First week of 51 years=)

I turned 51 on March 20, 2011.  I spent most the day in bed, bronchitis and sinusitis=(  Monday, March 21, Ernie and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary.  I prepared a nice dinner of bbq chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, artichokes, asperagus, watermellon and pineapple.  We ate, using LaRae's china and dined by candlelight.  It was nice!  Then we held FHE with Jess and ended the night at CC Brown's Frozen Yogurt!
I rose early the next morning and was on the road for SLC by 6:15 am.  What a nice drive!  I couldn't wait to see Spence, Aly and the kids!!!  I was only able to give a quick hug and kisses to Will and Lilly because I arrived just in time to attend a benefit concert put on by Jon Schmidt and Peter Breinholt!  Excellent!!! The next few days were spent with Spence, Aly, Will and Lilly =) I can never get enough time with them!!! I was also able to see most of my siblings.  I love my family sooo much!!! and feel so torn when I leave Ernie and Jess behind!  One day... one day...
I returned home Saturday, listening to both my mother's and my dad's funerals.  One might think how morbid, but in actuality... it was very uplifting!!!  I stopped in Las Vegas and shared lunch at In and Outs with my niece, Jenny McAllister Grant and her two darling boys, before heading home for a nice mother/ daughter evening with Jess.  Ernie was in Kern Valley attending the YW Broadcast.  He said it was one of the best!  I've decided to post more family pictures, taking us down memory lane.  I must learn how to get pics of my grandkids onto my computer so that you can view them as well! I hope you enjoy= )

LaRae, Joyce, Spencer, Jess, Jim --- 1994.

Jami, Spence, Jess, Ute and Pepper ---- 1998.

LaRae and Spence - San Francisco --- 1997

Midder, Jess, Lorie and Spence - Christmas at Bo and Midder's --- 1997.

Bo playing tennis - 1995.

Bo, Midder, Lorie and Jess - New Port Beach --- 1994.

Midder, Allison Bishop and Jess - Bo and Midder's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration --- 1995.

Ernie and Jami - Wedding day - Salt Lake Temple - March 21, 1983.



1st Triathlon

For the past 6 months, Ernie and I have trained for our first triathlon.  Although there were many bumps along the way, we managed to keep our focus and participate in our first Open Water Sprint Triathlon at Lake Havasu, AZ.  Our friend, Marv Procter, from South Weber Utah, encouraged our participation.  We drove to Lake Havasu on March 18, and met up with Marv and his wife, Denise, along with a few more of Marv's friends from Utah.  We were very excited but nervous for the event.  Neither Ernie nor I slept much that night. We woke bright and early at 5 am and prepared for the triathlon.  The lake was VERY cold, even though we both wore wet suits.  Unfortunately, my wetsuit didnt fit well and I carried half the lake in my swim.  My goal was to finish in 2 hours.  I was unable to run the 5 K at doctors orders because of severe arthritis in my left foot but even so, Ernie finished in 2 hours 2 minutes, while I finished in 2 hours 5 minutes.  We both struggled with the swim but even so, we are hoping to have more triathlons in our future = )
Here are some pictures of the day:

 Ernie and I finish the triathlon with a smile=)

 Before the swim  ...... Marv is far left, then Ernie, I am far right.

 We all finished without mishap!  Marv is center, with Ernie and me to his right.

 Denise, Marv, Ernie and Me ... with the lighthouse in the background = )

 Before the event!

What a great time!!!

Weekend in L.A

Week 2 of blogging...
Three good days of teaching.
 I took my second test in Health and received 100 %!
FInally Friday arrived and Ernie, Jess, and I were privileged to attend the broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast".  It was a good play and even better company!  The artists had wonderful singing voices!  Afterwards, we were able to spend the night in one of my favorite towns...Newport Beach!  Ernie has an employee whose family owns a beachhouse there and they offered it to us!  What a treat!  SOOOO nice!  Right on the beach!  Saturday morning we relaxed, before going to the Costa Mesa Swap Meet.  It was only about 15 minutes from the beachhouse.  We love the Swap Meet!  We were able to get a supply of our favorite bagels and about 50 lbs of fresh vegetables and fruits at prices well under the grocers!  On our way home, we stopped by Dede Reese for our favorite ice cream sandwiches.
After we arrived home and rested a bit, Ernie and I decided to hit the gym.  First we swam (me 600 yd/ Ernie 800 yd), next we biked (me 13 miles/ Ernie 16 miles), then we walked (me 3 miles/ Ernie 2.4 miles).  I completed my workout in 1 hour and 37 minutes.  I look forward to the triathlon in Lake Havasu, AZ next weekend but I also feel a bit anxious!  We are meeting our friends from SLC, the Procters'.  Marv is instigator of this triathlon!  Wish us luck!  = D

More photos of days gone by:

Spence and Jess at Grandma LaRae's 1998

Snowball fight at Grandma LaRae's, 1996

Spence and Mommy at 1251 Ridgedale Ln, 1987

Summertime at Grandma LaRae's, 1997

Jess at New Port Beach CA, 1994

March 6, 2011

I'm finally jumping into the world of blogging!  My goal is to blog at least weekly.  I spend too much time posting to facebook and hope to channel my time over to blogging... This is my source of record keeping=D  I want to have an accurate accounting of my goings and comings and that of my family and friends.  Wish me luck!

 Bo, Spence, and Jess taking a Sunday afternoon siesta.  Summer 1994

 Easter Sunday 1999

 September 10, 1992.  Meeting our Jessica:)

 Mr and Mrs Spencer Ernest Larsen with Grandma LaRae Larsen.  LA Temple August 18, 2007.

 Spencer and Aly Openhouse in Salt Lake City, Utah with Midder, August 31, 2007.

 Warren Bennion Mcallister Family photo at mother's funeral, 2 weeks before Diane Nov 3, 2007

Jessica with John Bytheway, October 2005 October General Conference 

Spence and Jess Sept 1992:)