Soccer Swim Party

Sara and Cecily
Just having a good time.
They threw Micah up and he loved it.. I don't think it was too smart??

Too WILD..

Sara and Grace just swimming and swimming....

The Cope Family, who happens to be one of our favorite families EVER, invited the soccer team over for a swim party. We had a great time. Everyone brought food to share and the Cope's are so generous. The girls loved it and of course Stockton had a great time. Cecily is who the girls love to hang out with at the soccer games, although they are now big enough, that when possible they stay home. They have probably seen over 300 soccer games in their lives. The soccer families are really great friends, and have become such an important part of our lives.

Let the Bowling Begin...

Yes we ate all that junk!!!
My AWESOME TEAM, Lori and Char...PICK UP CHICKS.

OK, so it is soooo white trash, but it is fun. Bowling has begun again. And thank goodness Lori didn't know when it started, because she wasn't going to do it, but when I called her and said it started TODAY, she had no notice and she has to do it!! Every Thursday morning I go bowling with the ladies. Its not about the bowling, but about visiting and seeing friends that you don't see as often as you'd like... We eat lots of junk food, but it helps take our minds off what terrible bowlers we really are... GO PICK UP CHICKS!!

Welcoming a new Legacy..

Dr. Hadlock, the new principle, who is the best we've EVER had.

Giving his speech... Great job, Ryker

My favorite cheerleader, Sydnie! She did a GREAT job too!

Angie telling Ryker what a great job he did!!

Wednesday evening there was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new jr. high, it was just before back to school night so we went. We also wanted to hear Ryker give his speech. Ryker and Stockton have been best friends since we moved here. They have always gone to church, preschool, scout camps, school and played various sports together. Ryker is the Student Body President at the new jr. high. He had to speak in front of over 100 people at the ceremony. It WASN'T the student body, it was public officials, Layton mayor and city counsel, the architects who designed the building, the Davis School Board, media, the international design team that designed the playground and many other important people.

Wow, the kid did so great! When he was done, I must have acted so proud, because the lady next to me asked if that was my son? I said "No, but he could be." I pointed to Angie, who was sitting behind me and gave her the credit she deserved. The Garrett's have reared all of their children to be leaders and exceptional people, I can only hope my kids can be like them. Ryker was quoted in the paper, Stockton read it to me from the Internet, with pride too.

We went to back to school night, met Stockton's teachers and WOW he has his work cut out for him. He is lucky, HAPPY and blessed to go to this great school.

First Day of School for Stockton

There is no possible way I am enough to have a freshman?!? Oh but yes, I do. Today is the first day of school for the traditional school schedule. I can't believe it. I remember crying when he went to kindergarten and every year since. I am the pathetic mom at the school with the camera crying.. Today I said can I take your picture? "No, mom, that is so dumb." I told him I have done this since time began with the exception of 3rd grade, because I was in Hawaii. He did let me take the picture but he is disgusted with the thought. Usually Stockton is not excited to go, but today was different. He was up and ready by 7:00 AM. He is attending a brand new jr. high and it has brought a lot of excitement. I hope he has a great year.

Its Official...

A few months ago, I wrote a post about Stockton and his Eagle Project...well as of tonight at 10:15 he is an official EAGLE SCOUT. The first one on the Anderson or Larsen side of the family, way to go buddy. He had his board of review and he passed. He made the appointment on Sunday, so tonight we got a phone call, we had totally forgotten, BE PREPARED, not. So he hurried and changed into his costume and I ran him over and dropped him off. Then I came home and started to read with Sara and I get a phone call, "my parents are supposed to be here." Well, Brad is at work, and I race back over to the church. He needs a leader from his own quorum to present him to the board, all his leaders are out of town...NICE. So Bro. Dewey from the bishopric had to be called to do it. So far, so good on the board of review, HA HA. Bro. Dewey presented him to Rob Hunsaker, Stan Yamane, and Ron Parry. He said the nicest things about Stockton. Then I had to say a few words, I wasn't prepared at all and I am such a bawl baby. I remember saying that: "He is a good boy, he is the moral compass to our family. He sets goals for himself and works hard to reach them." I spoke for a few minutes, I was so nervous I don't remember what I said. But they are all true. Stockton was nervous too. We just didn't know that it was such a big deal. He has been to so many board of reviews, we thought it would be the same thing, but it wasn't, it was much cooler. He did such a great job and I really am proud of his accomplishment. He couldn't have done it without great leaders though. I really haven't done anything except make sure the project got done and all the paper work. GREAT JOB STOCKTON!

Over The Top Tonia NEVER Disappoints

The Birthday Girl! Miss Tonia.
Over the top Tonia, surprised us.. We went straight to eat at the Bistro in Nordstrom and they had a table set FOR us with Tonia's famous cups and fortune cookies. Who does that for friends on their own birthday? TONIA
The tags on the cups said: "I made a wish and you came true". She has moved so many times and she said each time she moves she hopes to meet good friends and we were her wish, but little does she know we are all so lucky to have such a sweet, kind, spiritual friend!!

Shanna, Amy and Marla enjoying their pedicures.

Lori, Marla, Me, Shanna, TONIA, Amy and Angie..

Showing off our toes.

So it was Tonia's birthday, no it wasn't a monumental one, but any birthday to me and Tonia is worth celebrating for an entire week. So Monday - Angie, Tonia and I went to see a movie, in the middle of the day..How fun is that? Then on Tonia's actual birthday, Wednesday - the gals went out to get a pedicure, lunch and shopping at Nordstrom!! We had so much fun, we laughed all the way down to Salt Lake and back. Then the next night we took all the kids and went mini golfing. I love birthdays and it takes a week to fit everything in...

My Baby is Growing UP

Grace just wasn't blessed with great hair, she takes after her mother, unfortunately. The other kids got hair from their dad...FABULOUS. Grace's hair has gotten a little darker over the past few years, and it is just a mousy color. So I told her I would get her highlights. I think it will brighten her face up and just make her feel good about herself, which is all I want. She was so excited to go and get her hair done. We are actually thinking about putting in a few extensions, but we will have to see about that, lets not get too crazy yet, she is only in the 5th grade. She is beautiful NO MATTER WHAT!!

Damn Cutco Knives

Brad has been saying for years, "Don't we have a decent knife in this house?" So when we were approached about buying knives, I struggled with the price but I decided since Brad is 40, its time that he got some decent knives. Plus, they cut through pennies?? Why wouldn't I want them? Well, I have been out of practice on cooking, since we haven't been home. Monday was the first time I used the knives. I was pitting an avocado and sliced my thumb to the bone. Those stupid knives, instead of showing me they cut pennies, he should have made sure I knew I could really do some damage on myself?? Several stitches and a few weeks, I should be as good as new, it may take a little getting used to, real knives!!

GIRLS TRIP!!

Roma, Angie, me and Marla at the airport. We had to wake up at 3:30-4:00 AM to get there on time. Oh yeah, Marla NEVER went to bed.
The signs, but before the glitter!! The water bottles and the pins.

Libby, Jarred and Kaylee at dinner.

Claire, Kristy and Roma... we all had so much fun together.
Angie, Marla and me.

Us again, but the first night of the pageant. Eating at our favorite place Carmine's.

All dressed up going to support TASHA..

At the beautiful beach. White sand, blue water, AAAAWWWW paradise.

Sipping our drinks on the beach, the only 3 drinks ordered that day with NO ALCOHOL.

Kaylee and I going to the final night of the pageant.

We were going to the beach, going shopping and walking the streets of Paradise Island.

Our last day, but we still had smiles. I couldn't have gone with better gals, I can't wait for the next trip ladies???

I have truly had an exciting summer, but this summer...takes the cake. I have been on scrapbook overnighters with ladies, but it was a long time ago. So when Angie's niece, Tasha Smedley, won Miss Utah USA and the pageant was in the Bahamas, I wanted to go along. I have never been out of the country, so I had to get a passport, which was exciting to me (how pathetic). We planned for months, and we had a BLAST. It was paradise and so beautiful. Marla and I went with Angie and her family to support. Marla is so talented, she did Tasha's send off party and for our trip she made pins for us to wear, water bottles with crowns on them, signs with pictures of Tasha and big UTAH letters to show support, and of course everything was glittered up. We went for the pageant but we also went to have a lot of fun and vacation. Have I told you that I have the BEST husband ever?? So while I am sitting at the beach with my girl friends, Brad took our girls to MY family reunion in Millsite...can you believe it? He went to support my mom and take the girls camping. They had fun. Sara took Abbi Malan and Grace played with Emma non-stop. Stockton was in Park City with his soccer team. They won the Park City Extreme Cup. Stockton even SCORED!! Way to go. There are no pictures of their activities because they didn't think to take a camera!!

THE BAHAMAS

Tasha Smedley, Miss Utah USA

Oh how did she do?? She did fantastic!! She got the the top 15!! It has been 18 years since Miss Utah was in the top 15. But she really was a crowd favorite. Everyone came up to us, because of our pins, and told us they had her picked for the top 5, Miss Texas mom, even had her picked to WIN. She did great and she was happy with the results.
Paradise Island


There were luxurious yachts everywhere.

The famous Atlantis, where we stayed, but of course in the budget tower. It was all very nice!

Ok... the beaches are to die for. They are beautiful, I have never seen anything like it..

Looking down from the balcony at the resort.