Thanksgiving

Here is our Thanksgiving. (better late than never) This was the first year we were unable to be with family, so we invited the Gardners up from South Bend to join us.

This was my first turkey. Isn't it pretty!

Valentines Day

This year for Valentines we had lunch instead of dinner. It was ward temple night so we decided to eat early and get a sitter. Lincoln mad a Filipino Lamb Stew. It was yummy.

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The temple was wonderful and such a great way to spend Valentines Day

Cold Days

It's been so cold we are trying to stay as busy as possible. Here are some of the things we've been doing.

His helmet. I think he might be a lefty it's the only way he holds a bat.

Lincoln took Bennett to a local forest preserve. They were having some sort of winter day.

Going on a sleigh ride

There was an owl to see up close and smores to be made. I think there was even some geocaching you could do. We love going to community events.

Museums

We had lots of fun going on adventures over Christmas Break. Some of our favorite things we did were the museums.

First is the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Grandma and Grandpa Andreasen took all 4 of the grandsons. 

All 4 grandchildren!

 Then we went to the Tree House Museum in Ogden with Grandpa and Grandma Torman and Cousin Aiko.

President Andreasen

We also went to the Arnold Friberg Exhibit at the Gateway Mall. It was less kid friendly but really neat. 

This is the only picture I have for some reason. They enjoyed it more than this picture shows!

Christmas

For Christmas we were able to go to Utah for 3 weeks. Now that Lincoln's parents have moved back we get a double dose of grandparents! We had such a great time visiting all out family. 

Lights at temple square

Japanese Nativity

This is a sled Lincoln used as a child

Driving to Idaho Falls to see Uncle Nick's family. Bradley is reading to Bennett.

Bennett LOVES watching trains with Grandpa Torman.

They sit in this rocker and count all the cars and then clap when the train is done.

Great Grandma Swenson has lots of Nativity costumes. Bennett got to be a shepherd.

Great Grandpa Andreasen's leather helmet. (also used as the fantasy football trophy)

Making silly faces with Aunt Lillie

Santa's presents

All his loot

Even more presents

Laney got an awesome science kit for Christmas and asked Lincoln to help her.

One of the Larson's favorite gifts. Who doesn't love cotton candy!

Church Christmas Party

Lately I have been missing my event programming days in college. It's something I really enjoyed doing, and enjoyed it more if my sister was involved. We (mostly her with my help) programmed quite a few events at Utah State. Someday I would love to have an event programming business with Kim. We make a great team. Some of the bigger events can be seen here A-day and here Tailgate

As a result of this longing I find myself more freely volunteering for things. This time it was our church Christmas party. They asked one of the married couples with no kids to be in charge and I volunteered to be on the committee. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

After some planning I was put in charge of the decorations. Go big or go home! I think I went a bit over board on things. To give you an idea, it took 7 hours to decorate the gym. We had estimated 250 people showing up and we actually had closer to 350 people. 


Here are some pictures of the final product. I think it turned out pretty good. There are some things I'd change, but hindsight...

It was more magical with the lights off

We made two of these out of old doors

The center pieces

Tables are covered with butcher paper and a wrapping paper runner

Handing out the ham

These were also made out of old doors

This was the first time in about 20years our ward has had Santa visit. I think it will be a new tradition!

Bennett was not a fan of Santa, but at least we got the picture!

Everything turned out well and I think people had a lot of fun.