2010

I am a slacker....

however, 2010 still carried on.

Here is a brief recap....

Easter

Cory graduated from Weber with his Paramedic License and was then hired on by Davis County Sheriff where they then put him through POST training. He finished that in November and has been working there full time and has really enjoyed his new career.

And of course the fair.... Kassie got a blue ribbon for her Hog and loved every minute of it. So here we go again.... she's already purchased her Hog for 2011.

..... and then there were family reunions

Girls camp

Camping trips

Katie's new job with Intermountian Healthcare

Chior Concerts

Dance Recitals & Competitions

Preschool

Holiday fun & traditions....

we'll try and do better this year. :)

I COULDN'T SAY IT BETTER....

Have you ever been feeling things you just can't put into words as eloquently as something you come across?

Also read it and feel some validation... like you're not alone?

This post really hit home for me. I have been thinking the same things... and wondering just how I can do it all but still be a better mother.

I am not alone....

I am thankful that I can learn from someone else... and not have to go through the same challenges to reach this conclusion.

Thank you Sara for your beautiful words.... and life lessons. Surround yourself with people who make you want to be better. Leave the rest... they just aren't worth the cost.

http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010/02/leftovers.html

Joseph

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Old Barn Theater, March 15, 2010

Once again Jed amazed us. The kids had a blast... sat on the edge of their seats... and could't wait for an autograph from the amazing Joseph himself. Keep it up Jed... you're the only Cultural Arts the Bodily's have! :D

Valentine's Day

We decided to forgo the crowds and endless wait for dinner this year and try something new.

I think it should become a tradition... it was heavenly.

We went to the Soloman Center in Ogden at The Megaplex.

They have a dinner and movie night, all in one location, no lines or waiting, everything for one price, prepaid, so all you do is show up.

We had a catered dinner, massages, chocolates, roses, popcorn, and drinks that were all included.

Not to mention the fabulous friends we were able to go with!

Great night...

Thanks to my sweetheart for a FANTASTIC date!

Locks of Love

Kassie has been growing out her hair for 18 months so that she could donate it to

LOCKS OF LOVE

If anyone knows Kassie this is a huge sacrifice for her... not because she loves long hair...

the opposite actually.

Kassie HATES to have her hair done.

So if you have long hair, it takes longer to style, it gets more tangly, and you pretty much always have to do something with it.

Short and sassy is more her style... after all she is our "sassy Kassie!"

Way to go Kass... not only do we love you, we are proud of your decision to do something for someone else's benefit!

Aunt Karen's Funeral

Karen Thurgood Larsen

(April 21, 1955 - December 28, 2009)

Mountain Green- On December 28, 2009, Karen Thurgood Larsen completed her earthy mission and entered the world of spirits where she has been greeted by her parents and loved ones.

She was born April 21, 1955 in Ogden Utah, the daughter of Rex Moss Thurgood and Margaret Green Weaver. She married J. Blair Larsen Sr. on November 5, 1977.

Karen was raised in Syracuse, Utah and graduated from Clearfield High School. As a youth she worked for many years at Stokers Nursery. For the past 22 years she has been employed at Kimberly-Clark Ogden Plant where she performed in many capacities including her present position as Stores Team Leader.

She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mtn. Green Ward in the Morgan North Stake. Service is the essence of Karen's being. She served in numerous callings with great faithfulness. Karen loved to serve everyone.

She is survived by her husband, J. Blair Larsen Sr., Mtn Green; her children: J.B.(Erin) Larsen, Mtn. Green; Hailey (Joseph) Fitzgerald, South Ogden; Jeremey (Chelsea) Larsen; Austin (Nicole) Larsen; and Kelsey Larsen; all of Mountain Green; and her brother, Chris (Arlene) Thurgood of Bothwell, Utah. Karen has six grandchildren who she loved dearly: Braeden Iver, Eliza Erin, Kyan Scott, Jett Blair, Bridger Moss, and Christian Nash. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family appreciates the many prayers of faith and acts of kindness shown them. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 2, 2010. Karen loves beautiful things, especially flowers.

Display tables in the foyer for the viewing and funeral. This was an assignment from the family to my sister, mother and I. It was an honor. We chose the black table cloths so that the items on the table would stand out, there were little silver confetti stars sprinkled all over also. This was to remind us she is Celestial, an Angel, our Guardian.. (oh, and she loved sparkly things!)

The Viewing

The Funeral. The floral wreath in the center was from our family. The ribbons say "Sister" & "Aunt."

I have put off this particular post, because I just felt overwhelmed by the prospect of it.

It has so much potential to be a lasting and meaningful tribute, yet how could I ever do it justice?

I came to the conclusion that I can't. There is no way to put into words just what she means to me. So I won't even attempt.

Is that a cop out? Maybe. Or maybe it's just all too hard right now.

This Sunday will be 3 months since she left us, and I swear it was just yesterday, and then I swear it was years ago.

This whole experience is filled with contradictions. A rollercoaster ride of emotions that sometimes doesn't even make sense.

However, they are there, you cannot deny, and you just feel it and move on. After all, what choice do we have?

And so... I share just a few things that remind me of her....

Purple

Sparkles

Iris'

Memorial Day

Pumpkins

Halloween

Christmas

Chocolates

Crafts

Acrylic Nails

The faces of her Children

My Dad (a particular nod of his head)

Any talk of Kidney's

LDS Hospital

Service

Love

What an example to many. Gone but never forgotten. I love you!

Christmas 09

I think this will be the most pathetic Christmas post EVER.

Christmas was rough this year... for many reasons, and I slacked in the photo department. (to say the least)

With Aunt Karen's Cancer fight coming to an end, I look back on this season and I am grateful for what I have learned and for the spirit that has been with me. I have never before had such a Christmas season that I have felt the love and support of my Savior. So yes, we had Santa, and parties, and presents, and the kids did not go without, but the most important things that were present in the Bodily home and heart this year could not have been photographed anyway.

I learned during this month of December... that all this worldly stuff and hype is not important.

Next year (or in 10 years) I will not remember what was under the tree, or what my neighbor's gifts were, or what party we were at and what activities we did...

... but I will remember those I love...

... how they make me feel...

... and the relationships I have with them...

Families Are Forever

A Quote...

My blog is seriously neglected. Maybe tomorrow.... But for today... I wanted to share this: "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Sometimes the past is something you just can't let go of, sometimes the past is something we would do anything to forget, and sometimes we learn something new about the past, that changes everything we know about the present."

Auntie K...

... was diagnosed with Lung Cancer today.

We are...

hopeful

scared

humble

positive

supportive

did I mention scared?

.... but ready to stand with her and FIGHT. She has much to live for... and she is loved.

Aussie Dinner

Mom's cousin Phillip and his wife Diana were here from Australia.

We had dinner at The Garden in Salt Lake City. The Garden is located on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial building and it over looks the temple and temple square. It was great to see them again along with some of my aunts and uncles. A nice night and dinner out is always enjoyable too!

Halloween

Trunk or Treat 09

We were in charge of Halloween celebrations this year for Bothwell. We decided on a lighted maze in the park. I think it turned out great and the kids seemed to like it and have fun! We also had a backdrop for pictures and then we just emailed them out to everyone. It was fairly easy with easy clean up! I love fall and the decor... I just wish winter didn't have to follow!

For Halloween this year the kids were....

Kristian was a Pirate

Kassie a Mad Hatter

Kambree a Witch

Gage was Spiderman

Hey Punkin'!

The Annual Thurgood Family Pumpkin Carving

Mountain Green Fire Station

Monday October 26th

Larsen's and Thurgoods

ALWAYS a good time!

Mission

We had the opportunity to attend the closing night of the Musical a friend of ours wrote, produced, & directed in Salt Lake City.

Not only was it a great family night, but it was an AWESOME musical.

Wow... some people get all the talent. :)

The Bodily's with Jed & Tiffany Christensen

Mission: The Musical

In the words of Dr. Seuss:

You have brains in your head,

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose!

Where ever you fly,

You'll be the best of the BEST,

Where ever you go, you will top all the rest!

Thanks Jed! We're looking forward to witnessing what you will accomplish!

School Days Again

I was the first to shout.... NO!! I am not ready!

Apparently, my opinion didn't matter, and it was time to start school again.

The kids were excited... I was extremely reluctant. I would keep them home with me, if I could.

My baby girl started kindergarten.... I almost made it out of the classroom before I cried. Almost.

Big sister... showing little sister "the ropes"

Kam on her first day of Kindergarten. You can just see the excitement in her eyes!

I spent so much time taking pictures of Kambree in kindergarten (because she still needs me, right? :) That by the time I made it over to Kassie's class, school had already started. Does she look a little embarrassed by the fact her mother is standing in the doorway taking pictures?

Here we go again.... another school year under way!

THE BEGINNING

I can just see it, it will be here before I know it....

Empty Nest.

My baby started preschool.. he was so excited.

I was not.

He chose his clothes... just like his sisters do. I had no say, what so ever. Hmmmm.... Independence.

They had a name tag and a school bag ready for him, he just had to add his hand prints.

Wow.... it makes me feel even older just looking at the pictures... my babies are growing up, but I still look and feel 27. (HA!) If only....

It does make me happy, however, that he enjoys it, and wakes up every morning and asks "Is it a school day!?" with a great big smile. (well, some days it's not great big. He is his father's son, ya know?)

Preschool is just THE BEGINNING....

Girls Night Out

All the girls went out after work one night to celebrate all the August & September birthdays.

It was fun to get away from the "work" atmosphere, and have a little fun.

(not that we don't at work! :)

Amy, Britt, Katie, Tiff C, Nicole, Tiff H, Jenny, Amber, & Joey

Amy, Nicole (in the back), Britt & Katie

Jenny, Amber, & Joey

Jenny, Amber, Joey, Jackie, (Nicole's friend), Nicole, Amy, & Britt

I work with some awesome women. Gotta love friends! They keep us going! :)