Swimming January 2010

After months of talking about it we finally got Zachary signed up for swimming lessons.  It was a four week series during the month of January.  Since the thought of me wearing a bathing suit while 8 months pregnant during the month of January seemed less than appealing Doug graciously volunteered to take the water duty.

Zach loved being in the water.  He isn't necessarily a fan of jumping in the water (or jumping in general yet, very cautious litle guy), he was a champion at going under water, blowing bubbles, kicking and splashing.  Hopefully by the end of the summer we can get him using his arms more and getting excited about jumping into the pool.

Here is a video montage of Zachary's swim classes:

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Where is Zachary?

Thanksgiving and the Santa Barbara Zoo!

Thanksgiving 2009

I love Thanksgiving. It may be my favorite holiday, though I think we should really find a way to celebrate it every month, instead of just once per year. 2009 was tough on so many people, we were reminded daily of our blessings. I heard a quotation recently but I have no idea where or who said it, "If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back", whenever things get tough I think about this. I also find myself saying, "If this is all I need to worry about, then life is pretty good". It definately helps put life in perspective.



Well this Thanksgiving we were incredibly grateful to have visitors in California. My mom, dad and Erin came to visit for a few days. It was a short visit, but much needed and appreciated. My mom came into town early in the week and spent some time with me, Zach and Doug. It didn't take long before Zachary was grabbing Mimi's hand for EVERYTHING he did, saying, "Come on, Mimi", or "Let's go, Mimi" or "No, this way Mimi,". I somehow don't think she minded.

On Thanksgiving day my dad and Erin flew in and got to enjoy three days of BEAUTIFUL California weather. I think our Thanksgiving day may have even hit the 80's.

Since my mom and I cooked everything in the morning, we (Mom, Erin and me!) were able to sneak away in the afternoon for a movie (TWILIGHT'S NEW MOON!). Then return home for a yummy traditional lasagna (hey, it's OUR tradition).

While me missed spending the day with all of our family (i.e. the Walker's), I am also thankful fo Skype daily. We were able to spend some time with them while we enjoyed the California sunshine.

The next day we took a trip in the new car (yay for everyone riding together!) up to Santa Barbara to visit the Santa Barbara zoo!  Below is a photo journaling of our trip.

This is my FAVORITE picture of the day!  Zach was so excited to pose for it! 

I am not sure if he was in on the joke, but love that he know smiles on cue!

Erin and Zach in front of the Giraffe's

It's a Boy!

After two ultrasounds, the second being almost an hour our little baby's gender has been confirmed.

Doug and I were very excited for this appointment.  Here is the rundown of how it went:

"Ok, I am 95% sure it's a boy but let's see if we can get a better look"
"Yup, definately a boy"
Me "How sure are you?"
Tech "about 95%"
Tech "oh, wait, I never do this, but it might be a girl"
Tech "nevermind, I am going back to boy"
Tech "if someone were to walk in now, they would say girl, we need to get this baby moving"
Me: very confused.
Doug: convinced of bo
Tech: "oh wait, never should have second guessed myself, it's a boy.  For sure a boy"

This was then circled on our photo, and reconfirmed by our doctor.  So...................

 It's a BOY!!!

It will be fun to have another little boy in the house.  I am now out numbered.

Goodbye Toyota Tundra!

After 9 years, Doug bid adieu to his beloved maroon truck for a more reliable and family friendly vehicle.  While the process was sad for him his new car seems to be alleviating some of his pain.

We are the new owners of a 2010 Buick Enclave.  It is beautiful and I think Doug looks phenomenal behind the wheel.  The truck was a great transition car for Doug from college to adult life so we will mourn this loss.  Then celebrate having a car we can all safely fit in and thoroughly enjoy!!

For posterity sake, here are some photos.

(Zach and I both have much more leg room in the new car).

Here is the new car.

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween!  This year's celebration was spent in San Diego with Luke, Dori and "Baby Tommy".

(It was a perfect Halloween sky)

Leading up to the festive night, was the search for a halloween costume.  Zach and I looked online and unfortunately didn't find anything that excted him.  We also made a few frightning visits to the halloween store (pun intended and appropriate), but no luck there either.  On these Halloween store visits we actually had some experiences that were less than pleasant.  We tried to visit a Halloween store on two different occasions and both times Zachary was clinging to my neck saying, "He scares me mommy, he scares me", bless his heart, he was not a fan of manequins and masks this year.

So because of this we went with an easy costume this year (i.e. being creative with stuff we mostly had and buying new stuff we would use again!).  So what was Mr. Walker this year, you ask?

An Irish Soccer Player (complete with Tattoos!).  His costume was compliments of Aunt Erin's summer spent in Galway (town motto "probably the best city in Ireland").

The addition was some soccer shoes (which are adorable and impossible to find!!).

Zachary joined buddy Tommy (dressed in the cutest Bat costume ever, nice find Doris!)

and made the rounds at a local shopping center and in the Kartalis' San Diego neighborhood.  Walking around the shopping center was great, as Zach wasn't sure what was going on and was timid as usual (our shy little guy).  Then he realized people were giving him candy and he easily walked up and said "Trick or Treat".  That is until the next store when he decided that his job was to then give candy back, so as the guy handed Zachary a piece of candy, Zachary reached in his bag to give the man one as well.  Kids are the cutest!!!

The rest of the night was such a treat walking around the neighborhood with the kids.  Halloween hasn't been better in years.

Happy Halloween 2009 from the Waker Family!

Pray for Daisy

Isn't she ADORABLE?

My mom shared this story with me the other day.  It is a story about a five year old little girl named Daisy.  Daisy is the niece of a Houston family friend and also a California neighbor of ours (she lives in Carpinteria, about 30 miles north along the coast towards Santa Barbara).  Last month she was diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer, Wilms Tumor, in stage 3.  This is a highly curable form of cancer, but she still needs lots of prayers.

Check out her blog here and spread the word to pray for Daisy.

http://prayfordaisy.tumblr.com/