Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Finally!!!

So, this was a big day for us. A few months ago, Dave and I tried to get out of the house a little and go out to eat with the kids. I thought that we might not be ready for such a big step, but Dave told me "No, we can do it. We have to get them used to being out." Now, its not that we haven't ever done this with the kids, but that was when they still slept in their car seats. So, that day (Father's Day to be exact), we took the kids with us to "Cha" for a Fathers Day brunch. We put the kids in highchairs even though they were too young to sit up in them, and tried to hand them toys to play with. As soon as our food arrived, they had had enough. All the toys were on the ground, they both had already had their bottles, and I had nothing else up my sleeve to entertain them. Ethan, sensing my anxiety, decided not to make things any easier on us and started to pitch a huge fit. So, needless to say, I had two bites of my food and then I walked him up and down the street trying to calm him while Dave inhaled his food while holding Addie. Good day!

That brings us to Sunday. We took the kids and visited the local Farmers market for some produce and flowers. Afterwards, Dave asks me if I'd like to go out to lunch. And even though just the thought of this makes me break out in a cold sweat, I reluctantly agree. What a surprise! They both sat in highchairs and ate Cheerios and bits and pieces of our fajitas. They smiled at the staff, flirted a little with the people next to us, and waited until we had paid the bill to dirty their diapers. It was so much fun.

I know that this may not be a big deal to all of you, but I am loving these small victories. After 5 months of bed rest and now 10 months staying home A LOT of the time, I am happy that we are finally getting out of the house and into the world of the living.

This was earlier that day at the market.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Turner Family Reunion

Get Ready For Pictures!!!

Last week was the first Turner Family Reunion in Island Park, Idaho. We rented a HUGE house that amazingly slept everyone (that's 26 people!). It was beautiful! The house was on 2 acres that backed up to the Snake River. We had a pool table, hot tub, fire pit, and tons of space to just play and enjoy each other. It was so much fun!

To see the house go to
http://www.islandparkidaho.com/bishopmtlodge.html



The downstairs was the playroom where we played pool, ping-pong, Foosball, and dance-dance revolution.

Heather, Sierra, and myself

Heath, Sierra, and cutie patutie Ben

Day 1
Hanging out by the river
Addie dons her swimming suit and matching hat and Sierra dons her trademark sunglasses.

What handsome boys!

Everyone enjoying the river

Our little Hitler (aka Kyle). He got some sand on his face and I couldn't stop laughing at how funny it looked!

Ethan, Dave, and Heath

How cute is this? Both Dave and Ben were out in the water playing with Ethan and Sammy.

Ben & Sammy

Bub (who is the sweetest little guy on earth)

Addie & Mom

It was a fun day just hanging out by the water. Only later did we realize that there had been leaches in the water (after Tiff found one stuck to Garett). Still fun!

Day 2 was off to Yellowstone (or "Pinkstone" as Marie would call it)
Pictures before we hit the road (we were only about 30 minutes from the park)

Uncle Ben & Addie

Our little family out by one of the mud pots in Yellowstone

Ben, Sierra, Heath, Kami, Marie, Kyle, and JK


David & Jim. I'm not sure what they were doing or why, but they are still pretty cute.

Emma, me, & Addie

Eliza, Emma, & Heath

Old Faithful

Addie all pooped out

Back home and wide awake.

Cute. Cute. Cute! My little watermelon.

Addie & Grandma

Mandy & Ethan

Day 3 was a float down the river
Mandy & Ben

Dave freezing his butt off. The water was so cold and I couldn't believe that he wanted to float in the tube instead of the raft.

We had 2 10-person rafts. Jim, Melinda, and Jk went in one with some of the kids.

Grandma & Caleb floated in another tube

This picture is a hilarious! Jim threw Melinda in the water (we all got our turn), and then they started "frolicking" around (their words, not mine) holding hands. A little cute, a lot funny.

Little Sammy with the most beautiful blue eyes

Marie. I love this outfit on her!

Eliza & Garett. Tiffany was really happy with me for doing this to his hair. Now we know what their little girl will look like! Just kidding Tiff.

The boys playing some football

Making smores! Lydia, Michael, Tiff, Mom, and Jk. If you notice, Jared is in EVERY picture. He would run into all the pictures I was trying to take.

Eliza & Heather...and Jared of course!
Mandy, Emma, Kami, Sammy, JK (shocking!), Ben, and Sierra

Dad (trying to block Jk's face), Dave, and me

Sam eating a marshmellow


Day 3 we rented a couple jet skis
Melinda heading out on one with Emma and Caleb

Kyle and Sophie picking flowers

Marie is just like her mom. She looks exactly like Kami, and they both share the same love for chocolate.

We finished are vacation together with our own version of the "Dundees". JK gave out the "Turnees" awards in all sorts of different catagories. Dave and I won the "So you think you can Dance" award cause of our awesome skills at dance-dance revolution.

Here is Dave celebrating his win with the classic "Carlton" dance move (and reminding everyone why we won).


It was a great vacation! I really can't thank my family enough for all the great memories made. I know how lucky I am to have such a wonderful, loving, and supportive family. I enjoyed every minute with all of you and can't wait to do this again. I love you!

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Family BBQ

Jim, Melinda, and their kids were in town for a week before we all headed to Idaho for our family reunion. While they were here, we had them over for a bbq with the rest of the family. That night 4 of their 5 kids stayed the night with Dave and I (sorry Sophie). Even though 6 kids for one night seems like a lot, they are actually more help than work. The girls (Eliza, Emma, and Lydia) are so helpful with the babies and Caleb is the sweetest kid I know. It was a lot of fun! I do applaud my brother and sister-in-law though. Even with the best behaved kids, it still is a little chaotic with all those bodies in one house! I think that Dave and I are good with our two for right now.

What talent! Melinda can sleep and hold onto her glass too! Just kidding Melinda. They had reason to be tired. They had just driven 24 straight hours the day before to get here from Arizona. As for Dad, well, he can sleep anywhere.

Looking lively now!

Lydia and Caleb



Sophie

Tiff & Garett


Dave and I got into a water fight with the kids. The girls and I won.



All settled in for a movie

The next day we went for a hike at Lacamas Lake

Lydia, Emma, Eliza (in the back), and Bub (aka Caleb)