A Few Thanksgiving Photos

At our Thanksgiving this year we had:

beautiful tables

fabulous chefs

anticipation

lovely girls
(Jolie, Lynnie, and Camille)

food! (that cup is so making me nervous)

the bouncer

a happy boy!

Love this day!

Lloyd Rasmussen

As I sat down to write a few thoughts about my Grandpa I started crying, yet again. My 7-year old came up, put her arms around me and said, "It's OK mom, he's in heaven now!" And she is right of course, but it still hurts.

My grandpa, Lloyd Rasmussen passed away yesterday surrounded by all of his children and his wife. 

I feel so blessed today to have been the eldest grandchild of this amazing man. His life was full of more service, generosity, and happiness that just about anyone I can think of. He always had a big hug for me and wanted to know all of the details of my life.

He had such family pride!! I remember the day I told him I was pregnant with Jolie, his first great-grandchild. He was more thrilled than my parents! He was so proud of each and every one of us and all of our accomplishments. It felt so good.

It is a bitter-sweet time of year to lose him. Christmas reminds me of going to his house for Christmas Eve every year. I think I loved this night almost as much as Christmas morning! It is by far my favorite cozy Christmas memory of him, sitting in his favorite blue chair in the living room, reading the Christmas story while all of his antsy grandchildren sat around him waiting to open their gifts! And then on Christmas morning he and Grandma would drive to all of our houses to see what Santa brought. We couldn't wait to show him.

He was a wonderful bishop, stake president, mission president, temple sealer, and member of the first Newport Beach temple presidency. But he was my Grandpa first and I know he was proud of that above all else. I will miss his quiet, body-shaking laugh the most.

Love you Grandpa! I look forward to seeing you again someday.

The Friday Before Thanksgiving Break...

Lucy had a feast at school.

Lucy's bestest friends Haven, Abby and Alexa.

And she received an award for her writing!

Then Jolie received one too later in the day!

High fives from her classmates, you should have heard them cheering for her, no one else had that loud of a cheer!

Then we went to her school play, Toy Story 3, where she was Rex. (yes, I actually made that costume! say what?!?!)

She loved the reaction she got on all of her funny lines. She did great!

Oh and Reese was there too.

As cute and as devilish as ever.

Busy day.

Miss Me?

In case you were wondering where I have been, well we moved. The Thursday before Halloween. 3 blocks from our old place. It's been nuts.

We have had a birthday, holiday parties, girl scout fund raising and all other sorts of busi-ness. I didn't even take a picture of Reese in his Halloween costume this year.

So I have a lot of updating to do. But for today you will have to be happy with these.

The rock stars at the school parade.

 Reese in his DJ Lance Rock hat, taken just a few minutes ago.

 Yeah, he still loves that Yo Gabba Gabba. In fact we are watching it right now!

Bloom

I am guest blogging at BLOOM today. If you aren't sick of hearing about my recent weight loss you should check it out!

Pass it Along

My beautiful cousin Sara and her husband Dan are looking to adopt! They are such loving, kind, family oriented people. They would be such amazing parents.

Here is their profile if you know anyone who is looking for birth parents please pass their names on!

https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/24868166/ourMessage.jsf

Thanks!

Family Pictures

Check it.

http://www.sandigentryphotography.com/blog/happiness/

Thanks Sandi! I just love them!

Read This

I have always enjoyed cjane and her funny thoughts on life and mothering, but today she shared her thoughts on the debate behind Elder Packer's recent conference talk and I cried. I cried because she said just what I feel and that I couldn't say for myself.

Revelation is real and true and wonderful and exciting, and the reason I am a Mormon too.

Thanks Courtney.

The Link.http://blog.cjanerun.com/2010/10/in-response.html

Girls Outing

My dad got tickets for the girls to go see Peter Pan this weekend. We met up at South Coast Plaza for some shopping and lunch before the show. It was a great day! The show was spectacular and the company was the best. Thanks Dad! You spoil us! And thanks for the shopping Mom, we love you.

Swimming with Uncle Danny

Danny came to visit a few weeks ago. We hadn't seen him since before the summer so we were thrilled that the weather was nice and hot for a pool party!

These cousins just love being together.

Camille looks naked in her strapless bathing suit. Ha!

Poor Danny got a workout with these kiddos.

She is getting so grown up.

My man, jealous ladies? (landon made me write that)

Throwing stuff in the pool, as is his custom.

We love swimming with Grandpa, he loves to secretly splash people.

My 3rd favorite girl in the world.

Fun times as usual.