Much Needed Update...

Well, there have been lots of things that have happened over the past few months since I last posted. First of all, we moved into our new house. Well, it isn't a new house, but it is new to us! Yippee for our own space. We love it. The ward is great and we are starting to feel welcomed and included in it. We actually just got callings... (Sara was very much ready for a new calling, since she has been out of the loop for a little while...she is a social bug!) Mike just got called as the assistant scout master and advisor to the deacon's quorum and Sara was called to the Primary Chorister. Both of us are extremely excited about our callings and the new adventures they will take us on. And...(drum roll please...) Ethan is going to nursery now!! Yeah!!

In January, after a week and a half in our new house, Sara up and left for a week with her Mom and sisters. They went to San Francisco. It was a very exciting trip. Here are just a few shots of our adventures there.


Sara found her store. It had the coolest things every...ALL for LEFT HANDED PEOPLE! Yeah!

We drove up highway 1 and saw plenty of the ocean and great lighthouses. It was beautiful. Cold, but beautiful!

Here we are at the ocean. It was so much fun!

And of course....CHOCOLATE! We had the best hot fudge sundaes here. We had a great time.

China Town...(need we say more?!)

And...the reason for the trip in the first place...It was the best show I have ever seen! It is so worth every penny and more. We left already planning the next trip with the hubbies!

We spent most of the time here on the pier. It was fun going to all the shops and eating lots and lots of sourdough bread! Yummy!

This is just a cute shot of Ethan in his helicopter! He was loving it...grandpa was happy about this too!

Our beautiful selves after moving into the house. We are so happy to be here. We are making it our own very slowly, but it is coming along well!

Going Private...

Yes, I am joining the "in" crowd and putting our blog on private status. I would love to have all the friends and family members that like to keep up on the Rasmussen family happenings to please email me or post a comment on this blog. I will then send you this nifty invite.

I hope you will all jump on it!

Thanks for understanding!

Halloween 2009!

Can everyone say, "Quack, Quack!" Yep, that is right. Instead of Trick-or-Treat, it was Quack, Quack. He had an absolute blast! He loved his costume. He was the cutest duck I have ever laid eyes on!

And now for the unveiling...

Well, after much diliberation and severe persuasion from my husband, I (well, WE) are now proud owners of a new car...wait, scratch that...a new MINIVAN! Oh, my goodness, I have become something I didn't want to have to become for quite a few more years (if I could have helped it in any way...) I have become...

a Minivan Mom!

Yep, that is right. We decided that it would be probably a better choice to go up than do something similar than the stratus, and have to get something bigger in a few years. So, here it is. Although, I must admit...those car designers have gotten pretty cleaver at enticing people to buy minivans. There are quite a few bells and whistles on this bad boy. I think I might even survive this transition!

So, I guess, if I think about it enough, then I can get used to the idea. It will be a good situation for us! Anyone for a road trip?!?

Saying "Goodbye" to an Era!

Well, can I just say that when it rains it pours! Monday night we were in a car accident. We were returning home from a lovely evening with my extended family at Taco Maker Night. We were stuffed from all the great food, tired and happy. We were just a minute or two away from our home, when we were hit by another car. Luckily, we were all okay. Ethan and I were a little shaken up, and all of us sustained a few bumps and bruises, but all in all...we are okay. I am grateful it wasn't any worse than it was.
Now...as for our dear car...the outcome is not as positive! Yes, it was an older car and I had driven it for quite some time, but we did not see us having to send this car up to junkyard heaven quite yet. She still had a few good years (alright, months) on her left to give.
I bought this car when I was in college. It was my very first "adult" purchase. I was so fond of this car. It has given me many good memories of road trips, outings, and experiences.
So, today I say farewell to our first car, and hello to a new chapter in our vehicle experience. I just hope we can find something that will be as great of a car as the good ol' stratus had been.

And, for all your viewing pleasure, we would like to give you just a few glimpses of how our dear ol' stratus is leaving us!

Ethan Came, Saw, and Conquered!

Ethan had his birthday party last Friday night. Yes, I know...he is only 1 and he won't remember it, but it is fun to get together with friends and family to celebrate this milestone in our family. Because I come from a long line of women who truly know how to throw a party, I will admit we went a bit overboard! But, we had a blast doing it! Here are just a few shots from the party!


Yes, this is the spread that we had for food. It never is a party without TONS of food to eat! It was delicious, though!


Ethan surprised me. He actually enjoyed opening his presents. (Okay, as far as a 1 year old can focus!) He was thrilled about his new car and clothes!


Ain't this just a beauty?! No, I didn't make it. But, it was WELL worth the money! We have been enjoying this birthday cake all weekend long!


He wasn't quite sure if it was okay to put his fingers in the cake. We had to first show him how it was done. But, don't let him fool you...he went to town on it for a bit!


This is the aftermath of the cake-fest! What a face! Luckily, I have already washed the outfit, and all the food coloring came out successfully. Thank heavens for Spray and Wash!

Thanks to all those that came to celebrate with us! We are so grateful to have good friends and loving family to celebrate these special moments. Even if they are more for the parents than the kids!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan turned 1 year old today!! Wow...I can't believe that this year is gone already...it just seems to flash right before your eyes. I know people told me that this year would go by so fast and they would grow and change so quickly, but I don't think any new mom fully comprehends how true that is...

Ethan has just been such a blessing in our home. He is always making me laugh by the faces he makes or the things he continues to learn about each day. Here are just a few recaps of his first year...and I am sure he will continue to be too cute not to take his picture!

His birth! What a trip...a long one, but well worth it!

Halloween...he was just tiny in that outfit!

Christmas...What a joy!

Using one of his favorite toys...he would just laugh and laugh when he was in this thing!

The many random faces of Ethan. Anyone who knows him will understand that! He is very expressive with his face. His eyes just brighten any day!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

I love you!