Happy Holidays!

Thanks again to Mom & Dad for hosting a funfilled Christmas Eve. We missed Teresa & Dell's family as well as Alan & Jodie's family, but the rest were there to partake in food, singing, story telling and gift giving. It also gave us a chance to think about the birth of our Savior and that he atoned for our sins. May we keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearst as we enter the new year.

The Tradition of Trapped In Paradise

At this time of year I think of the traditions that my family has and I can't help but wonder when they started or where they came from. Tonight my family and I are going to watch the classic film, "Trapped In Paradise". We've watched this film every year, for as long as I can remember. Am sure it's been at least since it was released on VHS. Of course we had to jump on the new technology of the DVD once it was available. However, as most of the family became parents they became a bit more sensitive as to what language was used in the films their children were watching. And because this film uses a few choice words, our tradition was threatened. But the Larsen Family overcame as Thomas purchased a ClearPlay DVD player. You download software specific for that film and when you play the DVD on that player, it will edit the not so niceties of the film, making it a family friendly film. And this evening, our family is going to continue this fantastic tradition. We'll gather around a television, eat the not-so-healthy for you foods that are typical this time of year and enjoy an evening together, before yet another evening together on Christmas Eve. As for that tradition, we'll leave that for an other blog posting some other time.

2008 Christmas Gift List

Don't forget your $10-20 gift for Christmas Eve:

Grandpa: Teresa
Grandma: Marcus
Teresa: Sara
Dell: C.Bryce
Brooklyn: Hunter
Savannah: Kurtis
Jordan: Erica
Troy: Cedric
C. Bryce: Maren
Sara: Jefferson
Hunter: Troy
Marcus: Lily
Talmage: Thomas
Kate: Tim
Thomas: Savannah
Tami: Talmage
Lily: Grandpa
Jefferson: Kate
Cedric: Dell
Kurtis: Grandma
Erica: Jordan
Maren: Tami
Tim: Eric
Eric: Brooklyn
Alan's Family: Surprise

Tom and Tami are excited to announce the arrival of Cedric Jerome Larsen! He was born Oct. 4th, and weighed 7lbs 13 oz, and was 21 1/2 inches. Everything went well for both Mom and Baby.

Engagement Photos Have Arrived Take 2

ALL of Maren's engagement photos are now available on www.pointedigital.com. Select "Wedding Website", then "Proofing" on the upper right side. Select "Maren and Tim" then the password is "larsen"
Enjoy!!! =)

The Engagements Photos Have Arrived!!!

Hey family, you can take a sneak peek at my a few of my engagement photos by going to my blog (www.firecatmaren.blogspot.com...or by clicking on the link to my page on the left).

So uhhh....you should check them out! =)

Congratulations To....

Bryce and Sara and their new DAUGHTER!!
Kate joined our family at 8:02am on July 28th.
She weighs 7lbs 2ozs, and is 20" in length!

Also, congrats to Tom and Maren who completed the Spudman Triathlon in Idaho on Saturday, July 26th. The triathlon consisted of a 1.5K swim, a 40K bike and a 10K run. Tom finished in 2:45:40 and Maren finished in 3:24:51.
Congratulations!!!

Updated Upcoming Events

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST: Christensen Family Reunion
Where: Bountiful Park (400 North 200 West)
When: 5:00-9:00pm
5:00-6:00: Meet and Visit with Family
6:00: Dinner (Bring your Own)
7:00: Family Picture (we want EVERYONE to be there!!!)
7:30 FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Fish pond, bingo, face painting and more!!

Optional Saturday, August 2nd Activity:
Tour of Christensen Family Gravesites...see mom for details.

AUGUST 2ND: Mom's Birthday! Happy Birthday Mom (and Grandpa Christensen)!!

AUGUST 8TH: 08/08/08!! Camping...call Mom or Kurtis for details!

SEPTEMBER 25TH: Maren and Tim's Wedding day!! (Please note changes)
8:45am Marriage at the Salt Lake Temple (be at there by 8:15, plan for traffic)
9:30am Pictures at temple
1:00pm Wedding Breakfast (at ward building)
6:00-8:30pm Reception at the Hutchinson's residence (please be there by 5:30 for family pictures)

Lizards, Toads, and Jets

As most of you know Sara and I dragged Mom & Dad off with us and our boys on a vacation the first week June.

We left for Vernal on Monday and got there late enough that we didn't have to pay the $12 entrance fee for the park. When we took Hunter and Marcus to the bathroom before putting them in bed we found a little toad hanging out near the drinking fountain, I quickly caught it so that they could look at it closer. I then let it go. The next morning while eating breakfast they spotted a lizard on a big rock in our camp area, so I made a slipknot out of a weed and gently looped it over its head so that again they could look at it closer and even gently pet it. I thought Talmage would be scared of it but instead he went right up to it and started petting it, and even when it would move quickly or try to get away he would just stand there calmly with amazement in his eyes. After I let him go, the rest of the day Hunter and Marcus kept saying that they wish we would've kept either the toad or lizard as a pet, and wanted me to catch another one.

We then did some hiking, came back and ate lunch, then went to the Dinosaur Museum. It was really great, a lot to see and do. I believe we were there for nearly 2 hours, but the boys would've been fine if it had been there for several more. By the time we got back to the National Park/our campsite, the office had just closed so again we didn't have to pay. Just after we got into the Park, Hunter threw up in the car, so we stopped at the ranger station so we could use their hose to spray off his car seat and rinse off an old blanket as we used it to clean up. Hunter was basically in bed the rest of the evening and Marcus shortly followed having worn himself out. Just after it was dark, Talmage said he wanted to look for lizards, and Sara told him that they might have gone to bed but there might be some toads out, and so he wanted to start looking, not one minute later they'd found a toad, so I quickly went and caught it and then caught a few moths for it to eat. It now enjoys its own Terrarium suite with crickets served often

That night a storm rolled in pelting us with wind and rain, so we were all really glad that we were in a tent trailer instead of just a tent, especially the next morning when we were able to cook pancakes inside it. After a couple hours we then packed up and drove home.

We went to Gateway Discovery the next day and then Hill Air Froce Museum on Friday.

Father's Day

This Sunday is Father's Day. We don't have a formal "Meet at this time" agenda. Come when you'd like. We are having a BBQ and yummy food at the parents home, probably around 4:30. After that we will have some brownies and ice cream for your enjoyment.

Hope to see you all there!

Upcoming Events

June:
3rd: Brandon's Birthday
4th: Troy's Birthday
12th: Dylan's Birthday
14th: Sara's Birthday
15th: FATHER'S DAY
17th: Conner's Birthday
21st: Temple Day at Bountiful Temple @ 5pm with Christensen Family

July:
3rd: Head to Kurtis' Stake's Cabin
4th: Tom's Birthday
24th: Hike at Ensign Peak @ 7am, Breakfast at 9am
26th: Spudman Triathlon

Aug:
1st: Christensen Family Reunion Picture (EVERYONE MUST BE THERE!!!)
2nd: Lilyan's Twin's Baptism @ 4pm
8th: 08/08/08 Overnight Camping Event
16th: Hill Family Reunion

Sept:
13th: Fishing Day
20th: Dad's Birthday
20th: Temple Day at Manti Temple (10am)
25th: Maren and Tim's Wedding Day!!!
11am: Wedding Breakfast
2:45pm: Wedding: Salt Lake Temple. Be there by 2:15
4:00pm: Pictures
26th: Wedding Reception 6:30-9:00

TweedleTam or TweedleTom

We'd like to share the good news with everyone that we just found out we're having a boy! Do not ask on the name, that is TBA. However, if you'd like to add any suggestions, here are a few I received from my preschoolers: Alvin (after Alvin and the Chipmunks), Optimus Prime (from Transformers), or Captain Underpants. I included a few ultrasound pictures. The one on the left: announcing it's a boy (enough said). The one on the right: the baby looking right at you, fingers tucked under the chin and a big round belly. I kind of think the eyes look like C3PO.
-Tami

Does Phil Feel Lucky?

We are watching Groundhogs Day at Tom and Tami's house on Saturday. The movie will start at 3:00. Please be here a few minutes early in order to help us get ready to start on time. We will have a movie playing in the basement for the kids to enjoy.

Also, a heads up. Tom and Tami are also hosting Sunday dinner on Feb 10th at 5:30. We will let you know your food assignments soon.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies - Yum!

These are the easiest, tastiest cookies you will ever make. So try them...(C'mon...take some advice from an award winning chef!) :)

1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
Rolos

Mix cake mix, oil and eggs together until well combined. Roll one Rolo into a ball of dough. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake in 300ºF oven for 15 minutes. Let cool on sheet one minute before transferring cookies onto cooling rack. Then eat and enjoy the deliciousness. :)

-Maren

Tom and Tami update

Tom & Tami celebrated their 8th anniversary by going to IHOP and to see the second "National Treasure" a week earlier, then the weekend of their actual anniversary they went to The Olive Garden for dinner. Tami was sick a lot in Dec. and was happy to have two weeks off from preschool. Two days before Christmas, their dishwasher decided to break, so they had to get a new one. For Tom & Tami's classic movie of the month they watched "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby. For next years resolution they decided to do movies again, only this time it's a different trilogy each month!
Lily is at a fun age for Christmas. She got lots of clothes and movies,some Barbie ponies, Littlest Pet Shop playground, and a new kitty. However, when asked what her favorite thing was that she got for Christmas she said "my new sleeping bag". It's a princess sleeping bag with the mattress already attached to it (Jefferson got a Cars one).
Jefferson did not like Santa this year. He did however like what Santa gave him. He got an Elmo doctor kit, some movies, an interactive piggy bank, and some games. But his favorite was the ball popper toy that looks just like the one his cousin Caleb had ;). He still doesn't talk, but is finally attempting to say things. However, it always comes out sounding like a tiger growl.

Lily & Jefferson Dancing to the Wiggles...

New Year, New Things!

New Christmas Outfits

The Schanze Family has already experienced some new things this new year. Here's an update:

Dell: He's flying in new places already this year. Dell is spending the week in Honolulu, Hawaii and says it's been 80 degrees and great flying so far. He's also finished a new trike (with three wheels-you sit in it to launch) for the paramoter he designed. He's been flying it a lot in the snow here. I'm sure he prefers the warm weather.
Teresa: After teaching (at church) the same kids in the nursery for a year and a half and then teaching them in primary for the past year, the Primary President decided to make a change in my calling. I'm now the permanent sub for all of the classes. This means that the teachers can ask me to sub for them or that I help out if a teacher gets sick or ends up missing at the last minute (which happens A LOT). This also gives me some flexibility, since our house is under contract and will probably sell in the next month or two (please help us pray that this is the case). It was a little sad to see my kids going to class with another teacher last Sunday. But I did enjoy attending Relief Society for the first time in a long time when they didn't need me for a class. And this coming Sunday I'll get to sub for Savannah's class. We're both looking forward to it.
Brooklyn: Since Brooklyn had her birthday last month, she's now moved into Mia Maids in Young Women's. I'm sure she feels this is perfect timing since Savannah becomes a Beehive this summer so they won't be in the same class. Brooklyn seems to like to do her own thing more and more. This includes doing different things than her sister most of the time these days. She does try to be nice to Savannah, though, and the two of them can be seen IMing each other, playing the same thing on the computer or Nintendo DS Lite together, and watching their favorite TV shows together (like Hannah Montana). Brooklyn is also getting ready to register for high school next year. Dad seems to be having the hardest time with his little girl growing up. He constantly teases that she can't date or drive until she's 30. We'll see!
Savannah: Now that she's in the oldest class in primary, she's preparing to enter Young Women's this summer. Savannah also seems excited about her pending registration for middle school. She will tour her middle school tomorrow (we're just going to register her at the same school as Brooklyn until we officially move) with her sixth grade class. She seems to really enjoy being to oldest at some things like school and church (for now). It's hard for mom to believe that both of her girls will be in Young Women's AND middle school later this year.
Jordan: This guy can't wait to turn seven this year. His reading and writing have really come along in first grade this year. He is also doing better at trying to learn the songs at church (in primary and Sacrament Meeting). He especially likes it when I help tell him the words or help him read along in the Hymn book. He has also moved up into a new primary class this year with some different kids. They rearranged the kids his age and moved some of them up with the eight-year-old class including Jordan. Hopefully he'll like his new class and new teachers. He loves to sit by a couple of his past teachers in Sacrament Meeting. They think it's fun that Jordan enjoys sitting with them.
Troy: No more nursery for him! Troy is now in primary. So that means that by summer we'll have two boys in primary and two girls in YW! Wow! Mom was so glad to see that Troy sat with his class in the primary room just fine when some of the other kids were having a hard time. What a big boy! He is also enjoying singing songs more and more lately. He does the best with songs that repeat parts, of course. Some of his holiday favorites are Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas (and a Happy New Year), and Feliz Navidad. He loved going to preschool last week (on January 2nd) and telling everyone Happy New Year! He also loved show and tell today since he could bring his Nintendo DS Lite and his UnderDog movie (he calls it UnderWearDog-LOL).

Mom has been realizing more and more how her kids are growing up, especially while writing this. Sniff, sniff! :( Oh well, life must go on. I'll just keep having fun with them while we're at it.