They're Baaaaaaack!

Our christmas elves finally arrived on December 1st. It's almost better than actual Christmas at our house. The kids have been up at the crack of dawn every morning to see what those pesky little elves did the night before. We've already found them duck taped to the toilet seat and dvd's thrown all over the floor. They definitely keep us wondering and enjoying the christmas spirit!

A Friendly Game of Church Ball

Yes- this truly is an injury from the first church ball game of the season! No I did not take out Mark's eye because he watches way too much football - although that that much is true. Church ball is supposed to be full of good fun family entertainment - we all know better. Warning: church ball is not a game for kids, it is vicious, spirited, there are language issues, and name calling. Fouls, fouls and more fouls and your lucky to make it out of the game alive. Let's be serious!!! Church ball is big time!!!!

We-ve been UTED

It's the day of the big BYU-UTAH game and we are awaken by a text from our neighbor to check out our front lawn. GO UTAH in big RED spray painted all over our lawn! Austin starts crying because he says everybody is going to think we like Utah. What a neighborhood we live in - vandalism everywhere! Mark has already left to go find some blue spray paint - neighbors beware!!! GO COUGARS!

Hallie's Debut

For those of you who missed Hallie's big 97.1 Kiddieoke Singing Contest, which we didn't win because you forgot to vote, here she is:

Trick or Treat

Hallie decided 2 days before Halloween that she wanted to be Gabriella. Good luck finding a costume that late in the game. We did manage to find a Sharpay costume. Hallie said that would be fine, but she wouldn't act like her. Austin was "racer x", Jake a ref, and Lexie a 'go-go' girl.

Trying to get the kids together to get a picture was a joke. The entire neighborhood was ready to go trick or treating at 5:00. Kayla had her own Halloween Party - with 50+ kids showing up for food, ping pong, basketball, dancing in the studio and hanging out. It was an eventful night - full of fun!!

Carving Pumpkins

The kids enjoyed carving pumpkins. Well most of the kids - Austin couldn't stand the "guts" inside the pumpkin. We told him we couldn't put a candle in his pumpkin if the guts weren't all gone. Just when he put his hand in to try to scrape it out with a spoon, Mark grabbed his hand and swirled it all around inside the pumpkin. I thought Austin was going to lose it! The rest of us were all laughing. Even Jake made Lexie - the master carver - take the guts out of his pumpkin.

"Sting Pong"

Have you ever played "sting pong"? If you lose, the other person gets to hit you bare back with a ping pong ball. Even Hallie was game for this! Somehow this just doesn't seem right, but this has been the game of the month. Jake is up for a challenge anytime. Any takers?

Dancing Queen

Kayla attended a 2 day workshop at the Salt Palace Convention Center put on by NYCDA (NEW YORK CITY DANCE ALLIANCE). At the end of the workshop various scholarships are awarded and Kayla received the " Convention Triple Threat Award". She was "recognized for her versatility and well rounded performance in the workshop classes this weekend". It also means that she is automatically accepted into the 2 week Summer Dance Intensive Program in New York City. Quite an honor!! The only catch - the summer program is in NY and costs $3400 -not including air fare. At least she made a good impression on the judges. She is a beautiful dancer!

The End of Little League Football

It was Jake's last football game of the season. Bittersweet - no more Saturday games or practices, but we will miss the games. Some were more fun than others - we won 4 and lost 4. Jake played receiver and corner. He caught 2 passes in his final game and scored the extra point on two separate touchdowns. It was however a disappointing loss. He even had one teammate taken off the field by ambulance due to a broken foot. Maybe I am glad football is over - and Jake is in one piece. On to basketball!

high school musical 3

The anxiously awaited for sequel - we loved it. We waited in line for an hour and a half to be first in line to get into the theatre. Best seats in the house, buttered movie theatre popcorn, drinks, sour patch kids candy, and gabriella and troy - what more could you ask for! The theatre was filled with teenagers and every time "TROY" entered the scene they would scream! It was great fun - although Jake thought there was way to much singing. I guess he is getting too cool for stuff like this.

Our Soccer Player

After much pleading from Hallie after not putting her in soccer last year when "all of her friends were playing and not her", we finally agreed to let her give it a try. She gave it her best effort - really. On the way over for her first game she said "How do I kick the ball?" I told her just like she kicks it in dance. After chasing the pack of girls and the ball, she finally got her little feet on the ball kicking it toward the wrong goal. Of course the whole side line is yelling - the other way, the other way. This went on for a couple of minutes. Finally when Hallie was "out". I said, "Hallie, which goal do you try to kick the ball in?" Her response - You can just pick which ever way you want.

We are the WALKERS

Everybody keeps telling us we need a blog. So here goes - I'm really not sure even what I am doing. We are a family of 7. Mark - Dad, Mel - me, Kayla - 14 (dance fanatic and beginning to find boys interesting), Jake - 11 (sports junkie like his father), Lexie 9 (the best babysitter), Austin 7 (likes soccer games and hates practice), & Hallie 5 (baby of the family and spoiled rotten). Everyday life is filled with many activities - and trying to keep everybody's schedules clear.