Birthday Eve

G'ma and G'pa Rass came up the night before our Ground hog's big day to tell her happy birthday. They took us out to Kneader's

where Grandpa bought Mimi that birthday cannoli she has been dreaming about since the episode of Cake Boss where they made thousands of them for a Disney World convention.

She wants to open a restaurant with her cousin Anna.

"M & A's"

where she will be the pastry chef, and Anna will run the restaurant as well as be in charge of general atmosphere.

Kneaders knew it was a special day and had the place decked out.

Here is the last picture ever taken of Mimi as a 6 year old.

6.9 if you will.

A Bit O'Creativity

Miriam's hundred day collection needs to fit into this zip lock bag.

Mimi saw the magic model clay snakes Bub had made in Joy School (S day) and got an idea.

She started making "snake pots", and at first she wanted to make one hundred tiny snake pots. We mulled that over and decided to put one hundred dots on one large snake pot.

Blurry but cute, and I am betting the only snake pot that shows up on Thursday.

After we had used felt to make our witch hats for Cristin's Witch Hat Soiree, Miriam got a vison of what to do for this years Refections contest (4 months ago).

She worked very hard, spent many hours cutting and glueing and sewing.

Hard work payed off!!

Sweet Baby Blue

When I lived in Massachusettes, I drove a blue nissan sentra that Sister Pfunder and I dubbed "sweet baby blue". I loved that car, I love P-funder, I love Mussachassetes, and I love our new "sweet baby blue" Madsen.

We haven't had much of a chance to take it out since I got it as an anniversary gift in December, but last Saturday we had a moment of good weather.

The kids love it, and I had forgotten how fun it is to ride a bike! When the snow came, and chased the kids inside, I went for a ride all by myself (while it was snowing).

We live in an area that is small enough to be safe riding a bike around town, but big enough that the grocery store, library, and other weekly ventures are within walking or riding distance. So that is the plan, ditch the car and load the kids into the Madsen.

Save some $ in gas, burn some calories that very much need to be burnt, and have a bit of family fun that everyone can participate in.

Darin is working on a car seat that will work for this guy,

and Miriam will get lots of practice on her circus performances.

Signature Alicia

A few details

like button boutonnieres....

Surprise Mini Cooper cakes...

and Black and white photo booths.

The sprites got their turn!

In Between

There were 3 hours to kill after pictures but before the reception started. For some odd reason we {and our three kiddos} were not asked to help set up. Wierd huh? Like they didn't want kids hands in the candy bowls and vases full of flowers tipped over or something.

We could have driven home but why when we are surrounded by fun things to do?

We ate at the Nauvou Cafe with some family members, took a ride in Joseph Smith Building's tummy jolting elevators {I love old elevators...who needs smooth?}, and rested warm, full, and happy on their velvet couches.

And have you seen this??

It's a doll house sized replica of the temple inside and out...amazing!

Watched some Mormon Ads.

Teared up a bit.

Then ran over to the Church History Museum to see beautiful art, and old artifacts.

They just finished a new Children's exhibit so we spent the bulk of our time there.

This is our family in Biblical wooden dolls.

Darin is the most accurate, with that handsome beard.

Bub LOVED this boat.

He played with whoever stepped inside, handing them a fishing pole, or saying "Aye, aye captain!" over and over until they responded.

Miriam did a little of everything but ran to the South American dress ups and dance tutorial first. Who wouldn't want to wear such a lovely swishy skirt. I came very close to putting one on myself. If I didn't feel strange in public, I could happily swish around all day in one.

Wouldn't vacuuming be more fun in this??

Once again we have Tyler and Alicia to thank for our fun afternoon. We have been meaning to take the kids to the museum for a while but never seem to make it down there.

Their wedding gave us the perfect opportunity.

The Temple

"Love is a Choice"

That was my favorite part of Tyler and Alicia's sealing.

It was a beautiful January day.

Cold of course, but I didn't need a coat and Alicia had given out hand warmers to anyone who wanted them.

A bit of chivalry, and sweetness.

{My sister-in-law Lisa knitted the blue shawl}

Miriam was in heaven with this wedding.

I remember being her age and looking at brides in awe.

She wanted to be apart of everything.

Miriam is distressed when the boys match and she has no one to match with.

Luckily Anna {and Cristin} fill the void not having a sister leaves.

It's easy to choose to love these people.

Mothers & Daughters Shower

It's the beginning of a new era for Darin's side of the family.

The first Grandchild is getting married this weekend, which is startling to my sense of time.

I met Alicia when she was a pixie haired 6 year old who "didn't care for boys or tomatoes".

I wonder if she changed her mind about tomatoes?

Our niece has such a wonderful relationship with her Mother, and both her Grandmothers, it seemed perfect to celebrate with a Mother Daughter Shower.

It was a beautiful day.

Alicia made us all cry when she broke down in tears expressing her love for her mother.

Happy tears, sugared pecan salad, lots of diet coke, creme brulee, monogramed dish towels.

A REALLY beautiful day.

In theory, I helped host this shower but in reality it was all my sister-in-law Cristin.

Her vision, her hard work, I just ran a few errands.

The party included:

A wish tree for the bride

Wonderfully girly luncheon

Get to know Alicia and Tyler game

as well as a few other little games

Opening of the gifts

and then pictures of Moms and Daughters

as well as...

Grandmas and Granddaughters

{Alicia will send out the pictures in her Thank You cards.}

He crawled today!

He does a few movements forward, stops to sit and scream, rocks back and forth and then moves forward a bit more.

Like he is saying "Get over here and pick me up dang it!"

It's a crawl out of necessity not pleasure.

Happy New Year!

There were no illegal fireworks this year, but don't even think that kept us from celebrating in style. We had sparklers and snaps from the 4th of July, and Sarah had bought the New Years party pack from Walmart. Oh yeah, there will be celebrating.

Earlier that night......

Madison and Miriam were ready for Won Ton training. Sarah was their master teacher.

Good Job grasshoppers.

Mom was there to supervise the cheese and chocolate fondue so it was perfect this year as well. We ate early so the littles could be properly put to bed before the games began.

Some of the adults drifted off during this period....they never made it back.

We played some 'Would You Rather' until the count down began.

Whooo Hooo!

{you wouldn't believe how cold it was!}

Julia doing her New Years Dance which was to the tune of her Walmart horn.

Sarah giving her some room.

Me trying not to pee my pants from laughing at Julia

We went inside for the Martinelli's toast.

Happy 2011!!

Snow Fun

We did get that romantic snowshoeing in.

We made it to the top of the mountain and were happily exhausted the rest of the day.

Uncle Mark entertained us on his homemade jump when it got too cold.

Below 0 temps most of the time.

Good clean fun.

Lots of dinners hosted by Cristin, and not just through the holidays.

She is always so gracious, inviting us to this dinner or that.

It've said it before but it's so wonderful having cousins on both sides of our family.

Luckily, Darin had enough vacation time he had to use or lose he could take the whole week between Christmas and New Years off. That made it easier to go from my parents to his parents without rushing.

Of course, every nook and cranny of G'ma and G'pa's house was filled with Christmas. Figurines and treasures to look at every where you turn!

And....of course G'pa was working on a a new hobby. This time it was fused glass. We've done a bit with him before but this was a different process.

Everyone in the family is going to get a glass treasure.

We opened gifts, ate delicious food, and then took advantage of the freshly fallen snow.

{Look closely at Mimi the chimney sweep}