Feels like spring

Well, I knew it would happen sometime. The sun is shining and the snow is melting. Yes, you can see grass--although it is certainly not green. Where we had 4 foot drifts next to the garage, you can actually see strawberry plants poking through. Copper can be outside enjoying the warm sunshine.
But, for those of you traveling to visit this weekend, I must warn you--we are expecting 3-6 inches of snow tonight/tomorrow. What better way to welcome in spring. The weekend should be nice and what snow we get should melt rather quickly.
Michelle mentioned in her blog that Nate and I traveled to Provo this past weekend to see the new Ellsworth home. It is beautiful. It is laid out well and should be a very comfortable home. Tinkerbelle will love the backyard. I love the fireplace and I am going to use some of the ideas from her kitchen when I plan my new kitchen.
This week I have learned some new skills in the remodeling area. Michelle and I learned how to change door knobs and it only took me a couple of hours to master. (I do better at tearing things down rather than putting back together.) Also, because we are going to have lots of company this weekend, I decided the down stairs bathroom needed some work. I took off the old gross toliet seat and put on a spankin brand new one. I was proud of myself.
Anyway, can't wait to see everyone this weekend and please DRIVE SAFELY.

It feels like Spring

Spring has come to Evanston. The sun is shining and the snow is melting. I can actually see a piece of the lawn in front. That doesn't mean we won't have more snow, but for today it is spring.
I have had a lot of fun skiing at the state park this winter and it was great exercise. I can't wait until it is dry enough to walk and go biking.
Here are some before pictures of the current project.

It's finished

Dad was home this weekend to celebrate Nathan's sixteenth birthday. He spent a lot of his time doing the finish work on the spare bedroom. This project was started after Labor Day by Mom and Nathan doing the demo work and then Dad took over. He did almost everything with Mom doing a little painting.
As you can see from the picture, the room is beautiful. Only a little touch up paint for Mom to do and a new closet door to be put on and another room done.
The computer has been moved downstairs and the computer room is ready for demo. That will probably start on March 4 (Tuesday.)

Trip to Idaho

Nate and I traveled to Rigby/Sugar City this past weekend to help Cheryl and Jason move to their new home. It will be so fun for me to see the changes that Cheryl and Jason will make on the yard in the coming months and years. Their home is beautiful and the colors make it warm and homey. Of course I should have taken pictures, but I was anxious about coming home in the snow, I forgot. I guess I will have to visit again and this time take some pictures of the house. They have a huge yard that I will be more than happy to help them with during the WARM summer months.
I did of course take some pictures of Ben. He and Nathan had such a good time together. Ben thought Nate was pretty funny and giggled at him all the time. He is such a good natured guy (Ben that is) and most of all he lets grandma hold me without fussing. I love it.

Snow Day

It does happen. Uinta County School District #1 called the second snow day of the year. I don't know how much snow we got because it blowing like crazy. The interstate is closed, again. So Evanston has become a big rig parking lot. It is too cold and windy to go skiing.
I have been going out to the state park daily and doing some skiing. I feel great and I love to go out into the peace and quiet.
Here is a picture of this morning's snowy chaos.

What a Surprise

This morning as I was backing out of the driveway, guess what Nate spotted? A MOOSE in our yard. We had just put Copper out and he must have spooked the moose so she headed across the street toward downtown.
After further investigation, it almost looks like she had been bedded down in our side yard.
As you can see from the pictures, we have plenty of snow. It does look pretty, but there is alot of the white stuff.
Here are the tracks the moose left as she walked through our yard.

More pictures from the Weekend

Here are some more pictures of the cute bunch in Albuquerque. Dave and Summer look as much in love as ever, Allyson is becoming quite the lovely lady, Ryan spent the time reading Calvin and Hobbes to Grandpa, Isaac has more energy that ever imagined, and Evan is a cute little thing and hopefully by the time he is 3, he like Isaac will be my friend.
A couple of fun stories from our trip. Ryan really did read alot of Calvin and Hobbes to Grandpa. Everytime Grandpa would sit down, Ryan would climb up on his lap and begin to read.
Sunday after dinner, just before we left for the airport, Dave put in a video. We all sat down to watch, except Ryan who was reading to Grandpa. Then Dave began to look for Isaac who had disappeared. He looked everywhere--the bedrooms, bathroom, etc. Now of course, Dave's house isn't huge and doesn't have as many hiding places as the farm house, so where could Isaac be. Finally Summer suggested the garage and sure enough Isaac was in there riding a bike. What a character.
Dave and Summer: have fun with this bunch. They will give you a lot of joy. Thanks for inviting us down.

Exciting Weekend

Nate and I flew to Albuqueque on Saturday to meet up with Dad and spent a whirlwind weekend with Dave and his family. Dad flew in Friday night and had the honor of being Grandpa babysitter on Sat. He was surprised at the energy the three older Turner grandchildren exhibited.
Nate and I arrived in ALB about 1 o'clock on Sat. and was met by Dad and Isaac. We proceeded to the NMU vs. BYU "Women's" b-ball game. (The men were playing in Provo, where UNM was trounced by BYU 82-65 or something like that.) Now, the boys weren't that excited about watching the women, but me, having spent much of my younger year dreaming of such an experience, enjoyed the game.
Dave then gave Nate a tour of UNM.
We enjoyed an evening of pizza and games at Dave's and then headed to our hotel room for some shut-eye.
On Sunday we traveled to the Los Lunus Stake Center for stake conference where Dave was sustained as a High Priest and a High Councilor. Yes, Dave, you are really old when your son is a high councilor.
After the afternoon of eating, (Thanks Summer for the delicious dinner--it was just right for traveling), napping (Mom), and hiking, the boys, Nate and I began our interesting journey home.
We boarded our plane to Phoenix where we would change plane and travel on to SLC. They came through the cabin and took our drink orders, but then the cockpit announced that because of turbulence there would be no service. It was a very bouncy ride. We landed in Phoenix and looked for our flight info to SLC. Everything was delayed especially if it was coming from the west coast, which our plane was.
To make a long story short, we finally took off from Phoenix at 2 AM. (We were hoping to be in Evanston by 1:30 AM.) We landed in SLC at 3 and the temp was 40. The roads were wet until we got to the top of Parleys, where everything became snow packed.
We arrived in Evanston at 5:30 with Nate saying "good I can get an hour of sleep before I head to school." I tried to get him up at 7:30, but he said he would make up strength building at a later date.
It was a great weekend and we won't have missed it for the world. Next time we will stay longer and go on some of those wonderful hikes you are always talking about.

Little Bro

I just checked Nate's final grades for this semester. Welding 90% A-; Gym 88 B+; Algebra, 91% A-; English, 93, A-. Way to go Nathan. His grade point average is 3.6429. He has worked extremely hard this semester and he has a pretty difficult second semester. Also, having Jeff living with us this semester, I think, has been a distraction, as well.
Just for your info, too. We are planning on having Nathan ordained a priest on the weekend of March 23.

It is winter in Evanston. While Dad has been enjoying unusually warm weather, Nate and I are "enjoying" winter here. It seems we have been stuck in a deep freeze for a long time.
I finally got my skis out this past week and tried the snow at the State Park. It was great. The first day I went out, I didn't ski very far, but at the end I spotted 2 bald eagles sitting in a tree by the river. On Sat. I skied from one parking lot to the far parking lot. It was so much fun. I will try to get out every day, when the temp is 20 degrees or warmer.
I have been busy doing lots of different things. Just before Thanksgiving I started helping out at the County Museum. There was an exhibit from the Smithsonian coming to town, and they wanted retired school teachers to help guide school groups through. I did that about 4 times from the first part of December until this past week. As I was saying my goodbyes to the museum director, she told me that the museum was going to get more exhibits and would I like to volunteer to do those as well. I told her I was very excited to do that. It will most likely start in the spring--whenever that is here.
The new principal at UME, where I taught before, called me just before Christmas and asked if I would be interested in teaching an after school math class for kids who needed extra help. I started doing that right after Nate and I got back from DC. I go in one hour after school Monday-Thurs. I also go in for about 45 min. on Tues and Thurs before school, too. I love the hours, I can do 6 hours a week, and i love working with kids who are struggling.
Of course, I have plenty to do in the house, so I am keeping real busy.
The first semester has ended and we think Nate DID pull all "A"'s like he wanted too. He worked real hard and we are proud of him.

Winter in Wyoming

No doubt about it, winter has come and by the looks of things, it will stay for a while. The snow has quit falling--for a day or two, so I took the opportunity to test the snow with my skis. I ventured out Friday morning and skied to the red bridge over the river and took a couple of photos.
As I was skiing back to the car, I noticed a couple of birds hopping along the ground, but as I looked to the trees along the river, I noticed 2 bald eagles sitting in one of the trees. They both took off and soared around the park for a few minutes before heading to the nearby hills. I'll try to get pictures next time.
After doing some painting in the spare room on Saturday, I headed out to the State Park again. I skied a little farther and I am surprised at how good I feel. Maybe I'm not as old as I thought. Ha Ha.
Enjoy the pictures.

Dad's Vacation

Thought I would show you how Dad has been spending his vacations. This project started just prior to Thanksgiving. Nate and I demoed the wall around the window and then when Dad came home, he started putting it back together.
He finished the drywall and then started painting. Today (28) he is finishing putting the Laminate flooring down. Then we have just the base to get and a little touch up painting and the room is ready for use.

Next project: the computer room.

Thanks for a Lovely Christmas

We sure had a great Christmas at our house. It started with a nice walk, Copper, Dad and me. Evanston is a little chilly. It was 3 degrees when we started out The sun started to shine and we kept warm by walking briskly.
All the presents were perfect. Thanks so much for everything.
Tinkerbelle continues to be delightful. She loves to hang out with Copper in the back porch. She is not too happy to be there when Copper is outside.
Here are some more pictures of the dogs and even one of the "head" elf.

Tinkerbelle

These pictures are for Michelle and Jon. Tinkerbelle is doing well. Maybe she needs to live with us all the time. Merry Christmas to everyone. (That is our resident Christmas Elf, Nate, with the dogs. Copper seems to like Tinkerbelle, but Kidten the Cat isn't so happy.

Just a few more pictures

It is definitely Christmas time because my Amaryliss is blooming. Enjoy.

Just a few more pictures

It is definitely Christmas time because my Amaryliss is blooming. Enjoy.

Nice pictures

Here are some pictures from our trip last week. Dad is in Florida this week and for those of us who are locked in cold weather, maybe you can "feel" his pain with this one.

Here are some more pictures of DC.

Home, but it was so fun

Nate and I just returned home from our before Christmas vacation. We spent a long weekend with dad in MD. We flew out of SLC on Wed. and landed in a winter storm. The ground was white and it was cold.
Thurs. Dad, Nate, and I went to the Redskins-Bears game. That was a great time. The Redskins even won. NFL games are a lot of fun to go to and being in a sky box is even more fun. No food to buy; everything is catered. Roast Turkey, Ham, Lamb, but my favorite was the macaroni and cheese with crab and lobster.
Friday we went over to the outlets on the Eastern Shore to do a little shopping and then ate lunch at the "Fisherman Inn" in Kent Narrows or Kent Island. The cream of crab soup was wonderful. Later that evening dad and I went to the Valcourt Christmas Party at Fed Ex Field. Dinner was served in the owners suite. There is no way to describe what that is like. The highlight of the evening was when we were treated to a tour of the Redskins Dressing Room. Here is a picture of Dad and I on the field. That was a lot of fun.
Saturday, the boys got up and traveled to York for a little b-ball. They had a great time. Dad and I then went shopping and stopped at the office, then picked Nate up and traveled to Baltimore for a little Italian food. Maybe you have eaten at Sabitinos. The food is still great. After eating we then headed down to DC to see the Christmas lights. Pictures of Sat. evening will follow later. After seeing the National Christmas Tree, we headed to the temple to see the lights there. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
We hopped on our return flight this morning and were greeted with about 6 inches of new snow. It is very cold, but so pretty.

Latest project

We here in Evanston had a wonderful, quiet Thanksgiving. Prior to Dad coming home, Nate and I demolished the exterior wall. Dad got busy re-wiring, insulating, and putting drywall up. We were hoping to get far enough for me to paint, but we didn't get quite that far. Oh well, I have plenty to keep me busy without painting.
Nate and I take our trip this week to Maryland for 5 days. We leave on Wed. Thurs. the Redskins have a game at Fed Ex field and we are excited about that and then on Friday is the Valcourt Christmas party. On Sat. we hope to do some Christmas shopping in the Baltimore area.
Chelly and I were planning on doing some shopping in Park City today, but it is snowing really hard here and Chelly said it is really snow hard in Orem, so our fun day is out. Hope we can get together before Christmas.
Here are some before and after pictures of the spare bedroom.

Holidays are Coming

Hi guys:
This is a reminder from Ma that regardless of the weather, (we will get close to 60 today) that Christmas is coming up fast. I would like to have some ideas what to get each of you--things you really would like. Trips to the Bahamas are out. I need to save money for my trips, you realize. Seriously, I need some ideas. The kids are pretty easy, but if there are things out there that Allyson, Ryan, Isaac, and Evan need and Benjamin, too, please send them to me. Sizes would be appreciated as well.
You can send them on to lrturer5@yahoo.com. The sooner I get your ideas, the sooner I can get everything mailed off.
We are ready to start our next re-model project. We (Nate and I) are going to start the demo on the spare bedroom this weekend. We should be able to finish most--except painting and floor--when Dad is home over Thanksgiving.
I have to brag about Nate, too. His grade point Average as of this morning is 3.37. Now for you brainy kids, (Allyson, Ryan) 3.37 for Nate is excellent. He has 107% welding. He will have all A's by Thanksgiving. We are proud of him, as we are of all of you. Have a good week.