The Walkers

Spring Recital 2009

2009-09-20T12:20:00.000-07:00

How could I forget to tell about my dance recital? Of course it was awesome!!!! All of my girls did a great job - but of course my own children were the best. Noticed I said children. I even talked the boys into participating this year!
Mark better watch out for next year! It's his turn next!

Everything went off without a hitch - except for a minor altercation with the student custodian who threatened to call the police on Mark because I had removed tape that was reserving two rows of prime seating in the auditorium. There are no reserved seats at the recital - except for of course my own. So I removed the tape and tried to find out who had reserved the seats. No one fessed up except that when the student custodian came in he said he was going to KILL whoever removed the tape. I told him it was me because I rented the facility. He said someone had arranged with his boss to reserve the seats. WHATEVER! Mark told him to calm down and the custodian said he was calling the cops to have a restraining order placed against Mark. Hallie is crying! All of this is going on as families are now starting to file into the auditorium. I was ticked! Trying to smooth things over and get on with the show - I again asked the custodian who it was that had made these arrangements. I didn't get an answer until after the show and found out that the custodians girlfriend had sisters who danced with me. There was no arrangement with "his boss"! He thought he had some connections and would take advantage.

Regardless of this minor setback - the show was awesome. Mat came and took some amazing shots (I say some, but more like over 500 pictures) Including the one of me - not bad for an old lady!

Disneyland

2009-09-13T11:26:00.001-07:00

I know it has been forever since I have posted on our blog - my goal is to be much better! The day after school got out we drove to California to spend the week at Disneyland, Sea World, and the beach. We had a blast! Beautiful weather - just right not to hot. Here are a few pictures from our adventure:

We practically had to drag Lexie on more than half of the "BIG" rides. I think it was all for show.

One of the kids favorite rides was the Grizzly Run - because the weather was kind of cloudy this ride hardly had any line. Great for us right???? We were soaked! No matter where Mark sat he was always getting the most wet! The kids thought it was great. Until they decided they were too cold and we had to go back to the hotel room and change.

Hallie was invited up to participate with the High School Musical Show!

Disneyland would not be complete without a picture with at least one Disney Princess.

Austin was picked to be a Jedi Knight in training - he did a great job of fighting Darth Maul. A few of the other chosen ones decided they would rather go back to their parents when they saw Darth Vadar, the stormtroopers, and Darth Maul appear.

The Beach - Hallie didn't like the seaweed!

Our Dancers!

STUD

Sea World - Mark being a good sport - he was sick this day and never complained once! Way to go dad - thanks for taking one for the team!

They Won!

2009-04-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

After months of practice, Kayla, Jorgen and Chelsea finally had the opportunity to compete their dance at the Spotlight Competition. And guess what - They WON!!!! Taking first place in the teen division. Kayla was way excited - and so were we!
Just last week Kayla was also competing in chicago ( I know, I know it is out of control) She was selected as an elite dancer - earning her a scholarship to nationals in Vegas. I'm not sure where we are going with all of this, but she is having fun and it keeps her busy and out of trouble. (not that she would get into trouble!)

Happy Birthday Lexie!!

2009-04-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Lexie is double digits! Has it really been 10 years since she first made her speedy entrance into this world - no drugs for mom because she was in too much of a hurry to join our family! Lexie is a joy to have in our home! She is the best babysitter. All little kids love her and if I'm not around leave everything to Lexie because she knows how to run the house. She has the cutest giggle and smile - if you can get her to smile because she says she doesn't like her teeth. We Love You - Lexie

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-30T16:35:00.001-08:00

Ok - so I haven't posted anything for quite awhile. Christmas was awesome (of course everyone was spoiled rotten) - it came and went and now we are well on our way into February. Hopefully we will have more updates soon. Right now we are just trying to stay on top of things!

They're Baaaaaaack!

2008-12-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-23T15:30:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-22T07:55:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-02T19:40:00.001-08:00

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"

2008-11-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

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.