Family Update!

I finally figured out how to load photos onto the blog using Windows 8!!!

 We are enjoying our new home and neighborhood.  We have very friendly and some of our neighbors are also very watchful.  A word to the wise do not toilet paper our home or car unless you want a visit from the Puyallup Police Department. (A few years ago we had some youth toilet paper our car)  We have an older neighbor who stays up all night and closely monitors the area.  She recently hosed down Zachary and Isabella when they screamed because they discovered a snake under a rock in one of the empty lots.  Needless to say, our watchful neighbor is adjusting to The Walker Family.  Our other neighbors on the other hand, are very considerate and thoughtful.  The other day when Bella was sick my next door neighbor mowed and edged the yard.  She also has helped me with the flower beds and other plants.  She is very friendly and nice.

We have been doing some home improvement projects and slowly getting settled.  The kiddos are finishing up the school year in Kent and are getting excited to begin their new school in the fall.  Kirk is adjusting to the commute and has figured out about three shortcuts up to the college.  I have been busy helping the kiddos adjust and taking them up to school.

As far as the bleed recovery as usual it is coming along.  I have my good and bad days.  As you will see in the blog I went on a five mile walk that was challenging for me, but I did it.  Right now I'm still working on recognizing when my brain and body are fatigued.  Seriously I have missed some of my activities that I could do with ease prior to the bleed. However, each week, month, and since I'm almost to my second year, each year I can see the gains that I'm making.  I still miss pieces of my old self and yet still embracing pieces of my new self it is a work in progress.

Enjoy our photos!!!! 

The Pinewood Derby Car and Car Display

We are slowly finding Zach's car stuff, but about a month ago was the pinewood derby.  Zach's car was spray painted blue followed by sparkle nail polish.  It really made it shine.  Below is his growing display of cars and big rigs in his bedroom.

More projects

We finished painting these cute white shelves.  One is going in Isabella's bedroom and the other two in the Master

Some may have already seen this, but over spring break the kiddos and I did a floral arrangement for the wall cutout in the entrance way.

The above quote went through my head several times on this 5 mile walk in 82 degree weather.  Needless to say, one of Kirk's coworker's told him about this walk near Olympia.  In fact, she told him about it last year and lets just say there is no way that I could have done this last year; however, I did it this year but paid the price in fatigue.  Prior to the bleed this would have been a piece of cake, but post bleed this was one of the toughest exercise activities I have done, but I accomplished it along with learning some lessons.  Lesson number one is my workouts are a lot better in an air conditioned gym.  Lesson 2 If I do something similar again take an extra beta blocker to avoid post exercise headaches.  Lesson 3 Just do not bring water on this walk, but you better have some Gatorade.  Finally try new activities but recognize my limitations and listen to my body!

 

Here are some of the photos.  As you can see this is a very long boardwalk and before you even get to the boardwalk you walk on paved and gravel road for a while.  Lets just say Zachary and Isabella said that they never want to do this again.

The boardwalk

The kiddos spent most of the walk up on the shoulders!

Part of Puget Sound!  The kiddos were not impressed because they did not see any marine animals.

Once we reached the end of the boardwalk we zoomed in on Puget Sound.  You can see some really pretty birds.

One of the ponds

Another view of the boardwalk

The highlight for Isabella a butterfly!

More shoulder riding

The beginning of the boardwalk.  The boardwalk is so long that there was no way I could capture a photo of the entire thing.

The Kiddos and I at the end of the walk!  We were a very tired and cranky bunch!

Home Improvements

Pantry that is getting organized.

The new couch of course we have a few toys out.

I have not found all of my books yet, but we decided to make a reading nook in our Master' bedroom.
 

I found this cute little table and repainted it.

Christmas Cactus that we got after Kirk's mom passed away.  I seriously thought it was dead but my next door neighbor repotted it and saved it.  Kirk was so happy!

Our next door neighbor is retired so she came over and helped us plant strawberries and some other flowering plants.  The kiddos have enjoyed watching them grow! 

The Car Report

Zach  came home and told me that he was writing a report at school about cars.  He is intently reading the Mustang book to look for car facts.  This is going to be a long report!

The Poms Poms

Isabella wanted Poms Poms to hang in her bedroom. So I made her these.  I'm going to use fishing line and thumb tacks and hang them from the ceiling she is so excited!!!!!

So True!

One of my friend's sent me this because I was complaining to her how regardless where I was the kiddos are always able to find me!

The Lock Out!

At 8:30 one morning the kiddos and I locked ourselves out of the house.  Thankfully we did not close the garage!  As we were waiting for Kirk to come home Zach decided it was time to ride his bike!  He thought that morning was great!

Happy 5th Isabella!!!

The School Music Program

Zachary got chosen to be an Army Ant in the school musical.  Zach typically does not enjoy music but when he got chosen for a part he was so excited!  I have never heard him sing that much before!  He did an awesome job!

Doing their actions

Zach and the others enjoyed singing their army ant song.

Walruses, Baby Tigers, Sting Rays and Sharks!

Looking at the Sting Ray Exhibit



Flowers at the zoo



Isabella's favorite animal The Walrus

Isabella had fun touching the sting rays, posing in front of the sand sharks, looking at the new baby tiger and watching her drink from a bottle and touching the turtle.

Our Flowers and I'm actually keeping them Alive!

Isabella found a red butterfly

Holding the butterfly

Last week we planted a bunch of seeds and now we have some growth