FIREPROOF

OK, so you've gotten my emails, and you've heard Tyler and I talking about it since late June when we were able to catch the preview...and now it's time! Opening weekend is just a few days away, and you can now have the opportunity to check out what we've been talking about.

Here are some reasons to check out this movie:

1. Kirk Cameron - I was a HUGE Growing Pains fan; you know you were too!...seriously, 12th bday got to go see a taping with my mom and sister! Kirk is still as adorable as he was in the 80's... and he's even better now that he's acting for a purpose!
2. Great 'date-night' movie - the wife will love it, and the hubby will get brownie points for taking her to see it! (and I bet he'll like it too!)
   
3. Support a faith-based movie - not many faith-based movies make it to a national market. By seeing this movie, you can support the church that is producing it, as well as giving it an opportunity to stay in the theatres for a bit so that many people can be blessed and have their lives touched by watching this movie!

Who should see this movie?

• single
• dating
• engaged
• married - with struggles
• married - no struggles
  I believe it will really speak to you at any stage

Tyler and I were touched when we saw the movie; differently since our pasts are a bit different. Nonetheless it did make an impact on each of us. We both have a passion to encourage healthy marriages, and it weighs tremendously on my heart to reach out to people about marriage. It takes a daily conscious effort to make a marriage strong and healthy. Take too many 'breaks' and you never know where you will find yourself. The message of this movie is to not give up; stay strong...but ultimately know the One that can offer you true, unconditional love and share that love with your spouse.
So...I'll leave this as my last 'reminder'. We will be watching the 7:30 show at Brenden on Friday. We'd love nothing more than to run in to family and friends there! Or call/email us and we'll meet up just before going in. For those outside of the Modesto area, you can find a listing of theatres that will be showing the movie HERE!

O'Connors in town

It had been a year since their last visit, when they were in town for our reception. Crystal, Jason & the boys were in town this past week and it was great to have them over to our home. I quickly realized (after Jacob asked) that we do not have toys in our home! Of course that will change soon :) But for this visit, the boys were on their own for entertainment!

Derek was flipping his hat trying to get it to land on his head - he did it at least once!
All three boys were 'bowling' with a tai chi ball that we had and some bottles of vitamins :)
Tyler...well...was pretending to have an eye patch?! I'm really not too sure what's going on here :)

I have to say that Crystal and Jason have done a fine job of raising very well mannered, well versed, great kids! I love to hear them talk like little adults...and hear them say excuse me and talk in 'inside' voices. We were able to get some great advice on parenting from Jason.

Grandma and Grandpa put together a gathering out at a park in Ripon, so we all headed out there on Thursday.Julie, Crystal and Casen (hope I'm spelling it right!)
Kimberly with her new puppy! They couldn't wait for their baby - they needed something to play with now!! :)
PEACH FUZZ - Jacob got a nickname from Grandpa on this trip. He's such an adorable little boy!
Brooke playing with Kayla - and Kayla stopping to smile for the camera.

Sorry Aunt Kim - this is the only pic we got of you!

Uncle Mike chatting it up with Julie and Curtis.

Grandma and Jared look like they're having an intense convo there...

This shot says 'I'm really in charge' here to me :)

We're hoping to get to see you guys at the airport while you're in San Francisco - one last time before you head out to the Philippines!

Maddy's 1st Birthday

Last weekend, Tyler and I had the pleasure of attending Maddy's first birthday party. For those that don't know Maddy, she is daugther of one of my best girlfriends, Kimmy. Here are Kim, myself and another one of my best girlies, Ginger.

And here is Ms Madison solo with each of her proud parents.

...and at the end of her cake time (enough pink frosting all over herself?!)

Ginger with her new little man, Tyler - great name, huh?! He's absolutely adorable!

I cannot believe it's been a year since Ms Madison Murdaugh was born! What a blessing she has been to Adam and Kimmy :) She is such a little joy - just like her mama always smiling and ready to pose for a picture.

NEWS!

We are overjoyed to share the news that we have recently learned: we are expecting our first child! I'm either in my fifth or sixth week (the online calendars are not consistent!).

Here's a little pic that we sent to our immediate Boyd family :)

My sister allowed us to use her bday bbq as an announcement time with some family...

What a nice sister, huh?! Last year she shared her bday and let us have our reception on that day :) and this year, she shared it with the news.

One more formal 'announcement' to go with some more family this weekend!
Yeah for big families!

We are reading through everything we can find online, and through books to get up to speed on how our little sesame seed is doing :) This is just all so amazing, and the excitement is wonderful. Funny how you love rubbing on your belly as soon as you find out there's something growing in there!!

We had an appointment at Kaiser on Friday, learning about the hospital and a few things about pregnancy. We also got to have an unexpected ultrasound...and got to see our little 'sack' in there. We have our first official appt with the mid wife this Friday, 9/26 (same day that the FIREPROOF movie comes out - go check it out!)...we'll keep ya posted on how it's all going!

Until next time!

Connie, Tyler and little one :)

Vacation

What an amazing time my handsome husband and I had in Mexico - and on the cruise!! It was quite an experience. We packed a whole lot in the first several days, and did lots of R&R on the final two :)

We enjoyed doing some fun activities on the ship. We decided to do a few dance classes (Jenn - this is for you!). Here is Tyler working on is dance moves :) - Can you believe he was up front?! We also did a 'Salsa y Salsa' class when we were in Mazatlan. In that class we made delicious salsa (6 kinds!) but the dance portion of the class was truly tragic. About half way through, I think about half of our class was sitting out because they just couldn't follow the teacher. Of course, I got a chance to talk with her after class and gave her a few tips for teaching dance :)

This picture shows Tyler's disappointment when he asked for a bigger hat :)
and this shot was for the view that we had.

We did some walking in Cabo...while walking through town we found a fruit cart! YUMMY...should you ever see one of these in Mexico (or even LA!) you gotta buy some - and ask for it with chile and lemon (for locals, they also sell it out in the country in Modesto during the summer)

In Puerto Vallarta, we started off our day at 7:15AM to go swim with the dolphins...what

an experience that was!! The first pic is the pool that we were in with them, and then there's Tyler and I dancing with them - it was an unreal experience.

Then we went horseback riding...Tyler's horse was tiny! I think Tyler's toes could touch the ground while on him ;) And my horse had a mind of its own - as Tyler was getting ready to take this pic, my horse decided to gallop away :)...after riding horses, we had dinner and show. Here's someone we met during our excursions who went up on stage and learned to work the lasso.

We were blessed to have met such neat people on the ship! Our dinner crew, and Ashleigh (above) and her hubby Matt, who we played some trivia with - and won once:)

This vacation was amazing! We had a wonderful time together...looking forward to our next anniversary trip :)