funeral. While they were here, they spent some time with their great grandchildren. We took a trip to the zoo and had fun letting the kids pet the animals. Matthew kept trying to pick the goats up, and they both referred to the goats as dogs. One day they will learn.
We spent most of our time in the children's zoo and didn't get to see much else. But the kids got to run around pet animals and they got some souvenir cups.

Mom also decided to take the family apple picking, which has been a custom for some time now. Matthew didn't go with us, I'm not sure he would have made it anyway. Eliza had a great time picking apple, off the ground that is. Kelli tried to teach her how to pick the apples the right way. We had fun and got sticky from the apples. Eliza got to know her California Great Grandparents a little better. And I'm sick of looking at all the apples that we picked. It will be a while before I eat another apple.

Clinicals, Missions, Houses

I have been going to clinicals for two weeks now. I must say that it has been a wonderful experience so far. I have seen all sorts of things from working in the ER and OR. I can't wait till I am done with school and I can do this all the time.
As some of you may know, Kelli and I are in the process of buying a house. We have hit a couple of bumps here and there, but now it looks like everything is working out. We are hoping to close on the 18th of this month.
I have become an online missionary through GMO (Global Media Outreach). I have been talking to people all around the world who have made decisions to follow Christ. It is really exciting and amazing that we are able to talk to people about the Gospel with out leaving our homes.
This has been a very busy time for us which is why I haven't posted anything lately. Eliza has learned some new words and has also learned how to throw temper tantrums. Yea!!!!!!

The Cat is finally gone!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read right. Today at 3:30 p.m central time, the cat went to a better place. He has lived with Kelli for six long years, and has been here everyday of Elizas life, and I'm sure Eliza will miss him. But now he has moved on, and I'm happy that I no longer have to vacuum up his hair, clean up his hair balls, shave him, feed him or clean out his litter box anymore. He now lives across the street at my sisters house, and now he is her problem.

The Weird Al Concert.

It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fish are biting!!!

I know it has been a while since my last post. I know that earlier posts promised more frequent posts. I hope you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me for not posting this earlier. As some of you may know, I accompanied the Sr. High youth group on the annual float trip. Of course the days that we decided to go happened to be the only two days when there was a heat advisory out. Why not? Sounds like the best time to go to me.
Last year we took two big rafts down the river. This year Aaron decided to let everyone have their own individual inner tubes. Those of you who know me the best will understand why I cringed when he told me we were doing that. For those of you who don't know why I cringed, it will just have to stay a mystery. Any who, Danielle told us about an hour into the trip that she felt blue gill nibbling on her butt. Aaron and I had a good laugh about that. About four hours later, I was just relaxing when I felt a sharp pain on my lower back. I thought that I had hit a stick in the water. The only thing was, it stung more than when you get stabbed in the back with a branch. I looked for snakes, and saw a whole bunch of fish swimming under neath me.
I mentioned to Aaron and Danielle, and everyone else who was near me, that I may have just gotten bitten by a fish or snake or something. Aaron just laughed, I think he thought that I was kidding. Well not 30 sec later, he jumped three feet out of his inner tube screaming. I thought he was making fun of me until he lifted his shirt and it was all red. All the girls headed for the shore. Aaron and I laid on our stomachs on the tubes. I realized if the fish were biting, I may want to remain on my back. Well that's all there is to my little anecdote. I hope you enjoyed laughing at some one else's misfortune. Spike

Alls well

Yes, you read correctly. Things are going well with the Hurn family right now. I just finished a take home test and feel pretty good about it.
For those of you who do not have facebook, and you know who you are, you will not have seen my latest video. It didn't turn out quite like I wanted, but I'm too lazy to go back and fix it. Sorry. Hope you enjoy this latest video. It will probably be the last one that I make for a while. I am running out of footage. bye, Spike

A little something.

I promised I would try to be better about posting things. I made yet another movie. I thought I would expand my horizons a little by adding subtitles and using different music. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed making this.

Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know there are some of you who probably check this everyday to see if have put up a new post. I realize that it has been a while and for that I am sorry. I have been busy with school and other projects that have come up. Everyone here is fine. School is still good and Kelli just got a raise at work. However, they have been overstaffed a lot lately so she gets called off and comes home early. I'm not sure what is up with people not being sick, but it is costing us money! For crying out loud people, don't you know that some of us live off of hurt people!!!!! Sorry, I needed to vent a little.
I know that most of you have seen the Cousin Menace. I know those of you who read this have seen most if not all the videos and pictures that we post on here. I was bored (should have been studying for a test) and decided to cut down the video so it is not so long. I really like this song, so I'm sorry that it is a bit redundant. The videos and pictures, all for the exception of one picture, were all taken since Eliza's first birthday. I hope you enjoy. I will try to be better in the future about posting a little more often.

Eliza strikes back!!!!

For those of you who keep up with our blog, I want to apologize now for not updating it sooner. Between church camp, a yard sale, two birthdays, open houses for graduation, meetings, workdays, and school, believe it or not, I haven't had much free time. I know thats hard to believe, but it is true.
Just to catch you up on some things, camp was fun. I will be doing it again next year. Hopefully my wife and daughter will be joining me. To sum up the week, it was hot, we had tornadoes, snake bites, and little boys who were constantly stuffing as much sugar as humanly possible into their systems. And they wondered why they couldn't sleep. From what I hear, the Junior girls cabin wasn't much better.
Now as far as school is concerned, I have just finished my second week out of eight. I have just two words that describe school, "I LOVE IT!" ok thats three but who counting. The point is, I can't wait to go to school. Believe it or not (and no, I'm not sick) I wish we had school every day. I especially love lab. If I had to do clinicals tomorrow, I would be ready.
I am leaving for sunny Seattle tomorrow, which I hear is cold and rainy, to see one of my cousins get married. I have one stop over, and have 20 min to switch planes. You might say I'm a little nervous.
To explain this video, well, it's pretty much self explanatory. Bye

Feeding the ducks?

We took Eliza to the park to let her feed the ducks for the first time. As you can see, we gave Eliza bread to give to the ducks, and it went straight to her mouth. After a while, she got the idea. Fortunately, the ducks behaved themselves and didn't hiss or try to attack us. They did get a little close once or twice but Eliza kept her cool. Matthew loved it and cried when his mom came and took him home. We all had a good time , and will try to do this more this summer. Spike

New Furniture!

Thats right. After years of putting up with the old futon, we finally were able to purchase a new couch and recliner (my personal favorite). They are really comfortable, ya'll should come over and try them out.
I told Eliza today that I will be out of town the first week of June. I told her that I was going to be a camp councilor and that she would have to be the man of the house while I was gone. She let me know that she was ready to wear the boots in this house for the week that I was gone. She is so darn cute. Hope you enjoy the picture, and hope to see you soon to try out our new couch. Spike

Finals, a thing of the past....for now.

Thats right, I'm done with finals for this semester. Now I have 2 and a half weeks of vacation. I have no idea what I'm going to do. I was hoping to have a garage sale sometime before June, but the weather has been to unpredictable for that. Kelli and I bought some new furniture the other day with our tax refund, and we have to make room for it.
Eliza got some new toys the other day as well. We decided that we shouldn't be the only ones who get new things. She got a purse and shake and go car, and a Dora the explorer chair. She really likes them. We were trying to get her a bean bag chair, but I figured Eliza would never be able to get out of it once she sat down. That would be funny to watch, and video tape and put on here, but I decided against it. Plus, the only bean bag chairs they had were Hannah Montana. ugh.

The Hurns go to Facebook

Yes you read right. After all this time, I finally decided it was time to get on facebook. I'm really glad that I did. I found friends from Covenant, High school, and grade school that I haven't talked to in years. It is really nice to catch up and see who all is married and who has kids and what people have been doing all this time. For those of you who read this and have a facebook account, you can find me under Jonathan Hurn Spike. I hope all is going well for everyone. It was good to hear from you. John D. Hurn

Then and Now

I know I just posted a new movie yesterday, but I had some free time (which I should have used to study for finals) and decided to make a short video of Eliza. She is running all over the house now, and it makes you remember a time when you had to carry her every where. Hope you enjoy the movie. Would love to hear from you, this feels one sided. Hope you all have a good day. John D. Hurn

Eliza goes to the park

Sorry that it has been a while since our last post. We have been pretty busy around here with school and work. Lately we have been having some pretty nice weather, (Too hot for me) and Kelli has been taking Eliza to the park. The first time that we took her to the park, I took her down a tunnel slide. She didn't like that at all. Later, Kelli and Abby took the kids to the Edwardsville park. Eliza played mostly with the gravel and didn't pay much attention to anything else. This past Saturday, I met Kelli and Eliza at the park. She was walking around on all the play equipment this time. When it was time to leave, she put up a fuss. Yesterday was cold and windy. She grabbed her shoes and her jacket and stood by the door and whined until we took her outside. She cries every time we try to bring her inside as well. She is growing up fast.

Eliza all shaken up!

Today, Eliza experienced her first earthquake. The first one she slept through but was awake during the second one. They were not very big earthquakes. 5.4 on the Richter scale. I would have slept through the first one, which happened at 4:30 this morning, but Kelli woke me up saying that we were having an earthquake. I laid there for a sec, decided it was no big deal and said ok, then rolled over and went back to sleep. The second one we had happened a little after ten this morning. I was at school and all the students felt it, but our teacher didn't and thought we were making it all up. One woman in our class thought that she was having paranormal activities in her house when she woke up this morning with her bed shaking and her husband asleep. Some people watch too much tv. John D. Hurn

Eliza is finally mobile!

I'm not really sure if it is a good thing or not. At least now she doesn't grab my finger and make me walk all over the house with her. However, now she falls down a lot and hits her head on different things; floor, furniture, toys, etc. She started doing it about a week ago. At first it was just from me to Kelli. And then it was just one to four steps. Now, she is all over. I forgot to tell mom and Abby, so when they babysat her, they were really surprised when she got up and walked for them. Things are going to get interesting around here I'm afraid, but thats life I suppose. John D. Hurn

One Year Pictures

Today we went to have Eliza's one year pictures made. After about an hour of coaxing, we actually managed to get a few smiles from our serious girl. She was so cute in her pink and white checked dress with lady bugs on it. Then, we tried to get pictures of her and Matthew together, but I think it was getting a little too close to nap time, and when one wasn't crying, the other one was...hopefully, we will end up with some really good ones to share. ~~KELLI~~

Rad Tech

As those of you who read my blog know, I am going into the Rad Tech program this summer. This past weekend I had orientation. It started at 8:30 a.m and ended around noon. I got to see where I will be doing labs and taking classes. They had some first and second year students there to talk to us and give us advice. They all seemed to say the same thing, "Study, study and when you're done, study some more." They were also all in agreement that the first fall semester was also the hardest.
I learned that I will be taking a math class this summer. This is the first time that they have offered this math class for Rad Tech students. I thought I was done with math. I am currently taking calculus and I really don't even need it, but thought I would take just to say that I did. Hopefully it will be a lot easier than calculus.
This whole program feels like its going to be a real challenge, which I think is good. At least now I know what I'm studying for and how I will be applying it in real life. Again, please pray for me as I start this new journey, which starts on June 9th. John D. Hurn

"Ode To Spring"

Spring is here
Whoop dee doo
It's warm outside
There's much to do
There's cleaning
and mowing

There are seeds
That need sowing
there are Tornadoes
and there are bugs
It's really humid
Too hot for hugs
There is no more snow
it has come and gone
Theres just thunder and lightning
and reseeding your lawn
Have fun in the heat
Don't get burned or sick
Have fun with the wasps
and all the deer ticks.

Words and Sarcasm By John Hurn
If you can't tell, I hate the heat,
Give me snow and ice.

Prayer has been answered!

For those of you who knew, I decided to try to get into the Radiologic Technology Program here at the local community college. I put in my application in last November expecting to hear by April. By the fist week in March, I got a letter in the mail saying that I was not accepted, but I was on the top ten to get in if someone decided not to join.
I decided to leave it to the Lord and prayed that if this was what I was supposed to do, He would make it so I would be accepted into the program. Before I could turn my letter in saying that I would like to be on the top ten, I received another letter saying that I was accepted into the program. I knew that this is what the Lord has in store for me. I have turned in my letter of acceptance, and orientation is in two weeks. Classes start the first week in June. After this summer, I will have two more years and I will be done. Please pray for me as I start this new journey. John D. Hurn

Here is a video that I made of Eliza. I hope you enjoy it. This is pretty much how it goes at our house.

Easter was fun!

Hi all,
Last Easter was exciting because Eliza was a new born. This year was just as exciting now that Eliza is old enough to open her Easter basket and interact with everyone. We took a trip to Georgia to visit Kelli's family the weekend before Easter. Kelli's dad sure knows how to give little girls gifts. I believe that when Eliza is old enough to want a pony, her grandpa Portwood will be the one to get her one.
Grandma and Grandpa Hurn were able to join us again this year. We had a great time of food and fellowship. Matthew and Eliza kept us all on our toes. With the musical eggs that mom bought the grand kids, we decided that she hates us. At least Eliza doesn't know how to work it yet. I feel sorry for Sarah because Matthew knows how to work it, and he likes to dance to the music. Oh well.

Yes, these are hers, and yes, they are live ducklings, and no, we did not bring them home!