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!

Thanksgiving Daily

If you know me at all, you know this is my most favorite time of year.

I love Thanksgiving.

I love the feast, the turkey trot, bingo and gingerbread houses at my Grandma's, bowling with the Walkers, the brisk air, and pie night.

I'm especially excited this Thanksgiving week because Mike has the entire week off.

But honestly, I love this time of year because we have a week set aside to give thanks. I try really hard to live a life of thanksgiving daily, but know this is an area I could definitely improve upon. I do know that when I live each day with a heart full of gratitude, I'm a much happier person. I loved watching THIS VIDEO. Take a moment (one minute and 50 seconds to be exact, you can spare that time I promise) and watch it, I was reminded once again of the simple things that bring so much joy in life.

This Thanksgiving I'm especially grateful for good health, my hardworking husband, a healthy, happy baby, my sisters who I can't go a day without talking to, loving parents, my selfless in laws, extended family, close friends near and far, and the knowledge that families can be together forever. These are the things that really matter my friends.

Ok and maybe just a couple more things I'm grateful for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, the mountains, and new running shoes.

What about you?

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

What is something you can't live without?

What do you do to live in Thanksgiving Daily?

Please share!

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!

Numbers

Picture taken on our wedding day June 24, 2005, right before we left to go to the temple.

Today in numbers...

68 months ago (exactly to the day) Mike and I met

6 years ago (exactly to the day) Mike told me he loved me for the first time

3 years of medical school

2 years of residency

3 different homes

1 beautiful baby

countless days of laughing

an eternity to hang out

0 fights (ha ha, just kidding...although I could probably count on my hand the number of times Mike and I have been upset with one another)

30 more hours until Mike comes home from work and we can celebrate...

5 years (60 months; 260 weeks; 1,825) days of true, blissful marriage

Love you Mikey. So glad we get to spend forever together.

Da Donut

Mandy left this comment on my previous post last night:

Did you know tomorrow is NATIONAL DONUT DAY??

The gal at Dunkin Donuts told me that today. Now, that's my kind of holiday.

Maybe if I spent less time at Dunkin Donuts I'd like running more? ( I was actually at the DD inside Home Depot)

As a matter of fact I did know that today was National Donut Day.

And did we celebrate this fine day?

You bet we did!

Man, two great holidays this week!

Did you celebrate this holiday?

What's your favorite place to get a donut?

What's your favorite kind of donut?

Ugly PJs

This year my awesome friends, Jon and Lindsey Little went above and beyond to throw another fantastic Christmas party.

Last year was an UGLY SWEATER PARTY.

This year was an UGLY PJ PARTY.

I was completely lazy all night and didn't take our camera out once. So if you are dying to see more pics of this grand event, including some really ugly pajamas and tacky white elephants gifts, check out my friend Lauren's blog. You really should take a peak, you won't be sorry.

Thanks again to the Littles for throwing another SPECTACULAR Christmas party!

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!

24th of July Extravaganza! Part 1

One of my favorite holidays of the summer is Utah's Pioneer Day on the 24th of July. The day usually includes a race, a parade, barbeques and fireworks. This year followed suit and was one of the most fun days of the summer yet.

The day started off with the traditional Deseret News 10k. Even though at the time of the race I was 16 1/2 weeks pregnant, I wasn't going to let that stop me from running one of my favorite races. I went really slow and just enjoyed taking it easy.

My cousin Annie did amazing this year. She finished a good 11 minutes faster than me. That just tells you how slow I was, and how fast she was. I miss running with her and was so proud of how awesome she did. My mom also ran the 10k and rocked it. 

Although I was much slower this year, I still finished under an hour and felt great the entire time. It was just the beginning of an awesome day. 

24th of July Extravaganza! Part 2

Shortly after the race ended I met up with family for the 24th Of July Pioneer Day parade.

I LOVE parades. 

Who doesn't? 

I love how people sleep on the parade route overnight to claim their perfect spot. 

I love how eating hot dogs at 8:00 a.m. is totally ok because you're watching a parade. 

I love seeing the excitement of seeing kids wave to people on the floats. 

I love how a parade brings out ALL walks of life. 

This year's Pioneer Day parade did not disappoint. 

Some of the highlights included:

Hanging out with my niece and nephews who were in town from the East Coast...

Ian has the sweetest smile, this was the best picture I got of Posey, and Everett is still learning the difference between smiling and clenching his teeth. 

and spending time with these lovely ladies...

Mandy, Posey, Grandma Wynn and my mom. Four generations of amazing women.

Other highlights...

Seeing Everett and our cousin Victoria wave to EVERYONE, seriously EVERYONE on the parade route. 

Seeing my mom's cousin Jim Winder who is a sheriff. 

He pointed, smiled and waved at our family. We felt famous and cool for knowing someone in the parade.

All the unique people that a parade brings out...

I have no comments on these pictures, I think the pictures alone say enough.

Seeing my cute cousins Olivia and Camille in the parade was a real treat.

Poor Camille, she was wearing a long sleeve dark dress that went down to her ankles in 90 degree weather. 

Even Spider-Man made an appearance...

Bagpipers provided excellent music.

I love bagpipers. Really I do. 

One of my favorite moments was when the American Troops walked through. All the crowd stood, cheered and clapped. There was a real sense of UNITY among everyone. 

There might have been some tears shed, I'm pregnant, what can I say? Things get to me these days.

I had so many more pictures of the glorious parade but I think you get the idea. It was fantastic.

Do you like parades?

What parades have you been to?

Did you know before Mike was married to me he had never been to a parade? 

Shocking, I know!