Insta-Tuesday {5.31.16}

Insta-May

(Among other things: Lydia's birthday week, Branding 2016, and the Scandinavian Festival!)

{5.4.16}

Spending time with this group of kids is my favorite! We had a sleepover last night and it was pretty much the best ever. #bestlittlefriends

{5.4.16}

A good day! Shopping for new summer clothes for the kids, lunch with Cal and Sue, a nice visit with Great Grandma Peaden (Grandma Joyce), and an evening celebrating Lydia's birthday week at Trafalga. #itsagoodlife #especiallywhenitsabirthdayweek

{5.5.16}

This girl has my heart. (Sentimental post ahead!) She picked out a special dress for our neighborhood Cinco de Mayo party, complete with fairy wings and her bike helmet that she was wearing as she rode her new bike up and down the street. (Side note: we live in the best neighborhood ever! The party tonight was so fun. Great food + great people + a pinata = super success.) The sight of her riding her bike up and down the road was so sweet. Then tonight after I put her to bed, she crept down the stairs for a lullaby. I was talking on the phone but let her come cuddle with me on the couch. I rubbed her back until she fell asleep, then carried her up to bed. It was the perfect last night as a three year old. Tomorrow she will wake up and be FOUR! She seems to have grown into that big number 4 in just such a short amount of time. I can't believe how big and how sweet she is. I will miss my little 3 year old girl, but can't wait to see what year #4 brings us! #mylydiagirl

{5.6.16}

Four years looks good on this girl. We had a great day doing all the things that she wanted to do. We had a little friend party this morning and I was overwhelmed with how many wonderful people we are surrounded with!#feelingblessed Then we spent the afternoon playing on the bounce houses at Kangaroo Zoo with her future prom date/best friend. We finished out the night with pizza for dinner, per Lydia's request. I don't know that she'll ever remember anything we did today, but I do hope that she remembers how special she felt and how loved she is! Happy birthday sweet girl! #lovehersomuch #thoserainbootsareherfavorite

{5.7.16}

Branding 2016. I love that my kids have the chance to grow up with this as a part of their lives. Austin said the word cow about 1,000 times. He wasn't sure how here felt about everything, except that he couldn't believe how many cows there were. Lydia loves Grandma and Grandpa Great's house more than almost anywhere else. She really missed Grandma-Great and kept asking why she wasn't in her chair. (Such a heartbreak.) We all missed my grandma, especially because it was her birthday this past week. All in all it was a wonderful day.

{5.7.16}

insta-david

So glad to be back from the land of lakes and spend time with Lydia. Happy birthday a day late.

{5.8.16}

We got to talk to my little bro for the last time until he comes home from serving in the Edmonton Canada Mission. (August! I can't wait!) He is so amazing and such an inspiration to me. He shared his thoughts about the Atonement, works and grace. I love the concept that our works help us become more like the Savior and that His grace saves us in spite of our mistakes. I'm so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes it possible for me to be better than I am today, and for Jacob who so selflessly shares that message with the people of Canada... and with me. #servingthelord #3moremonths #cantwaitforAustintomeethim

{5.10.16}

Trying to figure out outfits for family pictures this week. It's a task! So grateful for @davidpeaden who helps every step of the way. I'm sooooo excited for Thursday! #alimiddletonphoto #imightcreateafacebookpoll #somanyoptions

{5.13.16}

We had the incredible @alimiddleton come take pictures of our family in our home yesterday and to say that I'm happy with how things went is an understatement! She is amazing behind the camera, turning our chaos into beauty. I can not wait to see the final product! Having pictures in and around our home is such a treasure.

{5.14.16}

Who needs a jungle gym anyway?#bunkbed #lydiasdreamcometrue #austintheclimber

{5.15.16}

Our Stake Conference today was held at the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork. The building was beautiful and the meeting was filled with the spirit (even if halfway through we looked at each other over our grumpy children and wondered if we'd survive). I'm grateful for #Hisday because it gives me the chance to reflect on the Atonement of the Savior and the things I can change to be more like Him.

{5.25.16}

Girls day! David stayed home with the kids so I could go, and we had such a nice time. Hobby Lobby was the perfect place to find some darling decorations for @amypeaden1's new house. I'm so grateful for this family that I married into, who have accepted me as their own. @rencher_smile @suepeaden #buyallthedecorations

{5.28.16}

Forgive the upconing insta-overload, but we had such a great day! We got rained on while waiting in line for food at the Scandinavian Festival, but that Sanpete Turkey and Picadillies was soooo worth it. I love being back "home". I wished for the hundred-thousandth time that my parents still lived in Ephraim. #backtomyroots #scandinavianfestival #thatsanpeteturkeythough

{5.28.16}

Ten year class reunion. MHS forever, hurrah, hurrah! #classof2006(@bekack Why didn't we get a picture?) #ilovemymorganhighfriendstoo#butmantiholdsaspecialplaceinmyheart

{5.28.16}

Lydia's first time doing the "Chester Challenge". She loves it so much she requested we do it on the way home, too.#holdyourbreaththroughthewholetownofchester#sharingmychildhoodwithmyfamily

{5.29.16}

insta-david

Families can be together forever through our Heavenly Father's plan. So grateful that these ones are my family. We all loved the Scandinavian festival in Ephraim. #mantitemple #loveisspokenhere

Scandinavian Festival 2016

(A Post by David)

One of Shantel's favorite memories from growing up in Ephraim is the Scandinavian Festival. She has been telling me all about it for the last 7 years. Ephraim was settled by immigrants from Denmark (and the other Scandinavian countries). Each year they celebrate their heritage with a festival that includes a parade, booths and lots of people dress up in traditional dresses and clothing. Unfortunately, the festival almost always falls during the same weekend as Shantel's Dad's birthday. That means during that weekend we are usually headed up to Morgan to spend time with her family and while we always love that, Shantel has missed being able to go down to the festival. During our 7 years of marriage, we had never gone. 

This year we decided we would make a priority to make it down to the festival and it worked out that we could do Scott's birthday another weekend. Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Our first stop was to visit the booths and check out everything going on. One of the top priorities was having Sanpete turkey and piccadilly's for lunch. This is one of our favorite meals to make at home, but we could not wait to have the original Anderson recipe. The turkey was delicious and we loved the piccadilly's as well. This is so popular that the line was extremely long, but we were happy to wait and knew it would be worth it. While we were waiting, a huge storm moved in. I hurried back to the van to try and grab an umbrella and by the time I had it, it was already pouring. We got our food and made mad dash in the rain to the Snow College Student Center. It was the perfect lunch spot while we waited out the storm. 

After lunch we walked down to some pioneer homes on the other side of main street. It was interesting to see how the pioneers lived, often in very meager circumstances, but still very happy. It is a good reminder that the most important thing we are developing is who we and our family are, not the material possessions that we have.

Once we got back to the booths we knew we needed a treat and got a delicious funnel cake (half chocolate/half strawberry).

An added bonus for the weekend is that it was Shantel's 10 year high school anniversary (for Manti High). Shantel graduated from Morgan High, but only spent her senior year of high school there and has always felt most connected to Manti High School. She loved being able to catch up with old friends and we both had a great time. Jake Anderson was in charge of planning the reunion and is one of Shantel's best friends from school. The reunion was actually held at the park across the street from where Shantel grew up. She has a picture with Jake when they were younger and they were able to recreate it now as adults. I'm grateful that Shantel was able to grow up in such a good town and with good friends who helped her become the amazing person she is today.

Lydia loved the trip, but her favorite part was definitely driving through Chester. Growing up Shantel's family had a tradition called the "Chester Challenge." Chester is a tiny town you pass on the way to Ephraim from Provo. The challenge, is to hold your breath from the beginning of the Chester town limits to the end. Coming through Lydia thought this was so much fun and insisted that we try the challenge again on the way back home. She was so cute because she got her cheeks all big and puffy and full of air (just like mommy), but was still breathing through her nose. Shantel and I both managed to conquer the challenge and hold our breath the whole way through, but it was a close one.

I'm glad for such a fun weekend, we love Ephraim!

Shantel Elise Walker - Baby's First Year

A while ago, while my mom was cleaning out some things, she gave me a calendar that she and my dad had filled in throughout my first year. She thought I might like to have it. I don't know where to keep it, but I didn't want to lose the information - so I thought that I'd type up all my first milestones and post it to this blog so that it will be recorded, but that I won't have to actually store the calendar. 

Thinking about my now-seasoned parents as once-first-time parents makes me so grateful for them and for all their time, effort, and love that they put into my life. It's true what they say, that the older you get - the more you appreciate your parents. And I? I have some of the best that there are. 

Baby's First Year

Sticker Calendar

This is the Keepsake Calendar of 

Shantel Elise Walker

who was born to 

Scott Colvin + Lori Anne Walker

on September 15, 1987

September 1987

Weight: 7 lbs 4 oz  Length: 20 1/2"

15th - Baby arrives. First Day Home. 

25th- First Outing. (We went to Sale Lake to visit Uncle Lloyd, Aunt Berthene, and Great Grandma Elvin)

30th- Turns head. 

October 1987

Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz  Length: 21"

1st- First Bath

3rd-First Sitter (We went to a BYU Football Game) 

5th- Sleeps all Night. (Began before this but sporadic before now.) 

11th- Shantel's Blessing Day

15th- One Month Old

21st- Turns toward sound. 

31st- Smiles (Halloween)

November 1987

Weight: 11 lbs 8 oz  Length: 22 1/4"

15th- Two Months Old

16th - Visit to Doctor

20th- Reaches for Objects

23rd- Mom's Birthday!

26th- Thanksgiving (In Boise, ID) 

December 1987

Weight: 13 lbs   Length: 23"

2nd- Holds Head Up

15th- Three Months Old

16th- Coos

19th - Mom & Dad's 2nd Anniversary

23rd - Recognizes Mother

25th- Christmas (In Lyman, WY) 

26th- Plays with Toy (Likes Doll and Big Bird)

29th- Laughs

30th- Recognizes Father

January 1988

Weight: 15 lbs  Length: 24 1/2"

1st- New Years Day (In Provo, Utah)

5th- Sits With Help

9th- (Rolled from back to stomach with help.)

15th- Four Months Old. Rolls from back to tummy. (1st when we weren't watching.) 

19th- Visit to Doctor

22nd- First Cereal (rice cereal) 

26th- Discovers Toes

29th- First Fruit (bananas)

February 1988

Weight: 16 lbs  Length: 25"

1st- Sits Alone

5th- (Eats applesauce)

7th- Rolls from Tummy to Back

12th- First Vegetable (carrots) 

14th- Valentine's Day

15th- Five Months Old

19th- (Eats sweet potatoes) 

20th- Plays Peek-a-Boo

26th- Drinks from Cup

March 1988

Weight: 17 lbs  Length: 20 1/2"

2nd- Discovers Face

4th- (Eats pears)

15th- Six Months Old

17th- Creeps. Visit to Doctor (ear and eye infection)

20th- First Visit to Park

22nd- (Pulled herself up to standing position by holding on to the bookcase.) 

29th- Visit to Doctor (infections cleared up) 

April 1988

Weight: 17 lbs 8 oz  Length: 26 1/2"

2nd- Waves Bye-Bye

3rd- Easter (In Lyman, WY)

6th- Visit to Doctor (Another ear infection - fever.)

15th- Seven Months Old

18th- Visit to Doctor (Ear infection gone) 

22nd- (3rd DPT Shot) 

May 1988

Weight: --- Length: ---

11th- Stands with Help

15th- Eight Months Old

25th- Dad's Birthday!

June 1988

Weight: ---  Length: ---

3rd- Crawls

15th- Nine Months Old

20th- First Tooth

23rd- First Word (kitty) 

25th- Climbs Upstairs

29th- First Step

July 1988

Weight: ---  Length: ---

4th- Fourth of July

15th- Ten Months Old

19th- Throws Kiss

29th- Walks

August 1988

Weight: ---  Length: ---

10th- Stands Alone

15th- Eleven Months Old

19th- First Meat

September 1988

Weight: ---  Length: ---

15th- First Birthday!

(There is a note at the end under Special Names and Numbers that says "Roger + Beth Ormsby" in my mother's handwriting. I have to wonder if maybe they were the ones to give my parents this book.) 

Austin Scott: 19-20 Months

Austin Scott, my little boy. You are the best of the best. Happy, easygoing, loving, and so funny. 

Stats: Size 12 month pants. (In honesty- I went and dug out some 9 month shorts from last summer and those are the ones that fit the very best.) Size 18 month shirts are still a little baggy but is what you wear most of the time. Size 4 diapers. Size 4 shoes. Four teeth on top and three teeth on bottom. We went to the doctor and he's exactly 21 lbs. 

Some other things to remember about this month: 

 --We went minigolfing and Austin loved it. Wandering around with a too-large club, trying to hit a too-small ball = heaven.  He was so fun. I can't say enough how much I love this age.

--We went branding! I'm sure that we went last year, too - but this year was his first real experience. He loved seeing the cows - although he was slightly concerned about how many there were and he preferred to look at them from a distance. His favorite part of the day was riding on the tire swing and getting so much attention from Grandpa Walker (and Aunt Melissa). 

-Bedtime is such a charming time right now. We do most of the bedtime routine in Lydia's room - scripture, song, prayer and such. Then about 6:50-6:55 one of us (usually David) will take him into his own room, read a few books to him, set him in his bed and tell him to lay down, cover him up with a blanket and make sure he has a stuffed animal, then say goodnight and walk about the door. He's in bed for the night at 7:00 p.m. and it's wonderful. Also, he sleeps through the night - no middle of the night calls - and it's amazing.

-He loves being outside "side". Specifically in the front yard - but if Lydia is in the backyard that will suffice. We are loving the warm weather.

--I love him. (Stake Conference at the Alpine Tabernacle.) 

--He got sick this month with a little bug and was the sweetest snuggler. Even when he was sick he was pretty happy, but a lot more content to sit and snuggle instead of running around. (Also that orange Contigo waterbottle is our favorite!) 

-He and Lydia play SO well. Among many other games, they've started racing each other around. They'll line up, Lydia will say "Ready, Set" and they'll both say "GO!" and run to the designated finish line. It's so fun to watch them really playing together. 

--He gives kisses on command and if you ask him to give one person a kiss, he'll go around the room and make sure that everyone gets one. It's mostly just leaning his face into your face and waiting for you to kiss him, but it's so fun. His favorite person to give kisses to is Lydia and it melts my heart when he's standing on tiptoe trying to reach her face and she leans down and kisses him on the forehead. 

--He's really starting to say a lot of words. Shoe(Shuh), Bear (Beah), Cow (Coh), Outside (side), and so many more it's hard to remember to write them all down! 

--He loves shoes and has specific opinions about which ones he would prefer to wear. (No moccasins or flip flops for him.) 

Anyone that knows this little boy can't help but love him. He's sweet, funny (seriously - he has such a funny sense of humor), and darling. 

Happy 20 months little man!