Crazy @ Craigos

 For a little stroll down memory lane, we headed to Craigos Pizzeria (now American Pizza Pie Cafe, so dumb...). Nate and I had our first date at Craigos, in this same booth, following a harp concert almost exactly six years ago. The girls were CRAAAZY!! I don't know what it was, but Rachael was seriously a lunatic and Whitney was just following along. Its a very relaxed place and every other customer there had kids, so I wasn't entirely concerned about her behavior, but seriously, she was bouncing off the booth walls. I love going back to Rexburg to see all of our old hang outs and places where our family started and grew.

Fun on Grandpa's Farm

 The girls spent a LOT of time eating raspberries, playing with the new litter of puppies, and playing make believe in the grass. Lets not forget tractor rides, picking carrots, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, and looking at the new baby cows. It was so awesome for the girls!!

 Grandpa and sweet baby Calder (Celeste's baby)

 Whitney didn't love the tractor ride...

Rachael did!

Rexburg Water Fun!

The end of July we went up to Rexburg for a Russell Family reunion. We did a LOT of water activities. First being going to Egin (ee-gin) Lakes. Super fun, its about two feet deep across the whole thing, perfect for games. Rachael was content to do her own thing, and Whit was busy being busy.

Whit and Hannah, they're about two months apart. Hannah is THE sweetest little girl, full of hugs and smiles.

The next night we rented tubes from BYU-I ($3, buy one get one FREE?! Yes please!) Aunt Melissa is super fun and adventurous and decided to strap a metal tub to a wooden pallet and started a fire. SO FUN!! Rachael and Kloe were such cute friends together!

Jonathan tying a rope around the fire.

Love this girl!

The next day since we still had the tubes we just went as a smaller group, sans fire. I LOVE floating the river!

And so does Rachael, apparently.

I took like 27 pictures of Whitney in the boat because she was so dang adorable in her life jacket.

Rachael looks like she's being a drama queen bawling her eyes out, but she was just lounging on daddy's lap, trying to keep the sun out.

We hit up the Rexburg splash park and Rachael loved it! (Notice my two sis-in-laws, Sarah and Heidi, in the back. I love those ladies!!)

Such cute cousins! Abigail, Paige, Rachael, and Kloe

July 4th

^Thrilled to be going to a parade

We had a very low key 4th of July. Normally, in UT/ID, we would buy our own fireworks and light them in the street. In CA, not entirely possible. Basically our day consisted of a small local parade, swimming, and a BBQ picnic dinner. After dinner, around 8, we debated on going to the city's fireworks or heading home to get the girls to bed. Nate, the fireworks fanatic, voted we put the little grumps to bed. So we did. Nate and I watched a movie while we listened to the fireworks through the window. I'll be honest, it was nice to have a stress free holiday. 

Four Years!!

Dear Rachael,
We're here in Rexburg visiting Grandma and Grandpa Russell and it is bringing back SO many memories of this day four years ago. The panic that I felt when the doctor told me I needed to be induced TODAY, the anxiety I felt getting checked into the hospital, the relief I felt at receiving my epidural :), and the indescribable joy I felt when I held you for the first time. That first time was such an amazing moment. I felt no panic, I felt no fear, I only felt love for you. You were the perfect first child, and seeing you grow and learn has been the most fulfilling thing I've ever experienced. Yesterday we went to a pizza restaurant and you were acting crazy, seriously insane, but your dad and I couldn't help but smile and laugh at our spunky, gorgeous girl. Your dad said to me, "Have you had fun with her these last four years?" Of course I have, more fun than I've ever had. Its been rough, and you've been upset with me a fair bit, but we've made it through. You are so kind to others, so polite to everyone you meet, so sweet with your baby sister, so patient with your mom and dad when we're trying to understand you. Every day you learn and improve, and I couldn't be more proud of you. I hope and pray you continue to be the sweet, caring girl you are now.

We love you, kid!

I have FINALLY blogged!!

I know, I know, it has been SO long! But as you can see, June has been one busy month! Enjoy looking at these cute girls and getting the update on our lives.

Erin Update

Well, the BIGGEST update is that on June 8, 2012, I got a car! After years of hoping and looking for a car, I found an amazing deal on Craigslist. It is a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it only had 11,000 miles on it! Fantastic! We rushed on down to the bank, got us a loan, and got me a car. It has been so amazing having this freedom! If a friend texts me to come to Chick-Fil-A, you better believe I'm heading on down there! I love it!

In other news, while my mom was here she gave me just the kick in the pants I needed to finally revamp our hideous table. I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out, even after all of the sanding, stripping, staining, painting, distressing, it was all worth it!

Nate Update

I just want to quickly throw a shout out to my AWESOME husband! He has studied so hard these last few months to pass his CPA exams. I'm pleased to announce that in the last seven months, Nate has taken and passed all four sections of the CPA exam with limited amounts of studying. Add on top of that his first tax busy season, that is one freaking amazing accomplishment! Add on top of THAT that he was ranked #1 performer in his peer group at work, I'd say this man has found what he was meant to do! Love you and I'm so proud of you, Nate!!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

I'm planning on enrolling Rachael in a dance class next year, and the studio allowed her to try one class. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited she was for this. And I was for, that matter! I took so. many. pictures. and so. much. video. Ugh, she was SO adorable!

 She happened to think so too. With an entire wall of mirrors, what's an adorable girl to do? Of course, stare at herself!

 Stretching.

 Painting the sky.

 She couldn't quite grasp first position. We'll get there, haha.

 Rachael's first barre.

 Tap shoes!

Tumbling. We definitely need to work on our somersaults.

These pictures were taken behind a window into the studio, hence the poor quality of pictures. I am so excited for her to start dancing! I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

End of School

I cannot even tell you how sad I was to see Rachael's first year of school end. Her teachers have been so fantastic! Those of you who knew Rachael this time last year would not even know it was the same kid, she's talking so much! Every day she gets better and better. My mom and I went to observe her class on the last day. We were there during circle time and got to see Rachael be a helper.

 Lining up to go play outside!

 We all went back later for a pizza party. I love Rachael's face in this picture.

 Miss Rosalie

 Miss Yuko

Miss Kristi

This school district, I truly believe, is one of the reasons we were lead to Irvine. Fan. Tas. Tic!

*Shout out to my mom. She made Rachael's SUPER cute maxi dress! Thanks, gramma!*