Over the river and through the woods, grandma and grandpa come

Literally over the river and through the woods, Grandma and Grandpa Walker came to our house to visit. We had such a great time! Dad and Derrel got so much accomplished. We had a few projects unfinished projects. Some of them are still unfinished but well on their way. We finally have lights outside in our backyard!!!! Yeah, no more fidgeting for keys in pitch black darkness on the back porch. Even better, the lights are sensored so when someone walks up the stairs, the light turns on!!!! Yeah! The only problem is we have a hole in our sun room floor so they could wire the light outside. But it's WORTH it! Derrel's brother, Devin, blessed their new little baby boy, Lincoln, so we took a little trip over the Baltimore for that. It was great to see them and little Lincoln.
We also went to a little cabin at Blackwater Falls and stayed in a little 2 bedroom cabin. It was so beautiful. The trees were changing colors and there was even a deer outside of the cabin in the morning while we were making breakfast. We fed it good ol' white bread. Lydia named it POPCORN. It was a blast! Thanks for making the trip Grandma and Grandpa! We sure love you guys.

Birthday #3

Sorry this post is so late but I have lots to post about coming soon and I had to do it in chronological order. First order of business:

MISS KATE'S Birthday!!!!

What a big girl we have now. Big girls with BIG EMOTIONS! Wow, I thought that Lydia was emotional but Kate is out to prove me wrong. We celebrated Kate's third birthday a few weeks ago. We let her choose her favorite place to eat. We found that she really didn't care too much (Lydia cared more than Kate). Her three choices were: Chick-fil-a, Chili's and Cheddars (Cracker Barrel came in somewhere at the end). Needless to say, she changed her mind every 10 seconds so Lydia chose for her: Chili's. It was a fun little family celebration. We sure love our sweet and spunky Kate! She has been having a blast at home with her little Grant brother. She loves to play with her princess dolls and a little castle. She is a princess at heart-she won't take off her play dresses for anything.

We love you, Princess Kate.

A little comic relief

For those of you that are Josh Groban fans like we are, this is so great!!

Lydia's long awaited first day of Kindergarten

Yea!!! The time has come for Lydia to be off to Kindergarten. She has been ready for about 2 years to go to school. She loves it and loves her teacher. They have P.E., music class, she is learning to read, she is learning math and science and best of all, they have nap time. She just loves every minute of learning. We definitely miss her at home, but she is learning so much. Her conscience is starting to kick in. She knows when she doesn't tell the complete truth or when something is just not right. It's amazing to see her little mind work out her feelings and promptings. What a sweet little girl, our Lydia. We love you!

Our Little Gee Dub

At 9 weeks, Grant is so much fun. He is smiling, ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing and almost giggling. He sleeps better than ever (most nights) and loves all the attention he can get, especially from his adoring big sisters. It is SOO much fun to have a little boy. I took him to my doctors appointment yesterday and EVERYONE said he looks like a "Little Man." I knew we were on to somethin' when we called him our "man child!" Well, here's some pictures of him in all his chubbyness. More of him to love, right?

The trip of a lifetime

READER ALERT:

At this point in the post, if you do not want to read the details of our long journey, you just skip to the pictures and forget reading. It is for journaling purposes-not to entertain you=). But it is quite entertaining at times and if you'd like to hear how we really survived such a trip, READ ON. . . . . .

Morgantown to Indianapolis, IN: Pretty boring drive, it was the first leg of trip, ya know. The kids watched a few movies on the portable DVD player. We were lucky and ate at McDonalds for dinner! Yeah. That night we stayed in a hotel from Priceline for $35. It was really nice. We were well rested for the next day.

Indianapolis to Kansas City, MO: The kids did fine but we hadn’t been in the car very long yet. The were really excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. We slept 2 nights there and left early Monday morning. Grandma Cyndee sent lots of things for the kids to do and they LOVED it!! Thanks Dad and Cyndee for letting us crash with you and for taking care of us!

Kansas City to Denver, CO: Uneventful and FLAT-definitely the monotonous leg of trip (besides southern Idaho). Kansas is SO boring! We stopped at a gas station with no station (only gas and bathrooms-kinda weird) and met a guy from Argentina who was starting his residency in California. Did I mention that Kansas is boring? We visited Kim’s brother, Sam and his wife Courtney, and then stayed in a hotel we got on Priceline for $35- WHAT A DIVE!! It was so gross that I didn’t even want to get under the covers-I wanted to sleep in my van. And the people below us kept shouting at us and hitting the ceiling and it was only 6 pm.

Denver to Utah County: We were so excited to see all of our friends and family. First stop was Kirsten and Steve’s house. We visited Scotty for a few minutes. Then we had dinner with the Miller’s and Derrel got to visit with a few of his young men he worked with. Then on to see the Jacksons. We stayed at Jami’s parent’s house (THANK YOU) and her mom was nice enough to let us stay in her very own bed-it was so nice, it was SO fun to see friends in Utah!! We had to pay a visit to Burger Supreme (our favorite burger joint) and it was even more scrumptious than I remember. We saw Elder Amado sitting with his wife at Burger Supreme and Derrel introduced himself and Lydia.

Utah County to Logan, UT: We visited Kira and Aaron and their cute family. On the way up there, we stopped at Derrel’s old job (Sorenson Genomics) to say hello to a few old friends. We went to Café Rio with Kira and Aaron and it was to die for! The kids had so much fun playing together-Lanette is just as girly as our girls and made for a really really fun time dressing up and playing make believe.

Logan to Boise, ID: We drove along side Kira to Boise. On the way, a car pulled up next to us and it was Dallan and Nicole (Derrel’s brother) who happened to be driving up to Idaho at the same time. The viewing for Derrel’s Uncle LaMarr was that night but we got there too late and were so tired, we stayed at Kim’s mom and step dad’s house. The next day was the funeral. We saw SOOO many extended members, so fun! We all celebrated his Grandma Walker’s 90^th birthday.

Boise to Weiser, ID: We stayed with Derrel’s brother DeLon and his family. It was so fun to see them, stayed 2 nights and then it was off to the cabin!!

Weiser to Cabin Creek, ID: Derrel’s dad built a cabin with his bare hands and a few saws and the trees surrounding. It is massive and wonderful and held all 66 in Derrel’s immediate family (and their kids). It was pure chaos and so much fun. We had races, tug o’war, a family dance and mealtimes were crazy but we all ate. Every year the girls have a “Doll Party” where they do really girly things. This year was so cute. Derrel’s mom was Miss Payette County when she was young and so they made the doll party into a beauty pageant. They gave the little girls makeovers and they were taught how to walk and hold themselves like ladies. Cute! The men do “Rendezvous” while the women do the Doll Party. But they were rained out and had to come in the cabin. Well, we had a blast at the family reunion.

Cabin Creek to Boise: We drove back to Kim’s mom and step dad’s house for 2 nights to rest up for the journey home (because there is NO WAY to rest around the Walkers=). We ended up going 4 wheeling with their two 4 wheelers (Fiona and Clarisse). It was so great going up in the mountains where it was 20 degrees cooler and eating lunch. Grant rode in the front pack and LOVED it. On the way back, we stopped at a little creek so the girls could play in the water. We all left the girls and my mom behind. On the way back, the two girls were falling asleep and my mom couldn’t hold both and drive the 4 wheeler so she bungee corded them to the back. It was hilarious! Thanks Mom and Denny for the fun times!

Boise to Springville, UT: We stayed with Derrel’s brother Dallan and his family for a few nights. We played games and had a BBQ with some cousins. It was so much fun to stay with them. I left from the BBQ and went to see our friends, the Howe’s, for a bit. It was fun to see them!

Springville to Denver: The drive was getting harder and harder. This leg was specifically harder because the girls were SO SICK of traveling and did NOT want to get back in the car. We started bribing them with candy necklaces and fruit roll ups (I’m sure that was great for their teeth). But we finally got to the hotel in Denver that we had once again gotten on Priceline. This time I spent $15 more. It’s amazing what a few dollars more will get you on Priceline. It was a fancy schmancy hotel (almost too fancy). I felt a little strange lugging my 3 kids (in their state of being) up to the 8^th floor. I was carrying a baby boppy and diaper bag while we walked past these people dining in their suits and wine (can you imagine). It was a little strange. Then, at 4 o’clock in the morning, Kate woke up crying and crying until 5:30. I told Derrel we mind as well pack up and go now because we'll never sleep through this. We suspected an ear infection but didn’t want to get stuck at an ER in Denver with ALL 3 kids in tow. So we braved the trip from:

Denver to Kansas City: My dad took us out to dinner at a really yummy Mexican restaurant. Then we headed to their house to leave Lydia and Grant and then off to the ER. Derrel and I have decided that we like to visit the ER in as many cities as we visit (we’ve done this a lot). Sure enough, she had and ear infection but the pharmacy didn’t take our insurance so we had to pay full price and it was more than a $35 hotel on Priceline. What a pain in the r-ear. (ha ha, bad joke)

Kansas City to Morgantown, WV: Yeah, the last leg of our trip. I was so excited to be home. They girls were going CRAZY literally and so were we. This is the point in the trip where I questioned my sanity and why in the world we made this trip in the first place. We did talk about going out to California to see Derrel’s other brother (and his name is NOT Derrel). We also thought about driving through Houston on our way out. It was Kim’s 10 year high school reunion. But during this time driving, I was so glad that we didn’t do anything else but go straight home. So, after 20 days of "vacationing," 5,548 miles and 110 hours in the car, we arrived back in Morgantown and were so happy to be back in our own beds. We were so glad to be home and STILL are so glad to be home. We had so much fun and it was definitely worth the trip, but we are SOOOOOO glad to be home at last.

These are all the photos I took. There are more but these are all that I have.

7 hours of pure bliss

Grant decided to sleep for 7 hours last night. Acually it was 7 hours between feedings. I got 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep! I don't even remember the last time I got that much sleep because throughout the WHOLE pregnancy, I was up at least 2 times a night going to the bathroom. I feel so great right now. Thanks, Grant! Sure 'preciate ya! (BTW, I am going to post pictures of our trip-they're coming soon, now that I'm rested up!)

5,548 and counting. . . . . .

You may be wondering why I have these pictures on my blog. Well, to tell you the truth, I'm wondering why I have numbers like these in my van. Somehow Derrel talked me into going on a trip out West in our little mini van. You see, we are back now and the number above represents the total number of miles that we drove in 20 days. The number below represents the number of hours in the car. You may wonder, too, why it is only 10 hours and 28 minutes. Well our van doesn't allow triple digit hour numbers so add 100 to that number and that's the total HOURS that we were in our car. Jealous? Well, stay tuned for more pictures and fun stories about our fun LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG trip!

First Smile

Here's a video of Grant's first smile (granted it's in his sleep but it's still so cute). And boy does he have adorable little dimples! Take a look:

Eat, sleep and be merry!

As you can see, we LOVE to sleep in our house, especially when there's a new baby around. Sleep is our friend and we get it whenever and wherever we can. Here are just a few pictures of the baby (and others) sleeping and a few pictures awake. Look at all of that hair!!

Our first family reunion: Lydia & Kate adore their new brother!

I know I may be a little bias, but I have the most beautiful wife & kids



Lydia & Kate Sing to Grant:

Kate Holds Grant:

She was a little distracted by a yummy cup of Hospital Ice!

Lydia holds Grant:

As always, she makes sure everyone is OK with the new addition & that everyone loves everyone!

Lydia tells what she likes about Grant:

Kate is excited too (in the background)!

11:32 am. . . . . .

Finally, what you've all been waiting for:
Our Man Child!
Grant D Walker
June 18, 2008
11:32 a.m.
8 lb 2 oz
20 1/2 inches
lots of brown hair
lots of bruising on his face
pudgy nose
sweet disposition
Derrel's nose, lips, ears
Kim's lips, legs, fingers (pretty much the unimportant stuff)
He's pretty much a little Derrel just a lot smaller version!
Labor went perfectly and quickly. We were so pleased and enjoyed every minute of it, especially when Kim passed out while looking at the nurses putting in the IV. And when Derrel almost passed out when he got an epidural lecture and watched the whole thing. And when Derrel got to deliver the baby almost all by himself!!!!! It was a great day. Kim is actually in NO pain (knock on wood) and feels great. We feel so blessed and are so happy that Grant is here and healthy! More to come soon, stay tuned some more!

3:42 am!!!!!

"Derrel, my water broke"............. (Stay tuned!)

False labor? False hope. . . .

Well, Saturday night, I was contracting quite a bit and thought that I was going to go into labor. I thought Father's Day would be a very appropriate day to have our first son. But, to no avail-he didn't come. It just made for a tired, groggy Father's Day. Then, on Sunday night, I had SO many contractions. They were different and HARD and at one point from about 3-5 in the morning, they were coming hard and 3-4 minutes apart. I thought for sure we were going in. They kept up at 5 minutes and I called my midwife that morning and she said to come to the office at 9:30. So, of course, at about 9:00, my contractions stop. UGGGG. Why am I being tortured like this? Derrel takes his first round of medical boards on Monday the 23rd and I don't want to go into labor this weekend or on the 23rd. I'm torn and frustrated and tired of false alarms and false labor. We'll for sure update soon with news but for now, just false hope! But all is well and we are here and ready any time our man child wants to make his debut. Stay tuned!

Sisters

Kate has been very cranky lately. She has had a few very intense "episodes" with a capital E. Especially at church. I should have known it was coming for a while because she has been sweet, perfect little Kate up until now. Well, Lydia is VERY patient with her and is always trying to help her out of her episodes. Today, she was so sweet to write Kate a note all by herself:

Interpretation:
To Kate
Please be nice because I love you, Kate.
Love, Lydia
She proceeded to hand her this note with her favorite toy to cheer Kate up--it didn't work. It's the thought that counts.