Barbados November 2013

Dear Maya,

Just one week ago we were in Beautiful Barbados.

We couldn't have asked for a better reason as Auntie Patsi and Uncle Dave (finally) got married!
Congrats to them both and look at this radiant bride!

Sooo, to document this auspicious trip, we took pictures along the way.  This is us setting off in the aeroplane for the trip.  You are now completely obsessed with aeroplanes, I might add, to the point that we bought you a toy plane just today.

We were stuck on the tarmac at MIA airport for 2 hours waiting for a pilot, no less, and you were a great baby the entire time:

We arrived in Barbados at 12:50 AM.. yes AM, and both Gran and Grandad were there to meet us.  Gran has revamped my and Auntie Nicole's old crib just for you.  We are so thankful for that and everything else she did to make our stay a great one.

Of course, on your first day there, we headed to the beach, and at the end of this section are some videos of your time there as well.  Here are some still shots:

We even took a few days to stay at a hotel (Beachview), which had two pools that were perfect for you:

Here's a fun and sandy video of you.
Sometimes when I watch you, the word "unstoppable" comes to mind.
Daddy and I each think you get it from the other parent.
Either way, we are very proud of the way you're growing.

Here you are with your Bajan brothers at Gran's living room table one afternoon.

Here's Grandad helping you to navigate the kitchen stairs.

And in what seems like the blink of an eye, our vacation was over.

Maya's first birthday - second set of pics

Dear Lover of Life aka Maya,

to help celebrate Grandma Turners EIGHTY first birthday, we're publishing more pics of your first.

Happy 81st Grandma Turner.

Thanks to you-know-who-who-shall-remain-nameless for the pics!

Maya's first birthday

Dear Maya,

one of a mother's proudest moments has to be the first birthday.

You as an individual made it, and we as a family made it.

We had your whole "village" over for a pizza and samosa party, and you had the time of your life.

I think over 50 people came out to wish you the very best in life.

Here are some of the captured moments.

Special thanks to Uncle Hayden for the party pics.. and for bringing the turnovers!

Auntie Keitha handmade all of your decorations, and Auntie Ady came to help us hang them.

Nanny Maria made the cupcakes and the purple smash cake in the background.. and no, you did not smash the cake.. at least partly because you had diarrhea going into the party.

In addition to all of the decor, Auntie Keitha made the cake on the left with the candle, which you'll see closer-up shortly.

Dada rounding up people for the cutting of the cake.

The lighting of the candle:

Smiles before your many helpers blow out the candle.

The best part of the presents is the wrapping!

Auntie Achilia sure has great blue pants!

Loving the presents the next day:

From Auntie Nicole all the way from Haiti:

Planting your birthday plants from Auntie Janet:

11 months - Vancouver trip

Dear Maya,

we not only survived Vancouver, but we had a great time.
You behaved so well on both flights and weathered the rain with us EVERY day, with your great smile.. definitely ready to be a Larrier-Turner.

On this visit, we went to the Aquarium, we found a community centre with playtime for tots, we went in some pretty heavy rain to see the Capilano bridge and river, and we ate a lot of room service food! We discovered that you like buttered toast and Cheerios. We saw at least 3-4 new teeth coming in when we paid a surprise visit to the dentist.  Your favourite words were "Abudabi" and "Pollo-pollo-pollo-pollo".


Arriving at YVR airport at 11pm Houston time, sporting one of Yazzie's onesies (a recurring theme in these pics) .

At our visit to the Aquarium, just after the Dolphin Show.

At the nearby Community Centre with toys that reminded you of home.  You made LOTS of friends here (despite showing up in your pjs).

The gorgeous view from room 1785 at the Westin.

Enjoying the hotel lobby with Daddy

Sporting Grandma Turner's rain gear at the Capilano Suspension bridge:

Warming up in the gift shop afterwards; making good use of Auntie Onica's backpack carrier.

How we kept Westin Room Service in business:

A funny video: