Mele Kalikimaka!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from the shore of Oahu! We are busy snorkeling, sun bathing and drinking piña coladas. Hope you took a moment to enjoy the true reason for the season today - our Savior Jesus Christ. Mele Kalikimaka!

In case we missed you...

Merry Christmas!

Feelin' Christmas-Sea

Despite my fears that Newport Beach could not possibly feel Christmasy -

I am having a holly jolly time this holiday season.

Last weekend was the 103rd Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

I have been looking forward to it since the 4th of July Parade.

This years theme was "Feelin' Christmas-Sea in Newport Beach."

I have never seen anything like it.

It is hailed as one of "the top ten holiday happenings in the nation" by the New York Times.

And lucky us - it happens just down the street.

Who needs a white Christmas?

The parade runs for 5 days and the harbor was packed.

We went on Friday - but by Saturday Balboa Island was literally over flowing with cars.

There simply wasn't enough room.

Our bishop hosted an open house at his home on Lido Island.

We were able to indulge in some holiday cheer at his family's home 

and then walk to the pier to watch the boats go by.

It is times like these that I feel so blessed to be a member of the LDS faith.

Being away from my family during the holidays can be hard.

I have spent many hours worrying about 

how I would feel my first Christmas away from the Staples family tree 

and neighborhood Christmas program.

But snuggling in next to the fireplace at my bishops house made me feel like I was home for the holidays.

I am so sad I didn't snap a picture of me and James.

I even wore a beanie and coat.

It was a "chilly" 50 degrees at night and although the air wasn't crisp 

my attire made it feel like winter.

As we sipped hot cider on the pier I whispered to James that 

no matter where we live we will find our family traditions.

This was something new for both of us but it felt like a Christmas tradition nonetheless.

And although we have no idea where we will be long term - 

this is something I could see myself attending year-after-year.

It made me feel absolutely "Christmas-Sea!"

Churm Media Holiday Party...

A little glimpse into an incredible holiday party for the Churm Media staff.

Churm Media includes OC Metro, OC Family, OC Menus, Southland Golf and Ripe Orange.

I have been able to work with these wonderful people every day for the last 7 months.

I truly lucked out in the job category.

These people are phenomenal at what they do.

Want to check out our special holiday card?

Here is a little glimpse.

Our media contacts were sent a QR Code that brought them to this page.

#happyholidays2011

Get a little glimpse into the fun personalities that I get to work with every day.

21 Weeks...

We are just cruising along.

I can't believe how fast the time is flying.

My belly seems to be popping out more and more with every day.

James noted that my belly button is already getting more shallow -

and it's true.

I notice a road map of veins all over my entire torso.

Surely this means my skin is stretching.

I bought myself some loose fitting shirts/dresses this week.

I tried on a pair of maternity jeans and just couldn't do it.

For now, I am sticking with the rubber band around the button.

Maybe next time?

James thinks I am more hungry -

but I haven't noticed any dying need to eat ice cream or cookies etc.

In fact, I think my cravings for sugar have gone down.

I just seem to eat a little more in general.

Trying to work out more and more.

I finally got back to spinning this week and felt like a million bucks after.
She was moving like crazy an hour later.

I need to go more often.

I feel that I am going to start gaining weight fast and want to manage it.

I have little braxton hicks contractions on occasion.

I find them fascinating and don't mind them too much.

I am still feeling my pulse in my belly.

I wonder if it will last the entire pregnancy?

I am a little worried that after Christmas is over time is going to crawl.

January - April always seems slow as it is.

I can't imagine waiting to meet our little girl.

I haven't started on much of anything for that reason.

Hoping to keep myself busy during those months.

She is still a movin' and a shakin' inside.

James finally felt her move this week.

He loves it and says that I am "hogging her" all day because I get to feel it.

I sure hope she continues moving this much.

I can't get enough.

Gingerbread...

It's simply not Christmas without gingerbread houses.

James and I had a few friends over last weekend to "deck the halls" of these tasty treats.

We kept it real simple - just the way we like it.

We had some tasty appetizers, turned on Michael Buble Christmas

 and got right to work.

As you can see - the girls got busy making our houses 

and the boys took care of the kiddos.

In order to avoid the sweets, cream and cheese of the season I made some pesto bruschetta.

Don't let me fool you - this came out of a bottle from Trader Joes.

It is now one of my favorite appetizers.

I could eat the tomato sauce with a spoon.

By the end of the night everyone was pooped.

I loved having people crash under my tree.

There is nothing like your home during the holidays.

Tis the season!

Baby's First Pictures...

We decided to have an early ultrasound to tell our family the gender over Thanksgiving.

To be honest, I knew our little one was a girl from the beginning. 

Call it a good guess - 

but I think it was mothers intuition.

My Mom knew with all of us and so far I am off to a great start.

But James - well, he was not so convinced.

I kept trying to make him guess.

He wouldn't

A few days before our appointment we stopped at South Coast Plaza to browse the baby clothes.

Mr. Barker fell in love with a baby pair of Air Jordan's.

Suddenly he thought/wanted it to be a boy.

Finally - I had my guess and he had his - and it was on!

As we sat in the ultrasound room this little girls was not going to budge.

She just wasn't.

Legs crossed and the whole bit.

Just as he does when he watches football,

James stood just inches from the TV watching our little one move.

Although he didn't say it at the time he said that he was thinking,

"Come on little guy!"

After a few minutes the ultrasound tech had me get up and do jumping jacks.

It was the first real moment that I realized every little move I make effects this new life.

James realized it too.

At the exact same moment we both recognized that 

our lives are now intimately connected to another little person.

When I sat back down - the ultrasound tech knew.

It is a girl.

Two weeks later we had our real ultrasound at my doctor's office.

It was at that appointment that we got these pictures.

I haven't stopped looking at them since.

To most people ultrasound pictures look like aliens.

I know, because I thought the same thing until I had my own.

Now, I am slightly obsessed.

One of the first things James said to me when I got pregnant was,

"Yes! Now you will have someone else to take pictures of besides me."

He abhors taking pictures.

Well, looks like we are off to a great start with our little girl.

Here is to many - many more pictures of our growing family.

Ugly Sweater Party...

Our darling friends, the Williams, held an "ugly sweater" Christmas party last weekend.

Of course I was thrilled with the holiday festivity!

Unfortunately, the thrift stores here were flat out of ugly sweaters.

So, I had to get creative.

James had thrown out his real ugly sweater after I made him wear it on Christmas Eve last year.

{Pretty sure it was his protection against being forced to wear it again in the future}

He opted for a green sweater with a scarf at the last minute.

But that was just not going to do the trick for me.

So I found this beauty at Target.

And I must admit...

I am hooked.

It is so cozy!

James says it will be the perfect ensemble for when I am breast feeding.

But I think after a few days of him coming home to me looking like this he would beg to differ.

After a few moments of watching me snuggle up by the tree wearing this giddy-up

James was terribly sad he wouldn't let me buy him a pair!

I made a big splurge for this party.

I must admit - I am craving cheese!

I just needed my Mom's brie cheese with caramel.

It wasn't a want.

It was a need.

Need the recipe?

2 triangles of brie cheese 

{pasteurized if you are pregnant of course}

1/2 bottle of Caramel Syrup.

Place the brie in the oven.

Cook until melty.

{About 10 minutes}

Pour on the caramel.

Cook for another minute or two.

Cut up bread or open crackers for dipping.

And viola!

Holiday goodness.

My advice: take it to a party so that you don't eat a good portion of it.

This stuff is so tasty.

Your mouth will thank me.

Sadly I didn't get a picture of everyone at the party.

But here are a few I snapped.

The darling hosts.

They are moving to Colorado in February and we are terribly sad to see them go.

The Vichikov's

 The Attig's

The Garcia's

Sad I didn't get everyone.

But sure glad we had a big gathering!

We played "the newlywed" game for non-newlyweds.

You know, what was your last kiss like, 

your spouses clothing you'd like to give away etc.

Thanks to the Attig's questions we were all in stitches laughing.

It was a perfect evening to help kick off our holiday season.

And in case you can't tell...

I am still madly in love with this character of mine.

Never a dull moment with this guy!

We have a WINNER!

Thanks to Random.org - we have a winner!

Rachel from Rachel's Ramblings congratulations!!!!

Email me your info: karlybarker {at} me dot com and I will send it on to Anders Ruff.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

It was fun to have my very first giveaway.

Possibly more to come?!?

Happy Sunday everyone!

20 Weeks...

Half way!

Where has the time gone?

My belly has really started to pop this week.

I feel like it grows more and more every day and I love it.

I felt her move for the first time this week and can't get enough of the little flutter!

I never want her to stop but for now the kicking is very sporadic. 

For some reason it shocks me every time.

I still can't believe there is a little munchkin growing in there.

But it makes me feel more connected to her with every passing day.

I hate that James can't feel it yet.

He constantly has is hand on my belly trying to feel her movement.

Hopefully soon!

Yesterday I used my first rubber band on my jeans.

I have a feeling it's going to be that and the belly band for the next little bit...

Then on to the maternity jeans.

We got a darling pair of Sperry's from my friend Suz on Monday.

I think it made James really excited to have a little girl.

He put them on his chest and just stared.

Pretty sure this little girl already has her daddy wrapped around her finger.

My hair is getting darker.

At every major change in my life my Mom swore my hair would turn a light brown.

But I think pregnancy might do the trick.

My hairstylist told me to hold out before I start highlighting it.

It's winter AND I am pregnant.

Maybe I will be a brunette soon?

Maybe I will just let it stay dark?

Is this a normal thing?

No major cravings this week.

But I have eaten a lot of fresh artichokes which is strange.

I find myself munching all day and not wanting big meals.

My dreams have progressively gotten more weird and vivid.

This is a Staples girl curse during pregnancy so its to be expected.

This week the baby is about 6.5 inches head to rump and 10 inches total.

She is approaching the 1 pound mark here in the next week.

She is approximately the size of a cantaloupe.

We have one name that we are pretty set on 

but I am not quite ready to share it with everyone.

I worry that I may become indecisive.

But for now we feel like it fits her very well.

We will just have to wait and see!

I am already so in love with our little one.

I can only imagine how my obsession is going to grow.

I am trying not to take one day of this whole experience for granted.

Loving every minute.

Don't forget - 

only a few more hours to enter the Anders Ruff Giveaway!

Winner announced Sunday afternoon.

St. George Carousel..

Finally got to see the famous St. George Carousel.

I am in love.

And as you can see - uncle James is absolutely smitten with Henry. 

Makes my heart swoon.

Thanks for the great vaca fam!

Sad to say goodbye - but glad to be back to our new home.

Until next time St. George!

{Don't forget about the Anders Ruff Giveaway. Ends soon!}

Henry's Fiesta!

Since my nephew's first birthday was right after Thanksgiving we decided to have a little fiesta!

We kept it pretty simple but had a blast with family and friends.

Thanks to both sets of Adams for helping us out!

Katie and Scott made this incredible cake for Henry since he is allergic to dairy.

Not sure if he was too into it - but we sure were!

Luckily the Topham's are incredible chefs!

 Melissa and Wess Musso.

Luz, Erica and baby Diego Manzo

Derek and Jessica McCallister

Sally Jacobsen's little guy and Grandma and me.

Winterholler clan.

Love them.

So glad we have gotten to see lots of them this fall.
James and I always have a blast with my sister's family.
Now, if we could just get them to take that Laguna vacation!

My nephew Michael, who grew up in Arizona, is now at BYU

and has become best friends with my neighbor and friend growing up Jordan Adams.

We love it!

It's nice to get the scoop on the BYU life from these two.

Two cute bachelors if you ask me!

Homemade Cafe Rio.

A piñata.

Good company.

And a one year old diving into cake.

What more can you ask for?

{P.S. don't forget about the big GIVEAWAY 

There aren't too many entries - so you have good odds. 

Don't miss out!}

Thanksgiving 2011 + It's a GIRL!

Our friends left on Monday, 

so James and I had a few days in STG with my parents and my nephew Michael!

Even though I haven't lived in that home or that town for almost 6 years -

it still feels like bliss to wake up to this place.

James is even falling in love with it!

He loves main street and could spend hours paroozing maps

 and learning the lay of the land.

I am not complaining.

We went to the Jubilee of Trees.

Spent time with my sweet Grandma.

Drank a Bubble Tea.

Saw baby Lexie.

Hung out with Wess and Melissa.

Stopped at Swig.

Visited Pasta Factory more times than I am willing to admit.

And ate at Twenty Five Main with some wonderful friends from high school.

It was just what this {slightly} homesick girl needed.

It was also nice to be able to spend a little extra time with my nephew Michael -

who is my same age.

We grew up like twins and I sure do love that boy!

By Wednesday night my sister Katie and her sweet family from Colorado had landed

and first thing Thursday morning my sister Patrice and her family from Arizona arrived ready for the party.

We were desperately missing our other four siblings who are scattered across the country -

but we were grateful to have three of us {and our families} together.

Thursday morning James played football with a bunch of guys that I grew up with.

My husband, who grew up on the other side of the country, 

somehow managed to play sports with friends every day while we were there.

I loved being able to go watch and see some of the guys at Dixie Middle and Dixie High.

Felt like home. 

Then it was back to the house for a full day of cooking and family time.

My 10-year-old niece is turning into quite the movie director.

So of course she dressed us all up for her movie about our Thanksgiving.

These were my two favorite costumes. 

{surely my Dad and husband are going to kill me for this}

We don't know where Beth got her sense of humor and creativity 

but we sure are glad to have her around.

And glad she has her big sister Kate at home to star in all of her films.

Right Kate?

We spent most of the day admiring my nieces and nephews.

Michael, Kate and Beth feel like siblings.

I adore all three of them more than words can say.

And well, these pictures speak for themselves with Henry.

We are all simply enamored with this little guy.

{Now if only I could get the Michael, Kate or Beth to let me hold them like that.}

Just in case you were wondering -

my vegan parents did cook a turkey for the crew.

Pictured above is my brother-in-law Chris. 

He is cutting what my Mom called 

"a happy turkey."

Apparently it was some free range bird that grew up locally.

What can we say - it made us all feel a little bit better.

It was a hysterical Thanksgiving.

We basically had two of every dish.

My parents are "plant based" eaters.

A few of us are trying to eat less meat and more veggies.

Some of the fam still loves their butter and Oreos.

And Katie has to eat dairy free for her nursing babe.

So, we had quite the wide variety of pallets to say the least.

But somehow we managed to make a meal for every one.

{It's a good thing or my husband may have uprooted for dinner}

 

And after hours and hours in the kitchen - 

we finally dug in!

As dinner was winding down James and I brought in a little gift for the fam.

On a whim, we decided to go in for an early ultrasound a few days before leaving for Thanksgiving.

We weren't supposed to find out until the Tuesday after the holiday.

The entire week we were taking bets.

No one had any clue we already knew.

I brought in a giant box -

my Dad opened it 

and viola!

It's a girl!

As you can see, my Mom's reaction was absolutely priceless.

Thrilled.

Rewind just a few hours...

and travel thousands of miles away...

and you would find the Barker fam enjoying their Thanksgiving.

While James and I were loving Thanksgiving in the Staples home,

we wished we could have been in two places at once.

Its funny - even though I have only been a member of the Barker fam for a little over a year

I desperately miss them on the holidays.

I definitely lucked out becoming a Barker.

My sweet sisters-in-law Allison and Lizzie helped us with a little gift for Jim and Ann.

"A special delivery" from James and Karly revealed two pink balloons.

It's a girl!

Apparently there was some confusion -

are there two girls?

{It's a natural question since James is a twin.}

But once they got over the confusion and laughter they were thrilled with the news.

Baby girl Barker is only the second grandchild - and the first girl.

Needless to say, I think this little girl is going to be spoiled rotten by her aunties and grandparents.

Oh how we wish we could have seen their faces.

 Something about this Thanksgiving was absolutely magical.

For the most part we all just curled up on the couch at my parents and spent time together.

It wasn't extravagant.

Just simple.

And it was perhaps one of my favorite Thanksgivings of all time.

Nothing beats time with family on the holidays.