Marley and Me

Matt and I were able to squeeze in our weekly date night. After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays it was a welcome get away. We decided to see the newly released Marley and Me. I had read the book by John Grogan last year and loved it and I must say the movie did not disappoint. Like the book it had you laughing one moment and crying the next. If you have a beloved dog as we do, it will be that much more endearing to you. Two big thumbs up from both Matt and I. A must see for you and your family on Christmas break.

Christmas Day Breakfast

The scene outside our door this morning looked like a winter wonderland, perfectly ordered for Christmas Day! We were lucky that everyone was able to make it out to our house for another tradition we all enjoy together, Christmas Breakfast. Matt loves to cook, and breakfast is his specialty. We were joined by Nanny and Papa, aunts and uncles and all of our fun cousins. We are so blessed to have so many people on both sides of our families who love us and want to share the holidays together. This year our menu was simple:

Cinnamon French Toast

Ham

Fresh Fruit

Quiche

Caramel Apple cider & Milk

The quiche seemed to be a big hit and was made that much easier by preparing it a day ahead of time and simply warming it in the oven. I love this recipe, from one of my favorite sites http://allrecipes.com/. I use all of the ingredients suggested in the recipe and make the addition of ham and mushrooms to it. It is heavenly delicious.

Quick Quiche

8 slices bacon

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

4 ounces shredded swiss cheese

1 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup all purpose flour

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups milk

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. ( I brown my onions in a little of the bacon grease).

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate.

3. Line bottom of pie plate with cheese, bacon and anything else you would like to add in. Combine eggs, butter, onion, salt, flour and milk; whisk together until smooth; pour into pie plate.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 35- 40 minutes or until set. Serve hot or cold.

Christmas Lights

The lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City are so breathtaking especially at Christmas time. Our family has always had a tradition of going to see them each year. We love listening to the beautiful music sung by choirs there and the spirit filled messages of our Saviors birth. This year we went twice. The first time we took our friends the Mota's with us, then later our extended family on the Larsen side went together. It is a wonderful way to kick off our holiday season and reminds us that Christ is the true reason we celebrate this joyous time of year. We wish all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Winter Blast from the Past

(Kenzie, Tayler, Brittney, Colton, Braiden and Caleb)

I absolutely love this time of year. From the very first snowfall to the excitement of the Christmas season. Even simple rituals like making hot chocolate on a cold wintry day or building a snowman with the kids. The holidays are a great time to enjoy family and friends. The memories we create together are precious reflections that make life worth living. One of my favorites was a few years ago when my extended family got together for a tubing and sleigh riding adventure on a frozen lake. We made our way up to the Price/Wellington area where my Uncle Larry lives. When we arrived we realized that this wasn't just any ordinary sledding, my Uncle has a very unconventional imagination and had created what he called the "ghetto sled". It was made out of the hood of a car and the bench seat of an old truck welded together. He attached this sled to his 4 wheeler and pulled it around the lake. We were a little reluctant at first to try it, but we finally decided to give it a whirl. Together the four of us went for a spin, we had to keep our arms linked so that we didn't lose anyone off the side. By the end we were all laughing so hard we were literally crying. The entire afternoon was spent on the lake eating, enjoying each others company and hoping to get another ride on that silly "ghetto sled".
(Lisa, Dede, Tracy and Suzy Q.)

State Champs

Wow, what a game it was. Alta vs. Bingham for the State 5A Championship title. Caleb was so excited to dress for this intense battle, even as a Junior. It was played at Rice Eccles Stadium on Friday, November 21st. Both teams were tough. At first it seemed that Bingham (one of our biggest rivals) might pull off a win. With just 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter of the game, the score was 6-17 (Bingham's favor). Alta made a touchdown plus a 2 point conversion. We held them. They punted to us and we scored another touchdown, with only 30 seconds left on the clock. They got the ball but we held them until the end and were victorious at last. Final score Alta 21 Bingham 17!!!! Can you say, "Scream your guts out." Matt had laryngitis for 2 whole days. It was so exciting, words cannot express te buzz that was in the stands. The Hawks truly rocked! Great year Caleb!

HOW LUCKY AM I?

I am soooooo lucky to be married to my very best friend. On November 10th we celebrated our 20th wedding Anniversary. In the beginning everything was so new and exciting- our courtship, Matt waiting for me on my mission, our engagement, marriage, moving into a place of our own. It was all one big adventure that we both jumped into simply because we were in love and couldn't bear the thought of spending one more moment apart. We didn't have a lot of money or much of anything else for that matter. We basically flew by the seat of our pants. All these years later our love has definitley grown so much stronger....we have learned a great deal about each other and sometimes we still fly by the seat of our pants. The adventures keep on coming and have now been multiplied by adding five children to the mix. Truth is I love adventure it keeps me on my toes. It doesn't hurt that my cute hubby is a rock-he's strong, solid and steadfast in all that he does. He loves everything about life in a big way. In a heartbeat he will drop whatever he's doing if any of us ever need him. He is unselfish and completely devoted to our family life. To be perfectly honest I couldn't have dreamed of a better person to go through life with. I love my Matt with all my heart and am purely happy and content with the life we have built together. Happy 20th !!!!

End of Football Season

Colton's football team had quite a season. They were really well coached this year and even learned the Alta High School offense and defense, which will prepare him for next year. Coaches Lund, Bronson, (Matt), Strong and Tovey all taught him a great deal. On Saturday November 8th they played for their division Championship, unfortunatley it was another Alta team we had to go up against. Colton scored the first touchdown of the game just a couple of minutes into it. They were a pretty tough team and made it a battle, however we pulled off a win in the end. Final score 18-13!!!!! It was a great year with some fun players and fond memories of all the great people we got the chance to play with.

Halloween Hauntlings

Happy Birthday Colton

Our little "Colty Bear" turned 15 this year. He has absolutley forbid me from calling him "Colty" anymore and has informed me most emphatically that he is not a "bear". That having been said, Colton really has grown up fast. He has a great sense of humor and is confident enough to make a friend out of everyone he meets. To celebrate this year he had a few buddies over for some lunch and then went out to a movie. Later that evening they all had a sleepover.

Garden Fresh Tomatoes

From as far back as I can remember my grandparents always kept a garden. They loved growing vegetables and fruits and we were most often the benefactors of their harvest. My Mother and Grandmother spent time in their kitchens each Fall canning tomatoes, green beans, peaches and jams. I myself have always opted to buy mine at the grocery store. In keeping with tradition the last couple of years my parents and siblings that live close by decided to plant a large family garden on Grandpa's property. This year I was inspired by the "Fashionably Foodie" blog (see link in right column) to try my hand at canning a few tomatoes myself, she made it look so easy and fun. I made my Grandma's tomato soup base which goes great in chili, soup or stew. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and their was a certain sense of satisfaction at having picked our own produce and now getting to enjoy the results throughout the upcoming Winter.

Grandma's Tomato Soup Base

-1 bucket of tomatoes
-1 bunch of celery
-3 green bell peppers
-2 onions

Step 1- Dice celery, peppers and onion in food processor to the consistency you like and place in a large pot.

Step 2- Wash your tomatoes. Then place approximaltey 12 at a time in a boiling pot of water for 30 seconds. Remove from water and place in a bowl of ice water. Skins should peel off easily. Continue until all of your tomatoes are peeled.

Step 3- Remove cores and any bad parts then cut your tomatoes into quarters. Place in your pot along with the other processed veggies. Simmer on stove top for 10 minutes.

Step 4- Add 1 tsp. of salt and 2 Tbsp. of lemon juice in the bottom of your quart size jars. Fill jars to 1/4 inch from the rim with tomato mixture. Wipe clean then add flat lids and rings.

Step 5- Place up to 7 bottles at a time in a pressure cooker adding 2-3 quarts of water. Place lid on and allow steam to build for 10 minutes before placing bobber on the cooker. When pressure reaches 10 lbs. begin timing for 40 minutes. Let pressure come down for approximatley 20 - 30 minutes before removing lid. Or you may process them in a steamer(45 min.) or boiling water bath (50 min.) covering with water 1 inch over your bottles.

Step 6- Remove bottles and let rest for 24 hours. Label and store.

Our Pretty Princess

Mikayla was in our local newspaper last spring, for being in a fashion show. She was asked to model some of the clothes made by her sister Tayler's advanced sewing class. The princess gown was one of her favorites. For months whenever we'd run into someone and they'd comment on how cute she was she'd urgently whisper "Don't forget to tell them I was in the newspaper!" Fame certainly hasn't went to her head. She just wants to remind people of her moment in the spotlight.

A Righteous Influence

"To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home--which is society's basic and most noble institutuion. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife."

-Spencer W. Kimball-

Football "Fan"atic

Here are the top 4 reasons why I am a Football Fan.

1. My husband is "the coach", and has been for the past five years. How could I ever miss an opportunity to see Coach Larsen standing on the sidelines screaming his guts out in excitement for this game he loves soooooo much. He especially enjoys the boys he gets to work with. Even more important than winning every game (and believe me that's pretty important) is his philosophy of building better boys. Each year he wants them to come away feeling like they have grown and been a part of something great.

2. Caleb my 16 year old has made football his sport of choice from age 11 on up. He now gets to play on the High School team, which is so much more intense and exciting. His position is hawk or outside linebacker. When you hear the helmets crack you know the boys have now all grown up into full size men.

Here he is #40 in our local newspaper after playing one of our biggest rivals Bingham High School and winning. Last year Alta High took State and with a record of 5-1 so far this year they just might do it again!

3. My 14 year old son Colton is finishing his last year of little league. He plays tailback, quarterback and linebacker. He's lightning fast and knows how to read the plays. Watch the video footage below from his game last week against Grantsville to see why I don't even like to miss watching a practice during the season, Colton is #11. He made two TD's and we pulled off a win.

4. There is really so much about this sport that I love, the 3 guys above are the biggest reasons. But as each year rolls around I truly look forward to August when I can mingle with all the other football parents and our extended family who come to support us. I love watching each practice, scrimmage and game cheering for my kids and our beloved team. I even love sitting outside and enjoying the changing season (except for a game a couple of years back, just ask my Mother-in-Law about the bucketfuls of rain that poured off our umbrella and down the back of our pants each time we 'd get excited and clap). Sometimes it's very cold and wet but our spirit and love of the game of football still has not been dampened. Go Hawks!!!!!

Projects in Progress

As you can see on my sidebar I've now added a little feature called Projects in Progress. This is a fun way to update people on the latest things I'm working on. It's also a great motivator for me to finish the projects I start.... Once complete I'll update the picture and then post it!

Family Notebook

This idea for a family notebook came from my sister Diane. I have used this system for the past 3 or 4 years and swear by it. It's a great way to keep you organized and all of your family info. in one place. You can also customize it to suit the needs of your own busy family. I bought a 3 ring binder which is always in the same drawer in our kitchen. Mine contains the following: a print out of local phone numbers we call frequently (our ward directory), Emergency information for babysitters, our family schedule and my cleaning schedule. These are all kept in clear page protectors to keep them from tearing. I then purchased some clear colored pockets that have a place for labeling subjects or categories. These contain info. for School, Sports, Church, Meal Planning and Mom's Misc. The clear pockets inside the front and back cover of my binder hold temporary items such as an insurance card it we are going out of town or anything else that needs my attention right away. I love the fact that anyone in the family can immediately find their information and it's portable enough to grab and take to a doctors appointment or school meetings. Sanity saver indeed. Thanks DeDe!!!

Yes, I am a "Fly Lady" Fan

I love to read something that motivates me to stretch a little higher and do something a little better. So here is my book recommendation for home organization, "Sink Reflections" by Marla Cilley aka the "fly lady". In my quest to organize the chaos that we sometimes have in our happy little home...I decided to try something new. I began reading Marla's website http://www.flylady.net/a couple of years ago and went out and bought her book. I got a little side tracked however by trying to do everything all at once. I forgot to read the part where she talks about taking babysteps when it comes to tackling housework. I love her writing style. It is refreshingly lighthearted and fun. Her approach to maintaining an organized home is simple and effective. Starting with keeping your kitchen sink clean and shiny. She also helps you to stop criticizing yourself through expecting perfection and instead adopting the mantra, "housework done incorrectly still blesses your home." I have now developed my little morning and evening routines and have been following them faithfully for the last 30 days or so and I am so happy with my progress. My little mountains of clutter are slowly put surely shrinking. A few Sunday's ago I hosted a family dinner and didn't even have to panic about cleaning the house because it already looked tidy, hooray! My attitude about housework is changing from one of feeling sorry for all that I have to do in a day to realizing what a blessing it is to take care of my home and sweet little famiy. I love this book!!!

Engineers

I saw this today on my sister's friends blog and I couldn't resist posting it on my own. Anyone who knows our little Miguel will get a real chuckle out of this one. Thanks for sharing Angie!

Sweet Dreams

I'm not afraid to admit it or even fight it...I am a big fan of "the nap". It rejuvinates me and gives me the added energy boost I need to complete my day, as well as the added bonus of making me a much more pleasant person to be around. A nap to me on a Sunday afternoon is somewhat of a luxury. Especially if it's rainy or cold outside. To tuck myself under a blanket and totally relax with no deadlines to meet is pure bliss. Even on weekdays I love it when I can fit in an hour or so of relaxation time just for me. At our house it usually begins as I go to my room and the kids to theirs for what we call quiet time. I try to put aside all of my work so that I can read or write something which just naturally leads to my favorite past time..."a nap". Ahhhh pure heaven!

Sharing our Abundunce

"To live a pure unselfish life, one must

count nothing as one's own

in the midst of abundance."

-Buddha-

In the Book of Mormon King Benjamin gives a beautiful discourse on giving to those in need. He says, "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold and for silver and for all the riches which we have of every kind...Oh then how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another". (Mosiah 4:19,21) I hope that I can always keep this in mind as we have been so very blessed. May our hearts respond to those who have greater needs than our own.

Our little friends Gabby and Emmy

Then and Now-

Emily (almost 8)

Gabby( almost 10) with her mom Maria.

The Foster Care Foundation is an organization that is dear to our hearts. A few years ago our family had the opportunity to serve as a foster family. We loved doing this. Every child who came to us was lovable and had a great deal to teach us. We especially love the fact that fostering is about giving families second chances to make a fresh start, it was rewarding to see parents who loved their children so much, work hard to create a better life for them.
Gabby and Emmy lived with us for a short time five years ago. We have been so blessed that they have wanted to keep in touch. On Sunday they came to dinner with their mother Maria and brother Rudy. We love catching up on all their latest happenings. And we look forward to many more successes in their lives yet to come.

Back to School Memory

My favorite subject in school was English/Literature. I remember my Elementary School teachers reading to me. "The Boxcar Children" and "A Wrinkle in Time" were favorites. I loved how these books would carry me away to a whole different place in my imagination. Later in High School, I loved learning about some of the great writers of our time. I also love to write-but mostly about life, ideas and people who inspire me. I have volumes of journals I have kept since my very first little diary complete with lock and key given to me when I was 8. If I live to be a hundred years old I still won't have lived long enough to read all that I'd like to. What was your favorite subject in school?

Back to School Traditions

My baby Mikayla started Kindergarten this year, happy for her a little sad for me (sniff, sniff).

Miguel is so grown up now first grade is a full day at school. He said, "It was really long Mom!" But each day he's up and ready to go!


Growing up I was the oldest of six children. I remember each year my Mom would take me school shopping all by myself and then let me choose a place to eat out for lunch. Because we didn't get a lot of one on one time, this was something I really looked forward to each year. I have contunued this tradition with my kids and even though it's a simple thing, I try hard to not feel rushed and to really make each one feel listened to and special. We also set aside a night before school starts when each child gets a Father's blessing from Matt. I think this helps them not only with their studies but in all the other challenges they may face throughout the new school year.

Chewy Peanut Butter Bars

A favorite school lunch memory of mine, were the days when this yummy dessert was served. I would trade anything on my tray for an extra "peanut butter bar". Still a favorite treat for everyone who agrees that chocolate and peanut butter are the perfect combination. I searched far and wide to find a recipe with just the right texture. These bars are soft and chewy and smothered in chocolate frosting. What could be better than that? (Source: found on allrecipes.com under "chewy peanut butter brownies", I tweak mine a little to make them nice and thick).

3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup softened margarine
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. + 1/8 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together peanut butter and margarine. Gradually blend in the brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in preheated oven, or until the top springs back when touched. Cool, and cut into squares.

Kamauoha's Visit

This is my dear friend Karen. We played on the same softball team when I was twelve, and she was the only one who didn't make fun of me for wearing my big red high tops and being afraid of the ball. Later we were on Drill Team together and after graduation we became room mates for awhile, enjoying the single life in Provo, Utah (see above picture complete with 80's hair). She has always been a thoughtful and sweet friend to me. I was thrilled when she and her kids came to stay with us for a few days while visiting from their home in Washington.

Miguel loved hanging out with Karen's son Dylan.

The girls made paper crowns for our dog Coco. Ashlyn (Karen's daughter) crowned him and he will forever after be known as "Sir Coco Puff".

Ashlyn, Mimi, Courtney and Miguel all chill with their popsicles.

Jordan and her "very cherry" red lips.

Mimi and Ashlyn were like "two peas in a pod", they both became instant friends.

This is another fun friend of ours from High School Jen Stone. We all enjoyed shopping at Taipan and doing lunch together. Alot of fun memories and laughs, I love reconnecting with old friends.

Idaho Falls

Matt and I spent the night in Idaho Falls the end of July and then went on to Rexburg where we picked up Colton and his friends from EFY.

The temple sits right along the Falls and this whole area is really quite beautiful.

Collin Tobler, Tanner Sorenson, Colton and Colton Rackley stayed at BYU Idaho campus for the week. They talked about their fun experiences all the way home. I think they all enjoyed it alot.