"Our Story"

On a dark and dreary night, twenty one years ago, a young boy with a "bitchin" mullet and a rail thin naive girl got married. Since that night, theyve traveled to magical, mystical lands for work and met interesting and unique townspeople. They've been blessed with four amazing children who bring their own set of charismatic personalities to their always entertaining home. Theyve encountered their share of trolls, goblins and also kings and princesses but always find their true happiness at home.

Yes, I cried the WHOLE wedding. Even when he smashed cake in my face.

Here we are tonight before we head off to dinner.
We've come a lot farther than anyone thought that we would. I remember the first time that I met him. He was throwing gum in my hair in high school math class and I hated him. A few months later, I saw him at the swimming pool while I was lifeguarding and I knew at that moment that I was going to marry the boy with the mullet. I was right!!
Maybe it isnt a fairytale, but its OUR story. . . . I wouldnt change a thing about our marriage and I cant imagine my life without him!
Happy Anniversary Babe!!

Goodies and theTemple (Sounds like a Disney movie)

One of our holiday family traditions is to get together and make goodie plates to take around to friends and neighbors. I do miss doing it with my mom and sisters but I have still kept the tradition alive. Saturday, we went to my friend, Amys new house and made our yummy plates.

Last night for family home evening, we went to the temple and watched the nativity story and then went inside and walked through the "Reflections of Christ" exhibit. We then went and watched "Joy to the World" in the theater there. Here is a little excerpt from it.
I am so glad that I finished my shopping a little early and can now focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who would send his son to live in this cruel, evil world. The sufferings that he endured on my behalf are incomprehensible to me. I am thankful for the atonement and the peace it has brought me in my life. I know that Jesus lives. I love him and am so thankful for this time of year that we get to celebrate his birth.

Ugly Ornament Party

Wow, I havent blogged for a long time. Tonight we had an "Ugly Ornament" party for Relief Society. It was great fun. I'd never been to one before. I also learned about Christmas Neighbor Gifts. I guess thats a Utar thing. Good to know though.

I made this ornament at work today. I thought it was beautiful. I ended up with it. Note to self: Never offer to be first pick at one of these parties.

I made this one at home. I think Tayler Lautner is ugly so I thought it was a great "ugly ornament". I did end up winning funniest ornament for this. And this one was our big winner. Ha! I just love Christmas time. It is my most favorite time of year!

Alzheimers Memory Walk

Today Bud and I participated in our first Alzheimers Memory Walk. We were part of team "David and Goliath."

Amy Ernstrom raised over 700.00 for our team and we came in 3rd place in donations. Next year we hope to come in first.

Our team

I feel very blessed because I couldnt think of anyone in our family to walk for. I had to call my mom and ask her for some names.
Amy and Bobby

I love it that my son still likes spending the day with his mom even though we dont do the funnest things.

Murder Party

Last night, I hosted my first "Murder Party". It was a blast. I didnt get a picture of the invitations but my friend, Chris helped me plan. She is the party queen. The invitations were pill bottles and the invite was on the prescription inscription. With the invites were a background on the invitees characters they were going to play. Everyone came in character and that made it extra fun.

The setting was Chicago. We had Chicago playing in the background and everyone brought "pizzas".
We just sat and ate while we tried to figure out "who dunnit".

Bryson aka Professor Harold Chung

Tyler aka mafia man Louis Cagliostro

Katie aka Art Director Margaret Chun

Ken aka party boy Bobby Herrera

Emily aka mysterious woman Pauline Thompson

Chris aka "I get around girl", Fiona McAllister

Robb aka PhD Candidate Timothy Kane

Of course I had Robb be the killer. He fooled everyone for about two hours. I knew he could be sneaky and that he was a good liar. That made him the best actor for the job.

We had a very entertaining night. We even made up our own game called "Hitchhiking to BYU."

Cant wait till our next party!!

Jasmines Birthday

My baby girl became a teenager today.

Things I love about Jasmine:
1) She is a natural leader
2) She has great maternal instincts. She will be an amazing mother one day.
3) She has good self-esteem. Thats an accomplishment when you are this age.
4) Her laugh (It sounds just like my sister, Angies)
5) Her best friend is her grandma
6) She loves the gospel
7) Her athletic ability
8) Her beautiful singing voice
Theres a song by Brittany Spears called "Not a girl, not yet a woman". I love the chorus. It says: "Im not a girl, not yet a woman. All I need is time, a moment that is mine, while Im in between."
I know that Jazz will make her moment great. I am so proud to call her my daughter.
Happy Birthday, baby girl!!

MY NEW LOVE

My new love is Zumba! Thanks Amy!!
Tuesday and Thursday nights, me and 50 other women, (and one man, and I use that word loosely), meet in a dark warehouse for some intense aerobics with a Latin flare. Our teacher is a peppy, energetic Latin Goddess who looks like she is 20 but is actually 45. Boy can she shake it! Thank heavens its very dark, because although I feel as coordinated and sexy as the teacher, Im actually a stumbling, gyrating klutz.
I took Jasmine and Bobby with me Thursday and Bobby came home and told Robb it was torture. "Old ladies shaking their boobs and butts!"
I've never looked forward to exercising before but I love my Tuesday and Thursday nights. Ive even sacrificed my Thursday night television, which isn't even that good anymore anyway.
If you haven't tried it, you should give it a try!!

26.2 &18

He did it!!
Robb ran his first marathon on Saturday. He has been training with a running group for months and months. Its not only a sacrifice for the runners but for the families of the runners. It takes a lot of time to train.
The race started by the Pine Valley turn off and one of the group members has a cabin in Pine Valley so the whole group spent Friday night together at the cabin.

I was able to see through the anarchy and calamity of what is called the finish line and see him cross it. I am so proud of him. He ran it in 4:11, which is excellent for a first time runner. The running group had a get together Saturday night and everyone was saying how impressed with and how quickly Robb progressed and finished, but thats just my husband. He excels at everything he attempts and he lives life full out. Its just one of the many many reasons Im so attracted to him.
Congratulations, babe!!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Hope turned 18 Sunday. I sure have enjoyed this last year with her home. Im most definitely not ready for her to leave. She is one of my best friends and she IS Jasmines best friend. The little saying about how Heavenly Father makes is easier for the parents to let go by having the children be horrible that last year at home isnt ringing true for this one.

Things I love about Hope:
Her exotic beauty, her artistic talents, her gorgeous singing voice, her spunk, her independence, her love of those less fortunate and her gummy Marchant smile.
I know that whatever she decides to do with her life, she will succeed.
Word of advice from your mom: Take your time, dont grow up too fast. Live life. Experience everything. Love those around you. Dont forget who you are.

Shinedown and the Carn Maze

This weekend, we gathered up our blankets and goodies and went to the park next to the Sun Bowl and listened to Shinedown play. We met some of the girls friends there and just layed around and listened, played a little football and sand volleyball.

Jazz and Tori. (Tori trying to make the sideways smile face) Hope and her friends. They look nice and calm but dont let them fool you. Hope and Taylor Bud, me, Robbs sister Kari and Robb. Same again minus Bobby.Robb was having terrible allergies so he took two allergy pills and was out about twenty minutes after this picture was taken. Lightweight.

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Then, tonight for FHE, we went to the Staheli Corn Maze. (Thats said carn, if youre in the Larson family)

My gorgeous daughters.

This picture looks very freaky. I look like Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Pretty sexy.

Jazz and Hope

The Boys

Robbs brother Bill, Bud and Robb.

(Normal face for Robb)

The girls.

Jazz me and Hopeful.

I love October in St George. The weather is perfect and there are always tons of things to do.

My Favorite Things

Its that time of the month where absolutely everything is aggravating me. I feel so negative and short with everyone, especially my family. Im sorry guys. I love you always and forever. Today, I decided that I would do something constructive and think of the positives. The things in my life that I love. I truly am blessed and Im also very simple. I dont need extravagant jewlery or vacations in Paris. Its the little things that make me the happiest. So, besides the obvious. . .my family, the gospel, etc. I dug down a little deeper and came up with this list.
While you're reading it, sing the words with the "Favorite Things" tune.

CSI, House, no reality tv.
Thunderstorms, hot baths and kisses from RP.
A clean house, a good book and hummingbird wings.
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cold milk, warm bread, fresh cut grass that I didnt mow.
Sleeping in, days off and singing in alto.
Tar Heels, The Doors, my unique wedding ring.
These are a few of my favorite things.

Aromatherapy, pedicures, massages; deep tissue.
Texting, soft skin, a day at work with no issue.
Spontaneous weekends with whatever they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the bills come. When there's bathroom scum,
When Im feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I dont feel so bad!

Football, volleyball and Ghost Towns?

I love fall in Dixie. The weather finally starts to cool down and fall sports start. This weekend was Homecoming. We lost, but it was still fun. We went out to eat with Thompsons and then went to the football game with them.

Hope and her friends with their game faces.

Jazz tried out and made a traveling volleyball team. Today they had a tournament in Hurricane. (It is said hurricun, for you not from southern Utah)

She is soooo fun to watch!

After Jasmines tournament, we went to Grafton, UT. This is a ghost town.

After the Mormons settled the Salt Lake area, Brigham Young began to send numerous families and single men down south, who were advised to immediately marry and make settlements. He hoped that they would be able to populate the region and make it a place where they could live and worship without persecution. The town is by a river, though, and after three floods and many Indian attacks, they moved to a nearby community.

Boy am I thankful that I wasnt a pioneer. Ill take the trials and tribulations of today anytime.