California Trip

Dave and I just got back Saturday night from a quick 3 day California trip. Thanks to my parents who watched the 3 kids for us. I about cried when we got off the plane in SLC and I felt the cold air. It was beautiful weather 70's. My top 4 highlights of the trip.
1. Top highlight of the trip had to be the beach. The weather was perfect, the sun on my white arms, sand in my toes. We rented beach cruisers and rode along Newport beach. I thought I think I am meant to live in one of these million dollar beach houses and do this every morning.
2. Wicked - I dont enjoy many things more than a Broadway show. I was amazed and on the edge of my seat. Dave looked over... you really love this sort of things don't you. Yahh I said. He really liked it too.
3. Buying a star map from some bum on Hollywood Blvd. It said these addresses may be where stars lived at one time or they could live there or maybe they will be moving there. We could barely follow the stupid thing but enjoyed driving around some really ritzy beautiful homes.
4. Superman ride at 6 Flags. We were standing in line for 20 minutes just to buy tickets to Disneyland. What are we doing we thought. We went to 6 Flags instead. My very favorite ride shot you from 0-100 in 6 secs. We went straight up to find Superman looking at us. And then flew back down backwards. It was amazing I was shaking when we got off. What fun.

St. Patricks Day

On Sunday the girls got to dress in their Irish outfits or I-lish as Eva says it. Dave and I bought these while I was pregnant with Leah and we were on vacation to Ireland. I get excited for them to wear these every year. On Monday the girls got all dressed up for preschool and playgroup. Sorry again to their teachers who had to deal with the 1$ feather Boas completely falling apart all love their houses. That night we had some friends come over for an Irish meal and my attempt at making everyone sing Irish drinking songs. Everyone left shortly after I made them start to sing. Note to self other people don't enjoy making complete fools of themselves singing songs that they don't know.

Eva Turns 3

Eva turned three on the 4th of March. The poor thing got the fever type of flu for 5 days including her birthday. We still had her party anyway. You can see how sick she was in the pictures. Her only request for her birthday is that she got to ride horses. We went the next Saturday when she was feeling better.

Looking so Big

yada yada yada for some reason the formating is off

I put Ronan on this push bike the other day. We went back and forth in the kitchen and he loved it. Then he tried so hard to get on by himself and finally got on but backwards. I just loved how these pictures turned out. I am in love with baby feet. They are the sweetest soft and those tiny toes. Oh I could just eat them. Alright maybe I took that too far. I always hold my babies feet instead of their hands. But Ronans feet looked so cute touching the ground as though he was pushing himself along the floor.

Ronan Walking

yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada yada. About two weeks ago Ronan took his first steps. They were actually to Leah who had her arms open to catch him. After that Eva wanted a turn to catch him. He knocked her over and then both hit the floor. I am starting to think their is a hint of liking him in her behaviors now that he is more fun. Once walking happened then all sorts of trouble has followed. I look over the other day and he is on top of the kids table in the kitchen. I left him there to get the camera hoping that he wouldn't tumble off. But I had to have a picture to prove that one. Learning how to get all the cabinets open came next. And climbing into the pantry on top of my file box was yesterdays trouble. One of his favorite pastimes is to get put up on the couch and crawl back and forth, hang over the edge wrestling with Leah. Luckily he knows how to get off backwards so I dont have to worry about him diving off head first. Althought if he thought it looked fun he probably would

Happy Valentines Day

Supergirls

This is our first attempt at making a movie on the "Mac Book Pro." I called my good friends Roman Polanski and George Lucas for pointers. I am really proud of the girls and for "Evil-Lyn" for her participation. I don't know who that fat, balding guy was at the end..but whoever he is he sure can move.

The Other Ratchfords Visit

The kids trying so hard to take turns opening presents but we just gave up after awhile

Garreth hording all his presents

Elaine trying on one of her beautifully tied bows

The babies Declan and Ronan

We love having our basement done. For the space and a place to put the toys. But mostly because we are able to have our family come and stay with us. Daves brother Garreth, Erin, and their 4 kids drove all the way from Washington after Christmas. They surprised us with a trampoline for our present. I cant wait to set it up when the snow melts. We got together for a belated Christmas party with the Ratchford side. Things are always wild, crazy, and oh so fun.

Sledding at Old Main

Tradition for us is going to my parents for Christmas day. This year we were lucky to have Karla, Justin, and their baby Jake. The kids always love spending time at their Nana and Papa's house. Sledding is something my parents always did with us on Christmas day This was probably because we didn't have any family close and drove my parents crazy by how bored we got. Dave and I took the girls up to Old Main. I wish I would have had the video camera to catch Davy sitting on the girls tiny sled going down the hill. He and Eva completely crashed almost into a tree.

Quick Christmas Details

The kids looked outside to find Santa sleigh tracks with reindeer paws in the snow. We said, "oh no you better get in bed so Santa can deliver your presents." I have never seen two girls run upstairs to their beds so quick. They were asleep without a peep out of them within minutes.

The Christmas scene after Santa delivered all his toys.

Eva grumpy about us taking her picture. Note to self. No matter how much the kids want to start opening presents they must get their hair fixed first. In every single photo their hair is all in front of their eyes.

Ronan happy about his new walker and the fact that there is so much paper to play with.

Leah is all worn out from all the present opening. Again note all the hair in her eyes.

Dave got me exactly what I wanted a new camera. It is the Nikon D40. Now I just have to go take the photography classes that came with it so I can figure out how to use it. I am so excited for it. He had me open it up very first so that I could use to take all these Christmas photos.

Davy with his new boxing bag. This is one of those presents that I have wanted to get him for years but we never had a place to hang it. So it was an easy pick for this Christmas.