Finishing out the Year

I have put off blogging because my blog says my photo quota is full. I am trying to decide what to do about that. I didn't realize it kept all pictures from any of my blogs and they all counted against one amount. I took all the pictures off of my recipe blog, just so I could post Christmas.

Anyway-

We had a relatively quiet week following Christmas- up until heading out to the Big City so Middle and the Girls team could have the opportunity to play a game against the Lady Grizzly team. Let's just say- they could have fared much worse. We only had a handful of players with any experience to speak of- and Middle is one of those. Three of the most experienced players were off with their traveling team. The DR ended up coaching- which was pretty hilarious because he doesn't know hardly any of the girls or what their abilities are. But it was a good experience for the girls.

We then drove home on New Years Eve- leaving Middle to come later with cousins, and then Oldest went to the dance, leaving me, youngest, and the DR home to ring in the New Year. We did so with the DR on the computer all night trying to finish up coaches training modules; and youngest and I making a fool of me playing Just Dance 3 and Extreme sports. Let it be known- I can count on one hand the number of times I have played any of the gaming systems we have- but I did get a good workout :) Maybe I better break out the wii workout program that I have never used. I am sure Just Dance 3 is much easier without anyone else around. If I only knew how to turn any of that stuff on. :)

A relatively quiet end to a boisterous year.

Merry Christmas 2011

This Christmas season has been a busy one, but Santa did make it to our house, and Middle, the DR, and I sang with the choir in Sacrament Meeting, despite the DR being sick with a cold and his voice giving out.

Outpatient and LOL were with her family, but thanks to modern technology- also known as facetime- they were with us in technological spirit while we opened most of our presents after we returned from church. There was something rather peaceful about getting up, finding out Santa had arrived, then eating breakfast, getting ready for church, attending church, and then coming home and leisurely opening gifts. I wish Christmas was on Sunday every year.

The DR managed a huge surprise for me- he gave me an iPad- and I didn't suspect a thing! Santa brought the girls new nightstands, hoodies, and other goodies- including a itouch for youngest and a new helmet for Middle. Oldest and Middle also got new hockey bags- with wheels! Oldest also got a new itouch to replace the casualty from this past summer, and a hoodie. We were all very spoiled- especially me.

Afterwards- I took a major nap- aparently missed my inlaws coming to see the patients. Later- we went to their house, opened presents from them and visited with my SIL and her family who were visiting from Washington.

Then- the best Christmas present of all- the return with honor of our nephew after serving the Lord for two years in Fortelza Brazil- it was a little bit priceless to see the shocl on his face as we introduced him to Facetime- so he could talk to Outpatient.

I hope the holiday season has been full of peace and joy for you and yours- Merry Christmas!

Weekly ReCap- Dec 12-18

Another crazy week- but not quite as busy.

Monday was typical- then on Tuesday, the patients had a piano performance- nothing too critical, they performed Christmas music for the residents of a retirement care home where our sister in law's mother lives-  We call her Grandma Billie.  It went well- but it was crazy busy with normal schedule plus trying to get to that with everyone dressed appropriately.  They played well- and the only bad for the day, was that although I did all the Tuesday stuff- I kept thinking it was Monday at the same time and I forgot a major part of my work stuff :(  . 

Wednesday- we ended up doing Tithing Settlement after an appointment- so that was last a surprise-  but finally- we were almost!!  all in one spot at the same time.  We had to give up on 100% attendance because that wasn't going to be possible.

Thursday things finally started to slow down a little.  Friday we headed out to go to see the lights at Temple Square, go to dinner at the Garden, and then on Saturday- to play two hockey games (both big wins) and for me to literally get 10,000 steps in just trying to get some shopping done- because Christmas was only a week away!!!  I have not had a minute so I am way behind.

I also taught RS this week.  Not my best lesson, but many sisters seemed to appreciate it.  Just wished I had felt more in control of my thoughts and calmer in spirit- but that is hard to do when you get up at 5:00 in the morning to drive 3 hours home and get there just in time to get everyone showered and dressed in time for church.

Another crazy week down-  one more to Christmas.

Weekly ReCap- Dec 3-11

Well- possibly one of the busier weeks we have ever had- or at least in a really long time.

Saturday the 3rd there were games in a town 7 hours away. Thanks to the weather and mountain passes, it took closer to 8 going and 9 coming back. Youngest and I stayed home. 

We have had the regular lessons, practices, plus extra for special numbers, and then Oldest decided to scare us by getting sick- so we hurried him in to the doctor to be very proactive and head off pneumonia before it got him again.  So- on Wednesday- we had a dr appt, hockey, piano times 2- ward Christmas party for which I had not one- but two food assignments, Middle and Oldest's SEOP's, Youngest -Activity day.  Fun stuff.

We also threw three haircuts in there on Thursday and Friday, and dress rehearsal for TaVaci Christmas concert- which Middle couldn't do because she and I were on our way for her to play hockey with the team from my birth town.  She hasn't had games in a month with them- so of course it was this weekend.  She played very well-  she plays defense- and had a rating of +2 in both games- which means her team scored two goals while she was on the ice- and no goals were scored against her line.  This is a very good thing.  They tied the first one on Friday night, and won the second one on Saturday Morning.  She and I then jumped into the car and sped the couple of hours home so she could get to the TaVaci concert.

Meanwhile, Oldest and the DR were also doing hockey in Small Town on Saturday morning and made sure that Youngest made it to the rehearsals.  Luckily LOL was here to help with hair or we wouldn't have made it to the concert in time.

Friday we finally forced in time to get the tree decorated- it has been standing in the corner for a week, waiting for someone to love it-, and to get our Christmas decorations out and set up.  Only the 10th-  gee, we are so on top of it  :)

We were supposed to have a company party-  but we said there was no way possible we would be attending that- since it was scheduled for Saturday night and we just had enough going on without traveling a couple of hours out of town just to turn back around and be home that night.

 Middle also had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The DR spent all of Sunday at the church with Tithing Settlement.

One more week of out of the ordinary, super crazy, and then Christmas will be here.  I am not ready. Can't imagine why.

Happy December CeLeBrAtIoNs!

Happy Day Wishes to:

Jason

DJ


Amy and Aaron


Addie


Cadence
Josh and Whitney



David and Cony



Russ


Amy


Dave
Chelsi


Harvey


Asher


Grandpa John


Dustin


Teisha


Bronson

HeadNurse Brag Moment

Youngest just came home from school today with an award for earning the highest score in the whole school district on the language part of the NWEA.

This particular patient didn't speak normal English until she was over 3 years old- she spoke some sort of Adamic language- gibberish something or other- lots of it, but not more than about 20 words that we could understand.  But then, she turned around and taught herself how to read when she was 4.

Very proud of her!  She is a smart cookie and definitely one of a kind.

Blogging Slacker.

It used to be that I hardly missed a day-  now I am practically missing weeks or nearly months.  We have been busy, of course, and that makes it harder. 

We had a great Thanksgiving long weekend.  We made our traditional trip up the mountain and cut down our Christmas tree.  We unfortunately do not have enough snow around yet so no snowmobiling, much to Outpatient's chagrin.

We also made decorated "gingerbread" houses- which really needs its own post.  Especially some of the details, but I do not have the pictures downloaded yet.

That last sentence is a very telling thing-  if you know me at all.  I am sort of psychotic about getting my pictures onto my computer and I have even been slacking at that.

I keep saying I am going to better- but then life happens.

My goal is going to be- at the very least- to post on here at least once a week.

If I don't- please yell in my general direction.

Good Food Friday--Cony's CornBread

Warning- this one goes fast- so you better make plenty.


Heat oven to 400degrees F

In a large bowl, cream together:

2 Eggs
1 C Buttermilk
3/4 C Melted Butter

Add the following:

2 C sifted Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
3/4 C granulated sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/3 C Cornmeal
14 oz can of Cream style Corn

optional- add 1/2 c frozen corn

Pour into a well greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake for 20 min or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, or watch for the top to be kind of browned and with a few slight cracks.

Butter the top after removing from oven (if desired- I didn't when I made this for Thanksgiving.



Totally awesome on its own- but you can serve it with Honey Butter if you feel like it.





HONEY BUTTER:


1/2 C softened Butter
1/2 C Honey
1/2 C powdered Sugar.

Blend together until smooth. Refrigerate until firm. Serve on scones, rolls, or cornbread.

November so far

So- as I mentioned, this month is Birthday Month for me.  I turned 45.  I am okay with that- I don't think I look 45 and I don't feel too old or decrepit (tired maybe) so it is all good.  That, and the fact that I am sort of the "baby" with most of our friends so they all turn older before me. 

It was a strange circumstance this year, however, because I actually spent that evening/ night in the town of my birth.  It is only a couple of hours away, but I have very few reasons to go there any more.  My grandparents are all gone, and although I have an aunt and uncle- as well as a cousin and her family, it isn't like there are events to go to.  Anyway-  it has been quite a few years since I went there.  I did drive up with the DR once for work- but that was a few hours and quick up and back.  I am rambling.  Sorry.

So- the events that took place which led to me spending my birthday there began a year ago when Middle's Girls Team coach started talking to us about taking her there to play on a competative Girls Team.  CRAZY TALK!!!  Do we not already travel like crazy?  Do we really want to add that on to our already over-filled calendar?  Apparently we do. 

Which is why- 45 years later to the hour- I watched my baby girl (okay, she is 13) take to the ice to play with the team from my parents' hometown.  She played probably about the best game of her life to date.  It was awesome.

It was a great way to spend my birthday, and I also bought a LOT of Kronskis.  ( a locally made polish sausage much beloved in my family)

The rest has been just hockey and more hockey with a wedding thrown in there.

The DR's oldest sibling's son got married on 11-11-11.  Note to my patients:  please don't ever get married on a "special" date.  It is pure madness because every one else will want to as well- and the ceremony will be nearly an hour late and then feel rushed and then everything else will be rushed or late too.

25 years-

I am guessing that my last post was less than stellar- considering the event it was about-  but that is how life is right now.  I would be not be honest if I said that the level of celebration was less than desired.  I mean- how often do you get to celebrate being married for 25 years?  (usually only once).  If people want to know what we are really doing for our anniversary, we are getting a new furnace.  For real.

It is just one of those things, but the truth is- the DR has spoiled me.  For years, he planned and had secrets and there was a lot of effort put into it.  We stayed at the Inn at Temple Square a few years, Park City for a couple, flew to watch BYU play at Notre Dame, and had a couple of memorable trips in Hawaii with our friends.  So there have been some wonderful times and great memories.  This year it will go down in history as the Furnace year. 

The picture he gave me was a total surprise- I didn't suspect a thing even though it was hidden in our van after last weekend.

This Month is such a special one....

It is birthday time for me and the DR, plus it is our Annivesary today. 

Not just any old regular anniversary-  but 25 years.

We spent it working and then at the rink.  Exciting stuff, I tell you.

The DR has been a little stressed about the lack of exciting, seeing as it is a bigger milestone, but what do you do when your life revolves around ice and pucks.

You watch your kids play really well and hard after already having multiple practices already.  And since it was a Monday on top of it all- well, you just can't have the fairy tale every day, somedays are the cinderella work days.

The DR bought me a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple and had the artist personalize it for us.  He also came home with some Hagen Daz- after searching high and low for my favorite flavor.

I wish I could tell you I did something fabulous for him.  I did, I let him live after he bought his snowmobile last winter.

I am tired and need to shut this down for now-  but maybe I will post something better later :)

Dear DR:

you never read this- but I love you to the moon and back.  I love you enough to live through 50plus years worth of stress shoved into 25.  I love you more than chocolate.  True Story.

More Moab- Fiery Furnace

Last year, we had hoped to go on the Fiery Furnace Hike-  which is either a guided hike or on your own- but you can't just go into that area- if you are on your own hike, you still have to sign in and have permission to be in there.   The guided hike is a 3 hour adventure, and it costs a little bit-  but it was worth it.  We learned some interesting stuff, and our group (big surprise) asked our ranger some great questions.

Youngest started off back by her parents- and ended up talking the ranger's ear off at the front.  He rewarded her by letting her lead the hike into his favorite place- Surprise Arch.

It is hard to capture the grandeur of the formations- but rest assured it was amazing.

Little Miss Youngest Tour Guide

Youngest and "Ranger Rick"  (not his real name-  but that is what "someone" was calling him)-  he was a pretty nice guy- and we even saw him when we went out for dinner that night. It was interesting to hear how he came to be a ranger giving tours.  Most of us agreed we would love to go back and hike it again.

Best Laid Plans- October Replay

So much for my plans to post more frequently :).  I am sorry, but I also know how very busy I am- so something has to give.


Moab:

Youngest's Last minute Class Party.  Went very well if I do say so myself.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins.

Youngest had a Rapunzel/ Tangled theme going (can you see the long hair coming out of the tower window?)

Middle is sort of in love with owls right now

Oldest went for a flaming face

Dear Oldest-  if you are going to pull stupid faces, I WILL post them on my blog AND facebook.

Girlies before leaving to go Trick or Treating.  It is Middle's last year-  I have a prejudice against kids older than Middle School going.  And I am okay with that.

Rapunzel meets the Mafia

the 80's meet the 50's

November Celebrations

This month is a big one here in the Looney Bin.

We start off with:

ME!
Talia

Kate

Dad L
(soon to be) Cade and Ashlie

Lunch Lady

The DR and I = 25 years
LOL's Brother

Several Friends

The DR
Tiffany
Liz and Adam

Sam

Christopher M

Where oh Where have the Looney Larsens gone?

Where have the patients been?  We have been running around like crazy with hockey, soccer, piano, TaVaci, work, school, and church jobs; and threw a trip to Moab in there, just to spice it up.

This year we were able to add one of the DR's sister's, her hubby and her daughter who is bestest cousin friends with Middle.  Sis J and her hubby and two of her boys camped in front of us- and Sis E and hers rented a cabin.  I think they had fun, despite all the hiking we did.  We missed having the older kids with us-  but LOL's brother had his white coat ceremony the same weekend. And- if Outpatient wasn't going- I guess the other older cousins didn't want to go either.  (one is on a mission now- so he had to miss it too)

We got there a day later - so we had a day less of vacation time- so it felt too fast.  We re-did some things, but added a new adventure.  Hiking up to Delicate Arch was harder for me this time-  I was in worse shape from not working out much, and weighing more, but the DR has lost about 28 pounds and it was easier for him.

We had wanted to do the Fiery Furnace hike last year- but it was booked solid- so that was a main agenda item for this year.  It did not disappoint.  The hiking was not as physically strenuous as hiking up to Delicate, but it was a little more technical.  Some tight places, and some gaping ravines.  I did fine- although I was a little nervous on one ledge.  Heavenly Father has some beautiful country.

The hike needs a post of its own- so I will get my pictures downloaded and hopefully get back to blogging a little more frequently. 

I am so grateful for the family I married into.  They are really great people- while not being perfect, and they are great to spend time like that with.

And- again--- WELCOME to the Family!

I only have a pic on my phone that my mom sent me- so I will have to update this with a proper pic soon


My baby sis had her baby this morning- 

So-  Welcome Baby A

I counted the Niece to Nephew ratio- The DR's side-  22 Nephews-  13 Nieces (my patients split evenly and are not included in these numbers)  Head Nurse side-  10 Nephews - 11 Nieces (my sister's baby just broke the tie created by my brother's baby girl)

She makes the 56th First Cousin-

Welcome to the family!

Welcome to the newest member of the family-

Niece Evelyn!

Good Job Tif!

October Celebrations

David II

Noah-  the big "13"

Pierce  - "1"

New Arrival- Evelyn

Andrew D

New Arrival- Aspen

Ellen

Amy

Cade

David I

Rick  "40"
Julie and Brent

Tyler -  "21"

September's gone Already???

Wow- did the last month fly by or what?

Middle has played a lot of soccer-  all out of town.
Girls are back to TaVaci
All patients are back to Piano Lessons- after a 2 year break while Grandma was gone.
BYU Football has been a little bit Bi-Polar.
Outpatient turned 23
Neighbor/ Friend opened her mission call. To Germany.
Relief Society Tea Party
Nephew TC returns from Chile
Our first- born niece got married **-
Nephew TC reports mission.
Science Fair Project
Service projects

DETAILS:

Soccer-

Lots of traveling but they have won all but one game-  they are doing well. 


TaVaci-

Middle changed her other mind (at least 6 times) and decided to finish out her last possible year.  She will be glad, I hope.


Piano-

Regardless of what my patients might say to your face, I think they have missed it and are enjoying the progress they are making so quickly in trying to get back up to speed.  I have spent a small fortune in new books and music for all of them to work on.



BYU football.

Well- it has had its moments.  They have been few and the DR has/will miss more games this year because he doesn't want to miss his meetings on Sunday and that is hard to do with games getting over so late on Saturday nights-  the night of the Utah disaster- he and his dad didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

So far, only the girls have had a turn to accompany the DR to the games, because the one other weekend was too crazy with the wedding and our nephew's mission report- so the DR opted not to add yet another round trip out in that week.


Outpatient turned 23-

LOL had a party for him- and it was adorable! Woodland Theme- thanks to the acquisition of Rufio to inspire the theme.  Hedgehog cake balls, owl cupcakes, "acorns" from kisses and pretzels, and a cake like a tree stump.  Gummy bears and "sticks" as well.

 LOOK AT RUFIO'S PARTY HAT!!!!!  Seen anything cuter?

stole the pics from LOL's blog- since I wasn't packin that day-


Mission Call-

Friend opened her mission call- which has quite the story behind it- and it said Frankfurt Germany.  She is way excited and we are excited for her.


Relief Society Annual Tea Party-

Caused way more stress than it should have for us.  They had a fun idea to bling out shoes for a fashion show.  Thanks to our busyness, we didn't get to start until almost the last possible minute to create our blinging fashions.  We only did the girls.  We tried our hand at making cake balls (those take more practice- although they looked okay once we got them on the cake plate to display.  Only got pics of Middle's shoes-  Youngest had silver blingy healed sandals and she attached gold bows and big curly ribbon streamers which trailed behind her.

Middle's shoes actually turned out pretty good- but thanks to soccer practice, she and I missed the Youngest's play that she did at the tea party.  I felt bad about that and wonder why they didn't wait until later into the party to perform- since a few of us weren't there yet.  Oh well- other than Youngest being disappointed- it was fine.  Our cake balls disappeared quickly- so that was good.

Elder C returns.

Our nephew TC returned from serving a mission in Chile- he left 6 days before Outpatient had returned from Brazil- so it has been 4 years since these best buds had seen each other.  I didn't go to the airport- it was on a Wednesday and the week of the wedding, but the DR drove out and back that afternoon with his parents.  He said he looks great but thin.  Might mention here that he was serving 60 miles from the epicenter of that horrendous earthquake a couple of years ago-

Wedding

Our niece is one of the sweetest gals ever- She was married once before which was not a good situation- divorced a little over 8 years ago.  She has had such a struggle- but finally- she is so happy- and we are so happy for her and J-  it was a long time coming- and I have to say that wedding was possibly pulled together in the shortest time I have ever seen-  it was so creative and fabulous and I was so happy to help with the set up and during the reception.

Mission Report

We got up dark and early to drive out and back for TC's mission report-  it was so nice to see him again!  He did a great job speaking- even though I couldn't hardly keep my eyes open :)  There was another person speaking that day who was preparing to leave for a mission- to Frank furt Germany- and so of course I had to run up and speak to her immediately after the meeting was over and tell her about our neighbor- so maybe they will even end up serving together down the road.

Science Fair-

Middle had her project due- and that was shocking to the system-  I am used to trying to help with those in the spring months- not immediately after school starts-  but we got it done- doubt she will be going to the main fair-  but that is what I said last year too.

So-  for the most part-  That was our September- Cliff Notes Version-