Jack's Dad

My most favorite time of the day is nap time, but not for the obvious reasons. (Although I do like it for that reason as well.) It is a great time to lay down with Jack, my 3 year old, and have a pretty good conversation. There is no one there to answer for him, or distract him from me. This time with him is priceless to me. We had a great conversation today that got me to thinking. Here is how it went down:

Mom: Who is your most favorite person in this whole world.

Jack: (With out hesitation, in a direct way, and in a soft tone): My Dad.

His answer was real and he meant it. I could see in that little mind of his, his dad. Jack's dad is perfect. He can climb up buildings, fly, and maybe even walk on water! He's right, you know. This little boy has a dad who lives for him, lives to be with him, and lives to love him. They are good buddies who are often found wrestling at any given moment.

My hope for Jack in that moment was that even though he will grow up someday, and he will realize that his Dad can't fly, he will still feel the same way about him. I know for a fact that his Dad will ALWAYS feel the same way about Jack!

Aren't we lucky we all have Dad's like this in our lives...

He did it!

Colin has officially started a homebuilding business!

Introducing:

Henry Walker Homes

The Henry is for our Henry, and the Walker comes from his partners' grandpa. Colin has teamed up with a great partner John Stubbs. He knows the business even better than Colin. Colin would say that is not much of an accomplishment, but John is great! He is always saying how excited he is to be working with him. We believe that this will be a success!

Check out the website through my link on the side. Look at the video on the home page. I have to give a shout out to Spencer and Ash, and Nic and Emily! Thanks guys this is so fun to be living the DREAM!

Col- I'm proud of you are all your hard work. Not many get to LOVE what they do. We know that from experience. Go get 'em!

Swimming Lessons

Hank has been in swimming lessons with his cousin Emerson for the past month. I am so proud of him. He has always been a little hesitant. I think it is because of all the tubes! He has decided he wants to swim and he is going full force! I love it!

Ruby just hanging out!

Jack just swims while he waits.

Hard to see, but so proud of himself

Totally submerged.

Cute little buddies

Piano Recital

Ruth started piano a year ago,and has had several recitals already. This one was especially great because she performed with her grandpa. (Bumps). Here is a little video of it. My grandma came to enjoy the concert too! So fun. Ruth is living my dream of playing the piano. I always wanted to. She actually enjoys it! That is really great!

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Temple Trek 2010

This year we have set a goal for our little family.

We are going to touch EVERY temple in Utah.

It is quite a lofty goal. I am very hopeful. Colin is a goal oriented man. I think that could be an understatement. We set goals for the kids every year. This year we wanted some that were more measurable. Our ward theme is Look to the Temple. This is our attempt to get them involved. Our first trek was a week ago. We made a last minute trip to St. George, so we threw in the temple too! Last night we went to the Ogden temple. 2 down, 12 to go! We gotta keep going!

We took this on with some of our great friends! We have some fun pictures of our trip to the St. George temple. They will be forth coming. I need to figure out how to make the file smaller. They are not cooperating with blogger.

At the end of this experience my hope is to have a book of all the fun we had, and a stronger commitment to get to the Temple. (Especially my kiddo's)

We're real!

Yesterday was a holiday and we lived it up. I took this picture at 11:00 a.m. The house was still a mess, and the kids in their PJ's. I love days like today. I wanted to blog about it because I want to remember that I did enjoy them. I slowed down and I tried to be with them! I let things go. (not very often) I love these kids! They are my joy.

Valentine's Festivities

We have a fun tradition for Valentine's day. We have a candlelight dinner with the kids. We drink from my stemware, and we do cheers. It is a real riot. Here is some photo's of our table.

Hank had some great stuff this year. When it came to our "cheers" part of the dinner he was in full force. His cheers was; "All for one and one for all!" Who knows what that came from? Then later on in the cheers my dad cheered for the Aggies. He paused for a while then said, "I can't cheers to that!" He was very disgusted and did not participate in that one. Where did this cougar come from? I sure hope that I can survive that...
T

Mrs. Cavanaugh's

For play group last friday we went to Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolate factory. I can't believe all the children that we all have. WOW! It was fun. The downer was that because of the holiday weekend the workers had come in early to dip strawberries. There was no one making chocolate. The kids didn't really mind, they got to be with all their friends. For that matter, same for me! Love our friends.

My Valentine

I must be feeling a little sentimental...but she looked so cute this morning I had to take her picture! She is growing up right before my eyes. She just lost another tooth. That makes 5. Oh boy, I really don't like it! Her mouth is a mess? No one tell her I said that.

8 Months Old

I am so behind on my blogging. I was starting to think that by the time I actually did post again, Ruby would be getting married! Yikes. She is now 8 1/2 months old. She is so beautiful. I want to eat her. She is not yet crawling, but she will kiss you, respond to her name, and wave goodbye. (sort of)

She has many nick names. Her they are:

Ruby Dee

Dee-Dee

Deiter

Deiter Flugendorken (?)

Munchkin

and probably much more...

Coupons, BABY!

Niki and I went to Smith's tonight for our first coupon outing! We thought we could do it if we held each other's hand. Well, I didn't get a lot because I don't have a stock pile of coupons yet. I got 5 coke 12 packs, and 10 bags of goldfish crackers! My total before coupons...$43.57. AFTER...$5.18!! SHUT THE BACK DOOR! We giggled all the way out the door. This is going to be a lot of fun.

Thanks for the support Niki!

Videos...

...I just figured this out!

so fun!

Christmas in January

On Saturday afternoon the kids came up with an idea to give presents to each other. So, they each went and picked from their toys, the gifts they wanted to give to each other. They wrapped them. (with my help)And hid them in different places in the family room. Then Ruth and Hank spent some time coloring some pictures to give to Jack. It was so cute to see them think about each other, and play together so great. When they finally were ready to open gifts they would get so excited for what was inside! (cute, because they were old stuffed animals) They would thank the giver and give them a big hug! They had to have learned this from Christmas. It was cute to see them be so thoughtful and content to play with each other. Moments like this make me think that they aren't too damaged by me being their mother! Kids are resilient, right?

Sink Bath

Ruby had her first lollipop last night. She loved it! It left her a sticky mess. So, we put her in the sink. She loved it.

Photo Shoot

Ruby was sitting on the floor in her room, the other morning, just playing with some toys. It was the cutest site. I decided to take some photo's. Everyone joined in. They turned out cute.

There is no way Ruby can deny that her siblings are crazy about her. They were fighting to have there turn with her. You would've thought we just got her! It has been 8 fast months!:(

Funny Conversation

This is a conversation the other night at dinner with Ruth:

Ruth spills her kool-aid all over the table, floor, and wall.

Me: Deep breath

Ruth: Mom, I'm sorry, I'll clean it up.

Me: OK. (Still trying to not freak out)

**It was the end of the day and I was really tense! I need to chill out.

Ruth: I''m sorry. (10x)

Me: It's ok. I just need to relax.

Ruth: Ya, you do.

Me: It's hard when you are a mom to relax.

LONG pause...

Ruth: Well, it's really hard to be a kid.

Me: Laughter!

Thanks for lightening my mood Ruth. I need you, oh so much, in my life!