Leone Vivian Sorensen Larsen (1907 - 2001) - Find A Grave Memorial

Leone Vivian Sorensen Larsen (1907 - 2001) - Find A Grave Memorial

Home Remodel Beginning

Today would be the first day of our destruction before the construction can start. Actually Wayne and I have been working on things for a couple of weeks now like taking down cabinets and emptying out the bedroom closets and the shed. Today the big equipment came to remove our concrete. Looks like it's going to take another day to finish that project. Here's a picture from day one.

What are Your Christmas Traditions?

Christmas time is full of traditions. For our family and kids I ask them to name a few of the traditions that were most important to them around Christmas - they each named several different things but all three kids named having German Pancakes for breakfast as number one tradition. I don't really remember when we started having German pancakes on Christmas morning - my mom says she remembers having them with us in South Dakota on Christmas so that has been at least 22 years ago. I guess we can call that a tradition.
Some of my favorite traditions that we have done over the years is the traditional Christmas music we listen to. The same familar Christmas smells or scented candles that I have. I don't burn candles anymore but the scents are the same. I did buy a candle this year for my candle warmer. Salt City Candy Cane! Love it!!
We have poinsettias on the stairs - 4 of them up the stairway on shelves Wayne built. They are beautiful. We used to buy real but after years of throwing away these big expensive plants, I found some equally beautiful silk plants and so this is what I use now. Saves a lot of money wasted.
We have a yearly family Christmas party. Wayne and I love to cook a big fancy dinner for the family. It used to be for all of Wayne's extended family but as our family has grown and the kids have gotten married - the invite list has shifted to include just our kids and grandkids and our parents. This year we has filets with garlic mashed potatos, french bread, brussel sprouts in butter sauce and mushrooms and onions for the steak.
We had a break in tradition this year due to some work schedules, we normally go to Tylers and watch his kids open presents Christmas morning. This year because they were staying at my parents, my parents got to enjoy this treat. I hope they enjoyed this, I'm sure they did.

The boys have a 30 year tradition of going to cut our Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year Jocelyn and Brandon took Emma with them and their picture of Emma cutting the tree is so cute. Tyler went this year but none of his kids went. We need to work on that part. I'm sure his kids would have a great time. It was bad timing for Nash this year because he is right in the middle of potty training. Maybe next year. Zachary went but Hayan didn't take little Nia. At only 5 months old that one is easy to understand why Maybe next year for her too.

No matter what we hold on to as tradition and what we have to let go of as we start our own new families - I think the one most important tradition that must never be lost is family is the center and as long as we have our family, we are richly blessed We must always reflect upon the true me aning of Christmas and be grateful for our Savior. I am so grateful for my family - Our Parents, our siblings, our children and our grandchildren.Only because of them are we truly blessed and rich beyond measure .

 

Christmas Party 2012

So many good things happen and I don't take the time to record them. Luckily I can use my blog for my journal as well as my written journal. I figure between all of my different creative outlets, I should have things recorded somewhere. If not in written word, in pictures.
Recently Wayne and I had the opportunity of vacationing together in Kauai. It was a beautiful week together in a beautiful place. I've recorded most of that information in my travel journal but I may post some pictures here on the blog but not immediately.
As soon as we got home from Hawaii we finished preparing for our Christmas party. It was a polar express theme. We had the house decorated in snowflakes that each of the kids had made the week before. We made lifesaver trains and Karie helped the kids decorate sugar cookies. Our dinner was yummy. We had tenderloin (bacon wrapped of course), garlic mashed potatoes, brussle sprouts, fresh bread. Our cookies and the hot chocolate later in the evening was our dessert. Jocelyn helped everyone make popcycle stick stars and my dad told the little kids about the Christmas in 1937 or 38 when he received his toy train that we were using under the tree. Emmett told us a story about the Christmas he got his first BB gun and that was quite the story.
Here are a few pictures from our party.

We Need Humor in the Workplace

Like Minds Think Alike! Too Alike!

These 4 Sonic Route 44's have a very funny story. It started while I was talking to Wayne on his way home from work. I told him how thirsty I was and how I was craving a lime ricky. Not much else was said and Wayne was still in Bountiful so at least an hour away. I had errands to run and I left home to run to Brigham to go get gas in my car, go to Walmart, the dollar store and then back home. Wayne got home about 6:00 with 2 Route 44 lime Ricky's. Thinking he had done a great thing and was going to surprise me and make me so happy. I wasn't home and I didn't get home from my errands until about 7:00 and when I did, guess what I came home with? Yup! And thus we have 4, count them, 4 Route 44 lime ricky's. More calories in one than either of us need and we each have 2 now. I'm pretty sure that 44 is for 44 ounces. So 88 ounces of soda for each of us. $10 spent and some of the best laughs we've had in a long, long time!! You know they say when you're married long enough you start to finish each other sentences... Sometimes Wayne and I almost amaze ourselves at what we are capable of. This takes the cake today don't you think!?!

Meet our little Baby Nia

So excited to welcome little baby Nia into our family! Zach and Hayan have been waiting for a little baby for a while now, so when they finially became pregnant we were all so excited. We instantly knew that no matter what they had (boy or girl) it would be beautiful with lots of dark hair Nia was everything they could possible hope for. She certainly puts a smile on her mommy and daddy's face! She makes her grandma pretty dang happy too.