Bangs...

Well, student teaching has begun and I am officially out of time to bake except on the weekends. So, what else should I do to entertain myself or make life more exciting?! Why not get bangs...real bangs, not just side-swoop bangs that grow so fast that they don't do much? Well, I did get bangs and it may have been a bad idea. Skyler has asked why I don't get bangs (real bangs) every time I get a haircut because he thinks they are cute. Well, I finally did it. And I don't know how I feel about it. I almost cried when I left the place because I look 12. And for someone who already looks young that is devastating. Too bad Hilary Swank had me sold in P.S. I love you!

What is a girl to do? Skyler loves it...and I think it is trendy, but I am not a trendy girl.

I usually go with option 2, which I think is really just a more prominent version of the side-swoop, so I haven't had to leave my comfort zone. Am I going to be a lame 40-year-old woman who has the same haircut all my adult life?! Maybe.

Baking while I have the time...

So, I love to bake and this was my latest masterpiece...well, it was pretty delicious at least! Skyler gave me a mini-fluted stoneware pan for Christmas and I am finally home to use it. So I got right to work (yes, this happened a week ago and I am just now posting).


I made wheat apple honey cake. Yum yum! We ate a bit of it for breakfast on the way to school during the week and gave some to our new neighbors and friends from the branch...Angella and Dillon. (Can I quickly add that we are thrilled to have some LDS Friends...or friends at all...up here in our wonderful secluded complex.)

Then on Sunday, my friends Cassie and Mykal came over and we made potato chowder with fresh bread bowls! (no, I do not count calories, maybe I should) Then for dessert we made a splendid blueberry pie. I do love to cook, bake especially. I cook/bake to clear my head and I bake to avoid responsibility, and I bake for the heck of it. Basically, it is my favorite thing to do. I can't wait to take some cooking classes over the summer...in NYC!!!

F. R. Larsen Reunion...

We were in Arizona from December 27th- January 2nd for the Larsen family reunion. This year it was held at Aunt Tamara and Uncle Dan's home in Mesa. It was really a wonderful reunion.

A summary of what we did: talked, ate, played cards, played lazer tag, went to the temple lights, talked, ate, and laughed even more. The New Year's celebration was quite fun and reminded me of the old days when all the cousins would gather at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a New Year's bash while the parents all went to a dinner party. Another favorite was hiking. But best of all were the late night chats with the night owls. We enjoyed every minute of the reunion! Here are a few pictures to fill you all in.

Skyler with Clark and Sophia, climbing around the rock structure at a park.

Everyone at the Mesa Temple Christmas lights

Me and Becca panning for gold at Rockin'-R-Ranch, like the old days. (We have a pic of us doing the same thing in 1992)

The entire family wearing the great shirts that Tamara surprised us with...all standing in front of the Party Bus--as Tamara says, "Every reunion needs a white trash van!" This was right before we all went and played lazer-tag, definitely a highlight.