A Little More Cabin Lovin' {Rachel}

After Christmas we headed up to the cabin to hang out with the Slack boys. It was Luke's birthday so our stay even included a little birthday bash! While we where there I learned to snowboard, practiced my french braiding skills, and read 150+ pages in my new favorite book! {Oh, and watched 'Brave' and 'the Odd Life of Timothy Green'. Two of the cutest movies ever!}
I had a great time and as you can see from all the pictures so did the rest of us!
Love,
    Rachel

Christmas Day Events {Rachel}

These past couple days I have decided that Christmas time really IS the most wonderful time of the year. I could go on and on and on with reasons why I love it so much. So I will just stop here and write about Christmas morning. {The most wonderful part of this most wonderful time of the year!}

Christmas Morning:
Reed slept in our room downstairs, this is a little tradition we have, then when I finally got to sleep after waking up every half hour Reed awoke me at 5:51. He said, "Rachel.... Kate... Rachel wake up lets go! It's 5:51 come on, hurry!" I quickly awoke and up the stairs we marched making sure to cover our eyes when we passed the family room.

After mom and dad where awake they pulled out the cameras and started taking 10 thousand pictures, with the brightest flash that has ever been invented! Ok not really, but here it the good part... we walked out into the living room and I got these ginormous butterflys in my tummy! I found just what I had been wanting! Here is what we all found.

Dad: a hitch, {for the suburban... and hopefully a boat!}, power dome, blanket, lots of treats, and a phone case. Dad got a little jipped, like always, I guess. But the problem is he never says what he wants so he gets a bunch of crazy things! :)
Mom: iPhone 5, phone case, fuzzy blanket, purse, lotion, clothes, running shoes, ring, and some more mom things.
Rachel: camera {with a chevron striped strap!}, 5 pairs of shoes, huge pile of clothes, candy, headbands, lotion/body spray, ski jacket, lip gloss, journal, and some jewelry. The camera was my favorite!
Reed: ipod nano, baseball posters, A2000 {baseball mitt}, remote control helicopter, shoes, sweats, a new church suit! {he looks so handsome in it!} .
Kate: 6 pairs of shoes, baby doll clothes, clothes for her, duffel bag, jacket, bike, magnetic white board, office chair {for playing school}, plus more things that she was more than happy with!

Then we went over to the Baxter's for Christmas dinner.

Don't worry, I am working on my photography skills, so I can put this awesome camera to good use! We certainly had a Merry Christmas at this house!
Love,
  Rachel

Christmas Eve Events {Rachel}

I know I know... I talk a lot about traditions, and here is one more for ya'all. Plus some more Christmas Eve-happenings.

On Christmas Eve we have the tradition of making gingerbread houses. This year was no exception! We frosted those baby's up and went to town decorating! I love the decorating part, I think it is so fun to be given the same tools/supplies as someone else, and see that we can make something so different!

My anut and uncle came along with their 2 little girls, so they decorated a village, Kate and I made houses, and Reed made a pretty wicked train.

 Love,

   {a very anxious and exited} 

Rachel

BY.....who? (Jessica)

Alright, a little run down of my weekend so far. Thursday, I didn't go to school, because I was headed to Oregon. That night we stayed in a hotel, and watched the Byu Bowl Game. Oh my gosh. If you didn't watch that, I am sorry. That was down right crazy. 4th quarter was the best...them 6, us 10 and we got up to 23. I loved watching it!

Since we were in a hotel, my dad couldn't scream. He just did lots of shaking us and saying "YES!!" and, "If they don't call that, I'm going to freak out." and, "Oh my gosh, I have to text _______, and tell them what happened." and, "If Cody Hoffman and Kyle Van Noy weren't there....." and, "Kyle please stay one more year at Byu, PLEASE!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33X5mFloEww
Take 4 minutes out of your day to watch this. It's pretty fantastic.

Love, Jessica
P.S. My favorite part is when the coach is included in the tackle. :)

Weekend Party! {Rachel}

I know... I haven't posted for a long time so I figured now would be a good time now that I JUST GOT OUT OF SCHOOL FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK! YAY! You can't even put into words how exited I am for Christmas, and all the good things that come along with this great time of year!

Ok, now that I got all my excitement out I will start my rundown of {a very good} last weekend:
On Friday night I had a Choir Concert then my mom and dad hauled us all up to the Stake Center to help decorate for the big ward party the next day. All I can say is carrots, carrots, and more carrots. Phew you can't even imagine how many of those things I stapled. I know you think I am totally crazy but you will understand when you see the pictures.

Then on Saturday we had breakfast at the ward party cleaned up and headed out on the town at 6:00 to catch a UVU basketball game. We had dinner in one of suites above the court {witch was delicious!} then down to watch a little ball. I had to laugh when I saw one of my really good friends from dance {and PE} at the game!

What can I say, I love busy, fun weekends... and Christmas Break! Ya hoo!
Love,
      Rachel

Let the Traditions Begin! {Rachel}

Last year at this time the Baxter family and my family went to Temple Square. That was the first time I had ever been there {the REAL last time I was too little to remember}. We had so much fun that we decided to do it all over again this year. We left a little after school got out, drove to Sandy, and rode the TRAX to Salt Lake. I love riding the 'train' it makes me feel like I am in a huge city. Although I could never live in a big city and I am not that big of a city girl.

 We walked around Temple Square, and did a little shopping at City Creek. I had a lot of fun and hope to do it all over again next year!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
       Rachel

And, SCORE. (Jessica)

Well, after we hiked up 4 1/2  mountains, crossed 5 freaking lakes, okay fine. 7 creeks. Got our shoes really muddy, had one person throw up, were half way frozen and broke the law a couple of times, we came home with this sucker.

It was a pretty, um, crazy experience. But we did it. And it's a cute tree. I loved to spend time with my family doing something that we would all laugh at later. It was good.

On Tuesday, my family and Rachel's family went up to temple square. We drove up to Sandy and then got on Trax. Once we got to the Salt Lake Temple, the lights were AMAZING. It was the coolest thing ever. Rachel's favorite of all time was this one.

The reflection pool....

       

I can't wait for Christmas!! 

Love, Jessica

                     

Trim the Tree {Rachel}

Sunday night was the night we put up all our Christmas decor and our tree! I love the way it lights up the hole room when you turn on the lights for the first time! Two years ago we got a new {fake} tree as well as new ornaments. In the years past we get a real tree that we go chop down our self's, but it was hard because we didn't have a vehicle to bring it home etc. but a fake tree solved all those problem! {And I personally, like it better because it looks full and pretty with no bare spots.}

 Of course Kate had to put on the 'star' on top! {or in our case the little pokey thing with a bow at the bottom!} Can you guess what ornament is my favorite?
My family and I all had a fun time 'trimming the tree' that night!
Love,
      Rachel

Family Photos {Rachel}

A couple of weeks ago my family {and I} got our pictures taken. The big reason was so that we could have some to put on our Christmas card. They turned out super cute! I had a lot of fun planning all the outfits, and posing on the day of!

I am so lucky to have such a great {and cute} family!

Love,

           Rachel