Thursday, April 17, 2008

Tulips


our beautiful girl


We woke up on Saturday to the most gorgeous day of the year, by far. 70 degrees, perfectly sunny, the mountains sparking in the distance- just gorgeous. It was one of those days where we felt the need to spend every waking minute possible outside. We decided to head up north- just the 3 of us- to the annual "tulip festival". we had never taken Zara before and knew she would enjoy the fields of colorful flowers.

It was just a good day to be together- being outdoors, breathing fresh air, observing all the beauty that surrounds us, enjoying moments with each other. A day I felt grateful to be alive and experiencing the good gifts of this world.

Friday, April 04, 2008

30th Birthday Fun

I had the best 30th birthday....wasn't sure how I would feel as I left my 20's....but with the help of my dear friends and my amazing husband, I felt celebrated and loved and so thankful for all the blessings my life holds. Zach planned such a fun weekend for me, starting with 3 of my college friends flying in to Seattle to surprise me for the weekend. We had a great time of reconnection and just being together. He planned the best birthday party I've ever had.....close friends, great food, sweet time of sharing, and dancing until 2am!!! I had such a wonderful night and feel overwhelmed with the love that is in my life.

Jen, Rachel and Mandi surprise me for the weekend!



My siblings sharing a funny poem they wrote for me!

Kind words from friends

Thanks Zach!!!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

making up for lost time

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