Lately

Whenever I get behind on my blog, I try and pretend that I haven't and just go back in time.  My memory is one of my strong points in life so I usually can catch up even if it's been a year or longer... but that is the worst!  Anyway, I worked like crazy to get my blog all updated right before Christmas because I had done a blog book from 2006-2008 on blurb and I absolutely loved the idea... but then I just really struggled to get the software working and was running out of time before Christmas and resorted back to My Publisher which is also good... But, really I just need to stay updated! So, I'm not going to pretend that I'm not behind because I am!  But, luckily this time I'm only about 3 months behind.  So, here goes the last 3 months!  

Christmas 2011-what a party

Christmas 2011 was really fun... busy and filled with love.  My birthday has become a big excuse for a party around here.  Bryan likes to make me feel like I bring it on myself, but the truth is... he wouldn't have it any other way.  We have been ice skating for my birthday- well, since forever. I love it.  But in the last couple of years, it has become kind of our Christmas party and we like our friends and family to come.  It's a lot of fun... unfortunately I don't have pics from that night, but Bryan went flying with Brandon (his brother) on my birthday before the ice skating... so here is a picture of him as happy as can be in the delta/skywest cockpit w/ his brother going from SLC to Oakland.  

 This year we split up Christmas into two nights again.  We did Christmas Eve at my parents on the 23rd.  The kids were tickled with a visit from Santa, lots of presents and a darling nativity.  My cute dad tries so hard to always have a spiritual aspect to Christmas programs.  We used to have a very beautiful program w/ lots of scriptures and songs and it was wonderful... but now we have 12 little kids running around and it's not happening.  He was patient and really tried hard w/ the kids this year to have a respectable nativity.  They sure make cute little wisemen and angels!

 On Christmas Eve we went to the Rasmussen's.  We also have a nativity here every year that is very kid friendly and Bradford even got into it this year!  The presents are a lot of fun and this family doesn't do it casually... they go all out.  The kids were spoiled by both sides so much that we could have ended right then and not had much waiting for them at home.  We are so lucky to have our families so close and so many cousins for the kids to pal around with.  This year has been a little off at the Rasmussen's because 3 of the kids and families moved away for different continuing educational programs.  We were so happy to have everyone home for Christmas and Baya and the girls were so happy to have their energetic cousin Sarah home to hang with.  Baya really looks up to Sarah and likes to be near her whenever she can.  

 Blakely opened about 25 books from her cousin Anna and it was so much fun to see all the thought and effort that went into every present.  She is so excited to get reading all those books

 Every year all the kids get Christmas pajamas.  This is a fun tradition they look forward to.  Us adults like it too!!! That is how I get all my cute jogging suits every year!

 We had Ranae and Grandma and Grandpa Whip and Shep show up for the escapades christmas morning.  Grandma Ruth was pretty disgusted when she showed up at 8:30 to a quiet and sound asleep house... I finally let Ranae wake all the kids up at 8:45.  We are so lazy around here, even on Christmas!  The kids were thrilled with their gifts and Bradford really loves all his balls!

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December 2011

We are just getting into December and the action is going strong.  Blakely had her choir concert and did a fabulous job.  She had supporters there in the day and at the night concert.  Abby had a performance for Studio Kids a few days later and was so cute dancing and singing on the stage at the expo center.  

 
We visited temple square with the kids.  Bry was at work, but we met up w/ Lindsee and kids.  It was cold and Bradford was not a happy camper as the night went on.  Dylan came home with us for  sleep over and Blakely went with them. He was cute w/ the two girls Baya and Abby and they all wanted to sleep together in a twin bed.... pretty tight!

 The next day we went to Lou Lou's breakfast with Santa.  Bradford didn't even cry! Baya asked for a dress-up.  She was a little nervous, but did good.

Thanksgiving and Fall times

Thanksgiving was nice this year at the Rasmussen home.  We even had uncle Dan from Seattle, and aunt Katie from West Virginia.  We were missing Aunt Bex who had gone to Connecticut to see the Roses... but it was a good crew!  The food was divine w/ tons of left overs! Good times! That night we joined the Whips and Sheppards for our traditional Turkey Bowl at the Bowling Alley. The girls we treated with a sleepover at Grandma Mary's the night before Thanksgiving.  They were at Grandma's house a long time and got to help w/ all of the prep for the big feast!

With Fall comes lots of leaves at our house.  This year has been a lot slower to drop than usual, but just the same, we have had plenty of leaves!  I think Bryan and I took about 30 bags up to the drop trailers.  The kids always love running in the piles and getting buried alive!

Fall 2011-- Halloween

Happy Halloween!  This year the kids were super cute in their costumes.  We did (with Linda' help) a head on a platter for Blakely.  It was quite the undertaking but a lot of fun!  Abby was a cow girl, Baya was a cupcake and Bradford a Bumble Bee.  The weather was unreal this year.  It was so warm.  We didn't even have to trick or treat in coats!  We had the parade at school and then did trick or treating w/ grandma, aunt Bex, Amy, and all the neighbor kids.  

We went up to Cascade Springs with Kelsie and Mike.  It was such a gorgeous Fall day.  The leaves were all bright yellow and we had a nice time. Some of our other fall activities included BYU Football... we went to two games this year as a family.  That is quite the undertaking w/ Bradford.  Baya stays pretty good as long as there are lots of treats!

 We also went up to Snowbird one night to take in some of the fall colors.  By the time we got clear up the canyon, the most vibrant leaves were left below, but it was a lot of fun to just walk around together.

Every year we get together w/ my HHS friends for a Halloween party. This is the picture from this  years bash.  All our kids are so cute and they have a lot of fun together.