Craving

I'm craving a vacation right about now.  For all those Utahn's you know the feeling.  Winter is long, and the sun is cruel and teasing right now. 

warm. cold. warm. cold. sunny but freezing.  

Ever since I was 11 and we moved from Washington to Arizona I would save up all my money all year long and go back to visit every year (except the year they came to visit me).  

Then when we moved to Utah, and I went back to Arizona as much as possible.  

I loved traveling. 

I loved the independence of getting on that airplane all by myself and having time with just my friends.  

My first year of college I was way too poor to go anywhere.  Then I found Nannying.  Traveling and getting paid for it.  I was off to New York, then California, best job ever.

The year after I graduated from USU was the best traveling time of my life.  In a years time I had gone to California (5 times), Cabo San Lucas, Cayman Islands, and New York.  Not to mention all the mini va-kays around Utah.

Needless to say, it's been a while... 

I'd love a day on the beach with this guy.

Or a night out exploring with these girls.

How much longer til we're done with school????

2 years...

It's one of those weird things, where I can't believe we have already been married for two years, but at the same time I feel like I can't distinguish the time before we were married from when we weren't.  I always feel like Jase must have been around for that family vacation back when I was 15, or that one time when we went to that one place for that one thing. Oh wait that wasn't with you? Oops... 

For only two years we sure have gone through a lot of cars (4), a lot of homes (5), a lot of jobs (7ish), a lot of fun adventures, a lot of learning, and a lot of love. 

 I wouldn't change a thing.

We went to Cancun for our Honeymoon, Puerto Rico for our 1 year, and we really wanted to keep the tradition going, but so far this year a tropical beach get away doesn't seem to be in the cards for us.  So I brought it indoors this year.  Who says you can't have a picnic at the beach, in February, in Utah.

  So cheesy I know...

2009, What a year!

2009 has been quite the year for us! We have had so many life changes this year.

New jobs, New family members, New states, New homes, New last names, New adventures.

and many more...

Eric came home from his Mission in Italy!

I got to take my endowments out at the Bountiful

Temple. We were sealed for all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Got married.

Welcomed in new life...

Kayson Todd Larson

and grieved the passing of old...

Grandma Beckstrand

Partied with MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.

Moved to Michigan. Returned to a Family Ward and to Primary.

Said Goodbye to good Friends...

and said Hello to NEW friends.

We "adopted" this little dude.

We explored Mexico, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Canada.

We have had a very eventful and great year. I feel so blessed to have had so many wonderful things happen this past year and I am grateful for all of our family and friends continued support while we are on our journey here in Michigan. We are looking forward to a fantastic 2010!

Marriage... The Honeymoon

After the wedding we woke up bright and early and headed off to Cancun, Mexico!!! Neither of us had ever been before so we were both very excited.  I couldn't wait for some beach and sunshine!  The flight was long but well worth it.  We stayed at the Westin Resort and Spa. We had a great view from our room and could walk right out to the beach.  

We spent our first day exploring the Hotel and all of its pools and restaurants.  The next day we just hung out on the beach and played in the ocean.  Nothing beats laying out on the beach all day with your hubby! :)  That night we went to down town Cancun and ate at, my new favorite restaurant, Chocolate City.Our third day their we got up early and took a tour bus out to the Mayan ruins.  It was such a great experience and I'm so glad we decided to do it!  On the way out we stopped at a cenote, which is a large underground river.  It was about 75ft below the ground and so gorgeous.  It had vines coming down and looked like something straight out of a movie.  We went swimming and cliff jumping.  It took my about a 45 minutes and a lot of coercing from Jason but I finally jumped.  All the while Jason was doing back flips and showing everyone else up.  Our next stop was the Mayan Ruins.  They are so amazing and so beautiful. I couldn't believe the knowledge and architectural expertise these ancient people had.  I loved learning about their culture and lives back than.  The next day we took a ferry to Isla Mujeres.  We went snorkeling along the reefs and swam with sharks. I was so proud of Jason! He's not the biggest fan of ocean creatures but he knows how much I love them.  I even got him to touch a starfish.  :)   Back on the Island we rented a little scooter and went exploring.  Their were so many fun little shops and restaurants.  Not to mention the gorgeous views of the ocean.  Our last day there we hung out at the beach, did some body surfing, and soaked in every last bit of sunshine I could before heading back to freezing cold Utah!  

I loved this entire trip so much! It was so much fun and I loved having my best friend along with me the entire time! 

 We got back to Utah just in time for the Mc Hammer and Vanilla Ice concert.   He knows how big of fan I am of the 80's and surprised me with tickets for Valentines Day.  We went with a group of friends and it was an all night 80's dance party with the best performers around!!  I fell in love with Jason all over again that night. Not only did he put up with Vanilla Ice and MC all night long, but he dressed up and danced crazy with me the entire night! 

Ice Ice Baby...