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.

Family Pics

Aren't you glad you're not a photographer for this group!?

Ty's Last Derby...

Twist your head to the left and you can read his name...

Not fast, but cool. Ty competed with the "Ty car" we obviously needed TJ's expertise - he came in 2nd or 3rd in every race... It was fun and who else can say their car actually said their name!

The spoons...well that's Ty's other amazing talent. We saw the deer today wandering across our yard...

It's a good thing I am not thin skinned....

Wish Ty luck tonight as he competes in his final Pinewood Derby.... with the Ty car. I will post pictures later on.

This latest Tian-ism was too good not to share before I forget:
This morning Tian and I are snuggled in the chair having a Hallmark moment, or so I thought. I leaned back and looked into her gorgeous black eyes and knocked on her head and asked," So, what's in there?" She looks reflectivley back at me and replies,
"An egg."
"An egg? What's in the egg? I ask.
"A nest," she says matter- a- factly.
"And what's in the nest?" I am totally interested - the creativity here is impressing me.
"A bird," she shrugs.
"What does the bird say?" Now, I think, this is going to be good. In her best fake whistle-ly tone she says,
"Lala, a happy song."
How fitting - she nailed her personality. I dared fate and hoped for somehing equally wonderful and asked, "So what's inside my head?"
With her eyes twinkling in the morning sun she replies,"Nothing."
I think I am going back to bed!

Boys with too Much Free Time

See- we actually have studied something for school. The boys have constructed a medieval village and of course, it has been complete with tireless attacks and counter-attacks and wild chases through the house and shouting about unfair tactics.

The boys have spent the last couple weeks trying to construct a Quinzhee back on the creek. Days of shoveling snow off of most of the pond and heaping it into a huge pile, packing it down and hollowing it out have almost paid off. There is enough room inside for 2 boys and one naughty dog. OF course, a simple Quinzhee wasn't enough they had to make it into some devil dog... what could be more fun than entering a bloody mouth of some creature ? ( I know I could think of about a million things :o)

It was so cold out we had to warm up the little guys in the dryer - don't worry we used the gentle cycle

While the boys played in the freezing cold - yes, I did keep them in for the -20 degree days, but not without MUCH whining ( that doesn't include mine) - the little guys plays Chinese Laundry. IT was all fun in games while I ironed until Trace jumped out of the dryer, slammed the door and stood in front of it! He seems so quiet and innocent, but that twinkle in his eye...

We have decided we have joked about it too much, since Saturday , Tom was helping me work through the mountain of laundry that was taking over the sun room and Tian ran in and asked Tom, "Daddy can I do Chinese laundry with you?"

We are trying to finish up the Middle Ages and one of our projects was to make a meal. Okay, so the boys didn't grind wheat with a stone, but the hand grinder gave them an idea of the effort involved especially when they realized that they only ground enough wheat for 2 loaves of bread.

Tian and Trace didn't want to miss out on the fun. So make a note not to eat any whole wheat products at our house for a while. The kids discovered playing in the wheat was quite addictive - they literally could not keep their hands or arms out of it. Don't worry Trace only spit a few of the kernels back in when he realized it wasn't quite as tasty as he imagined.

TJ at the MTC

okay- I am finally composed enough to add the pictures of TJ at the MTC. It was a bittersweet day. Until then, I never really understood what bittersweet was - it was geat to see TJ so ready and on the brink of such an exciting adventure, but so sad to see that first chapter of our life together coming to a close. I still can't believe that 19 years have passed so quickly.....
We are told to take our last pictures and TJ is sent in one door and we can't go with him...we are all worried this is the good bye moment. Not yet - just the scary first real step. I am relieved he was kind enough to look back at us and at least seem a litle worried. Unlike the first day of Primary or kidnegarten when I was dismissed me without even a backward glance. TJ receiving instructions as he checks in one of the hardest things I have ever done....

I hoped it would be clearer... it is in French :o) we were wondering if he will get one in other languages if he travels to other islands.

Tom and I headed back to Salt Lake after we dropped TJ off. The program was very short: a song, a brief talk by the mission president and his wife and then the goodbye. We were told to think of a band aid - in other words fast and quick is better. TJ headed for the door marked missionaries - we through the "family " door and parking lot. It is easy to se that they are used to doing this - we were in and out of the MTC in 15 minutes. Tom and I decided to head back to Salt Lake so we wouldn't be tempted to break into the MTC to take him back :o) We went back to tour the Salt LAke on a non foggy day. The mountains in the distance reminds us of Colorado and our life there when TJ was a baby. A good day to reflect - we start to get sappy so we head back to temple square for some more organized cry sessions :o)


The full size replica of the Christus in the vistor's center in Salt Lake - it was phenomonal...

We had dinner at the Lyon House and head back to the hotel to catch our lonely flight back home...

Pilgrimage to Utah

So we finally made it to Utah for the first time! WE have had a fun filled couple days touring all things Utah : BYU, Deseret Book, Emergency Essentials, Missionary Mall, Temple Square, tabernacle and Tom's favorite: the Great Salt Lake and Tj's request ( although not very Utah) Body World. IT is the display that has been touring with real human cadavers - it was VERY interesting.

WE bring TJ to the MTC tomorrow and I am hoping time will creep VERY slowly - I am not ready for him to go. I am excited for him to start this new chapter in his life and looking forward to his transformation into an independant adult, but I sure wish I could turn back time...I miss the little boy who used to skip everywhere he went and called himself "Super TJ the One" I promised I wouldn't get all sappy so back to the sightseeing...

Monday TJ started the day harassing his dad - which included hiding a muffin wrapper in his eggs ( which Tom ate) and pulling out his chair. All this before 8 am....Tom lowered his standards and brought us to BYU. Fortunately for him it was the first day of classes so there was no visitor parking to be found... We were able to do some shopping and see the mountains.

Today, Tuesday, we stayed in Salt Lake and started the day touring Temple Sqaure in a snow storm. We were able to seee the tabernacle that held General Conference up until 8 years ago. It is a phenomonal building without even factoring in the fact that it was built over 100 years ago. The building has perfect acoustics that we saw demonstarted with a pin drop and speaking without a microphone, all of which could be heard clearly from the "cheap seats" in the back. The organ, that made the Mormom Tabernacle Choir famous, was as amazing as I had imagined. We then headed to the visitor center and saw a few videos that described the construction of the temple. Truely a phenomonal feat - how do people even imagine that such feats could reasonably be accomplished.... The temple, although at first glance from the street seemed less impressive ,was even more amazing that the pics when viewed up close. Phenomonal stone carving, perfectly fit stones. Can you imagine this was done with no modern equipment... truely awe inspiring. We finshed up the formal tour in the gallery with some amazing paintings and the beautiful replica of the Christus - an amazing sculpture.
We then made it to the chapel and TOm was in a hurry to make it to the new conference center. Unbeknowst to me, the best example of a green roof in the US. The center is an engineering marvel with HUGE cantilevered balconies, a VERY impressive pipe organ and keep in mind this 21, 000 seat center was built in 3 years!! I would love to take a class on the enginnering involved...Tom was just in awe that was completed by 3 construction firms working togetehr in 3 years. I think TJ wished we would just quit asking questions:o) The painting throughout were amazing - the prints I have seen do not do them justice. The roof, which TOm could go out on has full size growing trees to represent the mountains and another area with native grasses , reflecting ponds, and amphitheater, waterfall etc etc Wow...

WE then braved the snow in our compact rental car and headed out Antelope Island State Park to see the Salt Lake - TJ got a pic of a buffalo and I'll post pictures when we get home . IT was sad not to be able to see much due to the snow, but still fun to see the visitors center. I had no idea that sand here was round granules and the amount of dissolved minerals in the water was impressive.

TJ was happy to leave and we headed to the university exhibit of Body World - it was amazing. Needless to say, I am deteremined to get into better shape. I have heard mixed reviews about the display, but my review is it was AMAZING and the murmurs I heard from people were awe and amazement at the human body . Better yet ,we found something else that makes TJ squeamish- you will have to ask him which section :o) And for all who are wondering Tom made it through without a single dry heave or even having to take a break :o) The display here was VERY educational and very tastefully done.

We rounded out the day with a trip to Mormonabilia - a souveniour shop of all things Mormon - nothing too great, but it was fun.
I will post pics sson - keep us in your prayers tomorrow -

Mom forgot about our fabulous meal Monday night. I felt like buddy the elf when the delivery guy dropped it off at our hotel room. You should have seen this pizza it was ginormouse. Thak goodness dad only ordered one large pizza. We've barely made a dent in it.

-Elder Turner

Our First Trip to Utah

Our first glimpse of teh temple at night. TJ took a quick shot from the car. Honestly from the street the temple looked much smaller than we expected. The next day we walked temple square and saw the difference a little change in perspective can make

The next morning in the snow....
the marina on the Salt Lake

the huge cantilevered balconies in the conference center. Truely an engineering marvel...

the conference center still with its displays up for Christmas

We ordered a pizza for dinner - Tom figured a large might be enough. ( thank goodness he only ordered one!) It is the biggest pizza I ever saw

It snowed most everyday we were there. TJ and I in the snow on temple square.

Christmas 2008

Wild Christmas at the Turners'. It was Trace's first here in the U.S., yet he seemed like quite a professional. He was not at all overwhelmed, in fact he was REALLY into the whole opening present thing. He was thrilled to get a ramps for his matchbox cars and of course all the characters from the movie "Cars" . I now spend my days quoting the movie, " The question on everyone's mind, where is McQueen"

Tian in love with her pocket princesses and Trace racing , racing, racing

Ty making sure he got the Lego set of his dreams

Trevor ring to figure out the model project and making sure his boots are the right size.

Somehow we missed TJ's pile of supplies for his mission: sandals, new scriptures, puzzles for the plane and his toiletry bag..

my project for the year - we tried to tackle making homemade candy canes. They turned out pretty good. The salt water taffy ...not so good

After a wild morning, we headed to Omaha. Tom's parents were crazy enough to welcome us. Tom's little brother and his 3 boys were there as well. The kids actually get along amazingly well and for having 5 under 5 it was pretty calm. I am sure Tom's dad may have a different opinion...
the cousins - Stacy ( George's wife) snuck in too.

TJ checking out the back pack on wheels

Tian and Trace about to be jumped on by their cousin Gavin. It looks like they are about to drop from exhaustion. It was a long good day.

Grandma Tessa spoiled us with a beautiful dinner, dessert ( complete with a pumpkin roll and cranberry pie) and of course, the perfect gifts :o)

Chrismas Project and TJ's photo shoot

Tj - the thinker
2008 for the Turners


Every year we have a live tree for Christmas and in the spring we plant it in our yard ( yes, there is on ein WI and many here in IA.) This year I had a wild idea to have a box built to hide the gorgeous black plastic pot the tree comes in...so the boys cut the wood and I have been madly carving - inspired by http://www.sticks.com/ - now my Christmas present in 1/4 of the way done!! ( minus the polyurethane)



Hope you enjoyed the Turner's own holiday - Christmas Adam

as you know Adam came before Eve...

Never invite us to a potluck...

oh horror of horrors we went to "Build a Bear" for the first time ( thanks Aunt Nicole :o) - it was awful - the kids loved it , but the indecision was unbearable ( no pun intended). Trace and Tian changed animals at least 50 times - each, then the lady wanted them to kiss the heart - that is when Trace backed into Tom and shook his head, held up his hand and then acted as though the lady was a serial killer

Tian as you can imagine did all of the talking - Trace was too busy wondering when he was going to get the piece of gum we promised him if he didn't cry. Tian requested a penguin for herself, and Spiderman and McQueen ( from the movie "Cars") for Trace

TJ and Lexie tagged along with us and decided - hey free gifts- why not?

Trevor and Grant finishing up the pioneering merit badge

Ty - yup MIT is definitely on the horizon for this kid....

oh...everyone should have to make gingerbread houses...I think Trevor may threatening to cut someone's hand... This reminds me a little too much of architecture school, but Tom would never let me use gingerbread

We may never be invited to someone's home again. Yes, we foolishly went to a friend's home for a potluck with all of our kids... We did okay ( all right - Tian and Trace touched everything they owned with their sweaty little hands, made very singing/talking Christmas toy run endlesly and ate at least 5 pounds of candy and nuts from every candy dish in the house, but other that it was all well and good- until it was time to leave . Picture this - me in my huge winter coat and high heels ( we had just come from church), Tom carrying the crock pot, I put on Tian's coat - can't find Trace. I locate Trace - Tian has now left. I realize we left Trace's coat in the car, I unzip and push him inside my coat, Tian barrels into the back of my legs and almost take me down as I fall into Tom who manages to hold onto the crock pot - still sporting the remants of spaghetti ...Now we have lost Ty - at this point I know our (ex)friends are MORE than ready for us to just get out of their house for good...after it was all said and done - everyone ended up in the car and I think we left most everything eaten, but unbroken ( I hope)!

We are still preparing to take TJ to the Missionary Training Center in Provo and continually cycling through the stages of loss - denial, anger, sadness, acceptance then back again. Keep us in your prayers that we don't all hit the same point in the cycle at the same time :o)

Chinese Bunk Beds

No ,don't call Child Protective Services - we only make them sleep here occasionally :o) Obviously, Tian and Trace are having too much fun pretending to nap in the linen closet - it was great fun until Ty came and shut the door...Tian can scream amazingly loud...

Last week I decided that TJ should learn to cut hair - his brothers and dad were willing ( yes - they are CRAZY!) guinea pigs - their hair is all SHORT, but they look good. TJ learned a valuable lesson - when cutting hair in a group- go first - revenge is ugly. He really did do a nice job- there is hope for TJ to become the beautician of Figi :o)

Oh ,and don't ask about Trace's hair - he begged to have "braids like Tian" so I figured a blackmail picture ( for his teen years) was in order!