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!

family trip to Moab

Our family get-away to Moab was a blast!

Paje loving the red rocks

Jared, Jenny and Ava in Moab

Paris- she's our happy hiker!

Preston- climbing the crevice

October Pumpkin Patch

What a fun day at the pumpkin patch with my friend Erin and our kids!

All the kids: Ava, Paje, Jack, Addy, Paris, Harry, Preston and Landon

Paris- my sweet Diva

Ava- 2, and all personality!

Preston- mama's boy & helper

Little Jack, Jack!

The weather has been gorgeous here- I love fall!

Back to school

I may go a bit out of order sometimes, but I get it done eventually! I've already posted about October and Halloween, and now I'm skipping back to September- oops. My kids were so excited for school this fall- it was great getting them ready for the big first day! Paje started first grade and the twins are in preschool! SO CUTE! Thanks Grandma for all the adorable school clothes!

Ode to Octobers of Past and Present

These photos are from last year and the year before...Right now- we are gearing up for a big adult hallo's eve party and a fun Halloween night trick or treating with the kids in full costume! We look forward to spooking you soon! Happy October!

Paris a black cat, Jack a bear, Ava a cowgirl, Preston a vampire and Paje a witch! 2008
Preston made a very handsome vampire!

Dressed up and ready to party!

October 2007 Preston a skunk and Paris a pink poodle... age 2!

Paje dressed up as a fairy princess for school. Paje age 5. Twinnies age 2.

Ava Red Lipstick

A Tube of Red Lipstick and a two year old little girl. She thought she was absolutely fabulous, and I have to say... I did too. She gets into EVERYTHING, and never mind the sharpie on the walls, floors, windows, furniture, or the mac makeup dumped on the floor, or the constant "sticky trail" that seems to follow her- I can't help but be wonderfully enamored with my 2 year old AVA. See for yourself-

She is a

REDFISH... my favorite place on Earth!

Redfish time came way too slow and went way too fast! Heaven on Earth. Really for me, it is almost certainly perfect with the ice cold water, hot days, kids playing on the beach and riding bikes, hiking, playing games, eating yummy food, waterskiing, catching snakes and frogs, picking wild huckleberries, having NO schedule or stress, being in nature, loving my gorgeous family- and enjoying EVERY SECOND!!!! Did I mention that I LOVE REDFISH???!!! Take a look at some snips from our week in heaven.

Paje with a snake, Preston upset he's not the one holding it, Paris and Ava just watching.
My twinnies- Preston and Paris age 4... and fourth year at Redfish.

Daddy with our littlest princess Ava J.

Together 9 years and still loving.

Baby Jack- loved the hike right to sleep! OH- I just LOVE this precious little guy!