Longest Month Ever

Ringing in the New Year- that's passion, not pain on my face. 

Our nephew Nathan got married. It was a nice, long day. There was a fun photo booth at the reception that kept the kids entertained for a long time.

Anders turned 17. Man oh man.

Addie turned 15. Man oh man.

I checked the girls out of school the next day to take them to see Frozen 2 again because they're obsessed. Addie's birthday was on a Sunday, and it was the day after GrandPar's memorial, so she (and Anders) kinda got the shaft this year. Don't feel too bad for them. Anders got to go to 2 Jazz games for his birthday present, and both he and Addie threw themselves a birthday party this last weekend. Party all month, baby.

We enjoyed a weekend of having Nils' family in town for his dad's memorial services. It was an amazing service- I know I'm biased, but it really was superbly done. Shiloh gave the best eulogy I've ever heard, and Grove gave a wonderful talk on Par being Christlike. The music was fantastic, and it was an hour long. All funerals/memorials should follow this template. 

How many people can we fit on a love seat?

Rasmusson siblings/cousins/spouses.

So, Nils e-mailed KSL News about his bullet proof stormtrooper, and they came over the next day to do a story on it. Jed Boal and his camera man Stu were pretty fascinating to observe. Super professional. It was mostly incredibly interesting for us to see how they do what they do, and what kind of a story they made out of it. Overall, super impressive. They were at our house for 2 hours, and had the story filmed, edited, and err'thang by the 6 o'clock news.

The kids broke our sectional, because they're crappy sometimes. We've had it for a lot of years, and it was super duper great deal when we got it, so we were disappointed, but it wasn't like it set us back much money. Anyway, we went to Costco to see what they had as replacements. Ya know how when Costco has something, you have to get it right that second or they'll never have it again? That's how we ended up driving from the Lehi Costco to the South Jordan Costco, piling 2 of these on top of each other in the back of our 1995 Toyota Tacoma, and stuffing one into the back of the minivan. I really thought we might not survive that trip home, it was extremely precarious. It was a major ordeal getting them in the house, too. Anyway, they all power recline, so no more fighting over seats when we have movie nights. We've also threatened everyone with death and dismemberment if they break these. 

As an aside, we bought the old sectional for $600 4 years ago, and sold it last weekend for $200, so that worked out pretty well. Nils was able to fix the board that busted, and the recliners just need someone who is willing to put the time in to repair them. I know you care, so you're welcome for that information.

Updated the outdoor lighting. 👍

Updated the dining room lighting. 👍

Restocked the soda fridge. 👍

Cute Aani was super brave and auditioned for the school play. I was really proud of her for even trying out. When I picked her up, a friend was with her, and I asked how it went. Aani said she was so nervous her paper was shaking, and her friend was like, "YEAH, SHE WAS", and I thought that was kinda rude. Anyhoo, Aani made it in the ensemble and the friend didn't, so that's ironic. Also, I realize I'm snotty for even including that detail in this story, but it was part of my life experience, so there. Anyway, yay Aani! It's keeping her very busy.

I got my first mammogram and it was really fun. 

We went snow tubing at Soldier Hollow on MLK Day. Aani was the only one that lasted the duration- all the other kids pooped out after an hour and 15 minutes. WE PAID FOR 2 HOURS AND WE WILL STAY FOR 2 HOURS. It was a fun way to spend the holiday nonetheless.

Aani and Ava chillaxin' at Grandma's. 

See? Longest month ever! My birthday was in there somewhere, yahoo! I got some balloons at work from the crew, which was nice, and a gift card for the movies. We went to Tucanos with my mom to celebrate all the birthdays, and we got stuffed silly. Life is full, like our bellies after Tucanos.

This winter has been quite gray and wet, and it's starting to get to me. We will vacate in a couple of weeks for a long weekend in a warmer clime. Hopefully that will help us survive until spring!

Oh December

It's been a heck of a month. Let us begin with pictures of Ava's birthday. She's 10, and it's gone by in 5 seconds. It doesn't make sense.

There were way too many orchestra concerts this month. It was out of hand. THREE CONCERTS in the span of 2 weeks. TOO MANY. This first photo is how it actually is attending these things. You can't see your own child, you just have to trust that they're there.

But then you take pictures like this, partly for posterity, and partly so the children know you were actually in attendance.

Anders has been playing basketball lately. His team is named The Silly Gooses. 

Aani was being Santa one night.

Ava had lots of singing to do this month, at the Singing Sharks concert, and the school Christmas sing.

GrandPar's cancer really took a turn since November. The siblings all came for a visit one weekend, which was a blessed event for everyone. Par got to torch some creme brulee, and it was a great time together. After 6 weeks of not being able to eat or drink anything, he graduated from this life on Dec. 27th. We were able to say goodbye just a few hours before he passed, which was a privilege, and very special. We will miss him more than we can say.

Teenagers + Cousins.

I found Mr. Potato Head at the PT clinic and set him out. Our book keeper made him a Santa hat out of tissue paper and toilet paper, which made me very happy.

One of my jobs is to man the white board and come up with questions to make people interact. This was one of the better ones. 

Aani and Ava got creative on Christmas Eve.

Traditional nativity. The kids are growing up and are less enthused about the forced participation.

Throwback to 2011, I believe. This Christmas card will never be topped. Sorry to everyone who has ever tried. Even we stopped after this.

Christmas Day

Addie bought Anders a Ken doll and she was the only one that thought it was funny.

The girls got stickers for their water bottles in their stockings, and I swear they were more excited about those than anything else. Trends are so so weird. 

Yummy food. Dinner was especially delicious. Good job, me. 

Nils' plate

Nils and the kids made a graham cracker Saratoga Springs temple. It only took like 7 hours.

And now we have this sitting on our table, and the kitchen smells like frosting all the time; but it was a fun activity. :)

I feel like this year has whizzed by faster than ever. I'm assuming this is normal for the phase we're in, but it's crazy and we're just holding on, trying to not fall off the ride.

We're so sad about Nils' dad passing away, and the year ahead will be less bright because he's not around for it. Fortunately, he gave us a fantastic example to follow, so we have a lot to strive for. May 2020 be blessed, indeed.

November life be crazy!

I'm typing with a fat hand. We went ice skating today, i.e. "pay money to fall down" for Ava's birthday, and everything hurts. 

So...November. It's been a little wild. We've had a car accident, a surgery, axe throwing, Jim Gaffigan, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Frozen 2, Thanksgiving, and snow this week. See? WILD.

This is the only picture I took on Halloween. 11:00 pm on Halloween night; what a great representation of this weird holiday.

Dia de los Muertos for Ava. She learned about her great grandma. 

Our neighbors got some tickets to a private Jim Gaffigan show and invited us. I laughed so much. I didn't think I would laugh as much as I did, but it had been a nutty week and I guess I needed a release. His Hot Pocket bit had me snort-laughing, and I've heard it 1000 times. I don't even know.

Anders rear ended a truck, and we only have liability on this car. He called me from the scene of the accident while I was sitting in the dentist chair getting a crown. It's been a whole thing. The car is getting fixed and will be 1/2 black since we aren't paying for it to be painted. Anders wasn't hurt, which we are very thankful for.

Nils had his deviated septum repaired, and I think we'd both agree that it has been a much longer recovery than anyone told us. It's been over three weeks and he's still having some discomfort. His septum was super, duper deviated, which has resulted in a more difficult surgery and recovery. He's fine, but has some yucky and uncomfortable things to deal with.

We went axe throwing with friends Ben and Mandy. It's fun AND satisfying to sink an axe! Nils and Ben had a grand old time. They went a little crazy and worked out some stress.

Oh wait, is that a bullseye? Yes, yes it is. 

Went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert with Nils' parents. The first hour and a half was kind of boring, and Nils and his dad did this:

Then they started blowing stuff up and playing heavy metal and it got fun.

 It was a cool show, with lots and lots of talented people. 

Speaking of talented people, Anders and I are supposed to play a piano duet for the Christmas program in Sacrament meeting. This is how he was practicing with me. It's going great. 

The girls have been obsessing about Frozen 2, and went to a showing on opening night. Addie and her friends arranged to all sit together. They were weirdly excited about it and loved the movie.

SNOW

Thanksgiving was loud, fun, and had so many desserts. 

Ava turns 10 tomorrow! Crazy. As I mentioned, we took her and some friends ice skating. Everyone had a great time, and Ava was a happy camper. I fell the most. Friggin' toe pick.

Life be crazy, y'all.