Th-th-that's all folks!

I will sign off my week long spree of blogging with our attempt at family pictures at Bear World...


If I just cut at paste I should be able to come up with one where we are all looking at the camera!

Good bye to JulyHello to August and all the fun it will bring!

The Germans are coming...

Ok, so they already came and boy was it fun! We loved visiting the Thayers in Germany and we so excited they took the time to come and see us in Idaho. The first night they got here Pete & Heidi offered to watch all 6 kids plus Livvy while Liz, James, Ryan & I went on a double date. It was really nice to get out and not worry about kids running around, throwing food, growling at their brothers... you know the drill.

Luke's Growling Face

Noah's innocent "I didn't do anything" face

We had a quiet dinner and came home to a dark and quiet house. What a treat. They were great babysitters! (Pete ended up having to take a final and so Heidi's mom pitched in!)

The next day we decided to go all out and take them all the way to Bear World. (Across the highway). I think the kids had fun... you be the judge.

Will showing us his granola bar

Simon & Noah chillin' in the stroller

The petting zoo might have been the highlight. There are not many things cuter than a 1 day old fawn. So little and sweet. Sorry no picture! But they had plenty of other animals for the kids to get a hold of.

Luke the fattest goat ever

Benson and the baby goat

After Bear World we hit the splash park. This is always a treat for the kids whether they like to swim or just drink the water.


We then rushed home to ... you guessed it 4 wheel to Heise for Pizza.


Again Heidi pitched in and drove the babies in the car so we could all fit. The bumpy dirt road worked it's magic and put all the kids to sleep.

Anna, in a fun & pizza induced coma

After pizza we came home and made ice cream then collapsed into bed.

Friday we took it easy in the morning and met Ryan for lunch at the park before the Thayers headed out of town. We will hopefully see them a couple more times before they head to London.

Benson Bonanza

There was one weekend this year when most of the "out-of-towners"(Those who live more than 8 hr drive away from Orem) would be in town. Emily and Angie were on their way out of town. Liz just coming into town. The rest of us decided we would take the opportunity to make it a family reunion.

First of all I am going to make a disclaimer, that it was WAY to hot in Utah. I was sweating most of the time and some how letting my kids run around with just a diaper on made me feel cooled. Please excuse all the nakedness.


We did a lot of...
Hanging out on the Front Lawn...

Noah & Andy

Walks to the Park...
Noah & J. Will
Russell, Deb, Andy, Madison and Angie

Feeding ducks...


Playing in Fountains...

Luke & Madison

Eating Watermelon...


Swimming in one form or another...

Madison & Noah

Wagon rides with Angie...

Bridal Veil Falls Trail: Angie, Madison and Luke

Madison, Luke & Noah

Remember last year?


1 year later...

All the Grandkids

Benson & Simon are kind of hidden but it was the best I got.

3 of the Fab 5

Russell, J. Will and Andy

It was so much fun to see everyone and get all the babies together and start forming those cousin bonds. Just ask Noah and Olivia!

The Jaynes's Come to Town

We are hoping this will become a yearly tradition. Since Levi and Emily graduated and moved to Virgina we have missed them dearly. They graced us this year and last with a visit. We couldn't wait this year to meet little Andy. He is the cutest, smiliest, jumpiest baby ever.

Luke bonding with his cousin.

Last year we went 4 wheeling in the mountains on real trails. This year with 2 more babies we toned it down to the Rasmussen signature ride to Heise for Pizza.


Pete & Heidi were able to come as well.

Good food, Good Company, Great Times!


We also attempted a river float. The weather wasn't real cooperative but then again neither were the babies. After about 5 min. into it all the moms were questioning the trip but everyone calmed down and settled into the floating groove.


I didn't get any pictures until we were safely on shore and enjoying the sun while the boys went to pick up the truck.

Levi's cousin came with us and was kind enough to stop any baby going over the edge and listen to some whining about life vests. I am not sure she knew what she signed up for!


We finished the trip with a run to G's dairy for yummy Reed's Ice Cream. Ryan was on baby patrol at home and bonded with an unhappy Andy for about 15 min. while we rushed home. Nothing like trying to quiet a screaming baby for bonding time!

We can't wait to see what the trip next year will bring... hint hint, Em & Levi put it on your calendars!

4th of July Weekend

Ryan's birthday is on the 5th of July. I have to admit it is a pretty cool birthday. His birthday is always celebrated with lots of family, food and fireworks. Doesn't get much better than that! This year was no different.

Ryan's parents came up to visit us for a couple of days and Jacob and Deidre were in town as well. A perfect recipe for a good time.

We braved the crowds and attended the Meleluca Firework show in Idaho Falls. We have been in Idaho for 6 years and not once went to the river front to see it. Deidre's family was nice enough to let us have a corner of their staked out spot for the evening. We were right across the street from where the fireworks were lit off. We could see the shells before the show.

(Noah is under the blanket in the stroller asleep). I don't think I have ever been that close, and yes I have been to Stadium of Fire. The Idaho Falls show claims to be the biggest firework show west of the Mississippi. I was skeptical but came a way a believer along with Ryan and Jacob.

I was a little nervous taking the kids that late, in a loud confined area. But they were great. Noah fell asleep before the show and I was sure the fireworks would wake him back up... and they did but not for a good 10 minutes! I kept watching his little feet poking out to see if he was awake. Even when he was awake he just watched the fireworks wondering what all the commotion was about.


A visit from Grandma Rhonda isn't complete until we have biscuits and gravy for breakfast. This time it was Ryan's birthday treat. Luke takes after his dad and ate 2 whole biscuits. (I think he ate more than Deidre). Ryan wanted to go for a 4 wheeler ride for his birthday and so we loaded everyone up and took off. Luke got to ride with Jacob and Deidre. As you can see he loved this and still talks about them.
He doesn't keep his sunglasses on very well and so we upgraded to swim goggles.

We stopped for lunch at Heise. Apparently neither of the boys liked what we had...



We made an impromptu decision to go swimming. Rhonda, Deidre and I braved the rental suits. (I know pretty gross) Needless to say there are no existing pictures of the mismatched, ill-fitted suits that day.

We ended the day at Wingers, gorging ourselves on sticky fingers. Perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Preferred Mode of Transportation

As I looked over our pictures for the past month there is a re-occurring theme. Lets see if you can figure it out...Dinner with Dave & Malynda:

Hanging out with the Munns

Bryce & Colton

Natalie & Taylee
Visit from Jacob & Deidre (Best picture ever, you might see this one again)

Waiting for Dad to come home.

I could go on for a while, but I will save some of the suspense for later posts. Let's just say our boys assume "wheelers" are an accepted form of transportation around the world. We are raising a couple of country boys!

Sweetest Moments

I just got done putting my boys to bed. I am trying to get them to sleep through the night in the same room. ( A long term goal... I have to keep reminding myself). As I lay in bed with Luke while he was falling asleep, to make sure he doesn't wake Noah, I looked over at my sleeping boys and was amazed at what angels I have been blessed with. (Granted last night I was singing a different tune) But what a sweet moment to look into the face of your child as they fall asleep and innocence descends upon them. It is hard not to be overwhelmed with love for these little creatures.


Anyhow, this past month there have been plenty of "sweet moments". We have been lucky to have many visitors and taken a trip or two of our own. I figured instead of doing a mega long post I will break it up. A new post each day this week chronicling our summer so far.

Hooray for Summer!