Potty Training - Day 2!

Today was day 2 of our mission to say bye-bye to diapers in the Walter house! Yesterday did not go great... after our initial success in the AM, we went through 3 Pull Ups before mommy decided that wasn't working. After naptime we went to training undies, and while there was no more pee-pee in the potty, he did manage to keep them dry for the hour he had them on.

Since we were going to the gym this morning, I decided undies were not an option. He really wanted a Cars Pull Up again, so we went with it. We tried the potty a couple of times, but nothing came out.

Then... after naptime, he really wanted the undies again! We did have 3 total pee-pees in the potty, but also managed to go through 3 pairs of undies. After peeing in the potty, he seemed more upset about peeing in his undies, and even managed to stop, mommy helped him to the potty, and he finished in there.

Okay, that's a lot of detail, but any of you who have been through this before know every little step is HUGE and worth celebrating!! I admit I was discouraged after yesterday, but am ready to pull up the bootstraps again tomorrow and see how far we can get. Who knows, we may be in undies by next week... or at least by the end of the summer.

GREAT JOB, ANDREW!!

Potty Training - Day 1

I decided today is the day to officially start potty training with Andrew. I'm tired of diapers... and I waited too long with Amanda, so I'm determined to be more proactive this time.

First thing this morning, I had him sit on the potty before I would put a diaper on him. It took a bit of convincing, but finally he did. In order to get him to stay there, I had to pull out a jelly bean... but he was so distracted by it that he did it - he went pee-pee in the potty! I know, it's a little early to celebrate, he's done it before. But as a reward he gets to wear a Cars Pull-Up, and he's very excited about that.

No pictures... but I'll keep you updated, as this is sure to be the center of my world for the next few days at least!!

Our Fun-Filled Weekend!

We had a very exciting weekend with lots of fun activities...

Amanda takes a picture of Mommy & Daddy at the zoo!

It started with a special visit from our Washington friends - Ryan, Julie, Jeremiah, and Nathan. It's been many, many months since we've seen them, and it was their first time to our Oregon home, so we were thrilled that they took some time on their way to Sun River to visit!!

We really do miss sharing our lives with you guys... but there is something to be said for friends you have shared so much with, it's like there was no time from the last time we saw you!! (You know what I mean?) We hope you had a great time in Sun River with your family, and we'll see you when we come up in August.

On Saturday it was time for a big SURPRISE PARTY honoring Miss Pennie - planned by Lew and hosted by us. We had about 35 people from our family and her family, including 12 kids. We decided this would be a great time to put in a gate between our backyard and Lisa's - and it worked out wonderfully to have that open for the kids to play next door! As Amanda, Pennie, and I were headed to the backyard for the big surprise, Amanda almost blew it... saying "all of our friends are already here"... OOPS! I quickly ushered her away from us and distracted Pennie, so that Lew could get Grandma into the backyard.

The passage way to the neighbors... there is now a gate, but we like the easy access!

It was a blessing to be able to host everyone, including Grandma Walter, neighbors, cousins, aunts, uncles - as well as Pennie's parents, all 3 of her children, and her 2 adorable granddaughters. The fact that we officially invited around 30, and 35 actually showed up - I think this was a testament to how much people care about and appreciate her. I know that's how we feel!

Sunday morning we headed to Portland with the neighbors for little overnight trip. We went straight to Ikea, then to the hotel for naps (Colin & Lisa) and swimming (the rest of us). We had a nice dinner out, more swimming, then finally settled into our own rooms for the evening.

Monday morning was a flurry of activity getting everything packed back up, then heading to the Zoo! It was a fun day with lots of animals, dinosaurs, a train ride... and topped off with ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. We're so lucky to have great friends to do fun things with... we look forward to the next adventure!!

Mark, the bird whisperer (it actually hopped up onto his hat and then flew away!)

Amanda & Daddy on the zoo train; Mommy & Andrew in front of the elephants

After the initial shock of the dinosaurs, Amanda settles in...

she thinks the baby ones are "so cute"!

Mark and the kids measure up to see who's as big as the bears!

The kids all search for the sea lions... one of mommy's favorites of the day!

And finally... ice cream at Ben & Jerry's!

For some reason, Andrew kept wanting to know if we'd see a crocodile at the zoo...

thankfully there was one there!

More Fun Times!

Last Wednesday was Amanda's last swim lesson for the session, and after a teary time Monday and some "incentives" (ie: threats), she was MUCH better this time around. I got some great videos of her. She may never be an amazing swimmer, but she is at least trying and having fun!

After swim lessons, we went to a local park to Touch-a-Truck. There were all sorts of vehicles to check out - garbage truck, city bus, mail truck, semi-truck, SWAT truck, police motorcycles, and more. The kids could all climb into the trucks, look around, and even drive. A lot of kids found the horns, so it was a bit noisy, but everyone had fun!

Look for pictures from our Portland trip this weekend ... coming soon!

VBS Wrap Up

Okay, I'm a few days late... but I'm finally getting to it!





Last Friday was the last day of VBS, and there was a little performance Friday night. The kids all had a great time, and the performance was really cute. We topped the evening off with ice cream sundaes. Thanks again to Lisa for taking Amanda! (For more details on the VBS fun, check out Lisa's blog.)

Amanda enjoys making her treasure box at VBS!

Amanda, Lauren, Alyssa (Lisa's niece), and Colin pose before the big performance!

Ready for the show - Look at all those kids!

Aaron's dad instructs Andrew in the fine craft of Rock Drawings!

The girls give us a sneak preview of VBS!

Calling All Heroes (I can do all things through Christ)!

Andrew and Colin's Day of FUN!

Today was my last day of taking care of Colin while Lisa took the girls to VBS. For the most part we had a great week... Colin was even jokingly calling me "mommy" at the end of the day! (Sorry, Lisa - but you know he loves you the MOST =D).

Anyway, we had quite an adventure today. We started off the day with a lovely tea party in the playroom while I had my coffee and homemade chocolate chip scone (thanks to Lisa & Aaron).

We then went on a long walk to Grandma Walter's, which is probably a little over 1 mile away. Just across the street is a little pasture with real live horses and llamas (and yes, that IS a school in the background). The llama was looking right at us! Grandma has some decorative deer in front of her house, and the boys enjoyed saying hello!

Next we went to the school (the one behind the llamas and horses) and played at the playground. This is not the school our kids will go to, so we hadn't been here before - it turned out to be a GREAT place for the boys to play!

Our little monkeys in action!

Say cheese!

Best buddies!

After our walk home and a very quick shower - so my house wouldn't be destroyed - we headed out to lunch at McDonald's. It was a VERY fun day - and Lisa, despite a few cranky moments, we really did have a great time with Colin this week!!

PS - I just learned that you can enlarge the blog pictures just by clicking on them!

Yes, Lord!

Sorry, no pictures today... but some fun things to report!

Amanda has had the honor of joining Lauren at VBS this week at Lisa's church. Lisa is in charge of crafts - I was her willing assistant in helping to assemble 500 crafts-worth of projects!
Since she is taking Amanda to VBS in the mornings, I am in charge of Colin. We're having so much fun! You can check out Lisa's blog for some fun videos and pix from this week at VBS.

Today at VBS, Amanda accepted Jesus as her savior! She came home with a kids version of the Gospel of John, inscribed with a note from the VBS director and today's date. We are very excited!! She may not completely understand (in fact, when you ask her what it means to have Christ as her savior, she says she forgets!), but we have time to build on that foundation and we are thrilled that she has taken this first step.

Also of note, after a year of feeling like we're in limbo as far as church, ministry, and life in general, the Lord has ignited a passion within me (with some help from my neighbors) to use my spiritual gifts for 2 specific ministries - helping my friend Maryn organize a neighborhood couples Bible study, and starting a Moms In Touch group for Amanda's school. I'm so excited about both of these, how it will help my relationship with God and my husband grow, and learning to be a true prayer warrior for my children and our community.

Have a great week, and enjoy the sunshine!!

Our Fun Fourth!

We hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration... let me tell you about ours!

Mark started the day with a couple of hours of racquetball (of course!), then we headed out to Camp Harlow, which is a summer camp owned by our church. They have an annual event out there with miniature golf, swimming pool, zip line, bumper boats, horses, and more... including a live marching band and free BBQ lunch. It's a Walter family tradition - and this year we included our neighbors. Aaron had to work, but Lisa brought the kids and we had a great time.





*Andrew & Colin eat; Daddy & Andrew brave the fast slide; Lauren & Amanda enjoying their lunch*

Grandpa and Miss Pennie showed up about an hour after us, and brought Cheetos and bubbles for the kids!




*Miss Pennie helps Andrew blow bubbles; Amanda & Lauren see who can blow the biggest bubble; Grandpa & Miss Pennie take Andrew on a bumpy firetruck ride*

After lunch, Lisa headed home for naptime; Andrew went with Grandpa and Miss Pennie to see the horses; and I took the girls swimming. Lauren and I went down the water slide about 6 times, and I have an injured elbow to show for it. Both of the girls are becoming much more comfortable in the water - thanks again to Tasha at the club for helping our girls become swimmers! We also went on a ride on an antique fire truck - it was bumpy, but fun.

We came home for a quick nap/rest, then it was over to Aaron and Lisa's for food, folks, and fun! Aaron is a master BBQ'er and treated us to BBQ chicken and sausages. Lisa and I came up with a red, white, and blue appetizer using our fresh grown blueberries, yummy strawberries, and an amazing (sugar-free, fat-free) marshmellow and cream cheese fruit dip. Lisa also did a great job with the decorations and keeping the festivities going. In attendance were Lisa's parents & grandma, Aaron's parents & uncle, and they graciously invited Grandpa and Miss Pennie.



*Andrew & Colin contemplate the fountain; Mark & Grandpa enjoy the BBQ; Andrew & Colin caged in watching the Papa's play frisbee*

For dessert, Lisa had concocted a yummy peanut butter/brownie dessert, and Lew (Grandpa) treated us to homemade ice cream with his new ice cream maker. YUM!!


*The kids line up for the show; It's getting colder, everyone gets their jackets & blankets; Mark & Aaron enjoy homemade ice cream*

We then lined up out front for fireworks. We did a few sparklers before giving the kids a bath and putting the boys to bed. Andrew was not too fond of the fireworks - maybe he'll become a fireman! Once it was a little darker we set off the rest of the fireworks, along with many of our neighbors. This is a little strange to me, because where we're from I don't think you're allowed to do fireworks in your neighborhood - but we're getting used to it, and it's nice not to have to head out again to go to a fireworks show.


*Lisa and I are always the ones taking the pictures... so here's a picture of Lisa; the girls try out the sparklers that Gigi (great-grandma) brought*

We had a great time and made lots of fun memories! We hope you enjoyed your Fourth and found joy in celebrating our great nation's birthday!!

It's a Boy!

Mark's brother and his wife are expecting in mid-November. We just found out that they will be adding another bouncing baby boy to the Walter family! This will be the first official cousin on the Walter side of the family. (The other cousins we refer to are actually Mark's cousin's kiddos.)


Congratulations, you guys... we can't wait for you to experience the fun of having a little one to love and chase after. =D

We've added them to our blog-roll, so you can keep updated on Kat's progress and all the baby boy news!

Fresh Organic Blueberries!

In the back corner of our backyard, we have 3 AMAZING blueberry bushes. They are full of berries right now, and this heat wave is making them ripen quickly. Just 2 nights ago I picked a small bowl full - enough for dinner. Amanda and I headed back outside this afternoon, and filled about half of a 1-gallon bag. It's going to take some work to keep up with this - just another benefit of coming to visit our family! (We'll be selling them out front on the weekends!)

Our Little Swimmer!

Today was Amanda's final swim lesson for the current session, which was only 2 weeks. After a horrible day Monday where she wouldn't try anything and almost needed a paper bag to breathe into, today was the complete opposite! Yes, I bribed her with swimming at the Camp Harlow pool... but it worked, and we are SO PROUD of her.

Right away, she did a back float all by herself - no help, no swim noodle, no life jacket!! She is very good at relaxing, and Tasha just kept talking to her and distracting her - before you know it, Tasha is showing us both hands and smiling!

Amanda is tall and a good jumper... I tried to catch her in the air but wasn't quite fast enough. She doesn't realize how far she can jump - so Tasha stands close enough that Amanda feels comfortable, then has to quickly back up and catch Amanda, who almost jumps past her!

Amanda swims by herself! It doesn't look like much, but it's a start!

She has gotten much more comfortable with going under water and holding her breath. I can't believe that just a month ago she would hyperventilate if she had to get her face wet. (The goggles look a little funny, but they do help.)

Way to go, Amanda!

After swim lessons, we all went out to McDonald's today. And when I say all, I mean ALL - mommy, Amanda & Andrew, cousins Emma & Forrest, and Lisa, Lauren & Colin. This has become a regular event for us - we brave it about once a month - we even have our "own" table.

There is nothing quite as satisfying and 6 kids sitting still(ish) and eating... Ahhh...!