It's Genetic...

 

Riding in on her broom to celebrate her 88th birthday, 

my sweet Grandma Ora showed a bit of sass at a luncheon given in her honor today.

Her sweet friend Fae Evans hosted the event with a group of her close friends.

Little did they know who the birthday girl would really turn out to be!

 

Oh how I wish I could have joined my Mom and Grandma for the celebrations.

(that's my Mom on the far left)

I have had a few people ask where my rather insane obsession for holiday's came from...

Turns out it's genetic!

 

And boy oh boy am I glad I inherited this stunning lady's genes.

The happiest of birthdays Grandma!

You are one BOOTIFUL birthday witch!

Tanaka Farms

 After 4 years of complaining about the snow -

I am officially complaining about not having seasons.

When will the grass not be greener on the other side?

I need to get better at this.
So, I have decided to embrace the ocean fog that has set in as my new fall season 

and roll with it.

It seems my new attitude is suiting me well.

Yesterday, I begged {basically on hands and knees} James to take me to a local pumpkin patch.

We had a 20 minute break in our day and he {grudgingly} obliged.

Welcome to Tanaka Farms - also known as Strawberry Farms in Irvine.

Ive been wanting to check this place out since we moved.

They offer fresh veggie picking YEAR ROUND for 2.99 lb {pricey - but fresh} 

and also have a weekly farmers market pick up.

One of the many perks of living in Southern California.

I was thrilled to check it all out along with the seasonal pumpkin patch.

 James was essentially giving me a countdown the entire time we were there.

Nevertheless, I raced through the pumpkin patch while he counted off my remaining minutes.

I know deep down he just loves when I make him do these things.

We discovered two perfect pumpkins.

And I paid James to take a picture with his.

{Ok, not really, but practically}

 

During our first year of marriage I gave James a really hard time 

for not loving my girly holiday outings.

And I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I guilted him just a little yesterday.

However, I am learning that James doesn't have to skip through the pumpkin patch with me.

Walking with a half smile will do.

Obviously this isn't his cup of tea.

And football isn't mine.

But somehow we are coming to appreciate just joining in.

And so it was. 

The pumpkin patch was a thriller for me - and got the job done for James.

Next stop, Wood Ranch at the Irvine Spectrum.

We met up with two darling couples from our ward with two even more darling baby girls.

We were in heaven.

Dinner at a new restaurant with 6 of our favorite people.

 

After dinner we strolled around the mall.

I am coming to love the atmosphere at this place at night.

They had a mariachi band playing, people were dancing 

and it seemed as if the whole town was there for the night.

Turns out, fall without orange leaves isn't so bad after all.

Orange...

 

While Allison was here we decided to have a little pre Halloween bash.

I love that my sisters-in-law enjoy throwing a party as much as I do.

We decided to have an orange themed bash.

I scoured Orange County for bread bowls that look like pumpkins.

They have them at the Maceys in Provo.

I could not find them anywhere here.

So, I tried my hand at homemaking them.

They were so hideous that I refuse to post the picture.

Fail. Big time fail.

We did, however, devour my chili.

Katie made a delicious orange salad.

And Allie brought some adorable and tasty treats.

I used this printable from my friend Kimberly Moore.

If you haven't checked out her blog, you should.

Its absolutely darling!

  

 

 The man of the hour had pumpkin feeties and a pumpkin bum.

He is a festive little munchkin already!

 

It was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

On the agenda this weekend: pumpkin patches and costumes.

The First Ultrasound...

I only have one more week left in my first trimester.

Some days I feel like time is whirling past me

and others I feel like its crawling.

But mostly, I am loving every second and cant wait to meet our little one.

We decided to have an early ultrasound at nine weeks.

After we decided I had a tiny.tiny.tiny bit of spotting.

I was so glad we had the ultrasound the next day to ease my nerves and tears.

James even came over on his lunch break.

I must admit, 

when the ultrasound tech zoomed in on our little bean it was like the world stood still.

I was teary eyed and James was in shock.

If there was ever love at first sight - this was most certainly it!

{Even if he/she looks a wee bit like an alien.}

According to the tech, everything looked great.

In fact, the little one was moving all over the place 

and the ultrasound tech said our baby is thriving.

Naturally, James is telling every one that our little peach is a “champ” already.

Shrek the Musical...

 Thanks to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 

I was able to attend Shrek the Musical.

I brought along my good friend Candi Queathem.

I was thrilled to have a night out on the town with her,

filled with a little DC, M&Ms and good convo.

Candi and I met in the broadcast program at BYU 

and wound up following our husbands to Southern California.

I am sure glad I have her here.

I dont think either of us stopped smiling and laughing the whole show.

I must admit, I didnt expect this to be a knock out show.

But as soon as it was over Candi leaned over and asked 

if it would be absurd to say Shrek was as good as Wicked.

While the story line isnt anything to write home about - 

the show was incredibly entertaining.

It was hysterical.

The talent was amazing.

And the costumes were to die for.

Every childhood character was brought to life.

I cant stop thinking about it.

Excellent show.

image via nytimes

 

Aunt Allie...

Allison came to visit this last weekend.

Despite the fact that she came to divulge in this little bundle of joy,

we were thrilled to have her.

Katie and Vonn showed off little baby Carter.

And Aunt Allie snapped some stunning pictures of the first Barker Grandbabe.

We had quite the celebration with Allison.

image via Silverfox and Goldilock

 We enjoyed Bear Flag Fish Co.

and good laughs late at night.

Saturday we walked around downtown Laguna 

and had a blast watching the BYU game at a friends house.

 

Katie showed us the most adorable lane she discovered in Laguna Beach.

We are all obsessed.

It is an Orange County gem.

If you get a second, visit Peppertree Lane.

I promise it wont disappoint.

The Story...

Welp, its true. 

I am pregnant.

And we are feeling so very blessed.

I use the word blessed like it is going out of style.

But I don't know how else to describe it.

From the time I was a little girl I have watched my family members yearn for children - 

many times facing trials that I will never be able to understand.

They have helped me value motherhood and pregnancy.

It is beautiful.

It is a miracle.

And it is something that does not come easily to many people.

I have often found myself wondering, why?

Why was I able to have this happen while many of my friends and family have not?

Which is why I have promised myself to enjoy every. single. moment.

The good and the bad - 

I will take it all because I know so many would do anything to have the bad in order to have the good.

After watching so many struggle I just knew...

I had that gut feeling...

it was going to take me 6 months to a year to get pregnant.

So, James and I started earnestly praying when the right time was for us.

I have never prayed so earnestly about something.

Nor have I ever gotten such a strong answer.

It was time to start trying.

And we both knew it - and we knew it for sure.

{Due date: April 27, 2012}

As evidenced in this picture - 

We couldn't really believe our eyes.

Again, why were we so blessed? 

The first line was so faint - I simply disregarded it.

But when James got home and looked at the test he doubtfully exclaimed that there were two lines.

I was certain that it was only because it had been sitting under our light.

So, I took the second test.

Still a faint line.

We decided to wait a few days before we believed it.

But I just couldn't wait.

So the next day I went and bought the second box of tests.

I took BOTH tests.

I texted James the pictures.

It was starting to become more real.

I called my Mom - could this really be happening so quickly?

I swore her to secrecy.
I wanted to surprise her along with the rest of the family -
but I didn't know what to do at this point and needed advice.

She suggested I wait a few more days and take another test to be certain.

None of us believed it.

A few days later I took a digital test and saw the word PREGNANT pop up.

Now it was for real.

And from that moment on we have been absolutely

enamored with the little munchkin inside.

The now...

I am truly overwhelmed by all of your sweet comments.

Thank you - thank you - thank you.

We are thrilled and feeling so incredibly blessed.

{More on all the baby news later}

For now we are enjoying nights in and making this place home.

James' Mom was here for three weeks to help with Baby Carter.

She stayed with us for 10 days and we loved having her.

We enjoyed a first week birthday celebration for the little one, lots of family time and tasty food.

It was her birthday while she was here so we had a little birthday dinner at our house.

We all, including the fam in Virginia via Google +, sang her Happy Birthday.

James' Dad wants the grandbabes to call him Poppy.

But we all worry they may call him Poopy.

So he made a post it to make the point.

 It was a classic Jim Barker moment.

We were sad to see Ann go, but happy to have Jim come in just a few days later.

We had a little Sunday brunch at our apartment.

We are loving eating out on our patio these days.

The weather is just too beautiful to be true.

A few weeks ago I volunteered to make a new family in our ward dinner.

I hadn't met them -

so when I was texted Mercedes name I nearly fell off my chair.

A few years ago we met and were Facebook/pinterest friends.

I had just seen various things from her over the last few years but really didnt know her at all.

Needless to say, we hit it right off and just adore her and Aaron....

and perhaps more importantly their little baby girl Vera.

 Last weekend we decided to have a craft night and make the boys watch Vera.

We had chili and pumpkin muffins and made fall wreaths.

It was so fun to see Aaron with the babe - 

and watch attempt to handle her during a little cry.

We both have a lot to work on.

Coming Soon...

Baby Barker!

Debuting Spring 2012.

We are thrilled!