CELEBRATE! Easter, Birthdays, Family! and... Home.

There is nothing more important to me than my family. I feel so blessed to have such sweet kids in my home. In March we celebrated Liz's birthday, Ava's 3rd birthday, Paris & Preston's 5th birthdays, and we welcomed Spring with tulips and spring skiing! Ava's little party was cute- and her joy and glee unrestrained about her pink balloons, presents, and cake. I can't believe she is 3 already- where is the time going? Grandpa and Grandma got her a new pink bike- she loves it! And Grandpa & Grandma Rasmussen got her a book that has their voices reading the story to her- very special. Aunt Liz and Parker got her an adorable swimsuit-Thanks everyone!

We went to Boondocks on Paris & Preston's Birthday. We had a great time with Liz, Jackson, Chloe, Ella and Preston's friend Caden. Grandpa & Grandma Kemp came at the end. Then we opened presents at home. I loved giving Paris a new bike- she had been riding a junker I got off KSL for 10 bucks for the past year. We gave Preston a tennis racket with lessons. It was a fun day! Thanks to all for the nice gifts!

We spent Easter up in Idaho with my mom and dad and Liz and Parker. The kids had a great time coloring eggs, finding eggs, playing together- it was exciting! I was worn out afterwards. I have a tough time dealing with all the work of vacation with the kids... is it worth it? Sometimes I feel like it would be more enjoyable to stay home. I love being home. At home, I have a routine and a system, and some predictablity to my crazy life with 5 young children. I love my life, but take me out of my happy zone, and things get really rough for me.... :)

I love my Family!

February was such a quick month! I feel like it was over before I could wrap my head around it. In the whirlwind- we made valentines, decorated boxes, made a yummy Valentine's dinner, celebrated Jared's 32nd Birthday, skied with the kids and had a lovely Love month! I love my cute kids, and I love that with all my faults they love me anyway. I love them so much. I am grateful for my wonderful husband who knows and appreciates the value of me staying home and caring for our children and home. He is truly my soul mate, I don't ever want to know life again without him by my side.

Paje has been busy with her new interests of gymnastics and piano. She is still also playing indoor soccer- and proving herself quite competitive and athletic! She is loving piano and gym, and practices both everyday. She is an overachiever- and I just love that about her! She is a great big sister, and how could I ever live without her help and sweetness?

Preston is in Preschool and he will be turning 5 years old this month! The time has gone by so fast. Jared and I have taken Preston skiing the last 3 months almost every week, and he is INCREDIBLE! He skis all the way down the hill without ANY help and turns and stops perfectly! Wow! I am so proud and excited that he loves skiing as much as I do, and I that I am already enjoying my time on the mountain with him and Paje and Paris! Preston is my tender little man- I love him so much!

Paris is busy in dancing and Preschool. She also turns 5 years old this month- and she is very excited for her birthday party. We are having a family party for the twinnies this year because they had a friend party last year. She has a big list of things she wants like: suction cups (!!?), a Pogo Stick, a white puppy, a new bike, an ipod (no), and lots of other funny girly things. She is a love bug and is pretty good at getting what she puts her mind to. I will admit my patience is sometimes tried with Pear, but it just makes me love her that much more!

Ava is two, almost 3 and busy as a little bee! She is in dancing and loves riding her bike, going on walks and doing everything BY HERSELF! She is cute as a button, and Jared and I both agree she is fire and ice- all at the same time. She is very protective over Jack and she pretty much tells all of us how things are going to be. We were bound to create some strong girls- and I'm so happy we have 3 of them! I love Ava so much!

Jack is adorable with his HUGE brown eyes and black hair. He could not be more sweet. He is a cuddly baby and even though he is 21 months already- he is still my baby! He is talking so well and saying lots of animal sounds and he understands everything. He doesn't always DO what you tell him to, but he is so squeezable! He hates getting his diaper changed, but he LOVES books and choo choo trains. I love Jack from head to toe!

I finally finished Ava and Paris's room- check off one of my goals for the year! Here are a few snaps of my finished product! A huge thank you to Liz, my beautiful sister in law for sewing the draperies and to Christine, my friend who made the pillows! I love you both!

Weekend at the Carter Cabin- HOLY MOLEY!!!!

MOLEY! MOLEY!

Okay- so this looks a bit off, but it was normal.... or maybe not- but SO GREAT! Annie, our gorgeous friend and personal medical professional- brought her bag of tools and went to work on all of our moles at the Cabin! It was a pretty funny scene- we put all the kids to bed and six adults gather in the cabin kitchen to shoot up with a little numbing juice and get moles removed! I couldn't stop laughing. Thanks Annie for making our group a little less MOLEY!
Jared, Candee and Brady showing off their MOLE FREE mugs... and backs!

Brady was the most funny- he was trying hard not to show pain- but OOOOOOOUUUUUCH!!!

PA Annie was so Fantastic!

Jared with his permanent accessory.....

Jenny gives baby Jack a bath in the cabin sink- Preston just watching!

Here is a flashback for you- taken Winter 2007. Friends for life!

Carters, Dixons, Rasmussens

Cheers to GREAT FRIENDS~!

THEN. NOW . FOREVER!

Thought of the day

You can't change anyone but you!

Past, Present and Future

Every Year we make a list of goals for the new year, for our lives and for where we want to be- it's always hard to write it down, only because it makes me mentally committed to trying to accomplish the things on the list- and once the goals are written down- it's so much more real when you don't get it done- like it's staring me in the face saying, "get it done!!!! what are you waiting for?" Anyway- Happy New Year and here's the new list- dedicated to a great past, a happy right now and an even better and more successful future! Enjoy a picture of the past!

My list

1. run a half marathon

2. hold FHE weekly

3. be positive

4. happiness is a choice

5. teach my children to choose good and do good

6. start teaching aerobics again

7. earn my 3.5 ranking in tennis

8. celebrate my 10 year anniversary with the love of my life! I love you honey!

9. finish my laundry room/ office

10. finish paris and ava's room

11. increase my love towards my husband, my children, my siblings and my parents.

The LIST

Rasmussen Family Christmas List

Jared buys for- Steff

Jenny- Jennie

Paje- Allie

Preston- Crystal

Ava- Tyler

Jack- Rosie

Judd- Cruz

Steff- Jordan

Sam-Preston

Allie- Paris

Jake- Jared

Crystal- Taylor

Tyler- Judd

Taylor-Jenny

Josie- Jake

Cruz- Paje

Rosie- Jack

Jordan- Sam

Jennie- Ava

Did you notice that Mom and Dad are NOT on the list? They always get us gifts... so maybe we should give back right? Just a thought.

MY TWO LITTLE REINDEER!

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all? Paris and Preston- the red nosed reindeer! They came home from preschool with antlers and big red noses! Paris left her antlers on most the day, and I couldn't help but giggle when I saw them so happy to be little Rudolphs!

Thanksgiving 09

This year Jared and I invited Jared's family to our home for Thanksgiving. We had a really great time! Pat, Scott, Jennie, Judd and Allie came for the feast- the food was delicious! Homemade rolls, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salads, jello, asparagus, 3 homemade pies, and plenty of Grandpa Jack's famous juice! It was a fun day. The day after was kid's day. We took the kids to Jump on It!- a fun play place with trampolines and blowup slides. Then we went to lunch at Ice berg, and had some greasy food and a divine peppermint shake! Kid's day continued with Planet 51 the movie at the district theater- and the kids were pretty much spent. We went home, had leftovers and put the kids to bed. I love thanksgiving. I am thankful for

my family

my husband

Jesus Christ

my health and the health of my family

for being a mother

for my friends

for second chances

for music in my life

my beautiful home

and so much more!

Jack age 17 months

Judd

Fine food.

Jennie

Family time!

Spooky Night!

Halloween was perfect this year! We had a great adult costume party on hallow's eve, and we had so much fun with the kids trick or treating.

Ava was just so sweet. She was dressed up like a French Poodle named Fifi.

Ava: We are trick or treating?

Me: Yes, you will get candy at the door, say Trick or Treat and then say thank you!

Ava: Look! There's Scooby-doo! I'm a poodle.

Me: Yes, you are a pink poodle.

Ava: We get candy, mom?

Me; Yes, lots of candy.

At a door...

Ava: We trick or treating!

Person at door: happy Halloween!

Ava: Candy? Thank you very much... happy Halloween too!

I wanted to bottle each word she said- she was totally endearing and enamoured with the whole night- it was SOOOOO cute! And, so pleased with all the costumes and candy!

Jack was our little skunk- with an adorable costume made by his Great Grandma Betty- given to us by Aunt Stephanie- he was all about the candy, mostly the suckers.

Preston told me his favorite part about Halloween this year was his costume. He was a very convincing little Indian boy!

Paje also loved her costume- she said it was her favorite costume ever, and she was a charming bumble bee. She was in a school Halloween parade, and I hauled the other 4 kids in FREEZING weather to go watch her. Times I will never forget!

A little conversation with our cowgirl diva Paris....

What was your favorite part about Halloween?

Paris: Getting candy.

What was your costume?

Paris: cowgirl

Did you like being a cowgirl?

Paris: yeah.

Why?

Paris: Because, I don't know.

Did you like wearing makeup?

Paris: yes.

Do you think all cowgirls wear makeup?

Paris: uhhh, no.

So, how come you wore makeup?

Paris: because I was black and white and it looked cute!