Little Walter is 3

I can't believe that my little baby is 3. Sure, he was born a long time ago and I have had another baby since then, but three years just doesn't seem right.
He was really starting to understand the idea of a birthday party this time around so I thought it would be fun to have his friends over for a BBQ and some play time. There were about 35 people total and it was a lot of fun. The kids ran themselves ragged and were a bunch of big sweat balls by the end of the party. Walter went to sleep very easily that night.
I am grateful for everyone that shared in the fun with us. We love you all.


It isn't a party unless you stick a kid in a garbage can. In this case it was Kobe. Poor kid.

Some of the party-goers in the back yard.

This is community candle-blowing. It's very popular around these parts.

Oh My Goodness

I don't often write about the conversations that I have with Little Walter, but this one was a winner.
He is standing on his chair in the living room spinning around in a circle with his arms in the air.

LW: I'm spinning like a man! I'm spinning like a man!
Me: You're spinning like a man?
LW: Yes, I am spinning like a man.
Me: (laughing hysterically)
LW: What's so funny about it?
Me: Nothing. I just think you're cute.
LW: (gives me a confused look) I just spin like a man.

Where did I find this kid? And, why is there never anyone around when this stuff happens?

P.S. Three new posts in one day? I rule.

Feasting Upon the Word

I left Ellie alone on her floor mat to play while I did the dishes. She was quiet for a good long time and I was thrilled. That was until I discovered this. That is the copy of the Ensign that I had left on the floor. I had never thought she would take the term "feasting upon the word" quite so literally.

P.S. Make sure you read the post below this one. It is new too.

Just Stuff

We all know that I am not the best at this blog updating thing. Well, now there is too much to catch up on so I will add a few pictures and try to tell you about them if I remember what they are.
Little Walter took swimming lessons at BC. He had a great time but all he really wanted to do was this. He was technically too young to attend the lessons but I neglected to mention that when I signed him up. Oops. Bad Stefanie. That could be why he was a total spaz during most of the lessons. Oh well, we will try lessons again next year and see how that goes.

I got a new camera in June so I spent (and still spend) a lot of time taking pictures of my kids. I tend to find some pose/thing/person that I want to photograph and then take about 11 million pictures of it. Everyone else would find my photo albums annoying but I find them, well, I find them a little annoying too. But that is just because I don't know what I am doing so all of my 11 million pictures are all a little off. Anyway, here are a few pictures from some of the photo shoots with the young'ns






We went to northern California for a dual wedding weekend of Jari & Kevin Doran and Tori & Dustin Garrett. They are my friend Michelle's mom and sister and I have known them since I was 11. Here is a pic of Tori and Dustin. I didn't get a pic of Jari and Kevin because a torrential downpour started in the middle of the reception and we had to leave (since all of our things were getting soaked in the bed of the truck) and I didn't get a chance to get pictures.

In case anyone was wondering my kids do like each other, sometimes.

Ellie now eats solid food. She is five months old and she's pretty cute if I do say so myself. At her last doctor appointment she weight 14 lbs. 10 oz. and was 26.5inches long. Of course this was a month ago so I am sure she is bigger now.

In addition to eating solid food she also likes to eat her feet. I hear this is a delicacy in some parts of the world.

This kid turns three years old in a week. Can you believe that? My little baby is going to be three. Weird. He is so handsome and he is a good helper. He loves to help me bake and he is always right at his daddy's side when he is doing projects around the house. He makes me laugh and he makes sure to tell me that he loves me "a million-billion fishy crackers".

Here is that husband of mine. He is such a good dad and I am quite fond of him. He is currently on his way up to Girls' camp to spend Bishopric Night with the girls. Our Bishop is out of town so Walter is stepping in. He is also the lucky guy who gets to tow the trailer that is full of camping equipment. In addition to his camping he is also still knee-deep in bathroom remodel projects. It has started to move along again but things like Girls' camp keep pulling him away from working. Oh well. It will get done and we will love it.




Wow, that was a lot of pictures. Until next time...

Other Pics

Little Walter playing with Ellie on her play mat.

Another cute picture from the father and sons' camp out.

She is doing pretty well with her tummy time. I can even get her to smile during the tummy time occasionally.

She was a little sleepy and really didn't care where I laid her down.

Little Walter is such a good big brother. The batteries had died on Ellie's swing so he decided to lay on the floor and use his foot to push her while he watched something on tv.

Father & Sons

I can hardly believe it, my little baby went on his first camp out. I can not believe that my boy is old enough and grown up enough to go camping without his mommy. Of course I am not a camper so if he is ever going to go it will have to be without me. The Walter's joined our ward for a father and sons/priesthood commemoration camp out. I was afraid that he wouldn't do well with going to sleep or being out in the dirt, but he did wonderfully. His friend Wyatt came and they had a good time running around the hiking trails and climbing on things. And we did discover, no surprise here, that he loves s'mores. That's my boy.


The boys getting ready to leave.

Walter and Wyatt running away.

Okay, is it just me or does Little Walter look like a clone of his daddy in this picture. I love that their mouths are held the same.

Kelsie and Cameron came into town for the weekend so Cam was able to go with the boys on their campout.

Two Month Check-up

Ellie had her check-up on Monday 4/27. She did really well. Of course she waited until we got to the waiting room to have a slight diaper blow out. Typical. She got four shots and one oral vaccination. I hated to hear her cry but she was better within minutes.

Here are her stats:
Height-23 3/4 inches
Weight-11lbs. 8 oz.
Head circumference-16 inches

She is in the 80th percentile of height and head and 50th percentile for weight. I was so excited that at this point my daughter is not a big beast like Little Walter was (he has always been in at least the 95th percentil for height and head).