Christmas......

Christmas Eve was filled with fun and laughter! I had to work for part of the day but left and had lunch with my old roommate Jen. It was very nice to visit with her, I sure do miss living with her but am so thankful we have stayed friends over the years. That evening we gathered at my parents house for a light dinner and visiting, we spent the evening very relaxed which was nice. Everyone was there but my oldest sister and her family. The grand kids played well together allowing us to just visit as adults and then they provided some great laughs with their creative minds. We opened a new pair of pajamas and read Luke 2. I really enjoy spending time with my sisters reminiscing about our childhood and talking about our lives today. They are a great support to me and I appreciate that!

This year we were able to have a very relaxed Christmas Day! For the first time in a long time I slept in!!! Having adults in the family is nice! After a leisurely morning of games, food, and stockings my little sister and I headed out to see what the nieces and nephews got from Santa. It was fun to go to their houses and see all the fun new toys, clothes, and games. We played a game of clue and baked in the new kitchen. We didn't make it to all of their houses because we slept in so late (sorry Mandy) but it is something that I think I want to start doing every year. Don't hold me to it girls, but I think that I will try it and see.

We then had everyone over to my parents to have dinner and exchange gifts with my parents, siblings, and the nieces and nephews. We had a good time visiting, laughing at the grand kids, and seeing what everyone had gotten. My dad was way too kind to us even though we were scaling back this year! I enjoy spending time with my family and having a few days off of work doesn't hurt either!

Santa Party!!

A couple of weeks ago we had our annual Santa Party. This is at least a 40 year tradition that has been going on in the Larson family. My Larson grandparents started this tradition and I have really enjoyed it my entire life. It has changed over the years as the family has gotten larger and we have outgrown the original location. As children it was held in our grandparents house and was usually an evening complete with dinner, talent show, and Santa! We have modified the format a bit over the years but it is basically the same.

We have a talent show to begin with. This is a chance for us to see what everyone has been working hard on all year. I have a very talented family!! Most of the grand kids and now great grand kids have taken some form of music lesson. We have many talented pianists, violinists, and vocalists. This is something that I look forward, I love seeing the talent in our family!! This was something that my grandmother was very big on, even as the family grew larger she insisted that we still have the talent show. We used to act out the nativity but do to the size of the family now we only read Luke 2.

After the talent show we eat breakfast. It is the same thing every year. Sausage Fondue, sweet rolls, drinks, and little smokies. When we changed from the dinner to the breakfast we couldn't get rid of the little smokies, everyone loved them too much! It is fun to visit and catch on every ones lives as we eat.

When we are done eating everyone helps to clean up and prepare for the arrival of our special guest! We sing carols together and then Santa comes to bring us a gift! Every person gets a gift but you have to wait until everyone has one and Santa leaves before opening them....this can be a bit hectic but it is fun to watch the little kids enjoy the visit from Santa.

This year was the first year that we didn't have either of our Larson grandparents there as they have both passed on, but they were most certainly there in the legacy that they have passed on in each of us. What a wonderful time it is to gather as family and remember our Saviors birth, to remember where we have come from and carry on a legacy that is rich in what Our Savior's life was all about. I have no idea how long this tradition will continue, but whether it continues or ends there has been a mark made on each of us in the Larson Family by great people and I can't help but think of those marks each time I think of or participate in this wonderful tradition.

December Happenings....

I feel like December is going to do the same thing to me that November did---pass by without me noticing. But I am not going to let it! I have been a slacker on getting my camera out when I have done fun things--so sorry this will be a photo less entry! This month has already been a crazy one!

I have been having a great time thus far in December. I have been to a few parties which have been fun. I have tended for my sister so that she could go to a few parties. I have worked, worked, and worked some more. But as always I have managed to play a bit too! I am getting better at rock band...I may have to invest in my own one of these days!

Last week we celebrated Audrie's 2nd birthday. It was fun to have the family together. And when all the cousins get together they seem to feed off of one another, it is like a comedy show! It was fun to watch them. Lilly was being especially funny this night. When she came in she said to her dad, "Why didn't we say surprise?" He explained that it wasn't a surprise party. But she wouldn't have that. She then says, "Guys, I have an idea! ; Let's say surprise on the count of three!" I couldn't believe that she would even think of this! She has such a cute personality and is so smart! What a blessing she is in our family!

I spent last Saturday doing some Christmas things! My mom and I spent a couple of hours in a fabric store! Now this isn't my all time favorite thing to do, but she is helping me or I guess I should say she is sewing some presents for me and we needed to pick out the fabric. She has such a good eye for what goes well together and can see the finished product by just looking at the fabric! We had fun looking at all the fabric and getting some great ideas! What a blessing she is to me in so many ways! She creates beautiful things for others and I enjoy seeing her creativity come out in her creations! I wish that I had her talent for sewing, but I don't have the patience to try---maybe one day!

I also had the opportunity to go to the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. It was awesome---I love music---singing, playing the piano, and listening to people sing! As a child we had a tradition that when we turned 8 we were able to go a production of Handel's Messiah with our parents. It has been sometime since we went, but I still remember the feelings that it brought to me of Christmastime as we listened. I enjoy listening to it on CD many times throughout the month and was very happy when the choir sang a couple of numbers from it.

My mom has a tradition of making gingerbread houses with the grand kids. This past Sunday was the time for creating masterpieces! Even though I don't have kids I get to come--I love it! We changed it up a bit and decorated cookies and made houses out of graham crackers! All of the kids were in rare form! They were super good about waiting their turns for the frosting and having help from the adults. All of them created something unique to their personalities and ages and were super excited about what they had created! They played well together and were all quite funny! Lilly insisted that we all play the quiet game multiple times, and the other cousins seemed to be okay with it a few times. They ran around like crazy, ate tons of candy. and left happy! It was a good time!

I love the holiday season for so many reasons, but one is for the time that it gives me to spend with my family. They mean so much to me and I am thankful for what they bring into my life. Each one of them teach me something important and who I am is a reflection of many of them. I love them all more than I think they know! Each of them has a special place in my heart! Thanks for being so great to me! And I can't forget to mention those who have gone before. I have many wonderful ancestors who have created many wonderful memories in my life and who gave so much for me to have what I have today. I am especially thankful for my grandparents, they were a key part of my life and I miss them dearly especially at this time of year.

Walk down memory lane......

I don't know if it is the holiday season or my old age that is kicking in...but I have been thinking a lot lately about my childhood. I have many fond memories of time spent with my grandparents as a child. Now that they have all passed on those memories seem to mean more to me than they did while growing up. We did many things together; I worked for them, had numerous sleepovers, fell down an escalator, had them attend most of my events, had long talks about life, went on vacations, celebrated many holidays, and the list goes on and on!!! This week I am reminded of a couple of things in particular that I want to share.



Temple Square!!! I love going to Temple Square and looking at the lights. Growing up every Christmas time we ventured with my grandparents to see the lights. We bundled ourselves up and headed downtown! As a kid I used to think that it was SO far away and it was a treat to get to go! We looked at the lights, went to the visitors centers, and had a treat after! This week as I went to look at the lights I was reminded of many of my visits as a child and was simply thankful for the time spent there. A lot has changed about Temple Square since those days but the memories will live on in me forever.

Yes, I am going to write about McDonald's!! I went to visit my sister this week who lives in my grandparents old house and on the way I just about had a heart attack!!! The McDonald's had been torn down!!!! This wasn't just any old McDonald's but the one that we spent many a Saturday afternoon playing at and begging to be able to go! Well we really didn't have to beg too hard with one set of grandparents! Every time we would sleep over at my dad's parents house the next day we would go to the mall (which has also been torn down) and look for shoes and underwear. I know weird combination! After which we would go to McDonald's for lunch. It was always super fun and grandpa would play with us before taking us home.

When we slept at my mom's parents house we begged to go to McDonald's for lunch, but she was more of a stickler about what we ate and always had gourmet meals planned. On occasion we would convince her or rather grandpa would convince her that we needed to go. We also went to the mall and walked around with them.

I asked my sister about the McDonald's and she said that they were rebuilding it, but you know deep inside it will never be quite be the same!!! And I love that my parents take the grand kids there now as a special treat!

Thanksgiving!!!

I love Thanksgiving for many reasons, but one of the greatest things about the big dinner is that it means that we get to pull out the china and silver and have a fancy dinner. This is something that both my grandmothers did when we went to their houses for Thanksgiving and my mom has continued the tradition. That is if you were lucky enough to sit at the adult table! It is super fun to set a nice table with ALL the silverware and have a great time! I look forward to the time I can do the same in my own home. This year we had the whole family together plus my brother in law's friend Ken. The food was excellent (as always) and we had a good time visiting and playing with kiddos. Thanks for a great day!!


The table--set so nicely


My place.

Jeddah's Birthday Bash!!

A week after Wendy's birthday we celebrated Jeddah's birthday. This time we went to dinner at Italian Village and then danced. Later that week she and her roommate who share a birthday had a bash at their house. We had fun celebrating both of these cute girls! Happy Birthday Girl!!!


Jeddah--the birthday girl!


Kenz, Me, Brenda, Heidi, & Kyl
Super cute girls from my ward


Me and Brenda

The Girls w/Brent

Julie-Ann and Jeddah

Wendy's Birthday Bash!

At the beginning of November we celebrated Wendy's Birthday. We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse---super yummy! And then went to see a movie. As always fun times were had by all! Happy Birthday Girl!!!

Jeddah, Wendy, and I


Jeddah and Wendy

Tyler, Kenzie, and Brent

Tyler--enjoying the ribs!