One of Nelaine's favorite things is to go shopping with me. Here we are in Filene's Basement (they were closing, so we decided to check it out). Her favorite things to try on are accessories: hats, scarves, purses; she loves, loves, loves them!!

My kids are growing!

So, today was a snowy day. At 11 I had an appointment for Eli's 2 month check-up (he's 23 and 3/4 inches and 12lbs 13 oz now!). So I bundled up the kids and off we went. (We live close enough to the Pediatrician's that we can just walk-for which I am grateful when the roads are so bad!) By the time we got home, the kids were ready for lunch, but I wanted to get the walks scraped. So I got out a loaf of bread, the jars of pb and jelly, a knife and a spoon and told Robbie to make some sandwiches and come get me if he needed me. It was great to come back about twenty minutes later and have them both finishing up their sandwiches! There wasn't even a mess to clean up. I told Robbie, "Thanks for being so responsible." He told me, "Thanks for letting me be in charge." I can't believe how grown up he is!!

Robbie practicing

We're grateful for our freedoms and especially that Robbie can sing this song in school.

I made the most delicious dinner tonight. And since this is such a rarity, I'm totally bragging. I got the recipe from here:
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-mexican-stew.html

It turned out delicious! Even better, it was so easy. I had chopped the veggies last night and combined everything but the meat, potatoes, cilantro and lime, so I just pulled out my filled crock pot, chopped some potatoes and pulled some cooked chicken out of the freezer. Then right before serving, I fried some corn tortillas and made tortilla strip to use as "soup crackers." It was soooo yummy!

Here's the pic; too bad I can't post the smell :)

Today was a snow day for Robert (no school). He and Nelaine had fun playing the day away.

My favorite baby gear.

This is the one thing I wish I had had for my other two kids: a wrap. I use this when I walk Robbie to and from school and when Eli is fussy and I need to do stuff. It is great because I can put him in several different positions and it can adjust as he grows (and hopefully I will be able to adjust as he grows--at 12 lbs he is already getting pretty heavy!)

Merry Christmas Everyone! 2008 has been a busy year for us. This summer we moved from Mesa, Arizona to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Becca got to fly into Pittsburgh while Orrin took Robert and Nelaine and all our stuff in a 26 foot truck. Orrin, Robert and Nelaine had a great adventure and loved every minute of it! We love our new house. We live near a major bus line, a grocery store and a library in a nice neighborhood called Squirrel Hill. Orrin went back to school this fall at the University of Pittsburgh. He is working on his PhD at the Katz Business School, emphasizing in Decision Sciences. Becca is still teaching piano lessons and hopes to add a preschool music class this spring. She loves being able to stay at home with her children. Robert turned five this fall and started Kindergarten. He loves his teacher, Ms. Bishop, and has learned to read, add and subtract. His favorite part about school is recess. Nelaine turned three this fall. She is a joy to be around. She loves to dress-up, dance, and play instruments. She also loves to help around the house. Eli Thomas joined our family on November 28. He is a great baby and very cute. He weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20 ½ inches long. When he was four days old, he'd already gained an ounce over his birth weight and grown an inch! We hope this update on our family finds you in good health and happiness. We love celebrating our Savior's birth. We know He lives and stands with open arms to bless us in our times of need and of joy. May you have His blessings this Christmas and in the new year!!

Announcing Eli

Kay, so it's been over a year since I posted on my Blog--about time I posted again. On Nov. 28, 2008 Eli Thomas was born at 11:45 am. He was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 1/2 in. long. He is already 12 lbs and 23 in. long and he is only 6 weeks old. He is also already in his size 6-9 month clothes. It's a good thing I have all of Robbie's hand-me-downs. Otherwise I would never be able to keep up with this kid, he's growing so fast!!

October 2007

The Garden Snake. Orrin found a garden snake in my parent's yard. He and the kids loved it!



At the beginning of October, we made a quick trip to Utah. Robert had fun celebrating his birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen.


Robbie got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen after we went back home. He had fun!

Robbie and Nelaine Swimming-July 2007