A little Larson update!

This is a brief clip of what James is like in the tub. Crazy! He does not like his hair washed. He does not like to be expected to sit. I hope I was able to catch some of the chaos of tub time with James for you all. We have a lot of fun watching him. Actually washing his body could easily be compared to rolling with a piglet in the mud.

Yes, this is Shea. Shea is 7. 7 yr olds have lots of personality. 7 year olds talk a lot. Shea likes to tease me. I had enough of being teased and provoked. So, what did I do? The natural thing. I wiped James' baby food on her face. I had a blast doing it. Shea learned that when I say I am done playing, I mean it. Shea was very offended and sort of angry at me. However, she has responded to my "leave me alone now" remarks.

Food fights are a lot of fun!

I love this picture because it has my two favorite dudes. James did not have the patience to wait for me to take the picture. If you look close, he is saying "cheeeeeeeeeeese".

Shea and Hannah got to ride in a helicopter in January! It was so fun for them. They rode in a 4 seat helicopter at the local air show.

Adam and I were so excited to go skiing this year! We got to take a morning and go to Alta. Truly the best snow on earth. I had a huge decision to make. Do I bust out my 1970's relic skis that are totally awesome and get too much attention from other skiers? Or, do I blend in with a rented pair? Well, I decided to rent because I am not in shape and my old skis require their rider to be more fit than I am currently.

We had a great time!

This is our 2009 Christmas picture of the kids. We have a mini "memory tree" filled with lots of ornaments that remind us of our lives. We have a step ladder showing because James refused to dismount his new "toy".

I used to think "I can't wait for a real tree, or at least a tree that is taller than my 2 year old". This year, I realized that the size of the tree doesn't matter. In fact, we had a great Christmas with our little tree 5 years in a row. I am thankful to have it, thankful to store a smaller tree, thankful to not have to decide which corner of our house is unusable for the month. Our tree fits anywhere! This is our first Larson Christmas tree. I think it will be difficult to part with it ever! So, kids, be ready to be taller than the family Christmas tree for years to come.

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!