Resolution

I have been thinking of a New Year's Resolution to make this year...hmmm...I have had a few ideas, but I want to think of something that I will actually be able to stick with....no losing weight...no quitting smoking(although I probably should j/k).....I want something real this year. As soon as I think of a good one....I'll let you all know. Maybe with everyone's encouragement, I will be able to say that I completed it this year ;-D



P.S. You all still have time to make your resolution!

Come on don't be a slacker!

Icicles

Have you ever heard of anyone being injured or worse with an icicle? With the size of these, I can see how. This is the back of our house where we seem to be in the icicle business. I have went out and knocked them all down, due to the fear that they may fall off and hurt one of the children. I can't believe how something so pretty can be so dangerous. Keeping up with the icicles could turn into being a full time job this winter!

The Morning After

These are just a couple pics of the kids the day after Christmas lounging around in their pj's watching a movie. They were pretty tired from all the festivities on Christmas and needed a little time to recuperate. (Sorry the date on the camera is set wrong again...someday I'll learn to check it before I take pics :-D )

Christmas Pics

Here's a pic of DaNell with her Christmas stuff...Look out American Idol!
Here is one of Schydi with her new baby she got for Christmas!



Somehow the pics of the boys got deleted :-( I'll take some more of them with their stuff to post!

Game On!

Turns out Taylor's signs said it all....the Bronco's definately needed a Charge from somewhere!

Taylor is a huge San Diego Chargers Fan so yesterday we took advantage of his being at his Grandma's and decorated the house with blue and orange Bronco's colors. We hung "GO BRONCO'S" sign in the front window and around the house so everywhere he looked there was bronco colors. Needless to say when he did get home......he was NOT impressed with the new interior decorating we had done, he went to the computer to print out some signs for the Chargers and began hanging them on top of the bronco's ones. It really got him fired up for the game. He even set the satellite to record the game! His team ended up defeating the Bronco's which really didn't bother the rest of us as we are not true Bronco's fans but did it just to annoy Tay...and it worked. We had a great time smack-talkin all day and he had a great time rubbing it in that his Beloved Chargers won with a score of 52-21 and clinched the AFC West division title. Now it's on to play the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 3rd he can't wait and I am sure he will do the decorating for that one. ;-)

New Years Countdown

Now that Christmas is over it's time for the New Year's Countdown......only 5 days to go until New Years Eve. If you are the resolution type I guess it's time to start thinking about what yours is..if not I guess it's time to plan your party! Here the kids are planning a family game night with the new games they got for Christmas! We are going to try and stay up to ting in the New Year..but no guarantees :-D

Merry Christmas to all.....

and to all a good mess!

I guess that's par for the course..it only took 4 garbage bags to clean up the wrapping paper from the unveiling of the gifts. It's all worth it to see the magic and the smiles on the kids' faces!

Well Christmas has come and gone and all are happy here at the Rasmussen Ranch. I think the kids were all really happy with their gifts from everyone. A big thank you goes out to all the grandma's and grandpa's, aunts and uncles, and cousin and friends that make the holiday special. The only thing missing was getting to see some of the family members that ended up being snowed in on Christmas Day :-( However we are looking forward to getting to see them tomorrow [as long as the weather cooperates ;-)] We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you the best traveling conditions tomorrow!

Christmas Tile

Finally got around to making a Christmas tile. Procrastinators

beware only 2 days to go! If you're not finished shopping...well...get with it!

;-)

Last video

Here's the last part of the dance. I had to split it up into 3 sections in order to load it. Hope you enjoy it!

Video 2

Another part of the dance.

Dance Video

Here's some video from the Recital

A Night of Ballet

Here's a few pics from the Ballet Recital DaNell performed in last Saturday. It's so much fun to see what they have learned so far this year!

Weekend Baking

These are just a couple pics of the goodies we made over the weekend. We made fudge, chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, oatmeal cookies, white raisin cookies, and macaroons. They we delivered some to the neighbors and a few family members that live in Wellington. We had a lot of fun making and delivering them.

DaNell's First Jr. High Dance

DaNell has her first Jr. High Dance today. She's going with a bunch of friends. I can't believe how grown up she's getting. I hope she has a lot of fun.

Leyton's Christmas Party

Here's one of Leyton at his preschool Christmas Party. He wasn't sure of Santa this time it took until everyone else had gone before he got this close. One of his teachers, Miss Alice, had to stand in between them. He is really enjoying the bag of goodies he got.

Sorry the pics were being a pain...but hey I finally got them loaded :-)

And the Winner(s) are.....

Yesterday was the assembly to find out the winners of the Reflections Program....Taylor and Schydi both took 1st place in their divisions. Here's a few pics of them and their trophy's. Their projects now go on to compete in a regional competition. Taylor's was the pic of the sun rays behind the clouds and Schydi's was of the lone pine tree in front of the fall colored trees from our earlier posts.

Dashing Through The Snow

Family Fun at it's Finest!

Our First Snowfall

These are just a few pics of the first snow storm in Wellington...not much...just enough to get the kids even more excited for a White Christmas!

Holiday Getting To Know You

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate! One of my fav's for sure.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or sit them under the tree? Nope just leaves them unwrapped
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on tree/colored on house
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Had some once..has since diappeared
5. When do you put your decorations up? The day after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I love lasagne for any reason. Planning to make it Christmas Eve
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Just being together as a family.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What Truth?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Usually at Grandma's..sometimes at home
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? This year we went with a snowman theme..snowman lights, gold bells, and white lights. Angel on the top.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it if I am not driving anywhere. Hate it when I have to drive in it.
12. Can you ice skate? Not really..tried but didn't succeed.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No, I like them all.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Cherry Cheesecake
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving around looking at Christmas lights with my family.
17. What tops your tree? This year an Angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Definitely the giving,I love to try and surprise people.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love the music of Mannheim Steamroller
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum! Love em in hot cocoa!

Schydi's Confusion

Schydi has been frantically searching the house for loose change to take to school. This morning she asked "How much do I need to take?" I told her that whatever she took in was great. She then stated, " I need enough to pay for my shoes" then it hit me...all this time she thought she was getting new shoes for a quarter. I had to explain to her that the quarters were for kids that didn't have good shoes and needed some. "Oh" she said. I think she understood the purpose of the quarters at least I hope she did!


P.S. It was just too cute of a story not to post:-)

School Projects

This year our elementary school is doing several things to help families in our community. One is "Quarters For Christmas " where all the quarters donated go to the purchase of shoes for children in need at the school. The second is "Can-a-palooza" they are asking the kids bring canned foods to school next week, to be donated to the local food bank, the kids who participate will receive extra minutes at recess time...who can resist that offer? and the Third is the angel tree in which kids can pick an angel and purchase a gift to give. All of these are reminders of what the season should be about. So far we have donated quarters. Next week we will donate the food and the kids will be picking an angel to sponsor. I think it's important to teach them the concept of giving, not just the receiving.

Continuing Countdown

Quick update...only 13 Shopping Days left!

Grandma's Christmas Party

These are a few pics from Grandma Nette's Christmas party that she throws every year.

The kids all have a great time and it's great to see the magic that comes along with Santa Clause or as Leyton calls him Ho Ho!

Leyton got closer this year than ever before..suprised us all I think.
Schydi having a very serios conversation about her "list"

DaNell, still a Believer!

Taylor explaining the "girlfriend" to Santa.

Thanks Grandma for another great party!

Countdown

Just a reminder for all you procrastinators out there.....only 19 shopping day's left!

Schydi's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

How are you? I have been good this year. For Christmas I would like a baby that talks, a camera, some barbies, and barbie clothes. I hope that Rudolph can find his way to my house, I still live in the same house as last year. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that you get a good vacation after the holidays!

Oh my brother Leyton would like a motorcycle bike, some cars,a pillow and blanket that are Lightening McQueen, and maybe some puzzles for Christmas, he has been good this year too.

From:
Schydi & Leyton

Taylor Video

Taylor the great ukulele player!

Here We Come A Wassailing

Video

Here's Schydi singin Here Comes Santa Claus!

Dec. 3, 2008- ELementary Christmas Program

This is the backdrop they had for the program this year. Turned out pretty cute!

Here's Leyton, he was the opening act....singing us songs from Pre-school.

Taylor got to play the ukulele he was very enthusiastic as you can see.
He played Here we Come A wassailing and Silent Night. It was very dificult to play and sing at the same time for most of the kids in his class.

Schydi sang Here Comes Santa Claus and Jolly Old St. Nicholas

I have some on video that I am trying to post but it is taking forever to load.

I'll keep working on it!

Overall, they both had fun and are glad it's over!

Our Tree

Here a close up of the skiing snowmen we put on our tree this year!

Here it is, our tree, my pic isn't all that great, but we were happy with the end results :)
Only 26 days to go!

Mission Unsuccessful (sort-of)

Well we got up yesterday at 3:00 a.m. in order to make it to JC Penny's by 4:00 there wasn't a whole lot we really wanted there but we had to go anyway, just in case we missed something in the ads and of course to get our free smow globe. We did find a couple things and were out of there by 4:15 headed to Wal-Mart. Here we waited and waited counting down the long minutes to 5:00, thinking we were very smart we had our people positioned on each side of the entrances with very good position too I must say, well here they come to unlock the doors.....waiting patiently (or as patient as we can) watching the key go into the lock.....waiting.....waiting...nothing our doors would not open :( By this time everyone was pushing and shoving toward the other doors.....we got smashed, prodded, pushed and ended up making it in the door by the hair's on our chins. I could not believe it! This was the most people I have ever seen lined up in the parking lot, they stretched nearly out to main street on both entrances....crazy....I know....and here we were in the middle of this mess! Well needless to say I wasn't able to accomplish my mission by getting any of the major things on my list...I was so bummed. The most frustrating part was seeing people with multiple amount of the same item, one thing I was looking for a lady had about 40 of them in her cart...WHAT? I think there should be some kind of limit or something when people are buying the discounted items then selling them on E-Bay that's not cool. I only wanted 2 of them I mean really. I did find a few other items and it was fun...I just don't see the need for the hoarding that was going on this year...Hopefully next year will be better :) Only 364 days to go!

Countdown Continues

Only 4 days until Black Friday
and only 30 Days until Christmas!

Mommy Tag

I got tagged by my sister and am finally getting around to doing it. So here it goes.


1. What time do you wake up? Lately it's been between 3:30 and 5:00 a.m.

2. On a good night, what time is your child in bed? Schydi and Leyton usually crash around 7:00 .m. since the time change and DaNell and Taylor are usually in bed by 8:30 p.m.

3. How long have you been a mommy?13 years and 23 days

4. How old were you when you became a mom? 18 and 3 days later turned 19

5. What is your favorite chore?I like vacuuming. It make the whole house feel clean.

6. What is your favorite meal to cook? I love to cook chicken noodle soup from scratch with hot rolls, it's the best!

7. What meal do you cook most often? I would have to say Spaghetti with garlic bread.

8. What are 5 things about being a mom that make you smile?1 DaNell 2 Taylor 3 Schydi 4 Leyton 5 all of the fun we have together as a family

9. If you could take your child anywhere, where would it be? Yellowstone N.P.

10. When was the last time you went out without your child?With Leyton being in preschool now, I get almost daily outings alone. Some days it's great and others I wonder what to do with myself.

11. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom?When Taylor was 3 and got sick and the dr.'s couldn't tell us what the problem was, it turned out to be his appendix, the decision to do the surgery or not was very stressful since they couldn't say for sure that is what it was. We didn't have a lot to go on. Everything turned out o.k., and we learned a lot throughout the process.

12. When was the last time you told your child "I love you"?About 2 hours ago

13. When was the last time you were told I love you?This morning right after Leyton got up. The others told me when they were leaving to catch the bus at 6:45 a.m. My husband tells me 4 or 5 times a day too. It's great to be this loved!

P.S. Hey Janice, I know your kids are older, but you are still a mom and TAG your it! :)

Let the games begin!

Here it is, Thanksgiving week already. Turkey and all the fixins are only a few days away I can't hardly wait. Especially for the day after. My partner in crime and I (you know who you are) obviously have no patience and have been searching the net for Black Friday ads for a couple of weeks now hoping to get a heads up over our competition. We found some sites, however are a little skeptical if they are the true ads or not. So really we are in the same boat as before, although if they are the right ads and prices...LOOK OUT WAL-MART cuz here we come and we take no prisoners!

Tree Skirt

Here's a few pics of the Tree Skirt I made
We are trying a themed tree this year

Our only problem is deciding which side to put up :)

I love to sew and really love it when it turns out how I pictured!

P.S. Only 8 days until Black Friday!

P.P.S. Only 34 shopping days left until Christmas!

I can't hardly wait :D

Happy 29th Aunt Becca!!!
I can't believe my baby sister is 29 today. Seems like just yesterday we were discussing which guy to go out with, playing on the grass slip-N-slide, barbies, making movies with our Troll Dolls, and all of this with a few disagreements in between. My how time flies. Now we talk for hours almost daily. Way back then we usually got into trouble together and some days we still do. Thanks to AIM (I don't know how I ever survived without it or without our daily chats :) ). Thanks Becca for being my favorite sister.......my only sister......and my best friend. Here's lookin forward to loggin tons more im hours this year. I can't tell ya how many times you are my saving grace.

We Love You!!


P.S. In honor of Becca's birthday our menu has been changed to burgers and fries :D

Basketball Manager

DaNell came home from school yesterday, and announced that she has volunteered to be the Girls Basketball manager. I am proud of her for making her own decisions and for offering to help. I'll update if and when it becomes official.

13 and on top of the world!

These are a couple from DaNell's Party. Enjoy

First Attempt

This was my first attempt at making a holiday tile with my new cricut machine. I had fun, but am still learning how to run the machine.

One Down

With Halloween being over, that makes one down and two to go. Halloween for me is like the appetizer, it leaves me anticipating the main course. Thanksgiving, all the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, salads, and pie I can hold [without feeling guilty of course:) ], then onto dessert. Christmas which happens to be one of my favorite holidays. I love the magic, and the way the kids have something to believe in, the hustle and bustle of Black Friday and the season, and the time I get to spend with family. I'm gearing up, ready to check out the outside lights and get them in working order, making a new tree skirt, and setting up the tree. I love this time of year.

P.S. Only 53 Shopping Days left!

Can You Believe it?

Yies! It's unbelievable I know, but I am officially a M.O.A.T.
(also known as the Mother Of A Teenager)

DaNell is 13 today!

It seems like just yesterday I was waiting impatiently for her to be born. Pacing and trying everything to speed it up. Now I think maybe I'm to blame for her growing up too fast. She's always been in a hurry and a little impatient. I am learning each day, dealing with her moods as best as I can, and just watching her grow into a mature young lady. We have our ups and downs, but as long as the ups outweigh the downs we are doing well.
I was listening to her and her friends talk last night while trick-or-treating, of I remember the days when all I had to worry about was if my shoes matched my clothes, who was the cutest boy that week, or if my pants made my butt look too big. Oh, those were the days! It's nice to see that things haven't changed all that much since we were in Jr. High.
I want DaNell to know how proud I am of her and how much I love her and love watching her grow.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Love,
Mom

P.S. I'm not old enough to be a M.O.A.T

When We Were Young

I wrote on an earlier post about my Halloween B-day parties, here's one of the pics. I hope it brings back some good memories.

Leaves

This is another idea we had, while hunting we picked some leaves and later framed them, Schydi had a lot of fun deciding where to place each leave. I think it may become a yearly tradition, it would be fun to look back and see how the colors change from year to year.

For Our Next Project

Every year the elementary school participates in the Reflections program which the kids can enter some sort of art work, drawing, photography, dance, literature, etc. These are some of the pictures my kids took while we were deer hunting in September, now our problem seems to be picking which ones to use, the theme this year is "WOW" so really it's wide open to interpretation. They can enter more than one so who knows, maybe they will use them in a collage or something. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to post. Thanks.