Crazy Homemade.

I have a new obsession. Homemade everything. I have been going crazy reading blogs, reading food labels and have learned that a lot of what we eat is totally foreign - meaning you can't even read most of the words on the labels. I decided I'm not going to buy that stuff anymore - or at least not much. I have been making all my own bread, my own sweet treats (including brownies today which were awesome. I will never buy another box) and I have even been making my own crackers! The crackers seem to be taking a few tries to get the hang of, but my last batch tasted just like cheezits, even had the right texture and crunch. The only thing that was lacking was the fluorescent orange coloring. I had to explain to the kids that those crackers aren't really orange from the cheese....all the kids enjoyed them and so did I. And what really goes in cheezeits? Let me tell you - whole wheat flour, butter, cheddar cheese and water. Yes, that's it. Now, go read your cheezit box and see what's in theirs...yikes...I just want to feed my family good, wholesome food - yes, it takes some extra time, but it is so much cheaper and SO worth it. I love that I know exactly what I am giving my kids, especially with Lucas who has the peanut allergy - I never have to worry about it. Does that mean we'll never have another ritz cracker? Doubtful, but I will do what I can to feed my family right - that's my job.
So, I made my first school lunch tonight - and for some reason it brought a little tear to my eye. Just another reminder of the fact that my kids are growing up. Tomorrow will be Austin's first full day at school - he'll be gone from 7:30 until 3:15 - wow! What a long day. Here's what I put together for lunch #1....homemade oatmeal bread with nothing on it (that's how he likes it and it is sooooo yummy), some colby jack cut into sticks, blueberries, yogurt stick, handful of nuts and a homemade brownie and water to drink (or plain milk if he chooses to get one at school). That is one good lunch if you ask me. And I feel good about what I am sending him to eat and he's excited about it too - he helped me pack it. So that's it for day one lunch. I have been following several blogs that show healthy fun things to pack in kids lunches so they won't eat the processed junk at school everyday. Very inspiring people out there that have great ideas. And now it's off to bed so we can roll out early - it's a school night you know!

12 more years til college...

Today marked this first real day of Austin's educational career. Day one of kindergarten!! So cool. He marched into that kindergarten room like he owned the place. He came home all smiles and even told me about his day. I think it's going to be a great year. And this morning I had to wake up all 4 kids to get ready - it was like sweet revenge after having them come in and wake me up every single morning for the last 5 and 1/2 years. It was nice to be the one to jiggle them awake this morning and tell them to "rise and shine"! The morning actually went very smoothly and I had everyone ready to go on time. We'll see if day 2 goes as smoothly as today did. Austin told me this afternoon, "mom, I didn't know you were going to leave me there that long." Funny, they only had a half day - wait til Monday kiddo!! And the very first comment at pick-up, "mom, we go to have recess!" Ahhh to be 5 again...
Here's Austin finding his name to hang his backpack.

Hangin' with his buddies, Emma and James W.
Cheesy smile at his desk.
Time to get to work kids!

Here's to a successful school year!!
And now if preschool would just get started...not til Sept. 7...
Cheers!

{One last day of summer}

I can not believe our last day of summer is almost here. What a great summer we had too!! No, we didn't go on some fancy vacation, but let's have a little re-cap of what we DID do during our Staycation 2010...
-tons and tons and tons of swimming (of which the kids started out hardly going underwater, and now we can't keep them above water, including Lucas)
-went camping 3 times (and still hoping to go more before winter)
-went to World's of Fun and had BLAST even if it was 105 degrees that day
-Austin lost 4 more teeth
-had several BBQ's with friends and family
-went to my cousins wedding
-had a very successful garage sale
-2 weeks of swim lessons
-Austin and Ashlyn did Bible School
-Austin did basketball camp and football camp (loved it)
-The kids and I took a road trip to Manhattan for a slumber party at Callie's (SO FUN)
-We finished putting up cabinets in the kitchen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (pics later)
-All the kids got to stay out at the Turner farm a few times
-ate lots of s'mores
-took all the kids to see Toy Story 3
-had lots of play dates with friends
-went to Kaleidescope 3 times
-lots of home cookin'

So, I think we kept plenty busy. Definitely enjoyed sleeping in and having lazy mornings in our pj's. I may just miss that the most. Austin will be starting Kindergarten on Thursday - such a big kid now. He looks mighty handsome in his school uniform - pictures will definitely be posted on Thursday - after I stop bawling because my baby is off to school. It's hard to believe he will be gone all day long - it makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I am so proud of who he is and can't wait to get the school year started - he is going to love it. The girls will also be heading off to preschool, but not until sept. 7. I can't wait to see what Gabriella will think of school - I think she is going to change a lot this year so it will be interesting to see who she becomes. I guess I feel like I am entering a new phase of life a little bit. The kids are getting older. At least I still have my little Lucas - who is SO cute. Love that boy so much, this age is so much fun. He thinks everything is awesome and he is quite the talented dancer - I have got to get it on video. He can really bust a move.
Now it's time to hang with my hubs - enjoy your last days of summer!!

Staycation time.

Summer is flying by as this is the last day of July - how did that happen?? We have been trying to figure out a way to go on vacation with the kids this summer, but everything is so expensive, even when you try and make it cheap that we have decided to do the ever-popular stay-cation. Shawn took this next week off (minus Monday) so we are going to try and do some fun stuff with the kids and WORK ON THE KITCHEN REMODEL (insert angel voices singing). Yes, Shawn is planning on tearing out the other half of the kitchen and putting in new cabinets on Wed. I won't hold my breath...time will tell. We are also headed to Worlds of Fun on Tuesday with some friends - should be a blast - the kids are counting down the seconds. Mostly, I'm looking forward to spending some much needed time with Shawn - he's putting in an unreal amount of time at work and definitely deserves some time off.
So, raise your glasses....here's to Stay-cation 2010!!

Finally some new pics!

I am finally going to show you some pics! Nothing too fabulous, but I know I haven't blogged a bunch this summer and I haven't posted many pics so hopefully you can get your fill of the Turner fam today. They are really in no particular order...such is life around here...
We will begin with Lucas riding a nice pink bike. This will surely go in the slide show at his high school graduation.



Me and my Gabs.
My beautiful girls...best friends!!
And my cute cute boys.
Here we are at the annual Ohio Days in Waverly - the kids favorite time of year! They love the parade and carnival - and this year I believe we got to bed around 11pm that night...
Lucas's first carnival ride!!
Lucas officially has more teeth than Austin. Austin has lost 5 teeth so far and has a loose one still! Gotta love the toothless smile! Tooth #1 was lost at Best friend Joey's house, #2 daddy pushed out, #3 Lucas knocked out, #4 fell out while camping and going down a slide, and #5 was lost at basketball camp when he missed a ball and it hit him in the mouth (proud, yes.)
Ashlyn and Lucas - they seem to look alike here...don't you think?
I am so excited I can get Gabriella's hair up in pig tails - she is so stinkin' cute!!
My babies...Lucas and Gabriella with their blankies.
Happy Birthday, mom!!
Austin loves being a big brother.
Gabba Gabba!
And that's a little of what we have been up to the past couple weeks. We've spent a lot of time at the pool - the kids have improved their swimming like you wouldn't believe. Austin is lovin' the slides. We are hoping to get another camping trip in before the summer comes to an end. And Shawn is taking a week off in August - yipee!! I am hopeful we will get some kitchen remodel done that week - time will tell. As for now, I have 3 kids at the farm so me and Lucas are doing some bonding - and we are loving it. We got to snuggle bug after nap time today and it was awesome. It's so fun to get to spend time with just one kiddo here and there. And now I am going to enjoy the quiet!

Survived another camping adventure!

We have successfully made it through another camping trip. This time we were camping with the Settle side of the fam - my parents, my sister and hubs, my brother and his fam. We love to camp - I just hope the kids enjoy it this much when they are teenagers. I have a feeling they will. The weather didn't cooperate so much, it was a bit windy and rainy, but we still managed to eat lots of yummy foods, do some fishing (Austin's fave), go to the beach, go on a nature hike, make smores and just hang out by the fire. I'd call that a pretty good weekend. Since the last post, we have completed swim lessons, Austin has participated in basketball camp, is currently doing football camp, went to my cousin's wedding in Wichita and we are now looking forward to the parade and carnival in Waverly this coming weekend. The kids love Ohio Days out at the farm in Waverly - so much fun. And I am looking forward to some girl time with my college gals from the sorority this weekend! We are headed out Thursday night, having a family barbecue on Friday night and also hanging out on Saturday for a bit. I am really looking forward to it.
Now it's time for some hubby - we are addicted to watching "Lost". I must get some tv time in now.
Hope you are enjoying the summer as much as we are!

Swine and Cheese? Yes, please.

Holy Smokes!!! What a great weekend here. Shawn was in the second annual Holy Spirit Smoke Off this weekend and they were SMOKIN'!! (By the way, their team name is "Swine and Cheese") It all began on Friday afternoon as the guys started their setup - which is quite the complicated process, but throw in a few beers and I'm pretty sure they had some good times. This year the guys placed FIRST in the ribs competition, second in brisket, and SECOND OVERALL!! There were 22 teams this year and we only missed first by 3 points...grrrr...motivation for next year. The kids had a blast. They had full roam of the parking lot and playground with all their friends and as Austin put it last night on our walk home, "Mom, can we do this every weekend??" Unfortunately I would have to say no to that one, as we are still recovering from all the craziness. It's a lot of work, but totally fun (once a year). And the meat...oh man, the meat is amazing. I will never ever be a vegetarian. And those that are, have definitely not had some of those award winning ribs. yum yum yum. Here's the team with their new banner to hang....such studs.
And here's the team with all the kids...I guess the wives are somewhere doing all the work........

Can't wait til next year guys!! Great times had by all, and obviously, lots of good eats.

Happy Father's Day!!!