Christmas Letter 2024

 Merry Christmas! 

We hope this letter finds you well. Another year in the books. Time is a thief, and it just seems to get stealthier and stealthier. Looking at our family pictures this year, the coming changes seem very close. We plan to make good use of our time before people begin venturing out of the nest. 

Travis continues his hunting and gathering practices, passing them on to anyone willing to learn. He guided us to troves of wild mushrooms this last June and brought back a bounty of ocean fish from a trip to Alaska helping a friend. His dream of owning a fishing boat was realized this last spring, and he has enjoyed having the freedom to take people out on local waters whenever he wishes. 

Ethan (17) is in the thick of his junior year of high school and loving all the new adventures that come with mid teenhood. No one was more surprised than himself when he joined his school’s show choir and the drama club last spring and found himself singing and dancing on a stage alongside his classmates. A few years ago, he (quote) “could not imagine anything more terrible.” But social promises have a strong pull. Lately, his creativity has taken a different direction as he attempts to put his YouTube degree to good use building random things and testing them out. He had a good cross country season and looks forward to track. He pretty much lives on cold cereal.

Madison (15) is enjoying her freshman year of high school. She was fairly nervous about the whole thing but quickly discovered it’s much better than middle school. She had great soccer seasons in the spring and fall and has really come to love the sport. Her coach calls her chicken legs, referring to her long, slender legs that give a mighty kick (she hasn’t decided if she’s flattered or not). She is currently one month away from a driver’s license and can’t wait to get a job. She worked hard this last summer babysitting, planting and weeding a neighbor’s large garden, and laboring at the tree farm across the road. 

Spencer (13) is halfway through his middle school career and is working hard to get good grades. He played center for the 7th grade football team and learned a lot this season. He has a large, tight group of buddies, and it’s really fun to see them palling around. A few of them have discovered the wonders of venturing down to the family dock and fishing on their own. His Christmas list this year mostly entails fishing gear. He continues to be a helpful son and a caring brother with a twinkle in his eyes. 

Brooke (11) is in her last year of elementary school, as well as primary (the children’s organization at church) and is soaking up all the “lasts” this age brings. But she is excited to join her siblings in the higher ranks of life. She is continuing her training in ballet and this year added Acro. She is very bendy and strong and seems to pick up on the tricks easily. Her wit continues to sharpen, and it is her greatest delight in life to make people laugh. 

Kate (8) was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints last January and has been doing her best to be a peacemaker. She is not afraid to point out to her siblings or anyone else when they have done or said something that has caused hurt. Her teacher said, “She holds my hand around school. I don’t even hold my husband’s hand.” She continues her life as a wild, barefoot princess, singing and imagining her way through days. 

I self published three books in February and am still learning the ropes of running a small business and marketing myself. Turns out, it’s a hard task. I’ve also been attending a clogging class once a week at a local studio. My mom always wanted to make a clogger out of me. She’d be so proud of my chugs. 

We are grateful for a Savior who teaches us to be better and love deeper. May this season bring you joy in your home, peace in your heart, and hope for a bright year to come.

Family Christmas Letter 2023

 Christmas Greetings!

We are excited for the Christmas season this year. Snow came early for us, and we had a lovely, white Thanksgiving. From a long, warm fall, we’re finally feeling in the holiday spirit!

Travis has had a successful hunting season as far as taking others out goes. Archery season was unlucky, but he still got an elk in the freezer by way of Spencer. Where he really has excelled is mushroom hunting. He has been diligently studying and researching the fungus world, and we have enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Every hike has been a chance to harvest, and the kids have had fun learning and spotting with their dad. Also, Travis is no longer the lord of pack goats. Turns out it takes a lot of time and work to not have pasture potatoes. We had an excellent neighborhood goat taco night, though. 

Ethan (16) got his driver’s license at the beginning of this year and has learned a lot about paying attention to where he is. He discovered that in all his years of riding around in the passenger seat, he hadn’t ever really paid attention to streets, landmarks, and which way is north. He’s come a long way since then and can now get himself at least to where he wants to go–school, church, Wal-Mart, and Dairy Queen. (OK, and other places, too.) He had great cross country and track seasons and has really worked hard to achieve his running goals. 

Madie (14) also had a great cross country season, improving all her times from last year and coming in a solid fourth place almost every meet. There were three girls she tried to catch all season and almost succeeded in the last race. It was awesome. She is manager of the girls’ basketball team again and has loved going to all the games. She continues to amaze with her creative talents and love of all things tiny, lately taking up the hobby of creating miniature rooms from kits or simply graph paper and cardboard. 

Spencer (12) was nervous for his first year in middle school, but after only one week was a real pro navigating the halls and his locker combination. He has been very diligent in tracking his grades and keeping on top of things. He is the first one ready every single morning, and it is the bane of his existence to have to wait on his siblings. Luckily, he’s speedy getting stuff in his locker and his first hour teacher is sympathetic. He is also learning to play the saxophone and likes it OK. I don’t think he has much desire to be the next Kenny G, much to my dismay. 

Brooke (10) is dancing ballet for the first time this year and watching her perform really has me wondering why I didn’t get her in sooner. She is a beautiful dancer and has caught right up to her peers. Nerves and concentration keep her from smiling, but what graceful arms! She continues to be a very fast runner, but unfortunately, she hates it. She has a couple more years to change her mind. Fingers crossed. Brooke is still the snuggliest, loviest child you’ll ever meet, and she keeps us laughing with her crazy wit. 

Kate (7) is in her second year of dance and is longing to quit. Why? Because she hates stretching and more than anything, she hates being told what to do. She had the chance before I paid for her spring costume, but she didn’t take it and is now locked in for the duration. We’ll see if we survive until May. If there’s anywhere in the world Kate belongs, it’s barefoot in her pajamas in a meadow of wildflowers with the birds singing and bees buzzing. She has friends wherever she goes, but even friends cannot convince her to want to get dressed and go to school, church, or dance. 

And me? I’ve just been called into the young women’s organization at church and am excited to hang out with a bunch of teenagers. I am also still pursuing my goal of publishing some books that I have written and can’t wait to put them out into the world next year. 

We are grateful for a Savior who teaches us to be better and love deeper. May this season bring you joy in your home, peace in your heart, and hope for a bright year to come. 

                                                                                So much love,

                        The Turner Family

May 2023 Life Snack

 -Got a message from Kate's dance teacher. Evidently there was a little girl in her class who was crying. The assistant teacher asked her what was wrong, and the little girl replied her friend didn't want to be friends with her anymore. When Kate found this out, she went around the circle of girls, tapping each one on the shoulder asking what school she went to and if they would please play with Piper at recess. Filled my mama heart. The kids are all right. 

-Kate and I were walking down the street in town and stopped to pick some blossoms off a tree. I pointed out the bees, so we said hello to them. Kate said, "One day I was sitting by the bush singing a song, and there were bees flying all around the bush, but I think they liked my song, and that's why none of them stinged me."

March 2023 Life Snack

 -Travis had a funny conversation with little free spirit Kate the other day on the way home from dance. 

K: Why don't more boys have man buns?
T: I don't know, maybe because they look ridiculous. 
K: ...I think more boys should, they look handsome. 

-Know what's fun? When you wake up to a sound and you think, "Weird, why's the shower dripping," but then you wake up all the way and realize there's coughing, too, and it's actually the sound of a girl throwing up over the side of her bunk bed, so she doesn't throw up on her little sister sleeping next to her. 

-Kate: "You know who my crush is? K---. Because he's nice to me. And he's really funny. I thought I would like Griffin [Peterson], but he's not nice. I like how he looks, but not how he acts. He was nice in kindergarten, but not anymore. I don't know what got into him. I don't know what got into all the boys." That's right, Kate. We like the boys who are nice. 

Family Christmas Letter 2022

 Dearest Friends and Family,

Another year down. Woot! Here’s a little bit about what we’ve been up to:

Travis turned 40 this year and to celebrate, spent his entire summer putting in a sprinkler system and grass. He had a good time. Then he forced himself [wink] to go on a three-day fishing trip off the coast of California, and despite the choppy waters, had a great time and brought home some lovely fillets. He also got the biggest buck of his life with his bow—scoring 201 4/8 gross. We’ll see what the final score is in a few weeks. 

I really don’t know what I do all day, but I do know I do things and the days end way too fast. I have been serving on the PTO board as secretary and have really enjoyed working in the schools. I find time here and there for writing and fun little projects. I’m excited to fill up my flower beds this spring. Hope I’m not investing too much money in things that could die. 

Ethan finished junior high and has moved on to his freshman year. His new favorite “holiday” is Homecoming, with all the student activities, dress up days, and the big game. He is still playing saxophone in band and started up piano again. He has also discovered his father’s first love—duck hunting. He and a few friends have been having a grand time going out into the wild and bringing home a meal they can prepare themselves. He also has his driver’s permit and with any luck, will get his license this month. 

Madie is a seventh grader and just turned 13. She longs for the days of being a little kid—don’t we all—even though she’s wanted to be a teen since she was eight. She has a sharp eye for detail and is getting rather skilled in the art of wit. A crafty little thing, she always has a project going and continually surprises me with her endless flow of ideas and creations made of random household objects. She especially loves all things miniature and can make just about anything with clay. Madie also discovered this year that she can run. Really run. She had a phenomenal cross-country season and is looking forward to track in the spring. 

Spencer is in fifth grade and excited to finish elementary school. In January, he will also move out of primary (the children’s class at church) and into the Deacon’s Quorum (the group for boys eleven to thirteen). He is very excited to not have to sing in the primary program anymore. He played football again, in various positions, and while he still loves the games, he tired of longer practices. They really work those boys over! His very favorite thing to do is be anywhere his dad is. His next favorite is to be anywhere Ethan is. His school friends are also very important to him, and he puts in a lot of thought and consideration in being a good friend. 

Brooke is in third grade and still having a great time collecting friends. She is very sociable and is quickly developing her very own sense of humor. She keeps us laughing with the outlandish, random things she says. She tried basketball for the first time (a sport for the first time, really) and discovered that she just might be a ball player. She picked up on things quickly and has said several times how she misses it now that it’s over. She’s still a runner—none of the boys can catch her at recess. And of course, she continues to be the lovey, snuggly thing she always has been, sitting on top of us or making sure I can hardly use my right arm at the dinner table.

Kate is in first grade and has transitioned just fine into all-day school, although she still says she misses me a lot while she’s there. Her teacher says she can always tell when Kate’s tired because she sprawls out over her desk or puts her feet up on her neighbor’s chair to lay down. But she also says Kate isn’t whiney at all and plays well with the other kids, so I guess she’s doing all right. She is doing ballet for the first time this year and is excited to get a tutu for her recital. Kate is the cat whisperer in our family and seems to collect a new one every week, much to her father’s dismay. 

Merry Christmas!

Family Christmas Letter 2021

 Merry Christmas 2021!!!

We send our love with this letter and hope it finds you well. It's been an exciting year. We finally finished building our home and moved in the first day of October. It was kind of a weird move, as it was only ½ a mile, and honestly, you'd think after 16 months of building moving day would not find me woefully unprepared. But it did. Luckily, we had some great help and got it done. Travis has been busy doing odd projects around the house. He's so handy, I'm pretty sure he can do anything. Hopefully his talents extend all the way to making grass grow because it's muddy over here! Grandma Turner is being well cared for still in her own home by another family member, and overall the transition for all of us has been smooth.

Ethan (14, 8th grade) is still knitting up a storm. He likes learning new stitches and has even made up some of his own. So far he's made three pairs of socks, half a sweater, and hundreds of little squares that I find all over the house. He rarely leaves the house without a hoodie pocket full of yarn and needles. Knitting passion aside, he is also still playing the saxophone in band. His interest is waning a little bit, so hopefully getting to participate in pep and jazz band next year will renew his love of playing. He continues to stretch out and now stands only two inches shorter than me. I'm interested to see if he ends up being as tall as his Grandpa Miller.

Madie (12, 6th grade) continues to amaze me with her ability to manage situations. The other day while Travis and I were out, our rambunctious dog, Doc, got out and went gallivanting around the neighborhood. Without hesitating, she organized her brothers, cousins, and neighbors into a recovery party, eventually capturing the fugitive (he was very ashamed of himself). Madie is good at recognizing a need and just doing something about it. She had very mixed feelings entering junior high, mostly worried about using a locker and managing her schedule, but she has done very well. Her favorite class is choir.

Spencer (10, 4th grade) finally obtained his lifelong dream this year—a hunting license. He drew a deer tag and was so excited to get his first big game. He did great and happily contributed to our meat supply. He is also growing, having grown an inch since the start of school and surpassing his older sister in height. I can still wrestle him to the ground, but I think those days are numbered. He played his first year of tackle football, playing center and lineman, and learned a lot. I think more than anything he liked being a part of a team.

Brooke (8, 2nd grade) continues to be a sunshine child. Though her blonde hair has gotten much darker, her blue eyes are as bright as ever. She was finally baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in November. It had been a great desire in her little heart for a couple years, and she was thrilled. She was braver this year in swimming lessons than she ever has been before and is learning she can summon courage when she needs to. She loves to take extra money to fundraiser sales at school so she can buy things for her classmates who didn't bring any.

Kate (5, kindergarten) has had an exciting year. In July, she fell down the stairs and broke her left arm. It was a pretty bad break and required surgery and pins to heal correctly. She was very brave and kept all the nurses smiling with her observations of the hospital rooms and compliments on their fingernails and earrings. Talking to her at 2 in the morning as she laid in the giant hospital bed, I mentioned her siblings. “Yeah,” she said wistfully, “they must really miss me.” It's fairly obvious she's the baby of our family. She's nearly feral, doing whatever crazy thing that enters her head, running around barefoot whether we're at home or camping, and summoning cats to her wherever she goes. If ever there was a free spirit, it is Kate.

Much love and wishes for a wonderful 2022 for you!

The Turners

August 2021 Life Snack

-Yesterday in church, we talked about the light Jesus Christ constantly offers. As I listened to the comments from others and pondered times in my life when this light felt very dim to me, a thought teased my mind, but couldn't nail it down. This morning I found it already put into the words I couldn't.

“Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.” – Louisa May Alcott

June 2021 Life Snack

 -Well, we finally have a broken bone in the family. Kate fell down the stairs and broke her arm, just above the elbow. Travis got to her first and looked up at me with a "not good" face. We got to the ER about 11 PM and after x-rays found it was bad enough to require surgery in the morning. Kate was so brave and really handled it all like a champ. Worst part was getting an IV in her teeny little veins. Once they got her wrapped up nice and tight and in a bed, it was about 1:30 AM. Before she fell asleep, she was sitting there looking so tiny in that big bed, thinking of her siblings at home and wistfully said, "I bet they really miss me..." Ha! She's the baby all right. The staff out in Minidoka are awesome--OR even wrapped the little bear they gave her and Dandy the Lion, which she took with her from home, in little casts just like hers. 

-Sometimes I take the kids into the office when I clean, either to help or just be there. Kate and Brooke like to play with the receptionists' beanie baby collection on the shelf. One time Brooke held one up and asked, "When Dad breaks down, can we take this home?"

-Me: I love camping with you Kate!

Kate: And I love camping with ground squirrels! 

-Kate and I were snuggling and smiling at each other and having what I thought was a really nice moment. Kate suddenly got serious, leaned forward inspecting something, and said, "Oh! That's a very yellow tooth!"

-Lucas said to Travis, "Uncle Travis, I thought you'd have abs. You look really strong when you have your shirt on."

April 2021 Life Snack

-Me: Kate, you seem really happy today. Why do you feel happy? 
K: [shrugs] Because of Jesus.
Me, too, Kate. Me, too!

-A little kingdom I possess,

Where thoughts and feelings dwell,
And very hard I find the task
Of governing it well; …
I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win,
Nor seek to conquer any world
Except the one within.
-Louisa May Alcott

February 2021 Life Snack

 - *driving in the car*
Smith's radio ad: "Smith's. Fresh for everyone!"
Kate: Yeah, but not for Satan. 

That's right baby girl! We don't five him out rime. We don't give him our thoughts. And we definitely don't give him our fresh vegetables! 

Family Christmas Letter 2020

 We hope this Christmas card and first ever letter find you well!

Quarantine was an adventure, and for a homebody like me (Jill), it was kind of a dream. Pretty sure I could be a hermit in the mountains and be fine. Travis on the other hand is not so great at staying home and sitting still. As a healthcare provider, he was blessed to keep his office open, which was a boon for him. After cutting down many trees and hauling away a hundred years worth of junk, we finally felt the time was right to build a home next to Travis's parents. As first-time homeowners, this has been an exciting but frightening undertaking. Travis has been very patient with me as I have fretted endlessly over doorknobs and toilet shapes. We have our fingers crossed to be moved in by May.

Ethan (13, 7th grade) joined his junior high cross country team this last fall. I was afraid after his first practice he was going to be more than ready to quit as, despite having the ability to jump on the trampoline for hours, he hates exerting his legs too much running. But to his surprise and mine, he genuinely enjoyed it! He did well and improved his pace with every meet. He is still progressing in piano and alto saxophone and is savoring his last year of Grandpa Turner teaching band. Ethan still reads like a madman and is constantly coming up with ideas for books of his own.

Madie (11, 5th grade) joined 4-H at the beginning of last year and had fun in a ceramics class right up until quarantine. She entered two pieces in the fair and won a fancy blue ribbon! I think she might have a little of her Grandma Juanita's talent in her. She especially likes watercolors and sculpting. Madie has also become quite the little baker and chef, making all sorts of creations in the kitchen. It's pretty nice to have her making breakfast Saturday mornings. And she rescued a fluffy, abandoned kitten, dutifully nurturing little One-Eyed Willie back to health.

Spencer (9, 3rd grade) played what might be his last year of flag football. Most of his friends have moved on to tackle and much to my dismay he feels ready to as well. He played center this year and coach said he would have liked to put him in other positions but he was the only one who seemed able to hike the ball without dropping it. While Spencer does not  love playing the piano pieces his teacher assigns him, he does love to sit at the piano and figure out chords and make up songs, always as loud as he can make that old piano go. Sometimes it's hard to talk over the noise, but I like listening to him be creative.

Brookie (7, 1st grade) is loving school. Learning to read like her siblings has fulfilled one of her little life's dreams. Each month her teacher sends home a chart with 30 pictures on it the kids are to color for each book they read and so far she's gotten it filled out well before month's end. Can't miss out on a Pizza Hut coupon! Brooke also ran the most laps out of the entire first grade in the school's Walk-a-thon, completing 15 laps (3.75 miles!) in about 40 minutes. That's a lot of laps for such little legs. She continues to be the most lovey child and spreads sunshine and hearts and rainbows wherever she goes.

And Kate (turning 5 on Christmas Eve) is enjoying the fruits of being the youngest and the only kid at home full-time. She's gotten a little bossy, insisting I do my chores AFTER we play a game and read books and do puzzles. Lucky for me, however, she possesses an excellent imagination and entertains herself most hours of the day. It is one of my favorite things to listen to her sing her little heart out in another room or dramatizing conversation for five Barbies at once. Kate has always had the ability to provide voices for just about anything, whether it's toothbrushes or sticks or cashews. If it's in her hands, it's talking and usually on the precipice of some sort of life-threatening disaster.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

September 2020 Life Snack

 - Went to pour myself a bowl of Multi-grain Cheerios, and out came a two and a half foot long string of them! Evidently Madie thinks any day can be April Fool's Day.  

-Found this written down. Don't have an actual date, but some time recently.

Me:I'll say a prayer for you to have good dreams.

Brooke: OK. Will you say it tonight?

Me: Yep.

Brooke: [relieved] OK. [eyes suddenly bug out and she gasps] Mom, or don't say it tonight. You could save it for one of your wishes. You could wish that 'my child Brookie won't have any bad dreams.' You could wish that. 

Me: What wish? 

Brooke: Just next time you wish. Because I think that might work better. 

July 2020 Life Snack

- *leftovers night*

Me: Kate, what do you want for dinner?

K: You! [laughs] I'm just joking. [sobers] That would be terrible...you'd have to chop yourself up. 

-One day as I was leaving the kids home to run some errands, I said, "Bye--be good and love each other." Kate didn't give me much confidence when she called back, "Bye Mom! But we might fight, though!"

-Kate: [rubbing her nose with mine] Do you want to play this game? You try to win.

Me: [rubbing my nose back] How do you win? 

Kate: tsk! I didn't make up how you win! 

June 2020 Life Snack

 - Kate: [spontaneously] I don't agree with anybody! [smiles] I'm just joking. I agree with Brooke. 

- Sometimes lunch time is hard. Kate said, "I NEVER get robin noodles! Except all those other days." 

-Overheard Kate trying to comfort Brooke. "Even when I don't like you, you're still a good sister. 

April 2020 Life Snack

 -Brooke: Woah. Those flowers are so smellful.

-While playing the game of Life, Spencer said, "Wait. I get a house? I don't even have a driver's license."

-Grandma Great: You should listen to your Mom. She knows everything. 

Kate: No, Ethan does. 

-Spencer: What's the name of the dog in Scooby Doo? [pause] Oh, wait. 

-Kate looking out the car window: Everyone keep your eyes open. We might see some deer or some, some envelopes. But that animal kind of envelopes.

Me: Oh, yeah, we might. I'll keep my eyes open. 

Kate: But you can blink. If you don't blink, your eyes will get watery.