The Adventures of the Walker Family

So far as I have had this blog I have never had to report sad news - that changed on Dec. 6, 2009 when my mother passed away.  The funeral was held in Tucson, AZ last week and I was able to see all my brothers and sisters.  We are all still in a bit of shock as it was totally unexpected, but I have found great joy as I have studied the scriptures this week and have been reminded yet again why the true meaning of Christmas really is a gift to each of us.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and have lots of opportunities to tell the people that mean the most to you how much you love them.  In loving memory to my mother, Mary Ann Brown, 12/26/46-12/6/09.

A couple of weeks ago we went ice skating as a family.  It was a lot of fun and the kids caught on really quickly.  We will definitely go again!

Introducing Mittens, the newest member of our family.  We picked her up from the pound and she lives in the barn.  She is a good mouser already (the purpose for her joing our family), and the kids love her.  She has had to climb a tree a couple of times to get away from Buster, but I think he will get used to her in time and she can defend herself just fine.  She is very cute and purrs alot, so we think she likes it here.

Such cute kids!  Jacob was an indian, Kathryn was Princess Leah from episode 6 of Star Wars, Sarah was an indian, Emily was a pumpkin and Samantha was Cinderella.  My favorite part of Halloween is seeing the kids dress up!

You know when you see the perfect tree in the fall and you are overcome with a desire to save the beauty forever?    We passed this tree several times while we were in the park and I was so glad we were able to get a family picture with the tree as a back drop.

We took a week off of work and school and went to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to camp, hike, see the fall colors, relax, ride bikes and eat s'mores.  We had a super time.  James took Jacob and Kathryn on a 15 mile hike!  Amazing!  They had a super time and came back to camp just in time to start the fire (funny how I have lost the talent of fire starting with 2 scouts in the house), and have dinner.  We even got to see a mother black bear with 2 cubs.  It was a terrific week and we got home in time to put on our costumes and trick-or treat.

Monday was Kathryn's 9th birthday.  Boy this year has flown by!!!  She got a new camera that matches her eyes, some books, clothes, gameboy, and star wars toys.  Jacob designed and built her a night stand with shelves for her books and pretty things.  She had a super day complete with donuts for breakfast and dinner at a Thai food restaurant.  Her birthday celebration began on Friday when James took Jacob and Kathryn to watch a motorcycle race.  She had a chocolate cake on Monday and James made her a winter adventure cake to finish off her fun week.  We are so grateful to have Kathryn in our family.  Kathryn gives generously and is a kind, helpful, smart, beautiful girl.  We love you Kathryn, happy birthday!

Last Saturday while James, Jacob and I were busy in the garage, the girls entertained themselves...they found a low spot in the front field that collects water when it rains a lot.  We have had A LOT of rain lately so these two spots were mini ponds in the front field.  The girls started by wading in the puddles, but the fun soon evolved into 'swimming'.  Needless to say they had a super time.  James had just mowed the day before so there was plenty of grass clippings to stick to them and get in their hair.  It took us a while to get all the grass out of those beautiful curls, but the fun was totally worth it.  According to Sarah and Samantha, it was all Kathryn's idea. 

On August 9, 2009 Jacob received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained to the office of Deacon.  What a special day for Jacob and all of our family.  

Jacob is 12 - how is this possible?  Jacob had a super birthday complete with a family party and a swimming party with his friends.  He got camping stuff for Boy Scouts and Star Wars stuff to add to his extensive collection.  James made him a super cool adventure cake with a tent, motorcycles and campfire.  Jacob is the finest brother and son anyone could ask for.  He is my right arm when ever I need help and his sisters all look to him for help and for someone to play with.  Now that he is 12 we are out of the 'hiring a babysitter' stage of life - until he has a social life that interfers with my date nights...hopefully Kathryn will be old enough to keep a lid on things at home by then.  We are grateful and blessed to have Jacob in our home.  Happy birthday Jacob! 

For months leading up to her birthday, Samantha had been asking for a wagon.  We had planned to get one for her and I went shopping the week of her birthday.  Have you priced wagons lately?  Let's just say inflation has hit the wagon market pretty hard.  We looked on E-bay and found a brand new one that was resonably priced.  We ordered it, but it wasn't here in time for her big day - you would think after being a parent for 12 years I would have shopped earlier and ordered it in advance and it would have been here in time, I guess I am still learning...  Samantha had a super day on her birthday, she never mentioned the wagon and I thought she had forgotten all about it.  However, at the end the day she said, "it's still my birthday until I get a wagon".  We agreed with her readily and were amazed at her complete assurance that since she had asked for a wagon she would surely get one for her birthday.  The wagon finally arrived several days later.  Each day she would go around the house singing, "it's still my birthday until I get a wagon".  After opening her wagon and helping Jacob assemble it, she said, "now my birthday is over".  What a joy she is in our home!

It is hard to believe Samantha is 3 years old.  She is a joy to our family, full of happiness and fun.  It is a blessing to watch her learn and grow.  We love you Samantha!

One of the advantages of living in Alabama is that we can set off our own fireworks on the 4th of July.  We spent the day at the Farmer's Market, came home and relaxed, went swimming, ate hamburgers, watermelon and ice cream cones and put on our own firework show.  It was a lot of fun.