Things I learned in 2009

• The years are going faster
• Take time to Journal because you do forget
• Life is short
• There is a heaven, cause my Grandpa just went there
• Teething is the worst
• We will always, always meet our medical deductible
• Sometimes the pool is too hot during summers in Rancho Cucamonga
• Disneyland is dangerous
• Cutco knives will cut 7yr old fingers
• A baby gate to keep everyone out of the kitchen is a must ($65 at ToysRus. Well worth the investment. I go hide in there now)
• Mental illness is everywhere
• Global warming is a hoax
• Jeans don't shrink.....we expand
• James gets lonely at night around 3am
• Hot Dogs are a preferred meal, no apologies necessary
• I don't like pork
• I would live at the lake if I could
• Snow is only fun when you have ski's on your feet
• Little dogs are good for 2 things. Pooping and barking
• Friendship is a necessity
• Cell phones are not to be touched in the car because hands free means, hands off
• Vacuums are under appreciated
• Vinyl flooring is always gross

2009 in REVIEW

The Larson family has survived yet another year. Good bye 2009, and HELLO 2010.

2009 Recap:

Fun at the beach!

Fun in the tub!

Shea played her first year of soccer! She scored 3 goals

I graduated with my MBA this year!

James broke his leg at the Happiest Place on Earth! Disneyland did not live up to it's reputation that day!

Peter and Elizabeth came to visit us for a week. We had so much fun! We went to Sea World, hung at the beach, and saw the Bodies Exhibit in Vegas!

Shea had her first B-day party. Happy seven!

We lost Grandpa Halls on June 30th. He left this world of pain and illness to be reunited with loved ones that have gone before him on the other side. Grandpa is healthy and feeling better than ever now. We miss Grandpa so much. We also know that he is happy and waiting for us to make our journey through this mortal life. See you on the other side Grandpa!
We went to watch The Utah Utes beat UNLV football. We had a blast with Conor and Jessie. We enjoyed lots of laughs, dirty Scrabble, Turkey Foot, Grandma's cooking and riding quads.

The Larson family THINKS GREEN. We thought it a dreadful waste of pumpkins to purchase and have a cute baby picture with a dozen pumpkins for Halloween. Save the planet, don't waste pumpkins. Instead, we dumped out our RECYCLING can and James REUSED and RE PURPOSED our junk mail. This is instead of wasting pumpkins for a photo opp.Think Green People.

2009 was officially completed by making it into this Larson Family portrait. For years I had imagined myself a part of these beautiful family portraits, next to Adam. After being in the family for 5 years, I earned my spot. I am next to Adam, beside Shea and holding our son James. My life could not be better. My life is exactly what my childhood dreams conjured up all those years ago. Of course, getting my dream was not easy. The challenges, consequences, learning opportunities, and growing, all made this journey a trial. However, I finally got what I wanted. I got Adam! And yes, it was well worth the wait!

A Blast From the Past

These are pictures I that I found at my Grandma Halls house. They are lovely pictures of my grandparents and their brothers, sisters, children and camping trips!

This is one of the many home-made campers!

My grandpa converted this old bus into a camper for his family LONG before there were Motor homes!

This is the first picture to get enlarged on my wall. Camping trips are not complete without a five star outhouse! (Also homemade!)

Halls were known to have some fun trips!

This is my Grandpa Gene Halls.

Compton Home

Glenn, Delores, Anna, Gene, David and Connie Halls

Grandma in the Compton Kitchen. She is a doll!

This is a favorite picture. This has all of the Halls brothers and my Great Grandpa Halls

Grandpa Gene and Great Grandpa Earl Halls

Star Safe Shop employees

Halloween adventures!

HAPPY HARVEST

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


We had a wonderful Halloween with the kids! We were invited to many parties and festivities! James was a Bull! Shea was a beautiful witch! Adam and I dressed as energetic parents who get plenty of sleep and party all day!

This is the Church Trunk or Treat!

The kids came home with a ton of candy and it was not even the real Halloween night yet!

Here is a picture of James in his costume last year! I like to compare!

These pictures were taken at the local pumpkin patch!

After a long night of Halloween Festivities, my little children were exhausted! I love sleeping children!

Nothing says "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" like an assault rifle!

Sat. October 24th, I woke up and Adam told me to get ready because we were going for a walk.....at 8:30am?!@#$% well, I did not think much of it because my hubby is a bit random around my birthday time. Spontaneous if you will....We walked straight to April Zent's house, which was really confusing.. When Adam knocked, the door flew open and I had many children and some of my coolest friends yelling "SURPRISE!!!!!". The smell hit me first. The delicious smell of omelets, bacon and coffee cakes. The next sensation was how fun the place looked. There were balloons, streamers and children everywhere! I wish I had a camera but Adam knew that would kind of blow the surprise I guess. As the door flew open, James began to yell "WEEEEEEE" and that means get me out of my stroller, I have things to do! He was very excited by the balloons.


The best part was my CAKE!!!!! My friends know me well.


It was very difficult to eat because I felt like I was ruining a true work of art! However, nothing really stands between me and my assault rifles!


My other gift was a CUTE head band with a very hip flower. I did not think I could pull it off, but I could! It is very attractive on my head. The best part is that this is the FIRST AND ONLY headband I have EVER had that does not give me a headache! I will post a picture of me in it later!

Thank you April, Jana and Andrea! You are fabulous friends and I really appreciate you all.

FROM ADAM:

In our family Adam has created a tradition of authoring personalized cards for me. Each time I receive a card my face becomes red followed up with one of my loud laughs that sober people usually can't make. (I have a talent which allows me to make this sound totally sober!) So, Thank you baby! You are a talented writer!

(DISCLAIMER: This is a family blog. For obvious reasons the content of these cards cannot be posted on my blog.)

I also requested a game of Scrabble for my birthday. The kind that has squares to hold the tiles even if people get angry or just plain wild. It has not come in the mail yet, but I am excited!

Some new pictures

This is just a quick update. 3 weeks ago James broke his leg at Disneyland. Not the happiest place on earth!!! He has a cast up to his thigh. He is doing well but is trying to walk when he should not. We are ready for him to heal up so we can let him do his thing. I will post pictures of that soon.

Gone "Private"

Shea got burried when Conor and Jessie came into town!

Adam and shea had a chance to bond with a common love for soccer.

This is how James plays "hide and seek".

He has an interesting way of playing with the doll house!
Shea loved her soccer experience! She scored 4 goals!

James loves to play in the dishwasher and the dryer......scary
Shea had an excellent coach for her first year of soccer!

James loves his food!

I folks, I just wanted to send you a special invite to view our family blog because we have decided to go private. We would like to know who all of our readers are! Here is an update:

James is walking, climbing, dancing, and being a curious little boy!

Shea is finished with 1st Grade, loves dance and soccer, and reads at a 3rd grade reading level!

Adam is enjoying a much needed summer break!

Kimberly is loving the summer too!