I'm two years behind blogging... but here's this year's Christmas card!

Merry Christmas 2015 from the Larsens!

While looking back over my pictures of 2015 to create this card, I was overwhelmed with the many wonderful things that we’ve experienced this year.  Seriously, Maui and France in one year!?!? How cool is that? We’ve definitely had some curve balls thrown at us as well, but realize in retrospect that, as always, even those challenges help us grow in important (though sometimes painful) ways. 2015 highlights include:

·    Spencer’s special baptism day in January, in Salt Lake City with most of our families around. What a gift!

·    Maui in January – seriously, we are so lucky! Even if Spencer did totally throw up all over the rental car in Maui as we were driving down the volcano almost out of gas on our way to the airport. Good times. J

·    Major surgery (and a near death experience) for me in February, with a long, slow recovery. Mom out of order meant the kids took on new responsibilities – lots of personal growth for everyone!

·    Watching my wise, kind, talented husband grow in his position as Department Chair of Theater and Dance at BYU-Idaho

·    Teaching Princess camp with Maggie and Sophie’s help, playing with cousins (bridge jumping!) and grandparents, and 4-wheeler driving lessons in the summer

·    A heart-stoppingly wonderful 3-week tour in France with our American dance Festival team, returning to Paris, Rodez and Confolens to see greatly beloved friends, and to make new ones!  There are some amazing people out there in the world, and we love them so much. Including our dance kids!

·    Maggie getting braces and discovering that boys make really good friends. Much less drama.

·    Del Mar, CA in October, with the Grand del Mar, golf lessons, beach time, romping with seals, great food and a tour of an aircraft carrier

·    The opportunity Sophie and Spencer had to play Jane and Michael Banks in MHS’s  magical musical Mary Poppins this fall. The growth they experienced and the friends they made fill my heart with joy and gratitude for such wonderful opportunities!

Lots of highs, enough lows to keep us learning. At this time of year, we are especially grateful for the birth of our Savior, and for the love and hope his gospel brings to our lives. We are grateful to live in America and for our wonderful families and friends. Merry Christmas to you all!

Love,

Mindy, Gary, Maggie (14), Sophie (11), Spencer (almost 9), and Bella our beloved doggie

And for a truly Larsen holiday greeting, follow this link. Yes, we sing and dance as elves. :-)
 http://www.jibjab.com/view/n85gOxlwA2OoRGnbtZY7