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

1

2

3

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.