FALL is here!! or is it Winter?

         

Yeah!  Fall is my favorite season, and if is here.  However, after the Century soccer game Saturday, I was a little worried that we have skipped fall all together and gone straight for winter!  

We played Preston for the district championship and beat them 4-1 despite the 4 inches of snow that was on the ground.  

Cruz and Taylor stayed warm at home, and didn't venture out into the cold.  I think Taylor likes having Cruz as an excuse for him to stay home and not FREEZE!  But I can't say that I blame him.

Now, we play Wood River High School (Sun Valley) on Thursday to see if we will be first or second seat at state. Hopefully state will be a little warmer since it is in Boise.  Cruz is going with me, so keep your fingers crossed! 

Even though the weather was bad, we braved the roads and met Jake, Crystal and Tyler in Idaho Falls for dinner.  It is always fun to get together, especially our two little ones.  They always have a blast together.  When they first saw each other, they looked at one another and just started laughing.  I don't know what it was they were laughing at, but they seemed to think it was pretty funny!  We had so much fun!  Hopefully, we can do it more often!!!

Love you all!

P.S.  My frustrations were fixed today, thanks to Crystal's help.  I thought I was going to go crazy!  Thanks for saving me.

I am sooo FrUstrAteD!!!

I am trying to put a cute background on here and it is not working. Sometimes this program or whatever it is is so hard to navigate. Be patient, cute background coming!!

AngeLs...

My General Conference Thoughts....


I am so thankful for the gospel and the opportunity we have twice a year to listen to the prophets and apostles who are speaking directly to us. This conference was a good one as they always are, and again there was one talk in particular that really touched me. I don't know how many of you heard the talk in the Saturday afternoon by Jeffrey R. Holland about ANGELS, but it was amazing. If you didn't you should get online and listen to it, or wait till Thursday to read it, but the way Elder Holland conveys his message is very touching. Toward the end of his talk he mentions a scripture...
D&C 84:88
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.


Along with sharing this scripture he emphasized the part, "angels round about you" and said we need to remember this, especially in the hard times. He then shared a touching story about a little boy and his father, but I'm gonna make you listen to it, because I know I could not do it justice.
I am so thankful to Elder Holland for giving this talk. The spirit really touched me. I am so thankful for the gospel and all of the joys it brings into my life. I am so thankful for my families, whom I love very much. I am so thankful for the scriptures, and that we have them to read and ponder every day. I am so thankful for General Conference and the opportunity we have to be spiritually uplifted and renewed. I am thankful for the ANGELS that my loving Heavenly Father has placed "round about" me. I couldn't make it through this wonderful life without them.


Thank you ANGELS...

• My Loving, Thoughtful, Kind, FUNNY, smart, honorable, happy, supporting...I could go on forever...HUSBAND!!!
• My sweet angel CRUZ...I never thought you could love something so much so soon!
• My mom and dad...they are the best. We couldn't survive without them. They are always there for us, even when we don't think we need them. I love you guys.
• My brothers and sisters(that includes you in-laws)...you are not only my angels, but also my examples.
• My mother and father in-law...who knew I would be so blessed to have a second pair of parents that I love just as much as my very own!
• My grandparents...thanks for setting the bar so high!
• My aunts and uncles...life just wouldn't be the same without all of the fun memories together.
• My friends...most important decision growing up...good friends!
• My soccer team...those girls know how to brighten my day.
• Jennifer and Aiden and Charles...without them I wouldn't be able to spend every day with my little man.
• My visiting teacher...she never misses a month, even if it's just a phone call. It's nice to know someone else is thinking about you.

I could go on forever! I love you all!

Trip to see Jennie

Our trip to visit Jennie was so much fun! Unfortunately Cruz was teething, but he was a good baby despite his little gums hurting. He is such a character. It seems like he gets cuter every day. It is amazing how much they soak in so quickly. It is so funny, sometimes when he gets frustrated he pulls his hair. Like, when you can't shovel the food in fast enough. He is getting such a personality, and we are loving it!

Cruz was so tired after watching Jennie play soccer on Friday. He finally gave in while we were eating, after he had thrown every piece of food I had given him, on the floor. That's what kids do though. Right?
We had a blast with Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen with us. Grandpa is always such a hoot. Of course he wouldn't smile for me! And believe it or not Daddy Scotty misses his little girl. I don't think he let her out of his sight, except to sleep. But don't we all miss he bright smiling attitude!

We had a lot of fun watching Jen's team. She is amazing. She is working her way up and played almost all of both of the games we watched. It was fun to watch her and think back to the days when I was in her shoes. Watching her brought back so many memories. She seems to be having a lot of fun with her new roommates. Despite what we thought might happen she still has ATTITUDE! But that's what we all love and miss!

TyLerS tWo!

TyLer'S tWo!

For Tyler's 2nd birthday Crystal and Jake had a little family birthday party for him. It was a blast. Everyone got to go enjoy their new house and wonderful backyard. The weather couldn't have been better, it was beautiful!
The cousin's had a blast together, and I think Tyler got spoiled again. It was so fun watching him open his presents. We got so many cute pictures, I thought we'd better share a few. But I hard a hard time deciding which ones to post, because there were so many cute ones.
We love Jake, Crystal, and Tyler! We miss them dearly, but had a blast spending the weekend with them. Enjoy the pictures!

Love Always,

Josie.Taylor.Cruz


Cruz loves his Papa Scott!
I think you could say he liked the cake!

Cruz makes some faces like his mommy!
Isn't he a cutie?

Cruz was content playing with the leftovers.

Tyler is such a cutie! He was so excited when he saw his new bike!
Vroom...vroom...the only words out of his mouth!
Is he a Rasmussen or what? Chocolate licorice, I wanted to steal it later, when he had forgotten about it, but I refrained!

Grandpa was getting a little worried, when Cruz tried to escape from Tyler's new wagon.

After Tyler put his new wagon together the little ones went to work. Cruz loved it, but kept trying to stand up. With Samara driving, it was pretty entertaining.

Happy 50th Grandpa Mark

Happy 50th Birthday Grandpa Mark!

We are so thankful for our grandpa, dad, father-in-law! He is an amazing man! We had so much fun in Park City celebrating GRANDPA!

First, Cruz was lucky enough to get to make the trip with Chelle and Mark. He was in heaven...or was that them...I think they all were! He got spoiled and grandma and grandpa got to see his little temper flare when he wanted some food! He had fun, but mommy and daddy were ready to see him when they arrived.

We had so much fun partying with the family! We are so blessed to have a family that enjoys each others company. Between the Alpine Slides, Rollercoaster, and Zipline...shopping at the outlet malls... playing CATCHPHRASE... eating lots of good food...celebrating Mindy's 21st Birthday...Grandpa's 50th Birthday...Sitting in the hot tub and pool (daddy Tay Tay didn't want to get out)...and family pics, we didn't have much to complain about.

Cruz got spoiled rotten! He loved all of the attention and didn't want to give it up when we got home. He is now going through a little mama's boy stage, but I don't mind it too much! Unfortunately, our camera was out of batteries, so we only got a few pictures. But we did have family pictures!

Cruz was adorable for the pictures. What a little flirt. We didn't have problems getting him to smile, but we did have trouble getting the photographer to focus on anybody besides him, because he was smiling the whole time! And who can forget the annoying chicken the photographer had to get Cruz to smile (you had to be there!) We can't wait to see them.

THanKS grandma Chelle for getting the weekend together. All in all it was a memorable Labor Day weekend. We are so blessed to have such a selfless grandma who is always thinking of everyone else! We love her so much!

We are so blessed to have our family, and to have the knowledge the gospel gives. We know that our family can be together FOREVER! ...That knowledge is priceless!

We love our FamILy!

JosIe.TayLoR.cRuz

Cute Cousin's Cruzin'

We all miss our best friends! Cruz and Tyler always have fun when they are together. Jake and Crystal came down to say goodbye to Jennie when she went to college and we went to Lowe's together. We put the boys in this cute cart and they had a blast the whole time. Cruz acted like he was really driving the cart. I love it when he smiles! He is the cutest little guy and is such a joy in our little family!

Jennie Leaves for College

Jennie left for college yesterday!
I'm really gonna miss that girl! She has become my best friend, I don't know what I am going to do without her. I am really excited for her to go and enjoy her new adventure. She is going to have a lot of fun! I am sure she is going to tear it up on the soccer field as well. She is the best sister anyone could ask for. I will miss her bluntness and her sweet sense of humor. Who am I going to watch my shows with now? I love her so much! I miss her already! Good Luck Jen!

Love you Always!

P.S. Remember who you are and what you stand for...and no kissing or swearing!

Our Summer Vacation

Summer Vacation Begins!!!

While we were packing Cruz was entertaining himself in the boxes to our new sleeping bags. Isn't he so cute?

My sweet husband Taylor thinks he has to shower every day. haha. But I love him anyway.
Our lucky little one had the chance to ride into Dairy Lake and Everson. Eveytime he got on the motorcycle with his daddy he would fall asleep. Watchout motorcycle maniac in the making.
The bravest of us all! Paris was the first one in the lake, and even talked her daddy and Paje and Preston to jump in with her. She is so darling!
Granpa's little boy. Do you think he got spoiled?
Father and Son...Best friends already.
Cruz eating a graham cracker at Everson Lake. 5 minutes later...Cruz eating rocks at Everson Lake.
Daddy's little girl. Left for college just days after vacation. We are all going to miss her!

Josie.Taylor.Cruz.My Mom. My Dad. Jennie. Everson Lake.
Mommy loves Cruz!
Cruz looks like his daddy in this one.
Party.Party.Party. Way past betime, but still partying!
That's right, Cruz now has the crawling down.

Cruz loves his Uncle Teigan. Can't wait till he comes to school.
Beatiful Sunsets every night.

I can't get enough of this beautiful smile!
Driving the boat with grandpa.
Cruz's lifejacket was bigger than he was.
"Get me out of this thing!"
Once the engine roared Cruz would instantly relax and loved every moment of his boat rides. Plus he had some good entertainment watching his daddy, mommy, aunt jennie, and grandma chelle tubing.

On our way home we stopped at a park to let Cruz play around and get some of his wiggles out. He loves to swing.
Cruz loved the swing so much! He didn't want to get off of it when it was time to go.
My amazing husband, twiddling his thumbs, ready to get back on the road. But he sure is cute!
What a hunk.
My boys!

All in all our vacation couldn't have been better, longer, but not better.

We had a blast camping the first half of the week with my family. We had so much fun hanging out with the family and playing games. It was fun to see all of the kids playing together. We missed Judd and his family, and hope they can come next year.

The second half of the week we went to the Lake with Taylor's family. Of course we had fun there too. Jennie and Taylor were tubing maniacs, while Chelle and I relaxed in the sun a lot. It was nice and relaxing and of course there were also some mean games involved. Cruz got spoiled rotten, but loved every minute of it. Taylor and his dad got to go play golf together one morning, just the two of them. Taylor loves his dad so much and definately admires him. They had a blast, but we won't talk about scores.

When the week came to an end we headed for the long 8 hour drive home. On the way poor Jennie got carsick. Then, we were following a semi truck that was hauling a bunch of big rolls of paper. Well, he was going to fast around a tight corner and rolled over right in front of us. It was very scary! Taylor helped care for him and make sure he was okay. Thankfully no one was hurt too badly. However, it was a good reminder to follow the speed limit and to remember we have a loving Heavenly Father who is always watching out for us. We are so blessed to have that knowledge!

Love you always!