Happy New Year from Utah!

Happy New Year Everyone! We are in Utah this year for the holiday. Kev’s family goes bowling as tradition so that is what we are doing tonight. I think the boys are at the perfect ages to be hilarious bowling…I look forward to it!

Yesterday we played in the snow. I thought I would be “Super-Fun-Snow-Mom” and slide down the snow-packed stairs from the deck to the back yard, on an inner tube, with Clark on my lap. I also thought it would be a good idea to run my arm against the stair railing to make sure we didn’t go too fast. Well, both of my ideas turned out to be much more frightening and painful than I expected, but we made it down with relative safety! And I am here to type about it today. (Don’t worry, Clark didn’t experience the pain or fright…just the fun!)

Henry kind of liked the snow. He thought it was funny when I threw snowballs at him. I did too. It is nice to have a snowball fight with children that can’t really throw yet! I recommend it, but I know someday I’m in for major pay-back.

Our puppy Deuce is living the high life at my mom and dad’s. He has grass to play in and lot’s of friends. Milo, Jack, Ringo and Francie are all residing in the general area!

Well, my resolution this year is to de-clutter and simplify my life! I just watched a movie about Mother Theresa, and realized there are many small and simple things I can do in my own home to make it a more peaceful place.

Best wishes to all of you for 2008! We love you!
Kevin, Katie, Clark and Henry Larsen

Halloween!

I am picking my children's costumes as long as they don't they could pick their own...there I said it! I LOVE a good family theme! How could I resist The Wizard of Oz this year???


Clark was a very loving little tin-man...he mostly loved the candy!


Kevin insisted we just call Henry, "The Lion" because he is not at all cowardly!


Clark loved trick-or-treating! The highlight of the outing was running into his hero Spiderman...he couldn't believe it!



Amy likes a theme too! She was "Pumpkin Spice" and Eliza was a little "Pumpkin Princess."


I think my mom and Kristin are kindred spirits in so many ways...what cute little insects they make!


So here is the highlight of my Halloween this year...Gram Rozsa as a Snake Charmer!!!! My dad made a cute Chick Magnet too!

Clark, Henry, Duece and Friends

Fun at the Park with Annie, Luke, Ringo and Francie!

Clark and Deuce.

What good little brothers!

Just two boys and thier dog.

Ingrid Michaelson

[via FoxyTunes / Ingrid Michaelson]

Swimming at Auntie Kristin's!

Aunt Kristin spoiled us today with a little impromptu Labor Day Barbecue and Swim Party!

In many areas of the country this would probably be the last swimming day of the summer...in AZ we will probably be able to swim right up till Halloween!


Dad, Henry, Clark and Auntie Kristin!


The boys sunning themselves on the rocks...what a nice day.


Dive in guys!


Henry and I still enjoying the pool...everyone else was eating!

My Birthday!

Kevin put together a perfect birthday party for me! Friends, Family and Karaoke at home. If you know me at all, you know home is my favorite place to be!



My mom made a delicious cake and cupcakes! Rachelle and Annie are enjoying the cupcakes...apparently unaware they are being photographed!



Opening presents!! Bradley was enthralled...or did he even notice?



Karaoke! Kevin set up the big speakers! I am sort of in love with my microphone voice...so are Abi and Kristin.

Anyway, it was a delightful evening!

Ahhh Peace!

How sweet is this? In the immortal words of John Lennon, he is a "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy."

Regret

I do not enjoy regret. I avoid it as I think we all do. But sometimes, perhaps too often we make decisions based on incorrect assumptions, and then we must regret them.

I have been thinking of the subject lately, because I cut off communication with a friend years ago. Not a just a friend--my best friend. I believed she had wronged me and would not allow her to explain her actions. I have recently gotten back in touch with this friend and found out, she felt just as wronged as I. It was all due to a lack of communication and resulted in years of no contact.

During those years, I got married and had two darling little boys. Those were events that in the past I had always imagined my friend would be a part of. Now they are sweet memories for me, but I am saddened that she wasn't there.

Regret cannot change that past, but I think it is the natural consequence for some bad decisions. I miss having her as my best girl friend, and I am not sure I will ever get that back.

There are great lessons to be learned from a little regret.

I recently looked at my wedding photos and realized this one should have had my friend in it. There is room to the far left for her and everything.