Rasmussen Reunion 2010

In early August we got together with most of Steve’s family (minus two brothers and their families) and had ourselves a little fun. We played at the beach for two whole days. Ethan and Luke were, not kidding, in the water from 10am-6pm for two days straight. They LOVED it. Ethan became a pretty good body boarder. Luke got a braver and went into the water a little deeper. Sadie just played and played. Unfortunately, Steve threw out his back at work the day before the reunion started so he spent the first two days just observing the fun.

After two days in the sand and sun we decided to venture out into San Diego. We rode the train down from Oceanside to San Diego, which was a thrill to the kids in and of itself. We toured the USS Midway. We heard from Grandpa Rasmussen about his service in the military and about Great Grandpa too. Uncle Allen promised to have some stories to tell eventually…we hope not, for Anna’s sake. ;)

 

We walked down town San Diego and rode the trains up to Old Town San Diego and got a tour of the new Mormon Battalion center. Branson and Tyler got the gear ready for battle and the rest of us searched for some gold.

 

It was such a fun reunion. We wish we lived closer to all the cousins and could play all the time like this. I need to thank Sherrie for providing me with all these pictures. There were MANY, MANY more and my kids are lucky their aunt chronicled everything since their mom was seriously lacking in the photog department.

Five

We partied it up yesterday celebrating Luke’s 5th birthday! His friends from last year’s preschool class, Aidan and Coen, come over in the morning to play. I got all fancy with my rice krispy treat cake for that one.

After a short nap for Sadie we picked up Ellie and Ryan and headed to Jumpin’ Jammin’ in Mission Viejo.

 

 

 

The kiddos got nice and sweaty running around and playing in there for a few hours.

 

Luke requested McD’s for dinner (I was so bummed) and then we headed home for cake and presents with the family.

 

Luke wanted a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Well, I filled it with chocolate mousse and he didn’t complain that there was no chocolate frosting. He said he wanted it green so thats why I skipped the choc. frosting.

 

 

 

I think he had a good day. He told me, more than once, that it was the best day EVER. I hope so. Luke had his 5 year well check today and he is 48 1/4'’ tall and 71 lbs.! He is going to be towering over me so SOON!! This boy has never been average and it doesn’t look like that is going to change.

Luke, I hope you have a good year as a five year old. If it were up to me I’d press the pause button and just keep you here at this time in life for an extra year or two. You are growing up too fast. You start Kindergarten on Tuesday and you’re already reading fantastically! Your dad and I love you so much. Happy Birthday, Luke!

Its a list

1. I’m bored. There’s lots I could be doing. But I’m not. I’m bored of them.

2. Yesterday was not a boring day. It was my 9 year wedding anniversary. It was a fun day. Maybe that’s why I’m so bored today. Its so hard to transition back to reality after a day spent completely in fun. Really though, I can’t believe its been 9 years. Nine years since my parents and I missed the exit to Manti and ended up in Price, UT instead – a whole hour and some odd minutes off course. Nine years. Wow. We are not old enough, not really. Anniversaries are funny things. Some are spent so gallantly. Extravagant trips, gifts or maybe a combination of the two. My husband has a knack for making me feel spoiled. Yesterday I spoiled him a little. I took him to an Apple store and he signed another contract to become the proud owner of an i4. I’m jealous but not. Our anniversary was so low key. We didn’t go anywhere. We didn’t spend more than $30 on dinner and we went to a dollar theater to see Russell Crowe in Robin Hood. But it was fantastic. It was a reminder of the days when we focused on each other. When we were each other’s world. I know we still are but we have three kids that inhabit that world now and take the focus off each other. We do our best to balance things but our time is still theirs. It doesn’t take much to renew my love for my hubs.

3. I just painted my toe nails red. I love red toe nails. Mine are sloppy. There’s nail polish all over. But I feel good. There’s something about painted toe nails that makes me feel good. Makes me feel like I’m beautiful, even though I haven’t even showered yet…hmmm.

4. Ethan and Luke have been playing video games for too long. I know I should turn it off. They love it so much though. And its summer. They played outside all morning.

5. I’ve always known the next step I would take in my life. I’ve always felt I had a clear path. Right now I don’t and its kind of driving me crazy. There is no obvious step and I’m wondering what to do with myself. Some people think I should have another child, thats the next step. I’m definitely not clear on that. I know some of you are thinking, just enjoy where you’re at. I’m trying. But I need something too. Can you tell me what it is?

6. Next Wednesday Luke turns 5. I’m so unorganized. I have no clue what I’m doing for it. Ugh.

7. I applied to get Ethan and Luke into Davis Magnet School today. Its a long waiting list so we’ll see what happens. Might not be until next year. I’m cool with that.

8. I made a cheesecake for yesterday and I didn’t even finish my piece. I think I left something out. Its completely not me to leave dessert on my plate. Its been sitting in the fridge all day and I haven’t heard it call out to me at all. Weird.

9. I want a Brazilian blowout. I want. I want. I want.

Camera, camera…what’s on my camera?

Ahhh…the life of a mother, changing poopy diaper after poopy diaper. I let Luke take this picture of Sadie and I. Nice face huh?

So my sister Mae babysat Sadie for me the other day. Looks like they had a little fun with my camera. I love this face. I love my sisters. They are so supportive and helpful and goofy. Mae, you can’t be mad at me. You left the pic on my camera so you have to accept the consequences. Love you!

My darling girl…

and her darling feet. Wonder if Zane took this pic?

And Mae’s youngest, Ezra makes a debut in this post. Isn’t he handsome? I wouldn’t mind nibbling on those cheeks right about now.

The other day I packed up the kids and we headed down to O-side to visit our cousins. My SIL took us on base (her hubs is in the Navy – he’s a dentist), which my boys thought was “totally wicked,” to a tank museum. Sadie and Jake climbed right into one of the jeeps.

Adam and Ethan thought this was the best jeep yet because of the “bombers” on it.

My boys dream of becoming soldiers. If one of them do I’m totally using this picture later on. Funny story, as we were driving to the museum Ethan says to me “I think I just saw President Obama.” I was a little surprised by that and replied “oh yeah?” Ethan explains, “yeah, he was brown skinned and with all the soldiers.” So there you have it. Next time you see someone brown skinned and with all the soldiers count yourself lucky to see Mr. President himself.  (I love 6 year olds.)

We have started to have family cleaning days on Saturday mornings, much to my children’s chagrin. I would have to say that their favorite chore to help with is the mopping (their least favorite is putting away their clean laundry but we won’t focus on the negatives here). We roll up our pants (or shorts, if your Ethan) and get down on our hands and knee pads to scrub away the grime we’ve tracked in during the week. Its really therapeutic…or something.

Ethan got the idea to wrap the rag around his feet and his brother followed right along.

Oh man, I could not pass up this opportunity. Like I said, I love 6 year olds. Nice tan line, Ethan.

 

Pioneer Day was last Saturday. Its not so big in California. Honestly, I never remember hearing about it growing up. But when I moved to Provo, UT for school I learned its big in UT. And since I married a UT boy… we had a small celebration of going to Pioneer park and dinner at Costco.

There you have it, camera unloaded. By the way, I also love my 4 year old, 1 year old and 33 year old….just in case you were wondering.

Crafty creations

My sister Evelyn has been wanting a bow holder ever since she saw the one my SIL made for me when Sadie was born. I decided to try making one for her. I hope she likes it. I had a lot of fun making it for her and I think it turned out really cute, especially the Anthropologie knobs I put on it (actually Steve did it, thanks hon!). 

 

I also made these cookies for a coworker of Steve’s that is engaged. She’s become a friend of ours and I’m so excited for her so I used her occasion as an excuse to try out some new cookie decorations. She really liked them…at least that’s what she said.

Bye, bye preschool!

Luke had a great YEAR in preschool. He was lucky enough to be in the morning class (8-11) with a great group of kiddos. He made some friends, like Gael and Coen (pictured).

On the last day of school the class did a fantastic program for the parents. Here they are lining up. Luke is one of the tallest, its no wonder I have to remind myself he’s only 4.

 

I bawled when they sang Louis Armstrong’s “Its a wonderful world.” I’m such an easy crier, what can I say?

 

Luke had the best teacher and aides! Ms. Wanda, Luke, Miss Angelica and Miss Happy.

 

Congrats, Luke! I know you are ready for kindergarten. You are really going to tear it up next fall and I can’t wait to watch. I know you’ve been waiting for your turn to do all the big kid stuff Ethan has been doing. I know you’ve enjoyed being the big kid on the playground and your teachers always had glowing reports when it came to how you were doing. We love you, Lukester!

Ethan’s end of year celebration

"From the first day of school to the very last
The school year has gone by so fast
We are out of school 'til summer is done
Kindergarten was so much fun!"

 

Ethan sang his heart out. I bawled. There is something about hearing my son sing songs about being able to do anything he wants to do (he can!) and that he loves his parents, its a sweet spot for me.

 

Ethan was fortunate to be in Mrs. Krabbe’s class this year. She was a fantastic teacher! I was so hoping that Luke would be in her class next fall but she is moving to Washington (and gets to be home with her little girl now, so happy for her). Ethan also got to be in the same class as two friends from church, Maxwell Waldron and Hunter Windschitl, he really digs these two boys.

 

His desk. I wanted to sit down and thank it for being such a good support to my little boy but its just a desk, psh. I’m a little sentimental.

 

Congrats on a great school year, Ethan!! You’re a reader now! You can write fantastically! Math and science are your friends. So many changes have happened, you’ve grown so much. As much as it warms my heart to see you excel, it breaks my heart to see you get older. I hope first grade is just as cool.

List

1. One thing going on, specifically in my head, is my lovely viral friend Vestibular Neuritis. Seriously, I’m not hear to tell you I’ve been sick and gain your pity (ok, maybe a little bit), but this thing has really thrown me for a loop. I get dizzy at the drop of a hat, what’s up with that? I was put on some crazy patch to help with my motion sickness and dizziness but that made my eyes go crazy. Go away. Go away NOW. My favorite part of my doctor’s appointment was the doctor telling me “let’s knock on wood this doesn’t turn into a neurological problem. You start seizing or having double vision go to the ER.” Thanks, thanks a lot.  

2. I called and requested my transcripts from BYU. That may seem like a trivial piece of information to you but my head is still reeling from what this means. Let me explain; this means I’ve taken one step. I’ve wanted to be a nurse for a long time. Actually, it started off wanting to be a Physician’s Assistant. Then that morphed into nurse. Then I got married and decided to “wait” a little while (aka, have children). I think its time to put the wheels in motion. I found a school (thanks Bonnie!) that has a one year program. I need my transcripts so I can go meet with a counselor and see what I need for applying. It could be a year or two before I actually start (IF I get accepted) but its a start. It feels amazing.

3. Sadie is in the phase that she LOVES writing. Give her a pen and she goes to town! Its lovely… until I find her tattooed, my carpets heiroglyphed, and my walls vandalized. Ok, she hasn’t gone so far as to vandalize my walls… not YET.

 

4. I can’t believe Ethan is done with kindergarten. What? And Luke is done with preschool. Whuuuut?! I am now the mother of a FIRST grader AND kindergartner. Whoa. Its really going to happen isn’t it? They really ARE going to grow up, aren’t they? Hm. I think I need a tissue. Today was Ethan’s end of year program and Friday is Luke’s. I shed a tear, many tears to be exact. Kindergarten has been so beautiful. The simple coloring homework, the learning to read, easy addition and subtraction. First grade seems so… grown up and complicated. I’m glad I get to experience kindergarten again with Luke (and later with Sadie) but entering the world of “graders” is daunting. It seems as though kids start to lose their charm. They start bullying, they start learning foul language, they start really throwing around the attitude, they start noticing differences that separate them from others. I’m bracing myself.

5. I love the smell of Gain detergent. It makes me happy.

I got da pride in my ride

 

I appreciate a good commercial. “Every Mother’s Day proves, I’m kind of a big deal.” Love it.