The Rigtrup's

HELP ME, I'M FAILING AT THIS BLOGGING THING!

2010-04-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends!

I'm sure there are some of you out there that occasionally look at our blog and can't help but notice that I just quite writing/recording on it. I'm sorry for all the good times I've lost by not recording. I've been SOOO overwhelmed over the last 10 months. I've been bucking everything I enjoy doing (decorating, crafts, school, shopping, general projects, ect.) and have been concentrating on just breathing and getting through a more difficult time for our family.

I'm sure you see that I'm a year out with all my entries. We really do have some great stories and times to share and since this is my journal of sorts, I feel that I need to get back on the horse and get going. Why am I telling you this? Occasionally I look at a lot of your blogs (through others) and am so impressed with all you do and all you are. You are an inspiration to me and I'm hoping that you'll include me in your blogging world and give me pointers, tips and encouragment to GET GOING. I'm computer challenged and have a hard time figuring out how to post others blogs. Send me an email or respond to me with your address so I can post your blog onto mine and go into it more often.

But enough with the excuses...I'm going back about a year. I promise if you look at it you may see yourselves and hear some interesting stories to boot!

Much Love To You All! Thanks for your friendship!
Stephanie

AND WE'RE OFF! Copenhagen Denmark - May 12th

2009-10-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 11th at 6:45pm, we flew out of Seattle to Copenhagen, Denmark on our way to Paris, France. It is not an overstatement to say that I'm a nervous flyer. I had sweaty palms and a stomach ache for at least the first 6 hours of the 14 hour flight. I do not like to be off of solid ground and I was also worried about leaving my children but once I calmed down and slept on the plane (not much) I felt so much better. I was really excited about our adventure. Hyrum is such an easy-going traveler he was fine when we were in the car on the way to the airport.

As we were flying into the Copenhagen airport, everything was so beautiful. It is so green and there's lots of farmland. We could even see the Oresund Bridge that links Denmark to Sweden. The Copenhagen airport is huge with a lot of shopping, expensive shopping. It was so nice in comparsion to Chales de Gaulle airport in Paris, which , believe it or not, is an absolute dump.

We had a 4 hour layover so we decided to catch the train (like a subway) and head into downtown Copenhagen. While on the train, at one stop this group of kids, about 5 of them, got on. They ranged in age from about 6-9 years old. I kept watching for their parents but the kids were the only ones who boarded. This was our first introduction to Denmark. Hyrum and I were somewhat alarmed that they weren't with any adults but as we made other stops, more kids got on and we realized that this is completely normal here. (I can't say I even want my kids riding their bike up to the school by themselves let alone letting them ride all over town on a Subway system with out me.) Denmark has a very low crime rate.

As we got off and came up the stairs, I took one look at the city center and fell in love with Denmark! Everything was so cute! It was also so clean. And as we walked around people were really friendly and so happy. We also saw more kids by themselves playing and bikes everywhere! Unlocked bikes! I hope we can go back to Denmark and take our kids with us - I think they'd love it!

Bikers were everywhere!

The city center. Lots of people sitting on the benches eating ice cream around the square.

We were actually supposed to be in this picture but the guy who took it thought Denmark looked better than the Rigtrup's! ;)

Like France, Denmark also uses the tops of buildings to advertise.

A typical street with lots of shopping.

NONE of these bikes were locked up! Check out the Angels and Demons poster in the background. We saw that poster all over France too!

Outside cafe. Lots of young people socializing. We wondered if it was a holiday or if these people work?

Across the street from this was a Frankfurt hot dog stand. I wish we got a picture of it! We paid something like 300 krone (DKK) for each one (I think about $5). We had it Danish style with some sort of red sweet sauce, mustard and cucumbers. Yum!

Lots of cobblestone.

Ran into the LDS missionaires coming to Denmark from the MTC. They were happy to see fellow Americans!

Hyrum took this picture while we were waiting for our flight to Paris. I was exhausted from the time change.

Baseball - March/April/May

2009-10-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm his Mom, but I have to say that my son really is an excellent baseball player. I should've know that would be the case as he follows in his very competitive Daddy's footsteps! This was a really good season and Bailey smacked the ball for a home run numerous times! It is so fun watching him play any sport! I enjoy Bailey's competitive nature and love of the game. Keep it up dude!

Smack!

Go, Bailey Go!

Stop! You're safe!

He's got it!

He's Out!

Gabriella's idea of watching Bailey's Games :)

Easter - April 12, 2009

2009-10-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, well, I hate to say it but dyeing Easter eggs is probably my least favorite holiday tradition. (I actually can't stand it!) And it never fails that I procratinate it to the Friday or Saturday before Easter Sunday. So if, your wondering why my kids look ridiculous in their "dyeing gear," it's because I try my hardest to not have green/purple/yellow hands and finger nails at church on Easter. (Yes, I'm "that" mom!) At least I can put white gloves on Ella on Easter. It's definitely a kid favorite activity!

Ready to go in our painter shirts, nasty gloves with the ghetto cups used specifically for this purpose.

Let the dying begin!

My cute kids! (Bailey's into the chipmunk smiles right now.)

Spring Break at Multnomah Falls - April

2009-10-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

This year we went to Vancouver/Portland area to visit my cousin Heather and her family for Spring Break. We always have SOOO much fun with them! Heather and I took the kids to Multnomah Falls. It was really fun!

Aden, Gabriella, Owen, Liam and Bailey in a cave at the falls.

Smile!

The whole group!

My little ballet dancer.

At the fish hatchery by the falls where the fish were enormous. Ugly too!

Yep, these are mine!

This water fountain was a huge hit with the kids. They all had huge water circles on their shirts when we left!

Throwing rocks!

Pinewood Derby - April

2009-10-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

When Bailey turned 8 he went into Cub Scouts. This is a whole new world to me! Thank goodness Hyrum understands everything that goes on with Scouting and building a Pinewood Derby car. Bailey and Hyrum had a ball coming up with the design of Bailey's car. It's all about the race (and not just for the kid either).

The project car that took hours! Good job Bailey and Dad!

Watching the track and clock.

Bailey placed 7th. He wanted 1st but got some good ideas to improve the car for next year.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - March 17th

2009-10-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

I'm Irish and I think Hyrum has some Irish in him too. So every year we believe it's important to celebrate St. Patrick's day. It's more because we have so much fun doing it (Irish music and all)but we also share stories or facts about the day. I cook corned beef with cabbage, soda bread and all kinds of other green things like lime jello, green mashed potatos and green beans. This year we invited family to share the Luck O' the Irish!

Green, Green Everywhere!
Grandpa Rigtrup and Jordan joined us!

Let's go fly a kite.....(Mid-March)

2009-10-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to get away and fly a kite. That's what we decided to do on a Beautiful Cold March Wednesday. Hyrum played hookey from work and we kept the kids home from school to get away as a family for the day. It was so much fun and such good bonding for us. These are some of the pictures. I have a lot more mental snapshots of this day. It was a good happy day!

First thing Gabriella did was peel off toward the water!

For hours Bailey and Hyrum flew kites. They raced and had so much fun laughing the whole time.

Yep, the doll came too!

Loves...

Trying my hand at flying a kite.

The coast line was so beautiful. I wish I lived right by it. The waves were so soothing to listen to.

Gabriella was a sandy mess. She loves to get right in and experience life!

Sitting in the sand and sunshine.

Bailey

Bailey and Gabriella

Hyrum's 35th Birthday! March 8th

2009-10-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

Hyrum's Birthday was on Sunday so we decided to celebrate Saturday night after Bailey's Baptism. Heather (my cousin) and Ken and family were up for the baptism along with my sister Beth so we decided to go to dinner at Famous Dave's. Love it! We had a great time despite I couldn't get any good pics of Hyrum. Happy 35th Birthday!

I said "Say Cheese" and this is what they did....
Heather, me and Beth

Aunt Beth, Gabriella, Liam, Bailey, Owen and Aiden having pizza just before we left them with the babysitter.

Bailey's Baptism - March 7, 2009

2009-10-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Our Bailey was baptized today. Lots of people came to his baptism to celebrate his decision and example. His cousins and friends sang, his Grandma Rigtrup and Great Aunt Louise spoke (great talks on Baptism and the Holy Ghost), his sister gave him lots of hugs and everyone enjoyed a banana split or two. The spirit was so strong. I'm so thankful he made this covenant and promise. We will never forget - it was truely a beautiful day!

Child of God
Bailey & Dad.

My Sweet Bailey!

Family Picture

Waiting for the program to begin.
Cousins and Friends sing "I Am A Child Of God."
Grandma Patti with Bailey

Grandpa and Grandma Rigtrup

Aunt Beth having fun with the kids....

Banana Splits - Yum!

Everyone enjoying and socializing after the baptism.

Bailey's Announcement and Invitation

Bailey's B-day Party - February 14th

2009-10-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you ask your son "What kind of a Birthday party do you want to have this year?" and his reply is "Mom, I think I'd like to have a Abraham Lincoln Birthday party." You make it work after you pick yourself up off the floor! LOL!

I had to get really creative but we had fun and even Honest Abe himself showed up! Hee, Hee, Hee!

Decorating the house! Red, White and Blue were the colors of the day!

Abe storytime. Yeah, the boys were REAL interested....

Penny Toss

Party On!

Good old Abe!

Grandma Patti and Gabriella at the party!

Penny Cupcakes! This was a stretch - I had to hunt for chocolate pennies!

Party Favors

Bailey turns 8!!! February 12th

2009-06-13T23:46:00.000-07:00

My baby boy is no longer a baby....he is now at the age of accountability! Bailey turned 8 and I found myself wondering where all the time had gone! Seriously, it seems like we just had the kid blessed and now he's on to baptism!

We have a tradition with the kids of going out to dinner (anywhere of their choice) on their Birthdays but Bailey had asked me to make a crab dinner. It was an awesome request that we all enjoyed! We then headed out to a movie to top off the night.

As Bailey was born on Lincoln's Birthday, another tradition for Bailey's day is that he gets an Abraham Lincoln book on his birthday. He has quite a collection!

Welcome to 8 big guy!!!

"I Love You Roxie"

2009-04-04T13:26:00.001-07:00

Roxie is well loved, especially by Gabriella. I'm amazed at how much love toward animals Ella has. It would not surprise us in the least bit if she grew up to be a Vet or a Zookeeper or lived on a Farm. Regardless, I know she'll have a ton of animals in her care someday (just not at our house \"/).
I came downstairs one day to find that she had made Roxie a picture and posted it up right by her bed. She loves her wanted her "To be happy and always think of her (Ella) when she looks at it!" Since then Roxie's art wall has been growing and she now has 5 or 6 pictures tacked up to look at. I can't bring myself to take them down. So they'll stay there till they fall down. I really love watching my children's personality unfold - I really love being a Mom.

Winter Writer's Cafe - January 16th

2009-04-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Bailey has the neatest 2nd grade teacher this year - Ms. Faire. She's young and vibrant and really willing to go the extra mile for her class!

The kids wanted a Christmas party but with all the having to be politcally correct crap, Ms Faire was told she couldn't have one. So in an effort around this, she decided decided to have a Winter Writers Cafe as an alternative. The kids were told to write a poem or a story that they were going to get to read to their parents at the Cafe. She sent home cute invites and had cookies and hot chocolate. This was supposed to take place December 12th, the last day before winter break, but the snow came with a vengence and the kids started their winter break earlier. So it got rescheduled to January 16th. Bailey had wrote a poem and a story (which he tried to finish but it was really long). He read the Poem at the Cafe. I'm a proud Mom!

Bailey's Poem - The Snow Man:

The snow was falling

My bad sister was drawing

A snow man was walking

He filled my stocking

With a bunch of candy

And his name was Manny

This is Bailey sitting next to his good friend John. Bailey thinks John looks like Slash from Guns N' Roses. He calls him that! (LOL! But I think he does too!) Bay wishes his hair was like this - Oh No- I think we may be raising a little rocker!

"Mommy, I WANT TO BAKE SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!!" January 5th

2009-04-04T12:10:00.000-07:00

Gabriella has been enjoying spending time with me in the kitchen. She loves to cook and do anything bake wise! She's usually attached to my hip in the kitchen. The only thing she wanted for Christmas this year was an Easy Bake Oven. I remember wanting one so badly when I was her age! So my little Chef received one (amoung other baking stuff) from Santa Claus this year. (I definitely want her to love to cook and bake.) We had so much going on after Christmas that we didn't have time to do the Easy Bake and use her new cupcake decorating machine (which by the way, was a complete piece of junk and waste of money). She also had been playing with her other new toys.

On the first day back to school (Ella's a Kinder so she goes to school in the afternoon) that morning she came to me and told me that she wanted to bake something using her new oven. I told her that the next day would be better but she wouldn't have that! "NO! Not tomorrow, I WANT TO BAKE SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!" Now usually I don't tolerate the temper tantrums well but I could tell she really wanted to do this and I felt bad that we had waited so long to do it. So I put my plans on hold and we had a morning in the kitchen baking. She baked a little round cake and frosted it. She thought it tasted perfect. (I thought it tasted disgusting! But that's Easy Bake cake mixes for ya!) We then baked more cupcakes from a regular cake mix so she could use her frosting machine to decorate them! I really enjoyed my time with my daughter and I'm really thankful she LOVES to cook and bake.

Happy 2009 New Year!

2009-04-04T12:05:00.001-07:00

We celebrated the new year at our good friends, the Bakers, house with a large group of people and kids. It was so fun! I'm grateful to have such good friends! I usually get a picture with all of us on New Years Eve and then the New Year! This year, I have no idea what I was thinking, but I forgot. So Happy New Year! I hope 2009 is going to be a good year!

Surprise! We're going to FRANCE!!! December 27th

2009-04-04T11:38:00.000-07:00

Ever since I've been 12, I've had this obsession with Paris. I've dreamed of going there and seeing the Eiffel Tower and all the beauty that France has to offer. I took French in High School, studied Fashion in College and even decorated Ella's room with a Parisian flair. I love hearing about French culture and looking at pictures of the Eiffel tower. I'm all about France - My beloved France!

So when Hyrum and I got married I told him it was a dream of mine to travel to France. He told me that someday we would go there. In 13 years we've been working hard on getting his schooling done and having our babies. Now that the kids are 6 and 8 and Hyrum's got his Masters with a good job - it's time! We had been talking about doing a large trip, a second honeymoon, for about a year. I kept dropping hints that Paris would be fun to go to but we hadn't made any committments or plans. So on Christmas morning, much to my surprise, I opened my stocking to find French CD's, French vocabulary book and a traveling France itenerary book. I looked at Hyrum and he smiled and said "I think it's time to plan your trip!" I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS MAN! HERE WE GO!!!!

On December 27th we booked tickets to travel in May for 12 days! I still can't believe it! It seems surreal! We're going to Paris, Versailles, Caen (to see the Normandy beaches), Loire Valley, and then to Nice (and surrounding cities like Marseille, Monacco and Monte Carlo) to see the Mediterranean. It should be quite a trip! Thanks to my Mom, Hyrum's Parents and Andrea for watching the kids while we're gone. I really appreciate them!

Have I said that I love my husband! Thank you Hyrum - you make all my dreams come true!

Cousin Sleepover (I must be crazy!) Friday, December 26th

2009-04-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

The girls were having so much fun with their new outfits and wanted to have a sleepover. I told them that the next night they could come to our house for one. They were so excited! I also had Caleb (Avery's older brother) over to keep Bailey entertained but they disappeared to go play Legos and the Wii so they weren't interested in picture taking. It was a fun, eventful evening! Hyrum chased and surprised the girls while I got it on the video camera! It's so funny - definitely something they are going to laugh about in later years! Lots of giggling and playing. I don't think they went to bed till midnight and I know the boys didn't fall asleep until 1 or 2am! We'll definitely be doing this again!

Lydia, Gabriella and Avery watiching Tinkerbell.

We had pink peppermint ice cream! Lydia couldn't get enough. I mean this girl licked that bowl clean! I asked if she wanted more and I could tell she did but the other two were wanting to go play so she opted to go be with the girls! So funny!

Christmas Evening

2009-04-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

We went over to Mom and Dad Rigtrup's home in the evening to celebrate Christmas with family. I was so tired from the days festivities that I didn't get a whole lot of pictures.

Grandma and Grandpa had given their 3 granddaughters a special gift this year. They had gone to the Shakespere festival in Oregon and had picked up these Renaissance outfits for the girls. It must have cost them a fortune! They are quite the outfits for dress-up. I can see these might be used for Halloween. The girls squealed with delight. It was really fun to watch. Grandma had also found the butterfly wands that lit up and played some Chinese rock song that drove us CRAZY all night. They had fun and she still loves dressing up in this outfit!

The beauties - Avery, Gabriella and Lydia

Butterfly Power! Max and Vance are the two looking longingly at the all important wands!
We (or I should say Gabriella) had drawn Lydia's name for Christmas. We decided to do a Pinkalicious theme (it's a really cute book). We gave her the book, pink skirt and I made the shirt. (I love it!) She looked adorable!

Roxie's Present

2009-04-04T02:38:00.000-07:00

Gabriella had been saying to me during the Christmas Season, "Mom, when are we going to get a present for Roxie?" I kept putting her off and forgetting about it with everything we had going on. So Christmas Eve she asked me again just before she went to bed. Oh crap! I totally forgot! She said it was OK because she had made her a gift. This was so precious I wanted to be sure it got on the blog! The next morning after we had our Christmas, Roxie got hers from our blessed Ellabee! So here's the gift....

A Homemade Puppet!

You can't see it here, but Roxie was afraid of this. I'm not sure if it was because it was attacking her (Ella's way of introducing the puppet) or if it was because she stuck it on her face. Either way Roxie had a present of her very own!

Ella's actually telling Roxie to be careful and not rip the puppet. She didn't want to "fix it" again!

Christmas Morning 2008

2009-04-04T02:25:00.001-07:00

Christmas morning tradition for the kids is you don't get to go downstairs until Mom and Dad are up. I like to go turn on the lights and music while Hyrum gets the video camera ready. I'm not sure how many more Christmases we have of them following this tradition. I could hear them yelling about the gifts before they made it to our room. It was a fabulous morning, a fabulous Christmas!

First Look (or was it...)

Gabriella so excited to see what Santa brought!

Bailey's new skateboard
A new doll for Gabriella (I think this makes 11. I know, but she asks for a doll every year for christmas and Birthday! What are you going to do? She's got her own orphange in the playroom!)

Loves and thanks! It had to be documented!

Christmas Eve 2008

2009-04-04T02:03:00.000-07:00

We had a different Christmas Eve this year - a very laid back evening. (Thankfully.) We had our good friends the Paternoster's over for dinner, decorated sugar cookies for Santa, talked about the Birth of Christ, saw Santa run across the yard, and then put the kids to bed. It was great!

Watching where Santa is on the computer. This was really cool because it showed the different time zones and how he was making his way toward them. (We started this in the morning!)

Marcie, Erik & Brooklyn and Bailey and Ella

Decorating cookies for Santa. More like eating cookies for Santa.

Mr. C's note to the kids
Goodnight to all and to all a Goodnight!

Winter Wonderland

2009-04-04T01:48:00.000-07:00

I love snow in the month of December! It makes Christmas! I think it's so beautiful. It's when it goes into March and April that I begin to really hate the white stuff. But it was really fun to watch the kids get giddy with excitement while playing outside.

Goody Gumdrops! It's the Rigtrup Christmas Party! December 20th

2009-04-04T01:25:00.001-07:00

So Hyrum and I have had a Christmas party for the last 4 years. I LOVE Christmas but I especially love this Christmas party. In the past it's been mostly an Elder's Quorum party but since Hyrum is no longer President, we decided to expand the guest list and make this an Annual tradition. I was really surprised we had as many guest show as we did since there was a serious snow storm outside!

One of the funnest things about the party (next to "no kids allowed") is the White Elephant gift exchange. It's hillarious! There's always such a selection of "gag" gifts. I think people plan for this all year! This year we had a box of junk (literally), men's thong underwear (with happy faces all over it), a "how to kiss/treat a girl" book from the 1950's (with personal notes) and a bunch of crazy other stuff! My stomach muscles hurt from laughing so hard!

Don't miss next year's "Ugly Sweater Christmas Party!" Game on!

Gary & Christi Jacobs, Krista Mitchell, Kelly Jensen and Jake & Cindy Rigtrup

Gary measuring how much is left in the bottle.... Making sure the Peguin lights up! A HOT gift this year. Remember to raid your local Big Lots for next years bird light up!

A VERY cold train ride to see Santa! December 20,2008

2009-04-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad Rigtrup decided to take everyone on the train to the North Pole (Snoqualmie) to visit Santa. We were so excited for the train ride until we discovered there is absolutely NO HEAT on board the train. WHAT?! I think this was the coldest day of the year.

We then had to wait outside to actually get into the building to visit the bearded man. Seriously, I don't think I've been this cold since I lived in Idaho during the Winter! The kids had a great time until they froze up but we are really grateful to Grandma and Grandpa Rigtrup for the experience and I think we all have a true appreciation for Santa! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa!

Bailey and Caleb

Hyrum and Dad

Me (just before my frost bite)

I tried to prolong this picture and visit as long as I could because we were warm and indoors!

The kids thought this guy looked cool in his vintage sheriff's outfit.

Ward Bethlehem Night - December 13th Evening

2009-01-11T00:07:00.000-08:00

This was really a fun night but a lot of work for our Church Activities committee. We had to come dressed in time period/cultural clothing. The gym looked amazing and we all had a fun time - eating (Hyrum), making sandels (Gabriella), laying around (Bailey) and socializing (Stephanie). I appreciated all the work that went into this and the amazing spirit of the true meaning of Christmas this brought. Bailey, the shepard.

Bailey hanging out with friends.

Seriously, all these boys did was lay around in the Syngogue! Funny how some things never change with time...

Nativity acted out by ward children and the Allen's! So cute!

Gabriella as one of the 10+ angels singing Silent Night! (I know, she doesn't look much like an Angel but I was sick of trying to put wardrobes together for that night and by the time I got to her I threw on her white sweater, a "Hyrum made" halo and her purple wings and called it good. She was not impressed with my efforts and let me know that she was more of a fairy than an Angel! Bad, Mom, Bad!)

Little Stevey visits! December 14th

2009-01-10T23:52:00.000-08:00

Steve, my brother, came in from Yakima to visit his son Daniel. We had a great time visiting and I'm so proud of him and his progress - he's doing fabulous and looks great! I'm excited for his future! Welcome back Steve!!! I love you little bro!

Bailey and Gabriella's Christmas Program - December 11th

2008-12-29T00:24:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad that we still have Christmas programs at our school. I remember singing my heart out in them when I was a child. Sometimes our society makes me sad because of so many decisions to get rid of that which can be priceless. Anyways, bravo to the Renton school district for continuing the beloved Christmas program! I really enjoyed hearing my kids sing "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!"

Bailey's in the very back. (Part of being one of the tallest kids!)

At home, after the program - had to get a picture - so cute! (The white stuff on Ella's dress is frosting from doing Gingerbread houses in class. She really piled on the candy! I had a blast helping the Kinders with this project - most don't know when to say when! )

SnowFlake Lane - December 9th (After Santa Pics)

2008-12-28T23:53:00.000-08:00

This is SnowFlake Lane - if you've been, you know it's a blast; if you haven't and plan on visiting around Christmas, this is definitely something you need to see! We've been every year they've been drumming and my kids really have a ball dancing around, laughing and oooing and awwwing over the drummers! The music is so loud that you can feel it and they broadcast it through downtown Bellevue. At the end, comes the snow (made out of dish soap that spews from the roof tops of the businesses) much to the children't delight! It's quite the production! The Snow Princess - new this year! (I think she looks like she should be in the game Candyland!)
Gabriella and Lydia gettin' down with Penguin!

Bailey (after eating a candy cane) standing where the drummers stand!

Let it snow!

Hugs from the penguin (also new this year)!

It's Tradition and We Love it!!! December 9th

2008-12-28T23:13:00.000-08:00

Pictures with Santa
Rigtrup Clan
August (in front), Toby and Avery on Santa's lap
Lydia standing in red dress, my kids and Caleb
(Becky's 3 boys were sick and couldn't make it)
Bailey actually wrote Santa this letter 2 years ago and it was on the the big guy's desk!

Cheese! Standing in line to see Mr. C

Avery (Cory & Brea's), my Ella, Lydia (Jake & Cindy's)

Every December we take a trip to Bell Square in Bellevue to see Santa (he's the best around) and have pictures taken. We've done this ever since Bailey's first Christmas. We now have 8 (years) pictures decorating the house at Christmas time. It's fun to see the kids grow and they look so precious in their Christmas outfits. I also appreciate hearing what the kids tell Santa they want - it keeps me on my toes!

At the same time my kids have their individual pictures we also do one for the Grandparents. (It didn't work out this year for my side of the family.) I love to see the kids interact with each other and both Grandmas really appreciate the picture each year! Then we head down to watch the drumming soldiers on SnowFlake Lane.

Smith Tower Christmas Party - December 6th

2008-12-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

Last year we were new to Hyrum's company (Compass) and we went to his work Christmas party 2 weeks after he started. It was at a tiny little resturant and soooo BORING! So you can imagine my excitement when we got the invitation in September that his party this year would be at the Smith Tower downtown in the ever famous Chinese Room.

We had a blast! We ate, we danced, we socialized and walked around the top of the tower for a panoramic view of Seattle at night. So fun!

I'd love to show pictures but unfortunately we forgot our camera! So I'm posting a picture of the Smith Tower in daylight. We also walked out of the house without taking pictures of us all dressed up. Oh well - next year....

"Mommy let's have a tea party!" November

2008-12-21T23:13:00.001-08:00

This is a phrase I hear all the time - and I love it! Gabriella was born all girl and really enjoys imagining whether it's with us, her friends or her dolls. I had to share this experience as it was a little more elaborate then usual!

When she asked me to come to the party she had laying out on her bed a full princess outfit (in her size 6 mind you), jewels, gloves, shoes (the plastic dress up type) and a crown. I did what I could by wrapping a feather boa around and putting on the jewels and crown. (There was no way I was going to fit "Princess Aurora" costume and I looked like one of the ridiculous "Step Sisters" trying to get those shoes on!) After we were formally ready for the party she introduced me to her guests - Madison "the doll," Anacordes Bubblegum" another doll," Sofia "the cat" and ? "the poodle" (Gabriella knows each and every one of her animals and dolls - I just need to catch up.) as "GRANDMA!" What?! I had to bite my lip as she was dead serious. We dined on plastic jewels (apparently cookies) and drank pretend tea because she "really doesn't like real tea."

Well, this was one memory that will live forever in the "Grandma's" mind! I love you "My Sweet Ellabee!"

Soccer Season Ends for Bailey and Gabriella (mid November)

2008-12-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

This year was Bailey's 3rd year in Soccer and Gabriella's 1st. It was great to watch both of them at different levels. We really enjoyed soccer this year!

Bailey had fun and scored a lot. He also got to be goal-keeper this year in a few different games. He is so natural at sports and so team-oriented!

We kept asking Gabriella if she wanted to play soccer and she kept responding "I want to dance and do cheer." Hyrum really wanted her to try soccer this year so we told her she could do dance, cheer and soccer (I know, I know, we were insane with the schedule we kept this fall!). To cinch the deal we also had to buy her "pink" soccer shoes! She did awesome though even if she didn't score a goal this season - I know she's only going to get better!

Bailey about to score a goal!
Fancy footwork!

(Gabriella in the pig-tails next to the girl in the green.)

Bailey just before soccer season started!

Gabriella in her "pink" soccer shoes starting the season!

It's a TWILIGHT kind of a night! November 21st

2008-12-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

Marcie, Me and Toni at the Pre-party! (I made these sparkle Twilight shirts!)
At the theater before the movie. Everyone in the picture is part of our group!

So excited for TWILIGHT!

Wheren't the Twilight books so good?! I loved them so natually I was really excited for the Twilight movie to come out! I watched the trailers over and over and followed Stephenie Meyer's website for scoop. Unfortunately, I was really dissappointed in the movie. I thought that it could have been cast better and the special effects were anything but special (to me they sucked). And I hated the bluish tint to the whole movie. I tried to find something nice to say about it and the only thing I can come up with is that I had a whole lotta fun with my friends that night seeing the midnight show! We were a group of over 50 so AMC gave us our own theater to be in. We got there early, just after the pre-party at a friends house, so we had a lot of time to talk and laugh. That was so fun! Hopefully New Moon will be better!

Maybe I should see Twilight again - probably not!

She's a Liberty Bell! November 15, 2008

2008-12-18T10:57:00.000-08:00

Her squad got the "Superior" award!
Cheering

Gabriella and her Coach!

Gabriella and her friend Callie. They had a great time together!

These are pictures of Gabriella's 2nd year of cheer competition with the Liberty Bells. She starts back up in January. We've really enjoyed seeing her LOVE this sport. She's always doing some cheer like "Big G, Little O, Go, Go" for Roxie Roo (our dog who tries to stay out of the way when she's kicking up her feet or jumping \"/) or cheering for Bailey on the sidelines of his soccer games! (Yeah, he's a little embarrassed, especially when she's running down the sidelines screaming "WOOO Bailey - you can do it!) She's quite the little cheerleader - "Bring It On, Ella!"

Our New President....

2008-12-18T10:55:00.001-08:00

O-Puke!

Phantom of the Opera

2008-12-10T00:21:00.000-08:00

(I forgot to put this in but it is so worth mentioning.) This year for all of our Birthdays (the girls of the Rigtrup family), Mom and Dad Rigtrup gave us all tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at the Paramount on September 20th. I loved the singing, the costumes, the set - everything! This was so fun! I will remember this Awesome night with my family always! I love you guys!

Picture of us at dinner just before the show.

(Left to right - Cindy, Me, Mom, Brea and Becky)

Gabriella's Golden Birthday (6 on the 6th of November)

2008-12-09T23:26:00.000-08:00

For Gabriella's 6th Birthday, we rented out Kidzbounce in Preston (just past Issaquah). It was such a blast - we had the whole half of the place to ourselves! The kids (and adults) jumped their hearts out for 2 hours! The whole evening was so special for Gabriella and we truely appreciate all her family and friends coming to celebrate her. It was a golden opportunity!

(Left)Blowing out candles on the "Hello Kitty" cake!

(Below) This year Aunt Beth flew in to celebrate with Gabriella!

(Left) It was all about this Throne! She couldn't wait to sit in it and open presents. She got lots of great treasures!

(Below) Grandpa Rigtrup noodle fighting the kids!

(Left) Gabriella taking a rest on her favorite bouncer! What an AWESOME day!

Winner of the Contest

2008-12-09T23:17:00.000-08:00

Opps forgot a major part of this year's Halloween! Gabriella won "Most Creative" pumpkin decorating contest K-1 at Maplewood Heights Elementary! She came up with this all by herself and I was quite surprised as she already had it loaded in the van when we went to take her brother to school at 8:20am. She was so proud of her little self - YOU GO GIRL!

Halloween

2008-12-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

The scary zombie!!!

Vigor and Gabriella (enough said....)

Family picture after the torture of innocent pumpkins just to look good for their holiday!

Squishing the guts out! Poor pumpkins!!

Short guy, zombie, witchy fat girl, faiytopia fairy

We had a blast at our Halloween trunk-or-treat, carving pumpkins, class parties, trick-or-treating with friends and enjoying our dummy - Vigor - who scared the crap out of a whole lot of people! You gotta love Halloween!!!

So Here It Is!!!!

2008-11-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

After so many people have bugged me to get on the blogging network, I have finally decided to jump off that bridge! I have serious annoyance toward scrapbooking so this is an attempt for me to keep a record of dates and events for myself and avoid scrapbooking like the plague! I am going to go back a bit, so be patient with me as I figure this out!