Life and Times of the Walkers: June 2008

At Land Between the Lakes, there is a small little area dammed off called Energy Lake. There is lots of fishing and you can rent canoes quite cheaply. So we decided to have our try at canoing. Claire loved it, but wanted to sit in a "big seat" and Rachel didn't care much for it. She stopped fussing and screaming when I let her lean over the edge and drag her hand in the water. I had to hold on to her the whole time, so Paul pretty much did the work. We then wanted to swim because we were pretty hot and there weren't any beaches unless you were camping there, so we found just a little bit of shore to pull the canoe up to and swim. The water was refreshing, kind of muddy and murky, but still felt good. I was the only one not to get my mouth in the water or full of water and the next day, I was the only one who didn't have diarrhea! So maybe, we will stick to canoing and fishing if we are feeling adventurous on this lake.

Rachel and Claire, ready to paddle!

Paul ended up being the lone paddler. The rest of us just enjoyed the ride.

I wanted to give a few highlights from our trip to Oregon and Utah this spring. What a trip it was!

Starting out our journey west, we had to make sure we had enough fluids to sustain us.

Do you think this will keep Claire hydrated? (and strong from carrying it?)

The trip wouldn't be complete without Flat Stanley along for the ride. There was room for him, but just barely!

We ate our lunches at rest stops along the way. Time to eat....

...stretch our legs, do a little dancing if we wanted....

...or sit down, not in a carseat!!

We passed lots of interesting towns along the way including this one!

Too bad we didn't have time to actually check out the prairie dogs digs.

Rachel was in charge of making all the big calls to people. It kept her entertained for quite awhile (maybe all of 15 minutes)

Our first multi-night stay destination was Klamath Falls, Oregon. J.J.'s good ol' home town.

While there we were able to visit with friends including Gretchen Charlton and her family. The girls love to see all the friends and family.

Ruby Charton showed off her soccer skills.

Millie showed off her trampoline skills.

Lily Charlton gave us her best beautiful smile!

And Ruby didn't want to be outdone.

Rachel was just interested in the sprinkler.

And the two Walker girls just ended up wet.

We had beautiful weather while we were there and spent an afternoon at the park. Even Aunt Kari came to visit during her lunch hour and Poppa Ken and Paul came after golfing of course.

There are only a limited number of swings, so they had to do double duty.
Rachel and Tilly (Rob and Cornelea's boy) didn't seem to mind a bit.

Isn't he a cutie pie? Though I think he is taking up more than his half of the swing.

Claire and Isa (Rob and Cornelea's daughter) shared one also. I don't think their swing was any more crowded than Rachel and Tilly's, since they both are skinny minnies.

Rachel was one cool chick going down the slide.

Aunt Cornelea always takes good care of the girls. - Aunt Cornelea, Rachel and Isabella

Poppa Ken is always good for a little wrestling.

And, after a bit, it just got to be a bit much for the Til-man, who took a good rest in the shade of a car seat.

Look at those legs. I could just eat them up.

Rachel loves spaghetti, and some boogers to go with it.

Millie and Claire were checking out a neighborhood dog through the safety of Grammy's screen door.

Poppa Ken is always good for some good food, whether it be Oreos or Ice Cream or anything in between.
Chocolate ice cream this night was a big hit. Claire always likes to leave a bit for licking off later.

Sadie, the dog, sure enjoys the girls having ice cream too.

We always make a few trips up to see Poppa Bob at his apartment too.
Claire, Poppa Bob, J.J. and Rachel

Poppa Bob and the girls.

It was sunny and warm while in Klamath Falls, and the big pool wasn't quite ready, so we improvised with a little pool and the girls seemed to have just as much fun!

Ta Da! Look at my new suit!

A lot of playing can really wear a girl out.

Claire is ready for her close-up.

I wasn't quite so ready.

Isa, Millie, and Claire jumped right in - plenty of room for everyone!

Isa proves there is always time for a potato chip break!

Or, as Claire proves, you can just eat them right in the pool.

Millie prefers, the lawn chairs.

Nico, was brave and checked out the cold water of the big pool.

And then found a warm sunny spot on Grammy Judy's lap.

Even Sadie came out to enjoy the sun.

They could be in there all day!

J.J. and her beautiful niece, Nicolette.

Doesn't matter how deep the water is, you may always need to cover your eyes and plug your nose.

Finally, even I joined in on the fun - a girl has got to cool off!

When you are tired of the pool, there is always a spot on Grammy Judy's chair.

Nicolette is always a bathing beauty.

There is always room for one more on Grammy Judy's lap.

After Oregon, we were on to Utah.

While in Salt Lake City, we went to temple square and enjoyed the pretty sites.

Claire and Paul in the tabernacle.

Claire had a good time in the church museums.

Rachel wanted an up close view of the exhibits.

Claire was very excited to go up into "space" and see Jesus. She even pointed out the "Milky Way" in all the stars on the wall.

Claire is a good reminder to always stop and smell the roses (literally).

We camped out at the Big Rock Candy Mountain for Grandma Walker's family reunion. It was cold, but we all had fun.

Sometimes there is no better place than grandma, grandpa, or even an uncle's lap.

Claire got her dog fix in by walking two of the dogs that were at the camp. They were very well behaved and very tolerant of her pulling them around.

Rachel enjoyed a few minutes of sunshine.

Claire became a real monkey climbing the trees.
She started off a little timid, but quickly was climbing everything in site.

I thought Rachel was taking a nap in the tent and when I went to check on her, this is what I found.

The leather on these gloves was quite tasty.

Sometimes, you just need to chill out in the van where it is quiet.

Rachel loves hats!

A river ran right next to the campground. You could do some kayaking, but it was too cold while we were there.

Claire found lots of new friends while at the reunion. This is her friend named Jubilee.

The fun isn't over just because you are in your pajamas.

It was pretty chilly and everyone had to bundle up in the evenings to keep warm.

This was the "Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort" we stayed at. The mountain was pretty interesting to look at. Don't think it was the original from the song, but it was still pretty cool.

Claire and Rachel thought it was fun to look out the screen while sitting on Grandma's window seat in Monticello.

Grandma Walker has a tea set that Claire loves to play with. She sometimes has a tea party with the little girl across the street, but if she isn's available, her babies are always willing to join in the fun.

One day in Monticello was spent at Wind Whistle Campground. The girls really enjoyed climbing on all the rocks and playing in the hole, making their mommy very nervous.

Claire, Grandma Walker and Rachel sitting in the hole.

(and Flat Stanley of course)

Claire enjoyed playing in the mud in the hole also.

The Walker family - Paul, J.J., Rachel and Claire.

Rachel wanted her turn in the hole too.

Grandma Walker, Rachel, Claire and Grandpa Walker.

On top of the rock, it was pretty windy, making J.J. a very nervous mother. "Hurry up take the picture and get my babies away from the edge!"

Rachel loved the hiking.

And Claire loved to take breaks too!

My two sweet girls!

While in Monticello, Paul's mom found this little framed picture he had as a boy.

As many times as we drove back and forth between Flagstaff and Monticello, we never took pictures of the beautiful scenery along the way.

Our long hours in the car were spent in many different ways.

Manicuring our nails....

Playing peek-a-boo....

Reading...

Tickling....

and chillin...

Our drive home started with our first night in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Our trip out west was freezing cold (bundled up like it was winter) and our trip back east was hot (kicking off all the covers)! No relief for the weary.

We made another stop in Oklahoma at a Route 66 Museum. We didn't actually go in the museum, we just made use of the rest area outside. It was getting hotter and hotter along the way, and Rachel wasn't feeling up to par.

Our last night we stayed somewhere in Arkansas, and from the look on Claire's face and cowering Flat Stanley, you can tell what kind of place it was. Actually, it wasn't that bad, except for the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life in the women's bathroom and the thousands of babies surrounding her along with it being sweltering hot and sticky!! And of course the swampy "river" sitting beside us.

Our last day of driving we decided to take some back roads to Murray. We went through some really pretty country and some crazy roads.

We stopped at a park by the Buffalo River to have lunch and take a break. The girls were very happy to get out of the car and run. (These are two of my favorite pictures)