Isaac's First Bike Ride

It never ceases to amaze me that you can hardly turn your back without your children reaching the next milestone. Would you two please slow down a little bit??? You're going to be teenagers before we know it and I don't think we're at all prepared! Anyway, we reached another milestone on Saturday. Isaac took his first ride on his "new" bike. It's still a little big for him, but you can't pass up a freebie from the neighbors. He was a little frustrated at first because it wasn't as easy to manuever as his trike, but before long he pretty much had the hang of it. I just have to hold onto one handle bar to help him steer. As you can see, he's pretty excited about his new set of wheels....

Congratulations Steve and Laurel!

I'm happy to announce that the Rasmussens are gaining a new family member next August. My sister Laurel got engaged to Steve Sturlaugson on September 13th. That's right, there's at least 5,000 names you can choose for your son (based on the 10,000 baby names book), and my parents are going to be two-for-two with son-in-laws named Steve. Good thing we're already used to this idea and have been calling them Steve Lee (Alger) and Steve Todd for some time now. Welcome to the family Steve Todd! Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into? :)

We have already been dress shopping twice, and Signe has quickly discovered how to make this process all about her! She has found a number of "perfect dresses" and has even drawn a few for her teacher on her "Weekend Sharing" assignment she does each week at school. Laurel kept asking Signe which wedding dress she liked when she would try one on. Each time Signe would say "That's my favorite one." Finally Laurel pointed out "you say that about every dress I try on!" Signe's response? "But I like them all!"

Here is a picture of the newly engaged couple. They celebrated by going to Perkins with Mom and Dad. I don't know how they stood that kind of excitement after the big proposal....

First Day of School

We have been taking a picture of Signe on the front steps each year on the first day of school. (I've offered to take Steve's picture as well, but he hasn't taken me up on that yet). This year, she started 2nd grade. I've posted the picture below, although I do have to say that the smile is probably forced because she was upset with me for making her come outside since it was cold out! (Signe, when you read this someday I just want you to know that you really, really, really wanted to wear that Hannah Montana shirt to school, versus something a little warmer!) Anyway, you don't realize how much your kids change until you look at pictures and compare them year to year. Check out her kindergarten picture below that. (The 1st Grade picture is evading me at the moment).

Happy Birthday Signe (and Mom)

Happy 8th Birthday Signe! I feel I'm much too young to have an 8 year old, I just want to say. Yesterday, Aug. 31, Sig's actual birthday, we had a family party as we do every year around this time. I am also thrown into the mix, since my birthday is Sept. 7th. It's a way to celebrate without really celebrating, because let's face it, after 21, are birthdays really that exciting anymore? Although, it is nice to celebrate the privilege of blowing out another year's worth of candles. This way, when my actual birthday comes around and I have to do something unfun like work or go to class (can anybody think of a better way to celebrate than 4 hours of cost accounting?) I feel like I at least got a little celebration in there. Here are some photos of the day:

You can't see the candles, but they say "8" and "33"

Isaac, all wrapped up.

Uncle Peter and Cousin Ryan