Where I was this weekend

Thanks to Shannon for planning and putting on our annual shopping extravaganza. I am not sure how this tradition started but I sure love it. We head to California and shop to we cant walk

This year we got to stay at Shannon's sisters apartment in Huntington Beach. Steph was the greatest host and even cooked for us. Her apartment was dreamy only 2 blocks from the beach. We explored the downtown and beach area. And had to rent bikes and take them for a spin. Shannon is holding onto the double bike that was much harder to ride than it looks. There was sure a lot of screaming and yelling at people to get out of our way because we couldn't stop. We loved it. I cant wait to take my family there and try the family sized bike.

The beach we hung out on until my legs were ice pops. We got dressed in our swimsuits thinking it was warmer than it was.

Here are my beautiful friends and personal shoppers. Steph, Shannon, and Melissa. Thanks girls for the best trip. Oh and by the way I was having some major shopping remorse until I tried everything on again at home. Now I am guilt free, just in case you were worried for me.

Oh and I cant finish without saying a huge THANKS to Dave who worked and watched the kids so I could go enjoy myself. He is the best most supportive husband. Also to my mom and mother in law who also helped out too.

Big Changes for Ronan

He sported his new suit to church Sunday. I couldn't resist a few photos.

And the biggest change of all.....dadadada. Dave finally talked me into it.

I keep looking at this big kid and wondering where my little boy went. I miss running my hands through his soft curls. I wont miss getting yelled at ever time I had to brush his hair. My comment on the hair cut, "that is not my son, who is that kid." Hopefully I adjust.

Day at the Zoo

My sister-in-law Erin was in town with her kids from Washington. We were able to meet them and Grandma Flo at the zoo for the day. My kids were soooo excited to see their cousins. Other than the zoo being busier than I have ever seen it it was a perfect day. The weather was nice and the animals were lively.

So much for the real elephants. All Ronan wanted to see was this one.

I think Ronan gave this poor turtle a bonk on the head.

The handsome Ratchford gang of kids.

Thanks for the great day other Ratchfords.

And may I say I am officially pooped from Spring Break. If this is any sign of how the summer is going to be I better get some wrinkles ironed out. Like how do you run your errands or even get anything projects done. I had so much fun doing things with the kids that we don't normally have time for while school is in. But I can say my house remained a mess and nothing I was suppose to do got done. But for the record we went to Vegas, sledding, swimming at Clearfield pool, baby animal days, and the zoo. No wonder my legs ached so much yesterday. Hello schedule I am happy to welcome you back.

Baby Animal Days

We love going to Baby Animal days in Logan every year. This year was the best yet. The weather had just gotten nice that day. And somehow we picked a less crowded time to go. My animal loving kids had a bawl.

Does it worry anyone else that they let thousands of kids a day hold these baby chicks? These were the highlight of the event. Leah said hers slept when she cuddled it close to her.

Say goodbye to these sunglasses. Because right after this photo Ronan managed to drop them and step on them.

There was so many baby animals to see. Horse back rides, wagon rides, a mini-train ride., and more.

The special guest this year were 3 baby bears. They were quite darling and worth the wait in line to see.

Always happy with a day at the farm. My three rug rats.

SCORE

Conversation before going to the soccer game today. Leah lamented, "I really want to score a goal. I am the only one in my class that hasn't scored." This has been a wish of hers for the 2 years she has been playing soccer. Last year I bribed her to kick the ball more than a few times in a game. This year she is doing much better but the competition is too. The cute thing is that she loves to play. Smiles the whole time she is running up and down the field. Last year she would run circles around the bunch. So imagine my surprise today when she scored in the first quarter of her game. It wasn't by accident or a lucky shot she worked for that goal. It took her a minute to realize what had happened. And when she did had she ran half the field to me on the side line and gave me the hugest hug. There may have been tears in my eyes. In fact I am tearing up typing about it. One I am so happy for her excitement and success. But two I don't think I will ever forget that I was the first person she thought about after she scored. Thank you Leah for making me feel like the most important person in the world.

Vegas Trip

We were lucky enough to spend the weekend at our good friends the Wirths house in Las Vegas. They are in trouble because we had such a good time we are definitely going back every few months. Our kids get along so well it is like they were all split at birth. Ronan enjoyed playing outside every second of the day from the time he woke up. Leah and Truman had a ds playing marathon. And Kate and Eva played all day. The adults enjoyed some Clearplay movie watching at night. Dave and Joe golfed. We had a babysitter and went out to dinner and a movie. Oh and I wont forget the spray tan that Dave and I got from Suzie. I have never been so tan in my life. And while we are talking about Suzie she is an amazing cook so each meal was like eating out. And the best discovery of the trip. Our kids can drive long distances now without driving us crazy. The kids have added the captions below.


This is me Eva. I was jumping on our vacation in Las Vegas. And after Easter egg hunt we came home.

This is us at our Easter egg hunt. Me, Leah got 3 money eggs. I gave two away. The last one flew away.

Here are the kids looking for the money egg. This is Truman, Leah's buddy.

This me and Leah and Kate and we were on our Easter egg hunt.

This is me Leah. You see my Easter egg basket. This is all the eggs I got. You see how I have a money in there. That was before it flew away.

This my egg I found but I really wanted the money dollar. Then my sister decided to give me one of hers.

Ronan here, "I got more than that see. I got that much ok"

Ronan, "that me."

This is our dad when were going on our Easter egg hunt. Me Eva is doing it.

What to do when your Spring Break is covered in snow

I am ashamed to say that I haven't taken my kids sledding yet this year. But mother nature gave me one last chance. Plus my kids are driving me crazy inside and stir crazy. It is Spring Break after all..

Happy Birthday Ronan

I can't believe my baby is three. He is the most athletic, funny, wild, long haired boy. We are always laughing at his silly antics or cursing him for his craziness. Underneath all that I just adore him and cant wait to see how he turns out as a grown up. I am sure some sports are in his future. Dave and I are counting down the days until we can watch him play in a soccer game.
All he wanted to do for his birthday was go to Chucky Cheese.

The girls bought him a remote control car. Davy and I got him a bike. Which only took him a few days to figure out and now he is all over the place. Nana & Papa got him his own Zhu Zhu pet with a hamster wheel.

One happy boy with his Spiderman cake. The kids were dyed with red and blue frosting, perhaps Sams Club should cut down on the amount of food coloring they are using.

How do the Irish Celebrate the day

We hosted our first ever Annual St. Patrick's day party. Every year Patrick's day comes and goes and we think. We should have thrown a party. So this year we did it. Invited a group of friends from our neighborhood and had a blast. Dave came up with a gigantic list of games all having to do with the phrase ____ like an Irishman. Here is Dave and Jordan showing us how to Dance Like An Irishman.

Fight Like An Irishman. Behind the hair is me throwing a pretty good punch. The boys had to stand still and not fight back as us girls got to have 30 seconds of punching. It was very fun.


Kiss Like An Irishman. Body trying to kiss the Blarney Stone. The real one is a lot bigger and at the top of a castle. But it was the best recreation we could come up with for our family room.

Drink Like An Irishman. Kyle downing a glass of chocolate milk.

Shannon taking a good shot at Dave.

Eat Like An Irishman. We had an awesome pot luck of amazing food. Dave's mom came down and made a traditional Irish trifle for us. It was so good I ate it for days.

Me, Shannon, and Amanda all have birthdays the same week. It makes for some great celebrating.

The kids dressed in all their holiday gear. Never mind the fact that Ronan looks like a little girl in his headband.

The Leprechaun came to our house and made a huge mess. He left the kids a note say, "Better luck next time I was too tricky for you. Tell your dad hi from Shamus." Dave meet Shamus while living in Ireland so he likes to come visit on St. Paddy's Day. We had green pancakes for breakfast. Then the girls made a booth to invite all the neighbor kids to come meet a real leprechaun which was them.

Preacher Boy

Outside yesterday getting ready to go run errands. Ronan looks up at the sky arms reaching upward. He yells at the top of his lungs, "JESUS CHRIST ARE YOU UP THERE?" He said it 3 times so yes I am sure that is what he said.