Wow! Where have I been?

Well, it sure has been a while since I posted something. Many wonder where I have been. Well, to tell you the truth I have a lot of time working on my Practicum hours for my master's program in education counseling this semester. On the days I wasn't putting in hours for my practicum, I was probably studying or working as a guest teacher her in Clark country school district. Then as school finished up I began putting in more hours as a guest teacher to earn extra money because Jim still hasn't found another job. OH yes, Jim lost his job around March 15 because he was no longer a good match for the company he was employed with. Needless to say, It has been crazy but we are managing and I am working almost everyday to make up for the short fall in money. We as a family are doing well. Jim has done amazing things here at home since I am not at home much. He plays with Parker, carpools for the kids, and still has time to put in a couple of job applications on top of it. Thanks Jim for doing so much!! Hope that updates you for a while. I will try to write more often but can't promise much since I am trying to work everyday and prepare for a cruise with my Mom and sister the week of May 15. Until later!! Have a great day. ...

Happy Birthday Parker

Parker is 5 years old today. WOW!! How time does fly. He is so excited about his birthday and so excited to invite friends over to play. Happy Birthday. I hope you have a great day.

A tribute to my Dad

Loren Emil Walter Aug 11, 1940-Sept 19, 2009
Life time Durango resident Loren Emil Walter passed away at his home after an extended illness with lymphoma, on Saturday September 19, 2009.

Loren was born to Charles and Carrie Walter in Durango on August 11, 1940. He graduated from Durango High School in 1959.

After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and was stationed in Maine, USA and Tripoli, Libya in Africa. He served on the Air Force Bases as a Military police officer, and played football for the Air Force in Tripoli in his spare time.

After his tour of duty in the Air Force he returned to Durango and went to work with his father, Charles Walter, owner of the E & W Conoco Station at 19th and Main Ave.

Loren was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 2, 1964. He married Sheila Moss on August 14, 1964. They were sealed in the Manti, Utah temple on August 14, 1965. They made their home in Durango for the next 45 years.

Loren worked with his father from 1964 to 1974 at the E & W Conoco. When his father retired in 1974 Loren became the owner and managed the station until 1982 when his lease was cancelled. From 1982 to 1989 Loren owned and operated the 8th street Shell station. He then went to work for Neilson Construction Co. for a short time as an oiler. He then worked as a mechanic and oiler for Jerry Lucas at Melco Construction. In the fall of 2002 he went to work for Bobby Rathjen at Rathjen Construction until his retirement in June of 2008.

Loren was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, and served as a Sunday School President, In the Stake Sunday School Presidency, Executive Secretary, Counselor in the Bishopric, High Counselor, and on the Church cleaning committee.

Loren loved the out doors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Fly fishing was his passion He taught his children and grandchildren to fish. Loren was not one to sit still. He took pride in caring for his home, yard and garden. He became involved with his children during their years in 4-H and would help them with their animal projects. He was also a great support in their athletic endeavors. He loved to hear what and how his grandchildren were doing. He loved being with his children and taught them many life long skills.

Loren is survived by his wife of 45 years , Sheila Walter of Durango; his children Neysa Rummler (Kevin) of Cypress CA Nicholas Loren Walter (Stephanie) of Corona, CA; Keysha Stutz (Doug) of Rexburg ID; and Kendra Coffey (Jim) of North Las Vegas, NV. Brothers Richard Walter of Dolores, Co; Denny Walter of Sonora, CA; Larry Walter of Durango, Co; sisters Paula Fuller of Boise, ID; Dorothy Smith of San Luis Obispo, CA; Caroline Mortan of Phoenix, AZ; 17 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and in-laws.

There will be a viewing at Hood Mortuary in his honor on Thursday September 24, 2009 at 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Funeral services will take place on Friday September 25th 2009 at 11:00am at L.D.S. Church, 2 Hill top Circle in Durango Colo.
Interment will be held the same day following the funeral service at Green Mount Cemetery.

I LOVE YOU DAD!

Today, I pay tribute to my loving Dad. I will treasure the memories we created and will always remember those lessons so tenderly taught. We will miss you but know we will see you again. Love you much. We will meet again soon.

Madison's Baptism

Madison's baptism day: September 5, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Stake Center located at 50 E. Azure Avenue. There were 10 kids to be baptized that day in our stake. It was a very busy, but memoriable day for Madison. Her Dad, Jim, did the baptism and confirmation. We did miss Grandpa Loren, Grandma Sheila, and Grandma Moss due to Grandpa being sick. Our prayers go out to Grandpa Loren for a speedy recovery. We love you much.

Madison's friends from her primary class and neighbor friend too. From left to right, Cole (in purple), Maggie Allen, Madison, Joseph Porter (also got baptised that day), and Ben Zohner. Thanks to all who came to support Madison in her baptism. Thanks for the love and support.

Happy 8th Birthday Madison

Happy Birthday to you!!! Today we went to get Madison's ears pierced and she was so brave. She didn't even shed a tear. She picked out these beautiful white diasy shaped earrings that will match her dress when she gets baptised on Sept. 5.



Before the piercing guns....

During the process.... She was very good and didn't even flinch. Way to go. You look beautiful.

Pictures from Durango

When things get quiet around the house I remember to check on Madison and Parker. When I found them, Madison had dressed up Parker in the dog's scraves and coat. They had used every single item that was in the bag in the closet. I must say a picture is still worth a thousand words. I try to remember these cute moments when they are so wild around the house.
One activity that everyone wanted to do was riding a horse. Paige has been wanting to do this everytime we go to Durango. This year, my parents neighbors agreed to let my kids ride his mild horse Taylor. After many years, I still remember how to ride a horse. My mom says it is like riding a bike, once you have learned you never forget.

Meghan was not so sure about riding a horse. She got on went around the field and got off. She didn't need another turn.

Paige loved riding the horse. Twice wasn't enough. She wanted to make the horse run but couldn't get Taylor to do more than a gallop.

Parker and Madison enjoyed riding the horses too.

The real reason we go to Durango every year about the same time is to help pick raspberries. We made raspberry jam and tri-berry jam this year. I can't remember how many batches we made but we came home with 36 jars of jam (raspberry and tri-berry made with raspberries, strawberries and blackberries), and 22 pints of frozen raspberries. We should have a year's supply at least.

Paige learning how the whole processes works. She even passed off a 10 hour project for personal progress.

Parker and Madison loved to help smash the blackberries through the stainer. Blackberry seeds are much bigger than raspberry seeds so straining them would give you a smoother jam in the end.

The outside firepit was a HUGE success. Last year my mom had my nephew build a porch like area in the oak brush just off the side of the house. We had a lot of fun building fires and making smores to eat. Parker loved to fuel the fire and many times it got pretty big that I was watching the tops of the trees. We love the farm and all we can do on it to escape from life for several days. It was so peaceful to watch the fire and just not worry about anything. Life is pretty simple.

Parker was in charge (with supervision) to keep the fire going after all smores where cooked. We sat for a couple of hours and enjoyed it. Later, we all found we were eaten by misquitoes. A large pond was right over the fence from the firepit.

My family with my parents at the Bar-D. It has always been a fun place to go since I was a little kid. The beautiful red rocks and scenery is just as I remember too.... BEAUTIFUL and BREATH TAKING.

The last night we were there we went to the BAR-D. The BAR-D has been a family tradition ever since I can remember. You have a chuckwagon dinner with entertainment. Well, I think Parker was bored so here are the pictures we got of the evening. Never let a four year old be in charge of the camera.