Look Who's Getting Bigger!

Happy 4 week birthday to little Hayes!

(I think I'm his favorite aunt...)

I love snow days!

Now, being a teacher has its perks.  Snow days are definitely at the top of the list!  Some say that I'll regret this come June, but I don't think I will.

I'm home for the second day in a row, and I couldn't be more excited.  I'm like a little kid--snow days make me giddy.

From the looks of things, I may have a few more days to come...

The Year in Review

2009 was a good year!

January:  We rang in the New Year with a little bowling in Mountain Home.  I headed back to school to finish the second half of the MAT, started my action research project, had an ice storm, and missed a week of school.

February:  We celebrated the upcoming wedding of Mikki and Sean with a couple's shower and made homemade gifts for Valentine's Day.

March:  Mikki got married, and my mom and I took a spring shopping trip to Dallas.  I started my last internship placement in 1st grade and loved every minute of it!

April:  We journeyed to St. Louis to take in a Cardinals game (a belated Christmas gift), and I presented my action research project (whew!).  Mel had a birthday!

May:  I graduated and officially finished my school career!  Amy turned another year older.  Rest and relaxation filled my days for the rest of the month.

June:  We found out that "Baby Lucy" was on the way, journeyed to Mountain Home for the annual fireworks extravaganza, and I got my first teaching job at Willis Shaw Elementary.  I also went my first ride in a police car (not arrested, mind you).

July:  We loaded up and took a family vacation to Seacrest, Florida, took a girl's trip to Austin, and enjoyed summer to the fullest.  We also rented a cabin in The-Middle-of-Nowhere, Arkansas for a girls' weekend getaway.

August:  I celebrated my 23rd birthday, worked like crazy to get my classroom ready (with the help of a nice boy), and started teaching 23 crazy 3rd graders.  Kate also got a bit older.  Three of my best friends moved away (insert tears here...)

September:  We watched a little football, and I settled into the routine of a "workin' girl."  I also survived my first round of parent-teacher conferences.

October:  We watched more football, celebrated Rachel's birthday, and welcomed two friends back home for visits.  Erin had some baby showers.  Mikki had a birthday!  Will turned ANOTHER year older, and we found out that the Hopper House was expanding by one tiny member.  I went to school as a scarecrow for Halloween.

November:  I got a new camera, started documenting every moment of life, and prepared for "Baby Lucy's" arrival.  Annie celebrated a birthday!  Brooke and Reece got engaged!  I had a WHOLE LOT to be thankful for this year.

December:  Baby Lucy turned out to be a sweet baby boy.  I fell in love with Baby Hayes.  I loved every minute of Christmas break and prayed for a speedy recovery for Will's dear Muh.  Lots of time was spent catching up with those friends who have moved away--loved this!  We finished the year with a night of games in Mountain Home.

Merry Christmas!

Tis the season to look at the lights on the square with a handsome boy

and celebrate Jesus's birthday with my favorite little baby!

We had a great Christmas (minus some family members stuck due to the weather) and can't wait for the new year!  Now, I've got to come up with my resolutions...

God Has a Sense of Humor

No matter how much we plan and analyze, He always has a bigger and better plan in store.

The scene in the hospital room (don't worry--I was present for everything, and it wasn't that bad at all.  I decided not to rule out kids just yet...Erin was worried this experience might be too much to handle, but I couldn't resist being the official photographer) went from this

to this

in a matter of minutes.  I couldn't believe my ears when the baby nurse said, "What a beautiful baby boy!"  What??? A boy???  We were expecting a girl (and I say "we" like it is my child)...

We broke the news to our families with a hastily made well-designed shirt that read "I heart Hayes".  (They are almost positive that this is his name--I'll keep you posted).  They could not believe it and demanded to see pictures.  Good thing I was the photographer.

Oh but he is a heartbreaker.  

The girls will be swooning soon.

They could eat him up (and I might too)!

After all the excitement, he needed a little rest.

Walker family photo

Just call me Aunt Jen (still searching for the perfect aunt name)--I look like a natural!

Even Will got in on the action

I can't wait to see him tomorrow!  I'm wanting to play hookey, but I guess I'll break the news to my kiddos bright and early.  Then, off to the hospital I'll go!  I may be a regular there for a few days...

  

Tis the Season to be Jolly

We are so blessed!

And for so many reasons, I am jolly.  The one that is keeping me up at the moment is a little baby named Lucy.  Tomorrow I get to become an aunt!  Words cannot express how excited I am.  I've taken the day off work, and I cannot wait to hold and kiss that little girl!  I've been worried that I would get sick and not be able to be there, but all is well (including me), and I'll be there early in the morning with bells on (and snacks for all).

Since I'm playing hookey tomorrow, I thought my class should benefit in some way.  We decided to write a book.  Oh, if you could see inside the pages.  You would laugh until you cried.  Literally if you were the teacher--we have a long way to go with spelling (FYI-Lucy and Lucky are not interchangeable...)

Trent will need some energy in the morning!  His favorite cookies will hopefully do the trick!

Don't know why I call it Monkey Munch, but it is DELICIOUS!  I've been "munching" all night!

Oh my!  I can't wait for the morning to get here.  It's been a long nine months.  You'd think I was having the baby, but I guess she is kind of like mine.  Trent might debate this one, so I'll just stick to being an aunt for the time being.  I'll be back with pictures tomorrow.

It Had Him at "Hello"

Now, you see Will is a bit indecisive when it comes to big purchases.  He figures and figures and figures some more.  Just when he has it all figured out, he figures a little more.  Don't get me wrong, I like a fiscally responsible man.  And that is Will.  In the last year and a half, he has told me he is going to buy a new car 1,453 times.  He has told me that he wants a Tahoe 353 times, a "good, used" Land Cruiser 432 times, and that he is "back to trucks" 584 times.  So when he bit the bullet today, I couldn't have been any happier.  And I don't think he could have been either...

pardon his basketball shorts--he didn't expect a photo shoot when he dropped me off at my house.

(Precisely the reason he shouldn't ever wear these...)

styling in his new ride

Love at first sight!