Grand canyon trip

Here's a great group shot from our last trip. We had a great time as you can see. The "Captain and Tennille" had a blast.

DAD

Elf Yourself

If you have not seen this, you have to try it. Click on the link below and get ready to laugh......
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1171912122 (this is Dad's)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1150092383 (this is Lisa's)
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1196518136 (this is Renee's)

Samuel Boyce Rasmussen

Congrats! Last night Samuel Boyce Rasmussen was born. He was born at 11:15pm on Nov. 8, 2007. He weights 8lbs 1oz and is 20.5" long. Michelle did such a great job, it was like watching a professional. Casey also was great during the whole thing, he was a big help to Michelle. Jane didn't freak out or anything (infact I think she did better than everyone else). It was really amazing to watch. I thought I was going to freak out, but actually it was not that bad. So, everyone is healthy and strong and doing great! Congratulations to the Rasmussen Family! We are all so happy for you.

Jane and Aunt Renee waiting.

Casey and Michelle waiting.

Baby Samuel

Summit Hand Therapy is OPEN!!

The clinic is finally open . . . kind of. I have about 98% of the supplies I need and most of the marketing materials. I have begun the marketing process with the doctors and hope to see patients soon. The above picture is the waiting room (Melissa did it all). Below is a picture of the building. I am excited and will make sure to let you all know how things are going.

Jenkins Family Update

I guess November is my month to blog...where have you all been?? Thanks for keeping things current Renee.

Here are some hightlights since August...

The Jenkins Reunion trip to Banff was amazing. It was the perfect vacation: great food, nice condos, cute towns to walk around, and incredibly scenic hikes in canyons and around
glacial lakes. Can't we work on something like that for Mom and Dad's. Maybe at Lake Como?

Disneyland was a blast!
The hightlight was definitely Zachy's debut as a Jedi in training...

or maybe spending the day with Steve Stewart. It was a bit like having Robin Williams around - completely unpredictable and very entertaining. The image of Steve with Zach on his shoulders running through the crowded Main Street of Disneyland to get to the Nemo ride will forever be etched in my mind. We love Uncle Stevie!

Gary and I spent a great weekend in Arizona for my 20-year reunion. I had no idea what to expect...but ended up having a really great time reconnecting with some great people. And Gary, of course, proved to be the perfect man to drag along to one of those things: Mr. Genial.

Front: Shelle Mask, Aliesa Jensen, Chisty Crane, Laurie Shahan
Couch: Erin Miller, Kelly O'Bryant, Me, Gayla Garn, Shannon Coates, Missy Roberts
Back: Diane Freeman, Suzie Marsh
Taking the Picutres: Alyson Wright and Aimee Moody

Halloween was perfect - even Dad would have liked it. All seven of us visited four of our neighbors where the kids were loaded with candy (we were the only ones to come by all night). Then we headed home, made popcorn, ate candy, and watched "The Haunted Mansion" with the Trentmans. Perfect - not much fuss, no expense, good times, and in bed by 9:30. (Santa, Witch Doctor, Snow White, Obi Won, Little Bee)







And finally, proof that she really is our girl:
lower half of face & forehead = Gary
upper half (okay, lips, eyes & nose) = Lisa
We love our Lulu!

DeLong Family Pumpkin Party

Well, it happened again...... another party at mom and dad's house. This time it was to celebrate Halloween. It was really fun. The kids all dressed up and we carved pumpkins. Everyone had a blast. We also ate some super good food. To all of you who were not there -- we missed you. Here are some pictures highlighting the best costumes and times. We missed you. Happy Halloween!
Renee

Jane and her Mad Skills

For all of you who don't know - Jane is the next new big fashion designer of our day! This is a picture of her lateset design. She picked out the fabric, measured herself, and then hand sewed the entire thing. Can you believe it? She really is so talented. That's our Jane! I beleive after these pictures were taken she then proceeded to wear her dress all day long and even to the arcade. I am sure Casey was so proud to be seen with Jane.

-Renee

Jen's 1/2 Marathon

On August 25th Jen ran the Hobble Creek Canyon 1/2 Marathon. For all of you who don't know, that is 13.1 miles. The picture above was taken at the 10 mile water station. Look how happy she looks, and this is 10 miles into the run. It was so much fun to be there and support Jen.

The picture the the left was taken towards the finish line, like at mile 12.9. She doesn't look as happy, but still going strong. She finished in about 2hrs and 9min. I say about, because she fell 10 feet from the finish line and forgot to rip off her tag to determine her time. Whatever her time offically was, it does not matter -- she did it! She is amazing!

My friend Leslie also did the 1/2 marathon that day. Her time was 2hrs 12min. She loved it and I am so proud of her too. -Renee

Ahhh...The Great Outdoors

Since it is my month to "publish" and I've got a few minutes before running to get Davis from soccer, I've decided to share with all of you what a few of us were doing while you were fighting the crowds at the Pioneer Day Parade. Dad, thanks so much for planning these trips for us. We LOVE going and really appreciate the memories that they create. No need to elaborate - the photos speak for themselves. Love to you all...Lisa

Today was the big day - BACK TO SCHOOL! Part of me wants to be sad and lament the fact that I won't have my kids under my watch and care for six hours everyday. But then the saner part of me kicks in and wants to do a little hallelujah dance. I'm thinking that Zachy will probably gladly join me in my dance. He is so happy to have the XBox to himself again. The boys fell back into routine like they hadn't spent all summer staying up late and rolling out of bed just in time to catch "The Price is Right". Lulu, on the other hand, made Sleeping Beauty look like a light sleeper. Poor girl. She has never been the early bird at our house. And then we got to school to find a class of 4 girls and 11 boys. She said it best, "It's like home - me, boys, a dad (her teacher is Mr. Dickinson), and a mom (the teacher's aide is Mrs. Osborn). At least she was good humored about it. Not much else to speak of. Life is normal again - and that is a good thing!

Congratulations to Scott and Em. Reunions just got easier....we'll let you know when we're coming and, presto, it's a reunion! We love you all.

Lisa

Isabel Loves Maté

This is so funny. Ever since Isabel started sitting up and noticing things, she has wanted to a part of the maté circle. We always let her try, but she never gets anything. Well, today we let her have a try and I am telling you, I've never seen someone suck as hard as her. She finally got some maté today. She just sucked and sucked. She was loving it. When it was anyone else's turn she would freak out. So, we all shared with her. She's going to have to learn to take a turn. She is such a crack up.

Everything else is the same with us. Ryan starts school again this month. He still has a long way to go, but one day at a time is all we can do. He works so hard for our family. I love him to death.

I am doing the same. I keep thinking of reasons to quit my job, but when it comes right down to it, I barely work and the extra money is nice. I only work 8 hours a week, so that's hardly anything. So, until a super good reason comes up, I will keep working.

Life is good and we just keep plugging away. We love you all so much. I am so happy that we are doing this blog!

Renee (and Ryan)

May The Force Be With You

I was going through my pictures the other day and found this one of Zach and Jessica. I about died laughing. Those two are so funny. I have to tell you all that I had so much fun being with you all this past week. I am going through some serious withdrawl. I miss the late nights and the singing (yes Emily, there was serious singing without you, sorry). I love you all so much. I am really grateful that we all get along and have fun together. You all are the best older sisters and brother a girl could ask for. Thanks for the good times!Renee

Our Creation

Hello DeLong family member! I have ceated this blog as a way we can share photos and family info. I am hoping that we will all use it. I miss my siblings, even those who live close by, and want this to be a way for us to stay connected. Please use it. It is a really easy thing to do. If you have questions about posting something, let me know. Good luck and happy blogging.
Renee