A "C" party

A special someone was born on...

Which meant we had to celebrate her turning...

So what did we do?

We invited all of her cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents over for a "C" party. We ate Chili with cheese and sour Cream, chips, carrots, cucumbers, celery and some Cake for dessert. Charlotte loved all the attention. She was completely spoiled by everyone. This girl is one lucky girl to be living close to so many who love her.

Guests had to take a quiz on Charlotte's first year of life to see how well they knew her. Charlotte's aunt Katherine came in on top with 8 out of 10 correct, the grandparents came in a close second with 7 out of 10. Want to know one of the questions that really stumped people? What is Charlotte's middle name? (I was shocked people couldn't remember!) Winners were award Candy of course.

With her birthday just 4 days after Christmas (I will always feel bad that her birthday is so close to Christmas! Sorry C) she had had plenty of practice ripping the paper apart on Christmas presents a few days earlier she was pretty good at opening gifts the night of her birthday.

Look at the focus and concentration on her face in the picture above.

She is a girl who knows what she wants.

Loving the attention, loving the paper, loving the books that were wrapped up.

We had a C shaped cake for the babus. One chocolate, one yellow. Being the good eater Charlotte is we knew she would dive into her C piece of cake. And she did.

Thank you to all the family who came to celebrate our Charlotte with us!

And THANK YOU for helping us celebrate by leaving your sweet comments in the post below. She is one loved baby.

I said it once, and I'll say it again and again, I can't believe she is ONE already.

What's your most memorable birthday party?

Have you ever used freezer paper as a stencil? * It's what I used to paint on the 1 and Charlotte's birthday on her onesie.

Love throwing a party or dread it?

Do you know Charlotte's middle name?

Please share!

Simple things

I can remember a time when I thought "happiness" or "heaven" meant traveling to some exotic city, laying on a beach with a book, and stuffing myself full of food.

And while I do enjoy and look forward to traveling to some exotic place, in the months since Charlotte has joined our life, I have found a new, much more FULFILLING HAPPINESS.

I've had a couple of these moments of happiness lately that as my sister Mandy would say,

I want to LOCK IT IN.

The first one was about a month ago when Mike and I took Charlotte to a local elementary school to play on the playground. I had no idea Charlotte would love it so much.

My bug loved it all. The slide, the swings, being with her dad, and a friendly, small dog who was also enjoying the playground .

I've never seen the girl so ecstatic.

I'm sitting here smiling thinking back to that afternoon we spent at the playground.

It was blissful.

Why did we wait so long to take her to a playground?

Another noteworthy moment of happiness was over the weekend. On a whim Mike and I took Charlotte to PETCO. We just walked around showing C all of the animals for sale. May not sound like a lot of fun but it was "heaven" listening to Charlotte squeal in delight as she looked at all of the animals. She was giddy my friends. Giddy. I wish we would have had our camera with us to capture her eyes light up as she looked at the animals.

So simple but so much fun.

Other moments of happiness:

Watching the movie "Babies" while talking to my sister in CT about our babies who are only a couple of months apart.

Watching Charlotte clap. I love when babies learn how to clap.

Going for a run on a brisk fall day with Charlotte in the BOB.

Laughing with my mom and sister Katherine while helping Katherine put things together for Pretty Little Me open house.

Watching a movie on Mikes' laptop in bed together.

Laughing, laughing and laughing some more with my little sister Emily.

Sanding my dining room table with Carol, my mother in law.

SIMPLE? Yes.

But really isn't the simple way better?

Yes I still want to travel, lay on the beach and stuff myself full of food,

but for now I'll take these moments of happiness over anything.

What's making you happy these days?

Are you a dog or cat person?

Have you taken time to play on a playground lately? (If not I highly recommend it)

Do you think simple is better?

Please share!

BRYCE

Over the weekend we took a quick trip to visit this place...

Bryce Canyon National Park.

We were there less than 24 hours.

But within that time....

I ran a half marathon.

We played with our sweet baby.

Got to see the beautiful sights that Bryce has to offer.

Hung out with my super, cool parents.

And just enjoyed being together without the pressure of feeling like we had

to clean our house, or do yard work.

Love being in Utah where so many beautiful National Parks

are close enough for quick weekend getaways!

4th of July Birthday Bash

I don't know about you, but we celebrated America's Independence Day July 3rd-July 5th. It was awesome. Mike was around all three days, we were surrounded by loved ones, good food and perfect weather. Here's how our weekend played out.

I started off the festivities by running a new half marathon, the Freedom Half Marathon. It's by far my new favorite half, the course couldn't have been more perfect. It started in Emigration Canyon (one of my favorite places to run) had lots of downhill, some good steep, short climbs, mostly paved road but had some dirt trail too, and ended at the State Capital building. Throughout most of the race you had great views overlooking the valley. I felt good and strong the entire time. According to my garmin I cut 6 minutes of the last half marathon I ran. Phew. However I sort of ran the race unofficially. Unfortunately with this being the first year of the race the race wasn't very organized. When I went to pick up my packet the day before the race, I had to wait for my packet (some of the packets hadn't arrived yet. Don't know why.) then they didn't have my timing chip. Some of the timing chips hadn't been shipped yet. So they told me to pick up my chip in the morning before the race starts. No problem I thought. Most of the runners parked at the State Capital building and took buses to the start, well I had my cute mom drop me off at the start, that way I wouldn't have to wake up quite so early, (sleep is precious) to take the bus to the starting line. Well since I didn't go to the Capital to take the bus I never got my chip. I don't know why I thought it would be at the starting line, instead of where you would pick up the bus. Duh.I wasn't thinking. Oh well. No big deal, I had my garmin so I knew what my time would be. The race was supposed to start at 7:00 a.m. but when it was 7:00 a.m. nothing was happening. In fact when I got to the start of the race, there wasn't an official start set up, no timing pads for chips, no flags, not even a spray painted line for a starting line. Word starting spreading that there were still two buses on their way, and the race director was following behind them. Poor guy, I'm sure he was very stressed and frustrated with the situation. Anyway some people starting talking about just going ahead on the race before it started. People starting leaving one by one. Since I had no idea how long it would take for the race to actually start, and since I didn't have my timing chip I wouldn't have official results anyway, I thought, "Why not just go?" I couldn't be gone all morning, I had a baby at home that would need to be fed, so I followed along and left before the race actually started. I still ran 13 miles, didn't run the .1, I didn't feel like I could cross the finish line since I hadn't started when the race officially began. Still so worth it. Regardless of the poor organization for the packets, the start line and the chips, the race itself was well supported and well run. There was plenty of water spots, lots of porta potties, and a clearly marked course. Put it on your list of races to do for sure.

Even though there will not be official results for me, here is proof I was there and I DID run it.

(photo taken from zazoosh)

We spent the rest of Saturday swimming and barbecuing at Mike's parents' home. Of course I was lazy and didn't take any pictures. But we had a great time and loved being with family. After we put one sad, tired baby to bed, Mike and I sat in our driveway and had the perfect view of one of the many firework shows going on. It was the perfect way to watch the fireworks, no crowds, great view, comfy chairs, and our baby was safely asleep inside her crib.

On the actual fourth of July we decided last minute to have family over for our own firework show. Mike bought some cheap fireworks so we weren't sure how great of a show it would actually be. I'll be honest, the fireworks weren't amazing but we had such a good time.

It ended up being quite the party. This cute older couple who are our next door neighbors came over for the show. We also had one random girl from the neighborhood, who I had never seen before, ask if she could also join in. Why not, right? The more the merrier!

The Erickson kids. We always love when they come into town.

Derek was probably my favorite that night. He got so excited with each firework that went off, no matter how big or small.

Don't be jealous of our amazing firework show.

What you see above is about as good as it gets.

We had such a great time and can't wait for the Mike Walker 2011 firework show. Maybe next time we'll spend more than 12 bucks on fireworks.

Little did Mike and I know July 5th was considered a holiday too. After being at work for an hour and a half, they sent Mike home for the rest of the day. Wahoo! We spent the rest of the day relaxing in 80 degree weather and playing with our baby.

Love this fuzzy haired baby.

Check out those bottom teeth.

Charlotte loves her dad. Can't blame her.

After we put the babus to bed Mike and I enjoyed roasted marshmallows and making smores over our grill. So tasty. So perfect for a summer night.

What a great holiday. Happy Birthday America!

What did you do for the fourth of July?

Do you have any favorite traditions for this holiday?

Did you watch fireworks or set off your own?

Did you know the fourth of July is one of MY favorite holidays?

Ever make smores over a grill?

Please share!

Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite moms and moms to be!

I stole this thought from my friends blog. I love it.

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others

but whose place no one else can take."

-Cardinal Mermillod

Love my in laws. I'm the luckiest girl to have married into such a great family. All my sister in laws are wonderful mothers and great friends to me.

.

Both of my grandmas are examples of faith, unconditional love and service.

Aahhh my sisters. What would I do without them? I talk to each of them at least twice a day. They are my very best friends and I love them SO MUCH. Originally I wanted to have a family of all little boys, but now that I have Charlotte I want her to have what I have. I would be totally happy with a family of girls.

Both Mandy and Katherine are such good moms.

And Emily is the best aunt and will someday be the most amazing, fun mom!

Seriously all of my nieces and nephews love Lou Lou. She is their favorite.

My two most favorite women in the world.

I don't know any two women who are more compassionate, giving and selfless than my moms. To me they are the epitome of a mother, not just to their own kids, but grandkids, school children, neighbors, ward members, and anyone who needs it!

I feel very fortunate to be a mother. This by far has been the most humbling, hardest, rewarding experience of my life.

I think is a day for ALL women to celebrate. All women, I think, are a mother one way or another. I believe it's a woman's nature to love and take care of others and that's what being a mom is all about.

Thanksgiving Traditions

I can't believe Thanksgiving was almost 3 weeks ago. Mike and I had a lovely Thanksgiving, keeping in step with the TRADITIONS we've set. Thanksgiving weekend began with the mandatory Turkey Trot.

(Hot pictures, I know. Sometimes I can't believe what I am willing to post)

It was just my mom and I who ran it this year, but we still had a great time. Of course my sweet husband came to cheer his huge pregnant wife on. He's the best.

We headed over to my family's house for the feast

and got to hang out with these lovely people.

After the feast we continued with traditions by going bowling with the Walkers.

Love these people and love the tradition.

Mike was of course a stellar bowler while I on the other hand struggled to bowl with my big belly! My bowling techniques made for good laughs and good times.

Saturday morning we kept traditions alive by going out to my Grandma Wynn's

to make gingerbread houses.

The gingerbread houses to choose from.

My grandma usually makes around 100 houses for all the grandkids not to mentions other kids in her neighborhood and ward. I have the most selfless woman for a grandma. I hope to be just like her someday.

All the delicious treats to use for decorating the houses.

I'm pretty sure more of the candy landed in my mouth than on my house.

Hanging out with my cute sister and darling cousins. I love these girls so much.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with those we love and care about.

Um...have you realized Christmas is less than 2 weeks away?

Not to mention, Baby Walker is due in 3 weeks.

Yikes! I've got a lot to do!