I won!

I'm loving my Carla Mancini clutch! I was able to wear it out last night when we went out with friends to Lucky Strike. It is so chic and beautiful. I can't wait to shop for more!

Thanks to B for posting about it on your fun fashion blog

and to Carla for doing a giveaway!

As awkward as this picture is of me, it features my new gem ;)

Christmas morning

grant super excited about his new basketball hoop

the other huge hit of the day was Buzz...of course...

If you asked Naomi what she wanted for Christmas, you heard a Cinderella dress and glass slippers.

Santa delivered!

I was so excited to watch the kids open their presents Christmas morning, I could hardly even sleep! I was the first one up, so I started to cook our traditional Christmas morning casserole, and set the table with the yummy berries and chocolate milk.

Santa spoiled these kids.

It was a fun morning!

Remembering Christmas Eve

sisters

playing outside

g unit disrupting the nativity

the cutest live nativity scene ever

danny working hard as the role of the cow

g was really excited about the candy Santa was handing out, but not so sure about Santa

Naomi could hardly wait for her turn on Santa's lap. She sat front and center and as soon as she heard her name, she was on Santa's lap in .5 seconds!

She asked for a cinderella dress and glass slippers, of course.

It also appears that she is showing Santa her beautiful shoes.

festive grandma opening some gifts

Naomi's gift from Grace (and Piper), such a hit with the little girls!

wild man grant, loving his new toy and uncle d

8 is great

Monday was our 8th wedding anniversary! I know, right?

We treated ourselves to French 75 in Laguna to celebrate.
It was meant to be. (us and the food)
I am still drooling over that prime filet and that chocolate souffle!
If you haven't been, you probably should go one day.
Maybe for your next special occasion?

A Christmas program

Naomi's duckling class and the froggie class did a Christmas Program. It was adorable seeing them say their little lines, even if they whispered them!

they read a book

sang some songs

and did a live nativity performance

(the three duckling girls)

Holiday Cheer

As soon as Thanksgiving is over we RUN to pick up our Christmas tree. Even Luke loves it!

Holiday bliss.

You will be missed

My Grandpa Rasmussen passed this last Friday at home surrounded by his wife and 6 kids. My sisters and I were able to share one last Christmas song with him while visiting on Wednesday. Jingle Bells will always have a different and special meaning to me from now on. It seemed extra special considering all the fond Christmas memories I have had in years passed with him. The Rasmussen Christmas Eve party has always been one of my favorite things about Christmas time.

A funny story I always think back on and laugh is when we were all in Hawaii and the boys went golfing. Doug jr. got some extra gloves from Grandpa and he quoted Dumb & Dumber. Grandpa was so confused and shocked, he had no idea why Doug would want to kill him! Lucky he quickly realized how funny and perfect that quote was:

"Extra gloves? You've had...this pair...of extra gloves...this whole time?? I'm going to kill you Lloyd!"

Grandpa was a generous, smart and a service oriented person who loved the gospel. Someone to strive to be like in many ways. But most of all, he loved his family. He was proud of us and wanted the best for us. We knew he loved us and always will.

Until we meet again Grandpa.

Some great tributes:

Sandi

Katie

Danny

Happy Happy birthday

He's my man and he had a birthday!
33 years young
(like George Clooney- only better with age)
We celebrated in Idaho at the Texas Roadhouse with his family.

Lucky us

Great Grandma Hansen had all of her kids visiting this Thanksgiving, so it was fun to visit with relatives that I hadn't even met. We were missing a lot of the cousins, but it was still a super good time.

Sasha and her friend Godwill

the whole Thanksgiving party

We helped Lacey and Mark break in their new gorgeous house, which was very nice of them!

They literally moved in that week, and we had a blast having the Christmas gift exchange there. The kids have so much fun together, it's too cute to watch.

(yes that is Grant licking the chair)

Naomi was loving her new dress and Tinkerbell bracelet from Aunt Lacey

Elefun! These kids were in heaven playing this game.

Snowed in

We were supposed to start our 2 day journey home today. It has been snowing hard since 2 a.m. and the storm stretches all the way to southern Utah with horrible visibility, so needless to say, we are staying put in hopes that tomorrow is clear! Driving all the 14 hours in one day with Grant won't be the best situation, but you can never plan around these winter weather conditions I guess.

The snow is really calming though. I like to just watch the snowfall from the window, while listening to my Christmas mix. I am ready to get a tree as soon as we get back!

Naomi is in heaven with all the snow, which is no surprise. When she is all bundled up, you can't get her back inside, especially when Grandpa is plowing snow with the 4wheeler!

Grant isn't too sure about the snow. He likes eating it (of course), but gets frustrated when his hands get cold. He doesn't last as long as Naomi outside in the cold, but I can tell he wants to!