...Everything as loss...FOR GREAT GAIN

So this was my amazing husbands day of birth and we celebrated it in the gorgeous canyon of the Poudre River. Man do we miss the mountains. It's so nice to be this close. The kids loved it....it did take Malachi a while to get close to the river. He's still very cautious...not Rachel though. Later that night we were blessed with free babysitting from my sis and went to the driving range to hits some golf balls and went out to dinner. It was great. It's just awesome that my husband came into this earth that special day. I love him so much and rejoice that the Lord brought him into my life!

Well...this was a month ago...yep...I will catch up...At some point; either in her sleep or before she fell asleep Rachel figured out how to get her pants off and socks. Even though it looks like she was awake...she'd just opened her eyes because of the camera sounds. Such a stinker!

I had to post this video because it shows precious Avery being friendly with Rachel and well, they just don't understand hurting each other, nor does Rachel try to escape. As you will see my sweet daughter looks at mom to take care of her frustration...ya know. I think deep inside she's thinking.."mom, why don't you put her in time out and make her cry like you do with Malachi when he's mean to me?? Come on mom?". But Rachel is absolutely in love with her cousin and her brother even when they pick on her. It's cute but someday Rachel will get back at them...and I hope I have the camera ready! (Also...Rachel wasn't hurt in this video and don't think I'm not running to her aide when she's actually in pain..)

Rachel has always been our crazy fearless daughter...and so I wanted to show you one of our favorite Rachelisms ...she growls when she's happy and sad...this is her in her element!

A great idea to head to City Park and surprise Malachi with a train ride. He loved it...thanks Auntie Rachel....so after his ride we went to the playground..and well I am still laughing at this film...he is ok and absolutely not hurt bad...just so funny to watch!

So as many of you read last year we experienced "the fly" fear and from that came the fear of hair in the bath tub and then sock fuzz floating in the tub...yep...Malachi is still extremely afraid of one of those...can you guess??? Well a few days ago on Aaron's one day off we had a peaceful and productive morning around the house and then after the kids took their afternoon naps we decided to venture to Lowes to look at cabinets for the laundry room. Yes, the minute we got into the cool race car shopping cart it all began!!! "I need"..."I need"...push push..."I need"...and let me just note, Malachi had four cars in his hand and had a snack...but had to push his sister, steel her snacks...and needed more! Aaron was a bit shocked and frustrated...I explained that it's a crab shoot with the kids when I take them out. I usually end up taking all things away and doing super speed shopping so I can get things done and then Malachi is disci...

So here's what it looks like now. All we did outside was trim up the ugly bushes inthe front, and a chore of ours was putting the brick reinforcement walls on the two trees...one more to go in the back! Next year...we'll update you on the new front porch and other landscaping ideas we have in store. Malachi's bunk..and he needs buddies to come stay sometime! And of course, Daddy found some cool bedding for Malachi at his work...HE LOVES IT! He knows all the construction vehicles and this is perfect. Here's the office/entry room. We haven't found cool chairs and a coffee table yet, but we're hunting...most likely will be found at Sofa Mart...and I don't think Aaron will shop anywhere else! The back is very simiple...so we can make it our own! But most deffinetely one of the largest yards we could find in Ft Collins!! Here's precious Rachel's room. Here's looking down at the dinning table when it's open for eight!! Yipppee...more seats! And of ...