Happy Anniversary

We wanted to make our Anniversary count this year since we have been staying pretty busy. So, thanks to cheap plane tickets and Nonnie, who agreed to watch Kennedy for a few days, we took a quick trip to Disney World. It was really fun to be in a warm place and have so many fun things to do (and no kids to answer to).

Of note are 3 silly experiences:
1. On the plane ride to Orlando, we picked up passengers on a stop-over. While Randy was out of his seat, I was able get the guy who sat in our row to agree to play a prank on Randy. He struck up a conversation with Randy, and a few minutes into it he went off about how he hated Bruce Springsteen and thought anyone who listened to him was a fool. Randy just laughed... Way to go me, and a big thanks to the random stranger who helped me out.

2. Some of our family friends were in Disney World a week before us, and left us a note in Epcot, in England, in the phone booth by the bathrooms, in the phone book under Walker. It was still there waiting for us when we got there!

3. Aunt Katie and Aunt Rachel had a fun time with Kennedy while we were gone. They taught her to eat snacks off the floor like a dog (luckily she hasn't remembered to do it since then), and dressed her up like Batman. Kennedy would be a great super hero (even though she looks so forlorn in her picture)!

Some Kid

Kennedy is a cute kid, and here is proof. Last week, she started sporting the buffalo slippers her Grandparents got her from their trip to South Dakota. My favorite part is the tail in back (which you can't see in the pictures, but I promise they are there). She also likes to hide in the cutting board cupboard. She is getting big enough that she can reach some door handles. The other day she tried to help Marley out... She's some kid. We like her!

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley has come to Illinois! My nephew Justin sent him from Sacramento to my sister Katie, with the instructions to take him on some adventures. Randy went on a work trip to Minnesota this week, and Flat Stanley decided that tagging along would be more interesting than hanging out with Katie...

Here are some pictures of Flat Stanley and Randy's adventure in the tundra:






Flat Stanley with Woody- made entirely of Legos!!




The flight attendants LOVED Flat Stanley and gave him the royal treatment: a visit to the cockpit, orange juice, and his own flight wings!

Sharing

This December was all about sharing. Here's how the month went:

First 2 weeks: Start getting ready for Christmas and shopping for gifts to share.

Week 3: I get the stomach flu, which I immediately share with Randy. Luckily Kennedy was spared, and we owe my mom a huge thanks for taking care of her when we were both too pathetic to do it ourselves. Unfortunately, we shared our sickness with our sister in law, Rachel, who then shared it with my sister Katie.

Week 4: Rush to finish Christmas stuff, share fun Christmas celebrations with Randy's family and my family (minus Katie who was too busy enjoying the stomach flu).

Week 5: I get a nasty cold, which I shared with Randy and Kennedy who have been suffering with it this week while I finally feel better again. They have been like dueling banjos in the middle of the night with their coughing fits. The other night Randy dominated from 2-3 a.m., but Kennedy had quite the response from 3-4 a.m. I am not sure who won the competition, but either way, their sharing resulted in me losing a lot of sleep! Here's to a healthier 2011!!

Thanks!

We had a great Thanksgiving in Sacramento last week. This is why:

Visiting the Kool Family; eating at JACK'S; walking next door to Jack's for a pumpkin smash Jamba Juice; shopping at IKEA; bowling; Kennedy playing with her cousins; catching up with 2 college roommates; touring the JELLY BELLY FACTORY; Randy's first trip to In-n-Out; Randy and Troy making an awesome turkey; Going to the NIMBUS FISH HATCHERY (a Sac-town T-day Tradition); Eating an awesome Thanksgiving meal (thanks to Mary's hard work and planning); playing Just Dance on the Wii; making cutie oreo turkeys; getting away for a week.

The amount of calories eaten was certainly worth it, but I could have done without the plane rides (although I realize they were a key element in making our Thanksgiving possible).

A big thanks goes out to both of my sisters- one who got to host us, and the other who got to stay at our house and keep Marley company. Thanks for making our Thanksgiving something to be thankful for!


I heart Ikea


Meeting up with Renee!


In line for our Jelly Belly Tour (did you know the company started in Belleville?!)


Stacie and I!


Funny picture per Stacie's request


Kennedy feeding fish with help from her cousin


Kennedy as a fish egg




Randy and Troy with the Turkey (meaning the bird, not the baby)


The Walkers and the Kools, aka the "Kool Walker Peeps"

Indy

Last weekend I ran a half-marathon in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. It was a quick and fun girl's weekend with my sister Katie and friend Kathy. We all highly recommend this race! We were able to stay at a hotel one block from the starting line and 2 blocks from the finish. The course was flat, the weather was cool, and Indianapolis had lots of good sights to see. I was happy with my race time, but more importantly, I felt good after the run (unlike this spring in Louisville, where I was ready to pass out). Monumental marathon= Monumental success (so cheesy, but so true).


Carb loading the night before the race at Iaria's Italian Restaurant


Post-race Photo: Happy to be finished!

Family Pictures

We were able to get some really nice family pictures this year, courtesy of our friend, and very talented photographer, Mikol. Here are just a few: