A Blog of his Very Own

I gave in. Ryan has been dying for a blog ever since I started one in July. For two months I said no. Then I said 'Well, maybe if you show me that you are better writing in your journal.' ...That was good and bad. Every night he pulled me to the computer wanting me to type in his latest entry... (I'm a faster typer). The kids and I have been typing our journals in the computer for years but he's never had this much enthusiasm. The final kicker was when Uncle Brian made his 'very own blog'. For some reason all my kids stared in awe at Brian's blog and said in unison... 'Brian has his very own blog?' I think because he still lives with Grandma and Grandpa they consider him 'a kid' unworthy of such freedoms. This afternoon when Ryan asked me about his very own blog for the millionth time I thought for a moment and then said, "I think so." It took a brief second for him to realize what I said. Then he began 'the happy dance'... at least that's what Katie called it. When he asked when we could start I looked at him and sighed... "If only my family room were clean, then I would really want to do it tonight."

A Beautiful Evening

It was a beautiful evening. When Chris called on his way home from work we made plans for something outside... We ate dinner on the patio, walked around the block and then let the kids play in the backyard until it was dark, while Chris and I read our books outside.
It was perfect.



The view from our back patio.


Ryan and Katie racing down the street. Ryan lapped us a couple times around the block... and it's a big block.


Megan had a smile on her face the whole night. She loved riding with Emmy.


At the end of the walk we can see our house through all the tall grass and opt for a shortcut.

The Chatahoochee Riverwalk

We live near the Chatahoochee. Is that hilarious? It's the river dividing Georgia and Alabama. There is an 8 mile riverwalk along the water. Walking at 'big pregnant lady speed', we did a quarter of a mile and then called it a day. Maybe when it's cooler we'll try some more... or maybe we'll speed walk it in six weeks when I want this baby out.

Slip Sliding Away

Who would have known that this was the thing to do along the Riverwalk downtown Columbus. Our peaceful walk along the Chatahoochee River turned a little crazy when we saw multiple groups of 'sliders' on cardboard boxes racing down the steep hills. When we came across a pile of extra boxes we decided to give it a try. Ryan went the highest, so was the fastest, resulting in several fantastic tumbling routines when he reached the bottom. They just couldn't get enough.

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came out for Conference weekend. It was fun to show them a little bit of Georgia. They were here from Thursday night to Monday morning... We tried out some great new restaurants, went shopping while Del and Chris golfed, watched conference and spent lots of time watching the kids enjoy their grandparents. In between sessions we took Grandma and Grandpa to the park to walk around and play at the playground... just enough time to be rosie-cheeked and dying of thirst from our October Georgia humidity!


Emmy was so cute on the swings. Of course she is a natural giggler, so Chris teasing her and making her bump into him made her giggle so hard I was afraid she was going to fall off. There is just something about her laughter... it's contagious.

Why we love October!

1. We love black and orange! It's true, I have a thing about black and orange Halloween shirts and bows. Every year we get new ones and I love 'em!

2. We love decorating the house for Fall -- gourds, I just love baskets full of gourds!

3. We love eating Halloween candy early! My favorites: pumpkin shaped york peppermint patties and Kit kat! Chris' favorite: milky ways!

4. We love shopping for Halloween costume accesories. Costume picking starts way back in August, costume buying is in September, but this month, it's all about the accessories!

5. We love that it is still BYU football season! Go cougars!

6. We love trips to the pumpkin patch. This year it'll be fun to explore some new ones!

7. We love that here in Georgia, we are still wearing shorts and t-shirts and enjoying 85 degree weather!

8. We love watching all the trees turn beautiful colors. The roads to get to our neighborhood are full of trees. Can't wait.

9. This year, we love that we can say, "We're having a baby next month!"

10. And finally, we LOVE pumpkin bars. These are my mom's... and are SOOO yummy. If you've tried 'em, then you know. If not, you're in for a treat. Either way... get baking! It's October!

Pumpkin Bars
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1 t nutmeg
1 cup oil
15 oz. can pumpkin
4 eggs

Blend all ingredients on low until moistened.
Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
Spray pan - bake @ 350 for 22-33 minutes.

Frosting:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or marg.
6 oz. cream cheese
1 t milk
1 t vanilla

What's my number?

Yesterday I took all four kids to the craft store. Four kids in a craft store? I know, but I had to so I could use my 40% coupon, be there on 10% off military day AND hit the sale on Bazill paper for 25 cents a sheet. Even if they were all perfectly behaved everyone in the store would still be watching us. What is that lady doing with four kids and so pregnant that she clearly shouldn't even be walking around? Oh well. In the car before we got there I told the kids I would be watching carefully and giving them their 'number'. It's a new parenting tactic I came up with a couple months ago... and it has worked pretty well so far. 10 is really good. 0 is really bad. They are always anxious to find out what their number is and who was the best and worse. Naturally Megan always gets the worst number but is thrilled anyway -- so for her, it doesn't work so well. But is does for my other kids. It's quite the competition. As we got out of the car everyone but Megan was silent with arms folded. Katie got a 9, Ryan got an 8 (just because he kept telling Megan 'shhhhhhh!' and it got a little annoying) and Emily got a 7 (but that was for screaming at the top of her lungs when Megan pulled her hair. Not exactly her fault, but can't she scream out in pain a little quieter!) "Megan you got a 5." "Yeah! a 5!" she squealed back in the car. Maybe she thought I was being generous.

Today after church Emily asked me "What were our numbers for church mom?" I hadn't told them I was going to be giving out numbers but they occasionally ask now. They did really well... all but Megan... another 5... that was for screaming NO to me several times in a row loud enough for everyone to hear... After time out in the RS room, she did better. Anyway... Emily said, "but Mom, what was I in my primary class?" I said, "Emily I don't know. I wasn't in your class. You tell me what your number was." With a surprised face she said, "Mom, you should have looked. I was a 10! I was really a lot of good." It made me laugh. Maybe I should have them start grading themselves from now on. I think Megan might still give herself a 5 and be proud of it!

Sleeping Kids

It's funny how kids can show their personality even when they're sleeping. Chris is gone for a few days so it was my job tonight to check on the kids, lock the doors and turn off the lights. I smiled as I went into each of their rooms...

Ryan's light was still on. He was asleep, shirt off of course because he can't stand to sleep with a shirt on, with his hand marking a place in the new book he fell asleep reading. On the floor his t-shirt, shorts, underwear and socks are all laid out perfectly as if another little boy lay on the floor.

Megan is curled up on her knees on top of her blankets facing the opposite way she was put to sleep. She looks big in her crib. She's only months away from a big girl bed and not being our baby girl, and it kind of makes me sad.

Emily is asleep with her bitty baby snuggled up to her face and with one of her favorite nightgowns on and no blankets. "Nightgowns are better", she says, "because you only have to put one thing on instead of two." At the foot of the bed multiple small stuffed animals are tucked into bed with their own pillows and blankets.

Katie is in my bed tonight. She and Emily will trade off while Dad is gone... just for fun. She is asleep in the very center of a huge king sized bed. She prefers capri pajama pants and tank tops to sleep in. She's growing up.

Thanks for letting me check on the kids, honey. Hope you're having fun!

He's a Reader

Ryan ran into the family room last night at 10:09pm, announced that he was finished and immediately hung his head and said he wished there were seven more. He just finished the Harry Potter series. He started the first one earlier this year... I think sometime in February and read all seven in less than seven months. After talking about it for a minute he said, "What should I read now? I'm not ready to go to bed yet." You're a reader, Ryan, just like your dad.

Flat Rock Park

It looked mild enough when we looked out the windows Saturday morning. The trees were blowing in the wind and clouds covered the sky. It actually looked like Washington -- but we knew better and left our sweatshirts at home. We decided to explore a park only miles from our house... Flat Rock Park. The weather was perfect for Chris and the kids, and just a bit warm for me. 84 degrees and 90 percent humidity. And mostly no sun... until just at the end. Chris pushed Emily and Megan on the swings and Katie and I sat on a picnic table content to watch. With no warning, the sun broke through. Chris started to sweat just exerting enough energy to push the girls on the swings and Katie and I instantly felt the sun and started hyperventilating as we ran for the shade... well, can you picture me running? I guess waddled to the shade.

It was a fun morning though. We enjoyed walking around, crossing bridges, seeing the birds at the lake, swinging on the 'family swing', watching the squirrels chase each other, walking around the flat rocks and making plans for many future visits to the playground with picnic baskets in hand.

How to Scrapbook a New Layout

First, wait till your husband is working an on-call week and won't be home till 8:30 at night.

Second, get something cooking in the crockpot so your dinner responsibilities are done.

Third, turn on Dora shows, get the dress-up clothes down and place snacks ready on the table.

Fourth, step over the laundry piles, and with your eyes closed, make your way to your scrapbook table. Don't stop to empty the dishwasher, straighten the family room or make beds...

Fifth, shut the door, sit down, let a smile creep over your face, open a scrapbook magazine and get ready to receive inspiration.

Sixth, stay focused... Without moving from your desk, open whatever snacks they bring you and tell them to go eat it in the kitchen. Look briefly at their 'new outfits' and give them words of affirmation and send them on their way. Don't answer the phone, don't go to the bathroom, don't check your blog. You are on a mission. Focus only on getting the page done. This afternoon, you are a scrapbooker!

A little pool

We had a fun evening. Chris blew up the little swimming pool we bought at Costco and we played and splashed for a couple of hours. It was wonderful. At first I thought the water straight from the outside tap was going to be too cold but it was SOOOO nice and refreshing! Ryan and Chris splashed each other relentlessly! The kids did somersaults in the water, turned the 'benches' on either side into slides, and had swimming races from one side to the other. Even Chris tried a somersault. The kids were so amused... especially that he sat up complaining that he got water up his nose! After the whiney 'Don't splash me' people got out... (Megan, Emily and Mom)... Ryan and Katie put the sprayers on full blast to play. It was a great 87 degree evening. I'm sure we will put the little pool to use several more times this month!

Emily Girl

Our little 'almost five year old' sweetheart, Emily. For some reason, everyone loves taking pictures of her. My brother, Mike, (photographer extraordinaire) took these of Emily when we were together in Idaho and I just love them. Thanks again, Mike.


Emily's favorite things: playing on the computer - dressing up in princess dresses with matching shoes - playing anything with Megan - drinking chocolate milk - coloring pictures - listening to musicals in the van (mostly Wicked and Joseph and the Amazing Techno colored Dream Coat... she'd rather do that than watch movies) - reading Dick and Jane books (she thinks they're hysterical) - playing Bitty Babies with Megan - talking about the baby in my tummy... EVERY day she looks at the color of my shirt and tells me what the baby is doing... Red: the baby is eating apples. Blue: the baby is swimming etc. So funny) - staying up late and watching movies on family movie nights - playing Gamecube with Ryan - singing songs - playing Guess Who or Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders with Mom - having her hair done (she doesn't like me brushing her hair but she likes it when her hair looks pretty) - having her back rubbed - wearing her brown GAP shirt or her pink American Girl shirt.

My favorite recent Emmy stories: A couple weeks ago Emily starting asking questions about death and heaven. "What would I be wearing, if I died?" I said I didn't know and then asked her what she thought. She said, "Well, I hope I wouldn't be wearing this! I don't have on the right matching skirt." She was wearing her whale shirt but didn't have on her whale skirt and was quite panicked about it... it was so funny. After we discussed death for a while I said, "Emily, don't think about this. You are not going to die." She thought about it for a minute and then said, "Ya, because we moved to Georgia and I don't think the bad guys know how to get here."

Meeting Baby Haylee Graham

We got to meet our new little cousin only one week after she was born. Perfect timing for a weekend in Utah! She's beautiful, Lindsey!







Miss Haylee, Papa Rob and Chris' sister... new Momma Lindsey

Happy 60th Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

We just got back from our trip to Idaho where we gathered to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of my Grandma and Grandpa... Ken and Naida Walton. On Sunday afternoon we got together in the big family room to pay tribute to Grandma and Grandpa. We sang funny songs and laughed, and shared our feelings and cried. At the end of our tribute we presented Grandma and Grandpa with two special gifts.

As long as I can remember Grandma has signed every card, letter and note with the phrase 'Love you 50 bananas'. Beside that was a picture of a banana colored yellow... every single time. To honor this great tradition we presented her with a 'Love you 50 Bananas Hat!' She loved it.

Grandpa is not without his own little quirks. Again, as long as I can remember, whenever we sat down to eat Grandpa would scan the dinner table and with a twinkle in his eye would exclaim "I think I'll stay!". For his gift Mike designed him a "I think I'll stay t-shirt". It's perfect.

Happy 60th Grandma and Grandpa!

Highlights of our Walton Family Reunion

- 4 wheeling and playing around at the Sand dunes
- listening to Scott play the guitar around the campfire
- watching Mike do the 'Sasha' pose everywhere we went
- watching Molly fall off her bike and lay there waiting for help
- joking around while waiting for Old Faithful to blow
- playing extreme Bocci with Amy & Travis through the barn
- watching Molly and her reaching arms
- seeing the Rexburg Temple and a tour of the BYU Idaho campus
- taking pictures of animals in Yellowstone
- hanging out and visiting with cousins, aunts and uncles
- singing all of Grandma and Grandpa's favorite songs
- playing on the curly slide from upstairs into the kids bunk room
- celebrating Molly's first birthday
- being stuck in Yellowstone and eating at the 50's diner
- seeing the rainbow at the Mesa Falls
- staying up late every night playing Ticket to Ride and Settlers
- having a picnic and playing in the Warm River
- teaching the kids the 'vroom vroom' medley for our tribute to Grandma and Grandpa

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

6 months down... 3 to go!

9 Reasons I Love Being Pregnant

1. I love picturing my cute husband with a new baby in his arms. He is the best baby Daddy ever.

2. I love my kids curiosity about what the baby will be and what it will look like, and what we will name it. I love that they are just as excited as Chris and I.

3. I love the baby's constant kicks as I lay down in bed each night.

4. I love that I get to eat whatever I want without the slightest bit of guilt!

5. I love it when people ask me if this is my first one! ...And then the looks on their faces when I tell them it's my fifth. Makes me laugh.

6. I love that Chris is pretty much required to do anything I ask of him... but really is that any different when I'm not pregnant?

7. My pregnancy book says that "a pregnant woman's body is working as hard as someone climbing a mountain." I love that I can say "I'm climbing a mountain here!" and it gets me out of anything I don't want to do.

8. I love picking out new Pottery Barn baby bedding. This time it's cute trucks for my little guy!

9. I love being pregnant because it means I'm going to have a baby!... and I love having a new baby.

(I'll do the list of '100 reasons I don't like being pregnant' later...)

A few new pictures of the house

I finally got my scrapbook desk organized. It's in a corner of my closet and you can see the bathroom to the right. My jacuzzi tub is just right around the corner. Definitely my little area of the house!


The master closet. The middle drawer thing they built for the room. It has drawers on both sides. You can see where my scrapbook desk is in the right corner.


The kitchen table area. I still need to print out pictures for the frames but thanks to Chris being so anxious - they are already up on the wall. The door on the right leads right into Megan's room (for now... it will be the new baby's room)


Megan in the bonus room.




A view from the entry way... through the empty dining room into the kitchen.