February brought us Gracie. A Great Dane that would put us to the test.

Click here to view the embedded video.

March ushered in some Spring little league for Chase. He really got into the ‘swing’ of things and enjoyed himself.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I don’t think much happened in April. Well… I mean Chase did get to go a Wrestlemania Art show, meet a bunch of wrestlers and then go to the actual PPV. Oh, and there was Tax Day. Hmm… something else happened… Oh that’s right, WE GOT MARRIED!!!! It was a wonderfully magic wedding. Everything we had hope for. I got to finally call the love of my life my bride, and it was the beginning of our forever. The honeymoon was in Vegas, and well… and we know good and well what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas. In addition to finding out we were pregnant (but really what could top that) we spent the May kinda floating around in happiness and bliss.

Every summer we like to take a family vacation, and a pregnancy this year wasn’t going to slow us down. For the 2011 Summer Vacation we decided it would be a lot of fun to head to Disney! We loaded up the car and drove down to the most magical place on earth. Chase had never been and neither Jess nor I had been in SEVERAL years so it worked out perfectly. It wasn’t easy for Jess with the heat and the walking plus being pregnant, but we made it. It was a great vacation and a birthday I don’t think Chase will ever forget.

The rest of the summer went on by, carrying with the ups and downs of being pregnant. We found out we were having a boy and man, that made me excited. I was the last male Turner and to be able to continue the name, meant a lot to me.

As August rolled around we started getting read to go back to school, and doing just normal family things. Chase was doing great and really getting into the spirit of being an older brother. He was helping around the house and he just felt a little more grown up. October would creep upon us before we knew it and in addition to me getting a new car and turning 32 it started to really sink in that I was going to be a daddy, very soon.

Between Halloween and right now it’s all kind of a blur. It’s as if time sped up and didn’t really wait. We had our first, and second baby shower and started getting the nursery ready. Baby clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, bottles, all of it started coming in and every time we would get something new it would sink in just a bit more how soon this bundle of joy would be here. Lane’s nursery looked fantastic and in no time at all everything was in its right place and we could start getting ready for the holidays.

Baby Lane's Room

Our Christmas tree was up BEFORE Thanksgiving, and the house was all set and ready to go. We made our rounds to friends and family. Did the gift exchanges and then it was Christmas day at the Turner household. I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday season. My wife was glowing with that baby glow, Chase was happy and doing all the big brother things and I was doing everything I can to make the house and my wife ready for this baby.

In contrast to the rest of the year, this past week has been filled with lots of taking it slow. Everything we could possibly do to be prepared for Lane, we have done. The bags are packed, the car seat is in, clothes washed and put away, house is secure, etc. You name it, we’ve done it. Now all we need is for Lane to come home.

It’s been such a wonderful year. I’m sure I left things out, but it’s all good. They say that the first year of marriage is the toughest thing you’ll go through other than the 9 months your wife is pregnant. Well, I’ve done both at the same time and I’m more in love now than the day I got married and I don’t see signs of this ever stopping.

That's my boy!

Thanks for all the memories 2011, but it’s time for 2012!

~SB

One of the things that really hit me while at Disney was the fact that I had managed to take my family on a week long vacation to Disney (and surrounding theme parks). We all have a dream and visions of the future and what we would like to do with our lives. We also have visions of the past. Things we look back on that make us smile or cry or wonder how in the world we got where we are today. For me it is thoughts of my parents doing what ever they could to make us kids happy. Whether it was my mom never pausing to take a moment for herself or my dad and his in-ability to let someone be in need of something. I always wanted a family of my own. A wife, son/daughter (both) that I could take on trips and share Christmas morning with and do all the things that father’s are supposed to do. Well, this vacation gave me another piece of that magic puzzle

We were sitting at dinner and I was watching Chase and Jess eat there overly priced, underly flavored meal and it hit me. I made it. I did what I wanted to do and I had managed to save up the money, get a job that allowed me the time off, planned and followed through on a big summer vacation. You see families do it all the time but you never think, or maybe you do, that it’ll be you there. Those pics of dad’s and their families in front of the castle or sitting on the beach. Those old home movies of us laughing or just walking around, I now had some of my own. This trip was my moment.

So that’s that. I’m still working on sorting out the photos and editing the video, but the memories are there. I am one step closer to being the father I never even knew I could be. I love my family. My beautiful wife is carrying MY child. Our son is growing smarter and more like the both of us every day. It’s a fantastic time in my life and I can’t wait to look back on right now with my grand kids and tell them that one day they will be taking their kids on some magical vacation that will change everything.

Magic Kingdom - Family photo

The day got started with a quick lunch and some shopping for flip-flops for Chase. After that we headed on out to the Ron Jon Surf Shop. This place was huge and we loaded up with chairs and toys and all kinds of things to occupy our time in the sun and sand. Eventually we mad our way across the street to the beach and set up shop. It wasn’t too crowded and the water was perfect. Chase could hardly get his shirt off fast enough. He had the itch to get in the water. I felt the same way.

We spent the day going from the shade of our umbrella to the sand to build castles to the water for some boogie board action. We buried Chase in the sand at one point, just as the tide was coming in. Luckily he muscled his way out of that. The waves were a bit rough, but it worked out to our advantage. We were smart enough to bring a cooler with drinks and snacks so we didn’t have to worry about losing out spot.

Eventually we were all burned and ready for some real food, so we got cleaned up at the local shower and then headed off for some seafood at a local restaurant that was supposed to be the best around. Well, who ever said that about the place was spot on. It was some of the best seafood I’ve had in a while. So we sat and ate and reflected on the day. It was an awesome was to end our day at the beach.

The ride back to the hotel was quick and Chase was out 5 mins into it. I love me some beach and I love my family. This was the perfect day and virtually the beginning of the rest of an awesome week.

Pics and video coming soon.

I got back to the room and woke the family up so we could start getting ready for our first full day of fun. Jess was smart enough to get some food to cook from Publix so I made bacon and eggs and toast! Such a money saver that was. After breakfast we all got ready and hit the road. Luckily the hotel/resort is only like 15 mins from everything, so that worked out well.

Being a Saturday I expected the park to be super crowded…I was wrong. The park was virtually empty and we didnt have to wait more than 15 mins to get on anything. Chase and I rode the coasters and Jess joined us on the rides that weren’t as intense. I know she wanted to ride all the rides badly, but we we not gonna take any chances with the baby.

After several hours of walking around it was time to head back to our room. We recounted our favorite rides, for Chase it was the Rip Rockit Rollercoaster and Men In Black, for Jess and i it was MIB and the Disaster movie show (which Jess and I got to be part of)! Our dogs were barking and it was time for some food and some “night time action”.

The pool was cool and refreshing, especially after a long day of walking. It was nice to just be able to just relax and not have to walk. The first day ouf our week long adventure had come to a close and it was a doozy. Day 3 is the beach and I know we’re all juiced up for that!

Oh, I’ll be putting photos in once I get them all sorted out.

This morning we got up “early” and headed out. First stop was to get some zombie bisuits* and snacks. I mean you can’t have a road trip w/o proper snackage. So that’s where we’re at. We are on the road, I’m blogging from my new iPad, thanks to my amazing wife! Stay tuned for more updates,

Update:
We are making good time and are about to cross the state line. After a lil’ pitstop for some food we are back on the road. Just a few more hours and we’ll be there!

Oh, and Jess decided to give us all a little Mariah to kick the second leg of the trip off.

Update 2:
So, this is the second time I’ve typed this update so it probably won’t have the same effect as it did the first time. Yay for WordPress on the iPad crashing when i was saving my post.

Anyway, so we finally made it to our hotel and it was pretty much perfect. When I think of family vacations, this place is what I think of. We got all settled in then hit up the Publix for some food to snack on and eat throughout the week. Once we were all unpacked we headed on down to Downtown Disney. I made us some reservations at Rainforest Cafe, which leaves much to be desired for the adults and we were all set. We explored around for a bit then had dinner. Chase really enjoyed the place and had fun during the “storms”. After dinner we were all ready to head back to the room and get rested up for the adventure that would be Universal Studios tomorrow!

This trip has already proven to be thoe best one I have ever been on. At dinner I had the realization that in the past few months I have gotten a promotion at work, gotten married, gotten my wife pregnant, and taken my family on a Disney vacation! This, to me, is what it’s like to be a father. I am able to provide for my family and give them the things that make them happy. My son and wife make me so happy and fulfilled in life.

If today was any indication as to the rest of this trip, I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Did I mention a honeymoon? Yup. Vegas Baby! I have never been and SB is so ready to show me what Sin City has to offer! We have shows and restaurants and tours planned and I’m already wondering if we will need more memory cards for the camera.  I imagine we will have lots more posts in the near future sharing lots of fun and news that our marriage brings. Stay tuned!

SJ

I went to restore some sanity with HBean. There’s lots to say about this weekend, but what stands out the most is the how much we laughed. It was an awesome rally to be a part of, and a great weekend.

We’ve gotten settled into the house, finally. The garage needs a weekend devoted to it, but doesn’t everyone’s? We’ve gone on dates, made chili, and SB built a doghouse that may deserve it’s only post. In wedding news, we got our save the dates, and found our counselor/officiant for the ceremony. I also found someone to make my dress! Knowing I will be fitted for it soon has motivated me to join Gold’s Gym down the road and finally see what all this “zumba” fuss is about. The jury’s still out on that one…

What’s next though: holidays! This time of year always flies by but it’s my favorite! Hopefully we can get our blog moving a bit quicker and post more often. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tags: halloween, rally, holidays, DC
]]> http://www.sniperbear.net/2010/11/22/catching-up/feed/ 0 http://www.sniperbear.net/2010/07/17/he-went-to-jared/ http://www.sniperbear.net/2010/07/17/he-went-to-jared/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:35:31 +0000 SniperJess http://www.sniperbear.net/?p=530 Continue reading »]]> I’m engaged!!!   Here’s how it went down:

A month or so ago Ben marked a weekend on our gmail calendar as “Do not plan a thing”. Hhmm…my interest is peaked. We’re big on planning surprise trips or dates for each other, so I had a few ideas in my head. A few days prior to the weekend, I was having a crappy day. We found out that canceling our lease would require selling a kidney so my heart was sunken with the thought of driving the same commute to work until at least March. SB lifted my spirits by telling me that the weekend would involve a cabin in Blue Ridge, a hot tub, lots of food and beverages, and four of our close friends: Kit, Bob, Kim, and James. I was stoked! An adult weekend away was the best way to wrap up the summer before returning back to work!

So Friday is finally here and we got off to a late start. I dropped SniperHBK off with his dad, SB made last minute trips to the store, we finished packing, loaded up, stopped for a quick dinner, sat in traffic, sang some Eminem while driving in the rain, and finally made it to Wild Azalea! The others were there waiting and we had an awesome night! We filled the hot tub with beer and laughter and memories and woke up the next morning feeling a little…well…yeah, hungover. It was a lazy day filled with naps and eating and movies. At one point we all decided to go for a walk outside. Ben was very eager about our walk! We went down a trail to the water and by the time I made it back up I was done. Hot, tired, hungover, done. Ben suggested we go for a bit more of a walk (bless him…he was trying!)..but I needed air conditioning and a nap. After some much needed recovery, SB and I went out to the porch to enjoy the view. We both really love the mountains. Thin air, lots of green, lots of quiet. As we were enjoying the view Ben asked me an odd question…

SB: “Are you happy?”….

SJ: “Of course I’m happy…”

SB: “Are you like…the happiest ever?”

SJ: giggling…”I mean..yeah, I’m pretty dang happy”

At this point I start to notice a change. His heart literally felt like it was about to beat out of his chest. I looked up at him a bit confused and asked something along the lines of..”Are you ok?”

SB: “I need you to do me a favor…” reaches in pocket

SJ: Oh…my…God…are you kidding me?

Sweet words…a few tears…and a “Yes! I will!” later…and we were engaged! We announced the news to our friends (who had no idea it was going to happen) and we spent the rest of the weekend floating around in Blue Ridge.

So now the planning starts! We’re not typically traditional people..and this will be a second marriage for both of us, so we’ve thrown a lot of ideas and dates around. Nothing is definite yet…but Vegas in April is looking like a mighty fine idea!

The Pics: