The Turner Times

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

While camping at Emigrant Springs, we went to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. We have been reading the Little House On The Prairie book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and it was a real eyeopener for April to see the size of the wagons and living conditions that the pioneers endured while moving West.

The inside of the exhibit has a ton of 3 dimensional models and a slew of pictures, reenactments, etc. that made those prairie times come to life, can't recommend the experience highly enough!

Camping - Emigrant Springs, OR

In July we went camping in Emigrant Springs, Oregon. We stayed in a cabin, which is SO MUCH BETTER than arguing over setting up a tent.

Camping Side Note: Charlie and I love each other fiercely, but there is something about setting up a tent that makes us argue. Perhaps it's the hours spent packing up everything and the kitchen sink into the car. Or maybe its the long drive down nausea inducing roads to reach that piece of forested paradise. Do you think the onslaught of mosquito slapping once we step out of the car has anything to do with it? Really, it could just be that we are so excited about sleeping on the ground for the next few days.

Whatever the reason, when we get to the campsite and start pitching the tent, we argue. So, in an attempt to keep our marriage solid, we stay in cabins or yurts. You bring half the stuff, have half the set up, and half the arguing. I can't recommend skipping the tent highly enough!

Emigrant Springs was a beautiful place to camp - very quaint and peaceful. I spent time taking pictures of flowers, April roller bladed everywhere she could and of course, we did the campfire/roasting marshmallow bit. April built her first campfire and the forest rangers had several stuffed animals to view - the same animals that roamed in the forest. Dude, I was thankful for our cabin when I saw that stuffed bear in the back of the rangers pick up truck!

All in all, Team Turner had a fantastic week in the woods.

April @ Horse Camp

April went to a girl's horse camp in July of 2009. She did not want to leave her the horse she rode for the week and was simply heartbroken.

During her week, April learned not only how to ride, but how to care for the horses, including shoveling massive amounts of horse manure. Her muscles were sore and she slept non-stop for the few days after she got back home.

If you ask April today what the best experiences in her life have been, horse camp would be near the top of the list!

On the other hand, horse camp was the first time our baby had been away for a week, and while I knew she was fine, I thought about her non-stop. Charlie kept saying - she is fine, stop worrying about her. I couldn't wait to pick her up and bring her home!

Mt. Hood Motorcycle Ride

Charlie & Frank rode their motorcycle's to Mt. Hood. In July, 2009. Yes, I am that far behind. No picture of Frank, did he really go with you?!

For Mom

Last month Mom called and said she missed my posts on this blog (only a mother actually reads this crap). She asked me to update The Turner Times, which is a little daunting. The problem? I haven't posted in over a 1.5 years!
So, here goes. I am going to be posting the highlights over the last couple years, and try to stay on top of it from now on.

This is for you Mom, I love you!

Summer Recap: July 4th & Don's Birthday

Most of Merla's family came over for a July 4th celebration. The kids stayed cool on the slip and slide, we had a BBQ, broke a pinata, did fireworks, watched huge fireworks, roasted marshmallows, and celebrated Don't birthday! It was a power packed evening and the kids were so sugared up it was insane!