RoAd TrIp

Last weekend Jerry and I had some very good friends from Logan come visit us in Sheridan. After the long drive I don't know that they will be visiting again any time soon, but we did have a good time with them. We took a road trip up to see Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, Sturgis, and Devils Tower. Thanks Dory, Skyler, and Rowley for such a fun weekend!

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NeW nAmEs

I have now had Zola for 2 months and she has been healthy and well fed, but not overfed. My mom suggested though, that in order to keep her alive, I needed to repot the plants into separate pots, so they could grow. So after 3 new pots and dirt and water everywhere, I have repotted the plants and I think they all look much better and significantly less crowded than before. I hope that she will survive the transfer.The plant in the original blue pot will remain Zola but I feel that I should name each of the other plants individually. Any suggestions? Leave a comment of what you think we should name our other plants....

Zola

Plant #1

Plant #2

Plant #3

SnOw, SnOw, AnD mOrE sNoW!

Monday March 30th we woke up to this beautiful sight.....NOT!!!! We knew that a storm was going to be coming this past weekend and heard rumor of a BLIZZARD but we thought it was a little overkill. It sure wasn't. There was about 2 feet of snow in our yard, school was cancelled, and the whole town of Sheridan pretty much shut down because of it. There is snow everywhere. Jerry and I took 3 hours to shovel our massive driveway. I just can't believe how much snow there is and how it effected the town soooo much. April 3rd and 4th we got another large storm getting about 10 more inches of snow. No fun!

These are our cars in the driveway. The car on the far left is Jerry's work vehicle and there is so much snow that you can't even tell what it is.

This is our backyard with a small path shoveled in the front.

BaBy?....I tHiNk sO

I bet you thought I was going to say that I'm pregnant! Hah not for a few more years. We do have a new little bundle of joy or at least I think it is. Some of you may have heard about Penelope. She was a very pretty purple flower plant that Jerry had bought for me just after we were married. Well it was my job to make sure she got watered. Did I mention that I am not so good at remembering to do this? Well I'm not and my lack of watering, killed her. :( I know it is quite sad.

Well Jerry decided that he was going to give me a timeline of animals that I had to be able to keep alive before we could have a baby. No he isn't evil or anything it's more just to keep me occupied with something. We both want to wait before we have a baby. So the rules of this little "game" are that if I can keep our new bundle of joy, Zola, alive for 6 months then I can move up to getting a fish. If I can keep the fish alive for 6 months then I can get something like a hamster or rabbit. I have to keep each new pet alive for at least 6 months then I can move onto the next. From hamster or rabbit we would get a dog and if the dog lasts at least 1 year then we will have a baby.

The catch is, if I kill any of these along the way I have to start at the beginning. After my dad's funeral my mom was left with a plethora of plants and flowers and wanted badly for me to take at least one. Well she had heard about poor Penelope and said that I was more likely to keep a plant alive then a flower so here is the newest memeber of the Rasmussen family, Zola....

Lets just hope that I don't kill her too. I really don't mean to do it on purpose. I just seem to get caught up in other things and forget to water the plants. Wish me luck!

PiCtUrEs oF dAd!

My DaD

Many of you may know already that my dad passed away two weeks ago. I have spent the last week trying to decide what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it, but it's been hard to word things absolutely perfect so I decided to just share some of my memories about my dad.

Some of My Memories about My Dad:

-When I first started school at USU I hated it more than anything. I was close to home but yet so far away and so home sick. Dad was self employed so I could call and talk to him at any time. I called him at least once a day if not two to three times. Our conversations would last anywhere from 5 minutes up to an hour or more. I know that he was busy with other things but he always made time for me when I called. I wouldn't have made it through that first semester if it hadn't been for him.

-He was so patient, I can't even think of a time he ever raised his voice at me.

-He never had much to say but if he did man you better listen because it was either very profound or very hilarious.

-He was so willing to help with any school project I had.

-He made awesome dutch oven potatoes, dutch oven peach cobbler, and homemade rootbeer.

-He had a kind heart.

-He was a great example.

-He loved my mom and us kids more than anything in the world. He would have done anything to help us.

-He was always helping other people with their projects and putting his on the back burner.

-When it was dad's turn to make dinner he would make open faced grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup.

-He always made us Mickey Mouse or Little Mermaid pancakes.

-Dad loved No Bake Cookies.

-He also loved to have a thin slice of cheese on cookies or brownies.

-Right after Jerry and I moved to Sheridan I hit a deer one hit coming home from work, the car and deer were just fine. Well every time after that incident when I would talk to dad on the phone he would ask if I had hunted any deers lately.

-His grandsons brought so much joy into his life.

-He called our family the Anderson Family Circus. We lost our righ leader in our Family Circus.

-It took my mom a long time to get dad to take time off for a family vacation but when he did, we had some great times together.

My dad was great man. He was an example to each and everyone around him. Many have been touched by his love and friendship and he will not be forgotten.

BaR j WrAnGlErS

I never thought with Sheridan being such a small town that they would get many performances at the local theater here. Surprisingly though they have had quite a few big acts. Saturday night we had the opportunity to see the hilarious cowboy singing act of the Bar J Wranglers. Jerry had never seen them before tonight but I had seen them a few times when I was younger visiting Star Valley and Jackson Wyoming. It was quite a treat for both of us to see them. I would recommend seeing them if you ever get the chance.

IcE sKaTiNg

Interesting fact about Sheridan Wyoming....it is one of the only cities in Wyoming that still has an outdoor ice skating rink. The reason I bring this fact up is that Friday Jerry and I both had the day off and decided after the new fallen snow, that ice skating would be something new and fun to do (we get quite sick of just watching movies, because that is the only thing to do in this small town). So we get to the ice rink and I am brought back to the memories of high school when we would occassionally go ice skating at the Ogden Ice Sheet. I was quite nervous thinking I would fall on my butt almost immediately. However because I rollerbladed when I was in elementary school quite frequently, I felt like a pro on the ice. I can't say the same for my sweet husband. Living in such a small town he didn't have the luxury of skating let alone rollerblading and had only been ice skating once in junior high. He was a little nervous he would fall lots, but luckily that only happened once. He was quite good for a second timer. We had a great time but only lasted about an hour because of how cold it was. Although it was freezing I think we might just try it again very soon.

PiCtUrEs Of OuR aDoRaBlE nEpHeWs!!

I had such a great time in Utah visiting family. I especially love to spend time with our nephews Boston and Parker. I can't believe how much they are growing and getting their own little personalities. I miss them sooo much in between our visits to Utah!

This is Mr. Parker with his new Hulk gloves. He kept hitting everyone with them, it was pretty hilarious.

This first picture of Boston is of him in a drawer, he kept insisting on getting in there. I love Boston's hat! It is so adorable and I love this picture of him just sitting so quietly with his little feet crossed. I wish I could see these boys more! :( I sure miss them!

ChRiStMaS fUn!

This post is a little late but I still want to share it. We had a fun time putting up our tree together and making a gingerbread house. There is also a funny video of Jerry playing with the gingerbread people just for a little laugh. Enjoy.....

Jerry decorating the Christmas tree.

Our tree all lit up!

The finished Gingerbread House! We decide to take a bit and lick out of it. *NOT!* The frosting and gingerbread were disgusting.

This is Melissa and Jerry in Gingerbread form and human form.

Our hilarious video!

UtAh ChRiStMaS!

I had so much to be thankful for this past Holiday Season. I was able to (sadly without Jerry) spend Christmas in Utah with my family. Originally I was only planning on staying at my sisters and brothers house with my younger siblings because mom and dad were not due home from Arizona. Dad wasn't ready to come home just yet without a doctor to do check-ups every few days. His case was very serious and on December 22nd 2 doctors had refused to take over his case. There was one more hope with one more doctor and we were all very hopeful he would take over my dad's case. On December 23rd after talking to our mom, me and Kristy were pretty sad that they hadn't heard from the doctor and that it was likely mom and dad would not be home for Christmas. I spent the day shopping with Kristy, Jason, and Boston. We had gotten a call from Kory that he needed us to pick up Parker because he was stuck in Salt Lake for work (which was not unlikely for him). After picking Parker up from day care and feeding the boys some lunch we were unable to get a hold of mom and dad because their phones were off. Kristy said to me, "the only reason their phones would be off is if they are on an airplane right now!" and I said to her, "and that's why Kory is in Salt Lake picking them up from the airport!" It was funny that we had both figured out at the same time that mom and dad had fibbed and were on a plane home for Christmas. We were excited but I can't believe that mom had fibbed to me because I specifically asked her if she would pull a stunt like that and she said, "oh we wouldn't do that". Well we tried talking to Kristie to see if she what was going on and she said we were crazy but we knew we were right so Kristy called the hotel mom and dad were staying in and verified that they had checked out that morning. Chelsi had begun putting the puzzle together as well but me and Kristy kept saying that we shouldn't get our hopes up (even though we knew that mom and dad would be home shortly). We were talking to Parker and Kristy said, "we are going to see grandpa," Parker said, "no grandpa is in the hospital," and Kristy said, "no Santa is bringing him home," and Parker said, "no my dad is!" The whole time we were frantically trying to slove the mystery, Parker knew (at 2) that Kory was bringing grandma and grandpa home! After we got dad settled at home we took mom to Target (which is where Brady was working) and we just casually went through his check-out lane to show him that mom was home. He acted all sly like he knew the whole time. It was a great Christmas to spend together. This year it was more about health and being together as a family, not about the presants. It was nice to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Dad has a lot of recovering to do but we are still very excited that he is home. Kristy posted a similar post on her blog and I'd like to agree with her and thank all of you who were support to our family these last few months with fasting and praying. As Kristy said the Mayo Clinic couldn't have been better and more supportive as well as the Smith family. We love and appreciate all of you!!!

ThAnKfUl FoR muCH!

I just wanted to post how very thankful I am for all the friends and family that have given our family support during this time where my dads health has been wavering. Last Wednesday we were given news that my dad was close to going into liver failure and if that indeed happened he wouldn't be able to pull through. Me and all my siblings took Wednesday and early Thursday to travel to Phoenix Arizona thinking the inevitable would be happening. Due to faith, prayers, love, support, and fasting my dad was able to pull through and is doing much better. We were able to spend Thanksgiving together as a family with prayers that our dad would pull through. Our prayers were answered and we are all grateful for those that prayed for him. His liver count at one point was about 2200 when it should stay below 100. It's now down to just over 100 and he is starting to regain strength and eat again.

I want my mom to know how thankful I am for all she has done for my dad. While we were at the hospital many of us spent time there helping my mom with our dad. Her job has not been easy but she has stood by him every day with no complaints making sure he had everything he needed and was comfortable.

I am also very thankful for my dad and all he has done for me. He is such a strong man. He was struggling for his life last week and pulled through and is doing much better. We were quite scared this last week but we really have something to be thankful for today!

Dad and Mom we all love you very much!!!

A LiTtLe ScArE

Last Friday October 31st I was waiting for Jerry's phone call to let me know that he was back in town and I needed to pick him up at the police station. When I answered the call Jerry sounded like he was wasted and this was way out of the norm. I wasn't expecting to hear what I heard. He told me he had dislocated his elbow while doing some ground fighting drills at the academy. Jerry stated that his elbow had been dislocated quite severely. Jerry said that his elbow was so far out of place that it created a depression in his arm deep enough you could hold quite a bit of water in the hole where his elbow was. Jerry had been in the hospital since about 3:45 that afternoon. If any of you know Jerry you know that he is a big jokester about things and because of that, I didn't believe that he had really gotten injured and had to have it confirmed by another officer. At this point Jerry was just leaving the academy and wouldn't arrive home until about 11:00. He made it home safely but very sick from all the morphine they gave him. He said it was quite a painful thing until they got his arm back in place. He spent the last week in a wrap and sling and is now without recovering quickly to finish up at the academy. Luckily he is okay, just a little swore, swollen, and bruised. Here are a few pictures of his lovely arm.

Wrap Still On

Bruised

Swollen

23rD bIrThDaY

Friday October 24th was my 23rd Birthday! It was a great birthday! I wish I could have celebrated it with my entire family but I had a great time with Jerry! These are the beautiful flowers he had sent to me at work for my birthday. The funny thing is, the day they sent them I wasn't even scheduled to work but he thought I was so a girl from work called and said that someone had sent them to me.

There isn't much to do in Sheridan so Jerry and I went to Billings Montana which is a 2 hour drive from Sheridan. We spent the day shopping, which I know Jerry probably didn't enjoy much but he ended up buying more clothes than I did. We also went to dinner at Red Lobster which was great! Because I work at Hampton Inn I get discounts at any Hilton Brand Hotel so in Billings we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was such a nice hotel, this is a picture of our room. We had a great time!

UtAh TrIp

As many of you know I took a trip to Utah at the beginning of October to visit family and friends. It was so great to see everyone, although there were a few people I didn't get to see. It really made me miss Utah but nonetheless I was glad to see everyone! While I was there I was able to visit Logan and many friends there as well as visit friends from high school (who I miss seeing so much!) and I was able to spend most time with my family. I had a great time and can't wait to come and visit again! Here are some pictures from my trip.....