Mr. Turner Elf...Returns

Guess who came back again this year to watch over the kids during the holiday season? The one & only Mr. Turner Elf! He was pretty ornery again...although I didn't do a very good job of capturing him in photos. I did get a few of his silly surprises!

He showed up just in time to celebrate Remi's 5th Birthday. He even brought her a present!

We found out quickly that he likes technology...especially the PhotoBooth app.

He got a terrible cold not long after he returned. He asked the kids for soup so they left him some. He must have enjoyed it while we were at school. The bowl was empty (& dirty) when we got back home.

Not one his finest moves.

He also helped us celebrate Jaedin's 9th Birthday!

Who doesn't like a game night with good friends?!?

The kids set up this wedding for Mr. Turner Elf and his Barbie friend before bed one night. It was complete with security, guests, flowers, an aisle and a carriage ride after the ceremony.

I guess he was feeling hungry!

Mr. Turner Elf gave everyone antlers and a Rudolph nose. So cute!

Winter Break Fun

Playing with new toys...together...nicely :)

Talin filled out an application to work at Casey's in Perry. Fingers crossed he gets the job. Ha!

More presents from Nora!

Talin with his buddy Isaac.

Jae and her friend, Carsyn, had a fun play date with Isaac too.

Talin helped me finish my puzzle.

Our sweet Jaedin

When I became a parent, I didn't know what I was doing. It was ALL new. And unknown. I honestly question myself every single day. I hope & pray that I'm making good choices and a positive impact in my children's life. I try to be a good role model and teach them how to be caring, thoughtful and giving. 

Jaedin taught me. She taught me how to give. She taught me how to be unselfish. She taught me how to make a difference. I am SO proud to be her mom. I can't even describe how my heart feels when I think about what she did.

To make a long story short, one Sunday morning Jaedin was talking to us about her approaching 9th birthday. We were "planning" her skating party. Out of nowhere, she said she wanted her friends to donate to those affected by Hurricane Sandy instead of bringing her birthday presents. What?!?! At that moment, I could've let the tears flow. So very proud of her heart. We talked about it and made a plan. Little did we know what would happen from there.

At the party, Jaedin collected $420 from friends. The mother of one classmate had her company match their donation. That got us thinking. Do other companies do that? Jaedin and I brainstormed other businesses and friends that might be willing to help with her wish.

When it was all said & done, Jaedin collected $1200 to donate to the American Red Cross in Topeka. We were invited to their annual meeting and treated so very special while we there. We were completely blown away with Jaedin's impromptu speech and sweetness. 

Jaedin giving her speech...that made us all tear up!

Smiles filled the room!

Nana and Cindy came to cheer Jaedin on too!

Jaedin was interviewed by the Valley Falls Vindicator.

Jaedin was showcased on WIBW Good Kids.

Jaedin was on the cover of the Lawrence Journal World.

KSNT & WIBW were both at her presentation & showed news clips multiple times.

Needless to say, she felt pretty special & beyond proud of her actions. She also already has her wish for next year planned out.

Talin's note(s) to Santa

The top is the note Talin wrote to Santa in his classroom that was published in the Valley Falls Vindicator. Talin later decided that it might not be a good idea to "joke" with Santa about what he really wanted so he wrote the bottom note to send to Santa via our Mr. Turner Elf. Talin then proceeded to tell Santa in person...twice...just in case he was still confused. Such a funny little boy!

No worries though, Santa got it right this year! :)

Christmas 2013

Christmas morning at the Turner's

Santa left a 3+ page letter for the kids this year. Hmmm...

He did eat almost all his snacks though!

This is how I found the kids Christmas morning. They were all on Jaedin's top bunk "waiting" for us to come get them. Love it!

Presents from Santa

Jaedin - a new Razor Scooter

Talin - a new iTouch

Remingtin - a new pink balance beam

So magical...

Can we come out yet????

YES!!! An iTouch!!

So excited for real balance beam! And Jaedin was excited that her scooter wasn't pink!

Presents from mom & dad are opened...now it's time for Stockings!!!

Christmas morning by the tree

Breakfast time

Remi decorated her bunk bed for McKenna

Jaedin playing on the balance beam

Talin...still stuck on the iTouch (he did get other presents too!)

Went to nana & papa's house for Christmas dinner...stayed in our PJ's all day! We loved having GG there too!

New stockings made by my sweet friend, Alison

Merry Christmas from the Turner Family!

Christmas Eve

Turner kids all dressed up!

As tradition would have it, we celebrated Christmas Eve at nana & papa's house again this year.

Turner Family

Cousins

My beautiful GG (who will be 90 next month!)

Kids table 

Who's ready for presents?!?

After presents, we headed home for one more Christmas Eve tradition...a present before bed from mom & dad.

The kids get new matching PJ's every year. 

Time to feed the reindeer the magic food

Sprinkling it around the yard...

Dad showing the kids where Santa is at on the Nordac tracker online

Jaedin writing the letter to Santa with help from Talin & Remi

Cookies, treats, veggies with dip, OJ & milk. Talin also insisted we leave a baggie so Santa could take some goodies to Mrs. Claus too.  Love his imagination!