Ryan's funeral services

Ryan's funeral was held on Saturday, March 7th, 2009. It was an absolutely beautiful service and an amazing tribute to Ryan and the incredible life which he lived. I am so proud of my brother and what a great man he was, how courageous and honorable he was, and how loving and caring he was to all he came in contact with. Everything was beautiful and sweet on the evening of his viewing and the morning of his funeral. It was so wonderful to have all of our dear family and friends there to honor him. So many traveled from great distances to be there and we truly appreciate you all. We know Ryan was there with us and was touched by it all. I love you my sweet brother!!!

Ryan with neices and nephews

My brother Ryan was in a very tragic and sudden accident on Thursday, February 26th and passed away in the early hours of Friday, February 27th. This is such a horrible loss to me and my family. Ryan was the most enthusiastic, charismatic, goal-oriented, caring, sensitive, hilarious and wonderful person I have ever known. He will be so deeply missed and my family and I would appreciate your prayers in our behalf, as we are struggling to cope with this great loss in our lives and the sometimes unbearable grief we are feeling. Thank you so much for everyone’s love and concern. Please visit our blog we have set up in honor of his life at http://www.ryanmouritsen.blogspot.com/

Well, it’s that time of year again….. time for American Idol. I know, I’m a little bit immature for enjoying it so much perhaps, but having gone to actually see the show live (thanks to my brother Ryan's good buddy Eli) it really is exciting to me. I am stoked to see the next big “stars to be” and hopefully get to go to one of the final shows again in May 2009!! Great memories from last year with my sister Mandi!! Oh yeah! We were seriously 2 feet away (front row center) from David Cook and David Archuleta as they sang their hearts out in the “final four.” We were like two little high school girls. We even got to talk to David Archuleta for a minute about being from SLC right in front of everyone while he was waiting to sing. American Idol premieres Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 pm!!

I love my kids!!

I just thought i should write on my blog tonight for a minute and share something darling that my little Kaden said today. So we were heading back to the car from getting Kaden's cast looked at (he broke his arm badly 2 1/2 weeks ago-more on that to come). He was really playing around in the snow banks and I kept telling him to hurry to the car- it was freezing!! So we all get settled in to the car, seat belts on, and start driving out of the parking lot. Here goes the conversation.
Kaden: Mom, what happens again if I eat the snow on the ground?
Mom: Well, you could get really really sick
Kassi: What could you get sick with?
Mom: Well, you could get Polio or some other awful disease
( I only say this, cause that's what my parents used to tell us as kids)
Kassi: Well what happens when you get Polio?
Mom: You could get paralyzed and have to be in a wheel chair, so don't eat it -K-
Kaden: Mom, if I get Polio will you get me the wheelchair with the buttons? Cause then you won't have to push me, I could just go by myself.

(I have a feeling that Kaden ate some snow while out there.)
Kids say the darndest things don't they?I had to chuckle at that one for a while!!

I am back to blogging! We got these fun pics taken up at Silver Lake last month. They turned out pretty cute and the kids had a lot of fun!

Kaden

Kaden is our little water and "sea creature" lover. He is a bundle of energy and keeps me on my toes all day long. Kaden just started preschool last week and really enjoys that his class happens to be all boys- 12 boys and no girls- it's a roudy bunch.