Tulip festival 2011

Rachel and I met up with my sister and her fiance at the Tulip Festival to take their engagement photos yesterday. It was the perfect time to go. it was not crowded at all and the weather was perfect. Sunny and just warm enough to go without a sweater. Spring at its best! I wish my handsome hubby could have ditched work to come along but he is so good about being responsible and bringing home the bacon.

family photos

When we went to California for Christmas with my family, we had photos done at the beach. I've had these for a while but totally forgot to post them. These are some of my favorites.

emergency preparedness in action

I saw this on a friend's blog. Its an email from an american living in Japan with her family. She talks about her experience during the recent disaster and how she was prepared and in what ways she wasn't. its quite insightful. I know it makes me think about what I have stored and what I still need to get. You never know when disaster will come to you. I linked the title of the post to the blog so you can click on that but in case it doesnt work go here: http://www.graciousrain.com/2011/03/24/kindly-advice-from-japan/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+graciousrain+%28Graciousrain.com%29

Rachel's 4th birthday

The girls all made jewelry boxes.

And got a ballet lesson from a pretty ballerina


Rachel was very excited to open all her presents and couldn't believe it when they were all gone.

She picked strawberry cake and strawberry frosting so it was all pink. She loves pink!


She got lots of different barbie dolls, not all pictured.

My sister Amanda and her fiance James.

Rachel's birthday is actually the 21st but it was easier to have a party on saturday. She loves birthdays and was really looking forward to it for several weeks. Her party was in the afternoon so all morning she kept asking if it was time yet. It was lots of fun for her and her little girl friends. I tried to simplify it a bit and invite less people this year so it was easier for me too.

oops forgot Thanksgiving

So I was looking at my recent blog posts and noticed that I never posted pictures from Thanksgiving! I know, it was forever ago now but what the heck. Here are pictures from our little family dinner here in Utah. Will's sister Heather and her intended, Roy, joined us for the evening.

Quite a handsome fellow if I do say so!

Cancer stinks!

a friend of ours recently found out he has cancer and has poor medical insurance. His wife has set up a website selling homemade crafts to help raise money to cover their medical expenses. if you are interested in helping out go to www.giftpenguin.yolasite.com. Thanks!

christmas

Swingin in the rain

on the hunt for the perfect tree

found it!

it was a rainy day but still fun to go pick out a tree

Rachel is helping daddy haul it in

decorating

Daddy loves to make a gingerbread house every year

Rachel cuddling with Grandma

Rachel opening her stocking



Daddy gets to learn piano!

Rachel got lots of dressups from santa


nerf gun wars!



they mean business!

they even recruited a princess

We spent 2 weeks in california with my family!