Walking...almost!

A Late Christmas Gift

We had a late Christmas gift this year, when Miss Erin visited us for a day and night! She and Turner picked up right where they left off and had fun reading the super cool books she brought, telling stories, dressing up, playing outside (in the Chicago-style cooooold weather), coloring, playing games, watching movies and all-out snuggling.

Parker knows a good thing when he sees it, too, and is pretty fond of Miss Erin himself!

Thanks, sweet friend, for loving our munchkins and driving to see them! We love you!

New Year's Eve

We rang in 2010 in style this year! We celebrated with our close friends, The Kuehns, and had a great time with party hats, sparkling cider, and sparklers! (Not to mention that the adults had delicious steaks and champagne!).

It was a great way to end a wonderful year of many blessings! Happy New Year!

My Ski Bunny

After our memorable Christmas celebrations, we ventured on a harrowing trip to the mountains (read, Honda Accord with family of four...stuck on 4,000 foot mountain in the icy snow).

You know this has happened before when your 3-1/2 year old says, "Oh, Mom, we're stuck on the mountain again...what's new?!" It sure made for a fun adventure. Luckily, Pops saved the day with his 4-wheeler and freed us from our mess!

We roughed it with no water for a day (the pump had frozen), but we made the best of it and still had a great time. The highlight -- no doubt -- was our first skiing experience with Turner. I took her to Cataloochee. The conditions were absolutely perfect, and she had a blast! She loved the chairlift, and she loved "making a triangle" with her skis.

I admittedly got a little carried away with excitement, and when she begged me to take her to the "top of the mountain," I did. A few tears were shed on the way down the BLACK slope, but they were quickly replaced by pride and joy as we took on the second half of the mountain laughing and screaming!

She loves skiing and has loved telling her tale to anyone who will listen! I think ski school is in the near future!

Little Man

Parker has really grown up in the past week -- right beneath our noses! He has started "talking" a ton, playing ball and taking 8-10 steps at a time. It is a joy to see him become a little boy! He is fully engaged and still BUSY, BUSY, BUSY.

We are bracing for the full-on running that is imminent! :)

Family Christmas-ES

Princess Annelise and Cousin Theresa

The two Princess Turners

Parker and Grandy = Love

Turner in her snow princess outfit with matching baby outfit from Gammy and Aunt Niki

Mimi knows how to make Guerard boys smile!

Grandad and happy cousins

Turner -- aka "The Musketeer" -- and her cousin, Mary!

After we opened gifts in Atlanta, Turner looked at me and said, "Mom, will tomorrow be Christmas, too?" And much to my delight, I could say, "YES!" AND the next day...and the next!!!

We dragged it out this year, and it was such a joy! It made for quality time with each family member, and the kids were not so overwhelmed by the generous gifts. They did great traveling and truly loved seeing everybody and playing with everything.

We celebrated Friday night with the Norris clan, Saturday with Gammy and Pops and Sunday with the Guerard/Thomas crew! Thank you all for a memorable and very special Christmas! We are so, so blessed to have you.

Christmas Morn

Turner and her new "Princess and the Pauper" dress and jewelry box from Santa!

Parker's train!

Triplets in our Footie PJs!

Daddy with his two munchkins!

Christmas morning was quite memorable this year! Both kids got really into it! Turner stayed in her room until her "number" on the clock (7am), so we all got to nestle in our beds for a fairly long winter's nap (after our elf assembly work was done).

Turner received a dress-up dress like the pauper when she was pretending to be the princess in the "Princess and the Pauper" (if this sounds obscure, it IS!!! Major Internet work for Santa this year!). She also received a jewelry box with some "bling" for her dress-up fun!

Parker was excited about all his "banging" items -- the hammer and wooden pegs were a huge hit ( no pun intended)! Also, he got some neat blocks and a train with blocks!

We also enjoyed our birthday celebration for Jesus and remembering the greatest gift of all time for all people!