Backboarding

Who knew when I went to Brighton to snowboard, I was going to take "boarding" to an all new level??? It was only my second run of the day and I stopped to wait for Nathan, who had taken the scenic route through the trees, when it hit me. Literally, HE hit me HARD! Not Nathan, but some punk teenager who was going fast and out of control. He hit me right in the back and I tumbled about twenty feet down the mountain. After about 45 minutes I was able to try and sit up, only to black out. Ski Patrol had to backboard me and pull me down the mountain. Then, from there, I was put on an ambulance and transported to a hospital. By the time the Doc let me get off the board I had been on there for over two hours! It was so misserable. My back was killing me and I could hardly walk. I'll shorten up the rest and just say that there was no spinal damage, but a lot of soft tissue and muscle damage. Also, the guy had hit me so hard with the edge of his board, that even through three shirts and my jacket I still have a cut on my back from the board. But the worst part is the depression. I waisted a whole day in the ER that I could have been snowboarding, and hopefully I will be able to get on my snowboard again, soon, bc we are in Colorado now and supposed to go again the end of the week. I have been looking forward to this trip for so long and hopefully it won't be waisted!

Temple Lights

We hadn't been to see the Temple light's yet, since Nathan was gone, so we decided Christmas Eve/ Family Night was a good time to go. Aparently many other people thought that as well, since it was very crowded. Well, anyway, they looked great and Julia was so excited to see all the different Nativity scenes and lights. She kept saying "WOW!". It was pretty cute. She did a great job leading the way through the lights and covering all the grounds. My only complaint about the night is that I wanted to try and get a few pictures of her and us as a family. Well, for those of you who have seen past blogs, you know Julia does NOT like to have her picture taken. So I had to either sneak a picture when she wasn't looking, or she was screaming in it. That's ok, though. At least I'll be able to laugh about it later, right?
Julia is a little adventurous.





Walking on the ledge...







Jumping off the stairs...



We decided to give Julia a break and leave her out of this last one. And, of course, her back is to the camera.

Santa Claus

Last Monday night we had our annual Larson Family Christmas party. And, lucky us, guess who stopped by?! Santa! Julia was so into him. The moment he entered the room she didn't take her eyes off him. She followed him to his seat, and then anxiously climbed onto his lap. And, unlike most children her age, she wanted to sit there for a very long time. Sadly I had to get her off because the other cousins needed a turn, but I was so pleased that my daughter was not afraid of Santa!

Family Pics

We attempted to take family pictures Wednesday. Things did not go anywhere near as planned. First, our photographer, my good friend Heather, was not able to make it to take our pictures. We were already dressed up and ready to have them taken by this time, so I called my Mom to have her come and take them.
Next, as you can see in the above picture, Julia was not in the mood to have her photo taken. She just wanted to run around and play. Anytime we tried to pick her up she would scream and fight me.
Finally she started to get a little better, but then my Mom's battery on her camera went dead. So we only got about three useful pictures.
Nathan leaves today to go back to New Mexico and won't be back until Christmas time, so I guess we'll have to try again then. It shouldn't be this difficult to get family pictures!

Tag, I'm it!

I have been tagged by my best friend, Kara, to share 6 interesting things about myself. Hope I don't bore you!

1. I love to snowboard! The last couple winters have been rough for me since first I was pregnant and then last year it was hard to find a babysitter so I could go. I have high hopes for this season, though!

2. I love food! I eat pretty much all the time. And since I eat so much, I must work out everyday to try and balance it out. In fact, Nathan has forbade me from eating any candy this entire week (he dosn't think I can do it) and it's killing me!!!

3. I've done a triathlon. It was so fun, and I would like to do another, but it's been hard to train since we moved. I really need to do another before I get pregnant again, though.

4. I was bald until I was almost three years old. So, believe it or not, my daughter actually has more hair than I did at her age!

5. I have a tatoo. I forget most of the time that it's there. I'm running out of things to share about myself so I figure this would be new to some people.

6. I road bike. I really love it, and it's a great work out! I'm pretty much just like Lance Armstrong. haha not really, but pretty close ;)

NowI will tag Taya Jones, Kim Warner, Annie Miller, Melissa Larson, Alyssa Edwards and Heather Peck. Can't wait to read about you all!

Karsyn's Hair Cut

Today I cut about 3-4 inches off Karsyn's hair. I think it looks adorable! (Especially since I've never cut hair before!) I've been bugging my Mom for months to give her a style. (She still had that little girl hair do where it is just how it has grown in) Well, for those of you who don't know, I'm babysitting ALL of my brother's and sisters by myself while my Mom and Dad are gone for 10 days! And I figured that since I was doing that, I should be aloud to chop off Kari's hair! But just in case my Mom freaks, the story is: She got gum in her hair so I had to cut it ;)

Halloween!

It's Minnie Mouse!!!!

Julia really got the hang of this trick or treating thing and everyone loved her! She actually tried going into a few houses! What a silly girl.
What a long night.... Minnie needs to rest.
Julia really loved trick or treating this year. I was surprised at how well she did. I thought she would just want to sit and eat her candy as she got it, but she didn't. She would put it right in her purse and then put her purse right back on her shoulder. What a smart girl! It was a fun night for Julia and Mommy! The only thing that would have made it better would be if Daddy could have been with us.

Old pictures

I was looking through some of our old photos and I thought it would be fun to post them.

Yes, that is nathan. When we were on our honeymoon, he thought it would be funny to go fun on the beach in my running shorts. And with his long hair, he really looks like he's straight out of the 70's!

Another honeymoon pic. That's the face I fell in love with... (his, not mine)
Our Disneyland trip while we were dating. We look so young!
And last, but not least, my cheer days. I think this was after a pep assembly. I miss all my hair! I used to have sooo much!!!

Uncle Jon

Julia and I stopped by Kara and Jon's house today to say hi and Julia was so happy to see Jon. She went right up to him and gave him a hug and then layed on his shoulder for the longest time. It was so cute! I think she misses her daddy.

I would also like to thank Kara for washing my car. Apparently it was really dirty. Jon actually told me I needed to vacuum the inside. He was right, but in my defense, it was all Julia's mess (crackers, raisins, pretzels) So I vacuumed the inside and Kara helped me do over the outside. We're so lucky to have such good friends to take care of us while Nathan's gone! :)

Halloween Block Party

Yesterday we had our (well my parents') annual block party. It's a lot of fun. Every household has a station with a game where you win candy. We get to socialize with neighbors we don't see often, and all the kids get to dress up and win candy.

Here Julia is playing ring toss with the Viking. She was a little scared of him.

She was a lot better at this game. But I think she cheated. She was sopposed to throw them in.
At the end we ate dinner. Every one brought something to share. Julia was a mess. I hope I can get all those stains out of here costume before Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

For Family night, Monday, we carved pumpkins. It was a lot of fun! Julia got a kick out of the whole thing. Also, after my dad cleaned them out, I roasted the seeds and we ate them. Yummy!
My brother, Dustin, carved this one. I guess it's supposed to be a cat, or a devil. I can't remember.

Julia didn't carve hers. We can't trust an 18 month old with a knife. Her, Karsyn and Parker got to color one. She loved it!

State

My brother Steven had State for Dive last Saturday. It was a really warm day, and we had to sit in the sun at ASU for four hours to watch, but it was worth it! He got third! Go Steve! You're #1! Well, actually #3, but that's ok. Maybe next year ;)

My dad was so hot he wet his bandana and put it under his hat. What a goof!

Visiting Dr. Dad

As many of you know, Nathan has started his rotations for Medical School. Currently, he is in Tucson. Julia and I really missed him this week, so we went down to Tucson to visit him overnight. There wasn't much to do, since we don't know where anything is. But we did go to Eegee's for dinner, that was based on Megan's previous comment on another trip to Tucson, and Julia led us on a few random walks around the ugly town...

I think my sister has Narcolepsy...

Once again, falling asleep randomly.

So tired

I guess Julia plays Karsyn too hard! My baby sister fell asleep standing up this afternoon. What a funny sight!

Swimming at Grandma's

We went swimming at Grandma Jeppesen's yesterday. It was such a nice day! The pool water was refreshing and it wasn't blazing hot outside! It's for days like these we live in AZ!!!
The Dogs like to swim, too.
Nathan was taking Karsyn for rides under water.
I couldn't open my eyes, or my contacts would fall out.

Kellan was diving for rings. Don't ask me why she insists on plugging her nose when she goes under.

Julia's Aunt Karsyn was trying to teach her how to blow bubbles.
Also, I wanted to point out that the swim suit Julia has on is one of mine from when I was her age!!! Isn't it so cute!?

Special K Challenge

Ok, so I have decided to take the Special K challenge. (I am a dork) But for those of you who know me well enough, you know that I have the motivation to work out, but I am addicted to food! I eat way too much and I just can't control myself! So I've decided I will just commit to try this for two weeks and see if it works. Anyone who wants to try with me, let me know :)

New (to us) car

Today we took a drive to Tucson to buy Nathan a car. He got just the car he wanted. An Acura Integra (2000). I think it's too loud, but he likes it, it's his car, and we got a good deal, so I guess I'm happy. But, I hate Tucson! I got lost for like a half hour! I lived in New York for 3 months and NEVER got lost. I was in Tucson for 2 hours and got lost for 30 minutes! Whoever designed that city never heard of a grid!

Triathlon... I did it!!!

I completed my first triathlon yesterday! It was a harder than I expected. I had a burst of energy at the beginning, and felt like I did very well with the swimming and biking, but my legs where so numb by the time I ran than I think I would have been better off walking! It was so fun, though, and I hope to do another one soon!!!

Before the start, we were tagged up with our numbers.
Then we went into the aquatic center to swim. After we swam, we had to run outside, barefoot, to our bikes to get dressed, if you chose to dress. I did.


The biking was hard, but I feel like I did the best there. There were a lot of hills that made it challenging, but luckily a was able to push up them.

Once again, I had to change. But just into tennis shoes. Although I was so tired by now that I moved very slowly.

The running was the hardest. I finally made it to the finish line. It felt sooooo good to finish! I couldn't say the same for my hair! Talk about scary!

Julia took it all very well. I think she just liked being outside the whole time. Nathan said she would get really excited whenever I would go past. Maybe she's a future triathlete! (Hopefully better than her mother!)

Thanks so much to all those of you who supported me! Especially my wonderful husband, Nathan! I love you all!!!

Finishing the House

Nathan stepped in some wood glue. That is why he is missing a sock. Dork.
For those of you who don't know, Nathan, Julia and I are moving in with my parents next week. We were supposed to move into a rental home by his school, but we had some problems with the renters and are no longer doing so. Instead of renting another place, we decided to move back to Chandler. Nathan is done with "school" and will be gone on rotations anyway, so why waste money on another rental. We were invited to move in with my parents, and after prayer and careful consideration, decided it was our best option. Nathan will be at a hospital in Tuscan all of October and in Shiprock, New Mexico November and December, so at least Julia and I will not be alone for these three months. I will miss all of the wonderful friends we made in Glendale, but I am so excited to see more of my family and old friends :)

Also, for those of you who don't know, my parents had not quite finished their addition. Now that we are moving in, they have kicked it into high gear. In the picture, Nathan and my Dad are installing the wood floor in the room intended for my brothers. (I am currently trying to talk my Mom into letting us have that room, seeing as it is 560 square feet.) There is still much to be done, but nothing that can't be accomplished in the next month or so.

Any of you married couples out there that have had to move back in with your parents feel free to share any advice. Wish us luck!

Baby Shower

This was taken at my friend Michelle's baby shower last Saurday. I wanted to put it up so that all our friends that couldn't make it could see how good she looks! Now, I for one am jealous. I gained over 50 pounds in my pregnancy, and this lucky thing has only gained 33! Well, she probably eats a lot better than I did, too :) Also, in the picture, my friend Megan is pregnant. She looks awesome, too. I'm so happy my friends are finally having babies!!

Fun times with Aunt Kara!

Today we met up with one of my best friends, Kara, at Scottsdale Mall to hang out. It was so good to see her. She lives way over in Gilbert and I live way over in Arrowhead, so it isn't so easy to get together often. She is such a good friend and I am so lucky to have been so close to her for so many years! I just can't wait for her to have kids, because she is so good with Julia and I know she will be an awesome Mom. Her husband, Jon, is applying for Midwestern's new Dental School. So it would be really cool if he got in b/c then they would move over here! But I guess we would only be over here for one more year by then. Oh well. Jon takes his DATs on Wednesday. Good luck Jon!

Just like her daddy. Straight to the books...

She's already reading at a third grade level!