A Birthday, An Anniversary, A Graduation, and Peanut: A much happier post!

It's been a busy week and lots of things have come to pass. Since they were all intertwined, I thought I'd just make it into one post and tell you all about it.

Mom, Dan, Choka, the kids, Tyler and I went to Gardner's Village and took these lovely pictures:

Danny loved getting all wet!

She's so cute and such a ham. I love this picture!

Chillin' in style!


Hanging out with the Walker Family

My family was all together for the first time since Christmas. It was so fun to have everyone together! Usually, I'll have to admit, things get a little strained when you have too many Walker's in one room, but this visit was just ideal. I had a great time and didn't want it to end!

I love that they match! How cute are they! This was pre-shave and haircut for Cory.

Aww. The princess and his wifey. They came all the way from Michigan and Arizona. We don't get to see them much so it was an extra special treat to get to be with them in the summertime!

Jeff and Cory. Love these boys. They're so goofy.

Samantha, or Dirty Boris, has cool shirts.

Ariunaa is jut so entertaining. We all just sit there and watch her. What did we ever do without Dan and Cho's cute kids?!

Ride 'em cowgirl!

August 14th

Thursday was BYU's summer commencement exercises. I walked in this graduation even though I still have a couple of classes to take this fall. It just seemed like the perfect time since everyone could be there. I'm glad everyone came! I felt so loved and appreciated.

Pre-graduation snack at Taco Bell - Dad's favorite place to eat!

Aww, those Walker boys.

President Samuelson

Elder Richard G. Scott gave the commencement address. He also received an honorary doctorate degree in Christian Service.

Me and Tyler

Me and Dad. I'll have to get the pictures of me and my dad off of other people's cameras because I'm sad that he's closing his eyes in my copy! Unfortunately, not a lot of pictures were taken with my camera. I'll have to scrounge around and find the good pictures from Cory and Choka. They took lots of pictures.

Ariunaa, Dan, me and Chuluun.

My parents

Katie Maren, me and Cory

Sabrina

Danny and Zayaa. Could they be any sweeter?

I love how Ariunaa is just floating there like she's attached to Danny.

Christof, Shanda, Tyler, me, Wayne, Jane, and Ashley. I wish we weren't in the shadows!

Cory gets extra goofy sometimes...

... and sometimes it scares me

but then again, he's so sweet.

and weird.

We ate dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate that night. It's our place. Tyler and I met there, we had our wedding luncheon there, and we eat there for anniversaries and other big life events.

Going around the table clockwise starting with: Aunt Debbie, Scott, Sam, Bree, Katie and Cory (who look like a totem pole) and Dad

Different angle, same group.

Kensington and Me. She made me feel so good. She wouldn't go to anyone else but me. I tried to take her back to her parents and she cried until they brought her back. She ate Choka's noodles and colored with Zayaa. She's such a little cutie; I could just squeeze her all day!

Before we started eating, Tyler stood up and congratulated me on my hard work and told me he was proud of me. He's such a sweet husband. Then Tyler introduced Zayaa to make an announcement for us. She stood up on her chair and in her very adorable little voice said,
"Tyler's having a baby!"
She had to repeat it a couple of more times for everyone to hear and the last time I got some credit too. Most everyone in the room had already guessed at the news long before we told them, but it was nice to make it official. I'm apparently not a great actress when I feel sick and tired all day every day.
We call him/her Peanut, affectionately of course.

August 15th

The 15th was a busy day! It was my dad's birthday and mine and Tyler's anniversary and my college convocation. The day started very early with the convocation at 8 am. I got a very nice surprise when I was waiting in line. I noticed a girl up ahead of me that looked really familiar - it was Miriam Deru! We had a few classes together and I just love her. She and her husband moved up to Ogden before last semester so I haven't seen her in a year or so. It was so good to see her. She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

Walking across the stage, receiving my diploma holder for my upcoming Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders.

I love this picture even though they look bored.

This is one of my very favorite professors at BYU, Dr. Dromey. I was in his Speech Science class last semester and loved it. He's one of BYU's finest. If you have a chance to take a class from him - DO IT.

After graduation, we all changed into normal clothing ate, and drove to Las Vegas on our way to Jeffrey's wedding. We all left at different times because everyone was ready at different times. Tyler and I stopped to eat in St. George for our anniversary. We ate at Cafe Rio. We changed from our traveling clothes into nice ones (in the car) for the occasion.

Well, since I'm on the subject, I'd like to say a few words about our anniversary. I cannot imagine my life without Tyler. He's the best thing that every happened to me and I'm so grateful that we were sealed for eternity in the temple. I didn't know what happiness was until I was married to my Sweetheart. And it just keeps getting better.

These were the flowers I got for graduating. They're out of order in the pictures, but aren't they beautiful?

We all made it to Vegas safely and spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Walker's house. It was so great. It was crowded and hectic but I had a lot of fun.

August 16th

We left my grandparent's house around 6:30am and drove straight through to Los Angeles.

The Wedding Luncheon was at BJ's Brewery in Westwood. Good food. Good times.

Rob toasting Rachel and Jeff. Aren't they so cute?

Tongue Tatoos!

How sweet are these pictures?

I love this picture! It was taken after the sealing ceremony in front of the L.A. Temple.

The sealing ceremony was beautiful and both Jeff and Rachel looked so happy. I'm really glad we got to be there. Between Choka and Katie and Cory and Brad and my two hilarious sisters, I could hardly keep from laughing most of the day.

The weirdest part about the whole day was seeing friends and family that I haven't seen in such a long time and having them come up and touch my stomach. It was really funny to me. It was nice that so many people got to hear about the pregnancy in person. My mom had fun telling people. It was her opening line. The first thing anyone asks is if I've been sick. So I'm going to answer on here, just in case that was your first question too. I have been sick, but not too sick. I haven't thrown up or anything but I basically feel nauseated all the time. It's worse if I don't eat regularly. I have to keep food in my stomach. I'm also very tired. I am never not tired. I am Always tired.

After taking a few pictures, my family headed home and Tyler and I went through a session of the Temple. It was much needed and appreciated. It's such a beautiful place!

We got some In 'N' Out and joined my family in Tehachapi.

Have you ever seen Tehachapi? This is one of my favorite parts, the wind mills.

August 17th

The Mountain Festival was in town while we were there so we checked that out. When in Tehachapi... ya know? I fell in love with a high chair/rocking horse/desk for little Peanut. Maybe Papa will give in and buy it.

Zayaa got all dressed up in one of the booths. Doesn't she look like a little doll?

Mom made Spaghetti that night and we had to go get some supplies. Cory and Tyler got captured by the Captain Morgan or I should say that maybe they have some Cap'n in 'em. Tyler said, "Do you know what I think of when I see Captain Morgan" and at they both pulled this pose at the same time. I cracked up. Those boys!

I was sure sad to see this trip end. I didn't want to leave. I miss everyone already! Love you guys!

A few funny quotes.. you might have had to have been there...
1. Panda Head!
2. I like Pudding on the Rice
3. Pazookie!