*Note of Appreciation*

Thank You to everyone that has been praying for us and sending positive thoughts our way! We are all so grateful and KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that prayer is the reason Richard is alive and healing so quickly! Thank you to family and friends for the hours spent visiting with us at the hospital, taking care of children, bringing in meals, giving rides, cleaning my filthy disgusting house- carotes & car! Thank you for all of the phone calls and messages offering help and support. We had no idea that we were so loved and had so many looking out for us.The kids are doing well- the girls are back to school, Gabe is... well Gabe and Ammon is teething! Rick is walking more, eating more and on less pain medication. I miss my kids and am anxious to take my hubby home. Rick may very well be out of work until January or February so your prayers in our behalf are still very welcome and appreciated. THANK YOU! THANK YOU for all of the love and support! We truly have felt the Lord walking with us!

We've been busy...

Things always seem to get so busy at the beginning of the school year. I almost feel like I can't keep up! Ammon is coming to life- he has started reaching for things, cooing and even laughs every now and then. He still spends most of his time looking at us with a slightly shocked expression- like we are all crazy and out of our minds- but he is beginning to smile more.
The girls are LOVING school and Sarah has joined the Jr. High Volleyball team. She has practices before school every morning at 6am!!! She and Rachel got a cold/flu illness and she missed some practices so she won't be able to play in the first few games but she is excited and can't wait to ride the bus to and from the out of town games with the other girls. Getting up at 5am every morning has been hard but has turned into a good thing- we all get up and read scriptures and say prayers as a family. It is really nice to have some time together in the morning as a family and to not be as rushed. Then I take Sarah into town and I often get to go walking with friends- which I LOVE and doesn't feel like exercise... except for the heavy breathing... and red face.

















Gabriel is keeping busy with his usual things- playing ball, fighting, helping Mommy and playing with his cousins- who he is in love with and wants to see EVERY day!































Rick is busy working and helping out at home. He gets bombarded when he walks in the door with hugs from the girls and wife- a 3 year old who is always hiding wanting 'Daddy Richard' to find him and a new baby eager to 'coo' at him about his day. I seem to be getting over the whole Postpartum thing just in time to spill boiling water on my arms and hands and then catch a nasty cold/flu. Thankfully my arms and hands are fine- just itchy and peeling now and the cold/flu illness is gone. Back to life!

SO GRATEFUL...

I just wanted to take a moment and express gratitude for my wonderful family and friends. It is embarrassing to admit but I have been struggling with Postpartum Depression. I wasn't expecting it and it came on strong and quickly. It has been tough and I have had to drop my pride to call friends and family for help. They have responded without judgment, quickly and with full support. I am so grateful for the days that they have spent tending my children and for the many hours spent babysitting me. I am grateful for friends that have taken kids to sleep over and to activities. I am so thankful for friends who listened as I cried and who made me call the doctor and get some help. I am SO grateful for a mother- sister & brother in law that dive in to help & get things done when even I don't want to and who are willing to help with the 'yucky' stuff! I am grateful for the hours spent at the laundromat keeping me company and teaching me how to work everything. I am SO thankful for a mother who comes running every time that I call, who cleans up my kitchen, watches my kids and that drags me off of the floor- into pants and kicks me out of my own house to go for a walk & get some fresh air...when I don't want to... then walks with me to make sure that I don't find another place to go and hide. Most of all I am grateful for patient and helpful children and a husband who tries so hard to be understanding and loving- even after working 12 hour days in the heat. Thank you everyone for being there and I am working on it- really I am!!!!!

Ammon

Here are a few pictures of our latest addition. He is getting big too fast!!!

Visitors Center

Well... we actually made it out of the house to do something as a family for once! We went to the Visitors Center in Independence. It was a warm sunny day so we sat in the grass and had a picnic. Gabe played in a tree and the girls soaked up the sunshine. We enjoyed the information and the pictorial depiction of the Saviors life. Then the kids had a good time playing around in the mini pioneer village. It was nice to get out of the house and go somewhere. I hope as Ammon gets bigger 'outtings' will be more frequent. I tried taking the kids to the park in Galliton a little while ago but Ammon was not having it. So here we sit. Ah well- here are some pictures.

A few more pictures of our little one!

Ammon and Daddy!














Ammon finally sleeping!















Ammon going for a ride in the car to 'Grandpa Grandpa's' (as Gabe calls my mother) house.

Our new little one!

Ammon Richard Wilcox has joined our family!!!
Ammon was born on Friday- June 19, 2009 at 3:18pm. He weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and was 19 inches long. We had few complications and thanks to a GREAT Dr. who listened to his 'gut feeling' we were able to be induced and get Ammon here safely. He is a sweet little guy- long and skinny like his dad- with the longest skinniest toes I have ever seen! We are so glad that he has joined our little 'brood'. Mommy is especially happy that he is here and that she is not sick all of the time anymore! The kids love having him around- Gabe tells everyone that he loves 'baby Ammon- hims my best friend'. The girls spend a good deal of their time arguing over who gets to hold him next. come to think of it- some days Daddy has to put his foot down and insist on getting a turn. Thank goodness for older helpful daughters- I swear they are the only reason that I get a shower some days!!! Anyway... our little one is here and we are all doing great! I will try and get on a schedule and update more often.

Quick hello!!!

I thought I would pop on quickly while we are visiting my parents and give everyone a quick update- sorry I forgot my camera. Rick is working hard at his job just to come home and work hard around the house or on the land. He even got to mow the lawn for the first time this past week- one of his favorite things to do! I am counting down the weeks until 'AMMON'- as we call him- joins our little brood. I have been really sick lately and have been diagnosed with 'GILBERT'S SYNDROME'. Basically my liver does not break down and get rid of toxins correctly and they are released into my blood stream. There has been very little research into this disease and there are very few answers to my questions but it is nice to know what has been making me tired and sick with fevers and backaches and headaches and nausea and turning my skin 'yellowish' since I was 22. I have had to rest a lot and cut sugar and refined foods out of my diet- MAN I MISS CHOCOLATE!!!!
Sarah is growing like a weed and getting prettier every day. I took her shopping for an Easter dress and found myself feeling very conflicted- the dress that she looked the most darling in was also the one that she looked the most grown up in! It is stylish and pretty and she is in love with it. We have had to put a bit of a hold on her bedroom and she is having a hard time with it. Almost all of the drywall is up and she can hardly stand it!!! She is so afraid that we will not get it done in the next few weekends before the baby gets here and then she will have to keep sharing a room. Rachel is just as cute and fiesty as ever- she too is growing like a weed and is looking less and less like a 'little girl' to me. She is doing GREAT in school and really enjoys her after school Math/Science club. She is excited that the baby will be here soon and keeps asking us to go ahead and have a little girl next so she can share her room with it. UGH! She wants to be homeschooled again next year and says that she misses Gabe and I when she is gone during the days. I am all for it.... I think. We will see. Gabriel is... well.... cute as heck is what he is! He is happy and funny and loves 'his girls'. He follows his sisters around everywhere and wants to show them every little thing and do everything that they are doing. He tells us that he is not Gabe- he is 'Spiderman' or 'Batman' depending on the day... and then he will tell us when he is 'just Gabe' again. We have been trying to teach him not to interrupt people when they are talking and that he needs to say 'excuse me' when he does want a turn to talk. He hasn't quite figured it out yet- so far he just interrupts and says 'EXCUSE ME!' over again and again and again (loudly) until you let him talk. It is pretty cute. His father is coming out to visit next month and I think we have created a little monster- the last time his dad came it was around his Birthday and he bought him presents, the time before his dad got him Christmas gifts... now Gabriel has a running list of the things he wants 'Daddy Thom' to get him when he comes out. He wants a baby pool, a baby trampoline (to jump), a blue Spiderman wallet, to go and get a cheeseburger and a slide for his playground. Funny kid! Oh to be 3 again!
that is about all that is going on- because I have been TOTALLY USELESS!!! We have a garden in thanks to my parents and need to get a going on buying baby stuff- we are running out of time!!!! Never a dull moment. I will try really hard to remember my camera next time and get some pictures of the kids up. Hope you are all well and happy!!!!!!

What have we been up to?

I have to say that I am LOVING my husbands new work schedule- I LOVE having him home every afternoon and every night. We have a family life and can actually plan ahead and do things together. The kids LOVE the time with him and he is enjoying everything about his schedule... except the 4am alarm that goes off every day- including Saturdays.













This is the first time since we have been married that we can plan for and do the fun things that we have wanted to as a family. We have taken evening walks and have had game nights with the kids, we eat dinner as a family and he and I have even gotten to go out on a date just the two of us! We have had time to run errands, play, visit with family, have a pizza/movie night with the kids, play outside and even get the chores and housework done- in one night!!!! I feel so blessed and so grateful that he is able to be around so much and for all of the work that he does during the day and here at home... not to mention all that he sacrifices to take care of us! THANKS BABE!!!!













I have to add these pictures of Gabriel in his favorite 'present blankie' that Richards Grandmother made for him. He ALWAYS has it with him and we are in real trouble if we leave it behind when we go to church or to run errands or to visit family.. pretty much anywhere! He loves to be wrapped up from head to toe in it and finds a soft spot to rub betweeen his fingers while he sucks his thumb. The other day he was hiding int he laundry baskets and 'scaring' us- one of his favorite games when he dropped in his tracks and fell asleep. He slept for an hour and a half and has crawled in the laundry basket a few times since to nap. Funny kid!

Gratitude....

I think being put on bed rest for the past few weeks has probably been a little harder on me than I have admitted- even to myself. I thought I was doing okay- just REALLY bored- until 2 of my friends found out yesterday that I had been put on bed rest... they dropped everything they had going on in their busy lives, ran to the store, put together a 'fun box'- full of games, treats, lotion, veggies and dip, fruit and even a movie to watch, then made my family dinner and came over to visit. I was so happy to see them that I could have cried- and did-LITERALLY- and then I had a hard time not crying the whole time that they were here. I was so grateful for their thoughtfulness and for the company. I think cabin fever or depression... maybe both... had set in and I didn't even realize how bad it was. When they were here and after they left all I could do was think about how blessed and grateful I am to have friends and family who call to check on me, who look for ways to show me that they love me, who pray for me, who help get me to and from Dr's appointment and who lift my spirits... and that help with Gabriel. It has been a long and boring couple of weeks and I am really excited about getting to my appointment this morning and have my fingers crossed that the Dr. will tell me all is well and that I can resume a LIFE! I miss my friends and my life! Thank you everyone for all that you have done and for brightening my days and lifting my spirits! I know youa re going to kill me for this but..... Dee- Sasha- you are the greatest!!! THANK YOU!!!

Sometimes....

Sometimes I think my kids have too much time on their hands. Sarah is always doing funny things like this and can't wait to show us her creations. Thank goodness for imagination!

A room with a view!

Sarah's room has a window! Her room gets so much light all day long that we keep thinking we have left the light in there on. My father, mother and brother came down last week and my Dad put in the window- with my Mothers help. Just as my dad got to a part that he wasn't too sure about... along comes Paul Turner! Paul is the man that built my house and he felt inspired to come by and check on us. The timing was perfect and the window is perfect. We are so grateful for his help! It is so fun to see the room coming together... NEXT COMES DRYWALL!!!!!

A New Room!!!

We have started working on the 4th (and last) bedroom in our house. And by 'we' I mean my father and Richard. We were going to turn the room into a playroom but have decided it might serve us better as a bedroom for Sarah. She is pretty excited about getting her own room and wants to paint it a very light lavender. Rachel has decided the she wants to switch bedrooms with Gabriel and that she wants to paint her room a light pale yellow. That means Gabriel and the baby will have the bedroom right next to Richard and I- which will be convenient. Gabe wants to paint his room blue and he wants to help! I can hardly wait for that fun adventure! Anyway- we are at the beginning and I am excited to see progress. I am bound and determined to put the pressure on and get the rooms done and painted and organized before the baby comes- among all of the other projects we need to get to this Spring. Ugh! Thank goodness there is time.
My father came today and he and my mother spent the day cutting and bashing a doorway in the hall. Then he framed it and put in the door to the bedroom. Sarah and Rachel both came right in from school and were so excited to go in and out of the door to Sarah's room. Next comes cutting the hole for the window. YEA!!!! Progress!!!! Thanks Mom & Dad- you are the greatest!

Gabriel's new game

Gabriel has discovered a new game... making scary faces! He loves it!!! He spent almost an hour making 'scary faces' for me and the girls the other night and thought he was hilarious. Then we took him into the bathroom to look into the mirror at himself while he made 'scary faces'- he laughed and laughed at himself and thought that was the neatest thing ever! He has spent a good amount of time every day since making 'scary faces' at us and having us make 'scary faces' in return. Every time that he goes into the bathroom to wash his hands we have to make 'scary faces' into the mirror. He thinks that he is totally hilarious and I will have to try and get some pictures of the girls making scary faces back. We are so easily amused in our house!!!

Birthday!

Thank you for the AWESOME Birthday dinner and evening kids.... and hubby!!! I loved the balloons, food and gifts- especially the homemade coupons and musical number!!! You made my Birthday AWESOME!!!! I have to admit that my favorite part was NOT having to do the dishes!

Things have been busy....

I know it has been awhile and I am sorry- things have been busy and I have been sick- gotta love sinus infections! We have finally begun construction on our extra/storage room. We have decided to turn it into a bedroom for Sarah and she is VERY excited!!! She wants to paint the room a light purple and light pale green. Whatever- it is her room. Rachel has decided that she wants to move rooms and be in the playroom. Rachie wants to paint her room a light pale yellow. So... of course... Gabriel and the baby will be in the bedroom right next to Rick and I. Gabriel wants to paint his room blue- 'lots a blue mom!' he tells me- 'wif cars on it!'- hope the new baby likes cars?!?
The kids are doing great and have had a lot of fun outside on their swing set on the warmer days. Sarah spends a lot of time with her nose in books and has started reading stories to Gabriel almost every night. Gabriel is loving the attention and the stories- his favorite book right now is 'BIG BAD BRUCE'. He likes telling me all about that mean old bear. Rachel spends her time trying to get on the computer to play 'poptropica' (?) she loves it and bugs me from the minute she walks int he door until she goes to bed at night- well... until she crawls off somewhere and falls asleep. We find her in Gabe's bed, on the floor, out on the couch- she just kind of drops in her tracks! Funny kid!

Rick and I are doing well. The sinus infection really took a lot out of me and I am glad to be feeling better. Rick is getting ready to begin his new job- next Wednesday!!!!! We are excited about the hours- (consistent hours!!!), the fact that he will average more than 40 hours a week, they pay overtime and this new company will have Medical Insurance. YAY!!!! I have to admit I am not thrilled that he will be gone every afternoon and night- but maybe another shift will eventually open up. Cross our fingers! He will get to carpool to and from work with his Dad which he is looking forward to, he was just telling me the other night that he has missed hanging out with him every day. So the commute should be kind of fun for him. That will also give us more time to look for a second car and will leave me with the minivan- UGH. Still working on the whole minivan thing.

That is about all here- just regular every day family stuff. I am happy that there is progress on the 4th room and keep hoping for some warm days int he near future so we can cut out and put a window into that room. Hope everyone is well!

IT"S A BOY!!!!

I only have a minute to type before I have to feed the Missionaries... but I could not wait to get online and tell everyone that it is official- WE HAVE THE ULTRASOUND PICTURE AND IT IS A BOY!!!!! YEA!!!! I will try to put the picture on later. Richard, Gabe and Sarah are very excited... Rachel is a little bummed, she was hoping for a little sister to boss around and dress up. I am thrilled to finally and officially know what we are having and I am ready to go shopping!!!! YEA!!!!

*SIGH*

Rick got home from the dealership a little before 2pm yesterday and had new tires on the minivan- NO the latch on the back was not fixed and he now has to take next Tuesday off of work to go in AGAIN and try to get that fixed. *SIGH* *SUPER SIGH* On a good note- next Tuesday is our appointment to find out if we are having a boy or a girl so Rick will be able to come and see that before he heads to St. Joseph once again. YAY!

I have to rant....

I just HAVE to get it out- I am so angry!!!! I know that I do not usually use my Blog as a forum to yell and scream but I just have to. As everyone knows by now on January 21 my husband wrecked my beloved Sante Fe- (leather, heated seats, upgraded sound system & CD player, DVD player, all of the extras that I loved-SIGH!) thankfully and gratefully he was not hurt. This did, however, leave us in the market for another vehicle and having a little one on the way left us needing one with 7 or more seats. Minivan it is- ugh! SUPER UGH! Sooo- I began looking at Minivans online- new, used, dealerships, craigslist, in and out of state. I spent days going back and forth on Kelly Blue book comparing values with prices trying to figure out the best possible way to get what we needed but that would still allow us to work our way entirely out of debt by the end of this year. My father- who I trust more than anyone when it comes to cars, money and business decisions suggested a guy he knows at a dealership... which I must say really surprised me and has never happened before. I can not stress never enough! I called this salesman, told him exactly what we were looking for, told him the price range I wanted to stay in and we set up an appointment to meet. To make a long story short we went to the dealership- he was busy- we met with another salesman- we found something close enough to what we wanted and began negotiating. They wanted more then I was willing to pay and I wanted the vehicle detailed, the latch on the back door fixed and new tires put on it. I talked them down $700 and they agreed to wash & detail the vehicle, put new tires on it, fix the latch on the rear door and give it an oil change. I was pleased with the 'deal' that I made, I was thrilled that I had talked them into less than I would have been willing to pay and I figured that I would work on liking the idea of being a 'minivan mom'. (YES AMY- I KNOW THAT YOU ARE LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY!!! JERK!) The vehicle was not ready and they told us that we could pick it up the next day.
The next day (Thursday) Gabriel and I were heading out the door to pick up the vehicle when they called to tell us the part was not in to fix the rear door yet so they would call us when it was ready. The next day (Friday) they called us and told us we could come and pick up the minivan at our convenience. Rick and I decided to make a date night out of it- we turned in our rental car and got a ride to the dealership. We were to the dealership just before 6pm. The salesman pulled the minivan around for us and told us that they would 'owe us a detail job'- the detail department had been busy that day and he guessed the department had not gotten around to it. I was ticked!!! I do not like dirt- let alone someone else's dirt and this van was FILTHY! I threw a fit and reminded them that we had gone over and over how important it was to me that the vehicle was clean because I did not want to drive my kids around in FILTH and I did not want to have to be the one to clean it. The salesmen told me that the detail department was closed for the day and that we could bring it back the next morning. I was MAD- that would be more of our gas money gone and that meant Rick would be sitting in the dealership on his first Saturday off in awhile and on the first warm, sunny Saturday of the year instead of being on the picnic and at the park with me and the kids like we had planned. Not to mention we had returned the clean rental car- which we had not 'had' to do yet and now I was going to have to drive around in this filthy thing on my first date night in months!!! I WAS MAD! The salesmen suggested that we run to the car wash and at least vacuum and wipe it out- so we did. Rick and salesman #1 vacuumed everything while salesman #2 and I wiped everything down. We were an hour later to dinner than planned so we had to wait forever to be seated- and that is never fun to do with a frustrated, hungry pregnant woman! My poor hubby.
The next morning (Saturday) Rick was at the dealership at 9:30am and did not get home until after 2pm!!! I went out to inspect the vehicle- they had scrubbed the carpets but that was all! They had NOT fixed the back latch on the rear door or put on new tires- they had put on different tires- but they were not new! They also had not cleaned the dashboard, any of the interior vinyl, the cup holders, glove box or CD holder. They had not cleaned between the seat bottoms and seat backs or underneath the seats. They had not cleaned any knobs, switches, mirrors or interior lights. They had not wiped down the doors and all of the mirrors and windows were so spotted they looked dirty. That left me wondering what a car dealership- with an actual 'detail department' thinks of when they guarantee a detail job on a vehicle?!?!?!?!? Rick and I spent 4 hours Saturday afternoon washing out the minivan- doing what they had contracted to do! Why- because the dealership was closed until Monday and I was not going to spend the weekend driving myself and my kids around in filth! Needless to say on the first Saturday Rick was free from work and we had nice weather we were not able to spend any time at the park or on our family picnic as we had promised ourselves and the kids. I WAS SAD & MAD!!!
So... what did the dealership do... what did they keep their word on... what part of the stuff that they contracted to do did they actually follow through with- they gave us an oil change and an inspection sticker. Now it is Tuesday morning and after both myself and my father called the salesman yesterday insisting that they make things right, my husband had to take work off for the day and go back to the dealership to have them fix the rear door latch and put NEW tires on the minivan. He left in time to be there at 9am- what time do you think he will actually get home today?!?!? I am taking bets. I do feel a little comfort in knowing that I have friends in the market for a bigger vehicle that I WILL NOT BE referring to this company and when I buy Rick a car or truck in the next few weeks... I WILL NOT BE getting it from them! If anyone would like to know the name of this dishonest and deceitful dealership in St.Joseph- anyone... Just call me and I will be more than happy to share any information I can with you. Thanks for listening!!!!

So very grateful...

I just had to take a minute and 'BLOG' about how very blessed my little family has been this last week! I am so grateful that we have been blessed, protected and watched over. On the way to work last week Richard hit a mixture of frost and gravel on a curve and flipped our car. The top of the car and windshield were crushed in so far toward the seats that I can not figure out how Richards head did not go through it. My car is destroyed but my husband walked away with a sore back and a scratch- WE WERE SO BLESSED! Thankfully none of the children were in the car and there were no other cars involved- if it had happened the day before or the day after Rick would have had one of the kids in the car. WE ARE SO BLESSED! We have a wonderful Insurance company that covers medical expenses to a certain point so my husband was able to go to the hospital and get checked over- bringing peace of mind to me and to his mother. Again- WE ARE SO BLESSED! Being out here on my own with the kids for the past two years, having to handle everything on my own has led me to feel immensly grateful for the support and help of family in general- but especially when in crisis. Richards parents came running to assist him in any way they could and got him to the hospital. My father came running to look after me, help me with Insurance stuff and got Gabriel and I to the hospital to see Rick. Tiffany took the day off of work to tend to Gabriel so Richard could rest and so I could take care of things like Insurance, getting a rental car and not being too overly stressed myself. I can not even begin to explain the gratititude in my heart for a loving, supportive and helpful family- NOT going through and having to deal with things alone has been an amazing gift. WE ARE SO BLESSED! Once again thanks to my Insurance company we were able to get into a rental car and have not had to worry and stress over getting to and from appointments, church, the grocery store and work. WE ARE SO BLESSED! My brother and sister are here and my family has been able to spend time together for the first time in 2 years- we are all healthy and so happy to have one another around. WE ARE SO BLESSED! On Saturday I received a letter in the mail letting me know that the state has taken all things into consideration and has decided that I do qualify for medical coverage through the state- I feel so much relief knowing that the baby and I are covered and if something goes wrong I can get the baby the help that he or she will need. WE ARE SO BLESSED! We got to spend yesterday at church worshipping and thanking our Lord and Savior for our many blessings this week, which was a blessing in and of itself considering I felt awful Saturday and spent most of the day in bed. WE ARE SO BLESSED! My husband is back to work, my children are strong and healthy, I will get to see my family today and the baby is kicking away- I know who is looking over me and my loved ones and I know where these blessings are coming from... I AM SO GRATEFUL! I AM SO BLESSED!!!

Elder Andrus' return!!!!

My baby brother is finally home! He has been serving an L.D.S. Mission in the Independence, Missouri area for the past 2 years.


My kid sister and I have VERY anxiously been awaiting his return home. We spent our first day with him last Friday- our first day in TWO YEARS!!! Needless to say we have missed him. We are excited to have him home and can't wait to see what he decides to do with his life from here. He has always been the best out of us kids and my sister and I can not stop hugging him.

My mother is not usually an emotional person but the minute my brother sat down to play the piano she teared up- her only kid that stuck with lessons. Poor mom! The girls are a little scared of him because his voice is so deep and because he has gotten so tall- but they are excited that he is home and keep asking to go and hang out with him. Gabriel does not remember him at all but thinks it is great to have another person with video games around. We love you Bubby and we are so glad that you are finally home!!!!!!!

AMY IS HERE!!!!!

My baby sister is finally here for a visit!!!! These are pictures of Amy with the kids on her last visit- we LOVED it!I pulled out my camera to get pictures of the kids charging her and smothering her to death when she got here last night- but of course- the batteries in my camera were dead! We are so glad that 'The Bunny' is here... I have been waiting-waiting- waiting! She is the most fun ever... and soooooo cute!

Funny Kids...

We have had a fun week and the kids have added lots of creative moments. Gabriel has dressed up quite a bit in his 'fighting' gear and loves to race around the house shooting us all in it. He takes off all of his clothes or puts on his 'Superman' costume... grabs his weapons and charges at us! It does not matte the time of day, what is going on or who is over- when the mood hits... he gears up. It cracks the girls and I up every time.





Rachel and Sarah still love to play 'dress up' with their friends. They often get into the costumes that they create. They dress up as princess', witches, fashion designers, teachers, fairies and punk rockers... not to mention just piling on the clothes to look as crazy as possible! Rachel and Sarah had a few friends over playing dress up and they had a good time when Rachel played the 'Grouchy old Granny' role. The girls got quite a kick out of Rachel's Grannie voice.








Sarah has spent the past couple of weeks with her nose in a book, totally unavailable to us and whatever is going on. Well- that is not entirely true- it has been 3 specific books- the Twilight series. She is at the end of the 3rd book 'Eclipse' as we speak. She is on the couch ignoring all of us pounding her feet back and forth on the pillows with excitement. I will be glad when she finishes and I have my daughter back... oh yeah... there is one more- UGH! Gotta love a Vampire love story!