Rachel's Birthday Party!

Her new "thang" is putting her hand on her chin when I tell her to smile.
 There must be a princess who does this...

Pretty girl!!!

Love you Rach.

We celebrated with Daddy's yummy BURGERS! Delish!
We were so happy that Nana, Pop, Katie, Steven, and Kelly could come for the big party! Thanks so much for coming guys! It was a blast!

Ready for cake!!! 
I just love this picture.

A very tall, very pink, Birthday cake! Oh, and sparkly too!

Maggie enjoyed Rachel's party too!
I didn't get a good picture of it but as soon as Rachel opened up a present from Nana that had two new nightgowns in it, Maggie ripped off her dress and put one on. It was hilarious! I think she's learning that Rachel's presents are her presents too... hehe. 

Nothing better than getting sung to on your birthday!

Make a wish! There's four candles on that cake... sheesh, it goes by so fast!

Oh looky there! Nana and Pop delivered with a beautiful Cinderella princess dress! 
Oh boy, was she in heaven.

And my awesome friend Telene spotted this FREE bike from a neighbor trying to get rid of it! 
I WANT IT! And of course added the tassels!

Going for a ride around the kitchen with Daddy...

Oh my goodness does this picture say it all... 
She's glowing!

As requested by Miss Rachel... A PINKALICIOUS CAKE! 
I think I conquered that request!

All of life's lesson in one soccer game...

Okay, okay maybe not ALL of life's lessons but A LOT! That's why I was so pumped to put Rachel in soccer. In my life so far, I've learned more about myself on a field, mat, court, or road than I ever did in a classroom. Victory, defeat, discouragement, exhilaration  sportsmanship, teamwork, toughness and the list goes on and on. This game was no exception. I am so proud of my baby girl! It was a great way to kick of her birthday weekend! WHOOP!

Daddy pep-talk...

Pep-talks always work- look at the confidence in that walk...

Game face on!

She may be playing soccer but she's still a girl. 
"Oh, I like that uniform your wearing."
"I know it's so red."
hehehe...

"Alright kids, which was are we going?"
"THAT WAY!"
sidenote: that kids face next to Rachel totally cracks me up!


This is what happened when someone else scored. Discouragement. 
It was someone else on her team too! She is so my daughter. Poor thing. haha!

And this is what happened when the coach told her to sit out so some other kids could play.
Again, my daughter.

Go Rachel Go!!!

SHE SCORED!!!! hahaha! Probably one of my favorite pictures of all time.

Close up! I LOVE IT!!!

And then we to a place the kids have been begging and begging to go to Chuck E. Cheese.
I think the place is cheesy (pardon the pun) and expensive but I gave in... it's birthday time!!!
Think she can make this work? 
Growing up way too fast!

Party at the Park

I had planned a fun birthday weekend and family party for Rachel but as the weekend got closer I decided to throw an impromptu "Party at the Park".  It was so fun to invite all of Rachel's little friends! I couldn't believe they brought presents! Especially since I called them all just two days before. Talk about making a girl feel special. Thank you so much everyone!

This picture is hilarious!!! 
Rachel was so concerned about Maggie blowing out her candles. Gotta say, I don't blame her. haha!

Happy Birthday Rachel Lynn!!!

I have a four year old. How crazy awesome is that! 
She's getting so big and beautiful!

Maggie had such a hard time all week with Rachel getting a birthday. Maggie would constantly exclaim, "It's my birthday too!" - "I'm three!" 
Rachel would correct her and of course crying would follow. It's hard to watch your sister have a birthday without you. 
But, I was so happy to see her so excited for Rachel! (And cupcakes, of course)

I asked Rachel if she'd like me to help her read her birthday card. She said "No, I can read it myself."
It says, "Abi and Rachel will be best friends forever. Flowers are beautiful. Happy Birthday Rachel!"
Haha! 
I love you too Rachel! And it's true- flowers ARE beautiful. 

Eggstravaganza!

Our ward had a little Easter Egg Hunt... more like a Easter egg free for all! They weren't hidden at all. Only the fast ones get eggs...

Good thing they let the nursery aged kids get a 1 minute head start! 

Instead of stopping to eat candy at each egg like last year, Maggie pressed on and got many more eggs this time...

I love Maggie's face in this one! Can you tell she was thrilled!?!

I think she knows she's cute. 
Yeah, she definitely knows!

Look at that soft, flowly hair spin!

After the hunt, we came home and dyed eggs! YEAH!

They were really into it... how ordinary eggs that Mommy can never get them to eat turn such pretty colors- Amazing!

And then Mommy took them to the backyard and REALLY hid them! 
We hid and found them over and over again! That is until they all broke. Then we just ate some candy! 
And did I mention that we started a new Easter tradition? The heck with ham or turkey- we made ribs. Oh yeah! ;)

He is Risen!

In the hustle and bustle of our families Easter activities, I forgot a very special personal tradition of mine. This morning I remedied that mistake and spent a quiet moment reading my favorite talk, "Sunday Will Come" by Joseph B. Wirthlin. I know you're not supposed to favorites, but let's face it, we all do. And I know I'm not the only one who has a special place in my heart for Elder Wirthlin. His talks were always so simple, yet always resonated in my heart. And as you can see, they still do. 

Many times going to church feels like a chore. Many times I don't take the opportunity to rejoice and praise my Savior in those three very hectic hours at church. And many times I need to change my attitude as I walk in those chapel doors and realize the real reason why I make the sometimes enormous effort to attend. It's because I know it's where I should be. I know that attending blesses my family in more ways than I'll ever know. And it's because I know it's true. I know that my Savior is risen. 

This talk, "Sunday Will Come", was given in the October 2006 session. As I look back on that time I can't help at chuckle a little bit. You see, I had been married a little less than a month. It was a time where I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life, and felt as if everything was ruined. Sounds dramatic, but it's the truth! Since that time I've learned many things about myself, and about Heavenly Father's plan for me. I've learned not to focus on all the potholes and detours, but simply to be happy along the way. Obviously, I'm no pro at this. But I've come leaps and bounds since that fall conference session in 2006. 

Thanks for indulging my thoughts! Plain and simple-
Jesus Christ is RISEN! Sunday Will Come. 

And with that- It's time for Easter Sunday pictures! 
Are you excited?
Seriously, you'd better be excited. 
Because these pictures were painful! haha! 
I laughed but I'm not kidding. 
Quick question- what's the perfect time for taking Easter pictures? The day before? Then they get dirty before you ever wear them to church. Plus, who whats to get all done up and do it again it less than 24 hours? After church? How do you stay pretty during church!? Before church? And ruin the spirit before you ever walk into sacrament meeting with grouchy kids? 
I'm conflicted.

Okay, here we go! The only decent family picture.

Maggie, Maggie, Maggie... what is your deal with family pictures? What a stinker! 

You should have seen her when I gave Rachel candy for smiling and wouldn't give her any. 

I thought it'd be good motivation. 

Wrong.

Rachel cooperated though. She was beyond thrilled about Easter.

And she's seriously too pretty for her own good. Good thing her Daddy is a Ranger. 

Easter is my favorite! And the fourth of July of course. ;)

Maggie is smiling! I'll take it! 
I didn't feel too stressed about getting great shots since we'll be wearing the same outfits to my brothers wedding in a month! 
Killing two birds with one stone. I'm awesome. haha!
 
This dress definitely spins different than my other dresses... I think I like it! 

Oh my word. 
That's all I have to say. 
Actually, there's one thing- Is this really MY daughter? 
Yep, she's got my face. 

This was the best Easter I think I've ever had! The whole three-day weekend was marvelous! I wasn't feeling "too" sick, we played in the sunshine, we got lots of to-do's done, we learned about the Savior as a family, and we hung out in the hammock a bunch.
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
I love this guy. So so much!
And just a side note- my hair my seriously beautiful and curly until I walked outside. 
Just so you know. 
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! I hope it was wonderful.