And Then Came The Mob . . .

Well, luckily we got all of the fun Christmas preparations out of the way before my entire family showed up . . . we’re kind of a large group. This Christmas season was filled with all sorts of excitement. My little sister, Emily, came home from the Cape Verde Praia mission (that’s Africa if you were as confused as we were when she got her call) on the 17th of December and then on the 27th, my little sister, Kim, got married. Talk about wild holidays. BUT, it’s always a good time when my whole family gets together, so no complaints. Only trouble was, my little brother, Joey, and his family couldn’t come down to Battle Ground to celebrate and enjoy all of the festivities because their newest addition was born on the 28th! Ay Chihuahua . . . see what I mean!? Anyway, Maddox Craig Walker is here and he’s a doll. Not that I got to see him in person or take his pictures as planned because we passed around an INCREDIBLE amount of germs over the holiday and no one dared take all the germs to their house in Chehalis. Hopefully I’ll get to officially meet him soon. Okay, so picture proof. My favorite part. I didn’t take all of these, but luckily we were able to share enough photos all around to make it work.:)

Uncle Matt came first. He’s very popular with my children . . . which he secretly loves . . . even when he’s mauled to death.

There’s me at 22 weeks . . . looking like an overstuffed turkey. Whatever. Wait until you see me in my bridesmaid’s muumuu here in a short bit. I’m not even 24 weeks in it and I look HUGE! What can I say? It’s the Walker curse. At least my babies are darling to make up for it.:)

Hunter’s last day of school in Battle Ground . . . for Christmas Break and because we were coming back home. He loved Mrs. Alekseyeva. She was really good for him. And he misses his friends there, but is doing great back at Basin City.

And there she is! Aunty Em is back! We’ve got everyone here except Kyle, Joey, Sarah, Kennady, Coby, and Maddox (who technically hadn’t arrived yet). Back: Me, Matt, Hunter, Anna, Emily, Katie, Kim, Spencer (her now husband), Greyson, Dan, and Amanda. Front: Tanner, David, Evan, Wendy, and Haylee.

We like causing scenes. It was done to me and everyone else, so it’s really only fair. Plus, Emily deserved it.

People just started arriving right and left, all in time for Sister Emily. And the Christmas fun started . . .

My kids never cease to entertain me. That’s something.:)

Tanner informed us that “this is how I ride when I get tired.” Uh, okay, because I’m sure it’s your arms that get tired.;)

Santa brought his racetrack. He’d been talking about it for weeks (as in all day long and every night before he went to bed). When I, his kind Mother, explained to him that he’d already told everyone what he wanted and never mentioned his racetrack, he explained to ME that “it’s okay because Santa will know I want it this bad.” Uh oh. Okay. This was a first, but crisis averted.:) He actually screamed/squealed like a girl (not exaggerating). It was priceless. Wish I’d had my video camera.

Haylee got her big girl bike and luckily for everyone else, Santa brought Hunter his camo “MacGyver knife,” as it is so fondly called by him.:)

Yeah, actually, Walkers CAN nap like that . . . especially when pregnant. Don’t judge. It was more comfortable than it looked . . . seriously.

 

Wendy made face masks with the kids one day. This is how she tries to convince my kids that they like her better than me . . . and let’s be honest, it usually works.:) She IS a pretty cool Aunt after all.

And then came the wedding of these two crazy kids. Welcome to the family, Spencer . . . and good luck.:)

Now, do you want to see something horrendous? Of course you do. Plus, I promised. Only 23 weeks and 5 days of goodness right there.

Good garbage. I look like a whale.I can’t even imagine what I’ll look like when I actually am due. Yikes. You’re welcome.