EMERGENCY

Sometimes when your husband yells that he needs help right away, he really doesn't. He and the girls were downstairs and I thought that someone had gotten hurt, but no. He wanted me to take a picture of him right after he had lifted weights and Mimi wasn't getting any good shots. I had told him that if he ever made me take pictures of him, I would post them. I will not put you through that. Sometimes an emergency is not an emergency.

1st Haircut

I trimmed Lulu's bangs, so I guess it really isn't a haircut. It took about 5 tries, and it isn't perfect, but her bangs are no longer in her eyes. She looks a little older to me. My baby is growing up.

Christmas Letter 2009 (picture added later)

Joy to the World

The Heath Walker Family Letter 2009

Lulu--Finds joy in some of the simplest of things. She has discovered dress up and pretend play. Most mornings she wakes up meowing. She is learning that she can‘t live on milk alone. Her favorite food seems to be chicken nuggets. She loves her Mickey and her blankets at bed time. She finally has started sleeping through the night more than not (this week). She will be 2 in a few days. She is her own person and a daredevil. Lulu is an actress and knows that her sad face will melt our hearts. She is a ton of fun at 38lbs.

Mimi--She is a bookaholic. She read 10 chapter books in less than a week and asked for more. Her teacher says she is a wonderful student. She eats more than everyone in the house. She thinks there should be a 1:1 food-treat ratio. She is the best big sister. She asked for certain toys for Christmas so she could play with them with her little sister. Mimi likes to draw and paint and do lots of art projects. She had a lot of joy going to the movies with mom. She wants to be an art teacher when she grows up.

Mary--I had planned on becoming a “real” runner this year, but injury ruined my plans. Instead, I found joy visiting family. Made some new friends. Mr. and I went on our first solo overnight since Lulu was born--Pearl Jam in Seattle. Then we hit IKEA. We decided we should do something like that a few times a year. I turned 30 and had a sleepover with my sisters at mom’s house. Went on a few baking rampages--don’t believe all of the best ever recipes. Want to take on a Man v. Food challenge.

Mr. --Most of his dreams were fulfilled this year. He was able to wakeboard on the weekends this summer and go to the gym during the cold months. He loved the PJ concert. Farmed timothy. Is now the ward mission leader. Had 3 lbs of crab legs for B-day. Went to Japan. Worked hard. Stayed with the girls overnight. He got a new truck in October and said, “A son is born, and his name is Tundra.” Is responsible for most of the fun times we have. Can’t believe he is so lucky.


We are thankful for the joy we have experienced as a family this year. As Christmas nears, we are grateful for the Savior and all that He has done for us. We know that all good things in our lives are blessings from our Heavenly Father. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas.


Love,
The Walkers

I want a TV in my room

It's true that Mimi has not told us anything she wants for Christmas this year, but I didn't expect her to tell Santa she wanted a TV. I am sure he won't be bringing her one. She said if she doesn't get her own TV maybe she would take the one out of the toy room. The one in the toy room is almost 10 years old, we bought it on our way home from our honeymoon--I think. It will be staying there until she is big enough to carry it up to her room by herself, which means never.

Lulu kept yelling, "Santa, Santa." We didn't practice what to say, but I whispered to Santa that she wants a kitty. I am pretty sure she won't be getting a kitty from Santa, but a girl can dream. She took her treats and danced around. She didn't even care about her cinnamon roll after she spied Santa. My memory of Mimi at her 2nd Christmas is that she would say "Duntda" for Santa (she was 18 mos.).

A little girl followed Santa to the room where he changed after the party. She yelled out, "Scott Haws is Santa. Look, Scott Haws is Santa." I think she is almost 5. It was really funny.

How does Santa do it at your house?

Christmas 2005


We have not had a consistent Santa through the years. Sometimes he wraps the presents he gives and sometimes he doesn't. He always fills the stockings. He always eats the treats we leave. I am just curious as to what Santa does at other homes. Please share how Santa does it at your house.

A Good Day

Sometimes, all it takes to make a day a little brighter is a new pair of underwear.

Yesterday, I ruined a batch of rice krispie treats and made the greatest chocolate cake that tasted okay until I added the best ever frosting and it ended up in the trash.

Today, I ran 3.5 miles and lifted weights. I will make rice krispies and win this time. I tried to do the microwave route, but forgot that mine runs hot and takes less time--therefore, burnt marshmallows. I was planning on making treats to take around this week, but now I might just give an ornament or something. I did, however, make a yummy batch of chicken and dumplings--my one triumph of the day.

Maybe I'll wear new underwear tomorrow too.

****The picture is from almost 2 years ago. Time sure flies.

30 year-old sleepover

My mom hosted a sleepover party for my birthday this weekend. My 2 sisters and my mom and dad treated me to my choice of dinner, breakfast, and lunch. We played 2 rounds of Scrabble and ate a yummy carrot cake. My sister said I had to stay up until midnight, so I did. I probably should have gone to sleep earlier, at least I got to sleep in.

We had some good discussions and we each got a father's blessing. It was so fun to spend time and actually get to hear each other talk and learn what each other's concerns are. When I got home, the house was picked up and that was great. Luckily, Lulu slept all night for her dad. Mr. and I went to the temple and my sister took care of the kids. I had a good birthday.

I have no profound thoughts on being 30. It just means that my parents are getting older.

When all else fails, ADD MORE

These are my latest "art" projects. They are just canvases wrapped in wrapping paper and I added some stuff to them. I have had these canvases for a while and I am not sure what I am going to do with them after Christmas, but I can unwrap them and they will be as good as new. I think more is better when it comes to Christmas stuff. We put more decorations on the tree and it still doesn't seem like there are enough. It is finally December and I know Christmas will come fast. I just have some gifts to wrap and the rest of the time will be spent reading stories, watching shows, singing, making treats, playing games, and more fun.

Princess Lulu. She loves her dresses these days. Mimi had a fancy Christmas dress on for church last Sunday and she wanted to wear a princess dress to church too. We compromised and slipped a skirt (the veil on her head), under her dress and let it peek out a few inches so she would feel dressed up. Luckily it matched her dress and it really didn't stand out.

These dresses were Mimi's when she was 4 years old. They were tight on her when she got them, but they are snug on our less than 2 year old Lulu. She is grande for sure. Mimi was able to fit into the largest dress and they danced around our room. These sisters love each other. It is fun to watch. They are sweet and funny and wild. Lulu loves her Mimi.