The Joy of Christmas

(funny how my last post started out with me reflecting on the freezing weather when it's been in the 80's almost every day since.)

So here are some pics from our Christmas festivities and more. We took a roadtrip up to San Fran to watch Alex's brother, Gabe, graduate from USF the week before Christmas. Then we went to Disneyland. Christmas Eve was spent with my parents as well as Alex's Dad's side of the family. We opened presents with my family on Christmas morning and then drove to my in-laws for Turner Family Christmas. We saw lots of family in the span of 2 days which made one extremely exhausted 1 year old. AJ had fun playing with all of the boxes, ribbons and wrapping paper. I had fun playing with my Dyson! Alex got a shed for the backyard (as well as some toys). Gotta love how the gifts get more practical as we get older. Anyways, we had fun celebrating Jesus' birth with our loved ones. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Snow on the Grapvine

some of my favorites

Since it’s been so frrrrrrrreazing outside, here are some things that make me warm inside:

going out to breakfast…pancakes, waffles, french toast and eggs are mmm mmm good, snuggling under my down blanket with a good book, going for a run in the crisp morning air…and feeling sore the next day, kissing my hubby, seeing him return home from work, sneaking up on AJ after he wakes up…i love seeing his huge smile, half-opened eyes and frazzled hair, spending time with my family, playing games, reconnecting with old friends, having deep and meaningful conversations, my moccasin slippers, holding hands, snowboarding in fresh powder, getting a good tan, finding a great deal, saving 50% or more at the grocery store, looking at old photo albums, crossing off items on my to-do list, Costco…just walking around the store makes me happy, frozen pizza- it’s cheap, quick to make, yummy and it makes Alex sooooo happy, a long hike to somewhere I’ve never been, traveling, a good long worship session, bonfires, staying in my PJ’s as long as I can, a clean house, warm summer nights, crisp autumn days, getting my hair done, seeing AJ smile, helping someone, yogurt covered pretzels, not setting my alarm, …and many more.

Happy 2009

We rang in the new year with some good friends, good food and good games. If you've never played Loaded Questions you should try it. You really get to know one another well. :)

May 2009 bring you closer to the Lord. Thank God that He never changes but that with His help, we can. As it says in Lamentations 3:21-23, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." May the power of God help us to bear much fruit this season as we abide in Him.

Christmas pictures to come....

Happy 1st Birthday AJ!

One year ago today I was nervously clinching Alex's hand in the delivery room as a flood of emotions came rushing in. When would I be able to hold him? What would he look like? Will he be healthy? Will he have blue eyes? Will he really be a he? What is motherhood like? Will Alex and I know what to do for him? Would he look like daddy? Would this epidural last until I delivered him? Man this epidural is fantastic!

So many questions were crowding my brain and before I knew it, it was time to push. After a few painless pushes (seriously, I couldn't feel a thing!) Alexander Joseph Turner, Jr. arrived at 12:07 pm screaming his head off. He was perfect. I held him tight and with tears streaming down, I knew he would change my life forever. He has changed my life and the past 365 days have been the greatest days God has given me on earth.

AJ has a sweet spirit. He loves to be held, cuddled, and kept close. His first word was "Yay!" and says it every time someone is cheering or clapping their hands. He goes crazy when watching The Price is Right! He loves to wave and say "Hi" in a soft, gentle voice. He loves the remote control and can spot it from a mile away. He can stand and take a couple of steps on his own but hasn't quite walked yet. When he wakes up, he will hold his arms up like he wants to be picked up from his crib and then he falls down and crawls away really quickly. He thinks it's hilarious. He loves the vacuum cleaner. He loves playing with water. Bath time brings him so much joy. He just stands at the edge of the bath while it's filling up, claps his hands, and screams "Yay! Yay! Yay!" He has a handsome smile and is a big flirt. AJ one of the happiest one-year-olds I have ever meet and melts my heart every day. I love you sweet son! Happy Birthday to you!

Here are some pictures from his birthday bash on Saturday

My mom and I created this masterpiece ;)



Cousins

Alex, family, and friends had been slaving away at our backyard for the past month trying to complete it by AJ's birthday party. It was finished (concrete, curbing, sprinklers, sod...just not the plants) on Friday and we couldn't even utilize it because it was raining and freezing! Oh well...all 35 of us were cozy in our home.


Opening presents in his new rocking chair from Nana (actually it is an old rocking chair that Alex had when he was a boy!)







Devoring his cake...he LOVED it...almost as much as he loves his girlfriend Cailin (on right) :)

The Family

Nana

Popi and Mimi

Don't you think AJ looks like Alex? Those were taken on Alex's 1st birthday in Honduras. What cuties!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for taking the time to check out our blog over the past (almost) 2 years. I'm not sure it's really a blog since I don't write much...it's more like a photo gallery of our little family. In any case, it's been fun for me and I hope it's been fun for you. Have a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving, all you faithful turnertot readers/lookers. :)

p.s. A BIG thank you to Max and Sarah for putting their photog skills to use on our crazy family. They managed to get some awesome shots despite the 50 mph winds! We are thankful for you!

WHOOOAAAAA!

thanx, max, for this cool pic of me flying in the air. :)