Bluebonnets, Egg Hunt, and Easter Dinner

 One of my most favorite times of the year in Texas is SPRINGTIME!

Not only because the weather is nice enough to be outside and not get heat exhaustion, but also because the BLUEBONNETS come out in full force!  They line the highways and pretty much every open field around.  I love to see them.  

Last year we found a church up in Denton that has them all over and it make for some pretty good picture taking....and SAFE picture taking...you aren't on the side of a highway with your kids!

Andrew got the PICTURE shot...up above!

I did not...Down below!

We tried to have Jackson hold Eleanor. 

AS you can see that DID NOT go over very well.

Some more fun shots!

I love this one...it is like the boys are saying.."Hey world, Look we have a baby sister!"

They sure do love her!

I also TRIED to get some good shots of the boys...

Jackson was too afraid of the bees...and the tall grass brushing up on his legs was really bothering him...

 Sammy is such a goof!

 

Don't you LOVE Sammy's armband.

His Uncle David gave that to him, and he pretty much wore it everyday for a week!

The Garner Family met us at the Bluebonnets and I took some pictures for them.

Then we all headed to Denton's Easter Egg Hunt.

We had to wait for quite a while..it isn't easy keeping these kids entertained when they see eggs in the grass right in front of them!  Andrew took them down to the canal to see the water.

Then they RAN back, so they wouldn't miss the egg hunt!

I LOVE the way Jackson runs! 

He puts his whole BODY into it!!!

Ah, my sweet son. I love him!

Sammy was freaking out trying to get down from here. We kept telling him to just let go, but he didn't want to hear that at all.  I am pretty sure he thought the ground was millions of  feet below.  Eventually he did let go and was quite proud of himself that he survived such a big drop. I love it!

 Sammy waiting for the Egg Hunt to begin.

Just checking out how many eggs will be able to fit in his bag.

 Jackson scoping out the field...planning out his strategy!

 Sammy getting ready...

 All the kids getting ready.

 And they were off!  

Parents weren't aloud to help, so for the first couple minutes it was going at a really nice pace.  Then all of a sudden all of the parents fled into the field.  We figured we had gotten enough and headed out of there before getting trampled. It was insane.  I am glad my boys were able to get some eggs. 

 Checking out the candy inside.

They didn't know there was going to be anything INSIDE of the eggs.

This made them even HAPPIER!

Eleanor slept the entire time!

Sunday was a great day at church.

It was actually Eleanor's first day to church!

She did great and slept most of the time we were there.

I loved being back at church, too!

It was great to be there on such a wonderful Sunday.

I sure am happy that I know that my Redeemer LIVES!

 That afternoon the Garners and Harvey came over for Easter Dinner.

It was so great to get out our nice dishes and celebrate with family.

We had some yummy food too!

Ham, Deviled Eggs, Cole Slaw, fruit, potatoes.....

 and this yummy bread that Kate made!  

This bread was the reason we had the dinner in the first place...well that and because it was Easter!

But Kate really wanted to try to make this bread and knew ham and all the fixings would be great to go with it, but didn't want to go to all that trouble for just her family...so it became dinner at our house and I am so glad it did!  It really was nice to sit down as a family and have a great meal together!

 The kids were happy about all the food too!

For dessert I made a Carrot cake from scratch.

It was pretty good!

Overall we had such a GREAT Easter weekend!

Andrew had Friday off...which I loved having him home one extra day and then all the fun and festivities of the egg hunt and Easter dinner was really awesome.

I am glad we live so close to family and are able to get together so frequently.

Eleanor Anne Walker

March 17, 2014

Today is the day Eleanor Anne joined our family!

It has been a pretty easy pregnancy.

Every time I went to the doctor he would ask me if I had any questions or concerns...

NOPE!  All is well!

Eleanor didn't really KICK or make HUGE movements inside of me, but she would press up against me to let me know she was there.  Didn't really get the hiccups, or anything like that, but I always knew she was there waiting to come out and enter the world.

Now that she is here, I can totally see her "WOMB" personality in her "EARTHLY" personality.

I can tell already that she is just so gentle and loving.

I am so glad she is with us!

Eleanor was born at 11:31, Monday, March 17, 2014

We went into the hospital at about 8:30.

She was a planned C-section.

The boys were both C-sections, so she HAD to be one.

But this time, it was planned.

A completely different experience.

We knew a month ahead of time the time and date of her birth.

We chose St. Patty's Day, so that she could share a special day with her Aunts Kati, Elizabeth, and Ariana.

We were able to get everything ready before that day.

Going to bed Sunday night was a bit strange.

I knew I was going to have a baby the next day.

I just wanted EVERYTHING to go ok.

On the way to the hospital we stopped at the Post Office so I could mail packages for ETSY!  =)

Then we were there.

At the Hospital.

I got all hooked up!

Not too bad, but my least favorite thing to do in the world.

Andrew even was able to get some work done while we waited.

But before we knew it, it was time to go to the OR!

I wasn't even able to watch any shows while we waited.

It was so quick.

I got pushed into the OR around 10:45.

I got the meds...gosh I really don't like that part.

Not because of the needle and all that jazz, but because my legs feel like they weigh a ton and all I want to do is MOVE them, but of course I can't! But believe me, I would much rather feel that way, then feel them cut into me!  

The OR nurses and doctors were very nice.

At one point, I said, "Can you just lay my legs together."

They all said they were!

Andrew got to come in and then it was time to get started.

Everything went really well!

It seemed to take a bit longer than with the boys, but I am pretty sure it was because this one wasn't an Emergency. They were able to take their time. They didn't have to rush to get her out.

At 11:31 I heard her CRY!

I could see her for a brief second before they put her in the bassinet to weigh her and everything.

Her little head got knicked, so they had to work on that for a bit.

The whole time a nurse stood at the end of the bassinet, so I wasn't able to see her.

But Andrew was!  He said she was BEAUTIFUL!

I have a baby girl!

She is healthy!

And she is MINE!

A couple minutes later, Andrew got to bring her over to me.

I guess this is the hardest part of a C-Section.

Seeing your baby, but not being able to hold your baby!

She was already looking for FOOD!

She wanted to eat.

They took her and Andrew away.

Andrew got to carry her to the room and hang out with her until I came back!

Once I was there they handed her to me and she started to burse RIGHT AWAY!

She was a natural, and I'd like to think, by now...so am I!

Gosh!  The rest of the day is such a blur!

(Maybe I should not have waited a month to write about it)

But I am pretty sure had I written about it that day, it still would have been a blur!

I do remember ITCHING like CRAZY!

The pain meds they gave me made me ITCH!

But I would much rather be itching than feeling lots of pain!

The boys came and met their little sister!

AND LOVED her right away!

It was so fun to see them with their little sister.

Can't wait for them all to grow up together and her older brothers protect her!

They didn't bathe her for a while, because of her cut!

They knicked her just a bit, while cutting into me!

All is well though, and she is fine. Most likely won't even have a scar.

Andrew, the boys and the Garners, stayed for maybe an hour.

Then it was time for them to go home.

They couldn't handle being in that hospital room for very long.

The rest of the night was just My little Eleanor and I!

(And a visit from Uncle Harvey)

(And some FACETIME with Gramma)

She is just so precious!

I love every bit of her and am so happy and blessed that every thing went so well!

I am just use to these crazy birth stories, with my boys, it feels so weird to not have one with her.

Everything went so smoothly!

So, there you have it!

My precious Eleanor is here!

Merry Christmas from the Walker Family

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

So much has happened over the last year. . .

We have a new addition coming to the family!! Eleanor Anne Walker will be joining us in March. Only 3.5 months!! We are so excited to be adding a little girl to our home.

Sammy has turned 1 years old. He's getting so big. He is such a sweetheart. He's running around the house and trying to keep up with his big bro. 

Jackson is 2.5 now. He just talks up a storm. He is starting to help out around the house. He's does a great job cleaning up. He is an energy monster. He's always running around, jumping, exploring and discovering everything he can. He is such a Joy!!

Margie is loving pregnancy. She is so excited for a little girl. She's busy making hair bows and quilting for Eleanor. She has also been busy running an Etsy craft shop  www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaintedTreeShop . She makes amazing stuff. She's also been an amazing and busy Mom. Taking the kids to the park, playing games and teaching the boys.We couldn't ask for a better Mom!!

Andrew has been busy with his new job with LTR Products. He works doing Sales and Marketing for them. He is very happy and loves his new job and coworkers. It is a great company to work for.He also keeps busy at night wrestling with the boys, playing with cars and running around with them. He loves his boys.

The Walkers love being in Texas. We've been here just over a year and hope to be here many, many more years. We have moved into a great house. It's so nice to have more space and a backyard, which the boys LOVE!! We keep busy. There is plenty to do here in the Dallas Texas area. We've gone to Zoos, Museums, Parks, Friends Houses, Family. . . We just got back from a Thanksgiving trip to Rockport Texas. It's right on the beach by Port Aransas. We had a blast fishing, playing games, going to the beach, and spending time with cousins, aunts, uncles and Grandma! 

We were able to take an AWESOME road trip to South Dakota for U-Days 2013. It was held at Calamity Peak Lodge, which was built by Margie's great-grandpa. Margie's mom grew up there and was able to share many great memories from there. The whole U-Crew was there and it was so fun to be at a place that holds so much Family History. Margie's mom put in hours upon hours of hard work preparing and running this Family Reunion and it was very appreciated. We loved being there and can't wait for the next U-Days!

After U-days we were able to continue our road trip and we made a stop in Ashton, ID! We had almost been gone a year...a little bit too long to be away! We really miss being in Ashton and we were so happy we were able to visit again. It was great to stay with the Schauerhamer's and hang out with friends. Not sure the next time we will be up that way, but hope that it is sooner than later!

Looking forward to 2014 and all it will have to offer!

We are truly blessed. We have been given so much and we thank God for every blessing. We are most greatful for the great sacrafice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and hope all can remember Him not only during this season but always and remember that all of our joys and blessings come from Him.

God bless you all!

Our Little Missionary

Look at this little guy!

We put this red tie on him today for church and he turned into a little missionary!

It will be so fun to watch him grow up and prepare for his mission!

I love him!

Camping with the Garners

 Back in August we went camping with the Garner's.

It was REALLY REALLY hot!  

I am pretty sure it was 100+ degrees outside.

Why we chose to go camping in that heat, I have no idea!

But, it was REALLY fun!

It is this park that is only 15 minutes away from our house.

It is on a lake!

A really nice lake!

We were in that LAKE for most of the day Friday and all Saturday morning and afternoon!

Even though it was hot, it was REALLY fun!

 We got to use our Dutch Oven for the first time!  

We made really yummy Peach Cobbler!

It turned out perfectly.

Roasted S'mores and even got to see some fireworks!

That was an added bonus. 

We even got some game playing in!

We have quite a bit of camping gear that we have collected throughout the years, so it was really nice to be able to use it.

I have more pics on my camera.

Maybe someday they will make their way to this blog post!

Breaking IN

On October 6th we took my dad to the airport.  When we came home, we couldn't get into our home.  Our garage door openers stopped working, our windows were ALL locked and both doors had the top lock locked as well.  The one that doesn't even have a key whole on the outside.  Awesome right?  Not really!  We tried to get in through the garage with this technique we saw on YouTube.  It would have worked perfectly if we had windows on our garage, but we didn't!  Our neighbor came over, which was really nice, but he ended up breaking the most expensive window in the house...which wasn't really nice!  Well, we got in and there was glass every where. I took the boys to church and Andrew stayed behind to get everything cleaned up.  After church our friend helped Andrew put a piece of wood in the window frame so we weren't open to the world!  Now to look for a replacement!  Ah life isn't is awesome?!?!?

Sammy's One Year Old Photo Shoot!

A couple months ago, Michiyo Clark ran a photo contest for the cutest kid!  Would you believe Sammy WON!!!!  And Jackson came in SECOND!  I really do have some pretty cute kids....and a TON of Facebook friends who voted for my boys!  Thank you everyone for doing that.  Well, we waiting until Sammy turned one for our free photo shoot!  The pictures turned out great!  I love that the pictures do not represent how the photo shoot REALLY went.  Sammy was pretty cooperative.  He was getting tired and he kept sticking his fingers in his mouth and other such stuff.  Let's just say, this MOMMA was tired.  It was such a workout!  The pictures of Jackson and Sammy...oh my goodness!  Again, I am so impressed she got the shots that she did...because I NEVER saw them like that at all.  =)  She knows when to take a picture.  I even got in the car and said to Andrew, "I don't think ANY of those are going to turn out!  Well, they did!  And they are better than I could even ever imagine!  I know I have some pretty cute boys, and these pictures PROVE it!  =)  I love them!  Thank you a

gain Michiyo!