Catching Up

I struggle each week to think of how I can be more creative in blogging. I re-read my posts and I'm like BOOOORRRRING! So, either that means my blog is a reflection of my personality, or maybe I just can't write:) So I decided the blog needed a facelift. How does it look??

Or maybe it's actually because I'm sitting here in my managerial economics class talking about money, markets, and banking and we're discussing the current LIBOR rate and TED spread and what's going to happen when the Fed meets Wednesday to discuss the Federal Funds Target Rate (and Bloomberg says drop is most likely to go to .75%!!!) It's actually a good time to be studying the market because I am able to understand everything that is going on right now in our economy and the implications, not only for the United States, but also for the whole health of the world.

Or maybe it's because I haven't posted in forever. So I don't even know where to start...So i'll start with the now and work my way backwards. I voted today!!! Now that's a crazy story because I don't have any identification yet that shows I am a Rasmussen (except my Social Security Card) I haven't gotten my new drivers license yet so I couldn't register to vote in Utah. But, because I HAD to make sure my vote counted, I registered for my absentee ballot in Colorado. Funny thing though is that I thought I was already going to get my absentee ballot but it didn't come, it didn't come and it didn't come! I called my mom and asked her what I should do. Resourceful as she is, she called our county clerk (who used to be in our ward) and he said that that day was the last day to send in a request for a mail in ballot! Well, there wasn't enough time to mail it in, so I faxed it. Except we don't have a fax machine at home...or so I thought!! Turns out out printer has faxing capabilities and all I had to do was plug it in to the phone line and it works!!! So I am so excited now:) I faxed in my request and the mail in ballot came while we were in California for Elyse's wedding, which was yesterday. Problem is that the ballot had to be received in Colorado by tonight at 7:00pm. Well, A voter's got to do what a voter's got to do. I mailed it (well Tyler did), overnight express, for $16.50!!! My vote better count!

I mentioned in there that we were in California for Elyse's wedding and that's the next thing. You will HAVE to read Kristin's blog because she has many things to talk about for this trip:) We drove to Las Vegas Thursday night and then arrived in Southern California Friday afternoon. We ate at this delicious Mexican restaurant called El Patio located in Dana Point CA and then we went to my aunt and uncle's house in Fountain Valley (right by Huntington Beach). We talked about everything from my trip to Chile, to the election, and also those Twilight books and we talked way into the evening. It was fun though to catch up on our short married life! (it's already been 2 MONTHS). We woke up and got to the temple on time and loved it. The Newport Beach temple is Gorgeous! heres a pic:


Here's some other pics from the wedding:

My adorable nephews from left to right Braxton and Jace (oh and my adorable husband too:)

In front of the restaurant where Elyse's reception was...right on the coast!

Brennan, me and Jenna at the temple

Tyler and Jenna

Brennan holding Ashlyn

On the way to California, we had to do something to keep the boys busy, so we fed Braxton doughnuts...

Pushed Jace in a merry-go-round...

The boys did "kung-fu" fighting

While we were in California we went to Downtown Disney and this is a picture of a really cool percussionist and guitar player. It sounded like New Age music, but whatever it was it was good



Since the wedding was over Halloween weekend, the boys got to go trick-or-treating. Jace of course was spiderman and little Brax was the cutest monkey ever!! Ashlyn was a flower and Kristin will have pics on her blog soon!
So those are the newest stories. Now to the old. Tyler and I carved pumpkins with Elyse and Andrew...

Carving that crazy spider was tricky! And I learned (since I am not a skilled pumpkin carver) that you start carving the middle and then move outwards. I got to the eyes last and could barely even do it without breaking the poor spider's legs.

The cards Jace and Braxton made for my Birthday!


So I think that brings me to my last post. A lot more has happened, but too much I'll bore you I think so I'll end here. Hopefully you all are doing well and enjoying the fall weather and the fact that Thanksgiving is just around the corner!!!

NOW I AM 22!

This weekend has been probably the best weekend and a horrible weekend at the same time. I don't know if that's even possible, but let me elaborate...Friday, Tyler took me shopping and I got some way cute things! I can't even believe how lucky I am to have him as my husband. He just knew that taking me shopping would make me happy. I got this cute tweed jacket and the beautiful cowl neck sweater (but in cream)

After church on Sunday we went to Ty's parent's house for a birthday party. We had the most delicious homemade chicken pot pie that is Kristin's recipe. There were a lot of people there and it was great. Thanks again Kristin for coming down with your family. I love the boys' cards. Jace and Braxton drew me pictures of me as a robot and said happy birthday. I love having nephews and little Ashlyn as a niece! I always thought I would have to be a mom before and aunt, but that is not the case and I love it!!! If you haven't seen the latest pics, look at Kristin's blog. She is a wonderful sister-in-law! Ok, well after the fantastic dinner, we had fantastic dessert and then present time. Rasmussen's got me a beautiful purse and sweater and jewelry. Kristin gave me a pampered chef vegetable steamer, pyrex mixing bowl and corn on the cob holders. They're fantastic. My family bought me a sewing machine and a little basket and pin cushion and stuff. My mom also got me a pastry cloth (I didn't get one for my wedding) so I can make delicious pies!! Yahoo for birthdays. I wasn't too surprised about the sewing machine because 1) I asked for it and 2) my mom basically begged me to get one when I was at home. I never have been too "crafty" and do not have the patience for sewing things. HOWEVER, now that I have been out of the house for awhile, and been able to sew a couple things on my own, I have learned that it is fun and can be quite resourceful. Now I can finish my curtains that I got for our house. Right now they are hanging in our bedroom quite drearfully.

Here's my sewing machine

And this is what I'm hoping my curtains will be like. This is the only picture I could find, so as soon as my project is complete I will post pictures.
Now to the somewhat bad part of the weekend. Tyler had this huge programming project that was due Monday that I swear he worked on for more than 25 hours (Mostly between Thursday and Sunday). We missed the BYU Football game because of my dance rehearsals, which is another part why the weekend was so hard. I had rehearsals from 4-9:30 on Friday and then from 11-2 and 3:30-5:30 on Saturday. My right big toe is bruised and black...gross and yes sooo painful. That's the price you pay for greatness I guess:)

Hope you can come to the show December 9 or 10!!!

Joe Biden . . . or Michael Scott?

October Days

It's already October and we're hitting midterms...but the exciting news is it's Conference Time! There are a lot of other exciting things happening right now too:

• Erin's engaged,
  
• Elyse and Andrew are less than a month from go time,
  
• I'm pregnant...haha JUST KIDDING! Tyler continues to make false announcements to the family and no one's going to believe us when it's true. (Besides I wouldn't even be able to know for sure by now if I were I don't think!!)
  
• We are in the middle of picking out photos from our photographer (look at them if you want at www.merephoto.com/proofing password carissatyler
• Tyler has flyout interviews with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst and Young (Our top pick for location is Seattle, WA...If anyone has any contacts with jobs for me there, let me know!)
• Halloween! This is actually one of my least favorite holidays and I'm not exactly sure why except that I don't really like dressing up. I love candy, but maybe the fact that I can't really remember many years that I even went Trick-or-Treating has created my bias. I was deprived! Maybe it was also because my mom preferred that I was a fairy or princess or something and I always wanted something more....wild.
• MY BIRTHDAY! I will be 22 on the 12th. Hard to believe I'm only 22. I feel like the past 2 years have aged me at least 3.5 years.
  

Me as a 3 year old

Me as an 8 year old


Me last year


Yay for birthdays!

3 weeks in...

Well this weekend I'll be married a month. Crazy how time flies. Our photographer was really quick and already posted a slideshow for everyone to view of some of the pics from our wedding...find it at: www.merephoto.com/carissatylerslideshow. I also posted some fun pics from our honeymoon on facebook, but if you haven't seen them:
This is Ty with the Welcome Bear in front of the hotel




















Here's a pic of the hotel from the ski lift

finally. I'm Married!!!

I know that I am far far far behind on posting...I think it may be because I just got MARRIED!!! So I don't know how to put the whole last month into one post, but the gist is that I am now Mrs. Tyler Rasmussen. Craaaazy. I have to say thank you to everyone that was SO helpful and they really made it work.

So Thursday night before the wedding we had a wedding dinner at the Skyroom Restaurant on BYU campus. We had probably around 80 people there--mostly family. As everyone was seated there I was thinking, "how are we going to fit all these people in the sealing room tomorrow?" Tyler's dad started the dinner by announcing that we were going to eat first and man was I glad because I was starving. We ate roast beef and potatoes and beans and then the most delicious cobbler for dessert. After eating we started the "program" or whatever you want to call it. Tyler's old roommates Cody and Adam Porter told everyone a little about me and tyler during our courtship--I can't help but mention that they both kept saying how weird I was and how perfect I am for Tyler. Am I really that weird? Just kidding, I know they just mean I fit with Tyler's goofiness:) Then Grace said some things about us and then our parents and then Tyler and I decided to give a presentation to our parents. I thought it went quite well overall and we finished pretty quickly.

Us at the dinner:

After the dinner I went with Grace for some "girl" time while Tyler went with the guys to do some "guy" stuff. Grace and I actually just drove to Sonic and sat in the car and chatted until we were like, better go home and get some sleep.
I woke up at like 6:30 because I had to be at the temple at 8:00. We made it with plenty of time and I loved being in the temple. Honestly that was the best day ever.

The day seems like a blur, especially now because everything was so busy and jumbled together. After pictures at the temple, Tyler and I went to Wingers. I was soo starving because the morning was too hectic for me to eat breakfast. Anyway, after Wingers we waited around until we had to be at the reception for pictures at 5. Of course that meant that we didn't start taking pictures until like 5:30 or later, but oh well. I don't really remember all that happened during the reception until we were running off to drive away in the decorated car! That was the best surprise ever because I really wanted to drive off in a decorated car. Thanks Elyse and Andrew and anyone else who helped!!!

More pictures from the reception and temple:

I was going to wait....butt

I read Kristin's blog and decided I just had to blog today. (Plus Tyler's out working in the garage, I finished cleaning the house, and I'm waiting for some laundry to be done so I can sneak in time before the dryer's done.) This has been a BIG week I guess because we finished assembling, addressing and postaging invitations, and there were a lot! We're going to send them out starting Monday so if you don't get one by 2 weeks from today, tell me and I'll double check we sent you one:) Also this week, today in fact, my family went back to Colorado after being here for 2 weeks doing wedding stuff. We got SOOO much done. All the adjustments for the bridesmaids are done, we picked flowers, took bridals (they're done by the way, if you want to see them go to www.merephoto.com>enter site>proofing>password is carissa) also, tell me which are your favorite because I have to pick JUST ONE for the reception right now and I can't decide! Back to the week, since my family was here it has been party after party and Tyler and my date's have consisted of watching a movie on our couch while the boys try to fall asleep and we quietly sneak a kiss here and there all the while my brother, Derek, looks at me, points his fingers at his eyes and then at mine and says, "I'm watching you!" Ok, now to the reason I actually decided to post today, Kristin tagged me and she is so totally right that it is a blast to read other people's and to see how similar we really are. And firstly I have to say, this is THE MONTH not because of BYU but because I'm getting married!!!!!!! ok, on to the tags 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals and 3 current obsessions.

3 JOYS

1. Tyler. Duh. I think I'm the luckiest person ever to have found such a sweet and caring man that I can trust. I know his family (aka sisters) wondered if he would ever find a girl to marry, and let me assure you, that despite his somewhat goofy (understatement, yes I know) side, he is so genuinely good that nothing else matters. I know he will take care of me and love me exactly how I should and need to be. He is also pretty handy to have around, he gives me good foot massages, fixes the cars, mows the lawn, loves the same entertainments I do, will eat anything I cook, tells me he'll wash the dishes while I relax....sorry ladies, he's taken! Plus, look how cute he is!

2. Yes my Savior. I served a mission in Chile and it was quite an experience to say the least, but one of my favorite parts was watching La Restauracion with investigators. (we watched it I swear like 5 million times) Every time I heard "vi una columna de luz..." and saw Joseph Smith converse with God and Jesus Christ, I would cry, every single time. I think I finally learned what a desolate world it was and would be if there was no hope for redemption, no idea of an eternal plan of salvation and happiness. That thought alone that we can be saved and live eternally joyful is joy enough.

3. A clean house. There's something so peaceful and rewarding about walking on a freshly vacuumed floor, lying on a just made bed, or using a fabulous smelling shower with no dirt marks!

3 FEARS

1. losing any one of my limbs. You know that story where that guy went hiking and he got his arm pinned under a rock and he had to hack it off in order to save his life cause no one rescued him? scares the heck out of me, sawing off your own limb? ew.

2. Is it ok to say this? not being able to have kids? I think of all the things on this earth, the pain, tribulation and suffering that comes with children makes them one of the sweetest joys of the earth. Since I am not a mother yet, I cannot imagine all the possible joys and pains of motherhood; however, I have been well acquainted with my seven younger siblings and I have seen a glimpse of what lies ahead...

3. Tripping up stairs. it's one thing to fall down the stairs, but to fall up them?

3 GOALS

1. Finish my marriage prep class BEFORE i get married. it might not happen seeing as I'm not even half way through the class and I get married in 4 weeks.

2. Upholster my kitchen chairs, by my self, with an air compressed staple gun. I'm doing it as soon as i find fabric I like

3. Go to the temple at least once a month. I know how easy it is to get tied up in school and work and all the responsibilities that go with running a household, but in the two times i've gone, I quickly realized how nice it is to shut that all behind and just sit and enjoy.

3 OBSESSIONS

1. Ice Cream. I think I'm a little lactose intolerant because if I eat ice cream too late or too much, my stomach is VERY angry. but you know what, I don't care because it is SOO good. I just went to this great place this week called Tomasso's, which serves italian ice mixed with custard. I had the Horchata and Mixed Berry. I LOVED IT. oh and thanks to Elyse and Andrew who are always keeping us updated and the newest and best ice cream places. (I really am paying attention:))

2. Shoes. Holy Cow I love shoes. Cute flats, sexy high heels, awesome running shoes. I will wear a different pair every day of the year if I could. The worst part is I get so attached to each one that I can never let them go. For example, my favorite pair of flip flops that I can basically feel the road beneath my heels because I've worn them through...I have to keep them though, can't find another pair like them!

3. Babies. I was going to say Exaggerating, but that's more of a horrible habit, but I confess, I exaggerate sometimes. and it's really predictable because I am not a creative exaggerator. the trick is if I say the number 5...it's the only one I use when exaggerating, so if you hear me say it, I'm probably exaggerating. (I think I used the word exaggerating like 5 times)
Ok, but seriously, babies. I love them. I love Ashlyn and baby Harry, and Isaac and oh my goodness. They are so precious. Look how cute:
That was possibly THE longest blog ever. Since tomorrow is my blog day, I probably won't. Oh, and I tag Jenna Dewey, Jessi, and Val:))

A busy weekend

This week has been pretty much the best in my life so far, mainly because I went to the temple for the first time on Friday evening and it was amazing! I think mostly because I knew that I was there with Tyler and he brings me the most happiness of all. I had so many family members there to support me and it was incredible to see so many loved ones and realize that I am nearer and nearer to our wedding date...4 WEEKS!!!! Which in Tyler's own words will be the best day of all. Here are some pictures from the temple:

On Saturday, Kristin threw a bridal shower for me at the Rasmussen's and my mother, to my horror, had to put every bow from every gift on my head. I received a lot of really nice gifts and had a really great time:) Thanks to everyone that was there.

I just love Tyler he is so cute look at him:)

Bridals

I wanted to start off the post with this one because I think it is gorgeous...it doesn't show my dress, but it's the actual style that I love. Laurel did my hair, my mom my bouquet, (and dress obviously) and I felt beautiful

These ones I love because again the style, and you get to see my hair


Meredith really knew how to work it!

I am NEVER serious, and this pose actually looks like I'm trying not to smile, which is true:)


To start off the day she had me smell the roses...they didn't even smell that great with all the stuff to keep them looking nice




Happy Tree



Everywhere I walked I had to hold up my dress and it was heaaavy, and the grass was wet