Hawaii - Part 2 on the Big Island

After a couple of days in Oahu we flew out to the big island. The big island of Hawaii was very different than Oahu. Above is a picture of what much of the island looks like - lava fields. We stayed at a nice resort on the west side of the island just north of Kailua-Kona. It was nice to have a little more down time on this island just to relax and take in the beach.

This is along the Kona coast.

Here is our favorite beach on the island at Mauna Kea. We enjoyed a little boogie boarding here!

We were able to attend the temple in Kona. It was a small temple and of course, very beautiful!

I had to include this picture of the Kona airport. It was such a joke and I don't know how it measures up to U.S. security standards. Everything was open-air and I felt like I was in a third world country. Here is our departing gate out to our airplane. We actually had the pleasure of doing this twice since our original flight was cancelled and our new flight didn't leave until almost 24 hours later.

Hawaii - Part 1 on Oahu

For our 10 year anniversary at the end of April, we were lucky enough to take a trip to Hawaii. While we had a fabulous time together, we started out with a big hiccup and ended with a hiccup. I'll get to the trouble out first and can then get onto the more pleasant memories of Hawaii.

On our way back from the Honolulu airport we decided to grab some lunch before checking into our hotel. It was a delicious Chinese place in downtown Honolulu. While we were dining our rental car was broken into and my purse and Lamont's laptop bag where stolen out of the trunk. Needless to say we had a LOT in there including both smart phones, my wallet with all ID, watch, IPOD, laptop, you name it and it was probably in there. To say the least this set us back for a while. While we were able to stop the bleeding (shut down the credit cards and phones) we knew we would have to repair much of the damage when we got home. The whole incident to this day still makes me a little angry and sad. I still can't believe how dishonest people can be for a couple hundred dollars when the damage is so much more to us. This person now had so much personal information on me that I just felt violated. Now that I got that out, on to the more pleasant part of our trip...

The second day of our trip we headed up the coast towards Laie. It was a beautiful drive and we were able to see some beautiful scenery along the way. Above is Pali Lookout. Just below is the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen, which was in Kailua. The picture does not do it justice - it was gorgeous!

When we made it up to Laie we spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We really had a great time here visiting all the different countries of Polynesia. In fact, Lamont even got a hula lesson in the country of Tahiti. He really was a good sport. During our time here we also took a tram ride over to see BYU-Hawaii and the Laie Hawaii temple. After our return we were able to see an awesome night show with fire dancers and all. Now we really felt like we were getting the true Hawaiian experience.

On our third and last day in Oahu we went to check out more of the beautiful coast. In the picture below, Lamont is in front of Sandy Beach. Then it was off to Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is always so impressive and such an important part of American history. Lamont and I both enjoyed our visit here.

Here begins our long trail to Eagle...

Another benefit of Carter turning eight is that he is now a cub scout. Just look at that proud and excited face! Carter is just eating up everything about cub scouts. He told me that it is his favorite day of the week and that he only wishes he could go to cub scouts two days a week. I have found that I don't know anything about cub scouts and am learning right along with him. I guess I better learn what it takes to be a cub scout/scout since we will be doing this for a very LONG time!

Carter turns 8!!!

Carter turned eight on April 14th. Each year it is hard for me to believe that I really have a child that old. This was a big birthday for him with lots of celebrations. It all began with a Math birthday party with his friends. Of course he thought of the idea all on his own...it is so Carter. During the party we played math bingo, math jeopardy, and enjoyed pizza and cake for lunch. However, the party wouldn't be complete without party favors which included candy and a calculator for each child. The party turned out really well.

We then celebrated as a family with ribs and twice baked potatoes - Carter's favorite. After that it was then off to Utah where Carter was able to enjoy a dinner at Red Robin and more celebrating with family.

Another BOY!!!

Yes, you heard right. Larsen baby #4 is another boy! I saw the ultrasound with my own eyes. Despite some intitial disappointment on my part, we are happy that the baby looks healthy and know that is the most important. After finding out that my uterus is thinning and there is more risk involved in this birth, it really puts things into perspective.

Carter and McKay were very excited when I told them after school and immediately starting thinking of names. McKay thinks we should name him "Jimmer" and Carter is still thinking about it. We will all be excited for the baby to come this summer and hope that all will be well until then!

March Madness

March madness came and went, but it sure was fun. It was a nice distraction to have the BYU basketball team come into town and play at the Pepsi Center in the NCAA tournament. BYU mania took over! Lamont and I were lucky enough to attend both games. On Wednesday night the Cougars had an open practice at the Pepsi center which we took the boys to. It was fun to see the team up close and we even got to meet Coach Dave Rose. We were hoping some of the players would walk our way, but no such luck.

On Thursday we took Carter to the game and cheered on the Cougars as they beat Wofford. On Saturday we had a great time as my sister, Melanie, and Lamont's brother, Chase drove from Utah to cheer the Cougars on with us. We screamed loudly as the Cougars were able to demolish Gonzaga. Their team definitely got Jimmered! This sent the Cougars to the sweet sixteen. It was such a great victory and the best college basketball game that I have ever been to, and we even got to watch it from the 18th row! Wow! That's all I have to say.

Happy 2nd Birthday Tanner!

It was a Cars birthday for Tanner last Monday, Feb. 28. Everything was about Disney's Cars: Lightning McQueen, Sally, Mater... With every present he opened he would say "Cars, brrrum brrrum". He loved opening his presents and having his very own special day. He even got to pick his dinner consisting of macaroni and cheese and blue jello.

Among the many Cars toys he was excited to get his own wagon and popcorn popper. Yes, he is in his "Cars jammies".

In the morning he had a Cars birthday party with his little friends at Chick-Fil-A. The kids played on the toys for a while and then it was time for presents, lunch, and cupcakes. Tanner kept telling me, "friends, wahoo." It was such a fun and cute group of kids.

Tanner is such a sweet and funny little boy. He is growing up so quickly. He is talking all the time and will tell you exactly what he needs. He is learning to use the potty, loves reading stories, being around his brothers, and as stated above is obessed with anything Cars. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

Exciting News...

Yes, I know what you are all thinking...and you are right...we are expecting! We are excited to announce that Larsen baby #4 is due August 20. However, since I have C-sections we are looking forward to his/her arrival the beginning of August. The pregnancy started out a little rocky, but things have been going much better since I have been on Zofran (anti-nausea). I am hoping they will continute to improve as I finish up the first trimester. The boys are very excited and told me that they hope it is another brother. I am hoping that the rest of you will think "pink" thoughts for me!!!

BYU Basketball

We had a great time as a family attending the BYU / CSU basketball game on Saturday. We made the trek up to Fort Collins and cheered Jimmer and the Cougars on. We were able to sit with three other families of our Cougar friends which was fun too. It was a loud sellout crowd, but we Cougar fans made our presence known. It is so fun to watch BYU play this year when they are so good. The boys enjoyed their hot dogs, pretzels, soda pop, and candy. That is still the highlight for them, especially for Tanner and McKay. Colorado State tried to make a run for it at the end of the game to catch BYU, but BYU was able to hold on and ended the game: BYU- 94 CSU- 85. Jimmer tore it up with 42 points; he really is amazing! It will be so fun to see just how far the Cougars can go this year. GO COUGARS!

Celebrating Christmas

We had a great month of December preparing for Christmas. We were able to take in some zoo lights with cousins, and hit up the Bass Pro Shop's Winter Wonderland with some friends. This made for two Santa visits. I was surprised how much Tanner loved Santa and was not scared of him at all, even with his stranger anxiety. Every man that has a long white beard is Santa to Tanner. He even called a man in the grocery store the other day Santa because his beard fit the profile.

On Christmas eve we were lucky to go enjoy a wonderful Christmas program at our friends, the Yorks. All the boys dressed up in nativity clothes and put on a program with music and scripture. Even Tanner got into the all dressing up and was the fourth wise man. I am not sure exactly what Carter is doing in the picture, but I guess he thought that is what a wise face would look like.

Christmas morning was spent on our own. The boys hid from Santa early Christmas morning and were able to watch him deliver their gifts. They were so excited for what he brought them. Below are the boys enjoying some of their gifts. It was a really nice and relaxing family day.



It was good to have a relaxing Christmas because the early next morning we were off on a 8 hour drive to Utah. The drive was not too bad and the weather, for once, cooperated. Even though some illness plagued our week, we still had a great time. Below my Dad, Lamont, Carter, and McKay are enjoying building up their coin collections.

Tanner enjoyed playing blocks with cousin Cameron.

The three boys enjoying Toy Story 3 with Grandma.

Merry Christmas from the Larsens

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Larsen Family Reunion - 2010 Breckenridge, CO

Over Thanksgiving we helped plan and carry out the second Larsen reunion. It was fun to have it during the holiday season, snow and all! It was also great to have Grandpa Packard join us and was so wonderful to all be able to spend some quality time together! (We missed Bennett and Jenna!) We had a busy week full of cooking, crafts, sledding, and game playing. The pictures can tell some of the highlights better than I can...

Tanner came down with Croup the first evening there and our night was spent in the ER. Luckily, he recovered quickly.
Cousins Tanner and Grant enjoying dinner together.
One morning we went ice skating, which was a blast. The boys pushed carts around the ice and did a good job staying up.
We had LOTS of great sledding at a nearby park.
Even Tanner took in some of the sledding fun!
The kids and Mom's were able to do some fun holiday crafts.
Games, games, and more games. Lamont playing Mickey Mouse Yahtzee with the kids.
Preparing to eat our Thanksgiving feast.
The kids put on a Thanksgiving play which was absolutely adorable!
My cute little indians and pilgrim.
Delicious pies were in abundance after the pie contest.

What a wonderful week with family!!!