Family Reunion 2009

We had the pleasure of having our Walker Family Reunion/Campout down here this year at a campground called Buckboard which is up in the beautiful Abajo Mountains.

The campout started on Wed Aug 5th. Mike, Jenny and thier kids Heather, Austin, Cody & Mistee came down on Tuesday to get a head start we enjoyed Tuesday night visitng with them and letting the kids enjoy the company of thier cousins.

Mom & Dad, Laurie, Brandon thier kids Braydon & Maddie, Quin, Shery and thier kids Brexton, Jensen & Teagan, Grandma & Grandpa Hansen, Aunt Cindy, Aunt Mary all joined us up at the campground on Wednesday. Everyone camped but Grandma & Grampa, Cindy & Mary they came up for the days and stayed at the Day's Inn I think they liked getting away from the kids and having the Hotel to go back to where they could have comfy beds and a swimming pool.

We enjoyed fishing, hiking, camp fire fun, playing cards, Shery did this awesome game of sharing money which we all had fun with. She gave us all envelopes at dinner the first night that had play money in it. The object of the game is to give money to someone when they do something nice for you or say something nice etc. Then at the end she had an auction of fun little prizes that you could buy with all the money you earned. Jenny did a pinata which the kids really loved. Laurie & Brandon took the kids on 4 wheeler rides. Mom did a painting craft and all the kids got to paint little wood ornaments.

We had the whole back loop of the campground to ourselfs which was way nice! The kids stayed close and even our dogs stayed right around camp. Other than a few cuts and bruises no serious injurys wooo hooo!

Jim, Darrien, Shery, Quin, Mike, Heather & Austin all went down on Thursday night to enjoy the Emerson Drive/Charley Jenkins concert since it was the San Juan County Fair during this time. Jim brought me back some CD's from both bands so that was cool. I was battaling a kidney stone so I didn't get to go to the concert but they all sure had fun.

We got rained on a couple of times but other than that no complaints. The bugs were minimal really I don't even think I put Off on my kids at all. It did get cool at nights especailly after the kids were in bed and the adults were sitting outside playing cards. We pulled the picnic table up close to the fire so Shery the eskimo could stay toasty warm.

I think we all had a great time I know it was one of my most favorite family campouts!

All I can say is I think it was a great success I am so grateful to have such a wonderful loving family! Mom even went to the extent of making Dutch Oven Raspberry Cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me. It was really special :)

Grandma, Grandpa, Cindy & Mary all stayed until Friday the 14th so we got to enjoy thier company on Sunday evening. Then on Monday they all came over to do some wash while Grandpa's truck got fixed and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. That was really special too since as long as Jim & I have been married we haven't ever had just them over for dinner.

To our family thank you all for coming down here I know it was a long drive but I hope you guys feel like it was worth it. We sure enjoyed seeing everyone again and getting to spend some great times with you!

We love you lots!

July 24th Weekend

We spent the Utah Pioneer Holiday up camping with our friends Mike & Amy Cox and thier 3 kids Addie, Oliver & Lucy. They came down from Pleasant Grove with thier trailer and we headed up the mountain. We had a total blast! It was also Monticello's celbration so we came down for the parade, activities at the park and fireworks.

We were able to expose Mike & Amy to small town America! They loved how cute the town is and they had a blast seeing how our way of life is so different than fast paced Utah County. All though they both said they could never live down here LOL.

Good times I tell ya good times! Nothing like good friends, good food and lot's of fun!

Thanks Mikey & Amy for coming down it is so awesome to spend time with you guys!!!

Be prepared for a boat load of new posts

Been a very busy summer and have some fun stuff to update my blog with.....So stay tuned!

4th of July

We decided to do something different this year and go to Blanding for the 4th of July. It was a hot day for sure and I know the kids enjoyed all the fire trucks coming by and spraying them down along the parade route. I don't think the parents liked it as much as the kids, as everytime one of the trucks came down the parade route you would see parents fleeing from thier comfy chairs for cover from the down pour of water.

Aubrey and Connor both went fishing in the fish umm pool pond?? I guess so we brought home 2 fish to add to the family...they didn't last long though...We enjoyed lunch at the Patio I know all the locals will laugh at this....it was my first time eating there and we have only lived here 2 1/2 years?? YUM is all I can say!

We then finished the evening off with a concert in the park, it was really nice up until we were eating dinner and the wind started up and it was raining in sheets rather down pouring in sheets of rain!! Plates were flying, canopies....I even ended up w/who knows who's bbq'd beef sandwich landing on me....All I could do was laugh histerically watching everyone "run for cover" Everything was sopping wet, we even ran to the laundry mat to dry out the blankets so the kids wouldn't have to sit on wet blankets! After the little fiasco the night turned out to be beautiful making the fireworks show totally awesome!

Happy Belated 14th Birthday Darrien!!!

Ok so I suck as a Mom! I have been so good about saying Happy Birthday to my kids on my blog....Well shame on me for being so freaking busy I missed doing Darrien's

Darrien turned the big 14 on Sunday July 12th!

Darrien I am in shock that you are 14, it seems like just yesterday Uncle Ky and I ran around calling you "head" since when you were a baby your head was so big! And now you are a young man!

Some of Darrien's amazing traits I adore:

-his outgoing personality he is always so friendly to people and makes friends wherever we go!

-his compassion if I am having a bad day he does everything he can to make me feel better!

-his love for his siblings....You will often find him sitting w/Patrick talking about Pokemon not because D loves it but because Patrick does and he loves to make him smile

-how smart he is....sometimes to smart for his own good!

-how much he loves "La La" (my mom) it makes me melt...they were so close and even though she is gone he still hangs on and does special things in her memory like on Mother's Day and now he wants to do something on Sunday for her since it is her bday

-how he can turn Nana around she can be totally grumpy and with her Alzheimer's she doesn't recognize people and becomes angry but Darrien can always turn her around and make her laugh and smile. That is incredible for a 14 year old!


Darrien I am so proud of you and so honored to call you my son! I love you so much Big D!

Happy Belated Birthday my dear son!!!

Loves & Hugs!

-Mom

Congrats Monticello CUBS GOOD LUCK AT State!!!

WOOO HOOOO for the Monticello Cubs who took league championship and will now be heading up north next week for some state playoff games. Good Luck Boys!!! Connor I am so proud of ya!!! Way to GOOO!!!

WiN wIn WN or maybe just have a blast!

Schedule for any interested:

Tuesday 7/14 12 noon Monticello Cubs vs. Lehi Diamondbacks
Tuesday 7/14 6 pm Monticello Cubs vs. Springville Giants
Wednesday 7/15 10 am Monticello vs. Payson Braves

I believe all games are played in Payson but not 100% sure yet!

Summer Woe's

Nat's Questions to no one in particular most likely herself she tends to do that on a frequent basis....Be affraid it looks like she is going to answer herself tooo!!! Don't call the looney bin just yet.....Ok maybe you should....

Question: Summer comes Summer goes but when will summer really come?
Answer: Think about it maybe a late start on summer will mean an even later start on winter! How's that for positive thunkin?

Question: Is it seriously the end of June? As in July 4th is just a few days away???
Answer: Yes Nat you have a calendar that is full every day and you now it is almost the 4th of July get with the program girl!!!

Question: More baseball practice and games? Are you serious?
Answer: Just think 2 more games "YOU CAN DO IT" (note to self it is pretty sad when you have to cheer yourself on for your KIDS activities)

Question: Did I ask what is up with the weather already?
Answer: I can't remember must be that darn old-timers getting to me again

Question: How did my Mom & Dad Survive Summer vacation??
Answer: Oh that's right they locked us kids outside...Isn't that illegal now? Oh I guess that is a question answered with an answer then a question man I am on one...

Question: Are all little girls drama or just mine?
Answer: Are all little girls drama or just mine??? still wondering...

Question: Seriously my oldest is 14 wow where did it all go?
Answer: It slipped by right in front of you...

Ok now that I have asked all the questions I have for now and I walk around the house to make sure everyone is snug as a bug in thier beds and step on a few toys and say a few choice words about the fact that my house is less than spotless and my foot hurts.......I look at my sleeping babies and can honestly say....I wouldn't have it any other way....

As my wise Grandmother always tells me "it will keep" it's one of those open ended comments that can leave you pondering for hours...the dirty dishes "it will keep" the laundy "it will keep piling up" the weeds "it will keep" on growin'. The one thing that won't keep is the days of our childreen's lives.

"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." Goethe

Loves and Hugs to everyone!