Party Preparations Are Almost Complete...

We are getting very excited for our 2nd Annual New Year's Eve Party! We truly enjoy ringin' in the new year with friends & family!

Lots of SNOW....

I have no idea on the exact amount of snow we got but I do know that it was A LOT! We (the kids & I) literally didn't leave the house (except to go to nana's house which is less than 100 yards away) for almost 6 days.

Cabin fever appeared to be setting in so I took the kids outside to play and to do a little sledding. We all had a blast! Jaedin was so sweet in helping Talin & Remi walk in the deep snow. Their feet kept sinking and they couldn't lift them up. They would just stand there and laugh. I am not a fan of cold weather but it was wonderful having a beautiful white Christmas. It's also making for a relaxing Winter Break!

Christmas in Perry

We have traditionally went to nana & papa's house on Christmas afternoon/evening. We always have yummy food & lots of fun. Because we weren't able to go to church on Christmas Eve, I decided the kiddos were going to get all dressed up and wear their Christmas clothes. They loved it! The girls kept twirling like princesses and Talin just kept smiling.

Cousins - Christmas 2009


BFF's & Cousins


Turner Family (just picture Eric in the back next to me)


Unfortunately, Eric was a bit late to the celebration and didn't get included in our family photo. He had ventured out to check on the snow situation and to look for wildlife and apparently got a little stuck. He safely showed up (very cold) about 3 hours late.


Remi getting lovin' from nana



Kisses for GG


Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas morning

WOW!!! Santa must have accidentally left next years presents this year. :-)

Jaedin was the first to wake up this year at 7:32 (from our bedroom floor I might add)! She promptly hopped into bed with us and started singing. This, of course, woke up Remi (also in our bedroom...ugh!). I told Jaedin to wait in our room and I'd go check on Talin. He was still asleep. He never sleeps in! I made some coffee, organized a few things, got the camera/camcorder ready and went to check on him only to find that he was still asleep! I decided it was time to wake him up. He jumped right out of bed and told me that he had heard Santa's bells in the night. He just knew Santa had been to our house. (So cute!!!) I snuck him into our room with Jae & Remi so they could all see the loot together. Two problems though: 1) Eric was still snoring and 2) Remi did not want to get up. She just kept saying, "Memi still tired" and "Memi seepy". Finally a little before 8am we had everyone awake and ready.

Santa obviously enjoyed his treats. He even left us a note!


The kids spot the loot!

Santa left Jaedin her very own real computer, Talin a workbench so he can work in the shop with dad, and Remingtin a princess vanity/piano. They were all beyond excited!

We had a wonderful, relaxing day at home and the kids had a blast playing with all their new toys!

Merry Christmas from the Turner Family

Jaedin, Talin & Remingtin in their special jammies
(Remi didn't really feel like taking a picture apparently)






Jaedin, Talin & Remingtin all dressed up in their Christmas clothes

Christmas Eve

We had big plans to attend the candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve but thanks to some major snow we had to change our plans. We ended up going to nana & papa's house to enjoy some yummy soup and time with family. Thanks to nana for moving dinner time up!

As a kid, I remember my parents always letting me open a gift on Christmas Eve. This is a special memory for me so we decided before our first Christmas with Jaedin that we would continue it with our kids. We started the tradition of giving our kiddos special pajamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve and this is the 6th year of that special gift. I hope someday they look back and have great memories of it too! Every year I love looking back at the pictures of them opening presents on Christmas morning in their "special jammies".

We ended the evening with putting some snacks and a note out for Santa. We left lots of treats this year as the kids thought he would be extra hungry from traveling in all the snow.

Gingerbread Adventure 2009

Dad giving out the "directions"

Remi & Talin decorating

Jaedin decorating

Working together to make it special!

This is our 5th year of creating a masterpiece of a Gingerbread House. Eric has taken on the construction role while I've enjoyed being the memory keeper (aka photographer, videographer). The kids had been begging to build the house for weeks and we finally found a nice, calm evening to enjoy the fun. I think (not for sure though) that some icing and candy might have gotten sampled throughout the process.

Turner Gingerbread House 2009

Christmas in Westphalia

Our trip to Papa Roy & Grandma Janet's house landed on a beautiful day! We had lots of fun visiting & playing with family that we don't get to see very often. We also had another entertaining gift exchange where we all ended up getting really neat gifts! It's our lucky year!! After lunch & gifts the kids were able to go outside to burn off some energy. This also assisted in the planned nap time for the car ride home! It was another wonderful day with family!

Our visit to Santa....

We had to make a trip into Olathe so we decided we might as well try and see Santa too. Not only did we barely make it in line before his dinner break (we were the last to see him), we got extra lucky and the mall had an amazing train display up. The kids did great with Santa. Jaedin was just excited to tell him what she wanted, Talin couldn't believe he was seeing him in real life, and we're still not sure if Remingtin would have sat on his lap if her brother & sister weren't there. She just kept rubbing his beard and glove. We got lots of great pictures with Santa and everyone even got a sucker for the road! After we left Santa, we spent some time watching the huge train track. The kids were in awe ~ what fun memories!

First glimpse of Santa - he's here for real?!?!

Waiting in line with dad

Remingtin & Jaedin with Santa

Talin with Santa

Christmas in Louisburg

We had a wonderful time at Great Grandpa & Grandma's house in Louisburg. The kids got way too spoiled and the adults had a lot of fun at our traditional gift exchange. Eric & I scored especially well this year with an awesome electric wine bottle opener, new wine glasses, and a glass pitcher. Hmmm...see a connection? We had a wonderful day with family!

{Trying to get a pic of all the cousins}

Jaedin's Winter Music Program

We had another "first"...Jaedin's 1st Winter Music Program. What a show it was! We had to take a CD to her music teacher weeks ago (according to Jaedin) and have her copy the songs for us to have at home so Jaedin could practice! Jaedin even taught her brother & sister all the words & actions. It was a packed house the night of the program but all the kids did a wonderful job. It did bring a tear to my eye to see our little girl looking so grown up singing & dancing away. We are proud of you, Jaedin!