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!