Cheese Please

Aren't those teeth cute!?

Rachel was being our big helper tonight ...

Then when we weren't looking she showed her true intention

Oh Christmas Tree

Rachel and I decorated for Christmas November 23rd,

well I decorated and Rachel played with her Little People

Nativity Set. She didn't have much reaction to the tree after

I put the lights on like I thought she would. But when I put the

gold beads on she walked in and said "Oh Wow!".

That totally made my day!

If you notice we have 4 stockings hanging up becuase we are

expecting another little baby and I couldn't resist putting up a

stocking for our little cashew.

One Year Older and Wiser Too!

Today is Marc's Birthday!

Lately I haven't been making breakfast so today I decided to

make him a special birthday breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes,

and fresh fruit. When he was finished getting ready and came upstairs

he saw a birthday sign, and a stack of pancakes with a candle waiting

for him at the table. He said they were super yummy and he was surprised!

Last night we were sitting around our Christmas tree and Rachel was

going around the house and collecting all of the stuffed snowman.

She grabbed this pair from our room so I put them around her neck for

a fun snowman hug!

Rachel found some pipe cleaners so we made a little hat for her

This is my little Rachel bug when she was sick with the flu.

We spent a lot of time in Mom and Dad's bed

taking naps, reading stories and snuggling with a different animal

every few hours becuase she would vomit on them.

Thankful thoughts

At family home evening Marc and I decided this week our scripture study would revolve around gratitude...a perfect subject considering the holiday we are about to celebrate. Then after reading Amy's blog I decided to also write what I am thankful for. After this past week when Rachel vomited on almost everything we both own I'm so grateful that we have our own washer and dryer. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have to run to the laundromat several times a day. I'm thankful for the "Little People's " video we own because it makes Rachel giggle even when she is sick and it also gives me 30 minutes to do what I want. I'm thankful for eternal families and for Temples where we can do work for those who didn't have the opportunity to have this wonderful gospel in their lives while they were living. I'm thankful for friends and family who love me and are happy to help me. I'm thankful for Rachel and all that she teaches me everyday. I'm thankful that I have a hard working husband who is sacrificing his time with his family so we can all have a better future. I'm thankful for this beautiful world and this country that we live in. I'm thankful for all of the men and women who are risking or have risked their lives so that my family can be safe. I'm thankful for our home and all that we have in it. I'm thankful that I can hear music and that Rachel can hear it and loves it as much as I do. It's so much fun to see her dance, smile and giggle when ever we turn on her favorite CD. I am thankful for so many things especially my Heavenly Father and the comfort he sends me just when he knows I need it most. We all have so much to be thankful for let's not forget that.

Where is your...

Rachel is our super smart girl

What does the animal say?

Rachel is so funny she doesn't just read her books but she also kisses them, we don't know how this started but hey if she feels it's imortant, why not?

Marc's day off

After daddy left she ran to her room grabbed

her play phone and called daddy.

Marc actually had a day off (thanks all you veterans!)

so he and Rachel had lots of fun together.

When he did have to leave for his practicum

she cried big alligator tears. But like any big

girl, she still waved goodbye and blew him

some well deserved kisses.

We watched a Little Peoples

video one night before bed.

Rachel was so into the video that

nothing (not even food)

could break her attention. She didn't

budge either, this is how she sat

through all three segments.

Halloween...or Thanksgiving?

Rachel had fun picking out her pumpkin

at grandma and grandpa's.

For Halloween this year she was a Turkey!

Mom and I had lots of fun figuring out her

home made costume. Everyone thought she was

the cutest thing around at Marc's work and the

trunk or treating.

Rachel's favorite thing about Halloween was trading

candy with the person who was giving her candy.

She would take the candy from the bowl or person, put it

in her bucket then take one out and give it to the person.

Who said we haven't taught her to share?

Grandma & Rachel had some good bonding time

When we got home from camping there was a large box
that mom had sent Rachel. Inside was a chair just her size, a rocking horse and tons of styrofoam peanuts which we all had fun with and ended up picking up for days.

Camping

Mid October we went camping to Capital Reef National Park

with my mom who was visiting us. Our second day there we took a

hike up Cohab Canyon. It was chilly in the morning and at night

but everything was beautiful. Rachel started the hike asleep but soon

woke up and enjoyed everything.

This tree was super neat! It was growing right out of the rocks and still surviving.

This is Rachel on our hike at Capital Reef National Park

This is our family as of fall 2007