Shout out to my bro Derek

This post is dedicated to Derek, as he has been faithfully checking my blog to see these pictures of Mark's fishing trip on the Clearwater in Northern Idaho. He was fishing for steelhead and apparently he was successful as I now have 2 GIANT fish in my freezer. Anyone know how to cook steelhead? We're ready for our fish fry! I wasn't there so I really can't give any fun facts about the trip, so i thought I would give my own interpretation of the pictures. Too bad Mark isn't here to intercept this post and put the real descriptions on the pictures!

I thought Mark was on vacay!?!?! He looks the same to me as when he is working, same coveralls, same sweatshirt. At least he didn't catch a case of homesickness as the weather obviously was reminding him of his chilly Arco home!

Doesn't this picture look like a picture that could belong in a Walker child's scrapbook? When we were young kids fishing at Warm River Dad would always have to hold our fish for our picture because they were so nasty for us to hold!


Okay, Mark really can hold his own fish. I had to post this pic to prove it. That last picture just brought back memories of our childhood so I had to write it!

Mark really did have fun and he caught his limit every day! He enjoyed having a guide to show him exactly where to through his line. He also thought it was pretty sweet to not have to fix his own snags.... the guide would just hand him a new pole! You can only keep the fish that have notches in the fins, the native fish have to be released. (the notched fins = hatchery fish). I can't see the notch in the pictures, so I will have to ask Mark to point that out to me.

Sicily's Birth Announcement

Here she is! These pictures were taken by my sister-in-law Jenna. She seems to be quite the photographer! We just love how the pictures turned out. Our little Sis is growing so much every day. She is 7 weeks now! She can find her fist, respond with a smile, play with her tongue, follow with her eyes, and find me (when I talk) in a room. She recognizes her dad, and loves to be snuggled (I love this because I know not all babies like that). She is pretty predictable, I think she has gotten into somewhat of a schedule. She only wakes up one time in the night, usually between 3:30 and 4:00; and she goes right back to sleep after being fed. We just love our easy going smiley baby! These pictures were taken when she was 2 weeks old. She can now hold up her own head. Mark thinks it will be funny to bless a baby that can hold up her own head, look around, make eye contact, and smile. Oh well! She was too little too take to church in September! Even though she is really growing and changing, she is still quite a petite little baby. She still wears newborn size clothes. She is especially skinny from the waist down. Thank goodness for diapers or the pants would never stay on! Those feet though, now there's another story! She has got some long feet! Oh how glad I am that those cute long feet are not inside me anymore!

A Dummys Guide on How To Tick Off The Primary Chorister

Today was supposed to be our Primary Program. I've been stressing out about getting the songs taught and having the children ready before I took the month of August off with the baby. This whole month we've been practicing hard and getting the kids ready for today. Before I went to bed last night I had the diaper bag packed, church clothes set out, alarms set, and the Primary Song Book ready to go. A half hour before we needed to leave we get a phone call saying that the power is off and so church is canceled. REALLY?!?! I could have kept my small newborn baby home from church a few extra weeks if I would have only known that our program wouldn't be until October!! Yes- I think it's safe to say that I'm ticked. Someone forgot to tell the power company that you don't mess with the Primary Chorister on the day of the Primary Program. It's just not a good idea. Since I don't personally know anyone at the power company, my dear husband and his brother Jared had the pleasure of listening to all my ranting and raving about the situation. Don't worry, Sicily slept "like a baby" through my whole explanation of why I was so annoyed.

It's That Time!!

I had to change my background for something appropriate for the season! We are attempting to start potato harvest tomorrow! Pretty exciting. It's funny how the first couple weeks are exciting and the last 2 weeks are torture! As the weather turns colder, so does my heart for harvest.

Sicily had her first parts run experience. Poor girl is going to have quite the life of going across the desert in search of parts. I thought it would be nice to get out and told Mark we'd ride with him to Idaho Falls in search of a part for the combine. We got to the JD store and found out they had the wrong part for us. Rexburg didn't have it, Blackfoot had 1 piece we needed. We drove to Blackfoot to get that part, on the way to Blackfoot we got a call back saying Tremonton had the part. They are the only JD store to carry the part for STATES around. I guess driving to Tremonton is faster than waiting for a part to come in the mail on a holiday weekend. So, long story short, Sicily had her first trip to Utah also! (Thanks Uncle Frank for your help getting phone numbers!)

Anyway, better to learn right off how "chasing" parts really is. Even if you have the part or better yet the husband in need of the part; you can't just walk into the first store and get the right thing. It just doesn't happen that way. And if it does happen that way for you, please call me and tell me what I'm doing wrong!!! I'll most likely need any "parts chasing advice" starting tomorrow with harvest starting. Yay for potatoes! (Okay that last sentence really was serious, not sarcastic like it could be interpreted. Really, who doesn't like potatoes?!)

Stay tuned for a post about our experience today with the Arco Fire Station. Who knew being a "stay at home mom" would be so adventerous???

Remember This???

If someone asked me what the happiest day of my life so far was, it would be on this day, 4 years ago! I was so lucky to marry the love of my life, and just like everyone told me, my love for him grows more each and every day! But, especially today when he came home for lunch and didn't even think about eating until he held baby "Sis" (that's what we've been calling her) and gave her kisses. Wow, happy anniversary to me. I'll cherish that picture for the rest of my life. Happy day! Sicily slept all through the night minus getting up to eat 1 time. She eats every 3 hours on the dot, making it easy to plan my day! She's pretty fun!

Sicily Telford

Well, finally an update! We had our baby, Sicily, on Aug. 17, so she is 1 week old today! And that week flew by! I started having contractions Sunday night about 10:00, and we went to the hospital Monday morning around 7:30. I was waiting all night for those contractions to get 5 minutes apart, and it just never happened. Finally we went to the hospital and I was already to a 7. Sicily was born at 1:26 pm, weighed 7 lbs even, and was 19 inches long. She has already brought us so much joy, and we are glad to be back into somewhat of a normal routine as I am living in Arco again! I could not figure out why I had so much mail and bills piled up when I got home, but then I realized I was gone for 15 days! A lot can happen in 15 days! I really appreciated having my mom and Kimaree take such good care of me while I was in Rexburg. They helped to distract me, and then nursed me back to health. Sicily and I were spoiled rotten! Here are a few pictures we have taken so far!

One happy dad!

(Mark hurt his arm motorbiking, so that is what is going on with the brace. Really! It wasn't because I was squeezing his hand that hard.)

10 fingers and 10 toes

We have been really entertained by how LONG Sicily's fingers and feet are! We are guessing she will be really tall like my sisters! She is always stretching out those fingers and she curves all 10 fingers up (like the backwards double-jointed up). It's really funny. She looks like she is always trying to show off her manicure or something dainty like that.

Tanning

We were worried one morning that Sicily was looking a little yellow, so Kimaree took her out and showed her the ways of the sun bathing world. It must have worked because the Dr. says no signs of jaundice are present! Yay! (Do those arms and legs look long or is it just me?)

Looking like a Walker?

Well, we don't know for sure, but we think Sicily looks just like my dad with a Telford nose. We'll have to see how she grows and changes, but so far we think Walker traits are what she's got! She was born without any major scratches or bumps other than her chin, which is almost cleared up! She's looking different every day!

40 Weeks!

M'Lisa just called me today and informed me that my baby countdown says it is Go Time! I was just wondering how you get that message to the baby?!?! Any tips? All in all I'm doing good, and considering the fact that I've now been pregnant for 40 weeks which is actually 10 months, not 9, I think I still have a pretty positive attitude! I do know that this can't last forever, so keep checking the blog and we'll post pictures WHEN baby girl does decide to come. We're pretty excited! Thanks everyone for your encouraging calls and texts! We have a pretty big support system!