Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Once again, this year finds us amazed at how time flies and marveling at all of the blessings we’ve received. We’re so grateful for this time of year that allows us to slow down and remember what’s truly important.

2007 was a year of change for the Turner family and frankly, we’re a little relieved that it’s all over and we’re finally settling down!

The month of May brought graduation (hurray!) where Kevin earned a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Healthcare Administration. Kyle and I cheered loudly at the ceremony and were so proud. And in case you were wondering, masters students are NOT above tossing beach balls around during graduation.

A week later, Kevin was commissioned an officer in the United States Air Force and we began a new phase of our lives. While relieved to be finished with school, we were reluctant to leave our friends and family and nervous about what this new career meant.

It was a whirlwind summer, with Kevin off to 4 months of training in Alabama and Texas, and Ruth and Kyle left behind. We missed each other like crazy, but somehow lived to tell about it. Kevin endured the marching, yelling, and classes, while Ruth packed up the apartment in Salt Lake (not literally, but did oversee the process). Ruth and Kyle then spent the summer gallivanting all over the country. We spent some time in Colorado, a week on vacation in Oregon, two months with Ruth’s family in Virginia, and a week with Kevin in Texas.

And that’s when we like to think the real adventure began! In September, we made the move to our first assignment at Edwards AFB, California. To say that we didn’t know what we were in for…Well, that would be the understatement of the century! We knew it was desert. And we knew it would be in the middle of nowhere, but we somehow thought the base would be an oasis in the middle of it all. We were wrong. The day we arrived, we got out of our cars, looked at our surroundings, then each other, and said, “What in the world have we done???”

However, we’re happy to report that we’re getting used to our new home, and the coyotes, snakes, and roadrunners that came with it. We’ve loved the weather (wait until summer…) and have met some wonderful people. Kevin likes his job, and is serving as the Ward Mission Leader in their ward (yikes!). Ruth loves being home with her energetic 4-year-old and serves as a Sunday School teacher for the 12 & 13-year-olds (best calling EVER). Kyle continues to be darling and smart, and we laugh at him every single day, which he’s starting to resent. He’s obsessed with all-things-Superhero and is a boy in every definition of the word. We love him!

And perhaps our greatest blessing of this year came when we found out we’re expecting another baby! It’s an answer to many, many prayers, so we are beyond excited! We can’t wait to welcome this new little one in June and become a family of four.

So like we said, it’s been a year of change and blessings. And among some of our greatest blessings are you, our family and dear friends. Don’t let the desert atmosphere deter you from visiting! We may be in the middle of nowhere, but we’re a close drive to all of Southern California’s best! (Hint: Come visit!!!) We love you and are thinking of you this Christmas season!

Love,

Kevin, Ruth, and Kyle

Does Kyle get a vote?

In general, Kyle could care less about the upcoming arrival of a new sibling. After all, it doesn't affect his world - yet. As far as he's concerned it's just him, mom, and dad.

However, he does have a definite opinion about names. And he's stated it over and over again:

For a boy: Robin (Does that count as a boy's name?)
For a girl: Emma (Which, I'm sure, has nothing to do with this little cutie)

Now, the question is, Does Kyle really get a vote???

Homesick

Kyle: "Mom, I've been thinking about Utah State (Utah) all week and I really want to go back there. I don't want to live here anymore."

I wonder if our trip next week will help or hinder this problem...

Calling all Traditions!!!

This is our first year celebrating Christmas by ourselves. But don't start feeling sorry for us - we're excited! After all, we're just spending the morning by ourselves, then heading out of town to visit family. It's the best of both worlds!

However, because we've never done this, I realized that we don't have our own traditions. Kevin and I were raised in fairly similar families, as far as traditions go, so I'm sure some of them will come naturally: PJ's on Christmas Eve. Reading about Christ's birth from the bible. A yummy dinner and treats. But what do we do on Christmas morning?

That's why I'm calling on you, my fine friends. I want to hear about any traditions you have! Do you do anything different or fun? Do you take turns opening gifts or make a mad dash for your own pile? What do you eat for breakfast? I want to hear it all. Help the Turners establish some new traditions!

Signs of Christmas

Sipping hot cocoa after playing outside in the cold.

Kyle likes his whipped cream on the side. Kevin's appalled that I allow him to eat
whipped cream straight out of the bowl. Why should he have to have it in the cup?

Hanging lights for the very first time. Kevin was grateful it wasn't bitter cold.

We take advantage of this dude's help while he's young and likes to do it.

And there she be. Nothing fancy, but you can't say we didn't try!

High on Escada

I'm in love. With my perfume.

I've been searching for that perfect scent. The one that I don't get tired of. The one that doesn't give me a headache. The one that's the perfect combination of fruity and floral and HEAVEN.

Well, I've found it. And I think I'm addicted. I love it so much that I periodically smell my wrist or my shirt throughout the day. By "periodically", I mean every 15 minutes. I walk into a room and think, "What smells good?" Then I have to stop and think, "Oh yeah, that's me!"

Kevin just shakes his head and laughs at me. What he doesn't know is that I'm now searching for a male equivalent of this heavenly scent.

Holiday Folklore

Kyle and I sat munching on our first candy canes of the season. Suddenly, he turned to me and said:

"Mom, you see these red stripes? They have vitamins in them. But those white part? It doesn't."

I don't know where he got it. Even I, the Candy Queen, wouldn't attempt to pass candy off as healthy.

Desert Miracle

Those military folk sure know how to bring Christmas to the desert! We went to the annual Christmas tree lighting the other night and were in for a treat. Not only did they serve cookies and hot chocolate...

...but we got to see REAL reindeer, too! This fellow and his buddy brought
Santa & Mrs. Claus in on their sleigh. Pretty groovy.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we saw the SNOW!
They'd brought in a snow machine so all of these desert kids could experience the white stuff.

There was an inflatable snowman that took the brunt of the kids' excitement.
Poor Frosty didn't stay up for long...

We almost didn't go, but I'm sure glad we did. This will definitely be a Turner family tradition.

White Trash

My husband's great reluctance to actually pay money for a lawnmower has left us with this:

He's collected these little jewels from curbs and dumpsters. Now, do any of them work?

Number 1: Nope. No way. No how.
Number 2: The verdict's still out. He hasn't put gas in it yet.
Number 3: The outlook isn't good. It could happen, but it would take a lot of work.

Here's hoping for health and vitality for Number 2!
Trust me, those weeds in our backyard could use a good mowing...