Lake Powell Larsons

The first weekend in November is my favorite.  We watch the hot air balloons lift off every morning and on Saturday night the main street is closed to let some of the balloons light up.  This year on Friday morning after my kids went to school, I went walking with some friends along the rim trail.  Saturday morning my kids and I went along the trail to watch the balloons. Whenever I look out over the golf course or the lake and see the balloons, it reminds me of the beautiful place we live in.  We are so blessed to live in such a naturally beautiful area. There weren't as many balloons this year as the past few years.  They come so close we can talk to the pilots and they always say hi and are friendly.

We had Grandma Beverly and Grandma Hardy visit in October. They got to go to Esther's soccer game. We worked on family history and shutterfly photo books. Jonah performed his magic show. We miss you!

The last race of the day they made a leader from each troop go in the boat. Scott got in, the boat floated for a few minutes then sank with everyone on board! Noah is glad to have his dad in Scouting. They are learning a lot.

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Noah's boy scout troop came in 3rd place in the cardboard boat race. They spent hours the previous three weeks making the boat. Luckily it floated! The race was the end of a campout weekend. Scott is the Young Men's president in our ward and gets to work with the Boy Scouts. It was perfect October weather and the lake was still warm enough to get wet.

Our school had a Walk to School day to encourage exercise and healthy living. My kids were so excited because we live too far to walk, I always drive them to school. The city hall was the designated spot for kids and parents to meet at then walk with their classes to the school. I walked with Esther's kindergarten class. There was a huge turnout and the kids really loved it. Hopefully it will become an annual tradition.

My parents and Scott's mom came to visit for Noah's ordination. It is a blessing to have Noah in our home. He is a great example to his family. He does what is right and is humble. When Scott was blessing him I could feel the Spirit so strong in the room and felt a confirmation that Noah was a special spirit before he came to earth and Heavenly Father has a specific plan for him. What a blessing to know the Plan of Happiness: that we lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus before we came to earth to get a body; then to be tried and tested on earth, die while our spirit continues on until the glorious resurrection; that we can live together forever with our families. It is times like this that I am overwhelmed with love for my family and the Savior who made this all possible. I thought of Heavenly Father shouting with joy when Noah received the priesthood and Satan cringing in anger. I will continue praying that he will have his picture in a missionary suit in 7 years.

Emily and Bentley came to visit us last month. They were out west for a couple weeks. The kids all tried to be Bentley's favorite cousin and loved having him around. We went to the marina and fed the fish. We only found two ducks. Bentley is all grown up and doing great. It is not fair having cousins who live on the other side of the country!

Noah getting one of five rocks he got from Ezra.


I still can't believe Noah is 12! He had a fun birthday party with friends and fun. They played football, basketball and had a Nerf gun party that lasted from 9 pm - midnight. I love when my kids want to give each other presents and run around trying to put something together. Esther was so proud of herself for wrapping one of Noah's birthday helium balloons and giving it to him when he was opening his presents.

Esther had the best party ever! It was a beauty shop party where the girls got their makeup, hair and nails done. Hannah and three of her friends were the beauticians. The girls came in their dress up clothes. We had cupcakes and fudgecicles before the makeovers. Esther loves doing her nails. She paints her nails at least 5 times a week so she was thrilled at her party. For her birthday we got her a plastic beauty salon with a swivel chair and it is stocked with makeup and nail polish. Esther is very girly. Hannah and her friends had a good time helping and want their own party.

Noah won 4 tickets to a Dodger/DBack game at our Little League closing ceremony in June. The game was Aug. 15 and Scott was planning to take the boys. But since we live in the middle of nowhere and Hannah needed to go out of town for a pointe shoe fitting, she went with them. Esther and I stayed home. They went down Friday after school and came back early Sunday morning at 1 am! The game was supposed to be a 1 pm start but was changed to 5. I sent a camera with Scott but they had so much fun they did not take many pics. They had great seats in left field and with mostly Dodger fans. Jonah got a home run ball from batting practice. The only thing that would have made it more fun is if the Yankees were playing. Saturday morning Scott took Hannah to the ballet shoe store and was chatting with the owner, an 85 year old from New York, and his son. Scott said you must be Yankee fans. They said no we are Dodger fans, since the Brooklyn Dodgers, our cousin is Sandy Kaufax! That was very impressive to Scott. Are there any baseball fans who know their history?