There's been a lot of absence from us Rupps on this blog. I'm going to try and make up for it with a massive amount of pictures. We'll see how it works out. I guess you can let us know. You can consider this a brief look at our last three months.
These past months have been filled with much joy and much challenge. Lots of time spent with friends and family doing fun things; and lots of time considering what may be next for us. School is quite consuming for me (zach) these days, and I'm looking forward to the term being over in a month.
Amanda continues to progress well in her pregnancy--we'll find out the sex of the kid in a couple weeks. Zara is certain that it will be a girl--actually she refuses to believe that there is even a possibility that it may be a boy. She believes that to be a biological impossibility.
ok-here's some pictures... descriptions underneath each picture.

My parents and Zara around Christmastime

Downtown Chicago with our friends Drew and Rachel

Drew, Rachel, and their dog Norm

Our friend Lynette

Zara wearing her "I'm the big sister" shirt

Zara and her favorite doll Lilly

Zach and Zara on a hike at Discovery Park in Seattle

Zara and her friend William being crazy

Our friends Ben, Mel, Jaya, and Sasha Parsons (with us in Colorado)

Zach and Zara drinking hot chocolate in Colorado

Amanda and Steph skiing in Colorado

Our friends Ryan and Elaine. Zach went on an igloo-building expedition with them.

Zara in Florida last week

Zara in Florida

Zara in Florida