"She got 'em both done at the same time!"

Some say she was crazy for doing it, but Gma Larson wanted to say hello to a pair of new knees and say goodbye to pain with every step. She tolerated the procedure well and today is getting around essentially pain-free. Still working on the range of motion, but doing great overall.

She had a birthday while at the rehabilitation facility. We were happy to be in town to offer birthday wishes to "brave" Grandma Gail.

Ode to Frodo, Braces Pioneer and At-home-buddies

We really enjoyed our lil' pup Frodo Baggins Larson during our time at Fort Irwin. With the great Belgium Unknown looming, we decided to let Frodo stay with another loving family to make things a little easier with the transition. Our awesome neighbors, The Coonfield's, were happy to adopt Frodo into their family and reports are that he is doing great, although he keeps sneaking out looking for the fires of Mount Doom.

Emma was the first member of our family to have braces (except momma mindy). She had these put on after having a few teeth "wiggled out"--not pulled. The braces worked well and she already has them removed. Were just waiting for when she'll need round two of braces in a few years.

Ian and Tessa were real homebodies when the other kids went off to school. They got to hang out together with Mommy. It was fun to see how they became really good buddies. They continue to have a special realationship. Most of the time without bloodshed.

The Bright Lights of Temple Square

We went up to SLC to get illuminated at Temple Square. It was cold, but our hearts were warm and the kids were having fun. The lights were beautiful as expected. We also had some hot cocoa, to which the kids are addicted now. We decided to do the carriage ride as it'll be a while before we get back here, not unexpectedly the kids loved it, especially our "horse farmer-ette", Emma.

My brother Kirk helped construct the reflecting pool in front of the Temple.

Brrrrrr, where's the hot chocolate?!

Temple Square Fun - slideshow with music

Christmas in the desert--2010

Its funny that the first time we ever enjoyed a real live Christmas tree of our own was when we were living in the desert. We bought one in Barstow from a tree-peddler from Portland. Real symmetrical and scentsy-er than a car air freshener to boot. The kids had a lot of fun decorating it. The decorating sequence went something like this: 1. Mom or Dad applies ornament 2. Ian takes ornament down...repeated multiple times.

As we are wont to do, we made some gingerbread houses. We had the Morales Family join us this year. It was lotta fun.

Christmas 2010 - slideshows

Halloween at Irwin--2010

There were ghouls, creepies, princesses, indians and lizard monsters a-plenty on the streets of Fort Irwin for Halloween. The kids had a blast dressing up and going around trick or treating. Someone had rigged up a hay ride on a trailer behind his Jeep Wrangler which the kids had a lot of fun on. As usual waaay too much candy was received and consumed in mass quantities.

Cute!
Fairy Princess Tessa with her fierce-some pet dragon Ian.

If you thought Dragon-Ian was fierce-some, just check out our Branch President, Matt Jeppson. He scares the confessions right out of you.

Another year turns for Tessa and Max

Our Tessa Jo Jo Monkey Bird turned 4 years old in October. She is such a character. We love her so! We had a fun princess-themed birthday party. Seems repetitious to say about all of our kids, but its true, they're getting so big, so fast.

Maxwell Ivan turned 6 in October as well. He wanted a knight party. Instead of "pin the tail on the donkey", we did "rescue the princess"/"slay the dragon". The goal was to, instead of placing donkey tails, to use those little h'ordeuvres swords and place them on the poster, attempting to hit the dragon in a vital area. Unfortunately the princess got sliced a few times, but eventually was rescued!

Max is a really sweet kid, of course he has his days, but he is an awesome, independent kid. Love you Max!