Poor Clouds

The weather was so strange today. When we were leaving the house at about 4ish, there were dark clouds rain clouds overhead. Thunder was rolling, and was getting louder. We played outside for about 10 minutes before we got in the car to go and it thundered the whole time. As I was buckling Julie in she said "Poor clouds, they crying, they sad."

Poor clouds indeed.

I have so much great stuff to blog about from this weekend, but I don't have all the pictures yet, so you will just have to wait. A quick story instead....

Tonight Julie had a hard time going to sleep. I could hear her playing in her room, talking and jumping. Then she started knocking on her door. I opened the door and she said "Good morning Mommy!" Then she waltzes out to the living room and says "Yay! It's Thursday now! I go play with my friends at school!!" (She is all of a sudden using full sentences) Funny monkey...you have to SLEEP for it to be the next day!!!

Also, Andy is moving his arms trying to crawl....he is almost there. I can't believe how big he is getting.

Yay for Camping

The campsiteThat bike got a lot of use
The boy who ate the whole time we were there

The smores

Julie did the dishes

They shared a bed in the "house car" and look at how sweet they were...of course, they were supposed to be sleeping....

Julie helped with breakfast

With Memere

Sunscreen Mohawk

Blueberry pancakes with Auntie Audrey

Playing with the water spicket was a highlight

She got a few skinned knees along the way...but I think this one was the worst.

Eating again

We had a great time on our camping trip. There are not a whole lot of great stories to tell or anything, just a lot of relaxing, eating marshmallow and bike riding. Julie rode her bike all over that campground! Justin and Audrey came and stayed for a night, Memere came out to play, then the next day, Grandma and Pop-pop came out. It was a great vacation. We came home rested and feeling the love of spending 4 days together as a family.

8 Months

I know you all want a camping blog, but that will take a while longer, so here is Andy's 8 month picture instead. He is minutes away from crawling. For the most part, he scoots backwards. But he also lunges at things that he wants. As soon as he gets the motion down, we are all in for it. He only eats a couple bottles a day now, he mostly just wants real food. Including graham crackers. Such a sweet boy! He is growing like a weed too, I can't wait to see how much he weighs at his 9 month apt.

So you won't miss me...

while we are camping, here are a few cute pictures to hold you over! :) Be back in a few days with a fun camping blog.

My Name is Rachel, and I am 26.

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a great day! It all started with Julie singing Happy Birthday to me while I was still in bed. Then, I got to work and found flowers and yummy bagels.
After work I got home and John, the kids, my mom, Chris and Kay were waiting for me. Soon, Anne, Dave, Mimi, Jus, Audrey and Poppy came too. We had amazing BBQ done by John and Chris. We all ate soooo much. Even Andy got to have some. He was a happy boy.
Julie stopped riding her bike long enough to help me blow out my candles (on the super delicious cake that my mom made), and take a big bite out of one. I guess I should have been more specific when I told her she could have the frosting.Then it was time to open presents! I got a Wii! With Wii Fit, Sports, Mario Kart and 2 Mario Kart wheel thingies. And a great pair of earrings, a pedicure, a gift card to Old Navy and some super cool dog crate end tables that Dave is in the process of making.

When it was starting to get dark, we headed inside and broke in the Wii. Here is John and Chris boxing! Awesome! It was quite the workout. There is actually a video of Kay and I boxing, but you will have to pay me to put it on here. But, you can come play with us and experience for yourself my mean right hook. :)

All in all, it was a great day. I have such a wonderful family. I seriously could not ask for more! Thank you everyone who made it so special and all the warm wishes I received!

Best Big Sister

This morning while I was getting ready for work, Andy rolled off of our bed. He was crying, unhurt, but crying while John was holding him. Julie ran into the living room and came back with an armful of toys. She said "Brother play with these, they make him happy!" Sweet girl!

Oh, and she likes to wear his pants too.

Stop! Smell! Continue

This is me telling myself to stop and smell the roses. And how convenient for me, they are right in front of my house. Aren't the pretty?

I cut them back in January and they have been so happy ever since! (you were right Lori!).

And they are purple....go figure.

Z-O-O Zoo!

This weekend was the first weekend that John has been off for about 6 weeks. So we decided to go do something fun, just the 4 of us. We went to Santa Barbara Zoo last year for my birthday, and Julie liked it, but she was still so young, we knew if we took her back, that she would love it. I was telling my mom we were going and I spelt out Z-O-O so that Julie would not get her hopes up in case it didn't work out. Julie came right over and said "I go to the zoo too! Mommy take Julie to the zoo!!!" She totally knew what I was spelling!! That girl is too smart for her own good.

We got up normal time on Saturday and headed to Santa Barbara. We got to the zoo right when it opened and away we went. Julie loved every second! She ran from animal to animal, or enjoyed them from Daddy's shoulders.

Here she is pointing out the lemurs.

And watching the elephants.

And looking at the "Owie Snake" aka Rattle Snake.

Andy was wearing a lion shirt, so I had to take a picture of him in front of the real lion.

He enjoyed hanging out in his stroller watching Julie run wild.

We all enjoyed sliding down the hill.

I tried to get a picture of them on the turtle statue...this is the best one...

Pretty soon, Andy was passed out.

They had a special exhibit of California Condors, and two Bald Eagles. Both amazing birds. I was shocked at how large the condors are!

After fun at the zoo, we went to State Street and got some lunch. Then, we loaded up the kids, who both went to sleep right away, and headed home. It was a great family day!

I am so glad we waited until the next day to get sick!