Rachel's 8th Birthday!

Today Rachel turned 8 years old. She was up at midnight last night and so we got to tell her happy birthday as soon as she turned 8! She was up late because she had a dress rehearsal for the musical she is in and it did not end until after 10 p.m. Rachel has a dress rehearsal tonight as well. Because it is her birthday Mark said she could stay home from school. We took her to Salt Lake to the Build a Bear Store at the Gateway Mall. She got to sluff school to go because we had to be back in enough time for her dress rehearsal. Her cousins - Olivia and Cayla's met us there! Their moms offered to check them out of school early too! What a lucky girl. It was lots of fun.

Everyone choose their animal. Rachel chose a cute fluffy lamb.

Isaac chose 'Pu Panda' as he calls him. Kung Fu Panda from the movie.

Rachel making her very first build-a-bear!

Playing the guess what is missing game.

Hannah trapped in her stroller but still happy thanks to an endless supply of suckers!

Johnny chose a Panda too. He stuffed his nice and strong.

The promise to love and take care of the animals.

Dad helping Rachel position her lamb's heart. Isaac probably put 20 hearts in his 'Pu Panda'!

Aunt Mandy, Aunt Laura, Uncle John and Dad -still in his sling from his broken clavicle :(

Johnny and Isaac washing their Pandas!

Isaac was so excited he could hardly contain it!

What a cute bunch of cousins! Left to right, baby Lila, baby Hannah, Olivia, Sophia, Rachel, Johnny, John Jr., Isaac, Eliza, Cayla and Christopher.

Of course we have to do the silly faces too! What a fun party.

Olivia and Rachel ready to get their ears pierced!

Olivia goes first. She says it hurts a little, but not too bad.

A little nervous.

Daddy offers a hand for support. It was very sweet.

Rachel was very brave and said it did not hurt!

All done!

What cuties!

I can't believe I was talked into this!

Our ears are pierced!

Lunch in the Gateway food court.

We did Rachel's cake with the family after her Broadway Showcase dress rehearsal. She had so much fun showing everyone in the cast her newly pierced ears! They all sang happy birthday to her.

Her new lamb was very excited too as you can see.

Rachel can hardly believe her ears really are pierced.

Where's Daddy?

Truly a sweetie! Make a wish!

What a breath!

Still blowing.

Wow, that took a while!

After some blowing advice from everyone (slow and steady breath, don't let it out too quick etc.), we give her one more chance. After all, it is her birthday!

Nice, one blow!

High five! She did it!

We adore you Rachel! You are very precious. It is such a special birthday to be 8 years old.