Too Much Fun

Hi TJ!!! We are so happy you can read our Blog now...so maybe I will be more diligent keeping it up! For everyone else, TJ is still in Chicago and frankly, I am glad in light of the recent volcanic activity and earthquake in the Tongan area.

Family Home evening treat - we tried a fruit pizza. Tom was not too excited, but made a quick conversion to fan :o) This week we had no "Daniel" story, just made the pizza.

We traced people today - Tian and Trace are practicing their pirate look here. I wonder if there are Chinese pirates ...

Trace is too excited to start the art project of the day :o)

We have actually had a "slow" week. Trev has been sick so we laid low most of the week. This weekend the older scouts planned a paint balling camp out . Tom "sacrificed" and joined Trev for the fun and venison steaks on an open fire. ( TJ -they said Bernard was tasty) Trev came home covered in welts, Tom was smart and avoided the deluge.

Ty is excited to start baseball and will be playing for the Rangers this year.

Tian and Trace have been busy using lots and lots of paper. Tian is fascinated by spelling and has manged to learn to spell: look, mom, dad, Tian, Ty and no. Trace is an expert at tracing his hand and has mastered every kids puzzle in the house. My favorite achievement has been Tian's anatomically correct people...I thought only little boys went through this. They also both love to recite nursery rhymes and Trace an interesting medley of the ABC's,and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The winner of the skill of the week goes to Trace who can now hiccup-burp in perfect rhythm. Ty is green with envy. I didn't even know a 2 year old could make themselves burp!

Trace wowed the plastic surgeon this week. He had an appointment to decide if he should have a lip/nose revision now or wait. The surgeon agreed waiting is our best option -so hurray no surgeries for Trace for a while! Trace wowed Dr Franks by asking, "Where's my uvula?" Dr Franks was a "little" taken aback and before he could respond Trace shrugged is shoulders and told him, "In the garbage!" and proceeded to make him look in the trash can with him. ( When Trace had his palate repair Dr Franks removed his uvula. A while ago Tian and Trace were looking in everyone's mouth and Tian told Trace that his "worm in his throat" was missing.

We also had fun with Amelia this week. She joined us for some home school fun while she was on Spring Beak. She helped make leprechaun traps to catch those pesky leprechauns who turned everything from the milk to the toilet water green for St Patrick's day. They also left some yummy golden candy.

So here is the Tianism:- Amelia arrives and Tian looks her square in the eye and says,"Melia, we're going to make leper - craps today!!" Poor Amelia's eyes about popped out of her head!

A final note from Trace. He asked at dinner ," Is TJ in Fiji?" I said he wasn't and asked Trace if he missed TJ. he replied, " Yeah, home. Play Play-doh." So we will keep a couple canisters around for you and your fan TJ. You are missed and we are counting the days until you are home, but are all so excited for your adventure to really begin.

TJ's pics from the MTC

TJ sent home his memory card from his camera for us to enjoy his pictures.

We are guessing this is a book that each of the missionaries signs and leaves for the next group headed to New Caledonia complete with their advice ...

A couple of the guys TJ met are from Tonga and Somoa - they were happy to find out TJ was headed to their neck of the woods. These poor guys are headed to Canada!! I don't think they had ver seen snow before they arrived at the MTC..
Do you think ou can even buy winter clothes in Samoa?

the missionaries in front of the reflecting pool at the temple

Tape, Cats and Goliath

Yup, we are still alive and no major injuries to report :o) Trev has started track practice so life is wild(er) again.

We have hired a new realtor - so keep your fingers crossed that we sell some lots soon. We have some people interested, but no $$ yet..

Here are a couple of fun pics, but first the Tianisms:

To Trace in the back seat, "Trace, shh, shh . Stop talking I want to talk about ME."

Isn't that a country song?

To Trace the next day," Shh, I want to hear my voice."

It is too bad she doesn't like herself isn't it ?

Her latest bit of "fun" is to come up to you especially when you are saying or doing something she doesn't like is to touch you and say, "Pause." I think we have let her watch too many videos.

Trace chose the story for Family Home Evening and insisted on a repeat of David and Goliath. The boys acted it out last week, so this week they decided to wow him with a life size drawing. He was so impressed he took a toy sword and slashed Goliaths legs to shreds....

TY was not happy

Trace's new skill - catching Jack when he makes a run for the inside cats' food.

He is now the official "Jack Catcher"

Trace starting to get annoyed with his new job

I was proud to see TJ's skillful use of duct tape....This was the pkg he sent home with his hat and gloves before he got the news about Chicago
Much to TJ's dismay he was informed last Tuesday ( March 2) that his visa for the island of New Caledonia has not come through. He was assigned to serve in the Chicago North mission until his visa comes through. Not to bad until you realize he has NO winter clothes - right down to sandals. I madly mailed off a package with gloves, hat and coat to help him survive the windy city. We have no idea how long he will be there, but received a nice email from the travel office to let us know that they are aware of the situation and are taking care of it. I guess New Caledonia says his visa is approved and the French Consulate here has no info. I am assuming this means his paperwork is in the system and just needing some final approvals. It is funny, he told us the missionary he replaced in Chicago was in the same situation and was also awaiting his visa for New Caledonia. We will keep you posted - in the meantime pray for warm weather in Chicago :o)

The Beauty Shop...

I wonder what they are thinking

My Favorite - you can see Tian's dimples

Trace making sure his brothers can see his reward

It is amazing what a gummy bear bribe can do - this picture took about 50 tries

Poof they are my children - both of their eyes are closed

Ever the princess

It may look loving, but.....

Yes, our house is a jungle gym , at least it is according to Tian when I asked her if it looked one....I guess I need to rethink the decorating scheme.

and yes this was one of the pics while I was trying to get one nice picture

Trace and his new short 'do

The new method for bottles ( I wish)

Last week I finally made it to get a haircut, Tian managed to invite herself along by pointing out that beauty shops are for girls. She came with and was absolutely fascinated. She talked non-stop ( I know , that's a shocker ) and even directed the hairdresser on how to wash my hair and questioned her very step ( Sorry Sheila)....She watched as I got a trim and then had my hair dried. I got up from the chair and Tian started to get in. I explained that since her hair was in pig tails it was not a good day for cut. Sheila backed me up and explained she need an appointment. Undeterred, Tian put one hand on her hip and the other lilting in the air and said very matter-a-factly, "Then let's make a 'pointment." At that point all was lost, so she set up an appointment for herself the following week. Oh , did I mention her inspection of the ladies getting their nails done? She explained to everyone who would listen that she can't have nail polish until she quits sucking her thumb :o) But she oohed and ahhed over every painted nail in the shop.

I managed to forget the camera on Tian's big day at the beauty parlor and horror of horrors I let Trace join us. I figured his poor mis-shapen head could use a professional touch. His new hair cut makes him older and mean..but he is convinced he looks like Spiderman. He was a good sport and dutifully climbed in the chair when Tian commanded him to go first. He was not sure about the whole thing and maintained a look of skepticism during the entire procedure while never taking his eyes off of the gumball machine. ( I promised them each a gumball if they would simply sit still)

Tian loved every minute of her beauty parlor experience. I mean it was a perfect morning for her. She sat in a chair looking at herself in the mirror while we all talked about her beautiful hair - does life get any better. We teased her dad that she got a short pixie 'do, but just a trim and we decided to grow out the bangs. He was VERY relieved that evening.

And yes, they both got a gumball - Trace a nice hairy one since he dropped his and popped it in his mouth before I could say a word. Tian managed to produce alligator tears when a white one came instead of a pink and Sheila produce a quarter for a second try

Last week was a busy one, but we had our last visit with a social worker to file Trace's final report with China. Fortunately, his black eye was almost completely faded.... Feb 24, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary of Trace's adoption. I can' t believe that it had already been a year, but on the other hand I can't belive we have only had him in our lives for only a year. I truely can't remeber life without him.

Trace Versus the Address Post

Napping is futile at the Turners
Making Valentines - you have to ask Tom about his first experiene with glitter and a 3 and 2 year old

Trace's eye week two

Okay, so the swelling is down and by some miracle he needed no stitches. His brothers have convinced him that the lovely green color of the bruise is proof that he is turning into the Hulk. Here is the story, beautiful sunshining Saturday with fresh snow and we decide to take the kids sledding in the front yard. Tian and Trace make a successful run, I head up the hill and Tom and I get on a sled and Daisy joins us, Tian and Trace are in the sled next to us. Daisy can't decide if she likes sledding or not. I am oblivious to the babies -too worried about the 40lb dog on my lap. I am laughing when Tom starts screaming, Tian and Trace are headed for the post...too late. Tian is wailing, Trace is screaming and his forehead has a goose egg the size of a tennis ball. I still can't believe the skin held together. After a little ice and rocking he recovers, eats dinner and then we head for a bath. He is fine until he sees himself in the mirror...that crying was worse than the first round.