Santa Barbara

We recently drove down to Santa  Barbara to visit our friends, the Gardners.  We had never been in that part of the country before and it sure is purdy.  Citrus orchards abound, things are pretty green.  The mountainous Santa Barbara terrain contrasts nicely with the deep blue Pacific.  The hillsides are covered with prime oceanview lots....we think we want one.  I didn't realize there were so many off shore oil drilling platforms along the coast... gee whiz hmmm, anyway.  We had a lot of fun out there.  We did some campfire cookin', caught some frogs and let the kids get their feet wet in the ocean (first time for Emma, Max and Tessa) and we visited the small Danish enclave of Slovang (north of Santa Barbara), which was a lot of fun.  The human powered, 6 person quadracycles were a hoot, I'm still feeling the burn.  Tessa loved her perch on the front basket.  We had a great time and had fun seeing Brian, Taryn, Kenna and Taylor.

Welcome Frodo....to the Park!!!!

We have a new addition to the family.  No, Mindy didn't deliver 3 months early...We picked up a puppy!!  His name is FRODO.  He's about 6 months old.  Here are a few pics of the family taking him for a walk to the park.  As you can see he's a mixed breed with the face of a terrier and the body of a dachshund.  Looking like a hot dog didn't do him any favors at the park tonight when a couple of Siberian Huskys thought he might make a nice little snack.  Of course Emma let go of the leash when Frodo tugged away to go say hi to his new "friends".    The whole family was frozen as Frodo scampered over engaging the Husky's and quickly found a set of jaws on his neck.  While Frodo's astounding, whining shrill was disturbing, it was easily eclipsed by the scream coming from Kimbyl as her new puppy was "getting killed".  The Husky's owner intervened and Frodo was released from the Jaws of Death.  The owner used the anemic excuse that they were just playing with him, but the Larson's knew better, there was BLOODLUST in those dog's eyes.  We retreated back to the homestead and closely checked over Frodo for battle wounds.  Luckily he seemed intact.  Only after prolonged holding and cuddling did the Universe return to normal in the Larson home, and of course a few lessons on leash-holding for Emma.    Oh yeah, and Max and Tessa had fun on the teeter-totter.

Here is some footage of the kids driving around a nearby basketball court.  Watch it to the end and you'll see why its a good idea they wear helmets to protect their coconuts.   On the left we see our dual garbage disposal, the one under the sink does most of the work, but if Tessa gets her hands on any scraps she knows how to take care of 'em.  She loves using the stool to get a better view and to help out.  She can't quite reach the sharp things yet, but any day now we're sure. Yikes!

Biker Gang

The Larson Kids have been bit by the big biker bug. They love to get outside and go fast!!! There is a track nearby where we go race. If you could see track from an aerial view it might look like the face of a clock with Kimbyl as the second hand spinning fast round and round. Emma, the minute hand, goes pretty fast herself and Max the hour hand slow and steady. Kimbyl is free wheelin' it for the past few months, whereas Emma, Max are still with training wheels. Tessa Likes run around and pretend she is on a bike, chasing after the others.

We can't believe its 2008 and that January is already gone (almost).
Today is Mom Lant's 29th birthday, Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!
This month has gone by quickly and has seen Ryan working long hours at the clinic (understaffing=longer hours to get stuff done). Mindy is as busy as ever with 4 busy-body children and serving as the Primary President in the branch. The army branch out here is unique in that the primary makes up over half the branch and the other half in required to staff the primary (not quite, but almost).
Kimbyl is enjoying her school and doing great with her studies, especially reading. She is able to swim a lap at the swimming pool now, even across the DEEP END!!!!! We are very proud of her.
Emma is doing pre-K and loves it. She is doing the reading program with Mindy as well and she seems to be burning through the books. She continues her infatuation with horses and a high pitched whinney often greets visitors to our home. She also is doing swimming lessons and is growing gills.
Maxwell is a little more tenative in the pool, but is making progress. He loves playing in the water. He is learning to color very well "inside the lines". He loves playing with his cars and trains. He tries to keep the harassing of his sisters to a minimum, kind of.
Tessa Jo is officially bipedal. She scampers now, with only the occasional wobble. She loves interacting with her sisters and brother. She's holding her own and isn't above taking a little nip at someone to get her point across. She is quite giggly too.


And "that's all I have to say about that."