Spencer Turns the Big 4-!

Ahoy mateys! This here be the birthday celebration of the one-eyed Captain Spencer Sparrow, sporting his Hiccup headgear and light saber an' all!

What be a pirate birthday without ice cream and pizza (in that order) for dinner?

It was all hands on deck with Peg Leg Parker, Briny Ben, Big Fisted Briar, Hard Hitting Hyrum, Arrow Nosed Ammon, Just Joking Jarum, and sisters Midnight Maggie and Saw Toothed Sophie helping with the games. Ring Toss over the Alligator's nose, pin the flag on the pirate map, musical deserted islands, rip tide relay, and pass the coconut all got "huzzas" from this ghastly crew.
My favorite was the Pirate Ship pinata. It was so cute! Argh, I mean, more terrifying than the dead man's chest in Davy Jones' locker...

All hands to starboard for cake and ice cream!

My Favorite Things About 2010

· Learning to be a dog person again. I love my black lab Bella!

* Discovering green smoothies, Himalayan salt, and kale. And oh yes, Donckel’s Belgian truffles!!!

· Watching my kids get a year older, more mature, and more fun!

· Having Spencer potty-trained

· Reading the conference editions of the Ensign

· Reading the Book of Mormon in 90 days with my family

· ZUMBA!!!!

· Creating my pirate choreography for my clogging class

· Watching Maggie place 4^th in the district spelling bee… without even studying

· Making the acquaintance of Elizabeth Gaskell though the book and movie versions of Cranford and Wives and Daughters. Now I need to find North and South.

· My Jane Eyre phase over the summer, with Maggie watching too!

· Huckleberry picking and learning more about gardening

· Bridge jumping with the Ricks, Rigby lake with the Fransons and river exploring with the Goodnoughs

· Watching both Soph and Spencer learn how to swim… and seeing Sophie do a flip off Papa’s diving board! I can’t even do that!

· My kidless trip with Gary to Del Mar with the Knights! And that dinner at Roy’s. macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi. Sleeping in, playing games and watching movies until late, eating out…. Ahhh.

· Enjoying the feeling of doing real and substantial temple work with Gary and our 3-4 temple dates a month… and living within 10 minutes of a jewel of a temple here in Rexburg

· Learning to make my favorite restaurant takeoff recipes at home, like strawberries and cream crepes, lettuce wraps and our Wingers meal

· My RAD class and the RAD kids class (self defense) – thank you Emi!!!

· Discovering how much the whole family loves Tepanyaki restaurants. Everyone can find something to eat there, and hey, dinner and a show!

· Realizing again that I have a truly wonderful life, lack of sleep and all. I really am so lucky and blessed to have a tender, endearing husband, charming and relatively well behaved children, a cosy house that meets/surpasses our every need, and a secure job (prof at BYUI) for Gary. And membership in the world’s best church. And I love Rexburg. And I have the best parents in the world. And remarkable, lovely friends who show me daily what womanhood and motherhood can be. I am so very lucky to be who I am, where I am, surrounded by my life! (I just need to remind myself of that at 3 AM when Spencer’s up for the second time and I’m delirious with fatigue, or when Maggie’s pushing my buttons or Sophie refuses to do her hair…such minor, minor trials.)

2010 Christmas Highlights

Making gingerbread houses

This snow fort actually reached over six feet when Gary was finished. It had a roof and everything! Snow or sand, he is the best builder!

Christmas Eve at Nanny's house. Always lavishly decorated (thanks Natalie and Nanny!), with amazing food, a talent show, and a nativity pagent!

Vanessa, Remi, Mitchell and Chase did a hip hop dance. It was hysterical! They will do anything for Nanny! Maggie told Christmas riddles and clogged, and Sophie did her Mele Kalikimaka clog. Spencer was a Christmas lion in the pagent, Maggie was an angel, and Sophie got to be Mary! We were well represented.

Ta da! Christmas morning. Thanks Nana for the pajamas!!!

The hit gifts: the Star Wars legos and helmet for Spence, the Hungry Hippo Game, tons of new books, the American Girl doll clothes, angel barbies, new leap pads, brand new robes, slippers and blankets for everyone (it's cold here in Idaho!) and OF COURSE the karaoke machine from Nana and Papa! And oh yes, the brand spanking new trampoline that Santa delivered to the studio out back.

Gary gave me counter space for Christmas, bless him. He had our above-range microwave fixed (so we could put the countertop one away) and bought me this tv/dvd player for the kitchen instead. It installs above the counters, beneath the cabinets. Mommy was pretty darn pleased! He always finds some way to surprise and spoil me! I got him some winners too, but he almost always manages to outdo me.

We spent the day playing games, taking naps, carving out dinosaurs from the mini paleontologist kits from Santa, setting up the tramp, playing in the snow, and watching movies. And of course, since food is such an emotionally important aspect of my family traditions, we happily snarfed down crepes, eggnog French toast, ribs, homemade rolls, cheesy potatoes and hula ice cream pie. Kids went to bed very tired but very happy. What a wonderful day!

2010 Headlines from the Larsen Family Times

Stop the Presses: “Spencer (3 1/2) Was the World’s Easiest Potty Trained Kid!” The community at large rejoices as the last box of diapers is happily donated to the toddler down the street. The Larsen Household is now officially diaper-free.

Personals: “One adorable black lab/collie mix puppy available at the pound.” Oh wait, no she’s not, because we took her home! All are immediately smitten with charms of said puppy… even mom, who had to clean up her puppy poop. Bella grew really fast, but she’s a good doggie!

Sports: “Footworks Young Adult Clogging team comes home with three first place wins from Western Nationals!”

“Team Bella-n-Kids Clock New Speed Records On Kitchen/Front Room Speedway”

Theater Review: “Madison High School’s Fall Musical of ‘Singing in the Rain’ (Choreography by Gary Larsen) is Smashing Success!”

Health and Beauty: “Larsens Join the Nebulizer Owner’s Club as Pneumonia Sweeps through the Family. Enrollment in the Albuterol Flavor of the Month Plan is a Bonus.”

“Tylenol with Codeine Ruled an Effective Pain Reliever When Margaret Larsen Broke Both Wrists in One Scooter Accident”

“How to Give Dogs Pain Pills for Broken Legs: A Primer”

Weekend: “2010 Critic’s Choice Awards go to Tepanyaki Restaurants, Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings, Donckel’s Belgian Truffles, Horseback Riding, Zumba, The Grand del Mar, Bye Bye Birdie, The Princess Bride, Three Amigos, Legos, The Hunger Games and The Fablehaven Series”

Travel Section: “SE Idaho Prime Destination for Outdoor Recreation”: bridge jumping, waterfall tours, hiking, and river and pond swimming win top accolades. Contact the editor to book your reservation at the Casa del Larsen as your gateway to Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and the infamous (that’s “more than famous”) St. Anthony sand dunes!

Want Ads: one tired mom desires in-house assistant to aid with dishwashing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, bum wiping, carpools, midnight sheet changings, doing screaming daughters’ hair, etc. Payment will be in meatballs, with signing bonus of caramel popcorn, depending on experience.

Christmas Pics!

(Bella's not normally allowed on the furniture so she was a little excited about this!)

Thanks Dawn for taking these pics! I FINALLY have a picture that we're all in from 2010!

Thanksgiving 2010

Always up for a challenge (and as sucker who can't say "no"), Gary choreographed the local high school's fall musical, Singing in the Rain. While he enjoyed the experience, we were all grateful when it it was over and we had our dad back! The show closed the Monday before Thanksgiving, in the midst of a rampaging snowstorm which cancelled school...but could never cancel Gene Kelly!

We went to closing night, packed up, and early the next morning lit out of Rexburg, driving white knuckled at the wheel through a blizzard with visibility of about 10 feet, to get to the safer, warmer (we hoped) locales of Richfield, Utah for Turkey Day. Holidays at Gram and Grandpa's are always relaxed, low stress, dog-filled affairs (although we left Bella with some awesome neighbors so she wouldn't be stuck in the car for us for 8 hours), and we had a lovely four days of reading, watching movies (we saw Tangled on opening day!), playing cards, eating food and hanging out. We even *gasp* hit black Friday and got some super deals on Christmas gifts. It was the first time I'd done it because I really dislike crowds and I really do like sleep, but we picked the midnight whammy rather than the 5 AM slug fest so we went, grabbed our goods, and were out of there in 20 minutes. Must be a record! In bed and asleep by 1, and slept in until 9 AM because the kids run upstairs and wake up Gram and the dogs instead of us. Ahh, not a bad deal over all!

Playing 5 Crowns. Gary is flashing his gangsta signs to show that he got the highest score! (sorry honey, that means you lost! :-) )

Packing up the kids for the drive home... Scotty always thinks he gets to come! Cute little furballs... and the dog too.

Thank-A-Thon

People Who Have Changed My Life
In no particular order, and not in enough detail, and leaving out many, I’m sure, but only by accident and because time and space here are issues…

· My husband, Gary. He sees, loves and nurtures (and puts up with!) the real Mindy – nuff said. And he brought out the wackier side of my sense of humor – without him I would never have come to appreciate Dumb and Dumber and Tommy Boy. And he refined my taste in cheese. And we laugh a lot together. And oh yes I love him a lot!

· My siblings (and in-laws) and parents… but I can’t go into all that here because I would never have done. Last summer though at Aspen Grove I wrote them each a detailed, specific letter letting them know why I appreciate them and how they have changed my life. You are loved, dear family! And mom and dad, a special thank you – your high opinion of me makes me want to live up to it.

· My kids – you have pages and pages in y our journals detailing my love and delight in you. Read them and know how deeply I love you. In general though, parenting has presented me with my biggest challenge… and therefore my biggest opportunity for growth.

· My core best friends: Christy Knight, for being an answer to prayer again and again and again… I consider you my true, beloved sister! Pammy Welch – you saved me in LA so many times, plus you helped me develop a backbone. And nobody swears at me like you do! I adore you honey! Julianne Muhlestein – LA would have been a cold and dreary place without you. Settlers Forever! (I am the king of Catan, no matter what Kerry says!) Sarah Cannon, my goddess divine in Charlotte, I continue to learn so much from you and miss you dreadfully! Juli Hicks, ditto. Please come visit. My HHS cronies, for making my high school years (and the married Vegas Girls trips) so freakin’ awesome. Who else would appreciate my taste in Broadway music and dance in the parking lot with me? Stina Berg, you gorgeous Chinese brainiac you - sure wish Oklahoma were closer! And B, Brenda Franson, for being my saving grace, confidante, and self-reliance guru in Rexburg. I am so lucky to have found such amazing women in my many moves to enrich my life!

· Kim Clayton, the director of the singing groups I grew up in – can enough ever be said about him? Funny, strict, inspiring, talented, the best mentor in every way. If you’ve ever worked with him, you understand. Plus the broad range of music he exposed us to acquainted me with some of the best out there, and gave me a deeply personal attachment to particular songs and music as a whole. And the places he took us, Cali and Florida and Washington and England – in many ways he opened the world to me!

· Debbie Brower, my best friend from 5-8^th grade. Ah, the complete satisfaction and stability to my soul to have a bosom and best friend! She was the reason Junior High was so great for me. Plus she got me out of reading the Beverly Cleary books and into the good stuff – Gone with the Wind in particular. She and I were two peas in the proverbial pod.

· My cousin Brittany, who told me when I was about eight that the Lord does everything for us and all he asks is that we kneel when we pray to him. I have had no problem getting on my knees ever since.

· Helen Stewart and Randy Puzey, our RS pres and bishop in the Sugar City ward, for showing me what loving, ideal leaders can do for a person.

· Lucy Maude Montgomery and Jane Austen. I cried when I was sick once, probably in 5^th grade, because Anne Shirley wasn’t a real person. These two authors, above all others, enhanced my love of nature, love of literature, my love of romance, and my (rather extreme) idealism. They lived and wrote in a time when men and women were expected to be good, moral, and respectful of each other. I envy that, and believe in it still as the best way for society to function.

· My English teachers, from Heather Brunjes on to M. Haltiner. I remember and value you all. Thank you for teaching me to love your subject! And infinite thanks to Julie Hewlett as well for being absolutely unequalled and for inspiring me to be a Humanities major. And for Madame Davis, who nurtured my love for French as well and gave me so many opportunities for leadership.

· To George Henry, that infamous AP American History teacher, who taught me how to write. I could write before that class, and write well, but he showed me how to simplify, systematize and understand what I did that made good writing. Plus I loved a challenge back then, so being one of only two students to get “A’s” out of him was a thrill. And he was so stimulating to work with – didn’t take any crap – as the student leadership advisor.

· Gayle Petersen, Linda Slater, Dianne Richards and all my other outstanding Young Women’s advisors. You DID make a difference.

· Charlotte Bronte for writing Jane Eyre, the story about a young woman who sticks to her convictions and does the hard thing. I so love that book.

· Nanny, who with her amazing love and unselfishness always calls when I need someone to talk to, always so concerned about everyone but herself. From her I have learned the value of a life spent in service.

· Jonas Anderson, who may never realize that that day he stopped and talked with me at the Morris Center at BYU my freshman year when I was having a bad day forever attested to me that God works through other people. Thank you for being one of his trustiest tools, Vern! Cody Tower, you were there for me at a dark moment too – thanks for being a great listener and friend.

· The Fellas – Mark, Charlie, Ryan, Mel, Blue and Greg – I always admired the way you stuck together with your unapologetic, absolute friendship for each other. Plus you were some of my very best friends (and crushes!) for years, and made my HS junior year absolutely GOLDEN. Thanks especially to Mark and Charlie. Love you both… in a completely platonic way, of course!

· My Crushes – I had several rather violent crushes that each lasted for years – Jim, Jason, Ryan, and Jarrod - thanks for being the patient targets of my naive romantic passions. Jarrod, you were also the first heartbreak – so painful through the duration, but I saw afterwards how necessary the cracking of that nut was. It prepared me for what was to come and I would have been crushed without it. If that makes any sense. It does to me. So, thank you.

· My Clayton friends, who gave me the separate life and friends to fall back on if others weren’t working out: Andrew Nielsen (my brother), Annie Breinholt, Angela Bentley, Kyle Taylor, Jen Medsker, the Williams, the Knapps, so many others.

· President Monson, who’s warmth, charisma, faith, healing powers, and vast and measureless love for the individual have wrought many miracles in my life.

· Bro. Perotti and Kenny ______ (sorry, brain freeze), my two favorite seminary teachers, for awakening the scripture studying beast within me and welcoming me to the world of actually studying my scriptures and the gospel on a daily basis.

· Victor Hugo, Boublil and Schoenberg for Les Miserables, the book and musical. The book helped solidify my concept of mercy and redemption, and the musical, one of the best ever, introduced me to the world of Broadway musicals.

· To my first period French I class at Murray high my first year of teaching – you were the difficult class, the challenging class, the obnoxious class… the class that cried when I told them I was leaving the next year to move to LA. You taught me that the kids with the pink hair, black clothes and dog collars can be the most imaginative, endearing, and potential –filled kids out there. Go get’em! I’m sure you already have.

There’s more, I’m sure, but dinner must be got and children fed. Thanks everyone for touching my life in permanent, precious ways!