Ready To Rock?

My favorite parts:
1 - her first very sweet, "Are you ready to rock? Great!"
2 - the last "all right!"

Got to love my musical little girl!

Hats

Playing with hats.  This one was a favorite.  Grandma wanted a picture:  

But to get the said picture, grandma had to promise Reka could take a picture too:

Animals

Been so cold lately we have had to spend a lot of time inside, which means I've had to come up with new and fun toddler approved activities.  We recently rediscovered our animals.  Rebekah has shown me all the wonderful things you can do with them.

They use to be just for laying on

Now they are for laying on....

And throwing

And climbing through

Sure love time with my little girl!

Snow Storm

January 5th, 2014.  Super snow storm!  It's effects started on Saturday and lasted until Friday.  

Saturday Don and I went out to the store for a few things to make Tuna Casserole for the next week and some heavy paper for some paper dolls I was making for Rebekah.  I have never seen crowds like that before!  The parking lot was insane!  The lines - I should have had Don wait in line while I shopped.  Even then I could have taken my time.  The good news was the line went all the way down in the misses clothes section and with Don's helped I scored four new shirts!  I even had time to try them on.  Three were on for $5 each and the other one was around $10 and has since become my favorite shirt.  NICE!

While we were at the store we received a call saying church was canceled for tomorrow.  (The sky was still bright and beautiful at this time.)  After we got that call we received dozens more saying the same thing.  It's amazing how quick info like that can travel!  

Sunday morning there were little flurries.  Then it all came down.  Don and mom had a every half hour shovel routine.  Rebekah and I joined them for one.  

Don taught Rebekah how to catch snow on her tongue.

Some of the scenery

Reka started to get a little cold and wet

Not sure how she is feeling about all this snow

Don cleaning off the cars,

again

More scenery

Reka showing how high the snow was 

and this was very early in the storm

Finally she was done and wanted to come in

We stayed in and got warm and dry.  The snow continued until evening.  Then the cold came.  The next few days were COLD.  I think one day the high was -14 and the next was -11.  And yes, it was as cold as it sounds.  I had to keep Rebekah inside.  Not fun.

Finally we got a heat wave of 20.  Yay!  The next day was even warmer and Rebekah and I ventured out to play with the neighbors.  However, the snow was light and Rebekah couldn't walk through it. 

But there is a happy ending.  On Thursday it was warmer and Friday it rained.  Snow, gone.  Back to normal.    Rebekah couldn't be more pleased.  I did take Rebekah out on Friday - all nice and bundled up - for a little walk.  She was so excited to be out!  However, people didn't approve.  Many asked if I needed a ride home.  I guess they don't understand the toddler's need for exercise and the mama's need for the toddler to be outside for even a few minutes.  

Christmas Day

The family wanted to wake up at 5 am to open presents.  Seriously?  That's CRAZY!  I don't wake Rebekah for nothing! Go ahead, let the comments fly:  Scrooge - Grinch, whatever.  I'll agree with you.  And I even feel mildly bad about it.  I suggested they could get started without me and Rebekah.  But it was decided to wait until Reka woke.  

Around 8 Rebekah started stirring so Don and I coaxed her into an awake / anticipating presents state.  When asked "what do you think Santa brought for you?" she replied, "keys."  

And indeed, Rebekah FINALLY got her "car to drive."

She has been asking for that since August  

Paige scored a new outfit

Rebekah scored a Zebra hoody

Nana got Reka a barn 

There were stockings for Rebekah

and Paige

Don had to help get the well packed items out

He also got some gifts of his own

There was much family bonding

Grandma had one more photo shoot with her great grandchild

Then there was the eating of the sweet rolls.  

Forgot to take a picture before, but here's the dent we made.

After the morning festivities, Rebekah and I cleaned up while Don got the crew to the airport

Rebekah sported her new zebra wear

Then Rebekah found some more presents:

a playground from grandma great (my grandma Barney)

A doll from grandma

and a tractor from grandma and Frank

Needless to say, she scored big!

Christmas Eve's Photo Session

Introducing the Donald Ray Walker Jr Family

Kayle got us started and set the general mood:

The kids

Paul, Kayla, and Rebekah

(Paul's shirt is a little wet.  Yeah, we know.)

Striking a pose

The whole family

Josh, Kayla, Paige, Paul, mom, Frank, Rebekah, me, and Don

Kayle, Paige, and Josh

Four Generation

Don, Kayla, Paige, and Mom

The Donald Ray Walker Jr family

Paul, Josh, Kayla, Paige, Mom, Rebekah, me, and Don

(sorry about the toddler belly - still learning mama duties ie: pulling down shirt when holding toddler)

And here's us

Don, Rebekah, and me

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning there was much playing in the ball pit:

Don and Kayla and Josh went out to do some last last-minute Christmas shopping while the rest of us stayed warm inside.  I spent the day in the kitchen making food - which included a frustrating experience with a unwilling bread maker.  

Christmas Eve, mom Walker prepared a wonderful spread of finger foods for the family.  I participated some by making my mother's nacho cheese and my sister in law's cranberry salsa.

Reka was first in line and ready to sample everything

Fork in hand - or rather mouth

The family

Then while we were talking Rebekah went into the living room and found her present from Aunt Courtney.  She helped herself.

I figured I'd help her finish what she started

Then there was a photo shoot to capture the essence of the Donald R Walker Jr family.  More on that later, but here's a few of the practice shots:

She sure does a nice close up

Mom and Frank

Mom and baby aka Kayla and Paige

Rebekah practiced her photography skills too:

It helps if you lean in...

That evening we participated in Kayla, Josh, and Paul's tradition of opening PJ's on Christmas Eve.  

Paige's cute Christmas PJ's

Paul got some camouflage PJ pants

Kayla some sweats

Josh some shorts

And Reka?  No PJ's but she opened a new tablet from her grandma.