2012 - for reals?

Par for the course, my 2012 updates are WAY behind. Oh well. What's new for the Rasmussen's you ask?
Hmm... January was rough; we fought the flu, colds, and random illnesses but February has been germ-free so far (knock on wood...) Ariya has started to have Thursday Over-Nights with her Grandma & Poppa Sweeney, allowing for Miranda & Jamie to have a date night! Our first date lead us to Chili's and then to an 8:30 bedtime; I know. You can say it; we are out of control.

February should be pretty mellow with March bringing us Ariya's 2nd birthday, can you believe it?! The theme is still being decided - will she go with The Wiggles? Elmo & the Sesame Street crew? The new love, Dora the Explorer? The possibilities are endless for celebrating a rock-star 2 year old.

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.