The bathroom remodel continues

Steve’s brother Brian stopped by for a weekend of fun work on our bathroom. This is usually exciting enough but this time he brought Porter along for the ride…bam! Excellence. Not that you aren’t excellent yourself, Brian. It was a whirlwind weekend but they accomplished some major work. Thank. You. I can’t say it enough. Especially to you, Denice and Anna. You were husbandless so that I could have some work done on my bathroom. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now, lest you begin to question whether there was really “work” done…here’s the proof!

Lots of dry wall went up that weekend. Its amazing how dry wall makes it feel like it’s a room. It will be a room…eventually. And dry wall gets us closer.

Do you know how heavy dry wall is? I do. And I was glad this wasn’t me and Steve in this picture but Allen and Steve instead.

The last time Brian was here he left a big hole in my wall. What’s another hole right? Well, that hole looks much better now that its closed up with dry wall. One day it will be a fancy closet. Put on your imagination caps and envision it with me.

Brian is hard at work. He always keeps the pace steady, steady…does not waste a minute.

And this is what Porter did. Ethan and Luke loved having a cousin to visit them. I really didn’t want to send him home!

Y’all come back now, ya hear?

Penryn, CA. Oh the memories!

We made a quick trip to Sacramento the first weekend in October (I know I already did an October post but this one deserved a post all its own) for a wedding. Steve took the opportunity to revisit his old stomping grounds in Penryn, CA. Yes, we’re putting Penryn back on the map people! It’s a quaint little place. I’ll show you around.

Here’s the exit you take from the freeway. Quite exciting right?

Penryn is so cool, they have this restaurant that’s a club! Steve couldn’t tell me if the food was any good, he hadn’t ever eaten there but it must be because it was still around.

This is the old. It was kind of a let down seeing it. I’ve heard so many fond memories of this home. The lawn that needed to be mowed with a ride-on mower. The pond in the front. The spacious house. The projects that upgraded it.

This is what was left of the pond.

This is the garage Daddy Dan expanded.

We left the house and drove right on over to the elementary school Steve attended. This is the bench that Uncle Dave put in for his Eagle project. Go Dave!

The kids had fun on the play ground. I think Steve shed a tear…ok, not really. But it sounded good.

Penryn School, ladies and gentlemen.

Steve wanted to drive by the high school he remembers his brothers attending. Del Oro high left some impressions, I’m told.

While we were in Sacramento we got to hang out at our cousin’s grandparent’s house, affectionately called Bubba and ‘nuther Bubba. They are some of the best people. Thank you Ralph and LaVeta!

Sara’s wedding was beautiful! Mae did a great job on her first wedding as a pro photog. I loved the backyard setting. Congrats to Sara!

Unfortunately, we had to come home RIGHT away because Sunday morning Steve was sustained and set apart as second counselor in our ward’s Bishopric. We were so glad to have Mom and Dad come for the special occasion. Our O-side family came up too and it was a party! Steve hasn’t worn a suit since we got married…aw, the irony.

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. :)