downtown

Saturday we went downtown to see the holiday sites. It was soooo cold! We tried to catch the Trolley but missed it so we walked. We tried to take the horse drawn carriage but found that we had to sign-up ahead of time. Bummer. But we did see Santa - Anne rolled her eyes and said, "Remember Mom...I don't believe in Santa any more." Andrew said, "Mom, he is NOT the real Santa...but I will sit on his lap anyway." The Santa was great. He told them they shouldn't jump on the furniture (thanks Andrew needed to hear that) and he told them to obey their mom. It was funny-anytime he jumped on the furniture or disobeyed, he quickly stopped and said "Ooh-Santa told me not to do that."

We next moved on to the 500+ ginger bread houses displayed down the street. They were amazing. The kids loved looking at all the creative houses made by local schools and organizations.

When Andrew saw this one he said, "LOOK, O-Rock Obama!"

good babysitting

When I left they were playing. I went to take a shower. When I came back this is what I found. The good news is that Jackson hasn't learned how to crawl yet. The bad news...I need to find a new babysitter.

just hanging around

I love this picture. Zac and I were just hanging out with Jackson on the couch talking when Jackson started talking back...well sort of. He was just cooing and smiling at us. I have yet to catch one of his smiles on camera but hopefully soon. It's just that whenever he smiles we are too busy smiling back. Who would want to run and grab the camera and miss that?

mom's little helpers

I set out to make cookies last week before the kids got home from school. Well with Jackson around the entire process didn't get finished. I was so glad it didn't though. Both kids came home and were happy to help. They peeled off all the wrappers off the Kisses for me - although I am sure a few chocolates did find their way into Anne's and Andrew's mouth - then Anne helped me roll all the balled cookies in sugar and then place the chocolates on top. I don't know if it's the little man in our house but both my big kids are so good at helping lately. Anne not only helped me with the cookies last week but with the yummy FHE desert this week. I am enjoying having a little helper in the kitchen.

Can you see Andrew's tired eyes? Right after he was done with the chocolates he just drooped in his seat. I suggested he go lay down. He then asked for a story. With my hands in the cookie dough I said "In just a minute." My little helper Anne was so sweet to then take her brother upstairs to his bed and read to him until he fell asleep. What a sweet girl I have.

Jackson - 1 month

Jackson - 1 month

9 pounds 15 oz.

21.5 inches long

Very loved!

playing in the leaves

The weather last Friday was beautiful. As Zac and I had been driving around that day I noticed that most of the big piles of leaves at the park had been cleaned up. I was sad that we had missed out on the fun of jumping into them. After the kids got out of school we decided to visit one of our favorite parks near our house. We were lucky to have Sierra, Hava and Brigg with us again. As we pulled up to the park we noticed a HUGE pile of leaves. When I say HUGE, I mean HUGE! So we went to play at the park and ended up in the leaves. We all had a blast in the leaves. Even me...

halloween

As you can see, this year we went with a Harry Potter theme around the Turner house. We were so lucky to have both Grandmas help out with their costumes. Grandma Sweetheart made the amazing robes and Grandma Darlin the super cool wands. I was lucky enough to find the scarves in the dollar section at Target. The kids had so much fun being Harry and Hermione and we were happy to have Hava, Brigg and Sierra join us in the fun.

Is it just me or is Andrew really flying?

The whole gang...Zac what Harry Potter character are you?

Brigg was Victor Krum...I think Andrew had stolen his stick at this point. Doesn't he look great though? He grew a goatee just for the day.

Sierra was Luna Lovegood...need I say more?

Hava was the crazy Professor Trelawney. She really got into the part.

kisses and loves

Most days after school you can find these two sitting on the couch together. Andrew loves his brother like crazy. I used to be the object of Andrew's kisses but ever since Jackson joined our family, he has been the lucky one to get all of Andrew's loves and kisses. He just can't give him enough love. The first thing in the morning he wants to hold Jackson and the first thing he wants to do after school is hold Jackson. I can see these two being great friends some day...this kid loves his little brother.

reading to Jackson

Anne loves her brother. She has been the most amazing helper. She sings to him, talks to him, runs and gets me anything I need for him and the other day I found her reading to him. It was the cutest thing to see her reading and the look on his face as he listened. I am so grateful for Anne every day. She has made the first few weeks of Jackson's life so much sweeter.

(Just a side note...the chair they are sitting in...Zac refinished for me. Isn't it great?)

then there were three...

Strangely enough it hasn't really hit me until now. Maybe it was the fact that my mom was here and helping out...but on the way home from the airport yesterday it hit me. I turned to Zac and said, "We have three kids." Weird. Jackson has been wonderful so far. He sleeps, eats and then sleeps some more.

Anne was sitting next to me today while I was burping Jackson. While doing that he filled his pants...loudly. Anne said, "Mom is this the routine then? Does Jackson just eat, sleep then poop?" Yup, I told her pretty much for the next little while. She replied..."Boring."

I guess Anne summed it up. Jackson eats, sleeps then poops. Not always in that order. He is such a good baby though. He fusses a little then just falls to sleep. All. By. Himself. WOW. I love it. I know someone is really watching over me with this little guy.

The kids just love Jackson. Poor Andrew was out of school three days last week and was so sweet to stay away from him. I could tell it was so hard for him because he wanted to be right there next to him all the time. He was holding him today and had a cough, he called to us and said in a sad voice, "I think I got Jackson sick, sorry." Anne has been wonderful. She holds Jackson, reads to him, and sings songs to him while I am out of the room. She has been such a good helper. Three just might be the magical number.