"Look in my eyes"

Sophie is such an angel!! I love being her mom. She says the funniest things!! One time I was trying to tell her something and I told her to "look in my eyes". Since that day everytime she trys to get my attention she says, "Mom, Look in my eyes!!" It's adorable. I bet I hear that phrase at least 20 times a day!!

Some other phrases that she says all the time are.."Me don't like that" Since she may be the worlds pickiest eater we hear that one alot too!

Or when she wants to show me something, she puts it behind her back and says, "Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo" Then she pulls it out in front of her like it was magic. She had a Huge smile on her face when she does it.

Sophie, Thank you for being so adorable. You make me smile!! I love you!!!!

Some of our Favorite pictures.

I got tagged to show our 10 Favorite Pictures, I know it's taken me a while ( Sorry Emily!) but here we finally are!!! We went through some pictures and couldn't narrow it down to 10 so I just decided to include our finalists. They aren't in any particular order, and some of the pictures are associated more with the memories but I'll explain them.

Ok, This picture was taken after our family hiked up to the top of the "Y" 2 years ago. Yes it was in the spring and the "Y" was still covered in snow. This was such a good family experience. Brayden hiked the whole way all by himself. We had a blast sitting up there, eating lunch. In this picture we were looking out over the Valley and looking at the Provo Temple! I Love it!!

This was when we were the "Incredibles" for Halloween one year! It was so fun, LeGrand was of course Mr. Incredible, I was elasta-girl, Brayden was Dash, Adelyn was Violet and Sophie was Jackie-Jack;)

I love this picture of me and my Sophie Star!

This picture shows the kiddos personalities so clearly!!! It doesn't need any explanation.

This was taken right after LeGrand and I got home from EFY in Ephraim last summer. It felt so good to be together again! We love our kiddos!!

I love this picture of our 4 cute kiddos. They are each so different and special. I'm grateful that I'm their mother. I consider them huge blessings in my life.

LeGrand was surprised when I told him that this one was one of my favorite pictures. This picture was while LeGrand was serving his mission in Fortaleza Brazil. I love how he's doing service and its awesome that he was painting the sign that says, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it!!!

Isn't Sophie just adorable?! She was having fun swimming in the pool last summer at Grandma and Grandpa's house. My dad took this picture. In fact a lot of the pictures that are our favorite my dad has taken. Thanks for sharing your talents with us Dad. We love you!!!

This one is probably more for the memories, but it's a good picture too. This was me when I was little in the pool with Ammon and Stewart. We always had so much fun in the pool and doing fun things as a family. Thanks mom and dad for being the such good parents!!

I love how Brayden and Adelyn are such good buddies.

Brayden looks so excited here, he caught his lizard! It was awesome!

Brayden and Adelyn in this picture were pretending that they were Grandma and Grandpa!! I love it!!

Kolby looks so precious here. He's such a blessing to have in our family!!

I love this, Daddy and his little Princesses!!!

I love this picture. It totally captures Brayden's personality!!

I love my sisters. I love all of my sister-in-laws too, but Liz and Whitney are just special. I love you girls and I love this picture of us!!

This picture makes me laugh sooo hard!!! LeGrand and his siblings, (Tyler and Marcia in this picture) are so dramatic! We have a blast when we are all together. Last summer we were doing a family campfire with skits and all and this was in one of them. It was hilarious!!

This one is of LeGrand and Tyler when they were little. I love how they have been and are awesome friends!!

Now I want to see some of your favorite pictures....I tag Yasmine, Kelly and Kim!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Since it's Mother's Day I wanted to pay a tribute to four wonderful mothers in my life!! Happy Mother's Day!!

The First amazing woman that I want to write about is my Mother, Kathy Rasmussen! Words can't even begin to express the love and admiration that I feel for you! Mom, you are an amazing woman, who has always loved, guided and taught me what is right. You have done and continue to do this by your example. You are constantly serving those around you. I will be forever grateful for your love and support! No one could ever ask for a better friend, role model, teacher, grandma for my children, and MOTHER!! I love you Mom!!!

Isn't my Mom so beautiful?!?! Oh, and that little girl is me! Cute huh?

Mom, you are beautiful inside and out!!
Thanks for everything!! I LOVE you!!

Now the next woman that I want to pay a tribute to is my wonderful Mother-in-Law Robyn Laing. Mom, I'm so grateful for you in my life. Thank you for raising my wonderful husband, for your love and support and for your example to us. You always help us have fun and make fun memories. I love how you are so goal oriented. I know that you will do anything that you set your mind to. That's awesome!!! We love Mom.

My Grandma Larsen, Lois Larsen, is one of the most amazing people I know. Grandma I'm grateful for your example of a Christ-like person. You are unselfish and constantly serving others. You are so generous of your time, means, and love...you are amazing. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. Thank you for always welcoming us into your home. Thank you for being you. We love you!!!

My Grandma Ras, Nadine Rasmussen is an amazing woman. Grandma you are one of my dearest friends. I have loved being able to live close to you and talk to you on the phone, visit you, and learn from you. You are a very special person and I enjoy our friendship. You have taught me so much and I'm glad that we will be able to be together forever! We love you Grandma!!

Here is me and three of the favorite people in the world!! Thanks for everything you all do!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Today I didn't do it!!!

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door. He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?" She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world did I do today?" "Yes," was his incredulous reply. She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

I love this story!! Sometimes I just read it when I need a "pick me up". It brings a smile on my face and helps me realize when I'm trying my best, and I don't feel like much got accomplished at home with the kiddos, I'm still actually getting alot done!! I really do love being a mother, I'm grateful for my mothers example to me. I'm also grateful that LeGrand doesn't come home and ask me what in the world I did all day, even if he's thinking it. ;) I remember a time when I was pregant with Kolby, I felt miserable!! When LeGrand got home I remember telling him that I didn't get anything done that day, he asked if I got them dressed. I said yes. He asked me if I got the kids off to school. I said yes. He asked me if I made sure they were safe and fed and clothed. I said yes. He asked if I spent time with them. I said yes. Then he said, well it sounds like you did a lot today and you did the most important things. I can't express my gratitude for such an amazing husband!! LeGrand, Thanks for being so understanding and incredible!! I love you honey!!

Grrrrr... A Ticket....Grrrrr

Ok so last week I got a ticket.... I'm still mad about it!! (I haven't gotten a ticket since we were driving to California for Ammon and Kirstens wedding in 2001) I was driving home from going grocery shopping and was driving down a road that was surrounded by horses. I saw the police officer in front of me pulled off to the side of the road, I didn't slow down cause I didn't think I was speeding. I got pulled over, got a ticket for going 34 in a 25 zone. I told him I was sorry but I thought the speed limit was 35. There was no sympathy in him at all! He handed me the ticket and then said, "Don't forget it doesn't save time or money when you speed!" I felt like saying, "Ok thanks for the advice, but you can get off your soap box now!" I know that they are here to protect us and everything, but I think a lot of them have a little bit of power and let it get to their heads!! I was glad that the kids weren't with me cause I still want them to think that police officers are here to help us and are not here to be jerks. So the ticket was $82.00 and traffic school will be another $65...Grrrrr.....

Kolby at 4 months!!!

As you can tell our precious little Kolby was in desprate need of a haircut. LeGrand kept saying that we shouldn't cut his hair cause he was a baby, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I was getting tired of doing the old man comb over on my baby...So with LeGrand's OK of course I gave Kolby his 1st hair cut. Check out these before pictures...his duck tail and his long mohawk.

It was pretty cute!! But I must say...much better now!!

Kolby is a joy to have in our family!! He is sooo happy and good natured!! He is getting stronger and stronger. He is rolling over, holding his head up. He's all smiles and little laughs, he love to play with his hands and shove them or anything in his mouth. He love to blow bubbles and he tires to talk and coo at us. He kicks and wiggles a ton!! He's getting alot harder for Brayden and Adelyn to carry... but they still love being my big helpers!! At his 4 month check up he was 15 lbs 8 oz and 25 inches long. He's a big baby. I can't believe that he's already 8 lbs more than when he was born. It's hard to believe how fast he's growing and changing!! Kolby I love you and I love being your mom. Don't grow up to fast ;) I'm enjoying every minute of this!!

Adelyn's Dance

Adelyn had so much fun in dance this year! She did AWESOME in her recital last week!! It was so fun to have such a cheering squad there. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Ras, Mom Ras, Paul, Chris, and of course her biggest fans, Mom, Dad, Brayden, Sophie and Kolby!!!

For Adelyn's dance classes her teacher would let Sophie come and do the tumbling and the wiggily song with Adelyn...They loved it!! Another thing that I thought was adorable was that Adelyn choose to wear an undershirt under her dance outfit for the recital...she was the only one, but she told me that she wanted to be modest...who would not be pleased with that! Adelyn we love you and are so grateful for the good example you are to everyone around you!! We are grateful to have you as our daughter!! We are truly blessed!!

Hey all of you Digital Scrapbookers out there!!!

Hey guys I'm just starting to get into Digital Scrapbooking...and I have some questions.... What page size to you do? Do you print them off? Where? How much? Do they look good printed out? Do you just keep them on a disk? Do you spend alot of money on going digital or do you just use the free stuff off the internet? What programs do you use to build your page?( Power Point.....??) I'm just clueless...but I'm having fun checking everything out... I could use all the help and advise you have...Thanks guys.....Please leave comments and share your knowledge!!(Especially you Janelle, Gwen, Kelly, Beth....and everyone out there that I don't know you do it!!) Thanks!!!

Our Karate Kid!!!

In Feburary and March Brayden took a Karate class. He loved it. It was a class offered through the city and it was Perfect. I don't really want to sign up the kids for a huge commitment right at first. I would rather them try out a lot of different sports or activities and see what they like. Well Brayden LOVED Karate!! During the class he improved so much and became more flexible and more focused. Brayden wore LeGrand's old Karate suit...it was soooo cute!! Check our our very own "Karate Kid!!"

We all loved going to watch Brayden. His karate class was at Springville High, so it made it really easy for LeGrand to run over from the Seminary. We are lucky to have a dad who is so involved in our lives!! It was also fun because the room was right by the indoor track, so I took advantage of that;) What fun times.


Brayden's teacher(a 3rd degree black belt) broke a board with her hand...she made it look really easy. She said it is all in your mind, that you just forget about the board and go right through it and it will happen. Here is Brayden trying it at class...under here are some video's of us trying to do it at home. We tried and tried and then LeGrand broke it on his first time...gurrrrr.. but that's LeGrand for you. We recorded them and thought they were pretty funny. Enjoy!!

The Next Survivor Televison Series- a story Mom's MUST read!!

THE NEXT SURVIVOR TELEVISION SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of "pretend" bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment . He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care (weekend, evening, on a holiday or right when they're about to leave for vacation). He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

Each father will be required to know all of the words to every song that comes on TV and the name of each and every character on cartoons.

Each man will have to make an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and get a 4 year old to eat a serving of peas.

Each man must adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep their nails polished and eyebrows groomed. The men must try to get through each day without snot, spit-up or barf on their clothing.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties. They must try to explain what a tampon is for when the 6-yr old boy finds it in the purse.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

He will need to read a book to the children each night without falling asleep, and then feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair each morning by 7:00. They must leave the home with no food on their face or clothes.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite colour, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

They must clean up after their sick children at 2:00 a.m. and then spend the remainder of the day tending to that child and waiting on them hand and foot until they are better.

They must have a loving, age appropriate reply to, "You're not the boss of me".

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

My friend Jaime had this on her blog, and I thought it was so good!! Thanks for sharing it Jaime.. I thought it worthy of posting--at least it's worth a good laugh and actually helps a mother to feel a little better about herself when so much is expected!