Halloween? What? Its October.

Ok, seriously, who waits until December 30th to post about Halloween? Not me. I wouldn’t do that. I mean, that’s just blatant procrastination. I’m not like that. I wasn’t procrastinating, I just didn’t want to. It’s a problem I have lately. I’m trying to get over it. This is going to be one heck of a post because I’m going to revisit the beauty of October. Of course October was full of Halloween festivities. First there was the school Trunk or Treat. We did a way better job of decorating our trunk. Our car battery was dead by the end of the night but it was worth seeing people jump when they came up.

The kiddos before the trunk or treat started.

Then there was our ward Halloween party. Sadie was a-dor-able. I’m liking this princess thing more than I expected. Sadie was also pretty thrilled that people were handing her candy like it was broccoli.

Of course, we can’t forget the Miramar Air Show. Steve took the boys down (I don’t remember why Sadie and I didn’t go, must have been a good reason). They LOVED it, needless to say.

 

Ethan and Luke have been taking swim lessons for a while now. The place offers free swim, even to the siblings, and Sadie finally decided she had had enough of watching and wanted to participate. Well, that’s all fine and dandy but the place also REQUIRED a special swim suit….supposedly to comply with Health Regulations or something silly like that. Anyway, the only suit they had for Sadie was this two piece so I HAD to buy it…twisted my arm. Oh. My. Goodness. Sadie was adorable…again. (am I using enough of the … effect?) I will never buy her a two piece again but this time I won’t regret.

Do you love her pose? I do. Love it.

Luke’s class about to parade. That’s one of his best school buddies, Matthew Anderson as Batman.

Here comes Ethan! He was Jango Fett. If you don’t know who that is…look it up, I couldn’t tell ya.

Sadie and I got to visit a pumpkin patch while the boys were at school one day. It was for our Mommy and Me group. Sadie was really practicing her two year old attitude that day. At least I got this cute picture out of it.

Our lovely cousins crashed the trunk or treat too. I love Ellie’s buns…go Leia!

So Sadie loves my phone. She’s addicted to the iphone as much as I am. She took this picture of herself. It’s a gem, don’t you think?

Aw, that’s the close of October. Get ready for November…comin’ right up!

From one to two, feels like three.

Dear Sadie,

You had your 2nd birthday 11 days ago. That morning I woke up and lay in bed thinking about how fast these past two years have gone, how quickly you’ve grown. Your dad and I laughed thinking about the funny things you do, the sweetness you bring into our lives. How you love having a phone. When your dad or I get off the phone you’ve started asking us who we’re talking to. You are so curious about all things phone. We’re sure you’re going to take phone priviledges VERY seriously. How you suck your two middle fingers on your right hand and hold the panos (old burp rags) with the ribbon on the sides, those are your sources of comfort. How you love to sing and dance, you always seem to be humming a tune. Our favorite sound is your giggle. If we can get you giggling everyone smiles.

You had a fun birthday, I hope. Vovo took you to Disneyland where you rode the carousel

(I was dying that I wasn’t there with you and mad that my pass was expired) and to buy some new ear rings. You had a nice nap and then we went out to dinner and came home to party with the rest of your aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents that live nearby.  I made cupcakes for you and wanted them to be perfect…I think you ate one bite and were done.

I got some balloons and hung our birthday banners around the house for our little party. You had a lot of fun with the balloons. I think you’re dad recorded you laughing up a storm with some game your brothers were playing with the balloons.

Your Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen sent money for your birthday and you picked out this cat keyboard when we were at Target. Its fun to see you pluck the keyboard but even funner to listen to you try to swallow the microphone.

Your aunt Mae and uncle Clay gave you the coolest purse. Every one wants it! It was decked out with a pair of sunglasses (pictured), a wallet, a photo album, some Tic Tacs, your own iphone (not really but looks good, unfortuneately you figured out quickly that it wasn’t the real thing – and I quote, “uh, not working!”), some jewelry…is that it? I forget. You love it…and so do I. Mind if I borrow it…for a few years?

Here is the bag and your new shoes! I love buying clothes and accessories for you. We are going to do serious damage on our shopping trips when you get older.

Your aunt Ev and Uncle James got you your first princess dress up that you ended up wearing for Halloween. It was A-DOR-ABLE. You really like to do this slouchy thing. I think its your modeling abilities beginning to show. You’re the next Top Model…hehe…I’m not being serious. You can or you can’t, no pressure.

Ok, this wasn’t on your birthday but I had to include it. Isn’t it adorable? Your first, and LAST bikini (that I will buy anyway). You have to be doing what your brothers and cousins are doing (or anyone for that matter). You were not going to sit by and let everyone else have all the fun at swim lessons anymore so I had to buy the “mandatory Health department regulated” bathing suit for children under 4. Happy swimming!

This one wasn’t on your birthday either but this is a post about you and I’m writing it so I’m going to include the cute picture of the two of us. I don’t know if you know this yet, if its sunk in, but you’re my sidekick. I always want to take you everywhere. Most of the time its not too much fun for you but I’m trying to work on that. We went to the pumpkin patch and you gave me a run for my money. You did not want to walk and I did not want to carry you, that’s the short of it. But we got this picture and it was all worth it in the end.

Sadie, I can’t believe you’re two. It kind of makes me sad. You might be my last two year old and its just going so fast. Pretty soon you’ll be out of your crib and out of diapers and speaking in full sentences that everyone around you actually understands (no more Sadie speak) and the rest will be history. We love you like crazy, little girl. Hope you always know that. Happy Birthday!

San Francisco trip with two of my favorite girls

Back in September I went on a quick weekend trip with two of my old college roomies, Katie and Britt. I forget how much fun we have together. I’ve missed these girls like crazy. I remember when we were such a big part of each other’s lives. We’ve all moved on to our separate lives but we got to come together and act like kids again. San Francisco was our destination. I couldn’t believe that neither Katie nor Britt had been there before. We got in all the sights, thanks to our cool double decker tour, and ate our little hearts out.

We had the perfect weather while we were in San Fran. The Golden Gate Bridge was breathtaking. I know that sounds cheesy but it really was…honest.

Smile! BB, me, Kate

Tour time! Our tour guide liked to use the phrase, “bam! there it is!” It was hilarious in his Spanish accent.

Did I mention we ate? Yeah, its no wonder I’m dieting. Ah, the irony. Sure was good while it lasted.

Let’s do it again, k girls? I’ll start saving my pennies. Oh, and hon? Thanks!! You Rock.

Summer Fun: Soak City and fruit leather

Our favorite Oceanside cousins invited us to go to Soak City with them before school started. It was a hot day and we enjoyed being in the water…until Sadie decided she was done and then would not stop crying! Luckily, I got her to sleep in the stroller for a little while and had some one on one time with Easy E.

One of the blogs I subscribe to (martawrites.com) had a post about making your own fruit leather. It looked so easy I had to try it. I had some strawberries and nectarines that were past their prime so I threw them in the pan and voila! Tasty fruit leather! It was gone in a flash.

Summer Fun: Camping for the 4th of July

This summer we went on our first family camping trip. The campground was beautiful and I realized how much of a city girl I am because I could NOT sleep with all the crickets chirping, raccoons rummaging around, and pitch blackness. I need to go camping more often. The kids, on the other hand, slept wonderfully and had the time of their lives! Who wouldn’t if s’mores were involved?

Gotta Go Back, Back to School Again…

Yesterday was the first day of school for Ethan and Luke! Luke started Kindergarten. His teacher is Mrs. Honda. Ethan started first grade and his teacher is Mrs. Fox. Luke was so excited and reported having a fantastic day when I picked him up at 1:25pm. Ethan was a little different. He was so upset but he made it. He told me it was pretty boring at school. Monday night we had a back to school FHE and Steve told a good story about his first day of school and going to a new school in California. He also gave them each blessings. Sadie even asked for one too! It was so cute how she sat so still. I’m so thankful for the Priesthood.

 

This one has nothing to do with the first day of school but I threw it in for good measure. :)

 

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!