A really special trip to Boston - April 2015

Dear Maya,

last spring we took you to meet your Boston family for the first time.  Back then we never imagined we'd have a reunion again so soon.  

But, a conference came up and voila! we had a short and very sweet repeat visit to our Boston family

We were so lucky to spend not one but two nights with the Liam and Junyi and Elie..oh yes and CC and Marty :) 

and no visit would be complete without hugs and tickles from Nana Burns

And hugs and kisses from Auntie Oneeka!

Although it wasn't the longest visit, seeing each of you for as long as we could was infinitely worth it!

Winter 2014-2015

Dear Maya,

what do people do in winter in Houston anyway?

Well for starters there is "Frostival" - which is a Winter 101 course for families who will likely never (and perhaps don't want to) see snow!

There are donkey carriage rides..

And a truck load of snow for you to feel (note daddy is in a t-shirt)

Of course all that slipping and sliding led to a new favorite game at home:

And last but not least, a promenade walk with Aiden:

A little later in "Winter", there is the Rodeo!!
Where instead of a carousel with fake horses, you get to ride the real thing!
There was also a pretend farm for milking cows and collecting chicken eggs, a petting zoo.. yea winter!

Back on the homefront, you learnt to skateboard:

Bake cookies:

And use the potty!

Just growing by leaps and bounds..

Grammy's visit January 2015

Dear Maya,

We are so fortunate that Grammy can come to visit us, all the way from Alaska, every year.

As always, she comes with lots of great toys and educational ideas (and homework for Daddy) to help us engage that growing mind of yours.. at this rate you're going to be smarter than mummy and daddy much earlier than expected!

So for starters, you now have many ways to learn your numbers and counting.  Look at the two of you go!

And ipad tutorials.. although you may each have taught the other a little here..

And art projects..

And thank you Grammy for my most favourite gift of all.. my train set which all of my neighbourhood friends also love to play with me.

Oh yes, and Grammy continues to build your Adventure fund, but I'm not sure when I'll tell you those details.. hmmmm..

Although we appreciate Grammy's gifts, it is really the time that she takes to spend with us and complete our family that means the most.  Until next time.

Daddy's landmark birthday 2014

Dear Maya, 

where oh where has the time gone?!

Well, we've taken lots of good photos and videos along the way, it's just to find the time to put them all on your blog.  You are a very busy big-little-girl at this point.  

So let's begin with how we spent Daddy's special 2014 birthday.  We went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and had ourselves a really fun time.

Ok the water wasn't exactly warm, but we still enjoyed it.

Although you were shy at first..

It wasn't long before you had to be restrained!

And the two Turners were off for a swim in the sea..

Back at the resort, (thankfully) there was a nice warm pool!  And lots of families making a similar getaway..

So all in all it was a really fun time.

A very Happy *0th Birthday to the most wonderful and loving husband and daddy!