Rachel Turns 9 Years Old

Rachel's favorite animal is a giraffe, so we thought it would be fun to have a Safari party. The girls divided into two teams and went on a scavenger hunt after making some binoculars.
Here's the remnants of the food they ate. Snake meat on a stick, ants on a log, etc.

Rachel had to strategically blow out those candles!

They dug out worms from the jello using only their mouths.

I just can't believe that my little RayRay is 9. She is such a great daughter. I love the skits she puts on; she has an amazing talent for writing poems; she can sing and dance; she is a wonderful helper with Jane; she is sincere in her desire to choose the right. I love you, Rachel!

Zoo Day

We rode on the train...which we thought would be fun. Okay, what kind of train ride at the zoo doesn't go by any animals? We rode through the woods the whole time!
Michael was actually really nervous to go on the train. He thought it was going to go super fast. In the end, he was a little disappointed it didn't go FASTER!

Who's scarier? Bella or the lion?

We met our friends, the Hubers, there. They are an awesome family! (Courtney, I only said that in case you are reading this blog! Hee hee)

My Garden has Taken Over

I've spent many hours trying to weed my garden, and it was going fine, until the plants took over! They are so big they are overlapping like crazy. I have vines of watermelon and cucumber going every which way...the plants are spilling over the side and down the wall.

This is what I picked one day. We have zuchinni growing out our ears. We eat it everyday; I've frozen it; Given it away; made zuchinni bread and given it away....when will it stop!?

Encore!

Bella and Rachel were in a summer program where they worked in a musical theature project.
Bella was one of the ugly step sisters. I think she still looks beautiful.

Rachel was the dragon. Both of them had solos and did a great job.

Bullfrog..mumbo! (had to be there)