Cupid's Curse 2015

Hello all who come by this,

February is packed packed packed. Last post I mentioned that Sam and I were recruited to play in a quartet Valentine's Weekend. Well, it was a lot of music to learn, which made February busier than it already was. That, and school has gotten really busy for me and Sam takes the boards on Monday- AH! Did I mention that Sam and I got colds one after another? Sweet Joey was willing to be babysat through it all. Here is the advertisement for the show and masquerade ball we played in:

 

   



Post by Cupids Curse Theatrical Masquerade Ball.

Thursday night, opening night was skim, but it was a little to be expected. It was super tiring to play for two hours way into 11:30 at night. We watched the show before playing and it was impressive to see what they put together in three short weeks. The best part was this creepy dude that came in from the back. Our string quartet was sitting in the back so we saw him coming in, but the other people dutifully watched the front waiting for the show to start. The guy really had his role down, complete with a really creepy laugh. The rest of the show was interesting, the special effects were cool, and they even played Dvorak's New World Symphony over and over again!The second night was quite like the first with a little more people. This was a better night because the people were more engaged and one person even told us we were the best part. They brought in "human statues". Here is a picture of Sam and me there:

However, on actual Valentines Day I received a text that the event was cancelled due to poor sales. I was sad but was willing to forgive the rest of the contract that they signed with us. It started getting fishy when the other group members asked for half pay (they could do that because of the contract). Meanwhile Sam went to the venue to grab all our stands we left the night before. Sam noticed that the event was not cancelled as everything was still there and employees still working. So, instead of playing two hours of music after the show, we made a deal to play an hour before the show started for half the price of what we would have gotten. A little sad, but it worked out nicely that we weren't playing so late and the people didn't have to pay us as much. Probably better for the audience as well. Afterward we were fed a couple other stories, including how the bar would not be available after the show, so they were going to cancel the masquerade ball (which was a pretty lame cover-up for trying to cancel the quartet). The more lies they feed us, the more we see the truth that they just didn't want to pay us (for two hours all three nights we were going to be paid $1500 total). Oh well, it was still fun.

That hiccup didn't ruin our Love Day. Sam made blueberry pancakes in the morning. I showed him a video I made for him. We went to Costco where Sam picked out a bouquet of flowers for me. Then he took me out to lunch at Macaroni Grill (one of our top favorite restaurants). It was unclear what the evening would be like because of the drama with the ball, but in the end we watched a movie together with Joey. Here is my lovely bouquet:

I can't wait for the rest of February to be over: no more studying for the boards, my birthday, easier work load, and did I say we are going to Portland, Oregon for Spring Break? Woot!



January 2015

I started school full time half way through January. The schedule didn't work out as nicely as last semester, but lucky (for me) Sam doesn't start classes until end of March so he stays home with Joey to study while I go to school. I was told the music minor requirements changed since I was readmitted to UNM, and I had to take extra cello lessons. I thought it was a blessing in disguise because I felt my skills waning. However, a couple weeks into the lessons and a lot of miscommunication, I had to drop them. At first I was devastated, but it turns out that I didn't really have the time for it anyway. I could graduate without them. Sam and I were also recruited to play in a masquerade ball during Valentine's weekend. Lots of music to learn in a few short weeks!

Joey started occupational therapy to give him a little boost in development. He loves cars more than ever and started a new love: movies! It is so hard not to let him watch more than one a day as he whines for them and constantly brings us different ones to us. He's such a picky eater, but we did solve his constipation problem! Here are some pictures of our date at Fudruckers (his favorite was the ketchup):

Sam is busy busy busy studying for his first step of the medical boards. He takes them on the 23rd this month, so pray for him! He also is seriously magnifying his calling by going out with the missionaries 2 1/2 hours a day! Sweet husband.

One good thing: not a lot of people saw this price for gas, and especially as they are sky-rocketing now. Cheers for Smith's gas points! Happy February!

Kartchner Family 2015

January has proved to be busy. This month is proving to be even busier. However, since I don't feel like writing a paper write now, I'll write a blog post instead. My side of the family got together the very beginning of January to have family photos, and here are the final edits. My mom wanted a couple backgrounds to choose from:

My mom wanted the beach

How about the forrest?

Paris: Yes!

 

Sibling love.



I forgot how this picture happened.



All the cousins.

 Surprisingly there were no additions since the last family photo. Rare for this family!

December 2014

This December was filled with family and fun, as every December should be. The first weekend of December Sam and I played in our Stake's annual Christmas concert "a Child is Born" with some beautiful pieces. I finished school that very weekend as well, so I had a month break which is coming to a close this week.

We enjoyed festivities with Sam's family. About two weeks before Christmas we gathered at his parents' house for dinner, singing, a Talent show and a White Elephant. Santa even showed up! We didn't get a picture of Hudson with Santa, but here are the other kiddos:

Beau did very well.

Tyler was excited.

Elise got a little freaked...

But it was nothing to Joey's screams! Santa really freaks him out.
In fact, watching any movies with Santa merits the same reaction.

Last year's photo for kicks.

Then we got a family photo in with everyone present. We really wished Jared and Jenny could have joined us!

Sam's parents also had us over for dinner Christmas Eve eve. We enjoyed a traditional Japanese dish (ask Sam what it was) and an overwhelming amount of gifts. So sweet of them!

On Christmas Eve we headed to the zoo and just like we suspected it was free and nearly empty! A lot of the exhibits were closed but we saw really fun things regardless.



The peacock and all his glory.

One of the sea lions took a liking to us and kept appearing
in this window for us to enjoy (no less than 5 times).

A really crappy picture of all the fun Christmas cards we got.

Decorations this year.

Sam and his gifts: a wool tie and lifting gloves.

A new straightener for me that I'm just about to try out.

On Christmas Eve we headed to my family's gathering for Nativity acting and Christmas PJ opening. Darren and Cait arrived just in time to experience the total chaos that ensued.

On Christmas we videotaped Joey getting a Lightning McQueen car that he could drive himself! He also enjoyed the goodies in his stocking. We then headed to my family's again for more gift giving and a Christmas brunch. The missionaries in our ward came to our home in the afternoon to enjoy good chats with their family, then we headed to my aunt and uncle's for dinner and games.

I got one extra thing this year: the flu. The next day I and a few other family members felt pretty awful and stayed that way until about Tuesday where all the adults in my family were treated to Black Angus for steak and more sane family time. Woo hoo for Discover points that give us enough gift cards to do that!

I'll get the videos on here eventually of Joey, but the upload speed is ridiculously slow, so enjoy this post for now!

Thanksgivin' 2014

I am a little late posting this as it is already 2015, but I wanted to steal some pictures from Jessica since she is so much better remembering to capture moments than we are.

Thanksgiving was a total blast! Sam's parents were planning on going to Idaho to visit family for the week and Sam really wanted to go as well. I was a little weary at first because of all the school work I had to do, but Sam, as amazing as he is, helped me make sure everything would get done so both of us could have a good time.

We left Tuesday after Sam took a test and I attended one of my classes and headed up to Provo, UT. Alas, since we left at lunch time I did a lot of driving in the dark. That's right, I drove the entire way to Provo...in the dark! Joey was a sweet little boy, but he gets carsick like his mama and puked halfway. We had the privilege to stay with my really good friend Bethany and her hubby Quinn, who lucked out on a cute apartment. We didn't get any pictures, woops (like I said we always forget to). In the morning we treated them to breakfast at Kneaders (yum) and then headed to Idaho Falls. This time no tickets!

Grandma Hobbs is always the sweetest and best hostess. We got to stay in one of her living areas which is pretty secluded. We packed way too much as we thought it would be nice and snowy up in Idaho. Both Utah and Idaho were comparable to ABQ that weekend so I think we lucked out in that sense. We had a grand time eating and playing games with Grandma Hobbs, Sam's parents, and Jess and her boys (Sebastian arrived on Thanksgiving Day).

On actual Thanksgiving we headed to Pocatello to have dinner at one of the huge institutes, with Uncle Dan being the host there. Lots more family members to meet! After dinner we had an epic nerf gun war. Poor Joey got shot in the face close range so I sat out for a good portion. In fact, all the little kids weren't having a fun time, so at the end we all lined up for them to shoot us. The deal was to "die" a dramatic way, but Joey didn't like it when his dad died. He threw himself on Sam and cried, so now we know he actually will care if Sam dies.

We had a post-Thanksgiving dinner at Julie's place, which was just as fun. I got to meet some of Sam's family I didn't meet the previous two times I've been up. Brad and Julie are also excellent hosts! There was a concert at the end of the evening for all those who wanted to participate. I lucked out when one of Julie's kids had a cello, so I got to participate as well.

We headed to Salt Lake on Saturday because I really wanted to see the lights at Temple Square. So we spent the day at City Creek mall and Temple Square until it got dark enough. We were in awe. Each tree was individually and professionally wrapped in lights. There were Nativity Scenes around the world. There were even our beloved luminarias with cool cutouts in them. The reflecting pool had glowing orbs floating in it. It was a really neat sight - I can now cross it off my Bucket List.

We were staying with one of Sam's old mission companions, but he had a wedding reception to go to, so he invited us. We arrived even before he did though, which made it very awkward. We didn't even know who he was related to. At first we thought the bride was his sister (as the last names didn't match), then we thought it was his wife's brother or sister. But no, it was his wife's cousin. We truly felt like wedding crashers. But hey, the food was good.

After a wonderful stay at Sam's old companion's home, we headed back just in time for a rehearsal for the "A Child is Born" concert. It was a busy busy week, but an exciting one as well.

Ready for the park!

I wasn't there, but I heard that Beau insisted on
catching Joey. Joey wasn't too thrilled with that.

All the boys need are some cars and they are happy as clams.

Ready for some dinna!

How cool is Angie for bringing a lot of her guns for us to enjoy!

Jo wasn't having it.

Cousins!

All the fam. You did great Grandma Hobbs

A free concert at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Gorgeous tree inside.

It's getting dark

  Can you believe how gorgeous those lights are?

Nativity in the middle of water.

Doesn't even capture how beautiful.

Joey still not having it.

Only satisfied when able to run around and cause mayhem.