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.

out west...

We have survived finals and our first flight and are now safely and happily in Orangeville with the Tanners. We each feel pretty good about the semester, but Skyler doesn't find out his grades until January. No real worries though; I think he will do well.

I was able to stop and see my sister for a quick second to exchange our Christmas presents for each other on my way to OV. We did a fun little exchange in the conference room of her work. Silly, but it was the only time we could see each other before Christmas. It sure does make me happy to be with family.

Skyler's brother, Stetler, has a Christmas party for school (yes, in small-town Utah you can call it that, not a holiday party!). I get to go with Stet, I think it will be a blast. While I am there Skyler will be at the Christmas party for Kohler at pre-school, so we will have lots of fun photos.

Here is a picture that we hadn't seen before today. It was taken in August and is being used for the family Christmas card this year.

What a handsome bunch!

December in Ithaca...

Well the snow storm that hit my friends in Utah on Saturday hit us on Tuesday. We woke up to a world of white...and even better...a day off from school! Skyler still went to school to study for finals, but I enjoyed my first snow day of the season and hung out at home in my cozy warm clothes and drank hot chocolate.

Our view of the snow storm

We have been trudging through the week studying for finals and writing final papers. Doesn't sound too exciting, but it is actually going quite smoothly. Skyler finished his first final yesterday and just has two left. I have finished the majority of my papers and just have one final left and a bit more to add to one of my papers. I also need to update my web portfolio, but nothing too hefty on my calendar.

We have been enjoying the snow from inside since it has been an average of 15 degrees outside these days. We have done most of our Christmas shopping and have been able to enjoy the spirit of Christmas with lots of holiday music. Nothing like a white December to get you in the mood for the holidays and time with family!

Our festive living room

adapted from glimpseofnatalie.blogspot.com

Our week in Florida...

We had a fantastic time in Walt Disney World for the Tanner Family Reunion. We were able to spend time with all of the family. It was great to be with everyone and very special to see everyone so strong and happy together.

The Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. The food was delicious and everyone was able to chat and catch up. It was definitely a gathering to be thankful for.

The other big news of the week is that Skyler accepted the offer at Chadbourne and Parke in NYC. So we will officially be living in NYC this summer and after graduation. We are really excited! The more we think about it the happier we are and the more anticipation there is, and a feeling of comfort that we made the best of the right choices.

Well, there were so many pictures to post from WDW that I posted them on our picasa account so check them out at http://picasaweb.google.com/smtanners or hit the "SMT Web Album" link in the upper right hand corner.

We hope you enjoy!

ABC tag...

I have lots to say about Thanksgiving break, but I am going to stick with the short and sweet stuff right now.

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Skyler Mark
C- Cake or Pie: Pie...Pear Pie
D- Day of choice: Friday or Saturday, date day/night.
E- Essential Item: foundation
F- Favorite Color: It has to be a combo-- ivory, burgundy, and purple
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: worms, sour
H- Hometown: Camas, WA.
I- Indulgence(s): Popcorn
J- January or July: July
K- Kids: someday
L- Life is incomplete without: my family and my testimony
M- Marriage Date: April 28, 2006
N- Number of Siblings: 1
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: not being able to breathe
Q- Quotes: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home."
R- Reason to Smile: Waking up to the love of my life singing Garth Brooks while he is making breakfast. That always means it is going to be a good day.
S- Season: Fall in Ithaca, Spring/Summer in Camas, & Winter in Utah.
T- Tag Three: Mel, Lindsey, & Crystal.
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I like to organize bills ($), first by worth and then serial number. I have done this since I was little.
V- Vegetarian or Meat Eater: all of the above
W- Worst Habit: Pointing
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: I associate ultrasounds with babies and x-rays with broken bones, so I vote ultrasounds.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Fresh seafood
Z- Zodiac: Scorpio