I've Been Tagged

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Alright here goes 6 things you may or may not know about me

1. I absolutely hate writing. Which is why Dave usually posts on our blog. In college I preferred to take 2 tests or do a chapter of math to writing a paper.

2. My house is almost always a mess. I try to blame this on the kids but I cant remember it being always clean before they came along. I would like it to be clean all the time but hate the actual cleaning. If I have to choose between cleaning and having fun, fun always wins.

3. Along with the previous number remember the colors personality test. One time my facilitator has us answer all the questions thinking back to what we were like as kids. I was almost 100% yellow. That was irresponsible, just wants to have fun, ect. It is a good thing we all grow up a little and I managed to over come some of that.

4. My biggest pet peeve is a dirty kitchen floor. I hate walking around and getting cracker crumbs stuck on the bottoms of my feet. So I have to sweep probably 4 times a day to keep that from happening.

5. I have recently become a lover of Diet Coke. Every time I am out for errands I sneak to the gas station for a 44 ounce fountain drink. The worst part of this is I became a lover of soda when I was pregnant with Ronan. I was so tired every moment of the day the whole pregnancy and we lived across the street from a Maverick. So feeling like you are going to fall over and into a sleepy coma and 2 small girls running around the apartment setting microwaves on fire took its tole on me. Now I love it and never thought that I would ever.

6. At one point in my life I thought that I wanted to be a construction worker. Too many of those home improvement shows I think. I was sure that I would love doing it. I held onto that thought until just recently when Dave and I were working on the basement. It took so long to put up sheet rock that I decided I could never do that for a living. Plus I really have no skill in that area so I probably wouldn't have got many jobs anyway.

This is the part when I get to have 6 of you do this. If you have already done it you can disregard this message. Erin and Garreth ( 2 in one blog), Elisa, Becki and Dan (again 2 in one shot), Christina.

The Christmas scrapbook

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. I didn't have time to send out card this year. By the time things calmed down around here it was too late to mail them out. So this is my attempt at making up for that. I dont think that you will be able to read what I wrote because it will be too small. I am going to post the individual pages below. I did these on my scrapbook program Memory Mixer. It looked really good in the actual program but I had a hard time exporting the video file to look as nice. Just imagine how nice it would have been.

The Kanigans have landed

The Kanigans are here visiting their family and we were lucky to have them stay at our house for a few days. We had a lot of fun hanging out, going to Temple Square to see the lights, and going to the fun park to play games. Leah and Logan reunited their love for each other and were caught kissing on numerous occasions. I'll be keeping my eye on Logan while he is here...he's smooth like his Da.

Dan, Becki, Logan, Lincoln and Owen at Temple Square. We took the train there and the kids had a lot of fun. The wagon was a good idea until we had to take it off the train and Lincoln went for a tumble. Becki was sporting the Real Salt Lake beenie. While Dan was sporting Davy's paddy cap and sucking his stomach in his usual fashion...

This is a great picture of Logan. He's a great kid and a great friend of Leah's.
Here is Leah, Logan and Eva at Temple Square. The were making wishes at the wishing fountain. I gave a dime to Eva to throw in to make a wish. after doing so I asked her what she wished for and she quickly told me "if I told you then it won't come through and it's my wish not yours, so stop asking me." She has such a sweet disposition...This is classic. This could end up on some wedding video 20 years from now. Leah is smitten with Logan. Luckily he's a good kid from good stock or I'd be practicing some good ole fashion Guantanamo waterboarding techniques on him. John McCain knows what I mean...

Eva's Letter to Santa

Eva's words exactly taken from her letter...

Dear Santa,
My name is Eva Jane Ratchford. I love at 1443 South Pebblecreek in Layton town. I think I've been a good girl. I've been nice to Colby. I will be nicer to Ronan. He's just rude. And I've been going to church good. Please find me Santa. I would like these things please:

• A little pony
• A new movie
• A new movie for Leah
• A new nose
• New hair for Daddy
• More toilets for me to poop in

Leah's Letter to Santa

Exact letter that Leah wrote for Santa:

Dear Santa,
My name is Leah Marie Ratchford. I live in Layton City. Follow the light of the glowing star and you will find me. I will leave you milk and cookies. I desereve presents this year because I was nice to my pre-school friends. I've been telling good knock-knock jokes. I've been a good sister to Ronan. I go to bed on time and brush my teeth. I want to better in church and to eat healthy food so that my bones are stronger than steel.
I would like the following for Christmas:

• A TV game that has a cool bike as part of it to help my health.
• A video game
• Tigger and Pooh Christmas movie
• New pajamas
• New Socks
• Surprise me

1 month in

Davy here - Well I'm one month into my new job with Real Salt Lake. In case anyone doesn't know, Real Salt Lake is the professional soccer team here in Utah. Things are going well and I'm settling into my role. Speaking of that, I've been asked to oversee the whole communications department. I think it will be good and I hope I can bring RSL some new fans. The team can improve on the field, but my job is to get rear ends in the seats. Speaking of that, you can visit rslstadium.com and see how the new stadium is coming along. We are hoping to open it in October '08. My office will be there at the stadium so I should be able to kick around the ball on the field for lunch. The team will be traveling abroad to play teams like Real Madrid in the first of the year and I have a secret desire to go with them. Not sure if that will ever happen. Anyway, go out and buy your season tickets or take advantage of our special holiday offer that allows you to lock in your tickets for some of the biggest matches of next season (like Real Madrid and David Beckham's LA Galaxy). Alright so I do advertising for a living and it's hard to not sell something. Tickets on sale now...

Rachel's First House is on the Market

Davy here - I'm very proud of this picture. My talented wife Rachel has her first house on the market. She even has her own signs and all. Now the whole blogesphere has Rachels cell. Please feel free to prank call all you want. Just don't go over on our minutes. If anyone needs a very cute and recently remodeled house in Bountiful, starting at just $205,000 than give her a call.

Halloween 2007

The Ratchford family Super-hero's. Leah as Supergirl, Eva as Wonder Woman and Ronan as Superman. What you don't see here is Rachel as Superwoman and me as Superman. Rachel looked hot as usual, whereas I looked a little awkward and spectacular at the same time in my red speedo. Those pictures will not make the blog, but can be viewed by sending a certified check in the amount of $25 to our house. It's worth the money...


Superwomen Leah. In our neighborhood there was a house that puts on a scary spook alley for the kids. Leah really wanted to go, but we taught that she was a little too young for that sort of thing. She begged and pleaded to go saying, "don't worry daddy, I can protect you, I'm a superhero." After being told how brave she is we asked her how come she can be so tough and brave, her response was classic Leah, "Jesus taught me, he was tough."

It's a bird, it's a plane...no it's Ronan Finn Ratchford and he's going to conquer the world with his disarming smile and mallet like hands. Prepare ye now...

Wonder Woman!All the world's waiting for you, and the power you possess. In your satin tights, Fighting for your rights And the old Red, White and Blue.

Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman! Now the world is ready for you, and the wonders you can do. Make a hawk a dove, Stop a war with love, Make a liar tell the truth.

Wonder Woman, Get us out from under, Wonder Woman! All our hopes are pinned on you. And the magic that you do. Stop a bullet cold, Make the Axis fold, Change their minds, and change the world!

Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman! You're a wonder, Wonder Woman!

Actual Wonder Woman theme words and Music by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox.

Rachel Ratchford - Real Estate Agent

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Rachel now a bonefide Real Estate Agent. It's really exciting. Above are some glamour shots of Rachel. Take a minute and vote on which one you like the most. The poll is on the side. To get started, Rachel will charge only 1% for friends and family. That just covers her cost. Wish her luck.

The Kids in September

We were able to get together with Elaine, Garreth and Erin and all the kids for Ma and Elaine's birthday. It's impossible to get everyone to smile. Leah was "frustrated" with the shot.
Leah thought it would be cute to put these ears on Ronan. He can pull it off and still remain cool. Especially with his Pope finger.
Eva will hate this picture, but it's so cute. While on a bike ride Eva was all tuckered out and actually fell asleep on his shoulder. Eva usually bashes Ronan, hence the surprised look on Ronan's face. It might actually be his expression of terror.
Davy took the girls to the park and as usual Eva was climbing everything. Her poor daddy was worried the whole time. Eva has no fear and will try anything. She needs to watched like a hawk.
This is a very cure picture. Leah is leading Eva across the tightrope. It was hillarious to hear Leah being the big sister, "Come on Eva, do what I do. That's it, your doing a great job. We'll done. You're nearly there..."

Home Made Salsa

Our friends Cami and Josh have this fantastic salsa recipe that we love. After Davy ate a gallon of the stuff we thought it would be more economical to make some ourselves. So we had our friends over along with Shannon for a day of canning. It's a lot of hard work but the payoff is worth it. Cami and Josh will be moving soon to Vernal and we're really sad to see them leave. If you want the best salsa in Layton come by and see us.

Real Salt Lake

Davy here: There's been some dramatic changes for our family recently I decided to take a job with Real Salt Lake. I will be their Director of Advertising, which means I'll be creating their marketing and advertising plans as well as research, branding and so on. I'm excited for this new adventure and I'm really sad to leave Richter 7. They've been great to work for and I've made some very close friends there. Change is good and I hope I can help Real move forward.

Ronan "Tank" Ratchford

Davy here: I had to add this post. I know this is kind of dumb, but I'm very proud of the fact that Ronan is so big. He's in the 97% for height and 75% for weight. In other words, he's our retirement. I've already started weight training with him (and I don't care if it stunts his growth). Anyway, here are some recent pictures of him. Oh yeah, he's handsome to boot. Oh and I thought we should give credit where credit is due. My friends sister-in-law is our photographer. Elisha Snow as you can tell does an amazing job and is very affordable. I love looking at her blog to see other photo shoots that she has done. Their is a link to it on the side of the blog. Their is pictures of Karla's cute baby Jake on there too.

What a Daddy

Isn't this just the picture of the best dad ever. Davy is so cute with the girls and his young man Ronan. He has been taking the girls out, one on one, for daddy daughter dates on Saturdays. They get so excited to got out for special time with him. And Ronan just stares at him with a smile waiting for a glance. We have had a lot of time together lately because I have been taking classes in SLC. We were able to drive to Salt Lake with each other for a whole week. I love having the extra time to talk about our days. He is always so good to listen to me go on and on about what new Real Estate facts I learned. I cant believe that he has to drive that far everyday and then come home with energy for us. It's a good 45 minutes to an hour each way. We are so excited for TRAX to be done. When it's finished it will only be 20 minutes to Salt Lake going 90 mph.

He recently got called as the YM first councilor in our ward. The boys are so excited to have him. Our neighbor told his mom that Brother Ratchford is the funniest person he has ever met. Just wait til they get to know him better and realize there is much more than that. I certainly could not have wished for a better husband. It's coming up on our 7th year anniversary in a few weeks. I think I will keep him.

Ronan - 5 Months

OK, so how can you not be in love with that face. I have to say that I am completely smitten with this little boy. He flashes his huge smile all day for any reason. As quick as he is to smile he is that fast to tears. When I try to put him to sleep by the ferberizing method his face is soaked with tears. Even his ears fill up tears. How could I do that to this poor guy. I have figured out that if I put him to bed at the right time and don't let him get too upset, he can put himself to sleep. He loves playing with toys and is so alert now. He's so big that he's having a hard time rolling over, like his daddy... but his big pot belly has helped him to sit by himself for a minute or so. I am loving all the new things he can do.

Jackson

Can you believe how beautiful this view is? No not the one of my thighs. This was the view from our campsite when we went to Jackson this last weekend. We went with out good friends Cameron and Shannon Richins and Josh and Cami Cook. Cameron had been to this camp site before for a scout camp. It was a 30 minute drive up the canyon and a dirt road but worth every minute of it. At night the moon was so bright that you could see the granite cliffs and the shimmer on the river. It also created some problems with me thinking that I was seeing large animals moving around. I had to stop looking around in the dark because my imagination just gets the best of me. We had asked the ranger if there was any bears. He said, "well actually there was only one that came to the edge of camp right there." And he proceeded to point to the area right next to our tent. We heard the base of someones radio and had a bit of a bear scare. The girls cleaned up all the food and the boys went searching around with their flashlights. It was pretty comical after the fact. On Saturday we took our rented raft and headed down to the Snake river for some excitement. This first time down was pretty slow. I decided to make the most of it on our second trip down. I stood at the front of the raft not thinking the rapids were very big only to get thrown into the river. The shock of what just happened and the freezing cold water shown on my face. I look over and there is Cameron, I must have taken him with me. I thought that was exciting enough I will get in the back of the raft now. Well what had happened was as the day went on more and more water had been released from the lake. Making must bigger rapids than we expected. When we got to the Big Kahuna we guided our boat so we could hit it right on. As soon as we started to descend into it we realized ahhh we have hit it perfectly. What a rush. The second wave after Kahuna we hit a bit sideways and before I knew it I was in the river again, next to me this time was Shannon. Before I could see me life fly before my eyes Cameron has me by the life vest and had pulled me in with one arm. Dave since has checked about getting life insurance on me.

Nana and Papa

I hope that when I grow up I can be as good of a grandparent as mine parents are. Here is the cutest picture of Nancy and Russ from a photo shoot last summer. This last weekend Dave and I went river rafting. Not only did they babysit but my mom cleaned my garage so that I can park in there now. The sweetest thing was that they loved it. My dad called Monday morning just to see how the kids were. He sent them an e-card and was missing them terribly by that time. More than that my mom has been a full time babysitter for the past 2 weeks. She has been watching my kids all day and then working at night. Reason is that I have been studying to get my Real Estate license. It requires 90 hours of class time that I am almost done with. I couldn't have ever made this dream a reality without her support. So I just wanted to say I know that I am so so lucky to have these two funny old people for parents.

Mom of Three

What a blessing to be the mom of three beautiful kids. Life is busy and hectic and oh remind me again why I ever try to take them to the store at the same time. But I try to remember that these years go fast so to cherish all the moments. I try to not worry about my house being a wreck all the time. And not worry about the fact that I cant get out of the house before 4 o'clock ever. They are so cute and love each other so much. I love this picture of the girls hugging. They are best friends. That makes all the crazyness of having kids 20 months apart so worth it.