Newport, California

Our family spent the first week of January in Newport Beach, California. We had a blast. The weather was perfect. One of the days we took a boat out to look for Dolphins and Whales. we didn't see any whales, but we saw tons of Dolphins--3 different varieties. It was so cool; I loved it. Another day we went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was great-not crowded, great rides, a fun time for all. The rest of the week we pretty much spent at the beach. The water was cold, but it didn't stop the kids from getting in. We had 3 wetsuits, so the older boys had those. Henrique and Dustin rented a surf board and did some 'surfing'--Henrique did surfing, Dustin attempted surfing. Steven even went out in the water w/out the wetsuit a couple of times and some other surfers thought he was crazy, but told him 'he was the man' for toughing out the cold. He thought that was pretty funny. One evening, Kregg and I did a session at the Newport Temple. The whole week was perfect, the kids didn't want to come home(they were already missing school), and asked when we could go back(Steven had already flown home a day earlier because of work).




Kourtney and Karsyn at the pool
Newport Beach
Knott's Berry Farm
Dophins swimming under our boat

Christmas Season

The month of December flew by with a lot going on. We began the month with Kregg and I taking Alec, Parker and Karsyn to Legoland (I had won 4 tickets a couple months earlier, so we made the trek over to California). Alec was a little old for it (but I think still had a good time) and Parker and Karsyn really liked it. Kassidi and her two kids joined us for the day. We stayed with Kass and Nathan for three days, then headed home. Two weeks later, Steven did his Eagle Project (he's cutting it close considering he'll be 18 on January 20th, but our fingers are crossed). He had a lot of friends and family show up to help put together Hygiene Kits for the Humantarian Center, and was able to put together almost 200 kits (thank you to all who contributed one way or another--). The next night was the Stapley Family Christmas FHE(complete with nativity and cousins gift exchange). Our kids always look forward to this. And then the next night was the Larson Family Christmas FHE(also with a cousins nativity and the traditional visit from Santa). My dad wasn't able to be there because of his health right now, and we really missed him. Of course, besides the things I've already mentioned were other parties, school programs and concerts, etc.... I also took Kourtney, Kellan and Karsyn to see the Nutcracker Ballet a couple of days before Christmas. They enjoyed it, especially Karsyn who is taking ballet right now and already thinks she is a ballerina. She told me that when she's bigger I can come watch her in the Nutcracker. Christmas Eve day, Kregg took the boys to the movie 'Avatar 3D', while I stayed home and attempted to make a traditional Brazilian dish-Frejoada-to help our exchange student, Henrique, not feel so homesick during the holidays. I must have made the dish right because when the boys got home Henrique came in the kitchen and saw what I was cooking and said that they have a dish just like it in Brazil. I told him that was what I was making and I was so happy he actually recognized it for what it was. It must be hard for him to not be with his family during Christmas. The night after Christmas we had our Larson Family Adult Pary and White Elephant Exchange. It was a lot of fun, Ben won our 'ulgliest Christmas Sweater' contest, and it was great getting together and laughing and visiting. We had the Stapley Adult White Elephant Exchange a week later on Jan. 1st and had a really great time.

I love getting together with family and the whole Christmas Season, but I especially love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I'm so grateful for His birth and His life and all that He's done for me. He was the greatest Gift of All given to Man by a loving Father in Heaven and I am forever thankful. My wish to all of you- my friends and family- is that the coming year will bring Love, Peace and Happiness to all of you, and may the spirit of Christmas be with you throughout the year.


At our annual Adult Family Christmas Party, Matt decided we should have an 'Ugly Christmas Sweater' contest and all wear our ugliest Christmas sweaters(unfortunately, not everyone participated so they lost by default, but my brother Ben definitely won--here he is in the winning 'Ugliest Christmas Sweater'. Good job, Ben!!
Steven, Henrique, Karsyn and Kellan making Christmas Sugar Cookies on Christmas Eve
Parker and Karsyn in their Christmas pajamas
Parker lost a tooth Christmas Eve, so he got a visit from the Tooth Fairy and Santa all during the same night
Me and my Grandma at our Christmas FHE--I'm so glad she could come be with us.

Christmas Season (more photos)

Eight of the Ten siblings (missing are Jared and Camille)--you'll have to guess who St. Nick is...
Parker and Santa
Karsyn and Santa
My Mom and my Grandma Hamblin
Larson Cousin/Family Nativity

Lake Powell

The first week of October, Kregg and I went to Lake Powell with members of Jodi's family (Jared & Randa, Danny, Mindy, Ben, Matt & Melissa). A few days were windy and quite cold(when we were out on the boat on the lake), but we had a blast. The water actually felt good to jump into--it was warmer than the outside air temperature. This was my first trip to Lake Powell and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed skiing, wakeboarding, the jetski, hiking, playing a lot of games on the houseboat, the gorgeous scenery, and all in all, just being together with family. I know the slide show is long, but I took hundreds of photos and just had a tough time picking out just a few. It really was so fun, and I can't wait until next year when we go again.

Diving Fun

I thought I'd better catch up on a few things that some of my kids are involved in. Steven, Dustin, Kourtney and our exchange student, Henrique, are all involved in Swim and Dive right now. Henrique is swimming (and he's really good), and Steven, Dustin and Kourtney are all three diving. Steven has placed 1st in Dive in all of the meets so far, and Kourtney has placed 4th on average, which we think is great, considering she just started diving about 4 weeks ago. Dustin, unfortunately, has been inelligable to dive so far because of grades(hello?!! Yes, Dustin, you do have to do homework in High School). Hopefully he'll get to dive soon. Today Steven and Kourtney were in the Wolves Classic held at Chandler High School. Kourtney placed 21st out of 31 girls, and Steven came in 1st among the 37 boys. We're proud of both of them. Kourtney is also on the Freshman Cheer Squad and is enjoying that, too.

Kourtney with friend, Tearza

Two Great Books

I just finished reading 'The Holy Secret' by James L. Ferrell. It is an awesome book, and I plan on reading it again, as it has so much in it that it's almost impossible to take it all in the first time. It's by the same author who wrote 'The Peacegiver', another fantastic book. They are both inspirational and leave the reader with a wonderful feeling. I would strongly recommend both books--they are absolutely amazing, and a worthwhile read.

Random Moments

Saturday: August 15, 2009
Karsyn decided to rake up the mowed grass in the yard all by herself when no one else would do it. We didn't even know that she was out there until I saw her from the kitchen window. She finished the job and did great. What a trooper!!


Sunday, August 16,2009: Parker and Karsyn
Later today I came downstairs to prepare dinner and this is what I found. What a couple of cuties--I couldn't resist taking some shots of them.