Thanksgiving!

We went to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with family this year.

This is the first time we've traveled back home for Thanksgiving since we moved to Chicago almost twelve years ago.  It was fun to be with family again and to pack a lot into our week there!

I made my dad and early Christmas present--a quilt with pictures of all of us the last few years.

I told him then we'd always be watching him when he hangs us on the banister by his chair!

Aunt Brittany, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Kelsey entertained the girls one day with gingerbread houses!

The girls love to hang out with their cousins and having a fun activity made it even better!

We introduced our kids to the lights on Temple Square-

it was beautiful and fun, even with the crowds!

 And just hanging out with Grandma is always a good time!

Nora loves to cuddle-and Grandma and Grandpa are happy to be the cuddlers of choice...

Grandma Great's 80th Birthday!

While we were in Utah, we also got to celebrate

the 80th birthday of Paul's Grandma LaRue!

She is a very special lady

and it was a blessing to be part of her wonderful weekend!

We attended a birthday dinner

filled with her kids and grandkids and their spouses.

Everyone paid tribute to the beautiful person she is

and how she makes everyone feel loved and special.

Grandma Great grew up on a ranch in Nevada

outside of the small town of Pioche.

She took us on a fascinating walking tour of the town

And we then enjoyed a picnic lunch out at the ranch

with tours of the old school house and a 

visit to Grandpa Walker's grave and the family cemetery.  

It is so neat to be able to teach our

kids about their ancestors and for me to learn more about

Paul's side of the family.

This is the first time the Walker kids 

have all been together since 2006.  

It was so fun to all be together playing and catching up!

Afton was especially excited to go to this pool since it was where HSM2 was filmed!

And then a final get-together for a lunch and slide show of Grandma Great's life!

I gave the kids the camera for this party, so here's their perspective...

there were a lot of "bum" shots that I edited out 

for the benefit of those involved!

We loved catching up with aunts, uncles, and cousins

and of course Grandma Great!

She truly is a great lady and a great example to us!

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's my mom's birthday today.

How do I narrow down my memories to fit in a blog post?

I'll just pick one of the most recent that exemplifies who my mom is:

My mom always comes out to help when I have the babies.

She takes time out of her busy life to look after me and my family.

This last recovery with Nora was very difficult--

(I guess 4 c-sections can do that to you!)

I couldn't get up into my own bed, so I was sleeping on the basement couch

with Nora tucked in next to me on the chaise.

There were a few rough nights when she just wanted to be held.

My mom was in the guest room nearby.

When she would hear us get up,

she would come out and snuggle with us on the couch.

That meant a lot to me--

you other moms know how it is when it's late at night

and you feel like you're the only one up and it's lonely and hard.

How comforting to have my mom sit with me and reassure me that I was doing just fine.

(and then she got up with the kids in the morning while I slept!)

Thanks for the many, many moments of loving me 

and loving the kids!

Hope you have a great day!

Grandma's My Name...

...Spoilin's My Game!

I love this picture of my mom with Nora and Garrett.

She was in baby heaven having both of them around for a couple of weeks.

I would put Nora down for a nap and my mom 

would come out 20 minutes later holding the baby.

"She looked like she was waking up" was Grandma's response.

There's nothing like a grandma to make a kid feel loved!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy Birthday today to Grandma!  Don't you love this picture--Halle took it and Grandma was kind enough to get down to Halle's level!  We are so excited to see Grandma in 2 weeks when she comes to take care of us and the new baby!  We love you Grandma!

Happy Birthday Granny Kate!

Happy Birthday to our fun Granny!  

We hope you have a great day and another super year ahead!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Happy Birthday Nana!

We hope you have a fantastic year and we're excited to see you 

in a couple weeks!  We love you!

(doesn't this picture make you wish for summer?)

Mothers' Day

As we celebrate our mothers today, I want to also celebrate the women in my life who have helped me to be a better mother. I have the blessing of having grandmothers, mothers, and sisters in my life who each teach me something that I hope to pass on to my children. These examples make me want to be a better mother and I feel lucky to have their influence in my life!

(My Grandma Ann is on the left and Paul's Grandma LaRue is on the right)
(Grandpa & Grandma Johannesen with the kids)

Grandma Ann has shown me creativity, acceptance, and concern for others.
Granny LaRue has shown me unconditional love, service and joy in the gospel
Grandma Johannesen has shown me long-distance caring, devotion to the gospel, and love of family.

Me, my mom, Kathryn
(Me and Gail)

My mom has shown me creativity, empathy, friendship and energy
Kathryn has shown me generosity of spirit, direction, and love of learning
Gail has shown me sacrifice, courage, and forgiveness

Heather has shown me humor, creativity, and service.

Sarah has shown me faith, dedication and patience

Ruth Ann has shown me discipline and perseverance
Jordan has shown me hard work and a sense of humor
Brittany has shown me loyalty, determination, and intelligence
Kelsey has shown me tenderness, friendship, and strength

William Bennett stated, "We are here to help one another along life's journey." These women have helped me along my journey as a mother, sister, daughter, and friend. My heart is full when I remember the actions of love that have been shown me. While my children physically made me a mother, these women have shown me the qualities of a mother. I hope you each have a wonderful day and know how much you are loved by us!