Merry Christmas!

What a holiday! From celebrating Christopher's 12th birthday to the passing of my Grandpa Ed, it was a very emotional weekend.

The Gargano's went all out this year - a new camera for Jamie & I and Ariya's first real art-supplies were the highlights of the Christmas Eve celebrations. Grandma & Grandpa Rasmussen renewed our zoo memberships and the Hickey's decked out our surfer girl in some hip California threads.

Christmas morning came later than normal (8:00 am!!!) and with it, brought a whole bunch of fun for Ariya! By far, Super Grover, the Sit & Spin and (sigh) the Mt Dew were the big hits. Mommy scored with new aqua-marine earrings and Daddy raked in some iPad toys.

After spending the day together, the 3 of us rolled over to Grandma & Papa Sweeney's for Christmas dinner. The place was hopping! Chris & Kristina brought Ian and Adam over; Patrick, Helen & Max were there along with the Sweeney gals: Suzie, Erin and Shannon.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Holiday season is upon us again; cards will be in the mail this week! Grandma Rasmussen bought Ariya a beautiful Christmas dress and we all went with to visit Santa Claus this weekend. Ariya wasn't too into meeting jolly old St Nick this year but next year, I think she'll be all about it.

Here's a sneak peak at the our holiday card.... None of these images are actually IN the card - they are just too cute NOT to share!

Lots of Love!

Some fun pics

Ariya's first pair of Ugg's - thanks Uncle Tony & Aunt Trisha! 

Oooh I love my Gamma & Poppa!! 

Buckethead Rasmussen 

No.... I'm not doing anything naughty... 

Flashdance 2.0 right here. 

Kickin it with my nuk.

Showin off her boots with the fur... No apple bottom jeans tho

First snow of 2011-2012 winter - LOVED IT! 

Just catching up on some paperwork, don't mind me... 

Pooh needed a diaper change. 

Random cuteness; Enjoy!

So much to be thankful for this year!

Gobble Gobble! 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

I love the country life, momma! 

The Rasmussen's traveled over the river and into the woods for Thanksgiving with the McClure family this year! Mark & Debbie hosted the holiday at their beautiful new home in Prescott, WI and Melissa was home from Chicago to celebrate with the family.

Princess Elmo takes on the Eden Prairie Mall

Halloween 2011: The Rasmussen's opted to take on the rough alleys of the the Eden Praire mall. We witnessed masked children, frazzled parents and overwhelmed Halloween newbies at the mall. This was a very smart decision on our part. Not only were we minutes from home, Ariya was able to show off her Princess Elmo costume in a warm, relatively controlled Halloween environment while fulfilling her parents annual free-candy quota.

Whoa.

We still don't know who had more fun, mommy or Ariya.

"So... I dress up real cute, carry a pumpkin around & you give me candy? Sounds good!"

Thank you for the candy, huge gorilla.

Pumpkins!!

On Sunday October 30th, Ariya & mommy ventured over to the Horner's to carve our pumpkin with Adam & Ian. We had so much fun! Ian was very busy with decorating his pumpkin while Aunt Kristina, Debbie & I gutted the seeds & gook out of ours for carving.

End result? AWESOME Halloween decorations!

Oh, this is mine? Thanks! 

Ian & ALL of the pumpkins!! 

Uncle Chris has us captivated... 

Adam & his momma - chillin 

Garcon - this  is not what I ordered... 

Spooky Ghosts 

Yes; that is me with my hand in a pumpkin. My mother never thought she'd see the day... 

Fall Fun I l

Loves the slide! 

Home - dominating Daddy. 

MEA day off with the Gargano's!

I love my cousin, Joseph! 

Picasso ain't got nothin on this kid.... 

BIG slide at the zoo

Little girl at the bottom of a big slide! 

OTTERS! 

Brummm brummm - tractor time! 

Hi from the Zoo Farm

Finally - The Elmo Princess Custom has arrived.