Ready for a closeup?

Jeanette attempts to take a picture of herself and Rachel. We turned out a bit fuzzy (but aren't we all a bit fuzzy inside?) 

Lucky duck!

Rachel eating her Lucky Duckies (read: organic goldfish). She LOVES them - can you tell? 

The big rock fall

 

Lots of snow

I think we got around around 15 cm of snow overnight. 

Snowshoeing to the Big Rock

 

Lakeshore

Dennis and Rachel getting ready to snowshoe around the Jordan Lake shore. It is hard to tell, but Rachel is sacked out in the backpack. 

Dennis and Rachel snowshoeing

Up the big hill on the road. 

Those boots were made for walking...

We were at the cottage and Rachel saw her boots and she really wanted them on - even though she still had her sleeper on. She often tries putting her boots on - usually by standing them up, and then walking around them, trying to figure out how to get her foot in. Sometimes she will tentatively try to get her foot in the hole, but then she usually knocks the boot over and has to start again. 

No more starfish!

Rachel is ready to stand up and be counted in her snowsuit and boots. No more starfish for this grown up girl! 

No, call my agent..

Rachel has learned how to "talk" on the phone. She loves her little purple cell phone. Our only problem now is keeping her from calling and driving... 

Big hug from mom!

 

Double muppet!

Who do you think she takes after...no, really? 

Beep Beep!

 

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Yummy, yummy birthday cupcake! 

Liam tries a spoon

 

Sugar!

Rachel tries out a birthday cupcake. Can you see the sugar racing through her veins? Mmmm. 

The "kids" room at Rachel's birthday...

 

The "adult" room.

 

Richard and Magnum

 

Ethan, Jen and Adam wish Rachel a b-day

 

Avery and Jacob

 

Sadie and Rebecca

 

Rockin' Rachel

Rachel rocks in the same rocking chair that her mother did 34 years ago. 

Rachel and her ride on

Rachel takes her new ride on for a spin. Thanks Nana and Papa! 

Rachel opens her present

Rachel opens her birthday present from Nana and Papa. 

Rachel visits her Great Aunt Lynda

 

Rachel visits with Great Grandma Rule

GG turned 92 this year! Way to go! 

Rachel visits Bridget and Dottie

No, Dottie is not eating Bridget. It just looks that way... 

Rachel sacks out in the high chair...

 

Rachel Chef Extraordinaire!

Can you say dough-girl? 

Rachel and Auntie Tracy

 

Rachel gets a hug...

from cousins Sydney and Declan 

Sharon and Leigha

 

Rachel and Great Uncle Bern

 

Grandma gives Rachel a lift

 

Shannon's fashion statement

 

Wayne, Sharon and Erin

 

Sean and Leigha

 

Grandpa and Erin

 

Gift opening with the Van Staalduinens

Love those pink hats! 

Rachel makes an offer that can't be refused...

Even by her dad... 

I'll do ya a favour...

Rachel smokes only the best carrots. Here she does her imitation of a racing bookie... 

Rachel's hat

 

Van Staalduinen Family Christmas

The kids all sing at the Van Staalduinen family Christmas get together. 

Buzzzzzyyyyy

I turned around to see how Rachel was doing, and this is how I found her. She must have been tired... 

Better yet, make it your nose

 

Papa lend me your ear!

 

Decorating the Rule family tree

Hey guys it looks great! 

Dennis plays uke while Zoe dances

 

Rachel and Sadie - girl geniuses

Here are Rachel and Sadie practicing their Mensa puzzles. Don't they look smart? 

Rachel visits with Sadie (and mom!)

 

Rachel and Sadie - girl geniuses

Here are Sadie and Rachel practicing their Mensa puzzles. Don't they look smart! 

Alistair enjoying Sadie's exersaucer

 

Rachel and her dad get ready to Christmas Carol

Dennis thought he would be fashionable and wear his Team Zissou hat. 

Rachel gets a hug from her uncle James

 

Presents!

Here is Rachel learning the important skill of opening presents - right before Christmas! Notice her skillful use of bows as a fashion accessory. 

Sunday School Pageant

Here is a picture of all the kids from our Sunday School Pageant. 

Rachel in her sheep costume