Story Time

Every night my girls ask me to tell them stories. I have told them stories from when they were babies, historical stories, Book of Mormon stories, and stories of me growing up. Tonight I thought I would tell them stories about their Great Grandpa Walker. He passed away before any of them were born so I told them they got to spend time with him in Heaven before they came to earth. I wanted to record some of my memories of Grandpa Dr. Robert Harris Walker.

Grandpa was a very well known and respected heart surgeon in Calgary, Alberta. He was raised working on a farm and later went to school to become a Doctor. He developed the Triple Bypass surgery. He passed away when I was 17 years old, of heart failure. Kind of ironic.

Grandpa was a sweet and gentle man. I never saw him get angry. He loved jam on his corn flakes and always made sure there was Ginger Ale and Haagen Dazs ice cream in the fridge. He had a great appreciation for the outdoors and always loved to take us grand-kids hiking and horse back riding.

He kept his cash crumpled up in his socks because he claimed the nurses couldn't steal it from him while in surgery if it was in his socks.. He always wore cowboy boots, with one pant leg tucked in and the other out, and sported a cowboy hat on occasion.

We would always eat at the Glenco Club in Calgary and one summer while eating hamburgers on the patio a bumblebee landed on Grandpa's burger. He immediately smashed it into his hamburger and ATE it. He just said, "Yum! More protein."

He had the softest hands ever!

When I was in 5th grade I developed a painful cyst on the palm of my hand. He personally drove me to a doctor (Dr. Remington) to remove the growth. Once the little surgery was complete Grandpa asked the Doctor how much he owed him. Dr. Remington said, "Don't worry about it. It's on the house." He was good friends with everyone.  Even while  vacationing at his cabin in Waterton people would come knocking on the door in need of the good Doctor. He would help them, diagnose them, and perform small procedures on them  all for free.

He always looked forward to attending the Calgary Stampede and watching the covered wagon races. I loved going to the early morning, parking-lot breakfasts with him. They made the best pancakes ever! 

We had Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house every Sunday afternoon and Grandpa would always invite anyone that didn't have a place to go. He had such a generous heart and made everyone feel so welcome.

He is a great man and we believe he is watching over us. I know there will be a big hug, juicy kiss and a warm welcome waiting for us when we get to the other side. We love you Grandpa!

Hallo-week!

 We were invited to the Annual Adult Costume Party this year at Meredith and Rusty's. We ate yummy food and went through a Haunted Forest. Garrett went as himself and I went Gothic/skeleton (yes, I am expecting baby #5).

Greg and Cambria Memmott went as Paul Bunyan and Babe his ox.

Rachelle and Christian Jones were our homage to Top Gun.

Rusty and Meredith were Mobsters.

Justin and Janae were snakes.

Jasmine and Lamoni were Little Red and the Wolf.

Deanna and Tyson were Batman superheros.

Meghan and Jared went as Wonder Woman and Camo.

Michele and Eric went as Snow Bunny and Elvis.

Dave and Mary were Clarke Kent and Super Woman.

Jade and Devon went as "Pumpkin Pie".

Pumpkin Carving

My Mother-in-law hosted a neighborhood pumpkin carving party. We had some kids there that had never carved a pumpkin before. It was fun. We visited, ate yummy food and carved. My father-in-law and Elder Johnson pulled out the power tools to help them along.

a day with Ada

This sweet, little, almost two year old was a perfect angel on my flight to and from Utah. She was so well behaved when we took her out and the entire Walker family met her.  I couldn't have asked for a better baby...until we got home...
In the span of 24 hours my pregnant belly was mistaken for a landing pad while she was practicing acrobatics...
the chocolate muffins I made for breakfast turned into wall paint...
my wedding album was dismantled and thrown about...
the cupcakes that were prepared for the entire primary, by the ward chorister, were mysteriously missing frosting, right  before they needed to be served...
then she decided she could fly off the balcony of my dance studio and fell (thankfully only a few feet ) while I was teaching ballet...
It took me several hours of ALONE time...a long HOT bubble bath and some chocolate...a good night's sleep...and a morning of kid-free tennis to get over that day!

This is only a phase...this is only a phase...

Conference weekend

I was lucky enough to fly with Adalyn to Utah for Conference weekend. I got to spend time with all my siblings and Ada got to know her little cousin Hadley. We went to 13 different places in 2 days. It was so nice to sit and watch conference with my family. My favorite day was when we went to Sundance and rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain. The canyon was beautifully colored in the fall colors and the air was crisp. Perfect. After lots of shopping, eating out, talking, swimming at the Homestead, having an extended family dinner at the Roof in between sessions, and enjoying each other we had to say good-bye. We missed Christine this weekend and hope she can make it next time. Family Love.

Our weekends...as of lately...

 Now that Garrett is Assistant Coach of the Varsity football team, we get to travel almost every weekend.

It makes for some fun times with these crazy kids!

 Our last game was in Arizona. 

It was so fun to take my kids around to all my old hang-outs, eat at my favorite restaurants and show them where I grew up.

 The stands were packed for this game because everyone from the Colonies was invited to attend the game. 

It was a fun reunion and a good game.

 We got to spend some time with Grandpa Matheny at his swanky new condo.

 We enjoyed the AZ weather, shopping and eating out.

 Benton got a new pair of sun glasses that he would NOT take off.

He would have worn them to bed if I let him.

 My two newest shopping companions. 

They didn't realize how much they loved to shop...until they went with me. ha.

 Goof-ball CHEESE face.

Taking kids to a game is not a fun thing to do.
They want to run up and down the bleachers the entire time, complain of hunger, cannot go to the bathrooms by themselves, get bored, etc.

It made for an exhausting night.

 Alex loved the pool. 

We swam twice in one day. 

Got to visit Grandma and Grandpa-Great (Matheny). 

Saw a bunch of old friends. 

And got to catch up on all the happenings in Arizona.

On the way home we decided to stop at a random chapel to attend Sacrament meeting before heading home.

It so happened that we stopped by the Weise's ward and her husband was the bishop of it. 

Small world!

Back to School Baby

Alex is our fashionista. She is entering 2nd Grade this year. She will be busy with her Spanish, Gymnastics and Ballet.

Tori is going into the 4th Grade. She is aiming for Valedictorian. She is starting band this year and will play the flute, along with piano, gymnastics and ballet.

Benton is thrilled to be entering Pre-Kinder. He only attends half days but is so excited. He is going to be helping Daddy coach Varsity Football this year and work on his basketball skills.

Ada is Mommy's BIG helper this year. It's just the two of us and she keeps me on my toes. This year we hope to potty train and lose the binkie.

Off to school.