Family Home Evening

I just have to write about Rachel for a minute for memory keeping sake. Maybe I'll be the only one who is touched by this story.
So, we try to have Family Home Evening every Monday night and Will usually picks a lesson out of the Ensign (church magazine). After the lesson, we read a few scripture stories out of the kids version of the Book of Mormon for Rachel. You know, the simplified one that has pictures and is laid out kind of like a comic book. I remember reading it as a kid and now we read it to Rachel, which I think is so cool. Well, anyway I guess she really likes having FHE because she wants to read her scripture stories every night. Of course we read them to her whenever she asks. The other day she got the Ensign and her special scriptures and insisted to her cousin Cory that he come sit next to her so she could give him a lesson. Even though he didn't care about what she wanted him to do, she sat down anyway and started "reading" her scriptures out loud. She was looking at the pictures and trying to retell the story from memory. I don't rember if it was that same night or not but when we were getting ready for bed one night I went to check on her and found her sleeping with the Ensign and her scripture stories. She had gotten out of bed sometime and sneaked to the living room to get them so she could read them in bed. When I checked on her and saw this, I couldn't help smiling and taking the books to show Will what I had found in her bed with her. I put them away and went to bed myself. Sometime in the night she woke up crying and I went to her room to check on her. She was very upset because she wanted her "family home evening stuff" and she couldn't find it in her bed. It was so cute and special to me because even at only 2 years old, she has found a love for the gospel and it proves that even if she doesn't focus very well during our fhe lesson, she still treasures the experience. It makes me feel like, as a parent, I am doing something right.
Ok, long story, I know. I had to write it all down though because it is something that I think I will want to always remember. I'm sure Rachel will enjoy the story too when she grows up. I know I like hearing stories about my self from when I was little.

extinction of the nap

Tonight Rachel feel asleep watching TV all cuddled up with her daddy. It was so cute so I had to take a picture. She did this monday night too. She is phasing out her nap time during the day so she is apparently pretty tired in the evening. She fell asleep around 8:15 on the couch and with a nap she falls asleep around 9:30 even though her bed time is 8:30. Personally I covet naptime and am very sad that she isn't taking one everyday. What a precious memory though.

Visiting Nana in Pennsylvania

We had the privilege of going to visit Will's grandma again mid December. Grandma's friend Denise invited us up for dinner and tree decorating one night we were there. We also got to celebrate Will's 28th birthday with Grandma. But those pictures are on Will's laptop.





Rachel was really shy around Ned but was willing to put that aside for some fun with the train.


Denise has a guinea pig named Charlie and Rachel just adores him!

Thanksgiving

Everyone ready to eat. My parents flew out but my brother couldn't come. My sister brought her boyfriend and Will's sister brought hers.

Will's usual expression whenever I point the camera on him. He is such a goofball!

My sister Amanda and her boyfriend



A rare moment: I am not cooking or behind the camera!

Tradition in my family growing up was teenagers do the dishes. So Heather and Anthony got the job!

Will decorating the tree just a few days after Thanksgiving.

Will's sister, Heather, and her boyfriend Anthony helped us decorate for Christmas.

Forever Grateful

I reflect on my gratitude today for My husband's service for our country. I know he is a better person and our country a better place because of it.

face in a book

This is usually how Rachel falls asleep now. Ever since her grandpa started reading her stories at bedtime when we were on vacation, Rachel insists on having a book at naptime and bedtime.

Halloween

Trick-or-treating at the mall

running around the neighborhood


pumpkin guts

carving



WWII Army air corps. He dressed up like his grandfather who died in WWII.

Will's sister Heather is a pirate


I dressed as Rosie the Riveter "We can do it"!

us and our friends at the church party

Rachel the Gymnist

Just enjoying some back yard fun. and I know, I turned the video sideways again. I always forget about that. These pictures are a few weeks old, I just keep forgetting I have them. hmmm, I see a pattern of forgetfullness here....

Whats your favorite?

Rachel has accumulated a few different costumes this year for Halloween and I think they are all cute but I was wondering which one you all liked the best. I will of course let her pick which one she wants to wear but she keeps changing her mind too. Butterfly, cat or Asian princess( I am not really sure what to call the pink one. Rachel calls it a china doll)?

Labor Day Triathlon

Everyone after the race. Andrew, Jackie, Sean, Will and Matt
getting ready to jump in
hanging out while daddy swims
The pool was really crowded!
Finishing the bike. 12 miles I think.
He made it! coming in from the 5K run. He placed 2nd in his age group! He did this after not working out for 6 weeks. He thought he was rusty but I think he did great!