Swim Lessons

Swim Lesson time again

I love starting the summer with a little something for my kids to look forward to each day. 

 They progressed and had fun.  I had to remind Hailey everyday that next year she'll be old enough for lessons.  It was a hard year for her to just sit and watch.  She wanted to strap the swimsuit on and jump in too!

On the last day they let them go down the slide and go off the diving board.

 Travis has hoopes genes.  They sink.  He can finally swim on his own, but it takes every ounce of strength he has!

 He also has mastered the art of diving/belly flopping.  The paticular one drew a lot of "oooooohhhh" from the parents.

 Whitney's usual stance

Chalk another year on the board.

IDAHO

The first weekend in June we made a long weekend trip to Idaho.  The weather was ideal and the kids loved playing with cousins. 

Whitney and Travis rode the horses, mostly due to peer pressure, but Hailey - she loved them!

All those nights of me being the horse taking her to bed paid off I guess.

 Jumping on the trampoline and playing on the swingset is a staple

 They got creative with their play :)

 It was fun to be with family.  I enjoyed another wonderful mountain run.  Aaron got in some four wheeler time.  It was such a gorgeous nice relaxing break.

 So relaxing until the trip home, where this only lasted about 20 minutes of the five and a half hour drive!

End of School/ Start of Summer!

 Right before the end of school we went to a little program put on by Whitney's class.  The highlight was a cute song they made up to the song of "like it's dynomite".  Hailey still sings the line "I put my hands up in the air sometimes, we're excited, 'cause it's recess."

 What a blessing to have amazing teachers this year!  Whitney's was a great example of balance of fun, creativity, obeying the rules, and enjoying learning.  They spend so much of their time at school I feel very blessed to know she was in good hands!

 THEN.....It was summer!!

 We love the casual mornings.  Even though there are chore charts, it's so nice not to HAVE to be anywhere!

Although the noise level has definitely increased in our house....along with me yelling, as usual :)

We had a neighborhood party in our backyard the last day of school.  It was a lot of kids and a lot of fun.  My kids love to party!  We've already practiced our balloon animal art, slip n' slided, went to seven peaks, played at Grandma's a couple times... and played with friends it seems nonstop!  I love me some summer.  So nice to have all the kids home all day.  It's crazy and busy.  But it goes fast, so I'll enjoy while I can.

Mr. Graduate

Travis will be writing (directing words)  this post:

We singed on the stage.  I'm looking at mom while singing.  It was the real day of school.  It was exciting.

 We said our parts in front of the parents.  My part was "we still have far to go."  (only 12 more years + :))  When we said our parts we went back down.  We singed a song.  The song was 1 song was take care of my body.  Another song was I like being me.  I'm done.

 This is my classroom.  I'm holding my graduation picture and things.  A mom made me a candy necklace.

 This is me and Mrs. Hyer.  She's my teacher.  She likes to have peace.  That's it.

 Here's me and my dad

 This is my friends.  Two of my friends are in here.  One of my school friends is in here.  They are Logan, Brady, and Bowen.

 This is my mom and me.

Kindergarten is the very beginning.  It is start of school.  After kindergarten you go to 1st grade.  You learn a lot.  You learn new things.  You have fun doing things.  That's it.

Mom's turn:  Travis is to cute.  So many times I watch him and just feel so lucky to be his mom.  He is fun, social, smart, and seriously fast (which helped him score every soccer game...multiple times!)  He loves friends.  He is so ready for 1st grade and so am I.  I will miss our afternoons together but he is soooo ready for more time at school with friends.  And I'm ready to not have to worry about another trip to school 2 hours after they start!  As ready as we both are for the next step a part of my heart cringes watching him get older.  He is just a cute kid at every stage...one that wins your heart over and you just want to freeze and keep him like that forever!  Here is proof that he is a good kid at school to.  Which makes me VERY happy to see.  He only got his card pulled once, and was so embarrassed about the whole situation I couldn't even get the whole story out of him :)  Love you travis.  Here's his student of the month award:

Big news

This chick is FINALLY walking (on her own) :)

She has been capable of walking since her 1st birthday but refused for 2 whole months!  That meant 2 months of her wanting my finger EVERYWHERE she went.  It has been SO nice to have both of my hands, and some ablity to roam, back!

Whitney's Baptism

I knew baptisms were special.  I looked forward to this big occasion and have tried to prepare Whitney, especially over this last year.  But this day really was an amazing reminder to me of the power of the atonement and the spirit!  Maybe it was because Whitney is my first child to get baptized, maybe it's because she's my sidekick and "glue" to this family functioning.  Really I think it's because she is an amazing daughter of God.  The spirit was so strong for me all day.  She radiated happiness and peace.  It was honestly perfect.  Just like she was.

 The morning was easy going getting ready.  Just enough time for set up, getting the whole clan ready, and of course pictures.

 I held myself mostly together.  I loved the one on one moments we were able to share behind the scenes talking about the big event.  The before and after in the dressing room.  She was the only girl, so we had it all to ourselves.  I'm already a little jealous that Aaron gets to do all that with Travis :)  While Whitney got baptized I watched from the side....in my own private cubby.  It was a little sacred spot for me in that second to be alone witnessing my Husband, my WORTHY husband, baptize our oldest child.  Tears quickly filled my eyes and by the time I got Whitney wrapped in a towel I just hugged her while I bawled.  I told her how proud I was of her and those few seconds of embrace where close to heaven for me.  She just smiled and was obviously proud of herself also.  100% clean!

Uncle Neal gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I loved how he emphasized that they say "receive" the Holy Ghost.  It's our job to receive him, to be worthy of the gift.  The spirit is always willing if we live right.  I hope Whitney will understand how amazing this gift really is.  It has guided and directed my life and led me towards happiness.  It has given me comfort when I feel alone, strength when I'm unsure, and direction and light when needed.  The spirit I felt during the meeting and all day was amazing.  I'm so grateful for the atonement to give us hope and the ability to have peace through the knowledge of what the atonement brings!  It was a little bit of heaven in our home that day.

It was so nice to have family and neighbors there to support also.  I think sometimes the big occasions make you appreciate those around you that much more.  The special effort family and neighbors took to show support is priceless.  The Murdocks came all the way from Idaho and it just made the weekend a party.  They are awesome. 

 Bethany and Neal lost precious studying time before finals to join us :)

 Jeff and Selly and Marcus braved the long drive with an infant to come!

 And Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen came with all their love and support.

What an amazing memorable day!

Basement

We started working on the basement the middle part of December...when football season was over naturally :)

 We did everything up until sheetrock.  I have expressed my hate for sheetrock.  Plus I was so exhausted by that point I was thrilled to see someone else do it...and do it good!

 Then it was the rock wall, which had some hiccups thanks to our expert on mortar employee at Home Depot...but it all worked out.

 Then it was the trim and caulking

 And then......It was FINALLY time to paint.

 We started painting the friday night before Conference.  We (aaron) painted ALL afternoon until midnight.

 It's amazing what a difference paint makes.  It was wonderful to relax and watch conference.  Knowing that all the major chores in getting the basement done were DONE! 

 I finished up my rock wall the following week.  The mortar turned my fingers into huge sores....but I guess it was worth it.

 And then I couldn't resist painting a castle entrance to the play room.

Yes, there are still touch ups to be done, plus more decorating fun....but It's done!  It feels great.  I love these kind of projects.  But with kids and staying on top of normal chores it has definitely wiped me out!  I think the next big project will come when all my kids are in school :)  I'm still amazed we pulled it off and have a finished basement.  So nice!