High School for Alex

Alex started high school on Wednesday morning. He is now a sophomore at Mountain View. I can't believe this is happening because just yesterday he started first grade. I guess I blinked.

Also, noteworthy....Alex passed me in height this summer. I'm officially the shortest in the family now. Alex is looking forward to passing Rod later in the year. I think he has one more inch or so to go. Alex couldn't be happier.

Good luck to Alex this year. You will do great! We love you.



Alex is ready to hop on the bus.


Alex happily going to school. He is so excited to be in high school. I wonder how many days that will last.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 14 - Returning home

We left Jyväskylä at 6:10am and flew to Helsinki. Switched planes and flew to London. We had only an hour to switch terminals and get our bags and without our JFK plane being 2 hours late, we wouldn't have made it. When we got to JFK, we had 2 hours to switch terminals and get our bags and we almost didn't make it to our final plane. We arrived home around 7pm with Jake's dad waiting for us at the airport.

And this is what we found when we got home. YES! My Plumeria was BLOOMING!!! I brought the plant from Kauai 5 years ago and I have been nursing the stick for years and of course when we were gone, it started blooming. It is like I missed my baby's first steps. I'm so overjoyed, you can't even believe. My Plumeria smells amazing and I couldn't be happier. It is good to be home.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 13 - Jyväskylä

We spent our final day in Jyväskylä shopping the last minute souvenirs and seeing more friends and family.


I met Minna for lunch. Minna was my best friend in high school, and if you remember she came to NYC with her son last summer. I spent 4 wonderful days with her there. Sorry Minna it was such a short lunch but I had to run.

After lunch I walked to Täti's house (my nanny) and said farewell to her. It was so sad because who knows if I ever see her again.


We met my sister, Riitta and her fiancé, Sampsa for dinner. This was the first time I had seen my sister since we got to Finland. Before we arrived, she and Sampsa went on a vacation to Germany and got back just a few days earlier. I'm glad I got to see her.


The other side of the table. It was nice to get to know Sampsa. We are hoping that they come and celebrate Riitta's 50th next summer at our house.

My mom is eating her first escargot...ever. We all ordered them. They were delicious.

Mother and daughter. Together for the last time before we leave early tomorrow morning. Kiitos Äiti kaikesta. Meillä oli ihana matka, vaikka se olikin aika kiireinen.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 12 - Helsinki

We left Päivi's house early on Tuesday morning and took the bus to Helsinki. We had a whole day in Helsinki to walk around and shop. I asked Jake hours later if he ever went shopping with his mom and he said:"No, I hate shopping." Well, hmmm....we are going to shop all day today, like it or not. Sorry buddy.


While Rod was looking at clothes at Sokos, Alex and Jake found some snazzy white blazers to try on.


We had a Chinese lunch with my second cousin, Suvi and her husband Repe. It was so good to see them after 3 years.


Suvi and I. I spent all my summers playing with Suvi (lived next door to Kauppila) when I was young.

Our family at Tuomiokirkko.

We wanted to go to Fazer and sit down for a minute and enjoy their pastries.

Yes, you counted correctly. There were 4 of us and 5 desserts. We shared. They were all delicious as expected.

We went to Anne's house for dinner. Anne is my very oldest friend. We went to the same school for 9 years and sang together in the conservatory choir for almost 10 years and literally spent every waking moment together growing up. She had prepared the most wonderful dinner and we enjoyed getting to know her husband Eero and kids, Mitja and Pinja. We are hoping to have them in our home next time.

Best friends from years ago. It was like no time had passed. Thank you Anne and Eero for having us for dinner.

After dinner we hopped on the train back to Jyväskylä.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 11 - Helsinki & Lohja

Monday morning came early and we would have only a few more days in Finland and we still had to make the days count, so we said good-bye to Kauppila and headed back to Jyväskylä so we can get on the train and ride the train to Helsinki in the afternoon.


Kauppila. So sad to leave.


What a fun weekend we had. Thank you Kalle and Kimmo! Until next time...


When we got to Jyväskylä, we were hungry, so we went to McDonalds for lunch before our train left. I ordered my hamburger with a rye bun and of course it was so delicious.

Alex and Rod enjoying their train ride with movies and snacks.

Jake brought a book to read.

We finally got to Päivi and Jyrki's house. Päivi is my BFF (Best Friend Forever) and we had so much fun with her. I was so bummed that our time at her house was so short. Only ONE night!! Thank you for that delicious dinner. Alex and Jake were so happy that it wasn't fish.

Beautiful Jasmi. She started high school this year.

Jyrki and Rod looking at motorcycles online...and dreaming.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 10 - Kauppila

Second day of the Olympics: Ping Pong and Run & Swim


The morning walk was so lovely and peaceful.


Alex joined us with the motorbike.


Ping Pong games started. Everyone played against each other.

Alex is full swing.

The olympics judge is giving her congratulatory speech to the winners.

PING PONG - Winners: Jake and Rod. Jake didn't lose one game. He played left-handed against me and still won.

Next sport was Run & Swim. Rod is running 100 m to the lake, then jumps in the water and swims 25 meters and then runs back.

The teams gathering for the winners' announcement.

RUN & SWIM - Winners: Kalle and Kimmo. They beat Jake and Rod by 4 seconds. The official Olympics clock is behind them.

We all voted for the MVP and Jake won the MVP trophy (yes the yard mushroom) and 31 euros. Congrats Jake. Great athlete.

The olympic teams for a final picture.

On Sunday night we went next door to Uotila to see Maritta and Antero.

My cousin Pauli came to Kauppila to visit us. So great to see him.

Then it was time for Jake to go drink some ant pee. Lick a stick and put it in the ant hill.

Then shake off the ants.

Then drink the ant pee off the stick. Repeat.

Alex going for seconds.

Larsen's European Vacation - Day 9 - Kauppila

We woke up on Saturday morning to a beautiful and warm day. Because the boys wanted to sleep in, Kalle, Rod and I left to go get some smoked fish for lunch. Yes, fish. Again.


On the way back, my cousin told us about this scenic place where he built this tall tower for tourists.


So we climbed it.


My cousin, Kalle and I.

An old milk stand where the farmers would bring their milk to be picked up.

Teikku continued baking Alex's favorite desserts.

Then it was time for the OLYMPICS. This time we would be competing in four teams of two (Rod and Jake, Kalle and Kimmo, Helena and Teikku, Alex and I. Yes, I apologized to Alex beforehand) in four sports: Darts, Fishing, Ping Pong and Run & Swim. At the end of the Olympics we would vote for the MVP.

Rod trying to hit the dart board.

I scored high but no medal.

My mother, the Olympics Judge calculated the points.

Jake and Rod won by landslide the first sport and were given the gold medals.

DARTS - Winners, Jake and Rod

The others are just losers. No second or third place winners.

Next sport: Fishing

Alex is rowing to a quiet spot after we dug out our own worms. Let's hope the fish will bite.

I'm trying to catch fish. I actually caught one. And Alex caught one.

Total of two fish for the team Alex and Marja


Let's pause for a commercial break and look at these handsome pictures.

Alright. The break's over.

The Olympics Judge is timing the fishermen and that they won't call the neighbor to bring them fish.

Next team to leave on their 45-minute fishing trip was team Rod and Jake.

They came back with 7 fish. They thought they had won the competition.

Helena and Teikku were next. I think Helena knew all the good fishing spots.

Sure enough. 24 fish in 45 minutes is quite impressive.

Did they have fish food with them? Next time I'm going to bring some.

Last team to fish was team Kalle and Kimmo. I don't think they can beat 24 fish.

2 fish later, not the winners.

The gold medal recipients: Helena and Teikku

FISHING - Winners: Helena and Teikku, 24 fish