Spring Fever February 2011!

These pictures were taken on a day when we were REALLY ready for spring! It was a much warmer day than usual, so we bundled up and went to the park for some fun and some fresh air at last!

After playing at the park for a while, the kids started running up and down the big hill and beckoned for Nathan and I to join them. So, after thinking of the million and one things still on my to do list for the day, we took off running up the hill! Then, we decided to go exploring and found some interesting clues. It was really fun! It was one of those times when I thought for a few minutes, that it would be really fun to home school my children and learn about all the things we want to learn about the world together. But, then I decided that is what evenings, weekends, and summers are for, right!?! I just wish they wouldn't slip away so quickly! It was a fun thought while it lasted though!

Hmm. What kind of tracks are these?

The kids were sure this was a dinosaur egg, for a while.

And oh boy, did we find quite a few piles of this. The kids thought it was hilarious.

Jesi took a few pictures of Nathan and I took a few more. He was pretty patient with her wanting to hold him like a little baby, even though he wasn't much of a little baby anymore. She is so sweet with him.

This boy loves to be outside, especially on walks. This walk was long overdue after what seemed like an eternity of a winter. Of course, after this day, it was freezing for quite a while and we waited another long while for a nice stroll to the park! But, it helped us make it to the next break in the weather!

Valentine's Day 2011!

Yes, I am really attempting to catch up here! My goal is still to do some blogging every Sunday afternoon, but this summer has been a little crazier than planned. For Valentine's Day breakfast, the kids were so excited to have heart shaped pancakes - I think their excitement combined with the easy factor may make this a new tradition at our house - complete with whipped cream and strawberries - next year of course! This year it was butter and maple syrup but no one complained :).

We also have a tradition of leaving love notes on the front door for the kiddos (Andy or I ring the doorbell and run away like my dad used to for my siblings and I). This year I broke down and bought this funny Dog that dances and sings "I Feel Good". Most of the kids loved it - everyone except Nathan. He was so scared! It was pretty sad. But, I plan on using this dog to deliver the love notes every year, and I'm pretty sure Nathan will love him next year.

The kids helped me surprise Daddy with dinner. We had the candles lit and a dinner of pasta, asparagus and oranges with red juice. It is always a special night when we break out the candle sticks my dad made (even if the candles on top are a little mismatched). Someday I'll invest in matching candle sticks :). Another thing that made this dinner so special was that Jesi made us little heart name tags with red paper. It was pretty sweet. I don't remember what made her cry before dinner, but it was pretty sad. If I remember right, I think she was happy about half way through eating her dinner, but then again, maybe it is a good thing I am behind on the blogging, because I can't remember anything these days. Maybe I'll actually get caught up quickly because I won't ramble on about all the things I've forgotten. Maybe I'll change my strategy. But then again, happy or sad, most of these memories I wouldn't want to trade :0). We did have a romantic dinner out (with our friends Mike and Maria and Andy's brother Darren and wife Cari) a couple nights before. There is a picture on Andy's cell phone I'll have to have him upload someday from that night. But, here are a few from our dinner at home with the kiddos.

Colorado May 2011

We joined Andy on a business trip to Colorado in May. The first couple days he had meetings and we attempted to have fun without him. It wasn't until I looked through these pictures that I remembered how I wasn't feeling so well. I had a throbbing headache and horrible sore throat and to be honest, staying in a nice hotel (free to us) with 4 kids wasn't exactly easy (trying to not disrupt our neighbors), especially the couple of hours that I was too sick to even go walking around downtown Denver with the kiddos. We did, before my allergies and sickness hit me like a brick, have some fun. They had a fun play land at the mall and a couple toy stores that were recommended to us that ended up being kind of creepy but we found a little souvenir for each kiddo. Drew picked out the perfect little golf cart and a truck that he insisted Nathan wanted. The girls picked out little stuffed unicorns (Kassi's being VERY little - was the "baby" of Jesi's bigger one). The kids also got to make their own yogurts with toppings and I lost track of how many times we went up and down the glass elevators at the mall. Oh, and lest we forget, there was the missing diaper bag (with my wallet inside) incident I totally forgot about. I was SURE I had left it on a counter top at a certain creepy toy store. The store was closed and I resorted to doing a little mime act to try to explain to one of the guys (a kind of scary looking guy with a really big handlebar mustache that was playing cards with some other guys) through locked glass doors that I had left my purse inside. He wasn't too happy with the crazy lady with the double stroller and 4 crazy kids (one of which decided to go RUNNING into the store as soon as he opened the door for me (that would be Kassi for anyone wondering). After searching and searching that store for the counter top I remembered placing on and fretting for several hours, we found the bag sitting on that counter top I remembered right outside of the play land at the mall - open and begging for someone to take it! I remembered putting it there when I was helping Kassi put on her shoes. Maybe the world isn't such a bad place, huh?!? Once Andy's meetings were over, we headed to the zoo.

Leaving snowy weather behind, we didn't realize we should have packed up our summer clothes. Jesi had only brought her winter boots! But, she didn't complain.

Highlights of the zoo were watching the polar bear eat her lunch. I forgot her name and just asked Jesi. She said, "I think it was Cherry". That was enough to remind me that it was "Cranberry". I thought that was an interesting name for a huge polar bear!?! We always love the monkeys, but I didn't get any good shots of that.

This zoo trip, we were almost more entertained by geese than any other animal! This might be hard to see - I should try uploading the video, but whenever this giraffe would attempt to eat, this goose would scare it away!!! It was the funniest thing. He did it over and over again!

Then there was this goose that was going to attack Kassi because she was carrying an ice cream cone in her other hand. She was convinced that maybe she should share the last part of her cone with the goose. That made everyone happy!

We got a nice free souvenir cup because the icee machine wasn't working. Andy and I had a hard time forking out whatever rediculous amount they were asking for this icee, but it was SO hot and we were all dressed for cold weather. So, we decided to share one. It was ALL WARM FOAM - which is really disgusting. So, we finally got the guts to ask for our money back. We found a nice warm, but free drinking fountain.

Drew wanted a picture with this goose. He and Jesi thought it was SO COOL that geese could sleep with their head turned and tucked in. I wonder if that was the same goose, just putting on a show for us all day?!?

The highlight of the trip was visiting Andy's Uncle Ken, who welcomed us into his home and brought Andy's grandparents to stay in his home as well (to save us 3 extra hours of driving). Isn't that the sweetest thing? He even gave up his room for G-ma and G-pa and slept on the couch! He saddled up his horse with the cutest little saddle for the kiddos and took them for rides. They LOVED it! He also took Andy and I out on rides with him in the evening. It was so fun!

Aren't they the cutest little cowgirls? We could probably work on the boots :)!

Kassi just LOVED Uncle Ken from the start. It was adorable.

Giddy-up!

We were thinking about flying kites one windy day and went to Walmart to pick one up. Ken insisted on taking Drew in to pick out a kite. So, I stayed in the truck and visited with Grandma. When they came out of the store, they did not have a kite. I guess Walmart said that kids just don't fly kites anymore?!? But, they had a bag full of goldfish and huge grins on their faces!!! I wasn't sure what Uncle Ken was thinking buying goldfish since we had no bowl, aquarium, or food. He got quite a kick out of teasing me. They were Drew's "new pets" (for the horse trough)! I guess they scatter when the horse drinks? Uncle Ken even had Drew help him change the temperature of the water in the fish bag gradually so that they wouldn't be shocked by their new environment. Drew can't wait to go back and visit his little fish and Uncle Ken, of course!

Drew chose not to go for a ride, but he sure had fun helping with all the animals. Between riding in Uncle Ken's truck, playing with the dogs and cat, helping feed the horses, and just hanging out with everyone in the great outdoors, he had a wonderful time.

The kids had so much fun with their cute cousin and we got to meet our new little adorable boy cousin as well!

Hanging out with "ropes". If you look carefully you could probably guess where this kitty got her name.

Playing with 2 of the 3 dogs.

Nathan loved meeting his Great Grandma and Grandpa Starkey. He especially loved stealing grandma's glasses and pinching her face!

Grandma was a great sport. She just couldn't get enough of little Nathan! He loved it!

Saying goodbye. I posted a picture of all the kids with Grandma and Grandpa in the last post, but here is a good one of Andy with Grandpa Starkey. We knew there was a good chance this would be our last visit with Grandpa, so it was extra sad to say goodbye!

I was too lazy to get Nathan out of his car seat and wish I would have. But here are the older kiddos with Uncle Ken. They will never forget the wonderful memories they made that weekend. Thank you, Ken!

On our way home, we stopped by the Denver L.D.S. Temple. It was freezing cold and I hadn't thought to get Nathan out of his jammies, but we had to get a couple pictures. It is tradition to try to walk around any nearby temples when we're traveling.

Between the cold winds and the bright sun, it was hard to get a good picture. But, Nathan was happy to be out of his car seat, and very unhappy to get back in it! I always laugh at how we know that heading back from a trip is going to be extra fun because the kids know what they are in for! It always seems to take 3 or 4 times as long on the way home. But, that just makes us very happy to be back home!!!

DADDY'S DAY 2011!

I've been thinking a lot about my dad lately (I think of him all the time anyway, but perhaps even more this time of year). He passed away in May, then there is Memorial Day, Father's Day, and his birthday, all within less than 2 months. His birthday actually ended up being the day we were traveling to Colorado for Andy's grandpa's funeral this past week. I was able to make a book recently with pictures of my dad and lessons that he taught us children (and others) throughout his life. It was a privilege to be his daughter and to put that book together and remember how blessed we were to have him in our lives. This world lost a great man that day. The world also lost a wonderful man the day that Andy's Grandpa Starkey passed. He will be missed. We were grateful to be able to attend his funeral and reflect on the wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend that Grandpa Starkey was to all. The picture above was taken about 8 years ago. (My dad is holding Drew and Andy's Grandpa Starkey is behind them.) My dad drove the 3 hour drive alone over to my in-laws just to see us for a couple of hours because we weren't able to drive over that weekend to see my family. As I reflect on his life, I realize that he and Grandpa Starkey were men that did things for others without a second thought for themselves. They spent their lives serving and loving those around them and maybe that is why we miss them so very much. We are so grateful for these two wonderful fathers in our lives.

This is a picture of Andy's grandpa Starkey (in the back) and his grandpa Walker sitting in front. His grandpa Walker just passed away last year and he is also missed by all of us. This picture was taken at his cabin in Idaho that he has always shared with his children and grandchildren. We will be headed there soon for our annual Walker reunion to make more wonderful memories picking huckleberries, playing on the beach, boating, hiking, and spending quality time together. We have grandpa Walker to thank for that. He was another selfless man who has had a great influence on our lives. I'm wishing I uploaded pictures of all of my grandfathers and my mom's sweet husband, Kim Sanderson, but I guess I'll save that for next Father's Day!

The picture above is Grandpa Starkey with Drew. Drew and Jesi shed tears when they found out Grandpa Starkey had passed away (as well as when Grandpa Walker passed away last year). They knew they were in a better place, but they also knew that we would miss them on this earth! We were so grateful to join Andy on a business trip to Colorado a few months ago and spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Starkey and Uncle Ken and some of his kids. Grandpa was still concerned about our family and asking us all about how we were doing. Even when his health was deteriorating, he was constantly thinking of others. Grandpa Starkey was honored at a wonderful 90th birthday celebration that Andy's parents put together last July. He was given an honorary high school diploma at the party! Having lost his mother early in life and being the eldest child, he sacrificed his schooling in order for his siblings to all have the opportunity to attend school. One of his biggest regrets was not receiving his high school diploma. So, that was a HUGE surprise and one that was well deserved! He also served in World War II and was honored at his funeral for his service. He was one of the few still living World War II veterans and was honored in Washington DC a couple years ago for his service.

The above picture was grandpa Starkey with Drew at Andy's work. We were going to the duck pond to feed the ducks. You can see grandma Starkey in the back ground trying to take some pictures! She must be related to me :).

I don't remember exactly what I was thinking when I posted the above picture of my parents and Nicole with me at my BYU graduation, but I guess it was probably to thank my Dad for always supporting me and helping me to reach my goals. My parents both went to BYU and that was a dream of mine since I was a little child. I was grateful to my parents for coming to my graduation and for all of their support through the years. (I am several months pregnant with Drew in this picture and Andy is the photographer.)

My dad loved BYU sports. He was one of BYU's biggest fans. Drew's bedroom is painted blue with a big 'Y' on one wall with a big poster of this picture on one side and a poster of Andy, Drew and Jesi with Cosmo on the other. This is Drew and my Dad at the game with our family (and Nicole in the back ground, Andy's arm in front). I don't remember my Dad (even being the huge sports fan that he was) yelling at the other team, coach, or ref. In fact, if I remember right, he would laugh when things didn't go his way (in life or in the game). Everyone was on his team and he was a great team mate! He loved his grand kids and I think that is what I miss most - having him around to cuddle and play with my kiddos. I am so grateful that they have Andy's Dad and Grandpa Sanderson, who are both great role models for them to follow and so much fun!

My dad, Andy, baby Jesi, Chris, Dad Walker, & Jason at Jesi's baby blessing. Jesi was named after Andy's Dad, who goes by Monte, but whose first name is Jess after his own father. We really feel grateful to have such amazing father figures in our lives and Andy's dad is no exception!!! We love him to death (actually, lets say we love him to 'life' because we've lost enough of our Daddies lately and can't imagine life without him). Maybe this would be a good time to put another plug in for that seat belt :).

Cutting down a Christmas tree for Mom and Dad Walker's home over Thanksgiving Break when Drew was a little guy.

I guess I did get one picture from our trip to Colorado on this post. The above picture is Grandma and Grandpa Starkey with our 4 kiddos before traveling back home last April. We were so sad to have to leave. Uncle Ken brought Grandma and Grandpa to his home to save us an extra 3 hours of travel time and let us stay there and treated us so wonderfully that we just might have to go back.

This is a picture of Andy with our kiddos at Drew's Pinewood Derby this year (his 2nd)! Andy is an amazing father and I appreciate his father and grandfathers who have influenced the wonderful man, husband and father that he is. Andy is so thoughtful, hardworking, and kind. He makes us laugh every day. I know that a loving Heavenly Father sent him to me to help fill the hole in my heart that would come with my father's early death. Drew played a primary song before sacrament meeting for Father's Day and Andy loved that. The kids sang "I'm so glad when Daddy comes home" and the girls had WAY too much fun singing that to him over and over again and acting it out (complete with the sitting on his knee and giving him a great big kiss) all day long! I think I got a picture of that :). We also were able to get him a bike from Costco for an early Father's Day gift. We have had so much fun riding together. Drew learned how to ride his bike on my birthday this year, which was the best gift ever! After 5 years of trying, Drew said it was the "best day ever". I had Andy hook the tag-a-long to my bike for Jesi and the trailer onto that for Kassi and Nathan and it works great! So, the day before Father's Day we rode a few miles and grabbed some dinner and listened to a little outdoor concert. It was so fun we're hoping to do that again soon! Andy had a business trip a few months ago and the kids literally bawled when he left. Apparently we don't say enough goodbye's around here. But, it was SO INCREDIBLY SWEET how much they love their Daddy. They had me in tears too! And, to tell you the truth, it had me a little worried that something might happen to Andy and I had a hard time sleeping that night! Andy took a REALLY late flight in order to be here for Jesi's birthday and Drew's piano recital and then flew back as soon as possible the next day. He didn't get much sleep either. That just shows what a dedicated, loving father he is. I am so happy that my children are making such wonderful memories with their Dad, just as I did when I was a child, and Andy did with his own father. I hope to update this blog to record many more of those memories through the years. We love you, Andy and all of our Daddies! Happy Belated Father's Day!!!