The Walter Review

From Dannys call to the MTC

2010-11-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

Danny opening his call

Sweet..... Portugal

Adam and DanielElders King, Walter, and Hunt

Dad Danny and Mom

Dinner at Gecko

Marilla, Chelsea, Natalie, Logan

Carter and Falin

Kurtis Mandi and Falin

Lauralie and DerekAdam, Aunt Adriana with Layla and Uncle DougA Setting apartDaniel with two beautiful young ladies at arms length. :)Daniel with his second family the Molesworths Daniel and Grandma Daniel with Kolby and DavidDaniel Josh and TiaDaniel and Uncle NathanielUncle Danny with his number one IsabellaDaniel with Lollie Brittany Mikenna Savannah and IsabellaDaniel Lacey and Kaden

Maxson Derek Morris Sept 30, 2010

2010-11-29T17:34:00.000-08:00

Incredible little guy.... Incredible Mommy and Daddy. Congratulations to Lauralie and Derek. Your Life will never be yours again. :)

Im Pretty cute..

Mommy and Maxson

First Family Picture

Grandmas 3 Princesses

2010-03-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

"THIS" My friend, is what life is all about......

2010-03-15T23:22:00.000-07:00

Isabella

Lilly

Layla

Isabella LOVES Grandma

2010-03-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Isabella Loves to hang out with Grandma, and Grandma Loves to hang out with Isabella.

Elder Daniel Edwin Walter Lisbon Portugal 6/16/2010

2010-03-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO!!!!!! Danny got his mission call and MOM and DAD are so proud and excited for him. We had friends and family over for "the big opening". Thanks to all who have supported Danny to get him where he is today. He is an amazing young man and will serve the people of Portugal faithfully. We are So blessed. and WE WILL MISS HIM SO.

Carter Craig Walter

2010-03-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

We have a new Stinkin Cute GrandBaby Boy in our Family. Logan and Natalie had Baby Carter Craig, Tuesday January 26. Natalie is AMAZING. Check out their blog.. She is awesome and keeps us up to date with Carter.

Lauralie and Derek are MARRIED

2009-10-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

One of the most BEAUTIFUL Days for an August Wedding. The weather the day BEFORE the high was 114 degrees, the day OF the high was 92 degrees, and the day AFTER the high was 112 degrees. I guess that is what happens when you have 2 exceptional people getting married. Congratulations to Lauralie and Derek. Welcome Derek to the Walter Family. Sure glad we didn't scare you off. Thank you Aunt Drana and Uncle Doug for your INCREDIBLE HOSPITALITY and letting us use their backyard. Every thing was PERFECT. And thank you everyone for your help. We absolutely could not have done it without your help. YOU GUYS ROCK.

Flamingo Savannah at the Zoo

2009-03-17T16:53:00.001-07:00

Flamingo Savannah

Grandma, Savannah and Isabella went to the Zoo with Savannah's school Class. We had so much fun and we got to see the fish and the giraffes and the camels.

Adam and Chelsea got MARRIED

2009-03-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

February 28, 2009

Adam and Chelsea's wedding was Beautiful. Chelsea made a beautiful bride. Welcome to our family Chelsea.

Welcome to our Family Isabella Kate

2009-03-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

Isabella Kate Kunz joined our family on January 23, 2009. Isn't she the most Beautiful Baby? Ok fine, one of the four most beautiful grandbabies in the WORLD, and I love being Grandma.

The "Two" Twins, Lilly and Layla Hancock

2008-12-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Introducing Lilly Ann and Layla Sandra Hancock.

(Adri said I could post pictures)

Doug holding Lilly, Adriana holding Layla on Thanksgiving 08. The girls are 6 weeks old.

Grandma and Adriana loving on the twins

Mom has been here in Mesa with Adriana for 7 weeks. She came while Adriana was in the hospital before she had the twins. Mom has been an absolute life saver. What are we going to do when she goes home tomorrow. Mom is an amazing lady.

Layla Sandra and Lilly Ann Hancock. Such beautiful little girls.

Mikenna holding "her" baby Layla.

Savannah holding "her" baby Lilly

Before the twins were born Mikenna and Savannah were having an argument and Mikenna piped up to Savannah. "Well MY baby is going to be born first." Hence the reason Layla is Mikennas favorite and Lilly is Savannahs.

Rogers Family Picture May 24, 2008

2008-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

You know when the Photographer says "Cheese" there sure are alot of comedians. Here is our family picture minus 5 of us. We are going to try and "Crop" them in. Hopefully it will work. Anyway. It took A ton of effort on everyones part, but it turned out fantabulous. Thanks family for pacifying me. Now I realize the urgency. I just wish we were all there. I LOVE YOU ALL.

Gratitude

2008-12-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

It's not that I don't want to post, its that when I sit down to post, it takes me SO LONG...

There are many things I am grateful for at this time of year. I look back on this most challenging year and wonder how we all got through it. But we did. Our testimonies are in tact. Our family is in tact. and we have a blue eyed angel boy in heaven watching over us keeping us on track.

Grandpa and Grandma and Grandkids August 1994

Can you imagine going through this life without the support of family and friends? I can't. As Thanksgiving rolled around and the memories of 1994 Thanksgiving flooded back so vividly, I know that Heavenly Father let Dad choose his time. I remember sitting in his office with him and he commenting that he didn't want to leave mom when it was just the two of them. Well. The house was full. Ben and Michele and Adriana were there. Dad chose his time. I have struggled for YEARS with the fact that I wasn't there. That he was tired and I didn't get to talk to him on Thanksgiving. But I have in fact felt his presence many times since. One time in particular I would like to share. It was at the kitchen table. Adriana and the kids and I were sitting around it talking, crying, laughing. It was once again November. A time when we still struggle with this loss. Anyway, alot was going on and we were sharing thoughts and memories together. It seems that Adri and I were both having a "moment". We were remembering the times that dad would give us individual fathers blessings when we needed them and we both wished he was around at that moment. Anyway, I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders and give a gentle squeeze. I turned around thinking that it was Craig or Adam or one of the kids. Nope. No one. I turned around and said something to Adri. She said no one was there. The kids were either sitting with us or elsewhere. I felt it again. and this time I realized what it was. The spirit was SO strong, and we all felt it at that moment. We all had an incredible experience at that moment and we will cherish it.

So GRATITUDE? I am grateful to a Heavenly Father. For he knows and loves each one of us. He gives us little glimpses into eternity like he did on that day. I know we have angels close by us, keeping us on the right path, protecting us at all times and comforting us when we don't think we can go on.

Remembrance......

2008-10-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Sept 28, 2007

Remembering Grandpa Walter. It has been 1 year this week that Grandpa returned to our Heavenly Father and was reunited with Grandma. These two pictures were taken at Memorial Day 2008 when we were in St George. This was the first time Adam had been to Utah since Grandpas passing and wanted to come here and then get a picture at the "Walter" home. It was fun to be here and have a moment of melancholy thinking and remembering all the fun times with Grandpa and Grandma Walter. They were such fine examples to all who knew them. We sure do miss the hugs, the birthday cards and most especially the phone calls. We love you and miss you and we are so glad you and Grandpa Rogers were there to greet our Daxton. Take good care of him.

"TAGGED by Marilla"

2008-10-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Yes Rella, I did need an excuse to post. Thanks for the tag. I went to the 4th folder in "My pics" and went to the 4th picture in that folder and this is what I came up with. I LOVE THIS PICTURE. So about this picture. Craig and I were getting ready to leave for Bolivia the next day and I wanted to get pictures of the family to down load on my ipod so I could take them with me so Adam could see what we all looked like and he could show his friends what we were all about. We were just hanging out at home and the kids were over and I think Brittany had just made cookies to take with us for Adam and so Daxton was eating one. Of course one of the favorite things for any of the kids was to play with the car keys. Savannah loves to sneak them and push the red button and turn on the car alarm. Man, I love these guys, and I miss Daxton beyond anything I can imagine. Isn't he beautiful? and Don't these two look alike? So once again.... Thanks Rell.

It's all about Time.......

2008-07-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok. So I have started this post a hundred times in the last 6 weeks. I am going to do it tonight even if it takes me all night (which it might). Please forgive me if I don't make complete sense, but this is a start.

You know, I have had many friends, family, tell me that there is nothing like being a grandparent. Better than being a parent. I could never understand how this could be. I have loved being a parent.

But then, Savannah was born. Oh dear, she was tiny. She fit in the palm of her daddy's hand. Then Mikenna was born. Her beautiful little features. She was a beauty. Then Daxton was born. Not fair that a little boy was so beautiful too. The intensity that you felt from the moment you looked into his baby blue eyes was incredible. He seemed to have so much to tell.

As I held and loved each one of these special spirits, I came to the realization that yes, I did love them as much or more. Why? Because their mommy was a part of me and I love her and each of my children more than life itself.

As I reflect on the events of the last 6 weeks and come to accept them, I realize we could not have made it through without the thoughts, the prayers, the notes, the kind words, and the acts of service in behalf of our family. Thank you isn't enough, but it is all I have to give. I am not used to being on the receiving end, I am the one who would rather give/serve. This has been most difficult for us. Thank you friends, new and old, thank you family, for always being there and thank you Dear Father in Heaven for carrying us when we were unable to carry ourselves. Todd and Ann, Thank you for my "Grandma Days". I will cherish them forever.

The most important thing I have learned through this experience is, there are so many little things that "just don't matter". The most important thing in our lives is our family. I have always thought I believed this, But now I know it.

This is my screen saver on my computer. Everytime I turn on my computer, Daxton is there to greet me. I wish I could squeeze his little cheeks, get a slobbery kiss (he was just starting to give kisses) and look into those beautiful blue eyes, and have boogies on my blouse. Oh how I miss him.

I am grateful that we took the time to "grab" that camera and "snap" lots of pictures. I love looking through pictures and remembering the events behind them. This picture of Daxton and Brittany was taken the night before Craig and I left for Bolivia to pick up Adam. I wanted a current picture of Daxton so Adam could get to know him.

The pictures of Savannah and Mikenna are a few of my favorites. Actually, I have about 2000 favorites. Daxton rarely ate from a spoon, he preferred his mom or dad feeding him off their plate with their fingers. go figure. But like I said, these pictures all have stories and they are priceless.

We have our good days, and we have our not so good days. Mondays are hard. I don't set my alarm on Monday morning cause I want to sleep the morning away. Doesn't work. Auto alarm goes off at 630am, 645am, 7am, 730am. (get the picture) So I lay there and remember.

I remember the conversation we had with our home teacher Sunday the day before Daxton died. How he inquired if there was "anything they could do for the Walter family". NOPE. We are fine. So incredibly blessed. Wonderful kids, wonderful spouses for our married kids, and exceptional grandkids. Good health, good work environment, great home teachers, blessed beyond measure. Wow...............little did we know. Less than 18 hours later. We would "need." But you know what? They were there. All of you were there. Never before have we felt an outpouring of love and support in our behalf. It is what got us through. Once again...........Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Thats all for now. I will get back to you before too long. Promise.

Our Chubba Wubba

2008-07-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

So mom hasn't written on her blog since, well you see the last post. I thought I would do her a favor and update for her.

Daxton was born on May 31, 2007. We celebrated his 1st birthday by going swimming at the house. He loved the water..... as long as you were holding him close. He would put his head on your shoulder and snuggle in close.

On June 1, we were able to make a cake and Daxton dug in to all that sugar. He thought it was tasty, but after about 5 minutes he decided it was time to get out of his high chair, so I gave him to Doug and told him to hose him off in the tub. It was a great day. He was spoiled with lots of clothes and toys from grandma.... just like every grandson should be.

The next weekend was spent at the cabin with Aunt Lollie and grandma. They braved the task of loading all the kids and taking them to the mountains. A blast they had for sure! It was back to the Arizona heat for all them on Sunday night.

The next few days and weeks are a bit of a blur for all of us. Daxton left us to fulfill his mission in Heaven on Monday morning. Most of you know the rest of the story. If not, just click on Doug and Brittany and you can get the rest of the scoop.

We are holding fast to the knowledge that we will see him again and that it won't be long. It doesn't take the pain away, but it softens the blow, even if but for a second. Our testimonies in the Plan of Salvation and eternal families has been strengthened. We know that he is sitting at the feet of our Savior, learning from him and then teaching the gospel in Heaven.

Thank you to all those who have made this tragic event in our lives a little bit easier by your thoughts and prayers and the services rendered to our family. Hug your little ones a little tighter and a little longer, love those around you a little more, and be mindful of others and know that we all have different trials that take special care and attention.

God Bless America, Land that I love

2008-05-28T01:33:00.001-07:00

Wow. The people were incredible. So kind and humble. It was an amazing experience to visit these wonderful people in their home. They are so happy with so little. These two families were families Adam worked with and they were active and committed to each other.

ADAM is HOME

2008-05-28T00:38:00.001-07:00

Theres NO PLACE LIKE HOME. We are so excited that Adam is home. It took Mikenna just a little bit to warm up to him, but by the time we left the airport, Adam was her favorite again.

Lauralie's Graduation May 2008

2008-05-28T00:29:00.001-07:00

WOO HOO Lollie's a NURSE

Doug and Brittany Kunz Family

2008-05-28T00:02:00.001-07:00

SERIOUSLY, Do they get any cuter??

2008-05-27T23:09:00.001-07:00

Logan and Natalie

2008-05-27T22:57:00.000-07:00

Are we having fun yet?

2008-05-27T22:39:00.001-07:00

One of the last pictures of the evening, and Yes it was one of the funnest, even though Daxton is NOT having fun.

Ya think they still like each other, even after all these years? Hopefully for always.

YUP. Being a Grandma and Pappa is the best. So, just a little Kennaism. Brit and Doug were in Las Vegas to meetings and appointments for work. I stayed with the kids for 3 days and Mikenna decided that she was going to call me "Mommy" cause her real mom wasn't there and she figured that since I was being both Grandma and Mommy, she could call me whatever she wanted. Isn't it the best?

2007 December Family Pic at Logans and Natalies Wedding

2008-05-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to have a fun family picture, but it isn't complete cause Adam is still on his mission.

Home Video of Savannah

2008-04-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Logan, Natalie, Margaret and Craig

2008-03-26T23:13:00.000-07:00

So I am getting a hang of the "Blogging" and I found this picture at Logan's wedding of us. I can't believe how blessed I am.

2003 Family Picture

2008-03-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

Here is the last family picture of all us before Lauralie's mission and before Logan's mission and wedding. (I know.. I know... The pictures ARE CROOKED) We were in Austin for Mikenna's blessing. So this is Sept 2003. And in a month and a half we will be posting a new picture of all of us again. Only we will be bigger and stronger. Brittany and Doug added Daxton and Logan added Natalie. Of course you can see our other family picture minus Adam but with Nat and Dax. I CAN'T WAIT. Only 4 weeks. woo hoo

Doug and Brittany Kunz Klan

2008-03-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky that Brit and Doug are living here in Mesa Arizona. I get to get a Grandma hug every day and spend Tuesdays with the kids. Brittany is a NICU nurse at Maricopa County Hospital and Doug is at NI. Savannah is 6, Mikenna is 4 and Daxton is 10 months. Don't you think they are the cutest babies in the world? I do. If you want to know more PLEASE check out Brit's GREAT blog. We really are blessed don't you think???

2008-03-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Logan and Natalie were married on December 28, 2007 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. What a great day it turned out to be. We had so much support from family and friends it was incredible. To see more pictures and read more about them you can check out their blog too. Natalie has created a great site. They are both attending BYU in Provo and Natalie will graduate in April and Logan is studying pre med. We love you guys and miss you tons.

Lollie is GRADUATING

2008-03-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Lauralie is finishing up her last semester of Nursing school. She will graduate May 9 with her BSN in Nursing from ASU. Then on to the cold cruel world of work.......... AAARRRGGGHHH. But it isn't so bad when you are doing something that you LOVE and Lauralie is going to love working with kids or with babies. WE will keep you posted.

Danny at Winter Formal

2008-03-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

Yes I KNOW. Isn't he handsome? Daniel had a great time with his date. They went up past Saguaro Lake to the Rogers' cabin. They four wheeled and ate and had a great time. I look forward to when he can invite his friends to do the same. He went with a fun group of friends that included Brock King and Willie Haynes. FFE right?

Snowing in Heber

2008-03-10T00:48:00.000-07:00

This is why we live in Mesa in the winter and can enjoy Heber AZ in the summer. BUT we look forward to spending Christmas at the cabin this year. (That would be 2008). Craig almost got snowed in. If they hadn't plowed the streets he would have been there all weekend. This was Feb 14. Boy itsn't it beautiful? As long as you don't have to drive in it.

Daniel at Mt View Homecoming

2008-03-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

Daniel and Brock and their dates at Mt. View Homecoming Dance. Yes I know, it is incredible that these guys are old enough to DATE. I am not believing it myself. But don't they look handsome? And aren't these girls cute?

Adam's release Date

2008-03-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

This is the most recent picture we have of Adam serving in Bolivia. He is the missionary scrunched down with the little guy on his shoulders. (I didn't want any one to be confused) He looks like he is enjoying himself and the little guys are loving him. Yup. Mikenna still insists that Adam is her favorite uncle. WE love you Adam.
AND
We have Adams release date. April 21. 2008, so it looks like we will be leaving for Bolivia to pick him up on the 19th and we will return on May 3rd. Pretty exciting. Hoping to see all of his mission. He has it pretty well planned out and then we are going to Lima Peru. Head for Machu Pichu Ruins in Cuzco Peru and then back to Lima and go thru the temple. Craig and I are pretty excited. In 6 weeks I get to hug that boy of mine. woo hoo. Adam's report will be May 11. Yes, I know. It is Mothers Day. Church is STILL at 3pm. WE look forward to seeing those who can make it. Finally 5+ years, and the whole family is together again. And boy, Have we ever been blessed......WE love you ALL

Garage to Cottage

2008-03-09T16:30:00.000-07:00

And now we introduce the garage and land!

Went up to the cabin to celebrate Christmas with
grandpa Walter (whom we miss dearly)

Many hands make light work
(Thanks to all who helped!)

Not the finished product, but BOY are we

CLOSE!!!!

After much debate it has been decided that the cabin and land were purchased in August 2005. We thought that buying ocean front property would be fun, but California remains in tact, so we settled for some land and a garage in Heber AZ. It is a meer 2 hours depending on who is driving... Me or Craig (LOL).

With much work and effort, Craig has miraculously turned a garage into a cabin. It is our pride and joy and continues to look better and newer and nicer than my house, even the appliances are an upgrade from the ones in our home.

We have had the joy and pleasure of many hands to help us with our journey with the promise of future uses (especially to my daughter and my favorite son in law, you may notice him in some of the pictures, but only because my daughter put the blog together... not because he did A LOT of work, although what he did is very much appreciated.)

Grandchildren ARE the BEST

2008-03-08T17:21:00.001-08:00

I just have to say that my grandkids are SO adorable. I mean look at them, do they come any cuter? Of course my five turned out pretty handsome, but really, there is just NO comparison. Ok, this is Brittany, not Margaret. I had to come clean, I was beginning to feel guilty. I started this blog for my parents and up and until this post is all me, even the cute profile which mom and dad can keep or not. I just joined the blogger world and it is spreading like an epidemic through our family, so mom and dad wanted to me to set it up for them, seeing as I am sooo computer savvy... NOT. I hope ya'll enjoy! Britt