Mommy, Cover Your Mouth!

Kenden and I have both had the crud of some sort or another for the past 2 weeks. He started with the runny nose and quickly upgraded to a nasty, congested cough. Mine has been more sinus related, although now, I am starting to wonder if it is more since I have started coughing. Kenden has been to the doc quite a few times in the last week, 3 times to be exact. He was diagnosed with Bronchiolitis and was even x-rayed to check for pneumonia. He is finally on the mend now and back in preschool, but in the meantime, with all the coughing he was doing, he was hearing, "Kenden, cover your mouth" a whole bunch from Jeff and I. Now, I have started to develop a lovely cough. Today, I was sitting on the couch while Kenden was playing on the floor about 6 feet away from me, when I started to have a coughing fit. He immediately looked up at me, noticed I was not covering my mouth, stopped what he was doing, came over and laid his hand on my knee and said, "Mommy! Cover your mouth peese!" with great emphasis. I had to laugh...at least Jeff and I know he HEARS us, even if he doesn't always listen!

OH NO! Mommy's the BIG 3-0!! Happy Birthday!

Yes, the rumor is true...I am 30 years old today! I definitely don't feel like it, though. However, I have to say that 30 ain't so bad...I am older and wiser and still look decent, so I will take it! We started celebrating this past Thursday by going to see the DAUGHTRY concert at the NORVA. Chris Daughtry was the BOMB...the concert was super! On Saturday, Jeff planned a birthday dinner for me and several friends at Zinc. Jeff and I were joined by Kelly and Sam, Ivan and Kari, Ken, and Crazy Uncle Jim. It was a wonderful time with wonderful friends. This morning, Kenden and Jeff presented me with my gifts...new black Nikes and a Nike warmup suit. I also got flowers from them as well as my best friend Hilary. I have gotten several phone calls as well...it has been a great day so far. Well, aside from Kenden trying to hit me and calling me a "crazy nut". Can you say Time Out Chair?

The first 30 years have been a great ride and I am looking forward to many, many more...Happy Birthday to me!

Amber and Jeff


Amber and Kelly


Happy Birthday Dear Amber!!


The Whole Crew and Amber with Crazy Uncle Jim

A Visit from the Jolly Ole' Elf Himself!

Santa came for a visit here at our home tonight! Jeff and I decided not to tell Kenden he was coming, for fear that Kenden would get so excited, that he wouldn't nap or do much of anything except talk about Santa all day. We had it all scheduled for 6:45...right on schedule, as you would expect Santa to be, the doorbell rang. Kenden was already in the foyer with his dump truck....so I opened the door, and there stood SANTA! Well, Kenden was frozen in his tracks. Couldn't talk, couldn't move. Jeff and I made a huge deal, but all Kenden could say is, "Mama!" Needless to say, he was not too impressed with Santa. I don't think he said one word (which is a big deal because Kenden talks non-stop). Santa would ask him a question, and Kenden would nod, usually nodding "No". Santa even brought Kenden some reindeer food for Christmas Eve, a jingle bell to hang on the tree, and a toy (prearranged with the 2 elves known as Mommy and Daddy). Once Santa left, Kenden was all about opening his present from Santa. As I type, he is sleeping with his new CARS Wingo Toy. I guess it should be interesting to see how our visit to Santa goes this year at McArthur Center....I have a feeling this will be the year of the crying picture....

Look Who's Here!


Mom, I am not so sure about this big guy in red!!



HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas!!


Maybe Santa ain't so bad after all....I did get this cool gift from him!!

Frosty the Snowman and Toys for Tots!

Every year, our neighborhood has the Frosty the Snowman and Toys for Tots event in one of the parks. It is simple, you bring a toy for a needy child and donate it to the Marine's Toys For Tots, and you get to meet Frosty the Snowman! This is the first year we've taken Kenden and he was so excited. Well, I think the prospect of playing in the park was more exciting, but nonetheless, he was ready to go! Once he was up from his nap, he ate dinner and we put his Frosty sweater on, and off we went. Since the park is right around the corner from our house (literally), we pulled a "Britney Spears" and let Kenden ride on mommy's lap (in Britney's words, "We're from the country, ya'll!" hahahaha!) Anyway, 2 of America's finest Marines were there collecting toys, kids were running everywhere, the park was decorated with lights, and everyone was awaiting Frosty's arrival. We had a great time and Kenden wasn't afraid of Ole' Frosty at all. He even got a lollipop out of the deal. I think Kenden's main thing was running all over the place in the pitch dark while mommy and daddy tried to keep up with him without killing themselves on a piece of park equipment.

We had a great time and it is nice to do something for those less fortunate. That is what Christmas is all about. The spirit of giving and goodwill toward others.

Now, hopefully our Santa visit will be successful....it was last year, but things can change so we'll see....

O Christmas Tree!

Jeff, Kenden and I went to Hunt Club Farm last night, all bundled up, to get our Christmas Tree! I have 2 other trees in the house, but they are both artificial and I have always had a real tree and we LOVE having the real one in the den, with all the crazy ornaments and colored lights on it! So, off we went....Hunt Club did not disappoint, as usual. Not only did they have a Winter Wonderland full of lights and animals to see, but they also had a LIVE nativity scene (well, the animals were live), complete with a camel, a couple donkeys, some llamas, goats, and sheep! VERY cool! Kenden LOVED the camel. He wanted to know "what dat camel chewin' mama?" We had a great time finding our tree, and in true Turner form, we pretty much found our tree right off the bat. Jeff and I do NOT waste any time finding a tree. Kenden loved running through the lines of trees, and even fell down a few times and kept on going. Boy, was it COLD though!! We had such a great time!

Walking with Daddy to get the Tree


How About This Tree, Ma?



Kenden Checking out Santa in his Sleigh with all the Reindeer



Away In A Manger....

Happy Birthday Great Gran!

Happy Birthday Great Gran!! Hope your day is super special. I know Grammie came to see you and have lunch with you yesterday! Hope you loved my pictures that mommy sent along with Grammie to give to you. I love you very much and hope that Mommy and I can come to see you and Great Grandad after Christmas sometime. I will keep the pictures coming, as I know you love them! Love Kenden (and Mommy and Daddy, too!).

Happy Birthday Cousin Camden!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear cousin CAMDEN!!!!! Happy 6th Birthday to youuuuuuu! Wanted to wish my cousin's son (my 2nd cousin, Kenden's 3rd cousin), Camden, a very happy 6th birthday! Hope your day is great and special! Can't believe how time has flown and you've grown from the tiny baby 8 weeks early in the hospital to the big boy you are today! Love you!