Potty Training

Two weeks ago tomorrow we started potty training. Richie and Erin came down to visit so I figured I should take advantage of the help and we started the day they got here. They were good sports and didn't mind a bit! They were trapped in the house the whole week they were here making tons of potty trips a day and cleaning some accidents all with a smile! Thanks guys, you really made my week so much better than I expected it to be!

Rachel has a small obsession with Richie. Every second she wasn't with him she was asking where he was or if he was OK. She was dragging him all over the house to do stuff with her all week too. BFF.

There weren't nearly as many accidents as I expected there to be so that was good. I expected them to pick it up quicker where they would tell me they had to go but that wasn't happening. Just the last two days they have started telling me once in a while if they have to go. If I stay on top of them and make them go every once in a while it is no problem. So it's not as bad as I thought it would be. Although some times it would definitely be easier to have them in diapers, I am so glad the worst part is over with and we can continue to get better at it before the baby gets her, hopefully!

They took turns "reading" to each other too.

How much longer do I have on here? A little ducky rub to pass the time!

 Sharing lipstick, one of their potty prizes. We hung here at the house all week for safety but they didn't seem to mind.

So it's still a work in progress but I am happy with where they are. We can go out now without too much fear so that's good.

Prayers and play time. All half naked.

I had lots of funny naked bum pictures but I'll keep those off of here for now. My book said to have day 2-4 naked days. No panties just shirts. So we did. It worked mostly I guess but it made for some funny pictures. Their naked bum prayer pictures are my favorite!

Looking at our potty sticker charts. Rachel picked princesses and Livy picked Thomas the train.

Baked banana bread twice that week to kill time. I need to do more baking because they love to help do it.

Chatting with Grandma on the phone in her big girl panties! Or boy panties, she likes the truck ones!

More fun with Uncle Richie.

Cutie pies!

Random

We hadn't talked too much about marriage or weddings with the girls because it just hadn't been needed. Since I was going to two of my cousins weddings we started telling them where I was going and telling them they were getting married in the temple. Minimal stuff. But the picked it right up. Now this is Rachel's wedding dress she says. She puts it on and says she is going to get married! She doesn't quiet get it because she says she is going to get married in the temple with mommy and daddy! Either way it is adorable!

Livy just tells me she is getting married in the temple when she gets bigger. I love to hear the things they say even if they don't totally understand them yet!

Making some fruit pizza. I got the recipe from my sister in laws sister in laws blog. This was the finished product!

It was so much fun for them to make and it tasted great.

Just starting out.

Enjoying the pool with dad. Their new favorite spot to sit, on the rocks. Rachel mostly likes to sit and watch while Livy loves going under searching for stuff.

The belly at 27 weeks. Sorry about the flash. It is totally uncomfortable to move around already I don't know how I am going to make it to December!

Nephi

Livy and Rachel have become obsesses with "the Jesus movie" as they call it. It is really the Book of Mormon stories video of Nephi building the boat to go to the Promised Land. They ask to watch it every day and know the movie by heart practically.

This hallway here near the playroom has become their boat. They move all their stuff into the hall and say they are in their boat and they are going to the Promised Land. I love it. They love learning about Nephi and it is so fun to watch them love learning about it. Rachel's suggestion for the babies name is of course, Nephi. And Livy continually asks me "Mom, is this the Promised Land?" They have such sweet spirits and are quite entertaining!

Visitors

After our trip to NY my brother Rich, his wife Erin, and my sister Hannah came back to TX with us. It was nice to have help in the airport and on the plane but especially at home. Eric had moved most of our house while we were gone but it was such a big help to have them here helping us finish moving, putting stuff away and entertaining the girls. They loved having them here and had so much fun with them.

Making homemade playdoh.

Walking around the temple grounds. The girls would say "I'm gonna get married in the temple." So sweet!

Lots of swimming fun. Rachel doesn't like the pool as much so we didn't get any of her. She likes the "hot pool" or the hot tub only.

Livy's "doggles" (goggles).

Killing time waiting for our table at a restaurant.

Love this one!

Playing Hi Ho Cherry-O. A new favorite game!

We didn't get to do as much as we wanted while they were here because Rachel was sick for 4 days but they were a great help entertaining Livy and getting things done that I wasn't able to do.

They especially miss their Hannie. Always asking for her and wanting to see her.

So happy they got to come and visit/help us. It was a great trip. We are so luck because they are coming again to visit us tonight! We can't wait. This time we will try potty training these two little girls! I'll let you know how it goes!

Becky's Wedding

This past weekend I got to go to Becky and Doug's wedding in Sacramento California. It was a beautiful place and a wonderful wedding. Becky looked absolutely beautiful which you can tell even from my bad picture taking. Can't wait to see all of her professional ones!

I am so happy I could be there to share this with her. Thank you Eric for staying home with the girls so I could go and relax. We didn't sleep much but it was worth it!

The wedding party.

Beautiful Bride.

Another fun weekend with lots of family. Wish it could have been longer.

The old Newlyweds!

The proud parents!

Bridesmaids with the bride.

We stayed at the DeMartini's house which was beautiful and up in the wooded mountains in northern California. It was gorgeous around there. Awesome for pictures too which I can't wait too see. Thanks so much for letting us all stay there!

Some of Becky's awesome pictures. She had the best photographer at her wedding. Wish I could put all of her pictures up. So precious.

The whole Rathgeber Family, for now!