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!

gender check

We are having another GIRL! I get to use all Rachels baby clothes again! I'm thinking Bailey for her first name but not decided on a middle name yet. maybe Jane or May.

Happy Early Christmas to me!

See what my husband got me for Christmas! Its an 05 Honda Odyssey. Its so cool because the back seats fold down into the floor and it has a removable seat in the middle so it can seat 8 if we want. not that we really need that much room yet or ever but it will be nice to fit more people in one car when we get together with extended family. I hope this van will be the last vehicle we buy for a very long time. I love it! My husband is awesome!

Halloween at home

Rachel chose to be Jessie from toy story. I made her costume. cost about $10 to make or $30-40 to buy. The store bought ones are so cheap too, all one piece and so thin.

Kita was a witch but she didn't like her hat. she had it off before we even got all the way to the first house.

Rachel ran into some of her friends while out trick or treating.

Halloween at Adobe

These are just a few of the many, many pictures Will took of the kids and Adobe while we took the kids trick or treating at his work.

Family Home Evening with pumpkin carving

We had hot cocoa for our treat cuz its getting cold here.


Rachel was a good helper

I love her grossed out face!

Good job daddy!

Viola!