Botched Roadshow Turned into Mother's Day Bliss

On Sunday morning while I was still in deep slumber, I was dreaming about being in a roadshow. My turn was going to go on the stage and I totally had forgotten my lines. I was panicking and sweating bullets. I kept telling everyone that I couldn't go on because I had no clue what I was going to say. I mumbled something about remembering to say "Divine Nature", but that was it. Then a moment not too soon, I was pulled out of this dream by two angelic voices singing "Happy Mother's Day to you"...and I immediately smelled an heavenly breakfast that was placed so nicely on the breakfast tray. ROD'S FAMOUS OMELETTE! What could be a better way to start the Mother's Day than his yummy food and Alex's poetic card. I quickly propped myself up against the pillows so I could take it all in. My men are the best. They treat me like a queen.

First Alex handed me his card and it read: (try to hold back the tears)

"Happy Mother's Day"

"Only and hour:"
Your love is like a flower,
It blossoms in under an hour.
Your love burns inside me, defines me,
and shows me the way.
But even though your hair might just be turning a little gray,
I will always love you..As long as you don't let some
explosive diarrhea ruin your day."

Tears were welling up in my eyes at the first part but then not so much during the latter part of the poem. What a funny, funny guy.
Alex's gift was


Then Rod gave me his card, which read:
".....I know how hard you work, and how much running our small family makes you do. Because of that, I've hired a cleaning woman to begin this Tuesday. She will come to our home twice per month, or as you see fit....."

I was ecstatic!!!

The other gift from Rod was Michael Kors "Island Fiji".

Now I can smell really good while cooking for my family in my clean house. What could be better than that!

Gross Display of Armpit Hair

Mountain View freshman basketball team # 2 played last night against Springville freshmen. Most of our players were 7th graders but Alex was asked to come and help out because most of the 7th graders had a choir concert at the same time and couldn't be at the game. Our boys had never played together before last night. It was a tough game against armpit hair and full beards, when our boys still sing soprano! It was a big difference in size and ability. The score was 66-47 with Alex making 12 points (2 three pointers).


Today, Alex has two games with his real team, and tomorrow three games. Good luck Alex!



Alex holding his own.


At the free-throw line.

Went for a bag of chips but came back with a pair of socks

Socks in the vending machine. Who does this?

Not Lunch Ladies

Today Monica and I decided to prepare for an emergency and went to the Lindon Cannery to do some home storage canning. We had 2 hours to do all the cans we could.
I did white flour, sugar and oats..30 cans in total. Monica did sugar, white flour, potato flakes...50 cans in total. On the way out the door we still decided to buy potato pearls and pancake mix. Next time when we come back we will do beans, the musical fruit.

If you go with a friend, you get done so fast. The workers at the Cannery are super nice!


Monica canning like the wind.


We would look good as lunch ladies, too.


Monica ready to go home with her loot.

What had the Doctor been Smoking

when he called me "SLENDER" today? I think I will have to see this doctor again...and soon!

If you need your self-esteem uplifted, I'll give you his name.

May Day! May Day!

I woke up at 5am this morning to make donuts for May Day. May Day was a huge celebration in Finland when I was growing up. The traditional foods for the day are definitely donuts and sima (fermented citrus drink), hot dogs and potato salad. To follow this tradition, that's what the Larsens' are having for dinner tonight minus the sima. I didn't make any this year....or in the last 22 years.

I miss the May Day celebration. There are no communists marching on the streets parading their red flags. No drunks wandering around. No men's choir singing at the city hall building. Nobody wearing their high school graduation hats. No balloons. Just a regular day here in the U.S.

Happy May Day for those who happen to celebrate it!

Patesco Apocynaceae Plumeria

A few years ago when we went to Hawaii, we visited a sugar cane plantation in Kauai. Unfortunately the plantation had closed for the day for the visitors but we were able to go to the store to see what kind of touristy stuff they had in there. One of the things that I purchased was a stick in a bag. This stick happened to be my life line to Hawaii, a reminder of everything that is fragrant and beautiful there. It was a Plumeria plant. Absolutely my favorite flower. I brought the "stick" home and planted it according to the directions that came with it. I nurtured it, loved it, fertilized it and had high hopes for it. One day I will have beautiful Plumerias blooming in my living room, I thought.

I have loved that plant now for 3 years.

This is what I expect to see one day.


This is what I have at the moment.

Do you think they sold me a stick?

Whitney calls this the penis plant.

To my defense, for three years now, I've had beautiful green leaves growing but no flowers yet. Every winter it drops its leaves and every spring it grows new leaves that are hardier than the year before. Unfortunately this last past winter, it didn't drop the leaves. This last weekend it did. What could be the cause of this unseasonal droppage? Global Warming? The Swine Flu?

A Graduate and A Captain Crunch

On Friday, our nephew, Jeff graduated from BYU. That same night we had the graduation party at our house. Rod's mom and dad arrived to our house from New Mexico on Wednesday, Rod's oldest sister, Lexia, and her family arrived from Arizona on Thursday night. Liz came from Logan on Thursday, and Whitney and her family drove over from PG to the party. It was a big party with lots of visiting and fun.


Dana, Jeff and Jeff's girlfriend, Melanie posing with the cake.


Rod's dad doesn't travel anywhere without his Captain Crunch cereal. He puts it on EVERYTHING. I think he is going to turn into a Captain Crunch himself. ARGGGHHH!


Captain Crunch on German Pancakes. 'Nuff said.

Spring Break 2009-Day 5 "Home Sweet Home"

Spring Break 2009-Day 4 "Snow in Utah, but Not Here"

Day 4 started with Fischer's soccer game. It was 80+ degrees and I was enjoying every moment. Did I mention that while we were gone, it snowed a foot of snow in Utah? I'm so glad we were out of there.


Jenn was also enjoying the warm sun.


Kristian, Rod, Alex and Carsen watching the game.


Sweet Campbell.

Alex and his buddy, Campbell.

Next activity was the Pole Position Race Track

All out competition. Jorge's bet was that he was going to win. Let's see what happens.

Alex is driving fast.

But Jorge and Rod are driving faster. Rod passed Jorge at one point but then Carsen t-boned Rod and Jorge took the lead. It was downhill from there for Rod. He couldn't catch up to Jorge.

Rod is right behind Alex, ready to pass.

#1 Jorge, #2 Rod, #3 Alex, #4 Carsen.

Then it was pool time.

Hot tub!

Rod showing his mad squirting skills.

Who is this divine creature? Is it Kipp?

CANNONBALL!!!

Dinner without the kids at the Ponte Winery. This place was so GORGEOUS!

Kristian, Rod, me and Jenn are ready to sample the chef's creations at the Ponte Smokehouse. Everything was SO yummy.

Me and Rod. Oh look, we match.

Us all.

The sunset was so beautiful. Kristian and Jenn looking fabulous as always.

Thanks Jenn and Kipp for having us over at your house, once again. You are the greatest hosts. We love you and miss you.