So Grateful...

To finally meet this little princess yesterday...
(she's my niece and she's adorable!)



and grateful for the fun friends and family I got to hang out with last night!
You guys are the best!!!

She's Back

Last year for Father's Day, (or perhaps it was Christmas?) my sister bought my dad this shirt:

This is funny, not because it's kind of his job every day to fix computers, but because he has to fix everyone else's computers outside of work. Like ours, about 50 times. And tonight I'm grateful to be writing this from my good old buddy...the desktop. She's been sitting dormant for about 6 months now. Thank you to my dad for fixing my computer...AGAIN. It's too bad wearing the shirt isn't doing much to keep us incapable computer people away.

And thank you new LCD monitor for your slim and sleek design, and your beautiful picture. We got you for Christmas, and this is the first day we've used you. Welcome to the family! You're as dreamy to look at as imagined!

The Yard

I took pictures of the sandbox, and as I was out there...I thought, perhaps you would like to go on a journey around my yard with me? You know, it's been quite a journey, and we're nowhere near finished. But, I've been working my bum off (I can only wish) in my yard this summer and thought...why not show you EVERYTHING we've done, not just the sandbox. So please, join me as we journey around the yard.

This journey actually started FOUR years ago. FOUR. For the first 2 years, it was only dirt...for as far as the eye could see. Or, at least until you looked at the neighbors green grass. So, then last summer, grass appeared. And, that was about it. And, it was only in the front yard. This year, some plants have finally made an appearance. I've been buying perennials like crazy, whenever I see a good deal. Like WalMart, $3 and $5. Nice. And, of course we added the grass in the backyard, and a sandbox. We are on a roll now...I hope this momentum keeps going. The best part has been...it has cost us next to nothing to do all that we have this year! Can't beat that.

My dream is to have one of those Better Homes and Gardens borders around my entire yard. You know, the one's full of beautiful flowering plants...I mean packed full to overflowing. And, they all bloom at different times throughout the season, and I only have to pick weeds...no planting new flowers every year (except in my pots). That is my dream. I am in for a LONG journey. I really should have before and after pictures, because these sure don't look like much. But, for now...enjoy.

(I know Lauren is not a picture of the yard...but you gotta love morning pictures! Courtesy of my budding photographer Audrey)

Washin' The Car

I was grateful today for our power washer...and here's why:

• First I used it to wash the Tahoe, and it worked like a champ.
• Then I used it to clean up the dish soap, which I ran over when I pulled the Tahoe in the garage to vacuum out, and the whole bottle exploded all over the garage floor, and I had to power wash it out of the garage and down the driveway. Holy bubbles Batman. That was fun.

Now we have the cleanest driveway in the neighborhood.

Thank you power washer.

Don't tell Adam.

The Sandbox

Tonight I'm grateful for the new sandbox Adam finished this evening.
There is a lot of new sand that has made it's way into my home,
but it makes for hours of playtime fun.
And, it's conveniently located right outside the sliding glass door,
so I can keep a close eye on the kiddos.
A picture is sure to follow...
but the sun set before I could catch one tonight.
Thanks Adam, the girls are surely grateful too!

Wheeler Farm and a Rare Wild Animal Sighting

Last Friday we spent a few hours at Wheeler Farm, staring at the animals, and eating good food. We went with Grandma Janet, Christabelle & Sophie Bean,
and Lyndi (our "other mother").
My mother and Lyndi met when my younger sister Jessica was a wee babe...about 27 years ago...so, she's just always been our "other mother".
We sure love her, and are grateful she was able to come with us!

Make sure you look for the rare wild animal sighting amongst the pictures of our adventure. You won't believe your eyes!

My Father

Today I spoke in church, in honor of Father's Day.

My father came to see me speak, which is another great example of the support he gives to each of his children. I have to say,
I have the best Papa around town.



I'm also grateful on this Father's Day,
for my father-in-law,



Grandfathers,
and my Husband.



They all are amazing men in my life.
I appreciate the support and love they have given
and continue to give me.
Happy Father's Day
to all the FABULOUS father's out there!

A Good Book

Sometimes I'm grateful to have a few hours to
curl up on the couch with a good book.
Today was one of those days,
and this book was great...

Bubble Baths

...are wonderful aren't they?

And, look who I found hiding in the bubbles...



I sure am grateful for these two stinkers,
even on days when they are really BIG stinkers!
Like today.

And, for those of you dreaming of the
cinnamon roll recipe, here you go:

For Dough:

3/4 cup milk
(warmed in microwave for 30 sec.)
3 tblsp sugar
6 tblsp butter
1 1/2 tsp yeast

Combine these 4 ingredients in bowl,
or bread machine (set on dough setting),
let proof for 5 minutes.

Then add:

1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 cups flour

Start bread machine and let it do it's thing, or mix ingredients in bowl until dough is forming a ball. Turn out onto floured surface and kneed for 10 minutes. Place in bowl, cover, allow to rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

Once risen, roll dough out on floured surface into a large rectangle. Cover dough with a
generous amount of butter, then cinnamon & sugar. You can also add nuts, raisins and cinnamon chips at this time. Now start rolling the dough up. I like to roll it up on the long side, you get more rolls that way. Does this make sense? I'm sure you've made them before right? Once done rolling, take a sharp knife and cut dough into 2-3 inch sections and place them on a greased baking sheet. Now cover and let rise another 1-2 hours depending on how large you want them. Be sure to space them about 1/2 inch apart on the sheet, because they will rise and it will give them room to grow.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once done rising, bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Make the frosting while you're waiting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz butter (1 stick)
4 oz cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Combine butter and cream cheese, with an electric mixer, blend until well combined. Add powdered sugar. Once incorporated, add vanilla and mix well to combine.

When the rolls are done, allow them to cool slightly and then frost away! Enjoy!!!

Baking Skills

The past few days I have been really grateful
that my mother taught me how to bake.
She has serious baking skills,
and thanks to them...
I do make a good cinnamon roll.
Just look at these beauties I made on Sunday:

Before Frosting

And after

If you want the recipe,
I can hook you up.
They were DELISH!

P.S. Here's another Audrey Self-Portrait:

This morning...

I was grateful for the music that kept my legs running faster than normal, as I finished my 4 miles today. The rain ruined my outdoor running plans, so I journeyed to a friends and ran on her treadmill. I don't love the treadmill, but I have found I can push myself to run even faster than I would normally run on the road. I'm hoping to finish the 10K I'm running on July 3rd, in less than 60 minutes...that's just under a 10 minute mile. I'm not a fast runner, so that is fast for me. I'm definitely going to need some seriously fast running music! Anyone want to share their favorites? I'd sure be grateful for it!

Dear Flonase,

I'm grateful for your antihistamine wonder,
so my eyes don't water,
and I don't sneeze,
every minute,
of every day.
Summer is much more enjoyable,
with you around.
I'm grateful for whoever invented you.

Love always,
Rachel

A Funny Thing Happened In The Car...

...when Adam started singing EVERY word to a song.
(And Adam does not sing.)
It wasn't just ANY song.
In fact, I personally only know of ONE other person...
who can sing every word of this song too,
and it happens to be his best friend from forever,
who is also his brother-in-law.
Want to know what song it was?
Click here.
(Disclaimer: Click at your own risk. This song may or
may not be full of sexual inuendo...okay it is, but it's only 30 seconds!)
I'm grateful for a husband who makes me laugh.
Seriously.
A lot.
Especially when he sings this song.

Red Canyon

Have you been to Red Canyon?

Because seriously, it's gorgeous!



This is where we spent
Lauren's birthday weekend.
It was WARM and WONDERFUL!
It was also FREE to get into Bryce Canyon,
and that wasn't planned for,
but it was a great surprise.

Some favorite moments:

Lauren does NOT like the way the
rumble strips on the side of the road
make her bum feel in the car.

Rachel is a TERRIBLE
car backer-upper.

Sophie doesn't sleep at night.

Grandma Janet is a "10" cabin wife.

Christa's "team" grew by 3 people.

We invented a new definition for the "motor home".

You DON'T mix the cobbler in the dutch oven,
before you bake it.
Christa read the recipe,
even though Nate said otherwise.

And, the best part about camping,
is how awesome you look in pictures!
Enjoy!

This Past Weekend...

...I was grateful for many things.

A safe journey to and from our camping adventure.

The beauty of our surroundings.

That Mother Nature FINALLY decided to grace us
with her wonderfully warm presence.

Good laughs with the one's we love.

But, I was most grateful for my Lauren.
We celebrated her 3rd birthday on Sunday.
She has been a blessing in our lives,
since the day she was born.
She fills our days with smiles,
laughter, and sweet kisses.
Happy Birthday Lauren!
We love you!

Are You Seeing This?

I was pretty grateful tonight
to meet this Little Miss.
After waiting far too many years,
one of my close friends
had her yesterday,
and she is adorable...
I'm grateful for the wonders
that brand new babies are,
and I can't wait to squeeze her some more!

A Birthday

I am blessed to have 2 fabulous sisters,

and one awesome brother.
I am also blessed to have 2
fantastic brother-in-laws...
and one of them is turning 30 today!
Ryan, we're so grateful to have you in our family!
This one's for you:

R - Really great Dad
Y - You take Excellent care of my Sister
A - Awesome Dentist
N - Nautical Skills Galore

Happy Birthday Ryan! Here's to 30 more birthdays!

Re-Model

Do you know what you get
when your husband is demo-ing
a remodel?

A holiday spent throwing stone around!
But, I'm grateful for the work.
And, I'm grateful to spend the day with my family,
even if we spent it working!