Weekend Getaway!

A while back, Zach and I started talking about taking a weekend trip, just the two of us. We have had a night away here and there since we’ve had Ava, but we’ve not both had consecutive nights away by ourselves in a VERY long time. We tossed around a few ideas and one day I had the idea to surprise him with tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game!

We built a weekend around the game and left Friday afternoon. While I knew we would have fun, I definitely missed our little rugrats. Here I was with them Friday morning before dropping them off at school! We dropped them off and both worked half a day, then headed out. We stopped on our way in and did a little outlet mall shopping. After that we headed to check into our hotel. The traffic was pretty bad and our trusty GPS told us to take a last minute exit and took us another way and got us out of the stand still. After checking in, we got ready to head to dinner! We headed to Pappasito’s and it was soooooooooooooooooo good! We just shared an appetizer and I’m somewhat ashamed of this, yet somewhat not. ha! we were on vacay! We explored a little after dinner and just enjoyed not having kids screaming in the backseat to turn on their music. :) Love those babies but it was a much needed break.

Saturday we slept until we woke up, got ready, and had breakfast at the hotel. Before we started our day, we talked to our babies!

We headed out to do a little shopping. We had fun just wandering and exploring as we pleased. We were walking around a mall and decided on spur of the moment to see a movie since the theater was right there and we rarely do that. We watched Pitch Perfect and it was highly entertaining!

About 15 minutes to the end of the movie, I got a phone call from my mom. I texted her back and told her we were in a movie and asked if everything was ok. She texted back that Reed had hurt his leg on a slide while they were at the park and that she was taking him to the doctor. I called her and found out what happened. She had taken him down a twisty slide and his foot caught and his leg got jammed. She didn’t think it was broken, but he was in pain from it and wanted to make sure it was ok. We waited about 3.5 hours while they sat at the dr, got x-rays, etc to find out he was ok. The doctor didn’t see a break, but said you can’t always see them at that age. His leg was a little jammed but thankfully he bounced back quickly. It was a little stressful waiting to hear if he was ok.

Sunday was the big game day! I knew Zach hadn’t been to the new Cowboys stadium and he was excited! I have to admit, the stadium was pretty spectacular. It was fun to see it all and take it in, especially knowing how much Zach enjoyed it! 

The game started out slow, and then got more exciting! Sadly, the Cowboys lost. :( I was sad they didn’t pull out a win for Zach, but we had a great time! After we made it back to the area where we were staying, we grabbed a quick, late dinner. We tried In-N-Out. Not sure if it was an off night for them, but we weren’t overly impressed. It was okay, but we weren’t wowed like we thought we’d be!

We got up this morning and got our stuff rounded up so we could head home. I made Zach take this photo right before we left – it was a picture of a relaxed mom who slept 10-12 hours for 3 nights in a row which hasn’t happened in I couldn’t tell you how long! I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m dragging again! ha! I was ready to get home to my babies though!! And they were happy to see us! They were also so worn out that Reed was asleep before 6:30!!!

We were so, so grateful for some time away. It was much needed and we really had such a fun time. It’s hard making time to do stuff like this when life is so busy, but I’m so glad we finally did it!! Can’t wait for the next time, though it may be another 4 years! :)

Turner Silent Auction Results

We wanted to take the time to thank each and every one of you for the role you played in making the Silent Auction for the Turners a success. Your participation, either through a donation, bidding, or even just spreading the word, has helped us raise over $12,000 for the Turner family. This auction would not have been a success without your contribution.

A few important items to note:

--If you won an item, payment must be received by October 31, 2012. If we do not receive payment by then, the item will go to the 2nd highest bidder. If circumstances have changed and you can no longer honor your bid, please contact us to let us know.

--If you're a donor and have not received an email from us, it is likely because your winner has not paid yet. As soon as the winner pays, we will put you guys in contact via an email from us. 
--Should any questions or issues arise that we haven't addressed here, please email us at turnerblogauction@gmail.com. 

Several people have asked if they can make a monetary donation directly to Julee. Here is the information if you would like to do so:

Preslee Turner College Fund

Summit Bank

PO Box 965

Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Online donations can be made to the memorial fund through this link:
https://www.summitbankdirect.com/donations.php

Again, thank you so much for coming together to show your love and support to Julee and Preslee. Please continue to pray diligently for them in the days and weeks to come.

2012 Pumpkin Patch Trip

Saturday we headed to NWA for a trip to a fun Pumpkin Patch farm! Sadly, Zach had something at school so he couldn’t go with us.

This was before we left. I cannot believe how old she is looking! SOB! Ava’s & Reed shirts were purchased here

 

Leslie and Stephen were planning on going to the patch and invited us along. My parents and Stephanie came too. Here’s part of the crew!

By far, Ava’s FAVORITE part of the day was playing in the corn. 

Reed had fun climbing on the hay!

We saw animals!

We rode the wagon out to the field and got to feed chickens and cows!

Then we played in the corn some more!

 

Then, Ava led us through the corn maze. We had to tell her not to get out of our sight because she was wanting to run ahead and she could have EASILY gotten lost!!!!!

 

We had such a fun day! We really enjoyed it and I look forward to many more years of fun days like this!

Ava – 4 years old

Ava had her 4 year check up the same day/time Reed had his one year check up. (Yes, I was dumb for doing that. I will NOT be doing it again). She was originally scheduled in September but her dr was going out of town. Their suggested make up appointment was so close to Reed’s I thought we’d cut out on a wait. Well, a one and a half hour wait with two kids, by myself…. let’s just say I broke a sweat.

Ava wasn’t so sure about getting her blood pressure taken, but didn’t flip out.  

Killing time while waiting for the doctor to come in. These two were wild and in rare form! It’s Zach’s turn to do the next appointments! ha!

Ava had a great check up. She is 41.5” tall and weighs 39lbs6oz. She was in about the 80th percentile for both height and weight!

Just a few things about Ava at four:

• She is a sassy thing. Some of it’s funny, some not so much. We are working on it.
• She is soooooooooooooooooooo smart. One day I asked her to do something and she whined and didn’t do it. Zach told her that when someone asks you nicely and says please do something, it’s nice to do it and you should. Fast forward a couple days, she asked me to have my phone. I told her not at the moment b/c I was using it, and she said “when someone asks you nicely and say please, you should let them do it!” :)
• She is really afraid of the dark right now. She wakes up probably 4 times a week and comes to our room. She thrashes about majorly so we just make her a pallet on the floor and she is happy. I wish she’d outgrow it because I hate seeing her so sad.
• She is learning SO much at school. I’ve really seen her blossom in the past 2 months. She’s a sponge!
• Favorites include princesses, Dora, and My Little Pony. She’s a girly girl!
• She is testing limits. She knows when she messes up and while I know it’s part of the process, I hate having to punish her. It does make me happy and proud though when she comes back later and sincerely apologizes.
• But she has an incredibly sweet heart and she really loves hard.

The day we had both of their check ups, I felt like her expression!!!  

I can’t wait to watch you grow more over this next year, Ava!!!!

Project 366: Week 42

 

Reed at One Year

I didn’t do the normal monthly post for Reed on the day he turned a year, since I had another post, so better late than never!

Reed, at one year old:

• You are ALL boy. Your newest love is CLIMBING EVERYTHING!
• You LOVE to eat. You shovel food in like you have never eaten a meal. There’s not much you turn away.
• You started drinking cow’s milk about two weeks before your birthday. As soon as we transitioned to milk, we also switched solely to sippy cups. You LOVED your bottle and we didn’t want you to associate the milk with your bottle and have a harder time giving it up. It took a couple of weeks and finding a sippy cup just right for you, and we are finally adjusted!
• You took your first steps two days before your birthday!! Mommy got SO excited and you didn’t understand the fuss and gave up. You’ve taken a few more since then. You can basically run behind a walker or holding on to something, but you are so scared to let go and walk on your own! I know you’ll take off one day and that will be the end of it.
• Your favorite word is uh-oh. You also like to say Dada, Ava, and occasionally mama.
• You LOVE to wave. Every morning when we get to school, you wave to everyone as we walk across the parking lot. So sweet.
• You typically go to bed around 7:00 and sleep until 6:00. This works well for weekdays but we wish you’d sleep just a little more on the weekends!
• You have 6 teeth and seem to be working on some more.
• You had your one year check up the day after your birthday. You weight 24lbs13oz and are 29.5 inches tall! You are a healthy boy!!!!

• You give the sweetest kisses! I love it when you plant a sloppy kiss on my cheek!!
• You are still my sweet, loving baby boy, and I can’t wait for so many more years getting to know you, watching you grow, and loving you!

Wednesday marked the one year mark of the day we got to bring you home from the hospital! What a year it’s been. It feels like it was just yesterday. We are SO glad to have you in our family and healthy!!!!

Class Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Last Thursday, I drove on Ava’s class trip to the Pumpkin Patch! We have a really cute farm close to us that is so much fun! Earlier this year, we went to pick strawberries there!

The four preschool classes and the kindergarten from her school all go on this field trip. They divided us into our respective classes and sent the first group out on the hayride. As we were waiting for the next tractor pull up, it started to rain. Fortunately we were standing right near the covered picnic area. It was short rain and it stopped quickly. Then it was time to get on the hayride!

We  were riding along and saw these donkeys start running along side us! 

As we were driving along, it started to rain again… and it rained HARD!!! Talk about being cold! Fortunately we had jackets with hoods!

Not only was it raining, our tractor stalled so we just sat there for a few minutes with the rain pouring on us. :) Ah, memories. It was cold and wet, but the kids still had fun.

Ava’s Class

The kids got to go down a huge slide, but Ava was scared to go, so we just watched. Then they ran across the field to a station where they got to chuck corn. They loved it! They also got to go through the corn maze! 

The kids got to pick a pumpkin from the mini pumpkin patch. They were excited!After the pumpkin picking, they got to go and pet animals and milk a pretend cow. They got to eat a picnic lunch before going back to school. I was so glad to get to take a half vacation day to go with Ava, and I know she was glad I got to go too!

Also, don’t forget to enter my Shutterfly giveaway here!