Finishing Up the Seasons

 Leah is growing up right before my eyes. I caught this great photo of her the other day.

 She just got done with performing Annie with her theater group. I didn't get too many photos because I was videoing.  At one point Leah saw me taking photos instead of videoing and mouthed to me to not take pictures.

 All the orphans. they were darling.

Leah has had a great year of soccer. She loves playing goalie and does a great job at it.

Eva is a little defender. And runs right behind the pack of kids and if the ball comes her way she kicks it back up the field.

Eva's team showing off there trophies.

Claire 2 Months

Claire at 2 months. She is full of smiles and little laughs. I love it when she laughs in her sleep. Or I look down and she is smiling through her bottle at me. She loves to be held when she gets tired. And only knows what her crib feels like because she likes her baby mobile for a few minutes ever day. She still takes all her naps in the swing and sleeps in bed with me. At night she is sleeping at least 6 hours and sometimes 8. Who wants to mess with that. Her brother and sisters still all adore her and give her lots of love everyday. We are so grateful for this little angel who luckily is very chill with everything else we have going on.

In Case You Hadn't Heard

We are moving!!!! I know I am still as shocked as you are. Can you tell from this picture where?

To Lake Tahoe! Truckee, California to be exact. Home of Dave's new job at Northstar Ski Resort. It was recently bought by Vail. Dave will be the Brand Marketing Director in charge of re branding the resort. It is a wonderful opportunity and a big change for the family. We are looking forward to spending a lot of time outdoors, biking, hiking, and skiing of course. And most looking forward to visitors, come one come all.

 

While we were there on a recruiting trip we had dinner at the Ritz Carlton that is mid mountain. It was amazing. Look at how high the snow is, and that was with some melted. I am so sad to leave our friends and family and everything familiar. But excited for an adventure or extended vacation whatever you want to call it.

Book Club Trip

Some of my most favorite people in the whole world. These ladies have been such a fabulous addition to my monthly schedule. Once a month can't come soon enough. I am going to miss them so much when I move. We went down to St. George for 3 days and it was divine. Eating out, movies, shopping, girl time. I was a bit of a lamo and went to bed before 3 am unlike the rest of everyone. But yah know I do have a newborn.

The babies of of the group. They were all so well behaved.

Claire Cait at 1 Month

 Davy here, Rachel has tagged me in to update the blog with some new photos of the wee one.  We are quite proud of the fact that little Claire has learned to smile already.  She really is a great baby.  Eats and sleeps...then poops. 

 Here she is pulling off her best Winston Churchill impression.  She keeps that right fist up ready to slap Ronan in the head if he gets to close.  I've seen some boxing posters that look just like this

Ronan is in love with her as are the other two kids.  They always are trying to hold her.  They are all very cute these days.

Claire's Blessing

We were lucky enough to get most of Dave's family at the blessing. It isn't often that we get together with everyone. It was really fun for all to see each other.

What can I say, there are no words for these Ratchfords.

Oh this baby was divine in her blessing dress. She didn't cry one bit during her blessing. Just slept like the perfect baby that she is. I guess it helps to bless them when they are 3 1/2 weeks old.

And get ready for the picture overload. I took way to many so it was hard to narrow them down.

Spring Break 2011

We started our spring break adventure up at The Homestead. We were packed for St. George and changed our minds about SLC because we only had 3 days and that just wasn't enough to make driving worth it. 

Davy took the girls swimming in the volcano.

Ronan swam and swam as much as we would let him.

Claire slept and ate and slept and ate. I had taken her to the doctor and she hadn't gained any weight since I brought her home from the hospital at 7 pounds. So I had to be vigilant at waking her up and making sure she nursed enough. The doctor said to give her a bottle if she acted hungry. That is the problem I said, "she never cries." Anyway took her back in Tuesday and she had gained almost a pound luckily.

There was lots of baby holding over Spring Break. It probably wasn't the kids favorite school break.

I took Eva and Ronan to Kangaroo Zoo after the babies doctor appointment.

I took the kids to Heritage Farm for baby animal days. Then we stayed at my moms for 2 days.

All our ward friends that we met there. I am going to miss them so much when we move.