Rasmania 102

Our Christmas Eve party started on the 22 nd of December and went until after 10:00 pm on the 24 th .  We did have daytime breaks, but basically it was one big party.  Our actual Christmas Eve party followed the usual format.  A huge Christmas dinner with way too much food; a fabulously acted nativity; a short Christmas program; the cousin gift exchange where each grandchild has a cousin to trade gifts with; gifts from grandpa and grandma (this year it was a book and a t-shirt); then the adult white elephant exchange.  This year went on as usual until there were two gifts left.  It was a little confusing, because there was only one person left to take a package.  Dan picked the larger of the two gifts and on top found an envelope that said, “OPEN THIS BEFORE THE GIFT.” Dan obediently opened the envelope and read the instructions: “Wow! You’re so selfless, you picked the game!  Have everyone write a Christmas haiku (anonymously).  Pick your favorite (after reading them aloud) and the

Foster Mei Howell joined our family on December 21, 2022.  She weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19 1/4 inches long.  We're so happy she's here and that everything went well, though Jennie had a long labor.  She had her "best laid plans," that the baby would be born on the 20th--Jordan's birthday (happy birthday, Jordan), so she went to the hospital around 7:00 pm on the 19th.  However, the baby took her time and came in the early morning hours of the 21st. Caitlyn and I went together to see Foster since Roy was out of town. We also celebrated Yuli's 2nd birthday this past week.  She was so happy with all the attention!  Dan and Jieun have gotten really smart and took her to the DI to shop for her birthday present.  She was excited to show us her treasures. Roy and I gave her the bike she's trying to ride. Caitlyn, Ori and I all performed in the Christmas Ice Show.  I think (and I've probably said this before) that this is my farewell performance.  It is so

 The Gender Reveal: Watch Ila's face Flaming Gorge in Winter Roy and I made another work trip up to the cabin last weekend.  It is cold up in Wyoming, but very beautiful.  We are seeing a different Flaming Gorge, with snow and ice covering a lot of the area. The wildlife are a little easier to spot since it's so quiet up there.                                This sheep accomodated us by standing still until we got a picture. I had time to bind my Christmas Quilt while we were at the cabin.  We also found time for a short walk.  The trail was covered by the snow, so we had to depend on the blue diamonds to find our way.  There are a lot of animals that prefer the trail, too, so there were a lot of tracks to follow. A few cute pictures were shared over the "Rasband Clan" the past two weeks Yuli--I wonder if she can hear the music through those air pods.                               Winter Wonderland complete with snow helpers: Ruby Bridget; Greta Poor Todd and Camden--