Sisters Retreat

Every year the Turner sisters and Mom have a sisters retreat where they escape for a few days together. Usually they rent a cabin in the mountains in Utah, but this year they headed south and came to Houston! We had 6 of the 7 sisters and Mom Turner here for 4 days and it was so fun. We loved spending time with them and Taylor loved all the attention!

I did not do the best job of documenting the weekend, but here are some pictures. Unfortunately I did not get pictures of Taylor with each aunt, but a few! Of course, food was a key activity, and we took them to some favorite restaurants (Ruggles, Los Cucos, Spring Creek, Ritters) as well as made some fabulous recipes at home. We also spent time shopping in Old Town Spring, visited the Holocaust Museum & Rice Village, shopped & shopped, did pedicures and did a craft. We packed it in and topped it off with long talks at late at night and lots of laughs (until they all cry, its a Turner thing!).

Lunch at Spring Creek BBQJohn & Jodie & Taylor at Ruggles Cafe (Fabulous desserts!!!)

Shellie & Heather

Pedicure time! Taylor loved getting her toes painted!

Julie & Taylor

Jodie & Taylor in the morning sun

Grandma Turner & Taylor - she loved sitting on her lap!

The Waterwall in the Galleria district

The gang!

Tonia & Taylor

John still has the juice from his childhood!

Eban's Adventure

Eban has had a growth on his leg for a while now. We thought it was a cyst, but I guess its a fatty tumor. It never bothered him if you touched it, or moved it, so we hadn't done anything about it. Until last week when it got an ingrown hair on it which led to a sore, which led to antibotics which led to surgery. The surgery went well and he is slowly healing, but he is wearing the "cone of shame" for a while.

Blink!

Taylor plays this cute game with John. He blinks his eyes very deliberately and then she copies. It is so funny!

Just Want to Soak Up the Sun

Catch-up with the Kongs (and Angie!)

We had a great dinner and catch up at the Kong's fabulous & stylish townhome downtown. Taylor couldn't keep her eyes off of Dan (hopefully Joy wasn't jealous!). Dinner was fabulous and we loved the scrumptious cupcakes from Crave. I'll be frequenting this new find. Thanks dear friends for the company and meal.

Taylor wearing her new dress from Thailand that Joy & Lilian brought back for her!

Hanging out At Play Group

Taylor didn't really interact with other kids but she loved being out at the park!

A Fun Night at the Drive In...

We enjoyed the movie UP under the stars at the Showboat Drive-in. Taylor just liked playing outside with her fan club!

Audition Tape for Riverdance

Blooming Where We Are Planted

We had a fun enrichment event for the women at church at our house last month - the theme was "Blooming Where You are Planted". We served yummy salads, raspberry slush and fabulous trifles. We learned about what grows well in Texas, flower arranging, BBQ tips and toured my neighbor's garden - she is a master gardener and very talented. It was fun host dinner and have the Nelson's host dessert in their beautiful backyard.

Traditional Swim on Memorial Day

Growing up, Memorial Day was the opening of the neighborhood pools. Although the B's pool never closes, we had to celebrate the weekend with a BBQ and a swim.

Taylor & Riley getting ready

Hanging with Mason in my cool floaty

A little sun protection...

Chilling with Dad

Wiped out at the end of the day!

8 (Months) Is Great!

Taylor is 8 months this week! She is doing great - talking, rolling, scooting, eating, laughing, etc. She is a great sleeper - and you know she is tired when she starts sucking her fingers just like she is in the picture. And she sleeps great in her halo sleep sack. She rolls around so much when she sleeps now that this keeps her warm and we don't have to worry about her getting the blanket in her face. And she loves sleeping with her "lambie"!

Here is some great bed head after having a bath the night before - nice...!what a face!

A duck stuck!

Mother's Day

My first official Mother's Day - how blessed am I?!?!?!

Elder Turner Has His Call!

Johnathan has always wanted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and submitted his application this spring to go. He has been very patiently waiting to get his mission call (assignment). It came in the mail today and we had a fun conference call as he opened his letter stating he is assigned the

Domincan Republic, Santo Domingo East Mission

and will enter the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on September 23, 2009 to study Spanish for 2 months prior to heading to the DR for 2 years. Congratulations, Johnathan! We are so excited for you and very proud!

map courtesy of worldatlas.comLDS Temple in Santo Domingo, DR

Photo courtesy of LDS.org

Sadness & Reflection

I spent 4 very formative years in Boston between undergrad and graduate school. How I love that city and the memories there. The life-long friendships, the growth personally, professionally, spiritually - all greatly influence who I am today. A lot of time was spent at the church I attended in Boston - actually in Cambridge, a few blocks from Harvard Square and across the street from the historical home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This chapel was beautiful inside and out with a New England style architecture and style. Many worship services, lesson and social events happened there. My social life revolved around the singles congregation I attended. This is where my testimony of Christ was strengthened as I observed the many ways others show their love and devotion. photo courtesy of the Boston Globe

Yesterday this beautiful building caught on fire, and unfortunately, while there were services going on. No one was hurt, thankfully, but the building is now a shell. What a heartbreak! As I have received notes from those dear friends, its caused me to reflect on my time there and with them. How blessed I am to have had this time in Boston, for the relationships and experiences. And as with all things, the faith will continue, and actually strengthen as you see that God is in the details and all are safe.

Here is an article, some pictures and a video - you'll see Gordon Low is in this video - he was the bishop of the singles ward when I was there.

Music Appreciation

Taylor loves dancing with her Dad!

Progress

If you have a house built in Texas in the 1980s or 90s, you most likely have a wet bar, (or two!like we do). The dated built in wine rack was never my favorite and so John took it out for me. Luckily it did not mess up the dry wall.
I also didn't care for the rust wall color so we went with Caliente (Pottery Barn Summer 2009 colors) to tie in some of the red accents we have used in the living room. John painted and hung the floating shelves. Thanks, Sweetheart!
We are also working on the yard still....we have been busy!

Orange tree topiary

Our garden - Tomato & Basil plants in EarthBoxes - my neighbor loves them, Hopefully they will help us!

A Few News...

Taylor is wearing the sweetest dress that KelleyAnne found at an antique store and her daughter Hope and granddaughters have worn. Isn't it beautiful?! The handwork and detail is precious!

My second tooth!

My new hairstyle