Capitol Birthdays

Things feel like they're going by quickly for our family. Justin's internship is flying by (for him at least) and he is having a lot of great experiences. Things at home have been going pretty well and we have been busy with a teething baby, potty-training boy, and on a more fun note - birthdays! Last Friday we decided to pick Justin up from his first week and visit the Capitol. Rachel was thrilled to see such a beautiful building and it was fun to meet some of the people with which Justin works. Senator Hillyard is a very kind man and even though Rachel was pretty shy around him, it was great to put a face with a name. Here is a picture of Justin and Rachel with "Grandpa Brigham."

Rachel couldn't get enough of Justin and here she was clinging to him at his computer.

After the fun visit Justin took Bridget on a great birthday date to dinner and a movie (the longest we've ever been away from Josie). The next day to celebrate Bridget got some spectacular presents, pizza, and a fun day with everyone together. Some present highlights were a gorgeous dress, Shamwows (yes, they are great), these pretty flowers, beautiful earrings, and delicious treats - it was a great way to turn 30!

By reaching this milestone birthday Bridget feels so much wiser. Often she can be found lounging around, just thinking deep thoughts. The 30's are going to be great.

Rachel loves to make people little surprises and this was one of her cuter quiet-time works for Bridget.

Next came birthday #2 of the week - Rachel turned five! We knew there were some serious birthday expectations, when Bridget heard Rachel saying in her prayers the night before, "please let all my birthday plans come true." Even with the added pressure, we think that things went really well. She had her favorite meals - zucchini bread, tomato soup, and spaghetti and we were able to get together with her friends for a little party that was definitely the highlight of her day. Pink cupcakes were the request of the birthday girl.

And here are some of her fun friends that celebrated with her. She is wearing her "birthday outfit" that she picked out herself pretty much based on the excellent twirling factor. Thanks everyone for the fun day and the big parties for our "big" girl are coming this weekend.

Some facts about our 5-year-old Rachel:

-She loves to be read to, listen to audio books, and to read herself. Her favorite books right now are the Magic Treehouse Series.

-She doesn't wear pants unless she's playing outside (only skirts and dresses for this girl).

-Her favorite movie is Princess and the Frog.

-Her favorite song is Called to Serve.

-She loves to color and is always coloring pictures for other people.

-Her favorite foods are strawberries, watermelon, tomato soup, spaghetti, cheddar cheese rice cakes, Cheetos, and french fries.

-She is very complementary and is always telling us she loves what we're wearing or that we're her favorite ever.

-She is strong and loves to run, jump, wrestle her brother, and dance around.

-She is dramatic and can be offended pretty easily.

-She is imaginative and loves to go on adventures and make up stories.

-Her favorite color is red.

-Her favorite animal is "Miss Tiger".

-She wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up and her favorite dinosaur is t-rex.

-She loves her siblings and is so sweet to Josie and mostly sweet to Ian.
We love our Rachel and can't believe how big she is getting. She is delighted to be the same age as "some of her best friends" Gordon and Ezra and we can't believe that kindergarten is just around the corner.

Her 5 year stats from her doctors visits are as follows: 40.4 lbs (55%) and 43 in (62%).