Valentine's Day 2009

It is hard to believe that we have been married almost 3 years and together 6 years, yet we have never spent Valentine's Day together. It was even more special that it fell on a Saturday, so we got to spend the entire day together. We decided that we would celebrate Valentine's Day, but also celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary a little early. We decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary early, for Josh will be in Afghanistan in June. We celebrated the day by doing what we love the most - we hung out just the two of us in our home! We had planned on going out to dinner, but instead we decided to avoid the crowds and I made dinner.

Since we were staying-in, I decided to go all out and try two new recipes: Chianti-Braised Short Ribs and Scalloped Potatoes and Zucchini. I found both of the recipes in the March 2009 issues of Rachael Ray's magazine 'Everyday'. If I do say so myself - our dinner was absolutely delicious!!



I want to point out the beautiful flowers that my wonderful Husband surprised me with - I really did marry a great man!

I made a surprise dessert for Josh. I racked my brain all day trying to think of what Josh would want for dessert. During my trek around the grocery store, I was struck by a stroke my genius - ice-cream sandwiches! Josh loves ice-cream sandwiches, so I bought white chocolate, macadamia nut self-bake cookies and vanilla ice-cream. As a garnish, I dipped fresh strawberries in white chocolate - yum! As a special touch I cut the cookies into hearts - Josh loved it!


As always, I only got Josh a card and he absolutely spoiled me. Josh gave me a ring that matches my wedding set. So, I got a third ring for our third anniversary - I absolutely love it!



He also got me an especially thoughtful gift - a subscription to '4 Seasons Wine Club'. I absolutely love all types of wine! So, for the enitre time Josh will be deployed I will have an ample supply of wine - haha! I will have enough wine to last me a quite while. I will get a new shipment every day 90 days, so I am going to need someone to visit and help me drink it (hint, hint - Jeana/Chris, Claire, Gina, Josie, Jessica, Molly...)


Despite the food and the gifts, we had a great day together. I know some people do not believe in Valentine's Day, but with deployments and full-time jobs it is great to have one whole day together to celebrate our love. We are truly blessed in our marriage!

SNOW DAY!

I think we all remember the excited that surrounded a snow day when we were children. Well, today Josh and I had an official snow day from work today (and we were really excited). It was a great excuse to stay home, watch the inauguration of President Obama (YES WE CAN!) and snuggle in our warm, comfortable bed. We must be getting old because we decided that it was too cold to play in the snow, but we did take the dogs for a walk. I thought I would share some picture of our winter wonderland...

What we saw when we woke up this morning...

I figured that since it was a snow day I would make breakfast. It was a great start to a great day...

Charlie was a little unsure at first...

Montey checking out the snow...

Angus had a blast...

I only wish these days would happen a little more often!

Time with family...

While in Pennsylvania we spent some time with Josh's uncle. Josh and his Uncle share a passion for guns - I really do not get it! Anyway, I went along with them to the range. I had never in my entire life shot a gun, but it was actually a lot of fun. We had so much fun with Uncle John.

On our way to the range (notice the snow)...

Josh sweeping the snow from the tables...it was FREEZING!

Josh was so excited to spend time with Uncle John...

Two peas in a pod...

I am quite proud of my first attempt. I was not nearly as good as Josh, but I do not defend the country.
(Please excuse the clothing, but it was so so so cold!)

New year and a whole new family!

(Sorry for the delay in posting this, but I have been waiting on a copy of the picture below)

We did not expect 2009 to begin as it did! We had planned a quiet night at home, but instead we trekked to Pennsylvania to spend time with our ever-expanding family.

Josh's father passed away December 22nd. It was a stressful time for us, but something positive did come out of such a difficult situation - Josh was able to reconnect with two half-brothers and a half-sister with whom he had not had contact in many years. Needless to say, we were a little nervous about our visit to Pennsylvania since we had never really met these people before! All in all, our visit could not have gone any better and we are so happy that they are now a part of our life.

Back row (l-r): Bryan (Josh's brother), Josh, Chris holding Abigail (Jeanna's Husband) Michael (Josh's brother)

Front row (l-r): Me, Bea, Jeanna (Josh's sister), Kim (Michael's wife).

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START 2009!

Christmas Day - 2008

It was a very special Christmas for us this year. First, Josh and I actually got to spent Christmas Day together and it was not via web cam, nor were we packing and getting ready for his imminent departure to Afghanistan. Also, it was our first family Christmas in our very own home. Since it was truly our first Christmas together, my family came to our house this year. We had a great time together and I wanted to share some of the pictures with you...

My Mum bought us each a 'Marshmallow Gun' - we had a blast!

Charlie did not have much fun! As with everything else, he was scared of the flying marshmallows, but he found comfort on Grandma's lap:)

We agreed to have a "small" Christmas!



It was so great to have my family with us on Christmas morning

I cooked my very first Christmas Dinner - it was delicious!

Even Charlie and Angus got into the Christmas spirit:)

It was truly a magical Christmas!

Christmas Eve...and yet another tradition.

I absolutely love Christmas Eve! In fact,I think I may even prefer it over Christmas day. Christmas Eve has all the excitement of Christmas day without much of the stress. On Christmas Eve, we always get to open just one gift, which always conveniently turns out to be new pyjamas.

Josh loved his new pyjamas!

This year my Mum thought it would be funny to buy my sister and I Victorian-style nightgowns - not sexy, but incredibly comfortable!

On Christmas Eve we make it a point to take it easy; therefore, we cook as little as possible. Fondue is an easy and delicious alternative to cooking a whole meal for five people. So, while eating yummy white chocolate fondue we watched "The Santa Clause" - it was so great to have my family altogether!

We need your prayers...

I know this may seem a little impersonal, but I truly believe in the power of prayer and need your help. Josh's father was admitted to hospital early Tuesday morning after suffering from a stroke. He is currently in ICU because he suffered from a brain hemorrhage. The doctor is telling us he is stable, but they cannot operate. Josh is on his way to Las Vegas, but due to the freak weather there he spent last night sleeping in Newark airport. Please pray for Josh's father Robert, and please also pray that Josh may eventually make it to Las Vegas.

Merry Christmas from the Walkers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thought I would share with you our annual Christmas picture. Well, it is actually our biennial Christmas picture, since Josh is deployed every other year. I cannot explain how difficult it is to get three animals to cooperate, but I think the results are OK. A few lucky people may even get a copy in the mail...

One of our many traditions...

One thing we love about Christmas are the many traditions that each of our families has. Now that we are married, we try to incorporate traditions for both sides of our family. We always have cheese and chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve while watching a Christmas movie (I always vote for 'Elf'). After Midnight, we get to open just one of our gifts, which always turns out to be new pyjamas. My absolute favorite family tradition started about 18-19 years ago. Each Christmas morning, my sister and I receive a Christmas tree decoration in our stockings. My Mum spends all year trying to find the perfect Christmas tree ornament. Many of the decorations are found during vacations or business trips, for she always tries to get the decorations from unique and interesting places. I thought I would share a few of my favorites with you.

This is the tree decoration that started the tradition 18-19 years ago. The decoration is an actual snow globe that has a small Santa inside. The Santa inside is starting to fade a little due to age, but I still love it. My Mum bought this decoration in Edinburgh, Scotland, and I would have to say that it is one of my favorites. I still remember opening this parcel - it is very special to me. (Sorry for the blurry picture, but this is the best I could do).



In 1992, we took our first family vacation to America. I had never been to the United States before, so I was quite excited. We spent two weeks in Orlando, Florida, and then spent one week in the Philadelphia area visiting family. During our trip, my parents picked up this ornament. When I opened up the parcel on Christmas morning I was instantly reminded of the wonderful vacation we had shared.




In 1994, I received a Snow White tree ornament. I was 11 years old when I received this ornament and I just loved the pictures that encircle the bauble. I believe this ornament also came from Edinburgh, Scotland.






In 1995 (ish?), my Dad went on a business trip to Israel and my Mum went along. While my Dad worked, my Mum travelled around the country and saw many of the historical sites. During a trip to Bethlehem, my mum found this beautiful Christmas ornament. I think is it special because of the scene it depicts, but I think it is extra special because it actually came from Bethlehem. If I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be this ornament.



I received this wind chime ornament the last Christmas I spent in Scotland. My Mum brought it for me in my hometown of Kirkcaldy, and I think this is why it is so special to me. Every time someone walks by the tree it makes the most beautiful sound - having 2 dogs and 1 cat constantly running around means I get to hear it every few minutes.





In 2006, Josh and I received our first ornaments are a married couple. We received a gingerbread couple and a heart marking our first Christmas together. I think the gingerbread couple are absolutely adorable, and we always make sure that they are hung on the tree together. What makes them even better is that they smell like actual gingerbread!


We are thankful for the traditions that our families have given us and we look forward to continuing them with our own family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Winter Wonderland!

To say we love this time of the year would be an understatement! We love everything associated with Christmas. Of course, we appreciate the significance of the season, and I am hoping we can find a church in our little town of Sanford that we feel comfortable in by the time Christmas Eve rolls around. It is the one time of the year that our radio station is tuned to only Christmas music and Josh and I can watch our favorite Christmas movies over and over again. We love Christmas so much that we even started Christmas shopping in September and were finished by mid-November. We are really looking forward to our family coming for Christmas and can't wait for all the festivities to begin.

We just could not wait to decorate our house, and this will be the first year that we will be in our own house for Christmastime. We have been married almost three years, so we have been buying decorations in the sales for the past two years and now we can finally use them.

Josh and I have agreed that he is in charge of decorating the outside of the house and I will handle the interior.



Josh spent Saturday morning climbing the ladder, stringing the lights and running extension cords, but the results are great. Josh decided that the outside of our house should be colorful. I do not like color lights, but I am OK with the outside of the house being multi-colored. I especially love the inflatable snowman Josh picked out, but our Dog Charlie is not such a big fan! Charlie keeps waking us up through the night because he thinks someone is in our yard - ha ha!



I have spent weeks preparing to decorate the house and I have become incredibly crafty. Although it is not technically the interior of the house, I am especially proud of the wreath I made for our front door. Just some ribbon, garland, pine cones, iron-on letters, and baubles and I have a personalized wreath - I love it!



I also bought garland to decorate the doorways throughout my house. I have become a bow-making expect and I must say that I am quite proud of the results.




Josh also contributed to the inside by decorating the chandelier above the dining room table - I think he did a great job.







Finally, we got our first tree! We went with a real tree and the house smells wonderful. The tree makes our home feel so warm and I am going to be sad that we will actually have to take it down.



We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!