Rasmussen Reflections

Mikenna~Basketball

2012-01-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Mikenna had a basketball game today - scored some points - played great defense! She had team and individual pic's today as well.

After her basketball game - she had a soccer scrimmage - and played awesome defense! Busy day for my little athlete!

Daddy is Back!!

2012-01-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

The girls wanted to surprise Toby at the airport - his flight didn't get in until 11:30pm....so I let them stay up and we headed to the airport; waited for him to get off the plane and had his back turned to get his luggage and they both tackled him and gave him lots of hugs and kisses. It was so sweet....there were people admiring the girls and the close relationship they have with their daddy!

Toby~California Business Week!

2012-01-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

Whenever Toby is gone or I am gone - Toby or I get sentimental and look through old photos or watch old video. We love to be together as a family - and when we are not - we are all saps. The girls were crying when he left - which made me tear up - and Jaron....well he's a teenage boy - and he was excited to have Toby off his back about some things that he has been talking a lot to Jaron about lately. Toby doesn't sleep well in Hotels - and neither of us sleep well without the other. I had to convince him to take some Tylenol PM with him so he can sleep at night since he will be there a whole week. I will be the one this time looking at old photos and watching videos - which always makes me miss him more. Pretty pathetic.. I know... but it does show how much we all love one another and love being together as a family! Toby is gone all week in California for business with OfficeMax. It took him all day just to get there because of delayed flights - and layovers. The kids and I already miss him - and he just texted me saying he misses us already. One of the things I so admire about Toby is what a strong family man he is. He loves to be a dad, and a husband - and he loves enjoying the every day with me and the kids. He doesn't like to be away from us. He works hard every day to provide for us not only financially but be there for us emotionally and be involved in many things that most dad's aren't. My kids are so blessed to have him for their daddy! We used FaceTime through Facebook which is like Skype tonight, and the kids and I were able to talk to him through the Internet and web cam - we could all see each other - he showed the kids around his hotel room. Pretty cool what we can do now a days to keep in touch! We love you babe! Come home safe and sound to us! We all miss you!!

Beauty and the Beast 3-D!!

2012-01-23T21:37:00.000-08:00

I took the girls to go watch Beauty and the Beast 3-D tonight. They loved it! Especially Brielle - she was acting out scenes in her seat acting like she was Belle. It's one of her favorite movies! She wants to go see Belle at Disneyland.....which we are probably going to go do as a family soon.

I love spending time with my girls!

Toby and Dad!

2012-01-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of Toby's dad and Toby in the baby backpack. 1972

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sledding!!

2012-01-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

The kids have enjoyed 2 cancelled school days and a weekend full of snow fun!!! We bought some sleds and had a great time!! Pizza and hot chocolate for dinner tonight!

Brielle was fearless! She flew down the hill and had a couple crashes - but got up with a huge smile on her face every time!

Toby had a blast too!

Sledding!!

2012-01-22T00:59:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-22T00:58:00.000-08:00

My fearless Brielle! She had some crashes - but she loved it...she would get up and smile and giggle. It was so fun to watch her feel good about herself for doing the same thing as her older siblings - she was sure proud of herself!

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:47:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:44:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:42:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:39:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:37:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T22:22:00.000-08:00

Sledding!!

2012-01-21T21:58:00.001-08:00

Snow Days!!

2012-01-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

The kids had no school today and tomorrow school is cancelled as well. They have been having fun playing in it!!

Jaron shoveling our drive way for the 3rd time!! We are supposed to get more tonight and tomorrow - Today is snowed ice pellets. The roads are awful!! There has been a ton of vehicle accidents on the road the past 2 days!! Jaron is supposed to go on a Scout sledding campout this weekend in Spout Springs (cabin) about 2 hours away....we'll see if they actually decide to go with this weather.

Mandy's 37th Birthday!!

2012-01-16T17:24:00.000-08:00

I am officially 37 years old! I am happy, healthy and very blessed! 3 of my greatest blessings with me on my birthday!

Another blessing in my life.....my best friend and soul mate - Tobin!

My sweet Brielle - giving me lots of kisses!

My Mikenna Jo - my sweet sunshine girl!

Brielle - the balloons they blew up for me - were sticking to her!

Time to blow out the candles! Toby made me a cherry cheesecake! YUM!

Hopefully my wish for 2012 will come true! I blew all of the candles out!

My presents - which consisted of a new bike seat for my bike, 2 pairs of workout pants, 2 workout shirts, sports bra, new Nike tennis shoes, 2 Nike hats, a running pullover jacket from Runner's Soul, CJ sent me some money, and my parents gave me a $ gift card and also a pretty glass dish that used to be my grandma Winder's - which I love!! I had lots of friends from Facebook wish me a happy birthday - friends from my childhood and into high school and college! Facebook is great! It was great to hear from my friends and family! After I opened my gifts we headed to Country Mercantile and had dinner and bought some yummy chocolate. Now to put my new workout clothes/shoes, club membership and bike to good use and lose some LBS!!!! That's my biggest goal this year is to get back to a healthier me in that area. Thank you to my friends and family for making my day special! I love you!!

Toby - Human Jungle Gym!

2012-01-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

Our girls love to climb on Toby and use him as a jungle gym!

Jaron Cable Bridge Run 2011

2012-01-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

Jaron's picture from the 2011 Cable Bridge Run came in the mail today!

Brielle's Doll House!

2012-01-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Brielle and Mikenna love playing with Brielle's doll house together. Mikenna likes to set it up, and Brielle loves to play house with all the dolls! It's so funny to listen to what she makes the dolls say!

Toby's 40th Birthday!

2012-01-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

Toby turned 40! It was a little hard for him to realize he's 40 - but we had a great time celebrating at our house with my mom and dad, my brother Ty and my sister in law Janessa and my niece Zoe and my nephew Ronan! It helped him to be around people that love him!

We embarrassed him while we sang Happy Birthday to him! He got a little shy!

Jaron went over by him to support his dad! So cute!!

Toby's 40th Birthday!

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

He blew them all the candles out at once! Good luck will be his this year! :)

My mom and dad with Zoe!

Mikenna with Ronan!

Brielle!

Zoe playing with the balloons!

Jaron and Ronan!

Ronan!

Ronan and Mikenna and Brielle!

Mandy and Ty!

Brielle, Zoe and Mikenna enjoying popcorn! My brother and his family stayed the night a couple nights! We had so much fun together!

New Year's Day! Aebleskiver - Danish Donuts!

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day we have Aebleskiver - Danish Donuts! We have carried on Toby's family tradition of making them on New Year's day! This year Mikenna and Brielle helped make them - they did a great job!

New Year's Eve!

2011-12-31T23:00:00.000-08:00

We had our traditional feast of appetizers for New Year's Eve! Jaron went to spend the night at a friends house, so it was Toby and I and our girls! We had a blast! We watched Glee the Concert! Brielle danced her little heart out during the movie! Had yummy food and rang in the new year together!

Winder Christmas!

2011-12-29T17:45:00.000-08:00

My son Jaron (13), my nephew Carson (10), my daughter Mikenna (10), my daughter Brielle (6) and my niece Shaelie (8)!

Winder Christmas!

2011-12-29T17:00:00.000-08:00

My sister in law Janessa, me - Mandy, my mom Joette and my sister Stephanie - my sister in law Sabina left to visit with her family!

I am so grateful for these ladies in my life as well as my sister in law Sabina! I love 'em so much! Missed you Sabina!! Next time we will get all of us in there!

Winder Christmas!

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

It was a very special Christmas this year for the Winder's! It's been awhile since we were all together...and we all had a blast together! We were just missing 3 kids from Dave and Steph's family. We love you Syd, Jack and Aleah!! Funny memory when my nephew Carson saw Jaron for the first time in along time Carson said "You have a man voice."

My kids played non-stop with their cousins - we had lots of good laughs, late nights, and so much fun!

I am so grateful for my family, I love each and every one of them. We are all different people, but we come together as one to make one awesome family! I am so blessed!

Winder Christmas!

2011-12-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

Back to Front - left to right. Mandy & Toby and son Jaron Rasmussen, Craig and Sabina Winder, Stephanie and Dave Jones and daughter Cami. Janessa and Ty Winder with daughter Zoe and son Ronan. Shaelie Anderson, Talia Winder, Joette and LaMar Winder. Landen Winder, Mikenna Rasmussen, Capriel Winder, Brielle Rasmussen, Carson Anderson, Brecklyn Winder, Rhyse Winder, family dog "Sissy". Rasmussen family - Toby and Mandy Rasmussen and 3 children. Winder family - Craig and Sabina Winder and 5 kids. Jones family - Dave & Stephanie Jones and 3 kids. (missing 3). Winder family - Ty and Janessa Winder and 2 kids! We are becoming quite the group!!

I was testing out my camera on the auto shoot mode - and got my sweet husband in the picture!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

Special Higley Christmas! We had everyone this year! So we took the opportunity to take some pictures of the Higley family! My grandma Higley means the world to me! I am so grateful for her love, support and her example of Christ like love and faith. I am so grateful for my beautiful family!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:59:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law made this beautiful memory book for my grandma Higley. Each family member wrote her a letter and we also sent pictures to put in the memory book. She loved it so much she started crying. Her treasures are her family, and she sure misses my grandpa - as do we all. I am grateful that I was able to express to her how much I love her and what an important person she is to me in my life now and for as long as I can remember - she can look at the pictures and read the letters over and over again. I wouldn't be who I am today without her love and support. She told me she was looking through old letters that I had sent her while I was in college. I have always been so impressed with her devotion and her great capacity to love each and every family member with unconditional love.

Her favorite perfume!

Her great-grandchildren singing a Christmas song!

Suzy and Simon and Zoe!

My sister in law Janessa and my niece Zoe!

My nephew Ronan and my cousin Janette!

My sister Stephanie and my brother in law Dave with my niece Cami!

My dad and my son Jaron!

My aunt Carey and my cousin John and his wife Suzy looking at the memory book!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:58:00.000-08:00

My brother Ty!

My daughter Brielle and my nieces Talia, Brecklyn and Capriel!

My brother Craig and my niece Rhyse!

My grandma Higley and my daughter Mikenna!

My brother Craig and my sister in law Sabina!

My mom and dad and my son Jaron and my cousin Todd's daughter Miciah!

Toby and Brielle!

Mikenna - my sister Steph and my brother in law Dave and my niece Cami!

My mom and dad and my son Jaron!

My cousin Janette and her husband Kenny!

My sister in law Janessa and my nephew Ronan!

My cousin Dan's little girl!

My cousin Brian and my uncle Blake in the background!

My cousin Dan's little girl and his wife Andrea.

My daughter Mikenna with her cousin Zoe!

My brother Craig with my niece Rhyse!

My cousin Janette and her husband Kenny!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

My sweet, beautiful grandma Higley!

My brother Ty and my nephew Ronan!

My grandma Higley and my cousin John with his son Nathan.

My mom and dad!

My aunt Carey and her grand daughter Miciah!

My cousin John's son Simon!

My sister Steph and my brother in law Dave with my niece Cami!

My uncle Blake with his grandson Conner - and my cousin Todd!

My mom and dad and my son Jaron!

My daughter Mikenna with my niece Brecklyn and my nephew Landon!

My daughter Brielle and my niece Talia!

My cousin Todd's little boy Conner!

Me and my handsome son Jaron!

My husband Toby and I!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:44:00.000-08:00

My grandma Higley and her kids! My aunt Jill, uncle Blake and my mom Joette!

My brother Craig and I!

My wonderful brothers and sister! Me, Steph, Craig and Ty!

My nephew Ronan!

My sister Stephanie and my brother in law Dave!

My brother Ty and his cute family - my sister in law Janessa and my niece Zoe and my nephew Ronan!

My brother Ty and his family with grandma Higley!

My cute niece Cami!

Higley Christmas!

2011-12-26T17:40:00.000-08:00

Me and my grandma Higley and my sister Steph!

Toby, me and my grandma Higley!

Toby and I!

My cute niece Cami!

Rasmussen Christmas!

2011-12-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

New PJ's!

Rapunzel PJ's!

Hello Kitty Jewelry

Holiday Socks!

New Bike!!

Zhu Zhu Pet!

Stocking Stuffers!

Angry Birds!

My new bike Toby gave to me!

Princess Puzzle!

DVD's!

Running t-shirt!

Rasmussen Christmas!

2011-12-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

Leatherman!

Watch!

Barbie Doll she asked Santa for!

MP3 Player!

Camcorder!

Barbie Convertible

Calvin & Hobbes!

Roller Blades!!

Mikenna's gift to Jaron -

Roller Blades!!

Rasmussen Christmas!

2011-12-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Angry Birds Game!

Roller Blades!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T18:00:00.001-08:00

The kids open one gift on Christmas eve. This year they each received a bath robe!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

My brother Craig and his family!

My sister Steph and her husband Dave and their cute little girl Cami!

Santa Visit!

2011-12-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

Santa's Reindeer!

Koi Pond inside Beaver Bark!

We took the girls to go visit Santa Claus at Beaver Bark in Richland. I had to bribe Brielle to sit with Santa. She wouldn't do it without Mikenna, and she wanted some candy afterwards - good enough for me! She even talked to him and told him she wanted a Barbie doll. The first year I have gotten her to actually go near Santa!

Christmas Measuring!

2011-12-23T18:00:00.001-08:00

My parents have a measuring stick they bring out every year - we measured the kids again since we were all together during Christmas!

Jaron: Is 5'10" - He has grown 8 and a half inches in two years.

Mikenna: Is 4'10" - She has grown 5 inches.

Brielle: Is 4 Feet tall - She has grown 4 and a half inches.

No wonder my grocery bill has increased so much this past year!

Santa Visit!

2011-12-23T18:00:00.000-08:00

Toby~Tin Tin Adventures

2011-12-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

Toby's dad used to buy him the Tin Tin Adventure Comic Books -he had pretty much all of the comics as a young boy.

We were so excited to find out that they made a movie based on those early comics that Toby's dad used to buy him.

Toby's dad worked in Boulder, Colorado as a commercial artist and he had an office around the corner from a book store and he used to go there after work and buy Toby Tin Tin Adventure Books as well as the Asterix comic books. Toby has very fond memories of these memories of his dad buying him and bringing home to him these comic books.

We were so excited to go see the Tin Tin Adventure movie tonight.....an early Christmas present from his wife!

Mikenna~Soccer Christmas Party!

2011-12-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

Mikenna went to her soccer team's Christmas party! They had a gift exchange, and also watched a movie, made soccer ornaments that they all signed, had yummy treats and drinks, played outside for awhile. This owl hat is what Mikenna received at the gift exchange. She gave a fleece blanket as her gift.

Brielle~Christmas Party!

2011-12-20T00:58:00.000-08:00

I volunteered to help with Brielle's class Christmas party. It was a lot of fun! I loved spending time with Brielle and getting to know her classmates and teacher better!

Mikenna~"Kids On Stage" Concert!

2011-12-19T00:35:00.000-08:00

Mikenna performed 3 times today with her choir group called "Kid's on Stage." We went to the evening show to watch her sing! They sang 5 different songs - she has a great director - lot's of fun songs! She has really enjoyed participating in the group!

Mikenna~"Kids On Stage" Choir Concert!

2011-12-19T00:20:00.000-08:00

Mikenna excited to start her performance!

Her friends, Montana and Meredith.

Mikenna and Meredith are great friends, they love to be in choir together.

We are proud of you Mikenna!

Christmas Cookies & Peppermint Chocolate Bark!

2011-12-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

The kids eating a special dinner that "Buddy" our elf left for them while we were at church. Tator tot casserole, little cutie oranges, Christmas frosted animal cookies, snowman marshmellows and egg nog!

Brielle excited to start baking!

We baked sugar cookies and made peppermint/chocolate bark tonight and delivered plates to the kids friends tonight! We had a great time together and kids enjoyed wearing their Santa hats and delivering goody plates to their friends!

Cable Bridge 5K~December~Results!!

2011-12-18T00:38:00.000-08:00

Jaron's Results: Raced in 5K in age group male/13-19 years of age.
Age Group Place: 40th out of 90.
Overall Race Male Place: 139th out of 665 Total Male Runners.
Overall Race Place: 167th out of 1,515 Total Cable Bridge 5K Runners.
Time: 25:24
Pace: 8:12

Toby was in the 30-39 age group - he didn't really train for the race - and he said he was happy to finish and do something like this with his son. They started together at the beginning - and Toby said Jaron took off pretty quick - and pretty soon couldn't see him anymore. Jaron was all smiles when he got home! That boy loves to run!

Getting warm after the race by our pellet stove!

Christmas~ Rasmussen Kids~ 2011

2011-12-17T23:31:00.000-08:00

Jaron 13, Mikenna 10, Brielle 6 years old - Christmas 2011

Brielle~ Santa's Snow Globe!!

2011-12-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

Brielle has been reminding Toby and I that Santa Is watching her through his snow globe and that she has to be a good girl!!

2011 Cable Bridge Run 5K!!

2011-12-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

Toby and Jaron are running in the 2011 Cable Bridge Run 5K today in Kennewick! They are so cute! I am one lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband and a handsome son!

Ronan Miles Winder

2011-12-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

My nephew Ronan Miles Winder - his blessing day! March 2011

2011 Christmas!

2011 Rasmussen Christmas Letter & Picture

2011-12-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone. It’s been one of the fastest and busiest years that has come and gone since Toby and I have been married and had a family. Toby and I are just along for the ride and trying to keep up with our kids schedules; but we both love being busy and we love our sweet kids and watching them grow every year in different ways is a blessing to us as parents. Toby continues to work as a remote rep. for OfficeMax as an account manager and works out of our home as well as travels around parts of Washington and Oregon. He also enjoyed being the assistant coach for Brielle’s soccer team. He and I also team teach in Primary for the 9 year old class. He ran in the 5K Cable Bridge Run a couple weeks ago with Jaron. I have kept very busy keeping our family organized and going in the right direction; or at least trying to. We have officially gone from the baby stage to the always being on the go stage taking three kids to their activities. This summer and fall was so busy; that my head is still spinning! We so enjoy being parents and watching our kids develop and grow and seeing them happy doing what they love do to. I enjoyed being Mikenna’s soccer team photographer this year, and I volunteer in Brielle’s classroom often, and of course I taxi kids a lot! I can’t believe that next year all of my kids will be in school full time - one in Elementary, one in Middle and one in High School as a Freshman. I am in shock with how fast my kids are growing! I am very aware that it goes by so fast and I try to enjoy all of the moments I have with them, while creating memories we will all remember for years to come!

Jaron~8th grade, 13 years old, braces, growing faster than I can buy clothes that will fit him longer than a couple of months. He is 5’10”. Enjoyed his 3rd year of running Cross Country and lettered this year. He loves to run long distances and has the endurance to do it. At the All League meet he placed 18th out of 82 runners. At regular meets he placed consistently in the top 5. Most importantly, he loves it and it makes him happy. He ran in the 5K Cable Bridge Run with Toby this month. He wants to try a triathlon next summer. He loves to go on bike rides and camp out with his Boy Scout troop. He earned his Life rank in scouts and is trying to decide what to do for his Eagle project. He loves to play Percussion in his 8th grade Band. He performed at the Three Rivers Convention Center and also Solo Ensemble. He is wanting a drum set that he can take lessons on. He also loves to play the electric guitar and piano and has taught himself some songs he likes to play. He also loved going to the Temple to do baptisms. His favorite Scout adventures for the year: Earning his nuclear science merit badge at Areva NP. Mt. Rainier campout - sledding in the snow on the mountain in July! Going to Scout Camp at Camp Easton in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. OMSI~touring the Navy’s last non-nuclear USS Blueback Submarine that was in service in the Pacific Ocean for 31 years and appeared in the movie “The Hunt for Red October.” He continues to love to create and loves to use computer programs for his artwork and creating music pieces. We love to listen to the music and look at the artwork that he creates . He also participated in our Pasco Stake Youth Trek this past summer in Patterson, WA. He said it was the hardest thing he has tried so far and that his appreciation for his ancestors and the Gospel is strengthening his testimony.

Mikenna~5th grade, 10 years old, loves soccer, school, loves to be busy. She is in a choir group for school called “Kids on Stage” . She also is in Technology club and is helping put together this years school yearbook. She is an excellent student, and is very self motivated, independent and competitive. She is full of energy, fun, loves life and anything athletic. She won a fitness award for excelling in 5 different fitness tests. She plays basketball and soccer. She tried out for a soccer club team this year and made it onto the Three Rivers Soccer Club RCL Team! It is one of the top 20 RCL teams in Washington State. She has really enjoyed it because it’s a lot more competitive. She played in a lot of soccer tournaments this past summer and went to some soccer academies as well. Her team placed 2nd in the Spokane tournament. She is doing FAST training right now, along with getting personal training sessions with her coach who used to play pro soccer. Her coach has really taught Mikenna a lot and helped her develop her talents and accomplish her goals. She loves playing defense. She played 11 games this fall here in Pasco, as well as various places in Seattle and Oregon. She is going to play basketball in January, as well as start up soccer team practice again to prepare for State Cup, and also a couple tournaments in Pasco and in Boise, Idaho. Then soccer try-outs are this coming spring again.

Brielle~Kindergarten, 6 years old, loves her Jazz dance class, loves to sing, loves school and playing on her soccer team. She loved having her dad be her assistant coach. She is a speedster just like her older sister. She was a part of a performing arts school for awhile, but she kept wanting to try dance so I switched her to a Jazz dance class, and she loves it! Her first performance will be next spring! She is so excited to wear a costume and dance on a stage! She also played on a youth summer soccer league and took private swimming lessons which she really enjoyed! She also loves to draw

and practice writing. She looks up to her big brother and sister, but asserts herself quite often to make sure they know

she may be the youngest but she is not to be underestimated! She brings excitement, love and fun to our home!

Follow our families happenings on our blog called ~ Rasmussen Reflections!

Our Love and Wishes for a Blessed 2012 to our

Friends and Family~Merry Christmas! We Love You!

Toby, Mandy, Jaron, Mikenna, Brielle Rasmussen

Mikenna~Hair!

2011-12-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

No - it's not a perm! ha, ha....Mikenna received a hair crimper last Christmas, and she finally decided to try it since a lot of her friends at school do it now. She was tickled how curly her hair was because her hair is usually pretty naturally straight. It took me 45 minutes this morning to do it - she has so much hair and it's so thick. Her smile was priceless though! I am glad it made her happy!! She came home excited that all her friends liked it. She is starting to care more about what her hair looks like. It blew me away that she was willing to get up 45 minutes earlier than usual to get her hair done! She is usually a brush your hair and go type of girl. There are different settings on her crimper, so next time I think it would be fun to try different settings to get a little more less crimped look and more of a wavy look.

Mr. Popper's Penguins Movie!

2011-12-13T20:05:00.001-08:00

Tonight we watched the Mr. Popper's Penguins movie together. Pretty good PG movie!
The kids really enjoyed it....Jim Carrey was great as usual!

Christmas Gifts!

2011-12-12T22:00:00.001-08:00

"Buddy" our family elf left some early Christmas gifts for the kids to open up tonight!

Jaron received a hat he has been wanting.

Mikenna received some gloves that are fingerless and can also be covered up as well; that she has been admiring.

Brielle received a Zhu Zhu pet - it rolls and spins and scoots on the tile and makes noises - she loves it!

Family Night!!

2011-12-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

We took the kids to get their pictures taken in their Christmas outfits and afterwards we went to Target to do some shopping together and while we were there we let the kids get a snack at the snack bar. Toby showed the kids how to make a little straw into a big straw!

Jaron was fooling around acting like he couldn't get the straw in his mouth.

Brielle thought it was pretty cool!!

Our Elf~Buddy!!

2011-12-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

We are putting a little twist on our tradition of the Christmas box we do each year. We decided to add a family elf which the kids named "Buddy". He reports to Santa every night how the kids are behaving, and he can also get into a little mischief himself....silly things which we will post about soon. It comes from the book "Elf on the Shelf." We have him do his mischievous things during the night - which the kids wake up to find - and then while they are at school, I hide him and I place an envelope in his hands telling the kids what activity we will be doing for the night. We have an activity that we do every night that is Christmas related. We have done a lot already, but I haven't had the time to take pictures...I will be posting some of our activities soon! These are pictures taken after we took the kids to get their pictures done with their Christmas outfits on. Jaron changed in the van on our way home, and Mikenna put her boots on...so that's why the girls are in their dresses and Jaron isn't. I ordered "Buddy" our elf - because the elf that comes with the book - was a little creepy looking and I know Brielle wouldn't have liked how it looked. She has a thing with doll eyes - thanks to the scary doll in the Toy Story movie. If the eyes look weird then she won't have it. So I found a cute plush elf with kind, cute eyes! She loves him thank goodness!

Jaron~My one and only Son!!

2011-12-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

I had to get a photo of Jaron and I wearing our Pasco Bulldogs shirts together. I really can't believe he is going to be a Freshman in High School next year....it's been a hard one to swallow for me - and I don't think I have gotten it all down yet, but I am so grateful for my one and only son and for the relationship that we have together. He is quickly growing up and getting taller as you can tell. I love you buddy!!

Mandy~Shorter Bangs!!

2011-12-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

I decided I needed a little change....so I had my hair cut a little different. I had my bangs cut a little shorter - so I can either wear them like this, or off to the side like I usually do. I also highlighted my hair and cut about an inch off. I feel much better!

Mikenna Book Published!

2011-12-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Mikenna wrote and illustrated a book in her 5th grade class. We received a published copy today with her school picture on the front of the book! It's called "My Literary Devices"

She was so excited!!

Scentsy and Dove Chocolate Party!

2011-12-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

One of my friends is a Scentsy and Dove Chocolate consultant. I hosted a party at my home for her. It was so much fun-two of my favorite things combined....yummy candle smells and yummy chocolate! If you haven't checked out the Scentsy products - they are so awesome! I have tried a lot of different melting pots and burners and different brands of wax and candles - Scentsy is by far the BEST! I love the warmers and I love how well the smells go throughout my home. I can smell them throughout my whole house - and I have never found a product that will do so as well as Scentsy has! I love that the wax is heated by a light bulb, and the wax is easily reused if you poor it back into the formed case it comes in and how strong the scents are and travels throughout my house....you can't beat it!
Thanks Tiffany!

Mikenna~Technology Club!

2011-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

Mikenna wanted to be a part of Technology Club at her school. She had to write a paper telling why she wanted to be a part of the club and what she could contribute. They only chose a handful of 4th and 5th grade students. She got the news today that she made the club! She is so excited! She gets to work with the schools computers and cameras and help with the school year book! She is so cute....she said "Mom I get to wear a badge around my neck with my school picture on it that says I am part of the Technology Club; and I get to help with the school year book!"

Update!

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

It's kinda hard for me to talk about myself - but I also know it's important for me to journal. And I know I did a post at the beginning of this fall talking about my fibromyalgia. So I am updating.......and I am really happy to say that my fibromyalgia during the cold fall and winter months - is soooo much better than it was last year. I don't know if it's because I am just learning to deal with it better and know how to ward off symptoms before they get too painful or if it is starting to burn itself out - which is what some Dr's have told me it will sometimes do after awhile - may come and go like that for awhile where some Winter's are better than other's and I may feel better for awhile - and then it may come back harder, or it may stay the same, or it may keep getting better. The burning in my arms that I had last fall and winter - hasn't happened at all this winter. My joints and muscles don't spasm and the cold air doesn't bother me as much. I don't talk about it much - I have chosen to deal with it in natural ways - some things really help and I stick to those things - Sleep is a major factor for me, as well as my stress level. Also sunlight is a huge one for me - I get out in the sun - and if there are days where there isn't enough sun then I have decided to order myself a light therapy box this winter to see if that will help me get through December and January-which are usually pretty gloomy and cloudy without much sun. So far we've had a lot of sun this fall and winter - and it's made a huge difference for me. Last fall and winter was colder and gloomier- a lot earlier! Another big thing is exercise - I haven't done a whole lot-I really need to start focusing on this part of my life....because for me - I've never in my life been as heavy as I am now - and I think since I am feeling so much better - I can start exercising and not exert myself into a fibro flare-up. I am so very happy with how much things have improved. I don't really talk about it much - because I feel like if I do - I am giving it power - and I refuse to let it be a huge part of my life. I also switched Chiropractors, and he has made a huge difference for me as well. He knows a lot about fibromyalgia - he is also a member of the church and has been practicing for along time. He says out of all the woman he sees with fibromyalgia - LDS woman tend to fare better in the long run. I keep pinching myself...I can't believe it's December - and I feel this good! So now my next goal is to get myself into a good exercise routine - and doing it in a way that won't put me in a flare-up. I am so happy how much things have improved! My Dr. had told me that there is such a wide range of symptoms with fibromyalgia patients. Each case is rarely the same. Some deal with it year round and it's a constant in their life - and I am grateful I do not deal with it to the extent. One of my dreams is to have a vacation home somewhere nice and hot.....so I can go there during the cold months. I am not a winter loving gal - I love the festivities, but not the cold and lack of sunlight! And after Christmas is over....I am pretty much ready for Spring to come. :)

Rasmussen Christmas Card 2011

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Joy and Magic Christmas Card

Make unique Christmas cards this year at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mikenna~FAST Training!

2011-12-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Mikenna decided during her soccer off season before basketball starts in January to do a FAST training program at the LifeQuest facility. Her and some of her soccer team members are doing it. It's twice a week for an hour and half and started the week after Thanksgiving and will go until the last Thursday before Christmas. Toby and I have watched what they do - it's a lot of plyometrics and speed and agility training - great for any athlete. Those guys really work the girls hard - it's like boot camp. I was blown away how well the girls did though for being only 10 years old. Mikenna is also thinking about joining an indoor soccer team with her coach and team mates soon. She's having a tough time deciding between the indoor soccer league or basketball. We may let her try to do both and see how she does - if it's too much then we'll help her make a decision between the two. I noticed today that she is a little gloomy - which she tends to do in December if she isn't busy enough - I asked her why she is gloomy and I reminded her that she told us she wanted a little break from competition. She responded with I did have a break - (I guess she didn't need a very long one). And she also told me that she misses being competitive. She is not liking the break and down time from being really active on a competitive team - and she likes FAST training but she says she needs competition in her life to be happy. Her coach is looking into the indoor soccer team which will hopefully start soon and I also signed her up for basketball and that will start in January. And then her first big soccer tournament of the year will be the end of February and then she'll compete in State Cup - and then a tournament in Boise, Idaho. After that there are try-outs again for Girls U12 for RCL. You basically can do soccer year round here.

Mikenna~Personal Soccer Training Sessions

2011-12-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

Mikenna....you know my daughter the one that said she wanted a break during her soccer off season-well now she has informed me that she is done with her break - which was not very long - and is filling up her plate because she is missing being active! She is taking some personal training sessions with her coach this month for an hour each week until basketball starts. I love that she knows what makes her happy though - because that makes me one happy momma!

Jaron~ 8th Grade Holiday Music Festival

2011-11-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Jaron had his 8th Grade Holiday Music Festival Concert tonight at the Three Rivers Convention Center. It was such a nice place to have a Christmas concert! There was the 7th/8th Grade Concert Band and also the Orchestra from his middle school and their Choir along with some other performers. It was so fun to watch him perform on his percussion instruments. Great Job Buddy!!

Thanksgiving 2011~Christmas Tree~Christmas Memories!!

2011-11-28T00:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight we put the final touches on the Christmas tree because we didn't quite get done with it the night before! So for Family Night, we finished the tree and also put the rest of the indoor decorations up!

The finished decorated, lighted tree!!

I had to include some older pictures of Christmas I have on my computer. I love to look back at how much my kids have grown. I don't like that they are growing so fast - but I love to see the difference in how they look from year to year.

2001

2010

2009

2010

2009

2006

Christmas 2009. I can't believe how much Jaron has grown in 2 years!

Above - the picture from 2011 - below picture from 2006.

Our 2nd Christmas in Washington! They have grown so much these past 6 years!

The first Christmas in Washington after we moved from Colorado!

I can't believe how much they have grown since we first moved to Washington! 6 years flew by!!

Our nativity on our entry way table.

On top of our tv!

Our awesome pellet stove! We love it during the cold winter months! The kids love to sit in front of it in the morning and get warm before they head off to school!

Thanksgiving 2011~Decorating Christmas Tree!!

2011-11-27T23:58:00.000-08:00

One of our traditions is I let the kids pick out an ornament each year. Jaron picked a Boy Scout ornament, Mikenna picked a Soccer ornament, and Brielle picked a Hello Kitty ornament.

I write the year on the ornament - and they each have a box of their own ornaments throughout the years. I am planning of giving them their box of ornaments when they are older.

Today we decorated the Christmas tree and also put up some indoor decor as well. Jaron and Mikenna did most of the tree building. They had fun doing it - and we had fun laughing at them being silly!

Thanksgiving 2011~Christmas Tree!

2011-11-27T00:09:00.000-08:00

Jaron and Mikenna - almost done! Mikenna was feeling a little claustrophobic trying to get the bottom branches done and wanted out! Jaron on the other hand liked being under the tree.

The finished tree! They were tired afterwards!

Thanksgiving 2011~Outdoor Christmas Lights!

2011-11-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

Today we decorated the outside of the house for Christmas! The kids all enjoyed helping Toby put the lights on the house. Toby even let Jaron and Mikenna scale the roof with him.....all I can say is I am glad I wasn't watching because I would have freaked seeing them on the roof. Brielle and I did some inside decorating while they were outside. I so love to see the Christmas lights on every night! One of my favorite things about Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2011~HUGO Movie!!

2011-11-26T23:42:00.000-08:00

Two of my kids - Jaron and Mikenna have read this book - Hugo. They both really loved it! We went to see an early showing of this movie during Thanksgiving break. Very good family film! We all enjoyed it! If you are looking for a good family movie to go see - which they seem to be very few and far between these days - this is an excellent one!

Thanksgiving 2011~Shopping

2011-11-25T23:23:00.000-08:00

So Toby and I tried something new this year. I usually do all of the Christmas shopping myself; Toby doesn't usually shop for his own clothes, let alone Christmas. He's just not a shopper....at all. So we decided to try and hit some of the 9pm, midnight, 5am sales during Black Friday. It was CRAZY! I usually do the early Friday morning shopping the day after Thanksgiving - which is still a little crazy-but we started out Thursday night at around 9:00pm - and there were lines of people outside stores already. Immediately, I knew this was not going to go well with my not so savvy shopping buddy. He really tried though and I really appreciated his willingness to go with me and brave the crowds of crazy people. He stood in lines for me while I shopped - I would get done shopping and bring the stuff to him while he was waiting in line - and then we would wait in line until we were able to check out. We really found some great deals that saved us a lot of money that we probably wouldn't have been able to afford if we hadn't made the Black Friday shopping trip happen. We were able to get all of our Christmas shopping DONE-and we saved a good amount of money doing so - it did reek havoc on our patience, because both of us hate huge crowds of people - so claustrophobic~ and we basically had no sleep since we stayed out from 9pm Thursday night to 6am Friday morning. Thank goodness it's a once a year thing! Oh the things we do for our kids!

Thanksgiving 2011~Pie!!

2011-11-24T23:17:00.000-08:00

We are pie lover's at our house! Basically they all finished their dinner - so they could eat the pie! If you give my kids a choice between cake or pie - they will say pie hands down-with the exception of cheesecake - they love that too. Toby and I made quite a few pies the night before. We also bought a couple. Altogether we had 7 pies just for our family. We let the kids pick what pie they wanted to have for Thanksgiving. Mikenna picked Key Lime Pie, Jaron picked Pumpkin Pie, Brielle picked Marionberry Pie, Toby picked Coconut Cream, and I also made a Pumpkin pie made with pumpkin spice pudding - really good! Toby and I made them all except for the Marionberry - we bought that pie at Yoke's! We had a yummy dinner with all the fixings! We also went around and we all took turns saying what we were thankful for. The kids also made up their Christmas lists for Santa.

Thanksgiving 2011~Rollerena!

2011-11-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

Our family planned some fun things to do together over Thanksgiving....1st activity was Roller blading at the Rollerena. My kids loved it!! Brielle was able to by the end of the night go a little by herself without help. She was very determined to learn. Jaron and Mikenna haven't roller bladed much - but they took to it very fast and didn't have any problems. Toby and I on the other hand....are sore! But we had a great time together! We had chili afterwards for dinner; and after Toby and I got our kids to bed, we made 5 pies for dinner the next day!