Turkey day

Tian-ism of the week:
After an exasperating morning Tian is spinning on her seat in the kitchen and I say to her, "If you do not finish your lunch right now, I will show how angry I am young lady!" She continues to spin as she off handedly replies,
"Well then, show me!" Some days it is a miracle that she survives. Can you believe she spent the first year of her life in an orphange with an attitude that big?!?!

Today on the way home from church she is bubbling over as she tells us she learned Jesus Christ. We were impressed until she went on to tells us she also talked about His church of Aladdin day saints....hmmm wonder if they pass out magic carpets...

Trace's claim to fame:
He has been singing the Harry Potter song from youtube puppet video ( The Ticking Time Bomb)- modified to: Trace, Trace, Tian and Trace...Dumbledore


We had a great visit with the Turners over the holiday. It was great to have everyone here and I finally broke down and bought a coffee maker for them. Ty was completely fascinated by the contraption. We bought it Tuesday and all he could think about was when he should start the coffee. By Wednesday night he was beside himself that he need to get it started. I finally asked te question as to why he was so worried about it, to which he replied," Well, since it only comes out a drop at a time it will take days to make just one cup!!" Fortunately, Mr. Coffee is a lot more efficient than that :o)
Okay I will let Tom give the rundown of the week:

We spent Monday-Wednesday cleaning and preparing for the influx of the Turner's. We did whole house cleaning including carpets ( Tj as you know when mom gets in that mode we are moving furniture and re-arranging - my favorite!!! ) We survived and endured. We cooked and cooked and baked all day Wednesday to prepare the feast. We still have left-overs, including the strawberry jello thing - TJ you were missed. George, Stacy and kids all came as well as my Dad and Tessa. We all enjoyed great food and let our kids corrupt Georges and let George's kids beat our kittens ( George and Stacy are too smart to have many pets... ).

Following gorging ourselves my dad, George and I proceeded to play poker with Ty and Trevor. One might think my dad has a post-career opportunity as a dealer at a casino. We had fun playing versions of "Texas Hold'em" and "Indian". Has anyone out there ever seen a game of "Indian" where the players had the following cards Ty - 2, Trevor - 4, and George - 3, it was hilarious as a spectator watching all of them bet all the chips they had on that hand..... Tara later commented what a great Mormon event serving coffee and playing poker:-) No harm done the chips were just for fun and as far as the coffee went, only the Omaha Turner's sampled the brew.

Friday morning we all got up and participated in Trevor's Eagle Scout project. Yes, I said Trevor's Eagle project..... It is done! He organized an effort to spruce up the local non-profit Art Center. The tasks included: a concrete block retaining wall, misc. yard work, painting, drywall, acoustical ceiling work, and minor plumbing work. Trevor recieved numerous donations ranging from labor, block materials, plumbing parts, drywall, painting supplies, to donated pizzas from local vendors. The project started at 9am and was supposed to go until @ 3pm. The project similar to Tj's was well organized, well attended, and completed well ahead of schedule. Some local help even brought scouts from other troops and involved local community members. The project turned out great - the project is totally re-furbished. A scout event in an enclosed building that the Turner's did not burn down, nor was anyone hurt, injured, or arrested. As Mom would say,"We miss all the exciting stuff".

All-in-all an exciting an fun filled weekend. Don't know if we can survive Ty's Eagle project let alone Trace's.... Guess we'll worry about that when te time comes.....

Trev and Amelia whiling away the time as we wait for New Moon to start

Starting with Tian and Trace-isms of the week:

Trace took off his boot and puts his hands up in the air and sighs,"My sock has a crack in it." For those of you who speak English - he means there was a hole in his sock.

Tom and I went to run an errand together in Winterset and told Tian she was in charge. ( Okay, we admit it was a bribe to convince her to stay at home!) She of course is delighted with the power that has just been bequeathed to her. Very matter of factly she asks," Now, if you are not home in time for breakfast, what should I make?" Only a girl would think that far in advance!

Trevor was a good sport and joined a few of us to see the premiere showing of New Moon. I foolishly bet him $10 that he wouldn't get up and shout,"Oh Edward I love you!" when Edward first appeared on screen. He did and left the entire audience, especially me and Millie, rolling in the aisles.

Thursday we also had the chance to see a Lewis and Clark show at the civic center for school age kids. It was great. The boys assured me they know everything befor ethe show, but I didn't know Lewis had an air rifle that was powerful enough to shoot deer etc. and was silent. I thought it was fun and Tian didn't even tell everyone she hated it.

After the show we were able to have a tour of the Civic Center. IT was great. We got to see the lighting, orchestra pit, dressing rooms etc. It was really incredible. Tian even sang on stage :o)

The highlight of the tour came with lunch at Fong's Pizza. We went on a lark - I mean what kind of name is that for a pizzeria? The pizza was actually VERY good. We tried Crab Rangoon and Fongolian Beef. I can't wait to make Tom go back on a date! I HIGHLY recommend it!

Trev has been busy doing prep work for his Eagle Project this coming Friday at the Winterset Art Center. I am excited to see the project happen both for Trev and for selfish reasons :o)

Business update: Tom received Certificates of Occopancy on 2 more houses this week - wahoo! Things have been going very well for him and although the bank he working with is holding off on additional projects until they are able to sell a few of the houses he is currently working on, he is keeping busy with bids on some other projects. He missed out on the last two hard bids , but was the second lowest bidder ( I know always a brides maid....), but that tells us he is competitive even in this market which is good news. The third bid's the charm right? The next project bids the first of Decemeber...so we will see what happens...

He is also working with an investor to finish up a larger custom home in Van Meter. We are hoping that comes through since it would offer some good exposure:o) So life is looking better on the financial front and I guess we leave the powdered milk on the shelf another week :o)

Trees and Houses

Trace stuck - tree climbing not as fun as he thought when it came to the down part

Platform of the long awaited tree house

The boys ( and girl) trying it out. Tian even made a sign that said girls allowed ( or at least she said that is what it said :o) Her spelling is not quite....well...you know

We'll another week went by.... TJ you would be proud ( Mom pushed hard enough ) - Trev, Ty and I started a tree fort for Ty. I don't know why she was so adamant about us doing it it was only Ty's Birthday present ( remember his birthday is on May).... We have a solid platform started up @ 10'. It spans between 4 trees. We spent a few hours working/fighting over how to do it and who would get the tools. I will take a few pics - Mom will post them later.

I also had the experience of attending Tian's ballet class with her.. Your sister is a real cutie. She has a ton of attitude and spunk.

Trace has been sleeping in the tent in his room!

I will have 3 more houses complete with Certificates of Occupancy tomorrow!!!!


My turn:
Traceism of all time: Tian and Trace are sitting at the counter in the kitchen and Tian is reading a magazine. She is flipping the pages and Trace grabs it from her. Instead of her typical scream, Tian is saying "Mom, mom....mom..." I look at her and her she continues," Trace is being inappropriate." Being a good attentive mother I respond,
"Trace, be nice." At this point Tian is irritated with me and elaborates," Mom, Trace is looking at inappropriate." I look at the magazine that Trace now has his arms around protecting and leaning over it at the conter. It is a underwear ad featuring a larger woman in a modest ( as far as that can go) underwear and a bra. I give Trace "the look." He responds in mock horror to my accusation:
" I am just READING it!!!!"
IS that anything like buying Playboy for the articles?!?! Anyway, the ad is in the trash and the SUnday paper and all magazines are devoid of "inappropriate." Ahhh, life with boys huh TJ?

Tian had rough Sunday this week. She left Primary early declaring it was BORING. After about 5 minutes in adult Sunday School, she decided Primary wasn't "this super boring." I think after this week she will be returning to Primary ( I made her go to Relief Society ( another adult class) too)

During a "discussion" between Tom and I , Tian looks at us and says to Tom," You picked her - now deal with it." Needless to say, business decisions took a backseat to laughter. So much for thinking no one is listening to us.....

Sad day

It has been a long week, but we have enjoyed some sunshine and some beautiful days outside.

It was also a sad week as we said good bye to our dog, Kela, who has been part of our family for over 10 years.

Army guy, witch, Ranger and a monster OH MY

Halloween is always one of my favorite holidays...not special food to cook and no gifts to buy-

just silliness :o)

This was the best. Tian had some of the best reactions to pumpkin carving this year...

Trace was good with it and actually did most of the cleaning of the pumpkin himself:o)

Tian and Trace were especially fun this year. At 3 and 4 they are real participants and excited about decorating the house, carving pumpkins, silly dinners...okay everything. That is the BEST!

I like Trev's toothy guy - below is Ty's

The line up...Trev made a great Chinese latern...but Daisey liked it too

The crew at Trunk or Treat

Tom as his usual hillbilly monster hunter and Tian and Trace

Ok TJ this was for you - note the boots. I had a flashlight and flashed it at people since I was a "FLASHER"

Don't worry Amelia already told me how inappropriate I was :o)

The reign of terror continues - this year in the old pick up

Tian's latest pics - note the "crown 'do" and meet Vivenne Boom-bots ( Dad named her) she was one of Kassie Trimble's kittens. She is sweet, but naughty - just like everyone else..

Trace story of the week: Today Trace was in nursery, which he loves, and they came and got me to help him in the bathroom. I hurried in and opened the bathroom door and he was washing his hands. Keep in mind when Trace washes his hands he is ready for surgery - he does not spare soap, water or time. I ask him if he needs help. He completely ignores me, dries his hands, and walks past me back to nursery. I look at him and say "good bye" and he pretends he has never seen me before! After church I ask him why he didn't hug me or talk to me and he says," I was in MY class." Well how dare I interrupt :o) I pressed and said,"Well you could have said 'Hi mom'" He replies, " Well, I hate you. Now I love you." I think Tian is getting to him...