Brittanie, Becca and Sabrina with "Sir Jason" at the jousting event. This stuff rocks.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Taiko Drummers at Buffalo Point Elementary
I invited a Taiko drum group from the Ogden Buddhist Church to perform at Buffalo Point Elementary for my SEM students. It was so amazing. I have never seen kids sit so quietly through and assembly. I got to play the drums with a few other teachers. An amazing experience.
Celtic Woman Concert
Our only pictures from that night
Brittanie bought the tickets for us.Brittanie and I have been looking forward to this day for months now. We had excellent seats on the floor, in the center and only 12 rows back. It was amazing. Thanks Britt for an amazing evening.
A "Wicked" Weekend
Had a "Wicked Awesome" weekend with my Fab Five friends.I spent a wonderful weekend with my Fab Five friends. Our culminating event was attending Wicked the musical at the Capital Theatre. What an amazing show. I've loved the music for years and now I love the show just as much.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Enjoying Spring
I love spring.
I love the early flowers that give us hope when they bloom through the snow. Ah wonderful tulips, crocus and daffodils. I love the longer days and warmer weather. I love that neighbors are out working in their yards and saying hello after a long cold winter. I love the smell of lilac and later blooming flowers. I love the sound of children laughing. There is a freedom that comes with spring. A freedom to walk outside without a jacket. Freedom to put away the winter shoes and put on summer sandals. Freedom to sit in the shade of a tree just barely covered with leaves. Freedom from winter and cold.
I love spring.
Friday, March 20, 2009
More Projects Around the House
This is one of the first projects Mike started in the house. Our neighbor Jessie helped Mike with this one. We were planning on just putting the tiles in straight until we saw Jessie's entryway. He said he would help us do the same thing to ours. This was his design. It looks so nice and works well with the new light fixture. Way to go Baby. I'm so proud of my man.
This is the lighting Mike has been working on in the basement. He has had help from friends and family on this one. He put in two sconces on the back wall, canned lighting around the perimeter and a nice fixture in the middle. Woo hoo, Let there be light.
This is one of the new lampshades we got for the living room. We have decided to go with some nice cranberry accents in that area. Oh, and I really like the swirly design.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Home and Yard Improvements
We've been working on changes inside and out side. Don't we love tax refunds? Woo hoo, we decided that it was about time to have something to show for our refund this year. We installed these gorgeous new light fixtures 
in the entry, living room and kitchen. We are still looking for a light fixture/fan for the dining room.
This fixture is in the entryway.
This fixture is over the kitchen sink.
This is the tree we got to replace the one we planted our first year in our home. The first tree died back, then grew a bit, then died back again, tried to grow again but we finally decided that we just couldn't wait for a stunted, two foot tall sycamore to recover.
Mike is having a blast in the yard. I don't think he'll stop until every inch of yard is void of grass and turned into flower beds. I just can't wait for everything to leaf out and bloom.
in the entry, living room and kitchen. We are still looking for a light fixture/fan for the dining room. This is the fixture in the living room.
This fixture is in the entryway.
This fixture is over the kitchen sink.
This is the tree we got to replace the one we planted our first year in our home. The first tree died back, then grew a bit, then died back again, tried to grow again but we finally decided that we just couldn't wait for a stunted, two foot tall sycamore to recover.
Mike is having a blast in the yard. I don't think he'll stop until every inch of yard is void of grass and turned into flower beds. I just can't wait for everything to leaf out and bloom.Sunday, March 15, 2009
Planting Trees
When we first moved into the house Mike got money from a friend at work to put toward a tree as a housewarming gift. We bought a lovely Sycamore tree and names her Lynette, after our benefactress, and planted her in the far corner of the yard. Sadly, Lynette didn't do very well and died back several times before putting out a few more brances. We were really hoping to make up for lost time and have a large, lovely tree but that just didn't happen. So we used a bit of our tax money this year to put in a replacement and a few others. Mike and the kids spent Saturday digging holes in the yard. We have one tree in the ground and the big one is waiting next to its giant hole because we ran out of daylight. I love trees and I look forward to watching this one grow.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Fun Tag about Mike and Me
I got this from my Jarrod and Bri. I liked the idea and decided to do this for Mike and I. Especially since this year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. This is kind of like the 25 things - except there are pre-decided questions and it's about you and your spouse, not just you.
♥ What are your middle names? Anne & Wayne (like John Wayne)
♥ How long have you been together? On May 12, 2009 we will celebrate our 20th anniversary.
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Met in September, first date in October, engaged in December and married in May.
♥ Who asked who out? A mutual friend put us on a committee together (total set up) for a barn dance. That is where we first danced. I had hoped that he would ask me to homecoming but I found out he already had a date. After we danced at the choir party he wanted to ask me to the dance but had already asked someone. The day of the dance I got a call at work. The girl Mike had asked to the dance had to cancel because her boss had a heart attack and she had to work…hmmmm, funny how things work out. So Mike asked me to the dance in the morning and we went on our first date that evening.
♥ How old are each of you? I’m 44 and he’s just really, really old…okay, only 48.
♥ Whose siblings do you see the most? Mine, even though Mike’s family lives closer.
♥ Do you have any children? We have two amazing teenagers that keep us laughing and on our toes. There is never a dull moment at the Larsen home.
♥ What about pets? Way too many cats. We have four now since the last one on board didn’t get adopted out like we had hoped. Anyone want a cat?
♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Finances, almost all the stress can be tied back to lack of money.
♥ Did you go to the same school? Not elementary or secondary but we did go to college together at Weber State.
♥ Are you from the same home town? No, he was born in S.L.C., UT and raised in Carlsbad, CA. I was born in Las Vegas, NV and raised in Cedar City and Castle Dale, Utah.
♥ Who is the smartest? Him by far
♥ Who is the most sensitive? Him, hands down!
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? Since the tax refund got here we have gone to Applebees, Golden Dragon Chinese and Osaka Sushi.
♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? We got to tour Japan with Weber State Singers the year after we got married. We fought like cats and dogs most of the trip. I don’t ever remember why now. I’m sure Mike will though.
♥ Who has the worst temper? That would be me.
♥ Who does the cooking? Bless his heart, Mike cooks almost every night. Occasionally I open a can of soup or nuke something for him.
♥ Who is more social? That would be ME! Mike is pretty chatty at home but pretty quiet when we get out in public.
♥Who is the neat Freak? Definitely me. When we were first married out house was a sty pretty much all the time. Since Flylady the house is almost always tidy and presentable. I like it like that.
♥ Who is more stubborn? Depends on what the issue is…ha ha.
♥ Who hogs the bed? Uh, that would be me. Between me and my “armada” of pillows poor Mike doesn’t have a chance.
♥ Who wakes up earlier? Mike usually leaves for work between 4:00 & 5:00 A.M. and sometimes earlier. Heaven help us if I ever have to get up that early. My early day is Monday when I have to be to work by 8:45 A.M….torture…bwahahahaha.
♥ Where was your first date? The Homecoming dance at Weber State. We had a carriage ride, kissed under the bell tower (WSU tradition) and danced to “Somewhere Out There”.
♥ Who has the bigger family? Me, I am the 3rd of nine. Mike is the oldest of 3 boys.
♥ Do you get flowers often? Yes. I am twice blessed because he buys me flowers and I also get vases full of home grown flowers from his gardens.
♥ How do you spend the holidays? When we were first married we spent almost every Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family. In the last 6 or 7 years we have spent more holidays at home and building our own traditions. When we have holidays here we try to invite Mike’s family. Most holidays I miss my family and all the noise and chaos that comes with getting together.
♥ Who is more jealous? Jealous? No need, ever.
♥ How long did it take to get serious? This is a repeat…met in September, first date in October, engaged in December and married in May. I’d say…not long.
♥ Who eats more? Me, I’m the piggy.
♥ Who does the laundry? We each do our own. No one likes how anyone else does their laundry so it’s easiest this way.
♥ Who’s better with the computer? Toss up, he knows a ton of stuff and I know other stuff. Together we know enough to get ourselves in serious trouble…bwahahaha
♥ Who drives when you are together? Depends on the time and place. Mike usually drives on long road trips but we share when needed. If we have plenty of time he drives. If I need to get somewhere in a hurry I’ll usually drive.
♥ What are your middle names? Anne & Wayne (like John Wayne)
♥ How long have you been together? On May 12, 2009 we will celebrate our 20th anniversary.
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Met in September, first date in October, engaged in December and married in May.
♥ Who asked who out? A mutual friend put us on a committee together (total set up) for a barn dance. That is where we first danced. I had hoped that he would ask me to homecoming but I found out he already had a date. After we danced at the choir party he wanted to ask me to the dance but had already asked someone. The day of the dance I got a call at work. The girl Mike had asked to the dance had to cancel because her boss had a heart attack and she had to work…hmmmm, funny how things work out. So Mike asked me to the dance in the morning and we went on our first date that evening.
♥ How old are each of you? I’m 44 and he’s just really, really old…okay, only 48.
♥ Whose siblings do you see the most? Mine, even though Mike’s family lives closer.
♥ Do you have any children? We have two amazing teenagers that keep us laughing and on our toes. There is never a dull moment at the Larsen home.
♥ What about pets? Way too many cats. We have four now since the last one on board didn’t get adopted out like we had hoped. Anyone want a cat?
♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Finances, almost all the stress can be tied back to lack of money.
♥ Did you go to the same school? Not elementary or secondary but we did go to college together at Weber State.
♥ Are you from the same home town? No, he was born in S.L.C., UT and raised in Carlsbad, CA. I was born in Las Vegas, NV and raised in Cedar City and Castle Dale, Utah.
♥ Who is the smartest? Him by far
♥ Who is the most sensitive? Him, hands down!
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? Since the tax refund got here we have gone to Applebees, Golden Dragon Chinese and Osaka Sushi.
♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? We got to tour Japan with Weber State Singers the year after we got married. We fought like cats and dogs most of the trip. I don’t ever remember why now. I’m sure Mike will though.
♥ Who has the worst temper? That would be me.
♥ Who does the cooking? Bless his heart, Mike cooks almost every night. Occasionally I open a can of soup or nuke something for him.
♥ Who is more social? That would be ME! Mike is pretty chatty at home but pretty quiet when we get out in public.
♥Who is the neat Freak? Definitely me. When we were first married out house was a sty pretty much all the time. Since Flylady the house is almost always tidy and presentable. I like it like that.
♥ Who is more stubborn? Depends on what the issue is…ha ha.
♥ Who hogs the bed? Uh, that would be me. Between me and my “armada” of pillows poor Mike doesn’t have a chance.
♥ Who wakes up earlier? Mike usually leaves for work between 4:00 & 5:00 A.M. and sometimes earlier. Heaven help us if I ever have to get up that early. My early day is Monday when I have to be to work by 8:45 A.M….torture…bwahahahaha.
♥ Where was your first date? The Homecoming dance at Weber State. We had a carriage ride, kissed under the bell tower (WSU tradition) and danced to “Somewhere Out There”.
♥ Who has the bigger family? Me, I am the 3rd of nine. Mike is the oldest of 3 boys.
♥ Do you get flowers often? Yes. I am twice blessed because he buys me flowers and I also get vases full of home grown flowers from his gardens.
♥ How do you spend the holidays? When we were first married we spent almost every Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family. In the last 6 or 7 years we have spent more holidays at home and building our own traditions. When we have holidays here we try to invite Mike’s family. Most holidays I miss my family and all the noise and chaos that comes with getting together.
♥ Who is more jealous? Jealous? No need, ever.
♥ How long did it take to get serious? This is a repeat…met in September, first date in October, engaged in December and married in May. I’d say…not long.
♥ Who eats more? Me, I’m the piggy.
♥ Who does the laundry? We each do our own. No one likes how anyone else does their laundry so it’s easiest this way.
♥ Who’s better with the computer? Toss up, he knows a ton of stuff and I know other stuff. Together we know enough to get ourselves in serious trouble…bwahahaha
♥ Who drives when you are together? Depends on the time and place. Mike usually drives on long road trips but we share when needed. If we have plenty of time he drives. If I need to get somewhere in a hurry I’ll usually drive.
Fun Idea for a Freebie
A Fun Idea!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something from me! My choice. For you. Handmade.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be (nor do I at this point).
The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they want to receive a homemade gift from me will indeed receive one. Be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something from me! My choice. For you. Handmade.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be (nor do I at this point).
The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they want to receive a homemade gift from me will indeed receive one. Be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!!
Looking Forward to Spring
I'm looking forward to Spring this year. Perhaps more so than other years. It's been a long hard winter. Running out of meds on Christmas day really thew me for a loop and it's taken months to get myself back on track. Spring symbolizes new birth and growth. When the crocus, tulips and daffodils push themselves up through the cold, hard ground it gives me hope that I will be able to do the same. Push through the cloudy thoughts and reach out to the light. Put the things of winter behind me and find spring in my soul. I have disconnected from so many things these past few months. I feel the need to reconnect and nourish my relationships with friends and family.
Memories of 2008
Summer 2008 held many fun adventures for our family. Ora and her family flew over from Germany for the family reunion. They spent a week at our house so we did the "Welcome back to America Tour". Our first trip was to Sonic and then we were off to Walmart for shopping cart races, trying on hats and buying a Wii.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Our family is in a new chapter. I can't believe that Brittanie is going to graduate and turn 18 in just a few months. Zachary is 16 and just looks like a grown man. He will be turning 17 this year. That means that he is only 2 1/2 years away from his mission. Where have the years gone. I really enjoy my kids. We hang out, watch movies and laugh a lot together. I'm so blessed to have two really terrific kids and a loving husband to share my life.
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