Pictures

Hmm - make up your own story as to what Tom is doing...
Chinese super twins

Well it has been awhile since I had a turn to add the blog... So I am getting caught up on pictures and

Tian and Trace-isms:

Saturday we were able to go to an A&W for a real frosty mug. Everyone had the choice of a cone, a rootbeer or a float. Tian chose a 32 oz rootbeer and Trace a cone. When the cone came Trace complained," Where's my pop." I explained about the whole ordering thing that you get what you order and he can either have the cone or nothing. He mutters and sits back to eat his cone with a nasty scowl on his face. Ty has the unfortunate pleasure of sitting next to him and added a few gibes abou how good his rootbeer is. Trace slowly takes his cone a rubs it on Ty's elbow. Ty immediately shouts,

" WHat you do that for."

Trace meekly answers," I'm sorry." Of course he repeats with an immediate apolgy.

I said," Trace."

He looks me square in the eye and says," But, I said I was sorry."

Hmm guess we nee to revisit apology 101.... Bythe way Tian downed the entire rootbeer at the thought of having to leave behind what she didn't drink. I didn't even know she cold hold 32 oz

Summer has hit Iowa and we are GRATEFUL that our AC is working again. ( Yes, it is true our was down again this year!!) Anyway, we were talking about weather or not to eat lunch outside, to which Trace piped up: " Let's eat in the shade not the hotness." I agree the hotness is not so much fun. I am very tired of sleeping slumber party style in the basement, although Tian and Trace think we should never sleep any other way....

After spending Friday morning hitting the garage sales, Trace got up Saturday morning and over breakfast said," Mom, lets go to that place where I went in lots of doors and saw stuff." At this point I am baffled as to what he talking about; he sighs at my stupidity," Mom, you know all the cool toys, lots of garage doors and I buy stuff." Then he adds with the devilish grin so like TJ's, "He could sell Ty and buy a new one today." Gotta love little brothers!

Sad when you have to go a tourist attraction to see a phone booth

The town we stayed in for Trev's dive was called Metropolis and boy did they cash in on the name :o)

Something is wrong when the town grocery has a bigger mascot that the main tourist attraction

Okay - so now you know cupcakes do not travel well in Iowa a the end of May

Trace and his shirt filled with his latest rock collection. Some people may call it gravel, but he calls them beautiful :o) No, they all miraculously did not make it home.

Trev sweating to death waiting for the final call to dive
Still sweating

Tian and Trace loving their new friend... guess why Tian loves her? You got it - Tian put it best, "I really, realy want to wear a shirt like that." Hmmm...think Trace was pretty mesmerized too.

Isn't he HOT?!?! I especially like his lips...

Tian and Trace watching from above. Tom kept the off the dock ( I wonder why) I offered to switch places and couldn't figure out why he was being so magnaminous...until the dive was complete. He let me stay in ignorance on the dock, up where he was standing the staff had set a crash cart and other equipment in case someone didn't make it !!!!! I am glad I had my stomac hache without that added info or I may have passed out.

Just a few bubbles - they are down 100 ft.

Beginning descent - Ty think Trev may have...well, released gas. (Too much Taco Bell)

The dive was a success. Trev was one of 4 students to complete the 100 foot dive and no one died:o) Trevor, however, managed to run out of air during his ascent. Once again ignorance was a good thing for a mother. It was a good experience and an instructor was close by and he actually got to use all the stuff he learned in class and is a proud member of the 100 ft Club and the "I had to buddy breath becaaue I ran out of air club"

The Winterset crew getting the WEIRD school bus ready to reurn home. Did I mention this is a re-outfitted bas with car seat attached inside to 2x4's, and a toilet in the back....I am glad we were mean parents and made Trev drive with us.

Making pizzas at the dance pre party. The missionaries came and demonstrated how to throw pizza dough-

Ty's big day

Last weekend was Trev's diving class & Ty's birthday. This weekend was pretty crazy as well. The youth had a dance in Ankeny, but held a pre-dance party at our house. Elder Widdison & Elder Stockdale taught the kids to throw pizza dough. Things went pretty well - no pizza dough on the ceiling or on anyones head:( As a quick aside we did finally get our A/C back late Thursday evening.

Ty graduated from Primary today, was recognized for completing his Faith-in-God requirements, confired and ordained to the Office of Deacon! He gave a talk in sacramant to boot! He is looking forward to passing next week.

This week only 45 people were in Church, probably due to the holiday weekend. We really felt the absence in the Branch today. Over 15 families that normally attend were not in attendance! Was a crazy Church weekend.

Grant heads for Utah this week. We are expecting the Germaines to stop by this afternoon so we can see Grant off.

Our chickens are pretty huge. We already had to eat one, ask Daisy why. She is chinese not Australian. She pulled a chicken out of the hut by its leg and ate is off. Ty and Trev finished the Chicken off - Mom gutted and prepared the chicken and served it for lunch. Yep - no typo - Mom gutted and de-feathered the chicken and fryed it up in a pan!!!!! I feel fortunate to have been out on a jobsite at the time the deed was done. I could not have done it! I do however have to admit that Diablo, aka dead chicken, was very tasty. Having a chicken hut has shown us all just how raccoon like daisy is. She is very creative in her schemes to get those nasty chickens.

We have all finished 2 weeks of our P90X excercise program. We have all been working pretty hard. It really seems pretty good and is definately intense. Tian and Trace have even tried to do a little.

Will post pic.s later

Dad

Father / Son Camp-out

What a wild weekend....( to say the least ). Ty had a baseball game Friday night. He hit an amazing double off one of the best pitchers in the league! Ty fought off several pitches and hit a double to start-off an inning for us. He stole 3rd base on a passed ball and later tried to steel home but was tagged out in a wild play at the plate!

Following the game, we had a Branch Father/Son camp-out on Lot #1 @ 3 Buck Ridge. We had 6 boys camp-out, no fathers but me. The camp-out was fun and uneventful. The evening was cool but Ty, Trev, James Rasmussen and I slept out under the stars, it was a beautiful clear night. We got up at 5am the next morning to the sound of a huge deer breathing in the woods. We went to Truro to complete a scout fund raiser event. Brian Arzani arranged for the scouts to pick-up and haul-off all of the trash ( like city clean-up in Clear Lake ).

We get to Truro and meet up with a few more boys to complete the project, Bro Arzani arranged for several trucks and trailers to haul the trash from truro to the dump in Winterset. All went fairly well them we all met up and started for our first trip to the dump. Brian led the way but just outside of town pulled over to tie down his load better. He waved the rest of us on. To make a long story short my truck and Steve Cox's truck went to the dump on a different route than the others. We got going and missed our turn off so we had to turn around. Not being expert trailer drivers Steve and I had a few issues. I led and picked a driveway to turn around in. The drive was tight and I could not back the trailer up to turn the rig completely around. ( Keep in mind it has rained over 3" in the last few days ). With limited options and time I elected to drive off the driveway and hug the edge of the road embankment to get back to the road. I put the truck in 4X and charged right on through looking at the flat portion of the ditch noticing all the water. I pulled up the road and waited for Steve to follow. He had a similar proble, that he could not manuever his vehicle back to the road either. He also charged down the embankment but took it too wide and went into the flat of the ditch and got STUCK! He buried the truck hauling a 2 ton fully loaded trailer..... 2 hours, and 2 tractor pulls later - he finally got out. We had another truck issue prior to even starting that morning! Keep in mind the dump closes on Saturdays @ 11:00am.

We finally get to the dump and I at this point am sick of driving a vehicle with a massive trailer attached. I get to the dump and need to turn the rig around to dump the load in the pile. The dump has a CAT ( bulldozer ) operator working at the pile pushing the new trash into the existing mound. Austin Hensley offers to back the truck up to the dump pile for me.... I looked at him and said why not..... He did an awesome job and that went off without issues. We unload and hurry back to Truro at this point its almost 10am. ( @ 4 hours from start to finish ) We needed to get at least 1 more load so that the job could be completed. We hurried through town collecting trash. we had a couple pay us an additional $10 to get a mattress and box spring from their garage for them! We met up with the others in town - all vehicles are back and working the streets again + Brian's wife got another vehicle and was loading up as well. @ 10:50 we meet up and Brian made a call and the dump agreed to stay open for our second load! We hurried to collect the trash and get to the dump. We get their third in line to cross the scale going into the dump. The lady working there was oh so happy to be collecting overtime $ (NOT). She yelled at all of us going in ( "you guys from Truro had better plan better for this - I should be home by now!!!!" ) After I cross the scales and get to the pile where we unload, I notice smoke. The dump's CAT was on fire!!!!!! We scramble to assist the driver to find an extinguisher. After several minutes and lots of flames the fire is put out but I'm sure the rig is ruined. We finally unload and meet at the dump entry to go home. 1 truck is out of gas ( running on E ), Brian's Expedition ( vehicle Steve Cox is driving now ) is having serious alternator issues and dies right there in the lot. We charge it via a jump and get it going. Brian goes to Winterset to gas up the truck on E, I lead Steve back to Truro to unload trailers and take boys home ( now @ 1pm ) Entire event supposed to have been over @ noon. I get to cruising home taking a fast gravel route to make up for some lost time.... Great idea! My phone rings - Steve's vehilcle is dead behind me @ 1/2 mile on a hill. Great - now I have to turn my rig around , go back, and jump start Steve's truck.... I struggle and find a place and manage to turn around, get back to Steve and get his truck started. Thjis process happened 2 more times and we decided that then Steve would lead. the truck would died at hills where the power aspect of the truck would cause it to stall and die. After the new method the truck continued this process a total of 11 jumps. We got back to Truro in about 40 minutes should have been a 20 minute trip at the worst.

No boys died, we completed the project, and have silly, funny and crazy stories to share. All finally got home a little after 2pm! Was a crazy unbelievable string of events! We can't wait to do it again next year. I really don't think there is a prayer that we could ever get steve to participate in an event like this again......

Tom

Mother's Day

Mom, Tian, Trace & Kassie Trimble

Our garden on lot #1

Tian & Trace haul'in the trash! Ty did not even have to train them.

We are becoming regular Iowa farmers. Have a big garden plot - we've planted several bean varieties, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, watermelons, and even some sweet corn. We have 19 chicken roasters we are raising - Ty, Tian and Trace and I spent yesterday trying to build a chicken hut!

Last week Trev, Ty and the Arzani boys struck gold.... A bumper crop of yellow morel mushrooms. They found over 16#s and put an add on craiglist and sold them all for $25/lb. The boys all thought we were going to be rich! Trace is our very own morel mushroom pig. He can sniff them out and find them faster than all of us. He has a real knack - maybe he can finally earn his keep......

Ty has trained his little helpers to haul the trash up to our house as well as the Gwinners. Tian does not like to be helped - she strains and makes some really cool faces as she struggles to get the "Empty" can up our driveway.

Baseball season has started. I'm coaching Ty's team, aka the bad news bears.... We have had two games rained out and have lost one game and won one that was rain shortened! We have a young team and a good group of boys.

Soccer is still going pretty well for Trev.. He seems to like it and has gotten pretty good playing time.

This catches you up with the Turner's

A hint.....

He is currently living in Tianjin City, China ( just south and east of Beijing)

His Chinese name is Han Jin Ming

He is 7.

He loves race cars and action figures.

He can speak a little English.

His birthday is Christmas day.

He has seen a picture of our family and is excited ( yes we are surprised.)

We have also sent him a package and information about us and still he is happy?!?

He should be home within 8 weeks!

This picture was taken during an adoption camp. The agency we are working with ran a camp for children in China and he was chosen to attend by the Chinese government at the very last minute. To make it even more strange, we received a mis addressed email with this group of children featured for adoption the same week Tom asked if I ever thought about back to China again......I tried to ignore him :o)

Yes, we are scared to death with all of the unknowns, but feel that he is the missing child in our family! I would have never imagined adopting an "older" child, but we are very excited. Yes, TJ does know and although he thinks we are absolutely insane, he is excited as well - just feeling like we do EVERYTHING without him....

I will post more info soon. We are busy filling out last minute paperwork - visas etc...

Special Announcement

Hmmm......any guesses on what's going on with us?

Little Ballerina

Don't you think about touching me....

We'll ok - this looks fun and I am the cutest!

"wishing and hoping....."

What.........

Making rootbeer with the Arzani's......

Tian's ballet recital was today! She did great it was great fun. We video taped it and took pic's. We all attended a play at Van Meter ( Will Thomas, Nick Bragg, and Amelia Beal were all in it. Tian and Trace and the two Ty's went crazy every scene Will was in..... They made everyone at the whole performance laugh. Tian and Trace steal the show wherever they go!

We have been working on a big garden on lot #1. Ty's baseball team plays its first game Monday night! Trev had two games this week and is doing quite well - he is starting JV! Mom and I went to the Temple with the Rose's Friday night. Been kind of a crazy week...

Dad

See the attached pic's:

3 wheels or 4???

Ty's book report / 3D diarama

Frostee's is OPEN!!!!

More running!!!!!

Trev awaiting the ball to be thrown into play.

Trace playing "hide-n-seek" on the grandstands.

Lots and lots of running

Tian climbing on the grandstands!

"You can't see me"

I've been driving the old truck ( 35 Dodge ) for the last month fairly regularly. Ty and I yesterday were coming home from baseball practice and at "dead TJ curve" we had a minor problem - the front driver side of the truck fell and hit the pavement with a load thud! we slowed down drastically and saw the tire driving out well ahead of us. Ty's eyes were as big as saucers. They don't make vehicles like they used to. The truck handled just fine we made it through the curve and were able to safely pull off the road so that we could inspect the situation and access the damage. I didn't realize my truck was part sherman tank - NO Damage. The lug nuts came loose, they were not sheared off like I assumed they must have been! I sent Ty on a 1/2 mile trek to go fetch the tire. Inside the tire and the hub cap were 3 lug nuts. We called Trev to bring some supplies and we jacked up the truck fixed the tire, checked all other tires and drove home. The truck runs just fine! I was a little paranoid checking the tires before I drove it today - seeing your vehicles wheels rolling down the road with-out you is not a great feeling and nothing I'd like to experience again! But consistent with our lives - added excitement, an awesome story, and best yet no one got hurt!

Trev had a soccer game in Winterset against Boone this past week. Trev played well - his second week playing since he was in 3rd grade. Tara and I being intence soccer critics - Trev needs to play meaner!!! Tian and Trace had great fun entertaining people on the bleachers and begging for concession goodies!

Mom had a meeting with the Winterset library board and was forwarded an agenda prior to the meeting only to discover that Mom was the meeting agenda ( no not on how to get rid of the bossy short lady ) but that she was supposed to present ideas for drawing more intrest in the library. The meeting went well, she had some computer issues creating a list of ideas for the meeting. Her original list completely done is lost forever in cyber space.... Mom has the patience of Job. She totally re-did the list and got prepared for her meeting.

Been another crazy week!

Brag Minute

So it has been a stellar week at the Turners.

Trevor was the featured Beekeeper of the month in the bee newsletter - The Buzz.

Wahoo!

Back in November the boys both entered the national Letters About Literature contest. It may be familiar because a few years ago Trevor placed second for the state of Iowa. Well, his week we received not one, but two letters and Trevor was a semi-finalist and Ty a finalist. ( I know I think they are brilliant too :o) I am still in shock. Ty's letter will be posted on their website :

www.iowacenterforthebook.org/letters/winners

It should be up in the next few days. No they didn't win money jut fame and glory :o)

Last bit on the brag page, we received a letter from the mission president in Fiji about TJ. Yes, I was nervous opening the letter :o) ( Just Kidding TJ!) TJ has been asked to be District Leader for the Tontouta District in the South Zone of New Caledonia. This is a leadership position that will make him responsible for the other missionaries in that area - scary huh? He is also assigned to a brand new missionary to train and the best news of all, according to h?. TJ, is he is allowed to drive! HE had to take a driving test and passed the second time - during the first test the cable connecting the shifting stick to the engine snapped! He assured us it was not his driving that did it, but a common problem in the Citroen ....a comforting thought to mothers everywhere....)

Enough bragging and time for a Trace-ism:

Trace's favorite movie is Cars except he was having trouble saying it..He called it his own special version of "Lightening McQueen." We were all sitting at lunch and he asked it he could watch a movie and we couldn't leave the poor thing alone. The title started out as "Lightening on McQueen," when Tom questioned him it changed to "Lighting on the Queen", then it was "Limey on the Queen" to "Lying on the Queen" to tears and "I just want to watch my movie." We usually don't watch movies during the week, but we made an exception :o) And today it was back to "Lightening on the Queen."

Easter 2010

Hunting for eggs!!

Turner piggies....

The next Ty Cobb?

Babe Ruth?

Spring has sprung!

So how did I get a Chinese hairline???

It's Easter time again! This week was a crazy week. Weather on Thursday hit 87 deg. F! it was downright HOT.... We enjoyed a beautiful sunny week.

Ty has started baseball, soccer contunes to go pretty well for Trev.

We spent the day working outside yesterday. Tara, Ty and I took a gardeneing class and we started to turn over the soil in our garden areas yesterday and the plan for the week is to start individual gardens and turn this into a friendly competition to see who has a green thumb!

We played outside as well and took a few pictures to highlight the week!

The kids hunted for eggs this morning. Trace was the only non-peeker waiting to go downstairs until Mom said it was time to go!

I

Soccer

Trev getting instruction with the soccer coach

Trev checking out shin guards

Trev getting ready to start a practice drill

Tian & Trace @ story time!

We we decided to shake things up at the Winterset High School - Trev has decided not to do track..... He decided to give soccer a try... He has gone to 2 practises and really seems to be having fun....

Trev passed his scuba test last week and is finishing up his last class to account for pool/scuba time in the water prior to his test dive. This reallty has been a fun thing for him as well. It was pretty Saturday intense.

Ty's baseball season is starting to gear up. Ty and I picked up our coaching stuff this morning. What was I thinking - I'm coaching the team of 11-12 year olds..... This really should be pretty fun as well. practices start this Monday!

Tian had a week off from ballet this week due to Spring break in Winterset! I think it was a much needed break for her as she really is tierd of practicing her song "wishin and hopin"....

Work has bee a little slower but there are a few good prospects looming. Weather is starting to get nice so our lots are listed agaiun! Keep your fingers crossed for lot sales and building contracts.

Austin and Zach Hensley came over last night to experience a Turner Friday evening movie and pizza night. We introduced them to the movie series - The Planet of the Apes! Can you believe it they had never seen them..... I'm not so sure they were all that impressed either!

We went to a garden supply store yesterday and purchwased some seeds and potting soil. We are planning a small garden.

The boys had an unusual history test Friday. We all made our own 15 question test and took everyone's test ( mom and I included) The winner got to pick something fun.... Mom won of course - Mom gets a day off from school and the boys have to watch Tian and Trace for a whole hour.

Zach came over Monday for early morning Seminary with Trev. We had fun!

All in all its been another fun and crazy week at the Turner's!!!!

Tom

Its Springtime????

Trev with gear waitting in the water for his buddy! ( DAN )

Trev -0 about to jump into the pool...

Trev and Levi suiting up.

Trev and Levi treadding water for all their worth - they do this prior to actaual scuba class as a warm up...

Tian ans Trace enjoying our latest March snow! Only @ 3" more to tie Iowa's all time snowfall record!!!

We'll it's officially Spring. Mother nature left another Winter going away present for us. Friday night the cold weather came back after about a week of solid 50+ degree days and mostly sunny - Winter came back. It started snowing Friday afternoon and did not let up until early Saturday morning. We got approx. 6-8" of snow. Our yard was basically snow free. Proof that we live in Iowa where things are in a constant change we are back in the upper 40's with Sun today and the yard is virtually snow free again. It really was a pretty day yesterday and was fun to once again drag out the sleds and play with the kids. Tian is quite the snow boarding queen. She can ride down our driveway and manage to stay vertical the entire ride down - the girl has incredible balance for a 4 year-old.

We all took a trek down to Creston yesterday afternoon to watch Trev and Levi in their SCUBA class. It really looked pretty fun. We brought the whole family down to watch. It took Tara and I all we had to keep Tian and Trace from falling into the pool ( on purpose of course.... ) We stayed as long as we could to watch ( our sanity as well as the temperature of the pool area prevented us from watching the entire class ).

Trev and Ty spent the beginning of the week with the Thomas Family up in the Dell's and had quiote a good time at an indoor waterpark. They seemed to really have fun and all returned home alive and in one piece. The Thomas's are still even speaking to us! ( bonus:-) )

I taught seminary this week to Trev and the Hensley boys. It was a new experience teaching.

See the attached scuba pic's ( sorry for the bad resolution )