December 2011

As I go through our pictures trying to back post and fill in my memory gaps, 0k just one big memory gap. This is the look I get trying to remember...

I can see that we didn't do a whole lot the month of December. Then as I wonder why I remembered that the kids got sick over and over this month. We had too many ear infections between the 3 of them to count, my pediatrician called me her BFF because I saw her so much. Other than trips to the doctor we did mostly Christmas stuff. After all what is December for?

We went to our friends Christmas Extravaganza at their facility. It was awesome. They had Santa parachute out of a plane and land there to greet the kids.

Luke and Noah thought that was p-r-e-t-t-y cool.

They did sneak into his sleigh before he got there.

Also they visited the reindeer.

And Charlotte just tried to stay warm.

We did a Christmas dinner and nativity with our friends the Burkinshaws. That was nice to have them over.

Luke adores these two girls.

We exchanged gifts (pre-planned by the moms) and played the games together.

Before we knew it Christmas Morning had arrived. We were missing our fireplace in Idaho, so Ryan found a suitable substitute...

...it even comes with crackling sounds. Thank you Netflix!

The boys were so stunned by all the loot they didn't quite know what to do.

But they got the hang of it pretty quickly.

We had church at nine and so we kind of rushed them through the gift opening to make it to church on time. (I vote next time that we move church to a later time if we are only going for an hour!)

Once again trying to get a good picture of all three of them is kind of a joke. Charlie was very good by herself. (Sorry about the rotation!)

But add two brothers in the mix and you never know what you will get.

Yep, that was the best I got. It was funny looking through the pictures trying to pick a decent one. You can see the whole scene unfold as you click quickly through each picture. Thank goodness for digital cameras!

Lee, Rhonda, Casey, Kurt, Parker and Kevin came up Christmas day and stayed for a day or so. It was fun to have them.

Luke's favorite cousin is Kevin so they love being together any chance they get. Even if it mean sharing new toys!

Last but not least here is our Christmas card if you didn't get one in the mail!

November 2011

Highlights of our November:

Charlie started eating solids...

why are baby's so cute sitting in highchairs/bumbos? I have way to many pictures of my kids like this!

Noah's tiny tots gymnastics class ended. Here he is with his ribbon for finishing the final test... consisting of summersaults, jumps, a bridge and a handstand (with a little help from mom).

He had a cute little group of friends from our ward that all did it with us.

Luke's preschool had a Harvest Festival, compete with a program and feast prepared by the preschoolers.

What is cuter than your kid dressed like an indian? (3rd from the left below)

Ryan took his staff up in an airplane and helicopter. He was kind enough to let Luke tag along. Luke was in 7th heaven.

Ryan's cousin Quinton and his family moved to Visalia. (Quinton is working with Ryan). It has been fun to have some family near by. Our kids get along great and have found common interests that bonded them quickly.

For Thanksgiving we went down to Laguna Hills with Ryan's family. Carrie hosted us all and did a fabulous job. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the table or food. I did get a picture of the coveted item at her house.

The boys fought over this constantly. Who doesn't love a Flintstone-mobile?

We also went to the beach the day after Thanksgiving. I couldn't brave the California shopping crowds, so we braved the Laguna beach going crowds.

We all enjoyed the beach.

When Ryan and I were dating, I went to California with him for Thanksgiving to meet his family. My first California Thanksgiving (8 years ago) I was introduced to some Rasmussen family traditions. Going to Fashion Island to see the Christmas tree is one of them. Here we are then.

And we are now...(minus one kid, Charlie was asleep in the stroller)

This year we started a new tradition.

I am excited to see what the next 8 years will bring.

Boston

We have been wanting to visit Chris and Jessie in Boston,

so we took the plunge at the end of October. We decided to take the kids and make a good old fashioned family vacation out of it. I knew the cross country flight and nights in a hotel might be a little dicey with all the kids but thought we would be ok. I totally underestimated how hard it is to sight-see with toddlers and over-estimated the challenges of the flight and hotel. Let's just say by the end of the trip Ryan and I were ready to NEVER travel with the kids again and we all needed quiet padded rooms before we could function normally together again. I am exaggerating but for honesty's sake I had to get that out there. I will do my best to paint it in a positive light for posterity's sake.

We decided to hit the freedom trail first thing Monday morning. Here is our tour guide having Luke demonstrate what it would be like to be in the stocks on the Boston Commons.

Next stop was the cemetery. Noah just wanted to run around and climb on the big rocks.

I have done the freedom trail a couple of times and so I tried to keep the Noah & Charlie under wraps while Ryan & Luke got the full tour experience.

I may have put Noah to work to keep him occupied.

This is how Charlie and I spent most of our time. All wrapped up and strapped to each other. ;)

It was neat as always to see how old these cemeteries and other stops on the trail are and all the history behind them. After lunch we put the kiddies down for a nap and then we did the whole Halloween thing. (See previous post)

The next day we hit Walden Pond. This was probably my favorite site we visited because the kids could run and play and yell with no one around.

We did have a lady stop her car and warn us that we were being irresponsible letting our kids into the woods because the branches might fall and hit them..... Needless to say we did not heed her advice.

The boys are really into running and running "super duper fast". We let them show us their stuff.

Luke and Thoreau got to be buddies.

Not as close as these buddies though!

We had lunch and then did the Duck boat tour of Boston. This was the boys' favorite thing. Luke got to drive the boat/car.

He was thrilled and talked about it for weeks.

Wednesday we had breakfast at a cute cafe with Jessie then went to Harvard to do a tour.

That was a disaster. For some reason the kids didn't want to stand quietly and listen to the history of Harvard. Jessie and I took the kids to a playground while Ryan took the tour.

After lunch and a bookstore adventure we were ready to throw in the towel for the day. We did just that. Ryan took Haddie home and I took our kids to the hotel. We chilled and took advantage of room service.

The next day we had lunch in the park where the book "Make way for ducklings" is set. During lunch something didn't go Luke's way. He went off to pout.

Look at that boy's grumpy face....

Make way for Luke and Noah!

We drove out and visited Salem. Made a stop the witch museum... kind of creepy. I don't know if I would recommend it but it was interesting.

We then boarded the plane for Home Sweet Home! The kids were really good on the flights there and back. It was a fun trip and I am glad that we went, but the next time we want to go to a city on vacation the kids are staying with Grandma!