Rachel's 5th Birthday!

On Tuesday evening we celebrated my niece's fifth birthday! I have so many nieces and nephews that we can't make it to all the parties, but we feel blessed for the ones we are able to attend. This picture warms my heart. My sister Melissa and I were pregnant at the same time (Penny and Rachel are only 2 months and 14 days apart). Its a lot of fun to have a sister pregnant at the same time as you, especially with your first. It makes it easier to know what to maybe expect. I say maybe because all pregnancies are different. It was sure nice though when Rachel came along and BJ and I came home for the holidays. I was able to snuggle with a new born Rachel, aka Ray Ray, and realize that all the pain and emotional ups and downs of growing a baby was going to be worth it. I was also able to teach BJ how to hold a new born. He really needed the practice and I think it helped a lot.
Melissa is doing a wonderful job as a single mom and tries so hard to make sure her kids see how important they are! I know that Ray Ray was so close to her daddy. I can't count how many times I saw her fall asleep only in his arms. Scott is proud as he looks down on his growing children, sad that he can't be there in person, but so happy he can watch over them from above whispering, "I love you" each night to them as they fall asleep.

We had a wonderful Pizza part dinner at Straw Hat Pizza, one of the awesomest and cleanest restaurants for kids I have EVER seen.

Then we all headed back to the Shimamoto home for some cake and ice cream. Rachel requested her mom make a jelly bean butterfly cake. I think Melissa pulled that dessert off nicely. Very cute!

Hailey LOVED the frosting! In fact its the only part she ate!

We love you Ray Ray and Penny will always be one of your bestest friends! I hope you had a wonderful birthday and enjoy the big princess puzzle Penny picked out for you! Remember how much your Mommy and Daddy and Auntie Ashley and Uncle BJ love you!